David Eddings: The Sapphire Rose

‘It’s not so mysterious, Dolmant,’ Sephrenia told him. ‘He wants Bhelliom, and he knows Sparhawk has it.’

‘Someone’s bound to suggest that Sparhawk turn it over to him in order to prevent an invasion,’ Emban suggested.

‘That will never happen, Your Grace,’ she said firmly. ‘We’ll destroy it first.’

‘Have any of the Patriarchs who were in hiding returned as yet?’ Preceptor Abriel asked.

‘Not a one,’ Emban snorted. ‘They’re probably down the deepest ratholes they can find by now. Two of them had fatal accidents a couple of days ago, and the rest went to ground.’

‘We have knights scouring the city looking for them,’ Preceptor Darellon reported. ‘Even the most timid of rabbits might regain some degree of courage if they’re protected by Church Knights.’

‘Darellon,’ Dolmant said reproachfully.

‘Sorry, Your Grace,’ Darellon said perfunctorily.

‘Will that change the numbers?’ Komier asked Talen. ‘The two that died, I mean?’

‘No, My Lord,’ Talen said. ‘We weren’t counting them anyway.’

Dolmant looked puzzled.

‘The lad has a gift for figures,’ Komier explained. ‘He can compute things in his head faster than I can with a pencil.’

‘Sometimes you amaze me, Talen,’ Dolmant said. ‘Could I perhaps interest you in a career in the Church?’

‘Counting the contributions of the faithful, Your Grace?’ Talen asked eagerly.

‘Ah – no, I don’t think so, Talen.’

‘Have the votes changed at all, Your Grace?’ Abriel asked.

Dolmant shook his head. ‘Annias still has a simple majority. He can bull through anything that isn’t a matter of substance. His toadies are calling for votes on just about anything that comes up. He wants to keep a running count for one thing, and the voting keeps us all locked in the audience chamber.’

‘The numbers are about to change, Your Grace,’ Komier said. ‘My friends and I have decided to participate this time.’

‘Now that’s unusual,’ Patriarch Emban said. ‘The Preceptors of the militant orders haven’t participated in a vote of the Hierocracy for two hundred years.’

‘We’re still welcome, aren’t we, Your Grace?’

‘As far as I’m concerned you are, Your Grace. Annias might not like it too much, though.’

‘How very unfortunate for him. What does that do to the numbers, Talen?’

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