Derethi priests took a keen interest in politics; and most people knew that gaining the endorsement of the church was usually enough to insure political victory. This was the promise the noblemen had come expecting to hear, and this was why the Teoish girl's complaints hadn't affected them. Theological disputes were far from these men's minds: Shu-Dereth or Shu-Korath. it mattered little to them. All they needed was an assurance that a sudden outpouring of piety on their parts would in turn be rewarded with temporal blessings-very tangible and spendable ones.
'Enough wordplay, priest,' said Ramear, one of the younger nobles. He was a hawk-faced second son of an unimportant baron, a man with a sharp Aonic nose
and a reputation for straightforwardness-a reputation he apparentIy deserved. 'I want promises. Are you saying that if we convert to Derethi, you will grant us greater holdings?'
'Jaddeth rewards his followers,' Hrathen said noncommittally.
'And how will he reward us?' Ramear demanded. 'Shu-Dereth holds no power in this kingdom, priest.'
'Lord Jaddeth holds power everywhere, friend,' Hrathen said. Then, to forestall further demands, he continued. 'It is true that as of yet He has few followers in Arelon. The world. however, is dynamic, and few things can stand against Jaddeth's empire. Remember Duladel, my friends. Arelon has remained untouched for so long because we haven't bothered to spare the effort it would take to convert her.' A lie, but only a modest one. 'The first problem is Elantris. Remove it from the people's minds, and they will gravitate toward Shu-Dereth-Shu-Korath is too tranquil, too indolent. Jaddeth will grow in the people's awareness, and as He does, they will look for role models within the ranks of the aristocracy-men who hold to the same ideals as themselves.'
'And then we will be rewarded?' Ramear asked pointedly.
'The people will never suffer rulers who don't believe as they do. As recent history has shown, my friends. kings and monarchies are hardly eternal.'
Ramear sat back to contemplate the priest's words. Hrathen had to be careful yet; it was quite possible that only a few of these men would end up supporting him, and he didn't want to give the others evidence against him. Lenient as he may be with regards to religion, King Iadon wouldn't suffer Hrathen's preaching long if he found it treasonous.
Later, after Hrathen sensed firm conviction in his fledgling nobles, he would give them more concrete promises. And. no matter what his opponents might say, Hrathen's promises were trustworthy: as little as he liked working with men whose allegiance could be bought. it was a firm tenet of Shu-Dereth that ambition should be rewarded. Besides, it was beneficial to have a reputation for honesty, if only so that one could lie at crucial moments.
'It will take time to unseat an entire religion and set up a new one in its place,' mused Waren, a thin man with a head of nearly white blond hair. Waren was known for his strict piety; Hrathen had been rather surprised when he accompanied his cousin Idan to the meeting. It appeared that Waren's renowned faith was less a matter of religious fervor than it was one of political advantage. Winning him. and his reputation, would be a great help to Hrathen's cause.
'You would be surprised. young Lord Waren,' Hrathen said. 'Until very recently, Duladel was the seat of one of the world's oldest religions. Now, as far as Fjordell recorders can tell, that religion has been completely wiped out- at least in its pure form.'
'Yes,' Waren said, 'but the collapse of the Jesker religion and the Duladen
Republic are events that had been building for years, perhaps even centuries.' 'But you cannot deny that when that change in power occurred, it came swiftly,' Hrathen said.
Waren paused. 'True.'
'The fall of the Elantrians was likewise swift,' Hrathen said. 'Change can come with blinding speed, Lord Waren-but those who are prepared can profit quite substantially from it. You say that the fall of Jesker was building for years… well, I suggest to you that the Korathi religion has been in decline for a similar amount of time. It used to hold much sway in the East. Now, its influence has been relegated to only Teod and Arelon.'
Waren paused thoughtfully. He appeared to be a man of intelligence and shrewdness. and seemed swayed by Hrathen's logic. It was possible that Hrathen had misjudged the Arelish nobility. Most of them were as hopeless as their king, but a surprising number showed promise. Perhaps they realized just how precarious their positions were-their people starving, their aristocracy inexperienced, and the full attention of the Fjordell Empire turned upon them. When the storm hit. most of Arelon would be surprised like rodents stunned by a bright light. These few lords. however, might just be worth saving.
'My lords. I hope you will review my offers with more wisdom than your king,' Hrathen said. 'These are difficult times, and those who don't have the Church's support will find life harsh in the coming months. Remember who and what I represent.'
'Remember Elantris,' a voice, Dilaf's, hissed from beside Hrathen. 'Do not forget the well of desecration that pollutes our land. They sleep, and they wait, clever as always. They wait to capture you-all of you-and drag you into their embrace. You must cleanse the world of them before they cleanse it of you.'
There was an uncomfortable moment of silence. Finally-the arteth's sudden exclamation having spoiled his rhythm-Hrathen leaned back in his chair, crossing his fingers before him to show that the meeting was at an end. The nobles left, their troubled faces showing that they understood the difficult decision Hrathen had placed before them. Hrathen studied them. deciding which ones it would be safe to contact again. Idan was his, and with him would inevitably come several of his followers. Hrathen probably had Ramear as well, assuming he met privately with the man and offered him a solid promise of backing. There were a couple of others like Ramear, and then there was Waren, whose eyes were tinged with what looked like respect. Yes, he could do grand things with that one.
They were a politically weak, relatively unimportant lot. but they were a beginning. As Shu-Dereth gained followers, increasingly important nobles would throw their weight behind Hrathen. Then, when the country finally collapsed beneath the weight of political unrest, economic uncertainty. and martial threats, Hrathen would reward his followers with positions in the new government.
The key to reaching that success was still sitting at the back of the meeting, watching quietIy. Duke Telrii's air was stateIy, his face calm, but his reputation for extravagance spoke of great potential.
'My lord Telrii, a moment please, — Hrathen requested, rising. 'I have a special proposal that might be of interest to you.'
CHAPTER 10
'Sule, I don't think this is a good idea.' Galladon's whisper was unenthusiastic as he crouched next to Raoden.
'Hush,' Raoden ordered, peeking around the corner toward the courtyard. The gangs had heard about Raoden's recruitment of Mareshe, and were convinced that he intended to start his own rival gang. When Raoden and Galladon had arrived the day before to look for newcomers, they had found a group of Aanden's men waiting for them. The reception hadn't been pleasant. Fortunately, they had escaped without any broken bones or stubbed toes, but this time Raoden intended to be a little more subtle.
'What if they're waiting for us again?' Galladon asked.
'They probably are,' Raoden said. 'Which is why you should keep your voice down. Come on.'
Raoden slipped around the corner and into an alleyway. His toe pained him as he walked, as did his scraped hands and a bruise he had picked up on his arm. In addition, the hunger called to him, a phantom passion from within.
Galladon sighed. 'I'm not so bored with death that I want to abandon it in favor of an existence of pure pain. Kolo?'
Raoden turned back with tolerant eyes. 'Galladon, someday you're going to get over this determined pessimism of yours, and all of Elantris will collapse from the shock.'
'Pessimism?' Galladon demanded as Raoden crept down the alleyway. 'Pessimism? Me? Dulas are the most lighthearted, easygoing people in Opelon! We look at each day with- Sule? Don't you dare leave when I'm defending myself!'
