Penric and the Bandit: A Penric & Desdemona Novella in the World of the Five Gods

Penric and Desdemona (Chronological) #14

by Lois McMaster Bujold

When Rozakajin, road-weary bandit and army deserter, spots a hapless blond young man in a country inn with an intriguing treasure map, he thinks he’s scouted an easy and lucrative victim. Attaching himself to odd traveler Penric seems simple enough, but when Roz’s old enemies catch up from behind, his plans take a turn for the much worse. When Pen’s claim that I never travel alone proves true in ways Roz never imagined, his world becomes more frightening still—but also much wider than he’d ever dared to dream.

Genres: Fantasy, Novella, Audiobook, Fiction, Adventure, Science Fiction Fantasy, Magic

176 pages, Hardcover

First published June 30, 2024

About the author

Lois McMaster Bujold was born in 1949, the daughter of an engineering professor at Ohio State University, from whom she picked up her early interest in science fiction. She now lives in Minneapolis, and has two grown children.

Her fantasy from HarperCollins includes the award-winning Chalion series and the Sharing Knife tetralogy; her science fiction from Baen Books features the perennially bestselling Vorkosigan Saga. Her work has been translated into over twenty languages.

Questions regarding foreign rights, film/tv subrights, and other business matters should be directed to Spectrum Literary Agency, spectrumliteraryagency.com

A listing of her awards and nominations may be seen here:

http://www.sfadb.com/Lois_McMaster_Bu...

A listing of her interviews is here:

http://vorkosigan.wikia.com/wiki/Auth...

An older fan-run site devoted to her work, The Bujold Nexus, is here:

http://www.dendarii.com/

Reviews

[Phrynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always an automatic five stars from me for any book in this series. Penric and Desdemona are at the top of my list of favourite characters in books.

In Penric and the Bandit a foolish thief considers Penric an easy mark and attaches himself in order to rob him. Penric of course is well aware of what is happening and events turn in quite another direction. We see a lot of Penric's powers in this one. There is a major fight scene where Penric and Desdemona show just how capable they now are.

This is the last of the Penric novellas currently published. I hope the author has a few more up her sleeve!

[Di Maitland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope Bujold never stops writing these books because I never want to stop reading them.

[Matt Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Om nom nom, get in my belly.

Another belter of P&D

Quite pleased that I was off sick today and could read all this in one go inbetweem feeling awful. Made for a much nicer day that it would have otherwise been.

[Algernon · Rating 4 out of 5]

“... it could be a game with a serious prize. As a learned divine of the Bastard’s Order, my mandate of care does include the souls of thieves.”

Penric goes on a well deserved vacation, but either he is a magnet for trouble, or his patron deity has other plans for him and for his resident demon Desdemona.
Tall, white haired and apparently gullible Penric looks like an easy mark in the dubious taverna of a remote mountain district, the place where he has chosen to rest and reconsider his travel plans. The obvious treasure map he is consulting is sure to attract the eyes of Roz, a passing bandit with a pressing cash flow problem.
Roz is convinced that taking advantage of the naive foreigner with the youthful face is like taking candy from babies, but we faithful readers of the series know that appearances can be deceiving. And that our man Penric is probably not looking for gold in ruined monasteries lost in mountain eyries.[ It’s actually ancient and very rare books, but Roz has no way to discern this].

This is the thirteenth instalment in the series, and it feels as fresh as the first one. It helps of course that they are written as standalone adventures, that they are compact and fun, not only educative.

It is the Land of the Five Gods we are visiting here, an ever expanding world that I recommend exploring not only in the company of Penric and Desdemona, but also through the three full length Chalion books. Of the local pantheon, the one god that intervenes directly in the events related to Penric and his demon is the last one, the most elusive and the most unpredictable Bastard, the patron of chaos , of lost causes and of strays. Bandit Roz might be just the latest item on the divine agenda, but what the Bastard has in store for him is anyone’s guess.

“The fifth god, they say. To whom you should certainly be praying. For a divine in service to the white god, giving good counsel to thieves, and other questionable folks, is a holy duty. Granted, divines are supposed to be saving souls, not bodies necessarily, which is a theological fine point that generates a lot of confusion.”

