The Grave thief

'I-' Berlir lowered his eyes. 'Forgive me if this is blunt, my Lord, but I find it hard to accept an honour that is so lightly given.'

Isak grinned. 'Good; if you weren't a suspicious bastard you'd be no use. Now rise and take your seat; you should enjoy these few moments of peace, for there is much to do in Lomin. There is one thing to remember, and it is cruciaclass="underline" it is only united that we'll survive what's coming.'

The duke stood and took a half-step back before a strange look crossed his face. 'I don't pretend to understand your decision, but I'm a soldier, and as long as you ask me to serve the tribe, I will obey,' he said, and bowed once more.

'I'm glad to hear it,' Isak said with a smile. 'And now step back; I believe High Cardinal Echer has a few demands.'

As soon as the new duke had been greeted by Lokan and Sempes, all the rituals observed, Chief Steward Lesarl came forward and planted himself on Isak's right, perching on a stool that had been left for that purpose. Isak had no idea who most of the men in the room were, and with Lesarl close enough to supply their names, he was also conveniently close enough to be involved in any discussion that might take place.

The High Cardinal did not forget his place in the proceedings. As the dukes had presented their sword-hilts to Isak, to take if he wished, so Echer knelt and offered the oversized ring that showed Nartis's snake coiled around a sceptre. Isak thought the lapis lazuli disc looked curiously similar to Nartis's coin, which had hung from Morghien's augury chain.

I wouldn't put it past Morghien to have stolen the coins for his chain. Isak smiled inwardly, but then it faded as he thought, How many priests will I have to kill to prevent civil war here? Enough to make my own chain?

'High Cardinal, I thank you for your respectful greeting,' Isak began, 'but I hear there are some in your service who shame the Gods they profess to serve.'

Echer remained kneeling as he withdrew his hand and looked up at Isak. 'There are many of your citizens who shame the Gods. I cannot blame my penitents for their zeal in showing the people the error of their ways.'

'Zeal is all well and good, High Cardinal, but when it takes the Palace Guard to prevent fighting on the streets of Tirah, it goes too far. I hear there are many towns where blood has been spilled.'

'There are sinners everyone,' spat Echer, 'and their blood is better spilled than left to offend the Gods further.'

Isak took a deep breath. There was a fervent light in Echer's eye, one that Isak longed to snuff out. He was well aware he couldn't afford to let the situation continue — it would escalate as long as there were clear lines of conflict. What passed for religious law in the Land was a garbled mix of edicts, history and myths that required a great deal of interpretation. As yet, the High Cardinal had not put forward any clear agenda, other than the most obvious — the observance of Prayerday, censure of taverns and whorehouses-but Lesarl was convinced there was some sort of plan buried in Echer's sporadic pronouncements.

'The cults have no legal authority,' Isak said firmly, 'and yet your soldiers have attacked and killed in the name of the Gods. They have made summary judgments, and have carried out the punishment. In Chrien I hear a tavern was set alight and only the arrival of local watchmen stopped the arsonists from preventing anyone leaving.'

'Regretful incidents,' Echer said, although his face told a different story, 'but they demonstrate the will of the people. No longer will they allow the law of the Gods to be broken; no longer do they wish profit to sit at the high altar. I do not condone such acts, but you ignore the will of the people at your peril. This moral decay must be stopped or the Gods themselves will be forced to demonstrate their ire.'

'And how is this to be achieved?'

'I have prepared a document for your approval, my Lord.' Echer glared up at Isak, as though daring the white-eye lord to deny him anything he asked for. 'This document has been circulated to the suzerains attending here today, and copies are to be displayed in every temple in Tirah.'

'You walk a dangerous path, High Cardinal,' Lesarl said softly. The Chief Steward's face was hard now, coldly focused. 'Making demands as you display your military strength could be construed as coming dangerously close to insurrection.'

'My penitents are not an army, except in spirit,' Echer said with an indulgent smile that sickened Isak. 'We are not warriors, just men and women driven to preserve the majesty of the Gods.'

Lesarl didn't try to hide the contempt in his voice. 'Beating people to death in the street bears no relation to divine majesty. Providing noblemen and magistrates with armed "escorts" to get to the temple on Prayerday, keeping them prisoner for hours while your illegal courts are conducted-'

'Only a heretic would call debase our piety by describing it that way,' Echer interjected with a snarl.

Isak, judging he had let Lesarl stir the pot long enough, raised a hand to stop the exchange. 'I will not have this argument here. Your document will give us much to think about, your Eminence. I understand you have grievances, and change will come, but the rule of law is in my name and mine alone. Any priest or cardinal found presiding over any form of court — anyone not a recognised magistrate — will be arrested. Do you understand?'

Echer hesitated, visibly thrown by the white-eye's willingness to compromise. 'Of course, my Lord, the rule of law should not be blurred,' he said at last. 'If there are new laws to guide the people back onto the path of piety, how could I complain who enforces them? As long as you act swiftly. You will permit me to exert authority over the cults of the Farlan, as is my right as leader of the Synod. And I trust you agree that authority extends to all affiliated organisations?'

'You are talking about the Dark Monks — the Brethren of the Sacred Teachings?'

'Among others. We will not stand for the presence of cabals who pretend to piety yet bow to no authority.'

'High Cardinal,' Isak said in a level tone, 'no such warnings are necessary between men of Nartis. Please remember your domain is of the ordained. It is my place to shepherd the pious majority, and I shall be vigilant in my duty.'

The whole subject revolted Isak, most particularly the smug way power was exerted. He and Lesarl had rehearsed this conversation, and Isak had flown into a rage the first time as his Chief Steward had acted the High Cardinal's part rather too effectively, twisting compliments to act as insults, describing brutality as 'fatherly chastisement'.

Now he continued, 'In the morning I will make my own worship a public act, to serve as an example for the whole tribe to follow. I would be honoured if you joined me at the Temple of Nartis for the dawn service. I have already issued orders regarding groups like the Brethren of the Sacred Teachings -1 will brook no challenge to my authority — just as I will not accept misguided folk pursuing the will of the Gods themselves.'

The High Cardinal bowed his head, but not quickly enough to hide the glee spreading across his face. The sight of Isak worshipping at the Temple of Nartis under Echer's sanction would be invaluable to him. Isak just had to hope it would mollify the man long enough for Lesarl's purposes.

'My Lord is wise beyond his years and a devoted servant of his God,' he murmured. 'I thank Nartis for his wisdom in choosing you as Lord Bahl's successor.'

Qods, do you think that's me whipped and cowering? Are you really so insane?

Isak didn't bother answering his own question. The man was utterly deluded. He had instigated many of the violent attacks that had taken place and Lesarl was afraid his madness could spark a civil war. The cults were spending their wealth carelessly to swell the ranks of their penitents and novices.