Thieves World 3 – Shadows of Sanctuary by Asprin, Robert

Great King, such as your father. Can you tell me why the god is taking such an

interest?’

‘The god will tell you, when you make of the Tros horse a sacrifice. Or some

person. Then He will be mollified. You know the ritual. If it be a man you

choose, I will gladly volunteer… Ah, you understand me, now? I do not want to

frighten you …”

‘Take no thought of it.’

‘Then… though I risk your displeasure, yet I say it: I love you. One night

with you would be a surfeit, to work under you is my long-held dream. Let me do

this, which none can do better, which no whole man can do for you at all!’

‘I cede you the privilege, since you value it so; but there is no telling what

Jubal’s hired hawk-masks might do to the eunuch we send in there.’

‘With your blessing and the god’s, I am fearless. And you will be close by, busy

attacking Black Jubal’s fortress. While you arc arresting the slavemaster for

his treasonous spying, whosoever will make good the woman’s escape. I

understand your thought; I have arranged for the retrieval of her weapons.’

Tempus chuckled. ‘I hardly know what to say.’

‘Say you look kindly upon me, that I am more than a bad memory to you.’

Shaking his head, Tempus took the amulet Abarsis held out to him. ‘Come then.

Stepson, we will see what part of your glorious expectations we can fulfil.’

7

It was said, ever after, that the Storm God took part in the sack of the

slaver’s estate. Lightning crawled along the gatehouses of its defensive wall

and rolled in balls through the inner court and turned the oaken gates to ash.