In the Ruins (Crown of Stars 6)

“This shows the church mothers that I am not afraid to stand barefoot before God even though I am a mathematicus and—the manner of creature I am. I am not a heretic. I am not afraid to be humble before Them. It’s the proud who won’t kneel before God’s truth. It’s those who fear to question who are the ones who don’t truly believe. God do not fear our questions. Otherwise why would They have made the world with so many mysteries?”

“I can’t argue with you!”

“Not in these matters.”

He paced, but his protests and his discomfort did nothing to alter the pace of her preparations. She would go, as she had at Quedlinhame, much to the surprise of Mother Scholastica. In truth, he had to admire it as a good tactic, unexpected and effective as a counterblow.

“How long will this go on?” he asked. “Will we ride the breadth of Wendar and Varre with you kneeling on the church steps at every stop?”

“If I must. Until the excommunication is lifted.”

His own splendid clothing had not yet been unpacked from its chest. He would not approach Gent’s cathedral until after midday. It took time to ready his retinue.

“You’ll continue to ride with me on my progress! You’ll not go into hiding! Or into a convent!”

Though somber, she smiled. “Be assured that every soul in this army is aware that you bed me every night without the sanction of the church. That you married me despite your father forbidding the match.”

“That you use your sorcery to seduce me and keep me as your prisoner. I know. I know.”

“I do not fear what others may say of me or think of me. They can’t harm me. Let me do this without having to struggle against you as well, Sanglant.”

She did not wait for his answer. After she left the chamber, he surveyed the room. In this same chamber he had resided for many weeks when he had last bided in Gent about two years ago. It was hard to keep track of the time, although he recalled that it had been a cold winter when he and his retinue had arrived. The tapestries on the wall depicting a hunt, a feast, and an assembly of dour clerics and biscops were the same ones he had gazed on before. The handsome Arethousan carpet that covered the floor had the same bright red-and-yellow flowers and green vines as the one he remembered. No reason for the mayor to have changed it, since Arethousan carpets were treasured for their rarity and quality. A copper basin and pitcher rested on a side table. Whatever chests had rested against the wall had been replaced by those he traveled with. Years ago, Liath had appeared to him in this very chamber through an aetherical gate, and she had stolen Jerna, and vanished.

God, he had been so angry. He began, again, to pace.

o;She is dangerous.”

“Are you not more dangerous still, Holy Mother? ‘The skopos can be judged by no one.’ This is a powerful spell.”

“It is no spell! The skopos is obliged to govern all peoples who reside in the Circle of Unity.”

“Then is the emperor, or empress, your servant?”

Antonia nodded. “As above, so below.”

“You have other servants, scourges whose touch is death.”

“I have the tools I need.”

“You are well armed for the coming war. Let me keep Lady Elene alive, as a hostage, a companion piece to Princess Blessing. As for the Eagle, I care not. Do with him as you wish. If his death would save my daughter’s life, I would tear out his heart with my own hands!”

“A heathen desire, Your Majesty. And yet,” she added kindly, seeing how Adelheid set her jaw and clenched her hands upon the arms of her royal chair, “spoken out of a mother’s desperation. I have no healing powers of that kind. My gift is to restore God’s realm on this Earth.”

“So I pray,” murmured Adelheid.

Antonia smiled, knowing that her first battle had been won.

XII

WHERE THEIR FLIGHT TOOK THEM

1

HE did not like it at Quedlinhame, and he liked it less so many days later at Gent when, for the second time, she rose before dawn and drew on a penitent’s robe.

“It dishonors you,” he said, watching her.

“It does not dishonor me to pray. It does not dishonor me to ask forgiveness for my sins. I am stained with the blood of many men.”