Thieves World 3 – Shadows of Sanctuary by Asprin, Robert

gathered their instruments and found a compelling harmony with which to fill the

tent.

Seylalha lost herself with him until there was nothing beyond the pillows and

the memory of the music. The torches were long since exhausted and in the

darkness her god-lover was neither awesome nor cruel. He might have intended

rape and pain, but her passion for a child and freedom consumed him and he lay

asleep across her breast. Her body curved against his and though she had not

meant it to happen, she fell asleep as well.

He grunted and jerked upright, leaving her puzzled and cold on the pillows.

Wariness tightened the muscles of his leg. She raised herself up on one elbow

without learning the source of his sudden concern.

‘Cover yourself,’ he instructed, thrusting his torn tunic at her.

‘Why?’

‘There’ll be a fire here,’ he spoke as if repeating words that swam in his head

already. ‘By Wrigglies, Cime or what… we’re betrayed.’

He gripped her arm and hauled her to her feet as the tent burst into flames

around them. Clutching the tunic to her breast, Seylalha moulded herself against

him. He was motionless for less than a second; the fire swept through the roof

cloth and raced towards the carpet and pillows where they stood. Sparks jumped

towards her long hair; she screamed and flailed at the flames until he put them

out with his hands and hoisted her rudely in his arms.

The firelight leeched all gentleness from his face, replacing it with pain and a

glint of vengeance. One of the beams that supported the tent cracked down before