Part 24 (2/2)
The Emperor, as was his habit, used the Formal Mode even though they were aione-
”I am most pleased to visit the Chief Upholder of the Great Mother,” she replied with equal ceremony, and accompanied the words with a totally artificial smile that had no echo in the small, grey eyes.
Varodias' lips arranged themselves into a profes- sional curve. ”Let us dispense with the pleasantries,” he said, the high voice chilly but flexible. ”You are here to discuss the disgraceful outcome at the cathedral. Two hundred and forty people killed and twice that number wounded. The news is spreading to every corner of the Empire and talk of revolution follows it. How could you have been so stupid?” The white-gloved hand that had been ill.u.s.trating his words formed into a fist and pounded down onto the armrest.
”If Your Imperial Majesty will permit,” Arnulpha said imperturbably. She adjusted the cloth-of-gold robe to emphasize the belly.
I remember when she needed padding to suggest pregnancy, Varodias thought. Too many years of good living. He tried to estimate the Mother's age. She had been elected thirty years ago so she must be at least sixty, but it was difficult to tell. The hair was covered as was the throat and the lines in her face had been erased by her gain in weight.
”The figures you quoted are exaggerated. A hundred and thirty-two people died and about a hundred had their wounds tended by the Sisters. That is still regret- table, but a mob was prepared to commit sacrilege against one of our holy places and that I could not allow.”
”It was, of course, the merest accident that you had
128 four hundred armed retainers on call,” Varodias said, the sarcasm evident.
Amulpha Hashed her non-smile again. ”I am sure that my intelligence is no match for that of Your Imperial Majesty, but I did get sufficient warning.”
”And you chose to hire mercenaries rather than ap- peal to us for a.s.sistance.”
The Mother Supreme drew back her head and c.o.c.ked it slightly to the left. The eyes, unwavering, weighed the Emperor. The lips moved slightly, suggesting that she had made up her mind about something. She leaned forward.
”We could, of course, have come to you, but I doubt that you would have reacted fast enough. Besides, there is a considerable body of opinion within the Church that blames you for the whole thing.”
Varodias pushed himself back in his chair as if to gain height and distance. ”Have a care, madam,” he said.
”Well,” she said, unabashed, ”if you had condemned that infernal Simian instead of letting him go, people would not have taken it into their heads that Church property can be attacked with impunity. At least now they will think twice before they try it again. Besides,”
she added in a more moderate tone, ”it would have been very poor politics.”
”Pray tell us more,” The words were s.p.a.ced, the high voice skeptical.
Amuipha shrugged, and the quivers seemed to course down her body, ”The Church and the Emperor are al- lied in the minds of the people. How would it have seemed if Imperial troops had dispersed the rabble and caused the casualties? You should be grateful that you can disown the action.”
”Oh, sweet, very sweet,” Varodias said, hands hov- ering at midchest. ”All done for our good.” The tone 129.
was almost caressing. He sat straight and the right fore- finger jabbed out. ”You did not ask us for our a.s.sis- tance because you wished to establish an independence of us. That is the truth. Well, know this, woman, de- spite the fact that the Church and the Crown are inter- twined in the popular mind, we do not countenance the slaughter of our subjects.” The finger was jabbing again.
The Mother Supreme drew in her breath. ”Your Im- perial Majesty is in a great deal more trouble than the Church,” she said evenly. ”The mob, apprentices and journeymen for the most part, were inspired by the Her- mit, but they were not really interested in the Church;
the Church was simply thought to be an easy target.
You are the one this Simian is aiming at. He is a fanatic and, like most fanatics, he believes what he preaches.
He would not be as effective as he is if he did not.
”It is true that, in the beginning, he took on the Holy Mother Church, but he no longer inveighs against us.
He has money behind him now, and where do you sup- pose that money comes from? My opponents?” Her hands splayed out and her eyebrows rose. ”Scarcely.
The majority of the population is devoted to the Great Mother. That is not a tenet of belief. That is a fact. No, my friend. Simian is a stalking horse for those who would supplant you. They begin by making it seem as if you cannot govern the Empire.” She sat back slightly, weighing the effect of her speech. Varodias was a vol- atile and dangerous man who did not take kindly to criticism. Her aggressive performance was a deliberate gamble, and she was not at all sure that she was win- ning.
”It would be simple enough,” the Emperor said lightly, ”for us publicly to condemn the Church for the ma.s.sacre and thus allow the people's anger to focus on you.”
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