Devan Chronicles Series: Books 1-3 (29 page)

Keverin slammed the letter down creasing it in his anger. “I’ll not do it!”

“What is it my lord?”

“The cursed Chancellor orders me to imprison Julia until her trial.”

Marcus gasped in outrage. “Is he
mad?
”

“I wouldn’t be surprised in the least. I’ll not do it, Marcus. She’s our only hope, but more than that she’s just a child. I will not imprison a child or anyone who is innocent—ever.”

“She would tear the fortress down around our ears if you tried!”

“There is that,” Keverin said smiling crookedly.

The letter finished with banal utterances such as ‘we have every confidence’ and ‘I’m sure you will be unfailing in your duty to the crown.’

Keverin handed the letter to Marcus so he might read what the idiot Chancellor had written. While Marcus did that, Keverin broke the seal on the Holy Father’s letter. Immediately he saw the contents his humour improved.
Keverin
my
friend,
the letter began and he smiled. He sat back to read in anticipation of good news from Farran.

I trust this letter finds you in good health my friend. It has been too long since I last heard from you. I know of your current crisis through your mother’s letters to me, but ignoring the Hasians for the moment, is all well with you? Jessica’s letters are always a pleasure to read, but you have been a little remiss with them in the past. You are very much your father’s son in this. Kevlarin never did like to write, much preferring to visit instead... that was a hint by the way.

Keverin laughed. The old rascal wanted him to bring Jessica to Devarr for a visit. He would love to do that, but not until this thing with the Hasians was resolved.

I received the news of Darius’s death with sorrow. Know that he resides at the God’s side now. To sacrifice oneself for another is a noble thing.

Keverin’s mood turned sombre. Farran and Darius had never met, but the Holy Father knew of their friendship and because of that approved of him.

Now to business. This woman, she that you name your saviour, troubles me deeply. Surely her presence upon this world is the will of the God, yet she was brought here using a spell to breach the barrier that the God set to separate his worlds. I find myself with a dilemma to solve.

Keverin’s smile slipped and he sat up straight as he read. That did not sound good at all!

That you vouch for her holds great weight with me my friend, never doubt it, but though I have the honour of being the head of His Church, I also have the responsibility to look at this woman’s presence objectively. With this in mind, I have reviewed Church law. I must inform you that there is indeed cause for concern.

Oh by the God, he was in trouble now! Keverin bit his lip thinking of ways to divert this catastrophe, but nothing came to him. He reluctantly continued his reading hoping to find the answer.

Two charges were brought to my attention against Julia. Firstly, I will dispense with the charge of witchery. I have never, nor do I now, believe in witches. The Church has always held the view that they do not exist on this Earth. This is my view also. However, it has been suggested by the Bishop of Athione, that this woman is indeed a witch. Jymis points to her origins and magic as proof.

Curse the man! Jymis must have written to the Holy Father
before
he came to Athione to make his demands. He had known Julia would not be turned over to him. All his posturing had been just that—posturing.

The letter continued:

In my opinion, the charge regardless of these so called proofs is without foundation, and her recent actions speak for her in this. She fights evil, she does not embrace it. Accordingly I have already dismissed the charge of witchery and ordered Dugan to record my judgement in the Holy Chronicle. Copies of this latest record have been dispatched to all my Bishops, but you will likely read this letter before they receive them.

That was something, but what of the second charge, the charge of heresy?

The charge of heresy is by far the harder to judge. I will first set your mind at ease by informing you that Bishop Jymis will not call anathema upon you or anyone without my permission. This is how it has always been and will continue to be. I do not like Jymis threatening you with this, and I will be making that plain to him in person shortly.

Having said that, I now come to the bad news. Heresy is serious Keverin, more serious to the Church than invasion is to you. I can see your face screwing up in doubt as I write but it is true. The Hasians are a threat in more ways than one I fear. Many will die if they succeed in their plans for Deva, but though it sounds harsh, the soul is all that matters in the end.

