Uneasy alliances - Thieves World 11 by Robert Asprin, Lynn Abbey Page A
Authors: Robert Asprin, Lynn Abbey
Tags: Fiction, General, Science-Fiction, Fiction - Fantasy, Fantasy, Short Stories, Fantasy Fiction; American, Fantasy - General, Fantastic fiction, Science fiction; American, Fantastic fiction; American
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his convenience yet far enough away for the Rankan lords to retain their feelings of respectability. Molin had at first proposed housing the actors at some distance from the actual playhouse, perhaps in 272 UNEASY ALLIANCES
Westside where there was new construction: but Glisselrand had made clear, with her wannest affectations, that a woman would feel unsafe going such a great distance alone, and that providing her with a dependable escort would cost Molin much more than was reasonable. She had phrased it in such a way that there was no room, short of acute rudeness,
for the priest to suggest she provide her own escort, or do without. Thus
the theater included an attached residence which, though small, was better than anything they might find among the workmen's quarters at Shambles Cross.
The Architect of Vashanka had even taken a personal interest in the construction, as if the finishing of the walls on which he had so long labored was somehow not enough to occupy his creativity. He offered plans for a very lavish performing space and was not in the least offended
when Feltheryn pointed out to him, with grave discretion, the need for a stage house at the top and dressing rooms below and behind the actual stage; not to mention space in the wings for the storage of properties to
be brought on.
The rebuilding had gone on apace and now the structure was beginning to look much the way Ranke's theaters looked. There was a proscenium, a thing never seen outside the capital, boxes for important people who wanted to be seen as much as they wanted to see, and a royal box for those nights when the prince wished to attend a performance. The theater was, after all, a political tool of some import for those, like the late
Emperor, who knew how to use it.
It was therefore not as great a surprise as it might have been when Feltheryn entered and found the Beysa Shupansea having tisane with Glisselrand in the foyer, surrounded by several ladies-in-waiting whose raiment was so splendid that it paled only before the Beysa herself. For a moment Feltheryn was awestruck. The cloth in the Beysa's dress alone could have footed the bill for the whole of the theater. She wore such riches as Ranke never saw, and she wore them well, her breasts thrust out voluptuously and yet with dignity, her head held with a pride that was neither unnatural nor condescending. The gorgeous snake coiling about her throat like a necklace was a priceless piece of theater!
The only woman he had ever seen so queenly was Glisselrand herself, perhaps in the role of Adriana in Templesmoke: but of course he would not declare that to the Beysa.
"Does not the day confound the night?" he quoted from The Archmage by way of greeting, for he had not yet learned her proper title of address.
"Are not the stars but fragments of the light?" The Beysa smiled and the membranes on her eyes nictitated. She knew
THE POWER OF KINGS 273
flattery, instantly understood why he chose to use it at this moment, and
decided to accept it graciously.
"I have come to see your theater," Shupansea said. "And perhaps to make my own small contribution to its success, if that would be appropriate and acceptable."
Feltheryn decided he liked her.
"But of course!" he said. "Has my lady shown it to you, or have you waited for my return?"
"Your lady has shown it," said the Beysa, "and we have discussed my gift. She asked only that I accept a few sweets, and this lovely hot tisane
she makes, while we awaited your approval."
"If my lady approves it, then so do I," said Feltheryn. "But what is it that you so kindly offer, if I may ask?"
"The Beysa," said Glisselrand (and her voice held the full rich lustre that it always did on stage) "has offered to have the royal box flocked with velvet. Not just the rails but the whole thing, inside and out. I think
that is most kind of her, don't you?"
"Not only kind, but generous," said Feltheryn. "May I assume from this that . . ." (There was nothing for
Westside where there was new construction: but Glisselrand had made clear, with her wannest affectations, that a woman would feel unsafe going such a great distance alone, and that providing her with a dependable escort would cost Molin much more than was reasonable. She had phrased it in such a way that there was no room, short of acute rudeness,
for the priest to suggest she provide her own escort, or do without. Thus
the theater included an attached residence which, though small, was better than anything they might find among the workmen's quarters at Shambles Cross.
The Architect of Vashanka had even taken a personal interest in the construction, as if the finishing of the walls on which he had so long labored was somehow not enough to occupy his creativity. He offered plans for a very lavish performing space and was not in the least offended
when Feltheryn pointed out to him, with grave discretion, the need for a stage house at the top and dressing rooms below and behind the actual stage; not to mention space in the wings for the storage of properties to
be brought on.
The rebuilding had gone on apace and now the structure was beginning to look much the way Ranke's theaters looked. There was a proscenium, a thing never seen outside the capital, boxes for important people who wanted to be seen as much as they wanted to see, and a royal box for those nights when the prince wished to attend a performance. The theater was, after all, a political tool of some import for those, like the late
Emperor, who knew how to use it.
It was therefore not as great a surprise as it might have been when Feltheryn entered and found the Beysa Shupansea having tisane with Glisselrand in the foyer, surrounded by several ladies-in-waiting whose raiment was so splendid that it paled only before the Beysa herself. For a moment Feltheryn was awestruck. The cloth in the Beysa's dress alone could have footed the bill for the whole of the theater. She wore such riches as Ranke never saw, and she wore them well, her breasts thrust out voluptuously and yet with dignity, her head held with a pride that was neither unnatural nor condescending. The gorgeous snake coiling about her throat like a necklace was a priceless piece of theater!
The only woman he had ever seen so queenly was Glisselrand herself, perhaps in the role of Adriana in Templesmoke: but of course he would not declare that to the Beysa.
"Does not the day confound the night?" he quoted from The Archmage by way of greeting, for he had not yet learned her proper title of address.
"Are not the stars but fragments of the light?" The Beysa smiled and the membranes on her eyes nictitated. She knew
THE POWER OF KINGS 273
flattery, instantly understood why he chose to use it at this moment, and
decided to accept it graciously.
"I have come to see your theater," Shupansea said. "And perhaps to make my own small contribution to its success, if that would be appropriate and acceptable."
Feltheryn decided he liked her.
"But of course!" he said. "Has my lady shown it to you, or have you waited for my return?"
"Your lady has shown it," said the Beysa, "and we have discussed my gift. She asked only that I accept a few sweets, and this lovely hot tisane
she makes, while we awaited your approval."
"If my lady approves it, then so do I," said Feltheryn. "But what is it that you so kindly offer, if I may ask?"
"The Beysa," said Glisselrand (and her voice held the full rich lustre that it always did on stage) "has offered to have the royal box flocked with velvet. Not just the rails but the whole thing, inside and out. I think
that is most kind of her, don't you?"
"Not only kind, but generous," said Feltheryn. "May I assume from this that . . ." (There was nothing for
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