Nightside the Long Sun Read Online Free PDF Page B

animal, Silk reflected, would make a superb sacrifice to any god; but the donkey’s price would be nearer thirty cards than three.
    A fatted ox recalled the prosperous-looking man called Blood, and Blood’s three cards might well obtain it after a session of hard bargaining. Many augurs chose such victims whenever they could, and what remained after the sacrifice would supply the palaestra’s kitchen for at least a week, and feed Maytera Rose, Maytera Mint, and himself like so many commissioners as well; but Silk could not believe that a mutilated and stall-fed beast, however sumptuous, would be relished by a god, nor did he himself often indulge in meats of any kind.
    Lambs, unrelieved black for Stygian Tartaros, Deathly Hierax, and Grim Phaea, purest white for the remainder of the Nine, were the sacrifices most frequently mentioned in the Chrasmologic Writings; but he had offered several such lambs already without attracting a divine presence to the Sacred Window. What sort of thanks would such a lamb—or even an entire flock of such lambs, for Blood’s cards put a sizable flock within his reach—be now to the veiled god who had, unbribed, so greatly favored him today?
    This dog-headed ape, trained to light its master’s way with cresset or lantern, and (according to a badly lettered placard) to defend him from footpads and assassins, would cost at least as much as the donkey. Shaking his head, Silk walked on.
    A Flier—perhaps the same Flier—sailed serenely overhead, his widespread, gauzy wings visible now, his body a dark cross against the darkening streak of the sun. The burly, bearded man beside Silk shook his fist, and several persons muttered maledictions.
    â€œDon’t nobody ever want it to rain,” the nearest of the sellers of beasts remarked philosophically, “but everybody wants to go on eatin’.”
    Silk nodded his agreement. “The gods smile on us, my son, or so it is written. It’s a wonder they don’t laugh aloud.”
    â€œDo you think they’re really spyin’ on us, Patera, the way the Ayuntamiento keeps tellin’ us? Or do they bring on rain? Rain and storms, that’s what my old father used to say, and his before him. I’ve noticed myself that it’s true pretty often. Lord Pas must know that we could use some these days.”
    â€œI really don’t know,” Silk confessed. “I saw one around noon today, and it hasn’t rained yet. As for spying upon Viron, what could a Flier see here that any foreign traveler couldn’t?”
    â€œNothin’ I know about.” The seller spat. “That’s supposed to bring on rain, too, Patera. Let’s hope it works this time. Lookin’ for a good sacrifice, are you?”
    Silk’s face must have betrayed his surprise, because the seller grinned, revealing a broken front tooth. “I know you, Patera—that old manteion on Sun Street. Only you went right on past the sheepfold today. Guess they haven’t been workin’ out for you.”
    Silk endeavored to appear indifferent. “I’ll recognize the beast I want when I see it.”
    â€œâ€˜Course you will—so let me show you mine.” The seller raised a soiled finger. “No, wait a bit. Let me ask you one question first. I’m just an ignorant man, Patera, but isn’t a child the best sacrifice of all? The very best gift that a man or even a whole city can make to the gods? The greatest and the highest?”
    Silk shrugged. “So it’s written, though no such victim has been offered here within living memory. I don’t believe that I could do it myself, and it’s against the law in any case.”
    â€œExactly what I’m gettin’ at!” Like a conspirator, the seller glanced warily from side to side. “So what’s nearest to a child, eh? Only on the right side of the law? What is it, I ask you, Patera—you and me