Read Online The Thirteenth Scroll by Rebecca Neason - Free Book Online

that the bishop had remembered him showed on his face.
    “’Tis my parents’ anniversary and His Holiness the Archbishop gave me leave to go visit them,” he said. “His Holiness asked
     only that I deliver this letter on my way.”
    The monk reached into one of the deep pockets of his plain brown habit and brought forth a letter. Elon looked at the crest
     that had been pressed into the hot wax seal. Beneath the official crest was a smaller indent. It was the Archbishop’s private
     seal and meant this letter was from the Primus’s own hand.
    Elon made no move to open it. Instead he again held out his hand so that Brother Naal could kiss the ring and be dismissed.
    “Thank you, Brother,” Elon said to the monk as he genuflected. “If I might also ask a favor of you….”
    “Anything, Your Grace,” Brother Naal said.
    “Then after you have seen your parents, will you come back here on your return journey to Ballinrigh. I might have an answer
     that needs to be taken to His Holiness.”
    “It will not be until tomorrow, Your Grace.”
    “Perfect,” Elon replied. “Until tomorrow then, Brother.Tell your parents I will ask a special blessing upon them in today’s Mass.”
    “Oh, thank you, Your Grace,” Brother Naal said, his face beaming with true delight. “I know that will please them greatly.”
    What can the old fool want now?
he wondered as he sliced open the letter. Because they carried the Archbishop’s personal seal, letters such as this demanded
     his immediate attention—but they were often filled with such trivialities that Elon had grown to hate opening them. He heaved
     a small, impatient sigh as he unfolded the letter and scanned it.
    This one was not so trivial. He was summoned to Ballinrigh for a special meeting of the College of Bishops concerning the
     succession. This he had been expecting, but underneath the official wording of the document, the Archbishop had written a
     personal message in his wavering, spidery hand.
    I have heard a strange tale, my son
, it began,
that you have been visiting an enemy of the Church. I’m certain there is a good reason, but remember St. Paul says we are
     to avoid not only evil, but also the
appearance
of evil. Send word to me as soon as you reach Ballinrigh. I will make certain we have time to talk privately. I want to put
     this matter to rest before the meeting begins
.
    Elon sat back in his chair and stared at the letter. He had no doubt to what visit it was referring.
So
, he thought,
someone has been carrying tales. I wonder who—and to whom else they have been talking
.
    He did not fool himself by thinking he had no enemies; power always came at a cost. He was glad anew that in their correspondence,
     Aurya had arranged their plausible—and
witnessed
, yes, that was the importantpart—reason for the visit. He now had something that would satisfy even the Archbishop.
    The meeting of the College of Bishops was set for four days hence; to get there a day early, he would have to leave tomorrow.
     Disappointed, Elon knew he would have to postpone any other, more interesting… activities… until his return. But he would
     take some of his books with him and when not otherwise occupied with official business or the Archbishop’s requests, he would
     continue his search.
    We’ll leave tomorrow after Brother Naal returns
, Elon’s thoughts continued.
Then he can travel with us—and take a report about our piety back to the Archbishop, and to whomever else has employed him
. Elon grinned sardonically.
That was, no doubt, part of the Archbishop’s plan. Well, let the little monk report every detail. He shall see nothing from
     me or mine that is the least bit questionable
.
    He would let his houseman, Johann, see to the packing, and his body servants would know what clothing, both personal and religious,
     must be taken. But there were some articles he would trust to only one other set of hands but his own. Tonight, when the rest
     of the