Thieves World 4 – Storm Season by Asprin, Robert

in Ranke.” The Archpriest Arbalest settled a little more comfortably in his

chair, and Lalo’s sensitive fingers, responding, adjusted a line.

“An excellent position, really, right at the heart of things. Everybody who is

anybody pays homage there eventually, and whoever transmits their petitions to

the god can gather quite a lot of useful information in time.” Smiling

complacently, the Archpriest smoothed the brocaded saffron folds of his gown.

“Mmnn-very true-” murmured Lalo with the fraction of his mind that was not

mesmerized by his work.

“I wish you would let me look at what you are doing!” the priest said

petulantly. “It is my face you are immortalizing, after all!”

Shocked into awareness, Lalo stepped back from the easel and looked at him.

“Oh no, my Lord, you must not! It has been strictly ordered that this picture

shall be a surprise. None of the sitters is to see it until the entire painting

is revealed to the Emperor. If you try to look I will have to call the guard.

Indeed, it is as much as my life is worth to let anyone see the picture before

its time!”

And that, at least, was perfectly true, thought Lalo, daring to look at the

canvas with conscious eyes at last. Against the crude backdrop of a pillared

hall had been sketched the rough outlines of five figures. The one on the far

left had been filled in yesterday with the picture of Lord Raximander, the first

of the Commissioners to serve as model here. He looked like a pig- complacently

self-indulgent, with just a hint of stubborn ferocity in the little eyes.