'I've just spent four months on top of a mountain. Freezing. Plus time going and coming. I have no idea what's happening.'
'There's a new Patriarch in Brothe. Another new one. Boniface VII. We don't know what he'll be like, yet. The Captain-General destroyed the pagan revivalists in Artecipea that the last Patriarch forced him to attack, hoping he'd get bogged down. Because he'd become strong enough to be feared by his masters. Meantime, the flower of Chaldarean chivalry is flooding into Direcea. We expect to hear of a battle any day now. And we fear that, no matter the outcome, what follows won't be good for the Connec.'
'How so?'
'If God averts His countenance we'll soon see Almanohides horsemen outside the walls. If King Peter is victorious, it'll be Arnhanders out there doing mischief as they trudge on home. Anne of Menand certainly had that in mind when she sent Regard down with half the feudal levy of Arnhand.'
'Regard?' Brother Candle asked. 'She dared let the boy out of sight?'
'She had no choice. Strong as she is, fierce as she is, Anne's position is still fluid. And will never get any more solid if Regard doesn't win the respect of the fighting nobilty.'
'I see,' Brother Candle said. 'To tighten her grip Anne has to let her baby go off to war. Suppose the worst happens? Who succeeds? The younger brother?'
'Anselin? Probably. Though Anne hasn't thought that far ahead.'
Duke Tormond chipped in, 'Anselin is on crusade in the Holy Lands. Or that was his plan when I visited Salpeno. He wasn't happy. He didn't want to go. It was the only way he could get away from his mother.'
'Then Regard's fall throws Arnhand into chaos. The nobility would never let Anne take charge diretlcy. Might not even accept her as regent while Anselin was recalled.'
Bishop Clayto said, 'So you're suggesting that we could experience several years respite if Regard doesn't make it back from Direcia.'
The Master protested, 'That's not what I meant at all!'
The Duke said, 'You see, gentlemen? I told you it would be worthwhile to drag Charde up out of the stews.'
Brother Candle protested again. And was ignored. The Council, including the Brothen Episcopal Bishop, began amusing themselves by conspiring to cause the premature ascent to paradise of King Regard of Arnhand. It as not a conspiracy with any heart. It was a wishful thinking game played by a covey of weak men who had been drinking too much wine too early in the day. Men, Brother Candle concluded, who would shepherd an ancient culture into oblivion not because they could not withstand predators from within but because they could not get up on their hind legs and take charge within.
Not once was his advice actively invited. He went away again after a few hours. No one seemed to note or care.
Brother Candle and Socia Rault had just settled in to rest with the resurgent Seeker commity in Castreresone. The city's bells began ringing joyously, celebrating the Chaldarean victory at Los Naves de los Fantas. Word spread fast. No one believed the news was not exaggerated. Al-Prama's worst defeat in four hundred years? Impossible.
'And now the torment of the Connec resumes,' Brother Candle observed.
'When did it let up?' Socia demanded.
Reaching Castreresone had taken nine days. Not so bad as the trek westward, yet fraught with danger from bandits and men serving surviving local lords who were little better than bandits. Not to mention things of the Night.
The pagans of Artecipea had released more dark spirits than they anticipated. When the ghost of a Shade or Rook or Hilt began to crawl the earth again, and reached a breakthrough level of restoration, it began to call up and release its own satellite Instrumentalities. Scores of which now roamed the wilderness, frail and blind but perfectly capable of preying on the incautious and unwitting.
Brother Candle stayed a while at Castreresone to relax and recollect his strength. He was there longer than he hoped. He wanted to send a message to Antieux. Socia would not hear of it. He hoped she would not be as surprised as Count Raymone might.
He was looking forward to turning his charge over. That would free him, finally, to tend to the cleansing and healing of his soul.
The pause at Castreresone seemed endless. Just when Brother Candle felt ready to go on, he fell sick. Then the situation outside became so nasty the consuls locked everyone in till patrols cleared the danger. That danger did not keep news out: Neither Regard nor his chief followers were interested in more war after what they had survived in Direcia. They just wanted to go home.
Eventually, the old man and girl did return to the road, he observing, 'I expect Regard will get a real scolding when he gets back to Salpeno.'
'Or his mother will. He's a veteran, now. He's been tempered in the flame. Maybe he's developed a backbone.'
Socia was dressed to look like an older boy. As always when they were on the road. And a good choice it was.
Maysalean pilgrims, a Master and his student, were troubled by none but the frenetically insane. Masters disdained money. Their only currency was wisdom. Any student companion would be poorer still.
Later, they learned that a few Arnhanders did, indeed, indulge in looting and terror tactics, ignoring the distinction between heretics, Unbelievers, and Chaldareans of various allegiances. They just took whatever had not been taken already by previous invaders or predatory neighbors. They captured few towns or castles, nor did any great slaughter, but they did guarantee that they would find no allies if they returned.
Antieux was in sight when the old man and girl met a frightened traveler who shared what he believed was terrible news. The new Patriarch, Boniface VII, intended to send the Captain-General back to the Connec. He would have fewer men but all of them would be hardened veterans.
Antieux had begun preparing for yet another siege already.
Socia was grim. 'How will we manage? There was almost no harvest last year. And the enemy isn't likely to let us get many crops in before he shows up this year.'
Brother Candle had listened to the traveler more closely than she. 'This is a new Patriarch. Not that lunatic Sublime. My guess is, he really does want to clean up the Instrumentalities that got loose here.'
'We're talking about a man who said he would put an end to the Society's wickedness. Have you heard of any changes for the better, there?'
He had. But Socia was not about to hear it. He saved his breath. There were miles to be walked and his old joints ached. He thought about retiring altogether, not just dallying in a cloister while he rebuilt his spiritual center. Some Perfect did withdraw permanently, generally into one of several fastnesses down in the mountainous frontier counties between the Connec and Direcia. Even devout Episcopals there scorned the rule of Brothe and loved their neighbors more.
From crusty and bellicose, Socia turned concerned. 'Are you all right?'
'I'm fine, child. It's just age slowing me down.'
She eyed him suspiciously. She had been his companion long enough to follow the weakening of his flesh.
'I'm just tired.' But he knew a hint of fear. His fiercest will could not push him forward at as fast a pace as he could make just last summer. He thought his decline had begun during that terrible passage from Castreresone to Khaurene. The miserable sojourn in Corpseour had not helped.
He despised his own weakness. Not his physical failing. That came to every man fortunate enough to grow old. No. He detested the fear that slipped foul tendrils through the armor of his faith. Death should not be dreaded. Death was no revenant creeping through the night, spreading corruption. Death was the doorway to the Light.
'I just need to get my feet back on the Path.'
Socia understood that side of him, however weak her own faith.
Someone riding, who had passed them heading east, must have recognized Brother Candle. Socia's surprise did not materialize as planned. As they began the last mile downhill, Antieux's gate spilled a covey of horsemen. The Perfect recognized Bernardin Amberchelle almost immediately, then several Rault brothers and Count Raymone. 'Looks like they mean to run us off before we can pollute their city.'
