Thieves World 3 – Shadows of Sanctuary by Asprin, Robert

occur!’

Zaibar, captain of the Hell Hounds, bellowed his comprehension of Molin’s order.

6

The women, and they were all dressed as women though Seylalha knew some of them

were the eunuchs who routinely guarded her, crept forward to remove the heavy

cloak from her shoulders. She shook the cramped silk and knotted her fingers in

anticipation. A partition of fine netting separated the musicians from the other

participants in this drama, but their sounds were familiar and oddly soothing.

The carpet on which she had always danced lay slightly to one side of the centre

of the tent and behind the carpet was a mound of pillows to which the burly

‘women’ directed her. The white-robed men were invited to partake of a banquet

laid out on a low table and fell over each other rushing to the sumptuous

food. The masked figure who stood apart from the rest and seemed distinctly

uncomfortable under his splendid robe was led to a separate table where only

stale bread and water had been laid and an ugly, heavy short-sword awaited him.

So, that was the god, Seylalha thought, as the mask was lifted from his face. He

was weak-chinned – but what civilized man did not show the stains of his rich

foods and soft bed? He was, at least, a whole man. The man-god would not look at

her, preferring to watch the darkest, least penetrable recesses of the tent.

Seylalha knew fear for his curiously absent passions. Sliding off the

cushions she struck the first position of her dance, expecting the musicians

to lift their instruments.