‘I don’t think so,’ Patriarch Dolmant said. ‘Annias has bought many voices in the higher councils of the Church. Any charges we might bring against him would have to be supported by overwhelming proof. All we have now is an overheard conversation between Krager and Baron Harparin. Annias could wriggle out of that rather easily—or simply buy his way out of it.’
Komier leaned back in his chair, tapping at his chin with one finger. ‘I think the Patriarch has just put his finger on the key to the whole affair. As long as Annias has his hands on the Elenian treasury, he can finance these schemes of his and continue to buy support in the Hierocracy If we aren’t careful, he’ll bribe his way to the Archprelacy. We’ve all stood in his path from time to time, and I’d guess that his first act as Archprelate would be to disband all four militant orders. Is there any way we can cut off his access to those funds?’
Vanion shook his head. ‘He controls the Royal Council—except for the Earl of Lenda. They vote him all the money he needs.’
‘What about your Queen?’ Darellon asked. ‘Did he control her too—before she fell ill, I mean?’
‘Not even a little,’ Vanion replied. ‘Aldreas was a weak king who did anything Annias told him to do. Ehlana’s an altogether different matter, and she despises Annias.’ He shrugged. ‘But she’s ill, and Annias will have a free hand until she recovers.’
Abriel began to pace up and down, his lined face deep in thought. ‘That would seem to be our logical course then, gentlemen. We must bend all of our efforts to finding a cure for Queen Ehlana’s illness.’
Darellon leaned back, his fingers tapping on the polished table. ‘Annias is very cunning,’ he observed. ‘He will easily guess what our course is likely to be and he’s certain to try to block us. Even if we succeed in finding a cure, won’t that immediately put the Queen’s life in danger?’
‘Sparhawk is her Champion, my Lord,’ Kalten told him. ‘He can cope—particularly if I’m there to back him up.’
‘Are you making any progress on a cure, Vanion?’ Komier asked.
‘The local physicians are all baffled,’ Vanion replied. ‘I’ve sent out requests for others, though, but most of them haven’t arrived as yet.’
‘Physicians don’t always respond to requests,’ Abriel noted. ‘This might be particularly true in a situation where the head of the Royal Council has a certain interest in not seeing the Queen recover.’ He considered the problem. ‘The Cyrinics have many contacts in Cammoria,’ he said. ‘Have you considered taking your Queen to the medical faculty at the University of Borrata in that kingdom? They’re reputed to be experts in obscure ailments.’
‘I don’t think we dare dissolve the encasement that surrounds her,’ Sephrenia said. ‘At the moment it’s all that sustains her life She could not survive a trip to Borrata.’
The Preceptor of the Cyrinic Knights nodded thoughtfully. ‘Perhaps you’re right, madame,’ he said.
‘Not only that,’ Vanion added. ‘Annias would never let us take her out of the palace.’
Abriel nodded bleakly He considered it for a moment. ‘There’s an alternative It’s not as good as having the physician actually look at the patient, but sometimes it works—or so I’ve been told. A skilled physician can learn a great deal from a detailed description of symptoms. That would be my suggestion, Vanion. Write down everything you know about Queen Ehlana’s illness and send someone to Borrata with the documents.’
‘I’ll take it,’ Sparhawk said quietly. ‘I have certain personal reasons for wanting the Queen restored to health. Besides, Martel’s in Cammoria—or at least he’s reputed to be—and he and I have a few things to discuss.’
‘That raises another point,’ Abriel said. ‘There’s a great deal of turmoil in Cammoria right now. Someone’s been stirring up civil unrest there. It’s not the safest place in the world.’
Komier leaned back again. ‘What would you gentlemen say to a little show of unity?’ he said to the other preceptors.
‘What did you have in mind?’ Darellon asked.
‘I’d say that we all have a stake in this,’ Komier replied. ‘Our common goal is to keep Annias off the Archprelate’s throne. We all have champions who stand above their comrades in skill and bravery. I think it might be a good idea for us each to select one of those champions and send him to join Sparhawk in Cammoria. The assistance couldn’t hurt, and the sending of men from all four orders would convince the world that the Church Knights stand as one in this matter.’