Conclave will be called to discuss this matter of heresy. It is the only way to proceed. Jymis will be recalled to Devarr to account for himself and the charges he has brought against Lady Julia. In his place, I appoint Father Gideon. I would be grateful if you would inform him of his temporary elevation so that he might arrange matters with those priests under him.

That was good news. Perhaps Gideon’s elevation could be made permanent at some later date.

In conclave it will be decided whether Julia should appear before us. If such a thing were to occur, I would have you there at her side and Gideon also, to provide testimony on the happenings in and around your fortress. I hope that none of this will be necessary, but if things turn badly—as they well might—you and Gideon may turn them back with your observations of the girl.

“Find Father Gideon for me, Marcus. Have him meet me here as soon as he can.”

“If I might ask?”

“The charge of witchery is dismissed by the Holy Father. That is by his wish and backed with Church law. The charge of heresy is
not
dismissed, though he wishes otherwise, and will be debated in conclave. Jymis is recalled to Devarr to testify, and Gideon is temporarily raised to Bishop of Athione.”

“That last is good news, but heresy?”

Keverin grimaced. “If need be I will testify that I saw nothing heretical in any of her actions.”

“I will also. All the men will do the same.”

“Let us hope it doesn’t come to that.”

Marcus nodded and left to find Gideon. Keverin sipped his wine and read the last paragraph of Farran’s letter.

I had hoped to see you again under better circumstances my friend. Let us both pray that we may meet without a cloud of heresy above our heads.

Ever your friend,

Farran.

“Let it be so my friend,” Keverin whispered and folded the letter.

The candle was showing seventh mark. He would be late to Gy’s dinner, but he wanted to talk with Gideon before he did anything else. He paced his room waiting for Gideon to arrive and watched the candle flicker in the breeze he made. He spun when he heard the knock.

“Come!”

“Marcus said you had news my lord?”

“Come in Gideon. Here take a seat,” Keverin said indicating the right most chair. He took the left one for himself before passing Farran’s letter over.

Gideon frowned, as he read then looked up. “I’m sorry.”

“Sorry for what? You’re to be bishop my friend. I hold this as good news, not something to be sorry over.”

“I mean that Julia is under suspicion.”

“Ah. Yes that is bad news, but at least the other charge is dropped.”

Gideon nodded but he was far from happy. “True my lord, but I feel the charge of witchery was the easier to refute. Everyone knows that Julia fought against the Hasians not for them, and therefore cannot be evil. Everyone knows she has magic in the manner of a mage and does not use potions as witches are supposed to do. Do you follow?”

“Yes of course. Farran—I mean the Holy Father intimated as much. He says in the letter that the charge of heresy is the more dangerous, and I agree. No one seriously believes in witches.”

“You would be surprised what people in small villages believe my lord, but the point is mute. The Holy Father has ruled Julia is not a witch, and I’m sure I speak for us all when I say I heartily agree with him.”

“Yes well... I’m sorry that Jymis took it into his head to accuse Julia of heresy, but I thank the God he didn’t try to confront her with it.”

“He would not do that my lord. He’s afraid of her,” Gideon said with a smirk, but it wilted as he thought of something. “I have a confession to make my lord.”

“Go on.”

“It’s my fault that the Bishop came here and said what he did.”

Keverin went cold. “Your fault... how so?”

“When Darius died breaching the barrier I was angry. I couldn’t see the obvious truth that the God chose him to bring Julia here—”

That was understandable. It would be more amazing if Gideon
had
understood when a woman was brought through the gate instead of a powerful sorcerer.

“—wrote the lord bishop with my fears and—”

“You did
what?
” Keverin said angrily. “You betrayed—”

“It wasn’t betrayal my lord,” Gideon said hastily. “The bishop is my superior. I write to him all the time as all the priests in your lands do. If I need help or instruction, I write to him. If he can help, he replies or passes my question on to the patriarchs. Please understand, my lord. We, none of us, knew Julia then. We didn’t know she had magic, we didn’t know
anything
about her.”

