It was only admiration for his father that prevented me from calling the scion out.’
‘That or cowardice,’ Ranah interjected, which earned him an admonishing look from Temal.
Vesna ignored him. ‘I choose not to acknowledge any man inviting a challenge, but my position within the Land has changed and I can no longer overlook an insult.’
With his iron-clad hand Vesna slipped his sword partway from his scabbard, just far enough to reveal the misty white lines of the Crystal Skull melded about the black-iron blade. ‘Nor would I even break a sweat in a duel with any man present.’
Temal’s eyes narrowed, and he gave a small nod of understanding. ‘Be that as it may, I would ask you to show greater civility in future.’
He turned to Ranah. ‘Any mention of a man’s honour is similarly uncivil and goes against our purpose of being here. I would appreciate it, Scion Ranah, if you would retire and see to those messages we were discussing earlier.’
Ranah scowled, but as there was nothing he could do he turned without a word and stalked away, disappearing into the inn and slamming the door behind him. Once he was gone, Suzerain Temal broke into a relieved smile and gestured for his companions to sit.
‘I apologise,’ he began. ‘I spoke to Ranah before you arrived and he assured me he would behave.’
‘Easily forgiven,’ Torl said, ‘but the treatment of Suzerain Tebran is less so. Whether or not it was Ranah at fault, you choose the company you keep, Temal — you know what sort of man he is.’
Temal nodded, looking glum. Shrewd politician that he was, he knew the ramifications of implying a threat to gain the right to march under arms in Tebran. A suzerain ignored the customs surrounding their law at his peril; neighbours became far less friendly with a man they couldn’t trust. ‘Such are the times that a man must keep company he finds distasteful. I will make suitable apologies to Tebran; my intention is quite the opposite from setting noble houses against each other.’
‘Then tell us plainly what your intention is,’ Vesna said.
Temal scrutinised the Mortal-Aspect for a while. ‘I will do so,’ he said, ‘but now I see you’ — he gestured towards Vesna’s face and left arm — ‘well, I have questions of my own.’
‘They will be answered,’ Vesna promised him.
‘Very well. First, let it be clear I am not acting alone today. I’ve been in correspondence with many like-minded peers and I represent them here.’
The statement prompted raised eyebrows, but nothing more; Torl and Vesna were content to wait to hear something of substance before commenting, and Lahk had pointedly pushed his seat back from the table to indicate the other two were speaking on his behalf.
‘I assume you know of Lord Isak’s decree regarding his successor, ’ Temal began hesitantly. ‘Perhaps you do not yet realise the extent of the outrage this has provoked.’
‘If you are going to suggest insurrection,’ Torl said sharply, ‘I would suggest you stop all thoughts down that path. However much they might dislike it, the Ghosts wouldn’t disobey an order to slaughter your troops to a man.’
‘That’s not what I mean,’ Temal said, raising his hands placatingly. ‘I mean only to set the ground for my words.’
Vesna stared at the man’s expression and realised some spark of suspicion had flared inside him. Reading a man’s face was important to any duellist, but the intent was not so clearly marked on Temal’s face. There was something he wasn’t saying, some agenda running behind the truth of his words.
‘What you probably don’t know is that High Cardinal Certinse was murdered by one of his own clerks. I’m told the man was a fanatic who couldn’t accept Certinse’s decision to ratify Lord Isak’s decision regarding his successor.’
Interesting, he’s been careful to avoid saying the name Fernal — either to avoid having to speak his title, or to avoid having to refuse to.
‘Cardinal Veck has taken his place?’ Torl asked, his face grim. Veck had been among the worst of the fanatics when they left the city, and this could lead only to more trouble.
‘He has, and his first act was to rescind the Synod’s approval. Now while — ’
‘Wait,’ Vesna broke in, ‘first tell me this: do you and whoever you claim to represent accept Lord Fernal’s appointment?’
Temal sighed. ‘We believe the decision has no basis in law, and on this point alone we are in agreement with the cults.’