Thieves World 4 – Storm Season by Asprin, Robert

“But I am not skilled with a sword!-Lord of Shadows,” he added.

That fortunate fact was not to be his succor as he hoped. Fight a god!

Shadowspawn? Hanse? No no, he wanted only to fly from here and lose himself in

that cess-warren called the Maze, forever!

But: “There is one in Sanctuary who is more than expert with the sword and the

business of killing, and he allows that he owes you. With him now are those who

are skilled at teaching use of the sword, and they are his liege-men, Hanse.

Hanse: use him. He will see to your instruction, and with pleasure. You shall

learn prodigiously and surprise them, for I shall be there with you, Hanse who

are the Chosen of Ilsig.”

Now Hanse was propping himself with both hands on a high-backed chair, and at

last Eshi took notice.

“We are cruel, brother! Shadowspawn-seat yourself.”

Shadowspan obeyed with gratitude and alacrity. He almost collapsed into the

chair. He took a very deep breath, let part of it out, and was able to form

words by letting them ride the breath: “But … uh … then what?”

“You will know, Hanse.”

Then Shadowspawn twitched away at a sound beside him. He looked at the floor

beside his chair, at what had only just appeared there, and could not possibly

be there. Clinking, dripping, running water, were the bags off the saddle of a

dead man named Bourne. Hanse’s saddlebags, from the deeps of the well just

outside! The ransom of the Savankh, which he had stolen for little purpose other

than his own ego and pride-which had soared, then. The ransom Prince Kitty-cat