Thieves World 3 – Shadows of Sanctuary by Asprin, Robert

ground. Even the white-robed feasters ceased their eating and became a

frightened knot of sheep-like men.

‘It will be as I warned you, my Prince – not merely the Ten but all the others.

If you’ve no taste for bloodshed it would be best if you depart now. My men

await you. I will do my father’s work.’

‘What of Zaibar? I knew nothing about that until Molin addressed them.’

‘They did not see me; it is unlikely they will see you.’

The one who had been called the Prince slunk into the darkness. The other

retrieved his dagger from the corpse.

‘Our Imperial Prince is not one for rituals of bloodshed and violence,’ he said

to everyone in the tent. ‘He has asked me to take the role of my father in his

stead. Would any here gainsay my right to act for Vashanka and my Prince?’

The question was purest rhetoric. The bloody corpse was testimony to the price

of gainsaying this intruder. Seylalha wrenched a heavy tassel from one of the

pillows and shredded it behind her. She clung to the belief that her life had

been an arrow directed to this night, her dance would be her salvation; but that

belief was shaken as the eunuchs who had ruled her for so many years cowered in

fear and the feasting men made a doomed attempt to find hiding places.

With an unpleasant smile the man-god strode to the table where he ripped a

mouthful of bread from the loaf, drained the beaker of salted water and lifted

the crude sword. He shifted it once or twice in his hand, his fingers adjusting

to its awkward balance. With the same smile still on his lips he advanced