Mortalis

Glendenhook was an imposing sort.

'I would likely have been nominated for the position by this point in any case,' Francis calmly went on, 'a position that I believe I have earned, with my work, including organizing the expedition to the Barbacan to learn the fate of the demon dactyl. I keep the title because it, unlike the position of bishop-which is no more, in any case-and that of abbot-of which there can only be one, in any case-does not preclude the appointment of others more deserving.'

'And yet, we now have a former heretic serving in your previous place at St. Precious,' Glendenhook remarked.

'A man falsely accused of heresy,' Francis replied, 'a man who had the courage to refute Father Abbot Markwart when I, and others in this room, did not.' He noted that Machuso and the two older men were nodding their agreement; but Bou-raiy stiffened, and Glendenhook seemed as if he was about to spit. ' I urge you to accept and offer your blessings to Abbot Braumin Herde, as have King Danube and Abbot Je'howith of St. Honce. And I urge you to accept with open hearts the nomination of Brother Viscenti to the position of master.'

'It seems a proper course,' Machuso remarked, looking to Bou-raiy.

'And if we do not so accept the nominations, of either man?' Master Bou-raiy asked.

'Then you risk dividing the Church, for many will stand beside them, and I will advise them to hold their posts.'

That bold statement raised a few eyebrows.

'This is not our domain, Master Bou-raiy,' Francis went on. 'We here at St.-Mere-Abelle, in the absence of a father abbot, must allow the brothers of St. Precious to appoint whomever they believe acceptable, as long a amp; it is within the guidelines of our Order, as it would seem for both Braumin Herde and Marlboro Viscenti. The brothers of St. Precious have chosen Braumin Herde; and thus he is empowered to nominate and elevate Brother Viscenti to the position of master. We could recall Viscenti to St. Mere-Abelle, of course, since this was his appointed abbey, and then void the promotion, but to what end? We would only then be weakening an already difficult position in Palmaris, where King Danube has given Duke Targon Bree Kalas, no friend of the Church, the barony.'

Again there was a long period of silence, with even Glendenhook looking to Bou-raiy for guidance. The older man struck a pensive pose and stroked his hand over his hairless chin several times, staring at Francis, never blinking.

'What of the woman, Jilseponie?' Glendenhook asked, looking to both Francis and Bou-raiy. 'Declared an outlaw and heretic.'

'More a candidate for mother abbess,' Francis remarked. The sudden, horrified expressions from all of the others, even his apparent allies, reminded him of the battle that nomination would have brought upon the Church!

'No outlaw,' he said. 'It was Father Abbot Markwart himself who once so named her; and who bore her out to me, unconscious after their titanic struggle; and who admitted to me that she had been right all along. She is neither outlaw nor heretic, by the words of the very man who so branded her.'

'Perhaps further investigation-' Master Glendenhook started to say.

'No!' Francis roared at him, and again, he was greeted by stunned expressions. 'No,' he said again, more calmly. 'Jilseponie is a hero to the people of Palmaris, to all who live north of the city, and to many others, I would guess, who only heard of and did not witness her deeds. She is in the highest favor of King Danube, I assure you, and any action we take against her, even actions within our province such as excommunication, will only bring scorn upon our Church, and perhaps bring the armies of the King, as well.'

'Strong words, brother,' Bou-raiy remarked.

'You were not there, Master Bou-raiy,' Francis replied calmly. 'If you had witnessed the events in Palmaris, you would think my words an understatement, I assure you.'

'What of her gemstones?' Bou-raiy asked. 'The considerable cache stolen by Brother Avelyn? It is said that they were not found after the battle.'

Francis shrugged. 'It is rumored that the stones were consumed in the fight against the Father Abbot.'

More than a few whispers began at that statement, mostly of doubt-and Francis had a hard time making the case here, since he, too, believed that the stones had been pilfered.

Bou-raiy settled back in his chair once more, and signaled to Glendenhook to be quiet just as the man was about to begin the argument anew.

'So be it,' Bou-raiy said at length. 'Braumin Herde, through his courage and the simple good fortune of having his side prevail, has earned a postone that we could not easily fill without weakening our own abbey even more. If he deems it necessary to promote Brother Viscenti, then let him have his way. I must admit my own relief in having both of them, and Brothers Castinagis and Dellman as well, out of St.-Mere-Abelle.'

'Hear, hear,' Master Glendenhook applauded.

Francis let the uncalled-for slight slip by, relieved that Bou-raiy would take that one insult as satisfying enough and let the promotions stand without argument.

'As for the woman Jilseponie,' Bou-raiy went on, 'she can go in peace, and let the wisdom of the ages judge her actions, good or bad. We have not the time nor the resources to pursue the battles waged by Father Abbot Markwart. However,' he warned in the gravest of tones, 'Jilseponie would be wise not to keep those stones, for whatever justification she might have found in holding them during the reign of Markwart is past now.'

Francis nodded, understanding the complications that would indeed arise if Jilseponie had the stones and began using them in the northland. Bou-raiy would never stand for it, though Francis wondered what, indeed, the man might do about it. Francis had seen the results of Jilseponie's frightening march through Palmaris on her way to Markwart.

'We have more important issues to contend with, anyway,' Bou-raiy continued, leaning forward in his chair, a clear signal that he wanted to move the meeting his way. 'There is the little matter of filling, and efficiently, the vacancy at the top of our Order. We have discussed this long before your arrival, of course, Master Francis, and already have planned to summon a College of Abbots in Calember, as you advised us today.

'Brothers,' he went on solemnly, pausing and looking at each of the other five in turn. 'We must be united in this. It is no secret that Olin of Bondabruce will make a claim for father abbot. I have known Abbot Olin for many years and consider him a fine man, but his ties to Behren disturb me.'

'What of Master Bou-raiy?' Glendenhook immediately put in, and again Francis got the distinct impression that the man was speaking for Bou-raiy, as if the two had planned this little exchange.

'With all due respect,' Master Machuso put in calmly and, indeed, respectfully, 'you are but five years in the title of master, Brother Bou-raiy. I would not oppose such a seemingly premature ascension to the highest position under other circumstances-'

'He is the finest master remaining within the Church!' Glendenhook snapped. Bou-raiy remained very calm and waved the man to silence, then motioned for Machuso to continue.

'Even if we were all to stand united behind you, you cannot expect to have any chance of winning the nomination against Abbot Olin,' Machuso explained. 'And where, then, would that leave us? Abbot Olin would ascend to the position of father abbot, and he would not come to serve as such viewing any of us in a favorable light.'

Again Glendenhook started to respond, but Bou-raiy cut him short.

'True enough, good Master Machuso,' he said. 'Who among us, then, do you advise? Yourself?'

Machuso narrowed his eyes a bit, Francis noted, for Bou-raiy's tone, though his words were in agreement, was somewhat condescending. The gentle Machuso quickly let the insult pass, and then replied with a laugh.

'Then who?' Bou-raiy asked, holding his hand up. 'Tell us, Master Francis, was this matter discussed among the brethren in Palmaris? With Abbot Je'howith? Yes, perhaps Je'howith will try for the position, but I warn you that any intentions you might be holding in that matter will not bring the Church together. Je'howith is far too-'

'Tied to King Danube, and to the troubled days of Father Abbot Markwart's end, to be acceptable,' Francis interrupted. 'But, yes, we did indeed discuss the matter at length, to find a candidate who would prove acceptable to all in the Church, one who would heal us and bring us back together, of one mind and one purpose.'

'And that choice?'

'Agronguerre of St. Belfour, it would seem,' Francis replied.

'An excellent man, of fine reputation,' Master Machuso said enthusiastically.