As Roz offers his services as local guide to Penric, unaware that Desdemona is listening in on everything he says, we set out in search of the mysterious treasure promised by the map, tracked mercilessly by a large group of the bandit’s former partners in crime.
Quite a few surprises await the misguided bandit, with some practical lessons in applied magic of a chaotic nature and some impromptu theological debates aimed at changing his conviction that work is just another form of slavery.
Being an indentured soldier and a bandit are the only things Roz knows anything about, but a few days in the company of Penric are a quick way to make him reconsider his priorities.

“How many professions do you have?”
“I’m not sure ...” Surreptitiously, Pen counted on his fingers. “Sorcerer, divine, translator, physician – very much retired, thank you – scholar, writer, teacher. And whatever other odd jobs the duke, the archdivine, my chapter head, or the white god from on me. Rescuer of orphans sometimes, if I’m lucky.”

Lois McMaster Bujold is in fine form here, not a surprise really. I think she enjoys writing these novellas, and this translates well for the reader in the light touch, the wild humour and the heartfelt lessons in morality that constitute the ‘serious prize’ to be dug out at the placed marked X on the treasure hunter map.
I know I don’t want the series to end anytime soon, not as long as Penric and Desdemona and the rest of their friends are sent on another wild goose chase and come back with more stories to tell.

[Barb in Maryland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot be objective about these novellas. I love Penric and Desdemona, and welcome each new book with cries of glee. This one is no exception.
This is definitely an action/adventure story. Penric is searching for an abandoned temple which is purported to have a 'treasure'. As he searches, he acquires a companion--
As the blurb explains:
"When Rozakajin, road-weary bandit and army deserter, spots a hapless blond young man in a country inn with an intriguing treasure map, he thinks he’s scouted an easy and lucrative victim. Attaching himself to odd traveler Penric seems simple enough, but when Roz’s old enemies catch up from behind, his plans take a turn for the much worse. When Pen’s claim that I never travel alone proves true in ways Roz never imagined, his world becomes more frightening still—but also much wider than he’d ever dared to dream."
Roz is a great character--I loved meeting him. Poor Roz, he was never going to come out ahead with Penric.
A great addition to this series. I hope there will be more to come.*

ETA: reread 7 June 2025. I treat myself to the lovely Subterranean Press hardback editions, when they become available. Said edition is now out and in my hands; so, of course I had to reread the story.

That reread was no hardship. I so enjoy spending time with Penric and Des.
* Bujold says there is a new Penric story in the works. Yay!

[Jill Vassilakos-long · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roz has left his old life a number of times:
* first sent by his village into the military,
* then deserted from the military, and
* finally (maybe finally) run away from his life as part of a gang of bandits.
When he left the bandits, he took a string of mules to sell to fund a new life. The bandits want the mules back, and are looking to make Roz's death a memorable example to anyone else who considers crossing them.

Roz meets an odd blond man, who says he is hunting for treasure. With enough coins, maybe Roz could buy off the bandits trailing him, or at least distract them while he escapes...

I loved this, it's always a treat to see Pen and Des in action, and the befuddlement and astonishment of those who meet them is so much fun. This story had several passages that reminded me of A Civil Campaign - so I think I'm going to re-read that next. I'm already looking forward to it.

[Emily Schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a delight!

So happy to spend more time with Desdemona and Pen! A great adventure with the best kind of treasure, and an uplifting and redemptive ending!

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learned Divine Penric kin Jurald of Vilnoc is ALWAYS the single most dangerous person in the room in any situation because of his magic, his demon Desdemona, and the favor of his god, the Lord Bastard – and has been since the very first novella in this series, Penric’s Demon. He’s certainly more than a match for the lone bandit that has attached himself to Penric – if he needs to be.

Pen hasn’t decided whether or not he needs to be, so he’s dragging Roz along on his personal project to find a forgotten saint’s even more forgotten sanctuary in hopes of finding some precious treasure. To Pen, a scholar and translator among his many other avocations, long-lost documents IS a precious treasure.

Roz is hoping for something a bit more tangible and he’s willing to go along with the man he thinks is a gullible fool in order to get it.

