Shadows of Sanctuary by Robert L. Asprin

Author:Robert L. Asprin [Asprin, Robert L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantastic Fiction; American, Fantasy Fiction; American, Fantasy Fiction, Fiction, Fantasy, General, Science Fiction
ISBN: 9780441760299
Google: m72OPwAACAAJ
Publisher: Ace Fantasy Books
Published: 1983-10-15T04:00:00+00:00

2

‘It develops that I need help,’ Prince-Governor Kadakithis said, ‘and I cannot see a way to threaten it out of anyone.’

‘Including me?’

‘Including you, Hanse. Furthermore, if you won’t help, I can’t see how I can punish you either.’

‘I’m glad to hear it. But I didn’t know there were things a governor couldn’t do, much less a prince.’

‘Well, Shadowspawn, now you know. Even Kitty-Kat isn’t all powerful.’

‘You need help and the Hell Hounds can’t provide it?’

‘That is close, Hanse. The Imperial Elite Guardsmen cannot help me with this. Or so I perceive it.’

‘I sure do wish you would sit down. Highness, so I can.’

Kadakithis walked across the rich carpet of his privatemost chamber and sat on the edge of the peacock spread of his bed. He gestured. ‘Do take that divan, Hanse, or those cushions as it pleases you.’

Hanse nodded his thanks. He sank among the cushions, curbing a grin at their luxury. Last night he had sat on the divan, and only he knew it. This day he chose the luxury of the jumble of stuffed Aurveshan silk. (Quag the Hell Hound had been on duty at the gate. He had recognized the hooded blind beggar, who winked at him. Having been secretly apprised that Hanse was invited. Quag conducted the blind beggar to His Highness. The hooded robe lay on the bed beside the prince now, who had congratulated Hanse on the cleverness of his entry. Hanse forbore to tell him how much more clever he had been last night.)

Now he decided that he could afford a modicum of daring: ‘Either I’m hearing sideways or you just told me you need me for something the Hell Hounds, I mean Imperial Elites, can’t do. Or that your Highness can’t trust them with? Or that you don’t want them to know about.’ Revelation: ‘Or … something illegal?’

‘I will not affirm or deny anything that you have said.’ That said, the prince merely gazed at him. The boy did a good job of looking enigmatic, Hanse mused, overlooking the fact that they were about the same age.

‘If the prince will forgive me saying it… his Chief of Security is surely not one to baulk at such a … mission.’

The prince continued to stare. One pale eyebrow rose slightly under that disgustingly handsome shock of yellow hair. And then Hanse was staring.

Tempus! It’s about Tempus, isn’t afl I haven’t sees him for weeks.’

‘Kadakithis turned his gaze on an ornate Yenizedish tapestry. ‘Hanse: neither have I.’

‘He is not on a mission for your Highness?’

‘Just use the pronoun for me, Hanse, and we can save whole days of our lives. No. He is not. He is missing. Who might wish him to be missing?’

Hanse was wary of being used as informant, but saw no reason not to answer that one. ‘Oh, half the people in town. Maybe more. About the same number that would wish the governor to be missing. Your pardon of course. Governor. Or the Emperor. Or Ranke.’

‘Hmm. Well, Empire is built on conquest, not love, however often they are the same.

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