Thieves World 4 – Storm Season by Asprin, Robert

Dubro.

“She is S’danzo. And she takes care of me, now-“

“S’danzo?” Walegrin said in disbelief. “Since when do the S’danzo help you?”

Illyra shrugged. “Even the S’danzo cannot remember forever, you know. The women

have the sight, so the men feel free to wander with the wind. The women stay in

one place all their lives; the men-It is forgotten.”

“Forgotten?” Walegrin leaned forward to whisper to her. “Illyra, this Moonflower

who tells you not to use your sight-does she see those who used to come to you?”

“She-or her daughter,” Illyra admitted.

“Illyra, breeding has clouded your mind. They will squeeze you out. They never

forget.”

“If that were true, so much the worse for them. Since the mercenaries came to

town scrying is not pleasant, Walegrin. I do not enjoy looking into the future

of soldiers. I do not enjoy their reactions when I tell them the truth.” She

shifted again in the chair. “But, it is not true. When my son is bom the danger

will be past and I will see again. Moonflower and Migurneal will not keep what

is rightfully mine,” she said with the calm confidence of one who has the upper

hand. “You need not worry for me. I will not send you to Moonflower, either.

I’ll answer your questions myself, if I can, after my son is born-if you can

wait that long.”

It seemed likely that she would be delivered of her child well before Balustrus

finished making the swords, so Walegrin agreed to wait.

4

Balustrus’ villa-foundry had fallen from fashionability long before the first

Rankans reached Sanctuary. Weeds grew boldly in the mosaic face of Shipri in the