But it’s all a bit of a test – not that there isn’t the possibility of some real treasure of both kinds.

Roz is on the run from the gang he’s been on the with since they all escaped from one kind of slavery after another. Pen thinks Roz might be on the pilgrimage road – even if Roz himself isn’t aware of that yet – and might be willing to take that road all the way from service through supplication, gratitude, divination and atonement, all the way to redemption – and a fresh start in his previously VERY hard-knock life.

At least Pen can hope. And minister – in his own way – to the wavering bandit. After all, bandits are one of the many ‘professions’ that are served by the Lord Bastard, avatar of chaos and the master of all disasters out of season – including thievery.

So Pen is on this little vacation – at least it was supposed to be a vacation – in search of lost documents. In Roz, he’s found a soul that might be willing to saved – at least from itself and its own bad decision.

However, back to the opening that Pen is always the single most dangerous person in the room. Roz is being chased by his six former ‘colleagues’, who have not given up banditry in the slightest and want revenge on Roz for stealing all their mules.

For Penric and Desdemona, six to two odds aren’t bad at all. They’re not even bad if Roz goes back to his former gang and the odds are seven to two. But six to three is even better. At least until the odds swell to include the gang that Roz’ former gang attached themselves to.

Thirty to three is a bit much even for Penric. Unless, of course, the favor of the Lord Bastard ensures that the odds – no matter what they are – turn in Penric’s favor.

Escape Rating A: After the previous entry in this series, the rather cozy and close to home Demon Daughter, the adventure of Penric and the Bandit is very much just that – an adventure story.

It’s a fun adventure because of the way that the bandit Roz thinks he’s taking advantage of the young and foolish seeming Penric, while Penric is really taking Roz’ measure in more ways than just the obvious.

Each of them believes they are ‘gulling’ the other – and only one of them is right. Or two, if you count Penric’s resident demon Desdemona.

But underneath the wild goose chase that bears all the fruit Penric could have desired, there’s also a story about redemption, about making another choice and stepping on a different path. The fascinating thing about Roz’ hesitant steps towards a different future is that the story never blames or moralizes about the choices he made in the past. Not that he didn’t commit crimes, but that he did the best he could with the lack of options he started with.

This is the story of a man who has never had any choices does when he finally has the chance to make a choice – and where that leads him. Penric has the patience to wait out that decision-making process – whether or not he is certain that his god is likely to force the circumstances a bit – as he often does – or not.

So this is an adventure. And it’s a story that takes one character – not through the famous stages of grief – but rather through the lesser known stages of a somewhat different sort of redemption that leads, not necessarily to any particular belief – but to a better life.

Along with a mad dash to take down a whole horde of bandits who really, really deserve it.

This novella series is always a lot of fun – with a fascinating lesson hidden inside each story. Like that proverbial box of chocolates. I’ve read them all, loved (and reviewed!) every single one, and always leave each story eager for the next – whenever it may appear.

Originally published at Reading Reality

[Haydn · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 / 5 stars (rounded up to 5)

Penric and the Bandit is the 13th novella in the Penric and Desdemona series, which is itself part of Lois McMaster Bujold’s broader World of the Five Gods universe.

Full disclosure: I haven’t read any of the preceding books. Friends have been recommending World of the Five Gods for years. I was given the opportunity to review this one through NetGalley (thanks Subterranean Press!), and I thought it might be a good excuse to dive in. It's just a bit of added fun that this happens to be the latest installment.

The story follows Penric, a man on a quest for a mysterious treasure; and Roz, a bandit who offers to "help" Penric under false pretenses. But Penric is not nearly as unsuspecting as he seems. Before long, it's clear that Roz is in over his head—he may not have the upper hand as he first assumes.

Even as a newcomer to the series, I found this novella highly accessible and thoroughly enjoyable. Like Roz, I didn’t know what Penric was truly capable of, which added a layer of discovery and suspense to the unfolding adventure. Longtime readers will likely recognize Roz’s mistake from the start, but for me, it was a satisfying payoff when his folly was revealed.

