Part 44 (1/2)

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.