The Education of Brother Thaddius and other tales of DemonWars (The DemonWars Saga) by R.A. Salvatore Page B

“Brother Dellman and Abbot Haney? Dellman is with us – we know that much. He has been an ally since the days of Jojonah and our quiet revolt against the edicts of Dalebert Markwart. And he has been young Abbot Haney’s invaluable advisor and confidant these last years up in Vanguard at St. Belfour. King Midalis will support us, as well. There are leaders of the other abbeys, and indeed other brothers, who will no doubt bristle at these changes, and some perhaps who will openly argue. But I will be elected as the next Father Abbot, and with you, and Dellman, and Abbot Haney by my side, and following the guidance of Pagonel, we will rebuild the Abellican Order.”
    “With women, open to ascend to any rank? And with these dramatic changes in a training regimen that has stood for centuries?”
    “Do you see another choice?”
    “No,” Viscenti admitted, and he gave a self-deprecating chuckle. Ever was Viscenti the worrywart, they both knew all too well.
    “Dangerous times,” Braumin admitted, and he patted his friend on the shoulder. “But not as terrifying as that which we faced last midsummer, yes?”
    Viscenti could only laugh at that, for it seemed a trivial matter when measured against the recent events at St.-Mere-Abelle, when De’Unnero and Aydrian had come to kill them all – and with an army behind them that made De’Unnero’s victory seem almost a foregone conclusion!
    A knock on the door signaled the arrival of the Jhestu Tu, and Braumin greeted Pagonel with a warm hug. “So many have come in,” the Bishop said. “You think them all worthy?”
    “I think you need many dedicated disciples to fill your church and to undo the damage of the last years,” Pagonel replied. “Fortunately, I found many willing and able to serve in such a role. Eager, indeed. Your Order excluded half of your possibilities, my friend, and now they are ready to take their rightful place.”
    “The women, you mean,” said Viscenti.
    “Of course, and many, I found, were quiet adept with the Ring Stones, though their practice and variation with the gems is limited,” the mystic replied. “But they will learn, and are eager for this opportunity, and more eager to help the church they love. You are very fortunate, Bishop Braumin, in that you have a congregation at your call to replace the many your church has lost.”
    “So all that you have sent to our gates have affinity with the sacred Ring Stones?” Braumin asked hopefully.
    “No,” Pagonel replied. “Not half. Affinity with the stones is a rarer thing than you believe.”
    Crestfallen, Braumin looked to Viscenti. He had hoped for an opening here, where only one great alteration of tradition would be needed, that of allowing women in large numbers to join the Order.
    “All the women, at least?” Viscenti asked.
    “Not half, I believe,” said the mystic. “Affinity is no more common in women than in men, it seems. But those who have come to your gates are able, all of them, and they will serve you well.”
    “How do we proceed from here?” asked Braumin.
    “I will train your brothers to train the newcomers, and themselves as they go forward. The martial techniques will be precise and broken into three distinct disciplines of fighting. And I will select from among your ranks a team of four to train privately by my tutelage.”
    “The College of Abbots is in just a few months,” Viscenti remarked. “It would be good if we had something worthwhile to show them.”
    “You will,” Pagonel promised, and with a bow, he left the room.
    The very next day, the newcomers, nearly a hundred women and half that number of men younger than would normally enter St.-Mere-Abelle, were gathered in a large room to begin their journey under the watchful eyes of Pagonel and a score of older brothers.
    So it went as the year turned to 848, and through the first month of the year. By the second week of the second month, Pagonel had made his choices.
    “Three women,” Viscenti