The standout character here is, of course, Roz. While Penric and Desdemona are clearly well-developed, little of their development occurs in this installment—understandable, given we're at book 13! But this is undoubtedly Roz’s story. His arc drives the emotional core of the narrative.

The central question is whether Roz can break out of his self-destructive cycle after yet another bad decision yields catastrophic results. Bujold doesn't make this easy or simplistic. Instead, she layers his past with trauma and regret, showing how his bad choices stem from a lack of alternatives, not malice. Penric shows Roz that there's a better path and gives him new opportunities to choose. It's in these moments where Bujold's writing shines. The result is a surprisingly moving character journey wrapped inside an otherwise breezy adventure.

And on that note, the pacing is excellent. Despite the short length, Bujold delivers both action and emotional payoff in a small package. The story keeps moving, and each beat feels purposeful.

I also found the worldbuilding and magic system were engaging and easy to follow even though I'm missing 12+ books of context. It's clear that there is a deep history and rich lore beneath the surface. Bujold manages to provide enough context for a reader to get their bearings without bogging down the story with clunky exposition (something I've been very sensitive to, lately).

If you’ve already read the rest of this series, you don’t need me to tell you that this one’s a worthwhile read. But if you’re new to Penric and Desdemona like I was, don’t be afraid to jump in! Penric and the Bandit is a well-written, entertaining, and emotionally satisfying little book. If this is typical of how Bujold writes (and I'm told that it is!) then this series is a sure bet. You just might want to start from the beginning to avoid some minor spoilers!

I know I'll definitely be coming back for more.

[Chloe Frizzle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The irony is delicious

[eyes.2c · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Bujold’s Penric hit the right note.

This time a bandit, Rozakajin decides to rob Penric thinking he’s a hapless, wealthy merchant.
Ist big mistake!
Penric’s actually looking for a temple in high country, and as we know is no weakling.
Then Roz’s confederates decide to join him. Things are looking decidedly dicey for a wealthy merchant, but for Penric? Well!
Penric finds the treasure he’s seeking in what was once the hermitage of a saint—and possibly a new acolyte. Getting out though, that’s another question.
I love the demon Desdemona’s development and the flexibility Pen allows her.
The story goes on from here and is a delight.
Once again a winner from Bujold.

A Subterranean Press ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.

[Snonono · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very happy with the most recent addition to the Pen & Des novella series - Pen collecting strays is a joy to read about, as always.

Favorite moments:

* Des offering a prayer on Pen's behalf
* Pen gambling away olive pits in consideration to their household budget and sensible wife
* Pen finding the ultimate treasure in scrolls while Roz found despair
* this coming in the middle of my Vorkosigan re-read, Pen saying "Just so." made me smile
* Des chiding Pen on being too ambitious in his soul-saving efforts, in exasperation as well as fondness

I am beyond grateful that LMB is still writing in her semi-retired state, and thrilled that we got two novellas in one year.
And yet, I'm greedy for more and hope we get to see more of Pen's home life soon, hopefully with some mention of Roz doing accounting for the Bastard's order.

Two thumb taps to the lips for that.

[Mother Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bujold does it again

What can I say other than Bujold is an amazing author. Pen and Dez have an old map searching for a treasure. Pen gambles for an unexpected prize. The white gods gifts are as always ambiguous.

[Promiscuous Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Прекрасный ход с POV персонажа, который вообще не знает, кто такой Пенрик (и не подозревает о существовании Дездемоны).

[Dave Packard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun romp with P&D!

[Juliette · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sentimental 3 stars, there was much less plot, character arcs, or interesting world building than the recent ones have had. This feels like a fluffed out outline of a story that should have gone through a couple more rounds of rewrites.

Pen’s getting a little too perfect, I wish the book would dwell more on his feelings about the violence he commits, decisions he makes as an authority figure that have no good solution, or just stop flirting the idea of theological ethics about the use of his power/the animal ethics of canonical hierarchies of life forms/metaphysical implications of him becoming a part of desdemona once he dies, but his soul itself ascending to the white god and the insane premise of a leaving behind an identical sentient trace/image of yourself who can continue to exist and evolve in perpetuity (until the demon’s end that is)

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like seeing Penric dealing with a kid about his age when he was screwing up his own life. Now Penric is a settled married man who still manages some adventures. And this guy may someday make it that far too.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wholesome wholesome. A breath of fresh air.

