Thieves World 3 – Shadows of Sanctuary by Asprin, Robert

for having come. So, when Abarsis, high priest of Upper Ranke, left his

companions and approached, but did not sit among the mercenaries Tempus had

collected, he said to the nine that he would see them at the appointed time, and

to the iron-clad one.

‘Life to you. Stepson. Please join me.’

‘Life to you, Riddler, and everlasting glory.’ Cup in hand, he sipped pure

water, eyes hardly darker never leaving Tempus’s face. ‘Is it Sanctuary that has

driven you to drink?’ He indicated the posset.

‘The dry soul is wisest? Not at the Empire’s anus, where the water is chancy.

Anyway, those things I said long ago and far away: do not hold me to any of

that.’

The smooth cheek of Stepson ticced. ‘I must,’ he murmured. ‘You are the man I

have emulated. All my life I have listened after word of you and collected

intelligence of you and studied what you left us in legend and stone in the

north. Listen: “War is sire of all and king of all, and some He has made gods

and some men, some bond and some free”. Or: “War is ours in common; strife is

justice; all things come into being and pass away through strife”. You see, I

know your work, even those other names you have used. Do not make me speak them.

I would work with you, 0 Sleepless One. It will be the pinnacle of my career.’

He flashed Tempus a bolt of naked entreaty, then his gaze flickered away and he

rushed on: ‘You need me. Who else will suit? Who else here has a brand and

gelding’s scars? And time in the arena as a gladiator, like Jubal himself? Who

could intrigue him, much less seduce him among these? And though I -‘