Safehold #01 - Off Armageddon Reef by David Weber

Author:David Weber [Weber, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Adventure, Science Fiction, Fiction, General, Space Opera
ISBN: 9780330516143
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Published: 2006-01-01T23:00:00+00:00

II

« ^ »

Royal Palace,

Tellesberg

It was the first time Merlin had ever met Father Paityr Wylsynn, and as the upper-priest was ushered into the throne room, he devoutly wished that the meeting might have come under other circumstances. Almost any other circumstances.

Wylsynn was a young man, older than Cayleb but probably no older than Nimue Alban had been at the time of her biological death. He was slender, with red, curly hair, and a lively intelligence seemed to hover behind the gray eyes which, along with that hair, would have marked him as a foreigner to any Charisian.

He also wore the purple habit of the Order of Schueler, and the embroidered sword and golden flame on his sleeve marked him as the Church’s Intendant in Charis, as well.

He followed the chamberlain to the foot of the dais and bowed gravely. First to Haarahld, then to Bishop Maikel, who stood at the king’s shoulder, and finally to Cayleb.

“Your Majesty.” His voice was a pleasant tenor, his accent that of the Temple and the City of Zion’s elite.

“Father,” Haarahld returned, his own soft Charisian accent sounding stronger than usual in contrast to the upper-priest’s.

“I thank you for agreeing to see me on such short notice,” Wylsynn continued. “And I thank you for joining us, Your Eminence,” he added, with another small bow to Bishop Maikel.

“You’re most welcome, Father,” the bishop said. “And allow me to thank you for notifying me you intended to seek this interview. The courtesy is deeply appreciated.”

Wylsynn smiled and waved his hand in a tiny gesture of dismissal, as if his notification to Staynair had been a matter of no consequence. But it most definitely had not been any such thing. As the Church’s Intendant, Father Paityr had the authority to go anywhere, at any time of his choosing, and interrogate anyone he chose without advance notice to anyone in the entire kingdom, including Bishop Executor Zherald.

“Your message requested the presence of Crown Prince Cayleb and Lieutenant Athrawes,”

Haarahld observed after a moment. “As you observe, both of them are present. May we now know the reason for which you wished to see us?”

“Of course, Your Majesty.” Wylsynn inclined his head in what was not quite a bow this time, but was still a gesture of respect.

“I fear certain reports have reached the Temple concerning matters here in Charis,” he said calmly. “Most, I suspect, are the product of natural exaggeration. Some, alas, may be maliciously intended by those whose interests are … not identical to those of your kingdom, let us say. However, when there’s this much smoke, the Council of Vicars and the Office of the Inquisition feel an obligation to be certain there’s no fire underneath it. Hence my request for this interview.”

Haarahld sat silent for several seconds, gazing at the young upper-priest, his own expression thoughtful. Merlin kept his own face completely expressionless as he stood behind Cayleb’s chair, but his mind was busy considering Wylsynn’s explanation. The upper-priest’s tone was calm and measured, but there

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