if any of their young men are journeying this spring.”
“Yes my lord Duke, I’ll see to it right away.” Barton bowed and left the room.
“Well, High Bishop,” Thorold said. “Captain Barton tells me that you are conducting yourself remarkably well in front of Duchess Avery. I trust you will continue to restrain yourself? It’s very important that she not have any evidence of wrong doing to report to the king.”
“That witch.” Valden’s face contorted. “She is interfering with the One-God’s work. I have failed to save three souls because of her interference.”
Yes, Thorold thought, three men died cleanly by execution rather than piece-by-piece during your salvation.
“I can only hope the One-God understands the obstacles I face while doing His work,” Valden finished.
The fervent look on the High Bishop’s face made Thorold turn away in disgust. The man let his emotions control him completely, which made him a powerful - but dangerous - tool for Thorold to wield. He hoped he wouldn’t regret his decision to give Valden more power.
“High Bishop, I want to commend you on your accomplishments in Comack.” Thorold bowed his head in genuine respect - the man truly did have absolute control over his church. “The reports I’ve been receiving reveal that the people have heard and embraced the church’s position enthusiastically.”
As Duchess Avery had charged, Thorold was allowing the High Bishop to preach against witches and witchcraft in Comack with impunity. Now all followers of the old gods, including members of the Brotherhood and Aruntian traders, were being shunned.
“So my priests tell me,” Valden beamed. “The people are finally free to live their lives as they see fit, as the One-God sees fit, without the need to tarnish their souls by dealing with blasphemers and witches. It is a glorious time in Comack.”
“Indeed it is.” Unless you were not a devout follower of the One-God, Thorold thought. His reports also said that church attendance was at the highest levels ever - neighbors needed neighbors to see them at worship in order maintain a living for their families. Yes, the High Bishop was a potentially dangerous weapon, one that Thorold needed to keep tight control of.
“And soon it will be time to spread the word to all of Soule.” Valden leaned over the desk towards Thorold, eyes blazing. “And then all will sing the praises of the One-God.”
“Soon, very soon, High Bishop.” Thorold smiled. And while you control the church, I will control the wealth of all of Soule.
six
Brenna dabbed the cloth into the paste she’d made of ginger and tea. Holding her breath, she turned to her patient. Sneath, mouth open to expose his blackened and broken teeth, sat still while she dabbed the paste on his gums. The teeth would have to be removed of course, but she must reduce the infection first.
At first Sneath had refused. She’d only been able to convince him to let her treat him when she’d explained that she couldn’t leave him as he was any more than he could ignore a stone in a horses hoof. After that, he’d stoically sat through what must have been a painful application of the paste. It would reduce the infection and relieve some of his pain.
“That’s the last of it, Sneath,” she said. Brenna shook her head at the man’s condition. It was no wonder he was nothing more than skin and bones - it had probably been years since he’d eaten anything solid. “I’m going to give you this paste and I want you to put it on first thing in the morning and last thing at night.” She grabbed a small tin off the table, scooped the rest of the paste into it and handed it to him. “Come back to see me in three days. I’ll look at it then and we can see about pulling those teeth. Do you understand?”
Sneath bobbed his head and dashed to the door. Sighing, Brenna watched him scurry out. For his sake, she hoped she was here in three days. As much as she wanted to
“Yes my lord Duke, I’ll see to it right away.” Barton bowed and left the room.
“Well, High Bishop,” Thorold said. “Captain Barton tells me that you are conducting yourself remarkably well in front of Duchess Avery. I trust you will continue to restrain yourself? It’s very important that she not have any evidence of wrong doing to report to the king.”
“That witch.” Valden’s face contorted. “She is interfering with the One-God’s work. I have failed to save three souls because of her interference.”
Yes, Thorold thought, three men died cleanly by execution rather than piece-by-piece during your salvation.
“I can only hope the One-God understands the obstacles I face while doing His work,” Valden finished.
The fervent look on the High Bishop’s face made Thorold turn away in disgust. The man let his emotions control him completely, which made him a powerful - but dangerous - tool for Thorold to wield. He hoped he wouldn’t regret his decision to give Valden more power.
“High Bishop, I want to commend you on your accomplishments in Comack.” Thorold bowed his head in genuine respect - the man truly did have absolute control over his church. “The reports I’ve been receiving reveal that the people have heard and embraced the church’s position enthusiastically.”
As Duchess Avery had charged, Thorold was allowing the High Bishop to preach against witches and witchcraft in Comack with impunity. Now all followers of the old gods, including members of the Brotherhood and Aruntian traders, were being shunned.
“So my priests tell me,” Valden beamed. “The people are finally free to live their lives as they see fit, as the One-God sees fit, without the need to tarnish their souls by dealing with blasphemers and witches. It is a glorious time in Comack.”
“Indeed it is.” Unless you were not a devout follower of the One-God, Thorold thought. His reports also said that church attendance was at the highest levels ever - neighbors needed neighbors to see them at worship in order maintain a living for their families. Yes, the High Bishop was a potentially dangerous weapon, one that Thorold needed to keep tight control of.
“And soon it will be time to spread the word to all of Soule.” Valden leaned over the desk towards Thorold, eyes blazing. “And then all will sing the praises of the One-God.”
“Soon, very soon, High Bishop.” Thorold smiled. And while you control the church, I will control the wealth of all of Soule.
six
Brenna dabbed the cloth into the paste she’d made of ginger and tea. Holding her breath, she turned to her patient. Sneath, mouth open to expose his blackened and broken teeth, sat still while she dabbed the paste on his gums. The teeth would have to be removed of course, but she must reduce the infection first.
At first Sneath had refused. She’d only been able to convince him to let her treat him when she’d explained that she couldn’t leave him as he was any more than he could ignore a stone in a horses hoof. After that, he’d stoically sat through what must have been a painful application of the paste. It would reduce the infection and relieve some of his pain.
“That’s the last of it, Sneath,” she said. Brenna shook her head at the man’s condition. It was no wonder he was nothing more than skin and bones - it had probably been years since he’d eaten anything solid. “I’m going to give you this paste and I want you to put it on first thing in the morning and last thing at night.” She grabbed a small tin off the table, scooped the rest of the paste into it and handed it to him. “Come back to see me in three days. I’ll look at it then and we can see about pulling those teeth. Do you understand?”
Sneath bobbed his head and dashed to the door. Sighing, Brenna watched him scurry out. For his sake, she hoped she was here in three days. As much as she wanted to
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