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

hid a smile.

The Queen looked down at the dog with astonishment, and finally reached out to

scratch her behind one ear. She looked over at Ischade. “This orgy of self

sacrifice,” she said, with the slightest, driest smile, “comes on behalf of

Sanctuary?”

“More or less, madam,” said Ischade, matching the smile. “I question whether it

deserves it.”

“It does not. But how rarely any of us get what we deserve. Which may be for the

best.” The Queen looked at her supplicants-one mortal and one goddess kneeling,

one goddess standing, and (apparently) one more leaning against her and having

the good place behind her ears scratched. “No wonder you two have been having

such trouble achieving union. It’s a trinity you’re part of, and without your

third there’s never agreement on anything. But with him-“

“Them,” Tyr said.

The Queen looked wry. “A four-person trinity?- Assuredly, I must get rid of all

of you somehow,” she said. “There would be no peace for any of us with all of

you walking around here shining and tearing up the place. And arguing.” In this

warming, melting light, she seemed much less grave and awful than she had. Mriga

even thought that her eyes crinkled in amusement; but in the growing radiance,

and the way it reflected dazzling from her veil, it was becoming hard to tell.

“But the law is still the law. The price must be paid-“

There was a long pause.

“We could split it four ways,” Harran said.

Siveni looked at him in shock, then smiled. “Why, you’re my priest indeed. Each

of us could spend a quarter of our time here,” she said to the Queen. “We could