Thieves World 7 – The Dead of Winter by Asprin, Robert

scratches. She still is. Every time she fought tooth and nail. All it got her

was a reputation on the island and a lot more customers with ideas of taming

her.” She shuddered.

Lowan Vigeles refilled her vessel a third time and urged it upon her. Then he

asked quite calmly, “Did you kill the proprietor?”

“I didn’t get the chance.” She took one more drink, then set the wine aside. She

hadn’t come here to get drunk with her father, and there were things she had to

do come daylight. She didn’t need a fuzzy head. “There was plenty of blood

letting, though, when I broke her out. Some customers tried to get in the way.

But as soon as Daphne spied her keeper she grabbed one of my daggers and leaped

at him with a screech that, I swear, made my flesh crawl! The man didn’t even

get a chance to fling up his arms. I tell you, she carved him like a mince pie.

I had to drag her off and hustle her down to the quays before the entire island

came after us. Good thing I had a boat waiting.”

“Where is she right now?” Lowan asked softly.

“Rosanda volunteered to bathe her. It’s probably the first bath she’s had since

her capture. Speaking of Aunt Rosanda, can you keep her busy out here for a few

days? Very busy? I don’t want her spreading word of Daphne’s return. I want that

pleasure for myself, and I want it to be very special.”

Lowan frowned. “Now I see. Daphne’s just a tool for you, isn’t she? Another

thorn to stick in Shupansea’s side?”

Sometimes, Lowan Vigeles could be irritating, particularly in the accuracy with