Alastair Archibald - Truth and Deception

"I do," Thorn said, although his voice was far from conciliatory, "but I am damned if I know what business this is of yours."

"As you well know, Lord Thorn, that is a severe breach of House and Guild protocol. Ordinance-"

"Since you are so fond of quoting House articles, Crohn," Thorn said, interrupting the Senior Magemaster, "I will quote one for your benefit: Ordinance 1–8. 'In matters of House Policy, the decision of the Lord Prelate shall override all other Ordinances within these Articles, except where contra-indicated by Ordinance 35–17 or Ordinance 18-4.'

"I believe we have now disposed of the former case, and the latter, which concerns High Treason, can only be decided by majority decision of the Presidium.

"It may be outside the bounds of normal House procedure to cast a spell of Compulsion on an Acclaimed Mage, but it is neither a breach of the Articles of Association, nor of the Guild Code of Practice. I have no need to justify my behaviour to you, or to anyone else."

The Prelate seated himself and crossed his arms. Although he still looked pale and dissolute, Dalquist could see he had now regained much of his composure and force of will.

"Lord Thorn," said Crohn. "What you say may well be correct in all details-"

"It is, Crohn, and you know it."

"— but this is not the only reason that Questor Dalquist and I wished to converse with you. There is also the matter of the training of Questors to consider. We believe you are taking unwarrantable risks with the mental well-being of Neophytes, through reckless selection of inappropriate candidates and the institution of a new and vicious regime of training. From conversations I have had with other Magemasters, I am convinced that the aim is no longer to frustrate and goad the potential candidate into his Outbreak, but to brutalise and bully him to the very limits of his endurance until he can bear no more. I believe you cared not a whit for the delicate mental state of Neophyte Erek Geran, and that your sole intention was to produce a powerful, loyal Questor at all costs, regardless of the risk to the boy's health and sanity. We all know the results of Erek's Ordeal, despite your attempts to muddy the waters with your claim that Senior Magemaster Urel had, in his zeal, exceeded his orders."

"I stand full-square behind that assertion, Senior Magemaster Crohn, and I challenge you to prove otherwise."

Dalquist said, "Of course, it is convenient that Magemaster Urel is no longer available to refute your claims."

"Remember to whom you are speaking, Questor Dalquist!" Thorn snapped. "I would be well within my rights to have you dismissed for your slanderous accusations, and I have a strong inclination to do so, be you a Questor of the Seventh Rank or no."

Dalquist bristled with righteous indignation, and he prepared to challenge the Prelate to carry out his threat, but he felt Crohn's warning hand on his shoulder.

"I have some knowledge of the Questor Ordeal, as you will be aware, Lord Prelate," the Magemaster said. "You will remember that I remonstrated with you on several occasions about the treatment of Neophyte Grimm Afelnor during his Ordeal."

"Treatment that you visited upon him, Magemaster Crohn." Thorn wore a faint smile on his lips, and his voice was now cool, low and dangerous. "I wonder why you waited until now to make your protest."

Dalquist feared that the momentum had shifted towards the Prelate. The moment was slipping away.

Crohn frowned. "I acted on your direct and explicit instruction, Lord Prelate. I would be more than willing to testify as much to the Conclave, or even to the Presidium. When I trained Questor Grimm, I was unaware of the normal procedures. My recent discussion with Questor Dalquist has convinced me that the severity of Afelnor's Ordeal was exceptional, and a breach of normal practice."

Thorn leant back in his throne and smiled. "Grimm Afelnor is a full Questor, and I have just recommended him for accession to the Sixth Rank, despite a most unfavourable report from Questor Xylox. I do not think Questor Grimm would agree that I have been brutal or callous. The grandson of the Traitor, the progeny of a humble blacksmith, is now a wealthy nobleman and near the peak of his calling before he has entered his third decade. Do you think the members of the Conclave or the Presidium will see this as vindictive treatment on my part? His Ordeal was successful, so it is plain that your wild claims of reckless disregard do not hold water."

Thorn leaned forward, his gaze level and self-assured. "If I am forced to testify before the Presidium, I shall, of course, tell the truth. Following the tragic loss of Neophyte Erek Geran and Senior Magemaster Urel, I took a more active interest in the training of Neophyte Questors. I assessed Neophyte Grimm Afelnor and recognised phenomenal self-control within him. I judged that he was able to withstand a stricter regime of training. The fact that he passed the test with flying colours proves that my judgement was sound. You cannot possibly equate the outstanding success of Questor Grimm with the sad fate of Neophyte Erek, a debacle over which I had no control."

Dalquist recognised how cogent and persuasive this argument would sound if it ever came before a tribunal. The addled and aged Senior Magemaster Urel had gambled and lost, whereupon the canny, analytical Prelate Thorn had made a reasoned and valid judgement, to the mutual benefit of Grimm Afelnor and Arnor House. A pauper boy found rank, wealth and privilege in one of the few ways open to him: the beneficence and bounty of the Guild.

Thorn leaned back again, his expression satisfied. "Gentlemen, I accept that this unwarranted and impertinent interference in my affairs may have been motivated only by basic decency and a sense of fair play. Those are noble ideals, indeed. Alas, I have my mind on higher matters: the success and prosperity of our beloved Guild. My responsibilities are onerous and demanding, and, on occasion, I am forced to make… distasteful decisions. I may not enjoy them, but my duties are clear, if often unpleasant. Yes, I am severe on occasion, but only because I am dispassionate and pragmatic, as my rank dictates.

"I am prepared to overlook this intrusion on this occasion, but I will brook no further interference into matters which do not concern you. In the future, you will treat me with the full respect that my rank demands. Do I make myself quite clear?"

Dalquist's iron resolve had begun to melt away into uncertainty. "It might be better to let the matter drop, Magemaster Crohn," he said.

What had seemed so clear and indefensible earlier now seemed hollow and insubstantial. Dalquist's righteous wrath had evaporated, to be replaced by a vague, puerile sense of injustice. This was no justification whatsoever for revolution and revolt; nonetheless, he felt that he could not just allow the issue to dissipate with such ease.

"Lord Prelate: may I ask why you felt it necessary to cast a spell of Compulsion on Questor Grimm? Surely the sincerity of his Oath of Allegiance cannot be in doubt after two dangerous and successful Quests?" He knew his voice sounded thin and peevish, and he hated himself for his loss of spirit.

Thorn clasped his hands across his chest. "I am quite within my rights to refuse to discuss such matters with you, Questor Dalquist, and I feel tempted to do so. You have meddled in matters of which you know nothing, and your lack of respect displeases me greatly, not to mention the inconvenience to which you have put me."

The words hung in the air, and Dalquist knew that he might be facing a severe reprimand, if not worse, but the Prelate's mouth twisted into a reasonable simulacrum of a companionable smile.

"Nonetheless, you are still young. You are also high-spirited and forthright, as I suppose a true Questor should be. At your age, I was as idealistic as you. I am, therefore, moved to answer you, impertinent though your question is. I will advise you that this information is not to be repeated outside this room, on pain of the charge of treason. Far more is at stake than you realise, Brother Mage, and I will not allow any further inquiries into the matter; meddle at your peril!"