Thieves World 3 – Shadows of Sanctuary by Asprin, Robert

differences, without him no chance remains that you might triumph. My father

found that out. Even sick with his curse, he is too valuable to waste,

unappreciated. If you would rather remain a princeling forever, and let the

empire slide into ruin apace, just tell me and I will take word home. We will

forget this matter of the kingship and this corollary matter of a small standing

army, and I will release Tempus. He would as soon it, I assure you.’

‘Your father? Who in the God’s Eye are you?’

‘Ah, my arrogance is unforgivable; I thought you would know me. We are all so

full of ourselves these days, it is no wonder events have come to such a pass. 1

am Man of the God in Upper Ranke, Sole Friend to the Mercenaries, the Hero, Son

of the Defender, and so forth.’

‘High Priest of Vashanka.’

‘In the Upper Land.’

‘My family and yours thinned each other’s line,’ stated Kadakithis baldly, no

apology, no regret in his words. Yet he looked differently upon the other,

thinking they were of an age, both wielding wooden swords in shady courts while

the slaughter raged, far off at the fronts.

‘Unto eradication,’ remarked the dark young man. ‘But we did not contest, and

now there is a different enemy, a common threat. It is enough.’

‘And you and Tempus have never met?’

‘He knew my father. And when I was ten, and my father died and our armies were

disbanded, he found a home for me. Later, when I came to the god and the

mercenaries’ guild, I tried to see him. He would not meet with me.’ He

shrugged, looking over his shoulder at the man walking the blue-grey horse