‘Very good, Komier,’ Darellon agreed. ‘The militant orders have had their differences in the past few centuries, and too many people still think that we’re divided.’ He turned to Abriel. ‘Have you any idea who’s behind the trouble in Cammoria?’ he asked.
‘Many believe that it’s Otha,’ the Cyrinic replied. ‘He’s been infiltrating the central kingdoms for the past six months or so.’
‘You know,’ Komier said, ‘I’ve got a strong feeling that someday we’re going to have to do something about Otha something fairly permanent.’
‘That would involve coming up against Azash,’ Sephrenia said, ‘and I’m not sure we want to do that.’
‘Can’t the Younger Gods of Styricum do something about him?’ Komier asked her.
‘They choose not to,’ she replied. ‘The wars of men are bad enough, but a war between the Gods would be dreadful beyond imagining.’ She looked at Dolmant. ‘The God of the Elenes is reputed to be all-powerful,’ she said. ‘Couldn’t the Church appeal to Him to confront Azash?’
‘It’s possible, I suppose,’ the Patriarch said. ‘The only problem is that the Church does not admit the existence of Azash—or any other Styric God. It’s a matter of theology.’
‘How very shortsighted.’
Dolmant laughed. ‘My dear Sephrenia,’ he said. ‘I thought you knew that was the nature of the ecclesiastical mind. We’re all like that. We find one truth and embrace it. Then we close our eyes to everything else. It avoids confusion.’ He looked at her curiously ‘Tell me, Sephrenia, which heathen God do you worship?’
‘I’m not permitted to say,’ she answered gravely ‘I can tell you that it’s not a God, though. I serve a Goddess.’
‘A female deity? What an absurd idea.’
‘Only to a man, Dolmant. Women find it very natural.’
‘Is there anything else you think we ought to know, Vanion?’ Komier asked.
‘I think we’ve just about covered everything, Komier.’ Vanion looked at Sparhawk. ‘Anything you want to add?’ he asked.
Sparhawk shook his head. ‘No,’ he said. ‘I don’t think so.’
‘What about the Styric who set the church soldiers on us?’ Kalten asked.
Sparhawk grunted. ‘I’d almost forgotten that,’ he admitted. ‘It was at about the time that I heard Krager and Harparin talking. Kalten and I were wearing disguises, but there was a Styric who saw through them. Not long after that, we were attacked by some of Annias’ people.’
‘You think there’s a connection?’ Komier asked.
Sparhawk nodded. The Styric had been following me around for several days, and I’m fairly sure he was the one who pointed Kalten and me out to the soldiers. That would connect him to Annias.’
‘It’s pretty thin, Sparhawk. Annias has some fairly well-known prejudices where Styrics are concerned.’
‘Not so many that he wouldn’t seek out their help if he thought he needed it. On two occasions I’ve caught him using magic.’
‘A churchman?’ Dolmant’s expression was startled. ‘That’s strictly forbidden.’
‘So was plotting the murder of Count Radun, your Grace I don’t think Annias pays too much attention to the rules. He’s not much of a magician, but the fact that he knows how it’s done indicates that he’s had instruction, and that means a Styric.’
Darellon interlaced his slender fingers on the table in front of him. ‘There are Styrics and then there are Styrics,’ he noted. ‘As Abriel pointed out, there’s
been a great deal of Styric activity in the central kingdom of late-much of it coming out of Zemoch. If Annias sought out a Styric to instruct him in the secrets, he might possibly have contacted the wrong one.’
‘I think you’re overcomplicating things, Darellon,’ Dolmant said. ‘Not even Annias would have dealings with Otha.’
‘That’s presuming that he knows he’s dealing with Otha.’
‘My Lords,’ Sephrenia said very quietly, ‘consider what happened this morning.’ Her eyes were very intent ‘Would any of you—or the kings you serve—have been deceived by the transparent accusations of the Primate Annias? They were crude, obvious, even childish. You Elenes are a subtle, sophisticated people. If your minds had been alert, you’d have laughed at Annias’ clumsy attempts to discredit the Pandions. But you didn’t. Neither did your kings. And Annias, who’s as subtle as a serpent, presented his case as if he believed it was a stroke of genius.’
‘Exactly what are you getting at, Sephrenia?’ Vanion asked.
