Thieves World 5 – The Face of Chaos by Asprin, Robert

stepped back, the brush falling from his fingers, and the thing on the canvas

stretched, flexed, and launched itself glittering into the air.

Eshi laughed and clapped her white hands, and Thufir smiled his slow, patient

smile. Lalo stared as the miniature sikkintair that had come to life beneath his

hands soared off through the trees.

‘Before, you were able to paint the truth behind reality,’ the whisper of Ils

echoed through the deepest chambers ofLalo’s soul. ‘Now you will give Reality to

the Truth you see. Do you not yet understand Who you are?’

Oh Thou Blessed Mother of All Living,

We wander, children who have lost our way-

Guard us from all danger, and forgiving,

Guide us homeward at the close of day.

‘Holy Shipri, All-Mother, as Thou dost love Thine own lord, hear me now!’

Gilla’s murmur was lost in the hymn’s sweet harmonies. ‘Hear me and guide my own

man back to me …’

Here in the chapel of the Mother, flickering candles struck sparks of colour

from the mosaics and one scarcely noticed the rough repairs where Vashanka’s

thunderbolt had cracked the wall. Gilla huddled in the shadows while the blue

robed priestesses passed back and forth before the marble image of the Goddess,

continuing their song.

Whatever men destroy is for Thy mending,

Forever feeding from Thy fruitful breast;

Thou art the source of life, and at its ending,

Once more within Thy holy womb we rest.

And what if Lalo is already safe within Her arms? Gilla wondered then. Perhaps

the gods need a court painter, and what does Sanctuary have to offer that could