His obvious enthusiasm and sincerity had all the heads bobbing in agreement, and had all of those who had not met the woman-including Warder Presso, who had not seen her in years-anxious indeed to gaze upon this growing legend.
They talked long into the night, informally, mostly trading anecdotes of their experiences during the war. Abbot Agronguerre excused himself from vespers, and allowed Brothers Haney and Dellman to do likewise, so that they could continue this most productive and enjoyable meeting. When finally they ended, past midnight, there had been forged an honest friendship between them all, and all the secular guests were invited to remain at the abbey for as long as they desired.
Still, Brother Dellman was surprised indeed when Prince Midalis bade him to hold back a moment while all the others filed out of the abbot's audience chamber.
'I find it curious that you have come up here so early,' the Prince explained.
'We simply wanted to make sure that the message of the College of Abbots was properly delivered and in a timely enough manner for Abbot Agronguerre to make his preparations,' Brother Dellman replied.
'That could have been done in an easier and more convenient manner,' the Prince observed.
Brother Dellman shrugged, having no practical answer and not wanting to get into the discussion at that time.
'You are a good and trusted friend of the new abbot of St. Precious,' Midalis observed.
'Abbot Braumin Herde,' Dellman replied. 'I traveled with him across the land, running from Markwart and running toward Avelyn. I was beside him at the miracle of Aida, and again beside him when he was taken captive by Markwart, and by the King's soldiers.' 'And now, with Markwart dead and discredited, the new abbot of St. Precious, your friend Braumin Herde, will have a strong voice at the College, yes?'
Brother Dellman considered the strange question for a moment, then just shrugged.
'The tide flows in his favor,' the Prince observed. 'He who was instrumental in the fall of Father Abbot Markwart, he who leads those of the other philosophy, Avelyn's philosophy, will certainly be heard clearly at the College of Abbots.'
'If the other abbots and masters are wise, they will listen to Abbot Braumin's every word with great care,' Brother Dellman remarked.
'And does Abbot Braumin intend to try for the highest position in the Church?'
That set Dellman back on his heels. 'Forgive me, my Prince, but it is not within my province to discuss such matters.'
'Of course,' said Midalis. 'Yet you said that he was a young man-too young to be so nominated and elected, I would guess, given my understanding of your Church.'
'You know much of us,' replied Dellman, who was growing increasingly uneasy with this whole train of conversation.
'But perhaps Abbot Braumin has set his sights toward nominating another for the position of father abbot,' Prince Midalis said. 'Perhaps he, like many others, no doubt, is seeking a person who will lead the Church in a better direction.'
'That would be his charge, my Prince,' Brother Dellman said, 'as it is now the charge of every abbot and every master.'
A wry smile came over the handsome young Prince's face. 'And so, given that, would not this young abbot send out his most trusted friends to study those likely candidates? ' he asked.
'Again you ask of me that which I cannot answer,' Dellman replied, which, of course, was an answer in itself, and one that pleased Prince Midalis greatly.
'I will say this to you without any personal motives,' Midalis offered. 'If you and your friend the abbot are indeed thinking that Abbot Agronguerre might be a proper selection for that most important position within your Church, then know that I second that nomination with all of my heart. He is a wonderful man, a man of diplomacy- his work in quelling the trepidations of the Alpinadoran leaders in our recent truce was marvelous and generous- and, foremost, a man of God. I have never truly considered myself overreligious, good Brother Dellman, but when I hear Abbot Agronguerre speaking-and always his words come from the truth that is in his heart-I know that I am hearing the will of God.'
'Strong words,' Brother Dellman gasped, for they were indeed, words that would border on heresy if Midalis were speaking them with any intent of personal gain! And yet, in looking at the man, in considering the situation faced by both Church and State, Dellman understood that the Prince was speaking from his heart.
'If you are considering Abbot Agronguerre for nomination, then look as deeply as you may,' Prince Midalis went on. 'For surely, the more familiar you become with Abbot Agronguerre, the more firmly you will desire him as your new father abbot. This I know, Brother Dellman, for I have served beside the man for many years and have not once found error in his ways. Oh, I have not always agreed with his choices; but even for those over which we were at odds, I knew that his choice had come from a logical and consistent philosophy, one based on the highest and most noble traditions of your Church.'
'I will consider your words carefully, Prince Midalis,' Brother Dellman answered.
'Then you admit that you are here for more reasons than to deliver an invitation? ' Midalis asked with that wry grin again.
Brother Dellman, too, couldn't help but smile. 'Forgive me, my Prince,' he answered yet again, 'but it is not within my province to discuss such matters.'
Midalis laughed aloud and clapped Dellman on the shoulder as he walked past, collecting the man in his wake.
Dellman retired to his room soon after, but was far too excited to even think about sleep. He paced his small room, digesting all that he had learned, thinking that Abbot Braumin had been wise indeed to send him to this place, and that the Abellican Church might soon elect the leader it needed to get through this dark time.
Abbot Agronguerre hustled down to the front courtyard of St. Belfour a couple of days later, when he learned that a most unexpected visitor had arrived, seeking audience with him and with Prince Midalis, who was still within the abbey. Along the way, the abbot managed to find Haney and Dellman, and bade them accompany him, though he didn't pause long enough to fill them in on the details.
As soon as they came in sight of the courtyard, the source of the abbot's nervous excitement became clear-in the nearly seven-foot frame of mighty Andacanavar.
'Greetings, friend Andacanavar,' Agronguerre said, huffing and puffing to catch his breath. 'Good tidings, I pray, bring you to us at this time. You remember Brother Haney, I am sure, and let me introduce to you a visitor from the south, Brother-'
'Holan Dellman,' Andacanavar interrupted, and both Haney and Agronguerre looked curiously from the ranger to their southern brother. 'Greetings again, Andacanavar ofAlpinador,' Brother Dellman remarked, and Agronguerre detected a bit of nervousness along with the obvious familiarity.
'We have both walked a long road, it would seem, to come to the same place,' the ranger said with a grin. But it seemed to Agronguerre as if Andacanavar, too, was straining to be polite. These two had a history, he realized, and one that had not been without conflict.
Indeed, Dellman and the ranger had met first spiritually, and not physically. Dellman had gone along with Master Jojonah, then Brother Francis and other brothers from St.-Mere-Abelle on their caravan journey to the Barbacan to investigate the demise of the demon dactyl. Their road had taken them through Alpinador, and after a fight with monsters outside of one Alpinadoran village, Brother Dellman, scouting out of body, had found that they were being shadowed by Andacanavar. Master Jojonah had then sent Brother Braumin out to the man spiritually with soul stone magic, to quietly suggest that he should turn around and go home. Failing that, Braumin had been instructed to possess the man and walk his body back to the southland.
But Andacanavar, stronger of will than the monks could ever have expected, had turned the tables, had walked through the spiritual connection to possess Braumin, and then had used the monk's physical body to go into the encampment and learn more about the brothers.
The two had come to terms over their misunderstanding, but still there remained some tension between them-and between the ranger and Braumin's supporters, who had seen their leader magically and spiritually overwhelmed by the man. The act of possession was among the most distasteful products of gemstone magic, a rape of the spirit; and two who had known such intimate battle as that would never, ever forget it.
'I had thought you to be back in Alpinador, with Bruinhelde,' Abbot Agronguerre remarked.
