Thieves World 3 – Shadows of Sanctuary by Asprin, Robert

speak. Then he continued: ‘As to the eunuch I offer as replacement, I want you

to arrange for his training. You like Jubal’s work; send to him saying yours has

met with an accident and you wish to tender another into his care to be

similarly instructed. Tell him you paid a lot of money for it, and you have high

hopes.’

‘You have such a eunuch?’

‘I will have it.’

‘And you expect me to conscion your sending of an agent in there – aye, to aid

you – without knowing your plan, or even the specifics of the Wriggly’s

confession?’

‘Should you know, my lord, you would have to approve, or disapprove. As it lies,

you are free of onus.’

The two men regarded each other, checked hostility jumping between them like

Vashanka’s own lightning in the long, dangerous pause.

Kadakithis flicked his purple mantle over his shoulder. He squinted past Tempus,

into the waning day. ‘What kind of cloud is that?’

Tempus swung around in his saddle, then back. ‘That should be our friend from

Ranke.’

The prince nodded. ‘Before he arrives, then, let us discuss the matter of the

female prisoner Cime.’

Tempus’s horse snorted and threw its head, dancing in place. ‘There is nothing

to discuss.’

‘But… ? Why did you not come to me about it? I could have done something,

previously. Now, I cannot…’

‘I did not ask you. I am not asking you.’ His voice was a blade on whetstone, so

that Kadakithis pulled himself up straight. ‘It is not for me to take a hand.’

‘Your own sister? You will not intervene?’

‘Believe what you will, prince. I will not sift through gossip with any man, be