He represents himself as an agent of the Grail Emperor Johannes. He's
slipperier than a freshwater eel. He wanted information without giving anything
back."
Gordimer added, "He wouldn't be pinned down but it sounded like he wanted to
forge a secret alliance against the Patriarch."
Er-Rashal said, "The Grail Emperors and Patriarchs have quarreled for more
than a century over whether the religious hierarchy takes precedence over the
secular. Also, there's a question of whether the Patriarch and his bishops have
a right to the Episcopal Principalities. Under secular law, no feudal subject
can leave his fief to the Church, or anyone else but his sons, without consent
of his liege. In most cases the liege-ultimate is the Grail Emperor. Further, in
the feudal estate, the Episcopal Principalities all have obligations to the
Emperor and the Kings of Favorate, Stiluri, Alameddine, and—God laughed—even
Calzir."
Else observed, "We do things more sensibly here."
The sorcerer missed Else's sarcasm. "In theory. Until the Imperial Electors
elevated Johannes Blackboots the contest seldom amounted to anything. But now
the principals are Johannes and Sublime. And Sublime is willing to use the full
power of his office to improve the fortunes of his family, his city, and his
Church. There's a real chance of war."
"Which we would like to encourage," Gordimer said. "Without getting pulled in.
Better the Unbelievers butcher each other than attack us or the Holy Lands."
"I see," Else replied, careful to sound neutral.
Gordimer asked, "So, can I count on you?"
"Can I take some of my men?"
"Not this time. This time you go alone. A merchantman will take you to Runch on
the Isle of Staklirhod. At Runch you can buy passage to Sonsa. Your documents
will identify you as a minor Arnhander knight. You've been called home to deal
with family matters in LaTriobe, in Tramaine. This is because of the confusion
following Santerin's obliteration of the Duke of Harmonachy's army at Themes
last summer."
"Sounds like you've done some detailed planning."
Er-Rashal admitted, "Actually, we're improvising on the fly."
Gordimer said, "We captured a Sir Aelford daSkees last week. He was in those
exact circumstances. Pretend to be him till you reach Sonsa. It isn't likely
that anyone knows him. Talk about changing ship to a Minochan coaster and
traveling on to Sheavenalle in the End of Connec. When you reach Sonsa, though,
drop the daSkees guise and head south toward Brothe as an unemployed mercenary."
Er-Rashal added, "Once you leave Sonsa you'll be on your own."
Gordimer added, "There'll be a lot more to rehearse before you go. But, for now,
relax. Rest. See your people."
Else imagined a sinister tone there. Perhaps inventing the Lion's implication
that his family were hostage to his behavior.
Imagination or not, Else needed no reminding. He bowed.
Gordimer said, "A moment more. To show my gratitude for what you accomplished
bringing those mummies out of Andesqueluz. Without losing a man. Rashal?"
"Extend your hands, Captain." The sorcerer placed a leather sack in Else's right
hand. A generous reward indeed unless the coins within were bronze or copper.
Then er-Rashal wrapped Else's left wrist with a strip of worn brown leather. He
brought its ends together, muttered something while he drew a finger along the
join. The leather closed seamlessly. Else rolled his wrist. A dozen odd stones
and metal shapes decorated the leather.
Er-Rashid said, "That will fade from sight. It will shield you from a range of
sorcery and most of the things of the night. Not that you should expect trouble.
Brothe is almost as old as the temple cities of the Lower Kingdom. It's even
more tamed."
"Thank you."
Gordimer told him, "Go. Enjoy yourself."
IN REMOTE ANTIQUITY DREANGER BECAME DIVIDED Administratively into the Lower,
Middle, and Upper Kingdoms. The Lower Kingdom consisted of delta country and
seacoast. It was prosperous
slipperier than a freshwater eel. He wanted information without giving anything
back."
Gordimer added, "He wouldn't be pinned down but it sounded like he wanted to
forge a secret alliance against the Patriarch."
Er-Rashal said, "The Grail Emperors and Patriarchs have quarreled for more
than a century over whether the religious hierarchy takes precedence over the
secular. Also, there's a question of whether the Patriarch and his bishops have
a right to the Episcopal Principalities. Under secular law, no feudal subject
can leave his fief to the Church, or anyone else but his sons, without consent
of his liege. In most cases the liege-ultimate is the Grail Emperor. Further, in
the feudal estate, the Episcopal Principalities all have obligations to the
Emperor and the Kings of Favorate, Stiluri, Alameddine, and—God laughed—even
Calzir."
Else observed, "We do things more sensibly here."
The sorcerer missed Else's sarcasm. "In theory. Until the Imperial Electors
elevated Johannes Blackboots the contest seldom amounted to anything. But now
the principals are Johannes and Sublime. And Sublime is willing to use the full
power of his office to improve the fortunes of his family, his city, and his
Church. There's a real chance of war."
"Which we would like to encourage," Gordimer said. "Without getting pulled in.
Better the Unbelievers butcher each other than attack us or the Holy Lands."
"I see," Else replied, careful to sound neutral.
Gordimer asked, "So, can I count on you?"
"Can I take some of my men?"
"Not this time. This time you go alone. A merchantman will take you to Runch on
the Isle of Staklirhod. At Runch you can buy passage to Sonsa. Your documents
will identify you as a minor Arnhander knight. You've been called home to deal
with family matters in LaTriobe, in Tramaine. This is because of the confusion
following Santerin's obliteration of the Duke of Harmonachy's army at Themes
last summer."
"Sounds like you've done some detailed planning."
Er-Rashal admitted, "Actually, we're improvising on the fly."
Gordimer said, "We captured a Sir Aelford daSkees last week. He was in those
exact circumstances. Pretend to be him till you reach Sonsa. It isn't likely
that anyone knows him. Talk about changing ship to a Minochan coaster and
traveling on to Sheavenalle in the End of Connec. When you reach Sonsa, though,
drop the daSkees guise and head south toward Brothe as an unemployed mercenary."
Er-Rashal added, "Once you leave Sonsa you'll be on your own."
Gordimer added, "There'll be a lot more to rehearse before you go. But, for now,
relax. Rest. See your people."
Else imagined a sinister tone there. Perhaps inventing the Lion's implication
that his family were hostage to his behavior.
Imagination or not, Else needed no reminding. He bowed.
Gordimer said, "A moment more. To show my gratitude for what you accomplished
bringing those mummies out of Andesqueluz. Without losing a man. Rashal?"
"Extend your hands, Captain." The sorcerer placed a leather sack in Else's right
hand. A generous reward indeed unless the coins within were bronze or copper.
Then er-Rashal wrapped Else's left wrist with a strip of worn brown leather. He
brought its ends together, muttered something while he drew a finger along the
join. The leather closed seamlessly. Else rolled his wrist. A dozen odd stones
and metal shapes decorated the leather.
Er-Rashid said, "That will fade from sight. It will shield you from a range of
sorcery and most of the things of the night. Not that you should expect trouble.
Brothe is almost as old as the temple cities of the Lower Kingdom. It's even
more tamed."
"Thank you."
Gordimer told him, "Go. Enjoy yourself."
IN REMOTE ANTIQUITY DREANGER BECAME DIVIDED Administratively into the Lower,
Middle, and Upper Kingdoms. The Lower Kingdom consisted of delta country and
seacoast. It was prosperous
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