‘I think we should give some consideration to Lord Darellon’s line of thought. The presentation this morning would have overwhelmed a Styric. We are a simple people, and our magicians do not have to work very hard to persuade us to their way of thinking. You Elenes are more sceptical, more logical. You are not so easily deceived—unless you’ve been tampered with.’
Dolmant leaned forward, his eyes betraying his eagerness for a contest at logic. ‘But Annias is also an Elene, with a mind trained in theological disputation. Why would he have been so clumsy?’
‘You’re assuming that Annias was speaking in his own voice this morning, Dolmant. A Styric sorcerer—or some creature subject to one—would present his case in terms that would be understood by a simple Styric and then rely upon magic to induce belief.’
‘Was someone using that kind of magic in that room this morning?’ Darellon asked, his face troubled.
‘Yes,’ she replied simply.
‘I think we’re getting a bit far afield,’ Komier said. ‘What we need to do right now is get Sparhawk on his way to Borrata. The quicker we find a cure for Queen Ehlana’s illness, the quicker we can eliminate the threat of Annias altogether. Once we cut off his supply of ready cash, he can consort with anybody—or anything—he wants to, for all I care.’
‘You’d better get ready to ride, Sparhawk,’ Vanion said. ‘I’ll write down the Queen’s symptoms for you.’
‘I don’t think that’s necessary, Vanion,’ Sephrenia told him. ‘I know her condition in much greater detail than you do.’
‘But you can’t write, Sephrenia,’ he reminded her.
‘I won’t have to, Vanion, she said sweetly. ‘I’ll tell the physicians in Borrata about the symptoms personally.’
‘You’re going with Sparhawk?’ Vanion looked surprised.
‘Of course. There are things afoot that seem to be focusing on him. He might need my help when he gets to Cammoria.’
‘I’ll go along, too,’ Kalten said. ‘If Sparhawk catches up with Martel in Cammoria, I want to be there to see what happens.’ He grinned at his friend. ‘I’ll let you have Martel,’ he offered, ‘if you’ll give me Adus.’
‘Sounds fair,’ Sparhawk agreed.
‘You’ll be passing through Chyrellos on your way to Borrata,’ Dolmant said. ‘I’ll ride along with you as far as that.’
‘We’ll be honoured to have you, your Grace.’ Sparhawk looked at Count Radun. ‘Might you want to join us as well, my Lord?’ he asked.
‘No. Thanks all the same, Sir Sparhawk,’ the count replied. ‘’ll return to Arcium with my nephew and Lord Abriel.’
Komier was frowning slightly. ‘I don’t want to delay you, Sparhawk,’ he said, ‘but Darellon is right. Annias is sure to guess what our next step is likely to be. There are only so many centres of medical learning in Eosia; if this Martel fellow is already in Cammoria, and still taking orders from Annias, he’s almost certain to try to keep you from reaching Borrata. I think it might be best if you waited in Chyrellos until the knights from our other orders catch up with you. A show of force can sometimes avoid difficulties.’
‘That’s a good idea,’ Vanion agreed. ‘The others can join him at the Pandion chapterhouse in Chyrellos and ride out together from there.’
Sparhawk rose to his feet. ‘That’s it, then,’ he said. He glanced at Sephrenia. ‘Are you going to leave Flute here?’
‘No. She goes with me.’
‘It’s going to be dangerous,’ he warned.
‘I can protect her if she needs protection. Besides, the decision is not mine to make.’
‘Don’t you love talking with her?’ Kalten said. ‘All the mental stimulation of trying to puzzle out the meaning of what she’s saying.’
Sparhawk ignored that.
Later in the courtyard where Sparhawk and the others were preparing to mount for the ride to Chyrellos, the novice, Berit, approached. ‘There’s a lame beggar boy at the gate, my Lord,’ he said to Sparhawk. ‘He says he has something urgent to tell you.’
‘Let him through the gates,’ Sparhawk said.
Berit looked a bit shocked.
‘I know the boy,’ Sparhawk said. ‘He works for me.’
‘As you wish, my Lord,’ Berit said, bowing. He turned back towards the gate.
‘Oh, by the way, Berit,’ Sparhawk said.
‘My Lord?’
‘Don’t walk too close to the boy He’s a thief and he can steal everything you own before you go ten paces.’
