The Orphans of Raspay

Penric doesn’t have to wait to be captured for this adventure. He is thrown out of his shipboard bunk by impact with, of course, a pirate ship. Pen’s chaos demon partner Desdemona helps him discern these pirates are from a region where they not only recognize Penric’s Bastard God but also persecute his followers.

Penric’s cabin is invaded and he is bound, dragged across the deck (not without encountering a couple of recent ghosts) and thrown into “the virgins’” hold.

He finds himself with two young girls. This is probably one of the White God’s left-handed “blessings,” because Lencia and Seuka are daughters of a deceased prostitute and thus among the Bastard God’s Protected.

Transported as potentially valuable slaves, the girls and Pen (and of course Desdemona) engage in inquiry and some healing. Subject to slave block treatment, the girls are frightened, but Pen and Des are made furious. They achieve limited (they are on an island) escape, and whilst attempting to gain sea transport, Penric’s anger is unleashed.

A wizard’s rage makes for a sinking feeling. Well worth the read.