Unicorn Saga - The Unicorn Peace Part 44

It was a simple declaration, devoid of overt animos- ity, but she radiated the authority that accretes to a person who has been obeyed for twenty years.

The Emperor watched her with distaste. He was aware of her aura of power, but it could not daunt him. Irri- tate him, yes; intimidate him, no. She had presumed to treat him as an equal at their last meeting and it was fitting that she suffer for it. Besides, the unpopularity of the Church was proving to be a useful diversion for the lower orders and it did not seem to be hurting his own popularity.

"You do us wrong, Lady," he said. "Our troops have indeed been deployed and new maps of the Outland are even now being drawn. Old soldiers are drawing lots for land. Our contributions to the Church have been paid in timely fas.h.i.+on. In short, we cannot see the jus- tice in your complaint."

She gave him a long, level stare. It was obvious that 241.

deference was getting her nowhere and she decided to change her tactics. "Oh spare me." she said contemp- tuously. She looked around and spotted a chair by the wall.

''Since you have not thought to provide a chair for me, I suppose I shall have to get one for myself." Her tone was that of a mother addressing a son on a breach of manners.

She stumped off. got the chair and brought it back.

She gathered her skirts and settled herself. "Now, let us start with the troops," she said.

Varodias' lips were drawn down, his gloved hands gripped the arms of the throne. Bad signs, but her blood was up. Let him do his worst, she thought. No Emperor was a match for the Great Mother.

"It is true that Imperial troops have been deployed around the country, but they have studiously avoided any action. This abominable hermit person travels freely and is inciting people against us once more. Novitiates have been attacked and postulants have been violated, Church estates have been raided and the kina driven off. property has been vandalized and congregations put to flight. Your men have stood by and done nothing.

What say you to that?"

Varodias forced himself to relax. "We say that it is unfortunate that the Church of the Mother is losing its appeal for our peoples. Your priestesses are seen as rich and slothful and the Church has the reputation of being a harsh landlord. On the other hand, the n.o.bility, with- out the rowel of war upon its flanks, seem to have be- come more materialistic and disputatious. The common people tend to ape their betters."

"I did not ask you for a lecture on the moral climate of the realm," Arnulpha said coldly. "I asked you why your men have stood by and done nothing."

Varodias sat very still. The gyrfalcon tossed its head

242 and let out a screech. The Emperor was very angry.

How dare this pudding of a woman talk to him in that tone of voice. He would not, however, afford her the satisfaction of seeing that she had provoked him. His face remained bland.

''We understand that a troop of the Imperial Guard turned back a mob at Hallenberg and they have re- sponded elsewhere according to reports." He kept his voice matter-of-fact.

"Hallenberg was the sole occasion that they arrived on time," she responded tartly.

"We can a.s.sure you that the commanders have their orders," the Emperor said enigmatically. He permitted himself a wintry smile.

"And what of this Simian the Hermit?" The Mother Supreme asked, changing her tack slightly. "Why is he still at large?"

"He has some powerful friends, as you pointed out when last we conversed. He appears suddenly, mostly in towns, preaches and then vanishes again. That re- quires organization and money."

"The Electors ofOndor and Flaxenholrne," she said flatly.

"So it appears," Varodias said smoothly, though he was surprised at the accuracy of her information.

"And have you asked yourself why they are spending time and money on this man?"

"They are approaching middle years and they are bored," he responded. "They led their men in battle when they were young; now they are reduced to making mischief."

Arnulpha let the jejune characterization pa.s.s, though it annoyed her. "They do it because they aim for the throne. The Church is but a stalking horse, practice for a bigger game. I suggested that before and I am certain of it now."

243.

The Emperor froze and the raptor stirred uneasily.

The Mother Supreme knew that she had penetrated his armor.

"And how know you this?" he asked quietly.

She paused before answering, wondering if he had his scribe hidden behind the throne. "Men come to us for the rite of confession." She paused again before adding, "A rite that Your Imperial Majesty has avoided for many years."

And as we now see, with good reason, Varodias thought, but he gave a short bark of laughter. "We lead an exemplary life," he said.

"Be that as it may. I suggest this hermit be eliminated for both our sakes."

"And create a martyr. Revered Mother? We think not. You may be an expert in the politics of the here- after, but when it comes to the here and now . . ." His right hand fanned out and he let the words die away.

"Very well," Arnulpha said, "let us discuss the here and now. Your Imperial Majesty is no doubt aware of my feelings on the subject of the Discipline."

"We are aware that the Church considers the practice of Magic to be a contravention of its teachings."

"Magic is the ant.i.thesis of everything the Empire be- lieves in," the Mother Supreme said bluntly. "The Church has always endorsed science and the progress that comes with it. The Discipline clings to the past and promotes superst.i.tion."

"This is an old argument. Serenity," Varodias said with a trace of impatience.

"Indeed," Arnulpha agreed with a sly smile, "but I wonder at Your Imperial Majesty's lack of concern when the Discipline conspires with the Isphardis to bring Magic to your very borders."

Varodias looked at her for a long moment. "Would you care to elucidate?" he asked as casually as he could.

244 The Mother Supreme's eyebrows rose and the half- smile returned. "Surely Your Imperial Majesty is aware of the secret Concordat between the Discipline and the Oligarchs to bring the practice of Magic to Isphardel?"

"Naturally," Varodias lied. "We are somewhat sur- prised that the knowledge has reached you. Another confession we suppose."

"Not this time," Arnulpha said enigmatically. "I am sure, however, that you feel as I do that this cannot be allowed to come to fruition and for that you will need our help."

"It would seem so," the Emperor allowed.

"Can the Church count on some protection in the here and now?" Arnulpha asked pleasantly.

"We shall iterate our orders to our commanders,"

Varodias replied flatly.

The Mother Supreme looked up skeptically, eyes nar- rowed. She relaxed and sat back as if she had changed her mind. "Now, about the endowment of the Church on the Alien Plain," she began.

Varodias raised a hand to cut her off. "One thing at a time. Reverend Lady. We have many matters to con- tend with and our time is limited. We regret, but this audience is at an end." He turned to the gyrfalcon and began to pet it.

Arnulpha took a deep breath and got to her feet. She would get no more from him at this point. She knew him well enough for that. She would not, however, re- tire in defeat.

"Have a care, Majesty," she said. "If your troops fail in their duty, I shall not hesitate to excommunicate you." She turned on her heel and clumped out.

Varodias glared at the broad back as if retreated and then, when the doors were closed behind her, "Scribe!"

"Yes, Majesty." The man scuttled out from behind the throne and bowed deeply.