that she may become queen of the kingdom," Merwan Ma remarked. ?Does he believe that this will propel her to the leadership of the Church, as well?"
"It would be unprecedented," Yakim Douan replied gruffly, shaking his head yet again. He had no idea of the significance of any of this, but what-ever might happen, the present news was more than a little distressing to the man. Could he risk Transcendence with apparent turmoil brewing in the north, not only with the Church, but with the kingdom itself? And if the worst-case scenario came to pass, with a new Honce-the-Bear that was hostile to Behren, might he be forced to delay Transcendence even more?
The Yatol bowed his head, hiding his frustration from his attendant. He wanted to be done with this body! He wanted to feel again the energy of youth, the excitement and enjoyment of lovemaking, even the thrill of the new relationships he would find with the same group of Yatols and Shep-herds who now called him God-Voice.
But now it was obvious to Yakim Douan that all of his efforts, including sending the small army to Yatol Grysh, would be for naught. He could not and would not attempt Transcendence until the situation in To-gai and in Honce-the-Bear was resolved, and he could get an honest view of the dan-gers he might face in the vulnerable decade before he came to true power.
"We cannot be overly concerned with the situation in Honce-the Bear," he announced to Merwan Ma a moment later. ?Recall Ambassador Daween Kusaad, that we might discuss the situation at length. And ensure that a steady stream of messengers flows between Jacintha and Abbot Olin in En-tel. A steady stream. I will know week to week what is transpiring within the kingdom and the Abellican Church.
"Yet there is little that we can do to influence the happenings in the north, other than continue to provide our friend Olin with the funds he needs to wage his campaign. Our attention, therefore, must be focused on settling the issues within To-gai."
"Yatol Grysh has likely received our soldiers by now," said Merwan Ma.
"Yatol Grysh is a wise man and a powerful leader. He will use them well, I do not doubt." He ended nodding, instead of shaking his head some more, as satisfied as he could be that he was doing all that he could to facili-tate the environment he needed for the desired Transcendence. He took a deep breath and considered the road before him. He would visit the hematite regularly from that day on, he decided, to ensure his health and his comfort.
"Soon enough," he muttered, and when he caught Merwan Ma's inquisi-tive look at the curious remark, he just waved the attendant away.
Three Chezhou-Lei warriors had assembled in his room in Dharyan. Unprecedented.
But while he was amused by the presence of Wan Atenn's two peers, Ya-tol Grysh was not overwhelmed.
These great warriors were his servants, af-ter all, fiercely loyal to the Chezru Chieftain and to those Yatols serving under Yakim Douan.
"I am surprised by your appearance, Woh Lien and Dahmed Blie," the Yatol said after Carwan Pestle had served drinks to the three and all had settled into the comfortable chairs in the audience chamber.
"By law, a twenty-square must be led by Chezhou-Lei, Yatol Grysh," Wan Atenn put in.
"Yet I did not expect a twenty-square!" Grysh replied lightheartedly, and he looked right at the two visiting Chezhou-Lei warriors as he continued. ?An eight-square would have allowed us to secure Dharyan throughout the winter and spring."
As he finished, he looked to Carwan Pestle, who had been briefed on how Grysh wanted this meeting to proceed.
"Perhaps this is a sign that the God-Voice desires us to do more than se-cure Dharyan, Yatol," Pestle suggested, and as he finished, he looked to Woh Lien, the older and more experienced of the two warriors.
"We were sent to Dharyan to serve under Yatol Grysh, as Yatol Grysh deemed fit," the Chezhou-Lei warrior said, quite openly and without hesi-tation. ?Whether the strength of the force is a signal to you, Yatol Grysh, is beyond my knowledge."
Grysh nodded, appreciating the openness. A wry smile found its way onto his plump face. ?We will see how far your forces will take us, Chezhou-Lei Woh Lien. Has Chezru Douan determined the date of your return to Jacintha? ?
"He has not."
Perfect, Grysh thought. ?Then you are to return when I release you?"
The warrior nodded.
"You understand that, while here, you are both subject to the commands ofWanAtenn?"