Thieves World 3 – Shadows of Sanctuary by Asprin, Robert

other very young man’s sash – an Ilsigi sash – he nodded. Abruptly he wanted to

curse. Instead he felt an unwonted and unwanted prayer come cat-sidling into his

mind: 0 Ils, god of my people and father ofShalpa my patron! It is true that

Tempus-Thales serves Vashanka Tenslayer. But help us, help us both, Lord Ils,

and I swear to do all I can to destroy Vashanka Sister-wifer or drive him hence,

if only You will show me the way! . And Hanse blinked, and hurled that

ridiculous and unwelcome thought bodily from his mind. Prayers indeed!

‘Hanse… consider the limits to my power. I am not a man named Kadakithis; I am

governor. I cannot do anything about it. I cannot.’

Hanse looked up to meet those cerulean eyes. ‘Prince, if someone broke in here

to kill you right now, I’d probably defend you. But I would not try to sneak

into Jubal’s keep for half your fortune and all your women.’

‘Alone against Jubal? Lord, neither would I!’ Kadakithis came to him then, and

laid hands on a thief’s shoulders. His eyes were intense and large. ‘My only

request of you, Hanse, is… I just wish you’d agree to try to learn where

Tempus is. That’s all. Your way, Hanse, and for a lot less reward than half my

fortune and the women I brought here.’

Hanse backed from under those hands, from those staring eyes so full of

sincerity. He paced to the bed, and the hooded robe of a blind beggar.

‘I wish to leave by the fourth window down. Prince. That way I can let myself on

to the roof of your smokehouse. If you were to call in your sentinels for