Anderson, Poul - The Merman's Children by Anderson Poul

Author:Anderson, Poul
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf

IV

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JOHAN Kvag, bishop of Roskilde, often had business in Copen-hagen, for he was its liege. In a private room of the house he kept there, he sat long silent while he considered, from his seat whereon were carved the Apostles, the young man in a plain chair before him. Ordinary clothes and Jutish brogue hardly accorded with the gold, given to Mother Church, that had persuaded his major-domo to arrange this audience.

“You have told me less than you could, my son,” he finally said.

Niels Jonsen nodded. His self-possession, at his age and station in life, was remarkable too. “Aye, my lord,” he admitted. “Some might suffer, did the whole tale come out. But I swear before God that I’ve spoken no lie to you, and won the treasure in no wrongful way.”

“And now you would share it with my see. If your reckoning of its worth is correct, that would be a donation an emperor could scarcely match.”

“I’ll leave the dividing to you, and trust in your fairness.”

“You’ve small choice,” the bishop said dryly. “You’ll not stay alive, let alone grow wealthy, without protection.”

“I know it well, reverend excellency.”

Johan cupped his chin. “And still you bargain,” he murmured.

“You forget the danger to your spirit that lies in worldly riches.”

“My priest can steer me clear of that, I hope,” said Niels.

“You are a cocky one, aren’t you?”

“No disrespect, sir. But if naught else, I’ve people I’d like to help, beginning with my mother and her brood. Besides, the way the Hansa’s pushing in, meseems the kindgom should be glad of a big shipowner who’s Danish.”

The bishop’s gravity broke in a laugh. “Well spoken!”

Niels’ countenance lightened. “Then you’ll take me on?”

“Not that fast, my son, not that fast. There are certain con-ditions to meet. First, though you keep a secret or two from me, you must tell all to a priest, that he may shrive you.” The sunburnt face drew downward. Johan smiled and added: “I’ll send you to Father Ebbe of St. Nicholas’. That’s your patron, and Ebbe is of seafaring stock himself, lenient about things that others might find overly peculiar.”

“A thousand thanks, my lord.”

“Next you must lead trusty men to the hoard, unbeknownst,

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for them to examine it.” The bishop bridged his fingers. “We must be careful. If it’s as great as you claim, we cannot bring it forth overnight. Wars would ensue for its possession, on whatever pre-text. Few years ago, this city was under Norwegian attack; and when I think of the German dukes—Yes, I suspect our wisest plan in the end will be to leave the major part buried.”

“But you can do so much good with it,” Niels protested.

“Gold cannot buy more in aid of the poor than the land can produce. Nor are clergy immune to temptations, of which the worst may be those of power.”

Johan raised a reassuring palm. “Certainly we’ll have use for considerable amounts,” he went on. “They can be introduced in discreet fashion.

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