Read Online Melissa McShane by Melissa Proffitt - Free Book Online
Authors: Melissa Proffitt
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the steps and into the sanctuary.
Zerafine shamelessly used the power of the red robe to push her way past the line of people, Gerrard and Nacalia trailing in her wake. At the basin, Rovalt was anointing each worshipper with water and a murmured blessing. His ceremonial robe of silk and velvet patchwork was far nicer than the clothes she’d seen him in that morning. He caught her eye and nodded toward the office they’d met in earlier that day. Zerafine cast her eye on Nacalia, who appeared suitably subdued, then led their little group down the hallway.
Genedirou was a tall, middle-aged man whose lean physique was interrupted by a small
potbelly that threatened to grow larger. His crazily embroidered robe hung open over a loose shirt and long trousers, and his feet were bare. He stood next to the empty fireplace as if in contemplation, ignoring their entrance, then looked up a moment later as if he’d only just heard them come in. Zerafine was fairly certain he was simply being dramatic. “Welcome, thelis , Rovalt told me you were coming,” he said, his voice gravelly in a pleasant way. “I am tokthelos Genedirou.”
“Zerafine of Dardagne,” she replied, saluting him as an equal. “My sentare , Gerrard of Kionnar.” She didn’t bother introducing Nacalia; he wouldn’t expect her to. “Thank you for taking time to meet with us.”
“Anything for the theloi of Atenas,” he said, indicating that she should sit; Gerrard, naturally, continued to stand at attention, and Nacalia hid behind him. Genedirou took the seat opposite her. “Though I have to tell you, meaning no offense, that I’m surprised you’ve bothered to remain, seeing as how this is clearly the responsibility of Sukman.”
“No offense taken,” Zerafine said, excusing herself a little white lie. “But it was the Council who requested an emissary from Atenar, not the temple acting on its own initiative, so I’m obligated to conduct an impartial investigation.” She resisted the urge to put emphasis on the word “investigation.” “But I’d like to know what you think.”
“An investigation?” Genedirou sounded surprised, which was natural, but also a trifle angry, which was not. “What do you mean, investigation?”
Zerafine cocked an eyebrow. She decided to pretend disingenuousness. “Investigation is part of my responsibility, you know. I interacted with one of the apparitions just half an hour ago. I was surprised to find it had no substance—”
“No substance apparent to mortal eye, yes,” Genedirou said. He clasped his hands together in his lap. “You were very fortunate in your encounter. These figments of Sukman’s madness have been known to drive people mad themselves. I’ll have to ask you not to interfere with them again. For your safety.”
Patronizing and pulling rank, eh? We’ll see how far that will take you . Zerafine smiled.
“What do you mean, ‘figments of Sukman’s madness’?” she asked, making no promises.
Genedirou sat back in his chair. “Our Lord is, of course, profoundly mad,” he said. He
sounded more like a bored schoolmaster than a thelos . “We care for those He touches, though we cannot cure them, and we attempt to reach Him in His madness by embracing madness
ourselves, though temporarily. Now, however, Sukman’s anger at this city’s pride and
selfishness has manifested itself in these illusions, visible to some as a warning to all. I have been able to banish many of these illusions, though at great cost to myself, and my theloi labor daily to guide the people in worship that Our Lord might turn His wrath away.”
“Have you any idea what Sukman might want? What could possibly turn His wrath away?”
Genedirou gave Zerafine a narrow-eyed look, but she returned it with one of innocent
concern. “More humility in their treatment of others,” he said. “More generosity in dealing with their fellow men and women. Sukman’s mind is hard to read at the best of times, but
Zerafine shamelessly used the power of the red robe to push her way past the line of people, Gerrard and Nacalia trailing in her wake. At the basin, Rovalt was anointing each worshipper with water and a murmured blessing. His ceremonial robe of silk and velvet patchwork was far nicer than the clothes she’d seen him in that morning. He caught her eye and nodded toward the office they’d met in earlier that day. Zerafine cast her eye on Nacalia, who appeared suitably subdued, then led their little group down the hallway.
Genedirou was a tall, middle-aged man whose lean physique was interrupted by a small
potbelly that threatened to grow larger. His crazily embroidered robe hung open over a loose shirt and long trousers, and his feet were bare. He stood next to the empty fireplace as if in contemplation, ignoring their entrance, then looked up a moment later as if he’d only just heard them come in. Zerafine was fairly certain he was simply being dramatic. “Welcome, thelis , Rovalt told me you were coming,” he said, his voice gravelly in a pleasant way. “I am tokthelos Genedirou.”
“Zerafine of Dardagne,” she replied, saluting him as an equal. “My sentare , Gerrard of Kionnar.” She didn’t bother introducing Nacalia; he wouldn’t expect her to. “Thank you for taking time to meet with us.”
“Anything for the theloi of Atenas,” he said, indicating that she should sit; Gerrard, naturally, continued to stand at attention, and Nacalia hid behind him. Genedirou took the seat opposite her. “Though I have to tell you, meaning no offense, that I’m surprised you’ve bothered to remain, seeing as how this is clearly the responsibility of Sukman.”
“No offense taken,” Zerafine said, excusing herself a little white lie. “But it was the Council who requested an emissary from Atenar, not the temple acting on its own initiative, so I’m obligated to conduct an impartial investigation.” She resisted the urge to put emphasis on the word “investigation.” “But I’d like to know what you think.”
“An investigation?” Genedirou sounded surprised, which was natural, but also a trifle angry, which was not. “What do you mean, investigation?”
Zerafine cocked an eyebrow. She decided to pretend disingenuousness. “Investigation is part of my responsibility, you know. I interacted with one of the apparitions just half an hour ago. I was surprised to find it had no substance—”
“No substance apparent to mortal eye, yes,” Genedirou said. He clasped his hands together in his lap. “You were very fortunate in your encounter. These figments of Sukman’s madness have been known to drive people mad themselves. I’ll have to ask you not to interfere with them again. For your safety.”
Patronizing and pulling rank, eh? We’ll see how far that will take you . Zerafine smiled.
“What do you mean, ‘figments of Sukman’s madness’?” she asked, making no promises.
Genedirou sat back in his chair. “Our Lord is, of course, profoundly mad,” he said. He
sounded more like a bored schoolmaster than a thelos . “We care for those He touches, though we cannot cure them, and we attempt to reach Him in His madness by embracing madness
ourselves, though temporarily. Now, however, Sukman’s anger at this city’s pride and
selfishness has manifested itself in these illusions, visible to some as a warning to all. I have been able to banish many of these illusions, though at great cost to myself, and my theloi labor daily to guide the people in worship that Our Lord might turn His wrath away.”
“Have you any idea what Sukman might want? What could possibly turn His wrath away?”
Genedirou gave Zerafine a narrow-eyed look, but she returned it with one of innocent
concern. “More humility in their treatment of others,” he said. “More generosity in dealing with their fellow men and women. Sukman’s mind is hard to read at the best of times, but
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