Repentance and atonement and choosing a new path (with some help, of course).

[Lata · Rating 4 out of 5]

The delightful pair of Penric and Desdemona encounter a bandit and army deserter at an inn. Penric appears an easy mark to Rozakajin "Roz", who agrees to come with Penric to find a long abandoned temple.

Roz has been trying to make a living conning people, while keeping a low profile to avoid reencountering the army or his fellow bandits. This does not work when the bandits catch up with him and terrify him.

After arriving at the temple, Roz discovers that Penric is no feckless, dreamy traveller who can easily be cheated and killed. The other bandits discover, to their detriment, just how effective Des is at protecting Pen, and afterwards, Roz has a choice to make about what he wants his life to be.

This is cozy, sweet, funny, and very satisfying. I love the Pen and Des stories, and I really, really hope Bujold writes more.

[Kaia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun solo Penric adventure, though not quite as substantive as others in the series.

[Stephen Richter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great installment to the Penric and Desdemona novella series. This one focused on the Penric role as being a Priest for the Stranger, 5th god in Lois McMaster Bujold World of the 5 gods. A bandit is at an inn and spots Penric for an easy score.

[Olga Godim · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was one of the simplest of Penric stories. No philosophy, no soul-searching, just a straightforward fantasy adventure crafted by a master. A quick and absorbing read.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chuckled out loud in several parts. One of the more lighthearted and humorous Penric and Desdemona novellas.

[Emilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this installment because it reminded me of old Penric <3

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such fun. Penric goes on a treasure hunt and saves a soul. Lovely. Desdemona is such a great character. And Penric is such a huge nerd.

[Aleksandra Janusz]

Siedziałam sobie przedwczoraj nieco zdołowana ostatnimi wydarzeniami w świecie literackim, postanowiłam się odtruć. Idę na mojego Kindla, sprawdzić, czy mam może ochotę przeczytać to dołujące urban fantasy, które ostatnio kupiłam.
A tu nagle!
Nowy Penric!
No i wieczór z głowy.
Chciałabym was trochę zarazić moim entuzjazmem do nowelek (i jednej powieści) o sympatycznym uczonym, czarodzieju, uzdrowicielu, detektywie, tricksterze i dosłownym wcieleniu chaosu z demonem w głowie (raczej - grecki daimon, niż chrześcijanskiego typu demon) w świecie mniej więcej wczesnego średniowiecza/późnej starożytności. Warto.

/Tldr;
The new Pernic novella is a welcome comeback to the wacky shenanigans of the titular pair - a sorcerer and his demon. I'm glad that Pernic has adventures even when his life is happy and somewhat stable. He is more decisive at using his abilities now - this is a subtle personality shift that comes from his need to defend his family, his occasional ward (in this case, the hapless and initially unaware bandit), and his own life because he can't just die on them yet. By doing this, he is still the same mix of awesome and vunerable.

[Brok3n · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pen and Des pick up another stray

We begin Novella 13 in Lois McMaster Bujold's Penric and Desdemona inside the head of Roz, the bandit referred to in the title. His thoughts make it clear right from the start that he's up to no good. He attaches himself to a blonde stranger in a tavern.

If you've read previous books in the series, you will immediately recognize the blonde stranger as Penric. Pen is taking a holiday in Oxousa, a realm that borders on his home country Orbas. He lets slip that he's hunting for an abandoned temple and hermitage, where he hopes to find something of value. And you'll realize that Roz is not half so clever as he thinks. While he thinks he has cleverly attached himself to Penric, Pen and Des have drawn him in.

You can imagine what ensues, in general terms. Roz gradually learns who and what Penric is. It gets more complicated, but to explain would be spoiling. It's a lot of fun, of course. Bujold can always be relied on.

Penric and the Bandit might be more fun if you didn't know in advance about Penric. The table-turning plot works, but it would be more fun to a naive reader who couldn't foresee it in advance. I might even recommend it to a reader familiar with Bujold's Five Gods World who had not read any of the previous Pen and Des books.

