Thieves World 3 – Shadows of Sanctuary by Asprin, Robert

the mute prepared its feast: live mouse dipped in wine. The priest watched the

bird disappear back to the Maze rooftops, staring after its flight long after

his wife had begun to shout his name.

4

Seylalha stood perfectly still while the dourfaced women draped the sea-green

froth around her. The women would not hesitate to prick her sharply with their

bodkins and needles, though they took the greatest of care with the silk. They

stepped back and signalled that she should spin on her toes for them.

Deep folds of material billowed out into delicate clouds at her slightest

movement. The texture of the cloth against her skin was so unlike the heavy

tatters of her usual attire that for once she forgot to watch the intricate

dance-language other instructors a; they discussed their creation.

The time must be drawing near; they would not dress her like this unless it was

almost time for her marriage to the god. The moon above her cell was a thin

crescent fading to blackness.

They got their instruments and began to play. Without waiting for the sharp

report of the clatter-sticks, Seylalha began to dance, letting the unhemmed ends

of the silk swirl out to accompany her as she moved through the hundreds of

poses – each painfully inured in her muscles. She flowed with the atonal music,

throwing her soul into each leap and turn, keenly aware that this meaningless

collection of movements would become her only, exquisite plea for freedom.

When she settled into the final frantic moments of the dance the sea-green silk