Keverin calmed himself and tried to look at things from Gideon’s point of view. A friend dies to bring someone through the barrier. The God had set the barrier to prevent just this type of thing, but worse than that the person brought through is a young girl—calamity! Gideon had believed that Darius imperilled his soul to breach the barrier, and that his sacrifice was wasted upon a girl. It was not until later that Julia found her magic, but by then Gideon had reported events to Jymis.

“You told Jymis that Julia was guilty?”

“No, thank the God,” Gideon breathed, and circled his heart. “I wrote the facts, but I admit to prejudice where she was concerned. I did not lie, but I did not soften my words either. I fear Jymis took my words at face value and acted upon them as is his duty to the God and the Church.”

Duty? The man wouldn’t know duty if it had a sign painted on it. “I think you’re being too hard on yourself Gideon. I know you owe Jymis respect as your superior in the Church, but perhaps you don’t realise what the man is truly like. Do you remember the time when my father threw Jymis out of the fortress?”

“I was a newly ordained priest back then my lord. If you will remember I had only been here a year when Jymis left.”

“Left,” Keverin snorted. “My father told me he threw him out for preaching sedition against the crown.”

“Sedition!” Gideon cried in shock. “I had no idea.”

“Jymis was sent to Malcor Town where he apparently worked hard and rose to his present position. I’m sorry Gideon, but I just don’t trust that man. He supports only that which profits him, and to the flames with anything or anyone else.”

“That is harsh, my lord. Bishop Jymis has done wonderful work for those in need.”

Keverin raised a finger. “But not since he was raised to bishop.”

“That’s true, but his duties are greater now. It could be that he doesn’t have the time any longer.”

“Ah, but he made the time before.”

Gideon frowned. He was unwilling to condemn the actions of his bishop, but he was having trouble reconciling the image of a hard working priest helping the needy, and a hard hearted bishop working purely for his own gain.

“Do you say that Jymis will use Julia for his own gain?”

“I might be...
oh all right
! What I’m saying is that Jymis expects his denunciation of Julia to help him in some manner. He’s not a fool, Gideon. He knew before coming here that I wouldn’t allow Julia to be taken. Coming here was a way to set things moving in the direction he desired.”

“But why would he?”

“Who can say? Jymis has been bishop for years now, maybe it’s time to take the next step.”

“
Patriarch?
” Gideon squeaked.

“Why not? Jymis has many years experience. If not for certain things in his past that only we two know about, he would make an excellent choice—on the surface that is.”

“All this to draw attention to himself?” Gideon said with revulsion.

“We cannot know for sure, but I think it a good possibility. A bishop discovers a heretic witch. He single-handedly accuses her and puts her on trial. What better way to make himself known to the other patriarchs?”

“The Holy Father chooses who will be raised to patriarch.”

“Yes, but he is only one man,” Keverin pointed out. “He cannot alienate those below him, indeed, he must often consult them and take their advice. Is this not so?”

“It is so,” Gideon said reluctantly.

“I called you here to inform you about being raised to bishop, Gideon, but I also want your help.”

“What can I do?”

“I want you to begin Julia’s lessons. You did mention that you would teach her. I dare not tell her about the charges against her—who knows what she would do, but I can prepare her without her knowledge. I want you to approach her as soon as you can. Befriend her Gideon, and teach her. Teach her
quickly
.”

Gideon shifted uncomfortably. “I would be her friend if she wished it my lord, but the one time she approached me, I to my eternal shame abused her most grievously.”

“Then if you would help her, I suggest you apologise.”

“Will you introduce me again, my lord?” Gideon said hopefully. “Perhaps with you—”

“I can’t, Gideon, I’m sorry,” Keverin said sadly. “You will have to do it alone. Whenever I come near the girl we argue and I always end up shouting. I would do you and her a disservice if I were present.” He glanced at the candle again. “We’re late to Gy’s welcoming. If you’re agreeable, let us go down now. We can speak more of this later if you wish.”

“No need, my lord,” Gideon said firmly. “I will speak to Julia and apologise. I do look forward to teaching her. Perhaps I’ll learn something as well.”