Blog review.

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun story and the comfort level I felt when slipping back into this world? Priceless.
Made me smile each time I thought about reading it!

We have Pen on a side adventure if you will, a fun little novella where we meet Roz. Roz has had a tough life and was trying to break away from the gang he ran with when he meets Penric and now his life is FOREVER altered.
As we all are Roz, as we all are after spending time with Pen!

Roz has no idea about Pen:
This country is rife with bandits. Much safer not to travel alone.”
“I never do, so yes.” Pen nodded happily.

Highlights and Spoilers:
The dialogue with Des is still delightful!
"Glad you recognize that, temple-boy, grumped Des. There’s entertainment, and then there’s lunacy. I grant you I enjoy the one, but I didn’t survive two centuries in this world by rolling around in the other."
-----------
About a mile along, Des’s extended vision found what he… well, probably not sought, because that implied a desire for the thing to be found. Not feared, either, precisely. Call it half-expected. "If it’s only half, said Des, you’re not as awake as you think."

Roz thinks they are on a treasure hunt, unaware there are different types of treasure in life:
Roz put his hands on his hips and stared over the ruins with disfavor. “I don’t see any treasures.”
“They’re not going to be out on tables with gift tags,” said Penric, not sharing his pessimism.
-------------
“Work’s just another kind of slavery,” said Roz mulishly.
“Oh, because banditry is such a perpetual holiday?" (Pen)

HAH- leather tea, gag:
When they’d each gnawed down all the jerky they could stand to chew, and drunk some water—more like leather tea, but such was the disadvantage of waterskins—Pen sat up, clasped his arms around his knees, and began his instructions.
Pen could have done with a little more enthusiastic compliance, and less horrified disbelief, but as long as Roz carried them out exactly, the shuffle should result in him, Roz, his cases, and their other possessions up top, and all or most of the bandits down here.

Awwww:
“Is that why you only play for olive pits?”
“I have a frugal wife.” Pen couldn’t help smiling softly. “I figure my money is as much hers as mine, so I try to treat it as she would. Unless something seems especially worth the gamble.”

And Roz takes the gift from the gods:
“I believe I’ll follow you, for now,” he said steadily. “Seeing as how you’ll have me. Besides, it’d be a shame to miss your demon’s next show. You two are sodding insane, you know that?”
The flash of a smirk—though from which of them, man or demon, Roz was not sure.
The sorcerer, or was it the learned divine, nodded in serene satisfaction, and led back to their waiting mounts. With growing curiosity Roz turned in Penric’s wake, stepping toward his future self.

[Trent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although we are now 13(!) novellas into the Penric and Desdemona Saga, I think a new reader could start with 'Penric and the Bandit' if they really wanted to.

The reason for this is that 1) It is a nearly completely standalone tale, and 2) It is (mostly) not told from Penric's perspective, meaning our new character - Roz - is meeting and learning about Pen and Des as the story goes, just as a new reader would.

In this tale, Penric is traveling alone (though never truly alone, as we know) to attempt to find the ruins of a temple that might contain a 'treasure'. Near the end of his journey, at the start of the book, he meets Roz: a down-on-his-luck former soldier turned bandit.

Roz cannot believe his luck after Pen invites him to join his journey, and assumes that this will be the easiest robbery of his life. Of course, that is not how things proceed, and by the end, Roz has an opportunity to completely change his path, if he wants to take it.

This was yet another easy-to-read (but beautifully written) story that is brimming with positivity and warmth.

[Jacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bandit, Roz, spots what looks like an easy mark, a soft young man with a treasure map, in a country inn. He easily attaches himself with the intent to wait until the young man has found the treasure and then rob him. Unfortunately for Roz, the soft young man is Penric, who is neither as young nor as soft as he looks, and is possessed of a very clever demon, Desdemona. Pen is one step ahead of Roz all the time, well, maybe until a whole outlaw band turns up, anyway. Penric's treasure is not at all what Roz expects it to be - though those of us who have read earlier Penric stories, could have guessed what it was likely to be - and Penric is less concerned with being robbed than with giving the young bandit a chance for redemption. Another satisfying entry in the saga of Penric and Desdemona.