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“Liathano. This is an old story.”

“It is a story that will never get old for Hugh of Austra.”Advertisement

That flash startled her. “Is it possible you are more clever than you seem, Wolfhere?”

“What answer can I give that will satisfy you? God are my witness, that I am only myself, and nothing more.”

“So you say. I am not done with you, Wolfhere.”

He winced, the first sign of weakness she had surprised from him. “I am the obedient servant of God and regnant, Your Holiness.”

“Servant of Anne.”

“Of God and regnant, Your Holiness. Then, now, and always. Nothing more.” He spoke with such finality that, for an instant, she believed him.

Hugh was discovered walking in Lavinia’s enclosed garden beside the poplars, chatting amiably with Brother Petrus, whom he had known in the skopos’ palace.

“Holy Mother,” he said, bowing in the manner of presbyters as she approached. “I beg your pardon, Your Holiness. I was restless, thinking on those things we spoke of yesterday.”

She was flushed from the annoyance of having wondered where Hugh had gone, and perhaps for this reason, Brother Petrus bowed and retreated hastily, leaving them to their talk.

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“I have taken some trouble to find you, Lord Hugh.”

“Gardens give me solace, Your Holiness. Forgive me.”

“Did you not fear that Queen Adelheid would make true her threat to see you executed?”

“I was told that she slept, Your Holiness. Lady Lavinia gave me leave to walk in the garden.”

“And leave to go to the prisoners’ tower, and interview the Eagle?”

“I admit I was greatly surprised to discover Wolfhere in Novomo. What can it mean that he is here?”

“What did you hope to learn from him?”

“I’m not sure,” he admitted. “He was Anne’s servant. Surely he knows something of Anne—her plans, her sorcery, her history, her books—things that might be of value to us.”

“If he does, I have not yet discovered it! Despite my best efforts. He is a stubborn man!”

“He made some pact with Sister Meriam, it appears,” he mused. “Why?”

“As yet, that mystery remains unanswered. We can discuss it later, Lord Hugh. I must go to my audience chamber for the afternoon. Many supplicants appear before me. There is a great deal of trouble in the world that wants fixing, now that God’s wrath has fallen upon us.”

“Just so,” he agreed. “I feel myself weighted by trouble, as though the Enemy had gotten a claw into my heart.”

“Do as I ask, Lord Hugh, and you will gain that which you seek.”

It was cloudy, as always, but seemed brighter in this corner of the garden where he walked. He paused beside a clump of carefully tended vervain to run a hand over its pale spurs. “It is so difficult,” he murmured, “to gain that which one seeks. Have you ever wondered, Your Holiness, about these tales of a heresy sprung up in western lands. The tale of the phoenix—have you heard it?”

“Lies whispered by the Enemy’s minions! No doubt such calumnies are but one among many misdeeds that have brought God’s hand down upon us.”

“Truly, many speak who know nothing. Still, one wonders where such tales came from and why they arose.”

“I do not wonder! The Arethousans cast them at us, hoping they would fly among us like a plague. Let ten thousand fall to the contagion! In this manner they hope to weaken us, but it will not happen. We will remain strong as long as we remain in God’s favor.”

“And when I have cast away my vows and am wed to Adelheid, what then? Is she to be killed, Your Holiness, so that Mathilda may rule in her place and we as regents over her?”

“Even the walls may have ears, Lord Hugh! Be more discreet, I pray you!”

“I crave your pardon, Your Holiness. But I am confused as to the manner of the plan, its working out, and its fulfillment. Must I lie with her?”

“Is she not desirable? Other men call her so. She is deemed very pretty.”

“So is a rock polished by the river, before it is set beside a sapphire.”

“You will persist in your obsession.”

“How will my marrying Adelheid gain me what I seek?”

“Is that your only objection? I cannot promise you the thing you want, but earthly power may grant you weapons you do not currently have. What kinfolk will aid you?”

“None.”

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