‘I’ll keep that in mind, my Lord.’
A few minutes later, Berit came back escorting Talen.
‘I’ve got a problem, Sparhawk,’ the boy said.
‘Oh?’
‘Some of the primate’s men found out that I’ve been helping you. They’re looking for me all over Cimmura.’
‘I told you that you were going to get in trouble,’ Kurik growled at him. Then the squire looked at Sparhawk. ‘What do we do now?’ he asked. ‘I don’t want him locked up in the cathedral dungeon.’
Sparhawk scratched his chin. ‘I guess he’ll have to go with us,’ he said, ‘at least as far as Demos.’ He grinned suddenly ‘We can leave him with Aslade and the boys.’
‘Are you insane, Sparhawk?’
‘I thought you’d be delighted at the notion, Kurik.’
‘That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard in my life.’
‘Don’t you want him to get to know his brothers?’ Sparhawk looked at the boy ‘How much did you steal from Berit here?’ he bluntly asked the young thief.
‘Not very much, really.’
‘Give it all back.’
‘I’m very disappointed in you, Sparhawk.’
‘Life is filled with disappointments. Now give it back.’
Chapter 11
It was midafternoon when they rode across the drawbridge and onto the road leading to Demos and beyond. The wind still blew, but the sky was clearing. The long road stretching towards Demos was teeming with traffic. Carts and wagons rattled by, and drably dressed peasants with heavy bundles on their shoulders plodded slowly towards the market places of Cimmura. The raw winter wind bent the yellow grass at the sides of the road. Sparhawk rode a few paces in advance of the others, and the travellers on their way to Cimmura gave way to him. Faran was prancing again as they rode along at a steady trot.
‘Your horse seems restive, Sparhawk,’ the Patriarch Dolmant, wrapped in a heavy black ecclesiastical cloak over his cassock, observed.
‘He’s just showing off,’ Sparhawk replied back over his shoulder. ‘He has some notion that it impresses me.’
‘It gives him something to do while he’s waiting for the chance to bite somebody.’ Kalten laughed.
‘Is he vicious?’
‘It’s the nature of the war horse, your Grace,’ Sparhawk explained. ‘They’re bred for aggressiveness. In Faran’s case they just went too far.’
‘Has he ever bitten you?’
‘Once. The
n I explained to him that I’d rather he didn’t do it any more.’
‘Explained?’
‘I used a stout stick. He got the idea almost immediately.’
‘We’re not going to get too far this afternoon, Sparhawk,’ Kurik called from his position at the rear of the party where he rode with their pair of pack horses. ‘We started late. There’s an inn I know of about a league ahead. What do you think of the idea of stopping there, getting a good night’s sleep, and starting out early in the morning?’
‘It makes sense, Sparhawk,’ Kalten agreed. ‘I don’t enjoy sleeping on the ground that much any more.’
‘All right,’ Sparhawk said. He glanced at Talen, who was riding a tired-looking bay horse beside Sephrenia’s white palfrey The boy kept looking back over his shoulder apprehensively ‘You’re being awfully quiet,’ he said.
‘Young people aren’t supposed to talk in the presence of their elders, Sparhawk,’ Talen replied glibly. ‘That’s one of the things they taught me in that school Kurik sent me to. I try to obey the rules—when it doesn’t inconvenience me too much.’
‘The young man is pert,’ Dolmant observed.
‘He’s also a thief, your Grace,’ Kalten warned. ‘Don’t get too close to him if you have any valuables about you.’
Dolmant looked sternly at the boy ‘Aren’t you aware of the fact that thievery is frowned upon by the Church?’
‘Yes,’ Talen sighed, ‘I know The Church is very straitlaced about things like that.’
‘Watch your mouth, Talen,’ Kurik snapped.
‘I can’t, Kurik. My nose gets in the way.’
‘The lad’s depravity is perhaps understandable,’ Dolmant said tolerantly. ‘I doubt that he’s received much instruction in doctrine or morality’ He sighed. ‘In many ways, the poor children of the streets are as pagan as the Styrics.’ He smiled slyly at Sephrenia, who rode with Flute bundled up in an old cloak in front of her saddle.
‘Actually, your Grace,’ Talen disagreed, ‘I attend Church services regularly and I always pay close attention to the sermons.’