old Seeker couple who had given him a place to sleep. He was just gone.
Bernardin Amberchelle could not believe that Brother Ermelio had gotten out of Antieux. He kept the search going.
Agents of Direcia did find Brother Candle one night, being insufficiently alert while returning from a Seeker convocation.
* * *
A journey that had taken months, heading east, lasted a lazy sixteen days going the other direction. With a strong escort and a seat aboard a cart Brother Candle was safe and was obligated to exercise only as much as he liked. The cart, though, threatened to beat him to death on the crude roads. He walked most of the time. And complained like an old woman whenever his escort took a shortcut.
There were hints of impending spring as the party approached the queen city of the Connec. Brother Candle did not notice. He was shaky following a skirmish with lean, ragged Arnhander soldiers.
The camps and engines Regard had spent fortunes to build had all been destroyed or captured. Some of the engines now served in Khaurene’s defense. Patrols protected citizens outside, as they undid the damage the invaders had wrought. The laborers included the occasional Arnhander who had surrendered rather than go on suffering the fury of winter.
News of the old man’s coming outpaced his party’s progress. Deliberately so.
He and his companions entered Khaurene through the Castreresone Gate. The soldiers on guard were militia. They asked few questions. They were nervous about a situation developing behind them, up the hill.
Moments later a riot engulfed the Perfect and his party.
It seemed Khaurenese devoted to Duke Tormond, to Connecten independence, to the departed Viscesment Patriarchy, or who just plain loathed the Brothen Church had joined forces to hunt down fellow citizens suspected of being in cahoots with King Regard, the Society, or Serenity. An old sport finding new life, near as any sense could be wrung out of the confusion.
At the height of that confusion Brother Candle became separated from his escort.
25. Alten Weinberg: Bleak Spring
Helspeth appeared grimmer than ever. The Commander of the Righteous asked, “What is it?” He had been summoned to confer in the morning rather than awaiting the usual time in the evening.
“My sister.”
Helspeth was so pale Hecht leapt to a conclusion. “What happened?” There had been a lot of activity at Winterhall lately. Imperial Electors had visited. Members of the Council Advisory had visited. Only Ferris Renfrow had not been seen. And the Commander of the Righteous had not been consulted.
Hecht had put his men on alert quietly. His falcons were charged, manned, and sighted in. Key points were under observation. There would be no deadly surprise.
Helspeth replied, “Nothing’s happened. But this week everyone who’s anyone …”
“Yes?”
“They all agree. It’s time. Something’s got to be done.”
Hecht began to get it.
She stated it. “The Empire is paralyzed. I can’t make commitment decisions even though things happening in Arnhand might affect us.”
King Regard, under fierce pressure from his mother, intended a massive new invasion of the Connec. The Maysalean Heresy would be the excuse. Annexation of the Connec and the taking of titles in reward to the Arnhander nobility would be the real goal.
The Captain-General of Patriarchal forces would invade at the same time, supported by levies from the Patriarchal States. And the jackals of the Society would follow along.
All predictable without spies or the random report from Heris, via pendant.
Hecht was tired of that. He would prefer an occasional visit. But something ate up all her time.
“Are you going to take over?”
“No!” Horrified by the suggestion. “Katrin is Empress till God calls her home. Sainted Eis! Not even the Grand Admiral suggested anything like that. Don’t ever say that again.”
“It was an inquiry, Princess, not a policy suggestion.” He did not check the audience to which Helspeth played. “I had to make sure that I needn’t call my men out to protect my employer’s rights.”
“Nobody is thinking that way, Commander. Nobody!”
“All right. I’m listening.”
“Nobody! Even Brothe’s steadfast enemies are more interested in keeping the peace than pushing their own agendas. Probably because of you. But everyone agrees that things aren’t moving forward.”
He admitted, “I’m nose against a wall myself.”
“So. Katrin has to be pushed.”
Hecht raised an inquiring eyebrow.
“We’ll make her have her baby.” Stated in a tremulous voice. “Or not.” Because only the Empress herself believed in the Imperial pregnancy anymore.
“I see.”
“We’ve collected the most skilled midwives …”
“Don’t give me details. Give me instructions.”
“There aren’t any. Except to stand by to keep order.”
Hecht nodded, not pleased.
Each day