The Diamond Throne

which served as his desk was inlaid with gold and mother of pearl. ‘A gesture,’ he said apologetically as he led them into the room and looked about. ‘In Chyrellos, we must make these little genuflections in the direction of opulence if we are to be taken seriously.’
    ‘It’s all right, Nashan,’ Sephrenia told him. ‘You weren’t selected as governor of this chapterhouse because of your humility.’
    ‘One must keep up appearances, Sephrenia,’ he said. He sighed. ‘I was never that good a knight,’ he admitted.‘I’m at best only mediocre with the lance, and most of my spells tend to crumble on me about halfway through.’ He drew in a deep breath and looked around. ‘I’m a good administrator, though. I know the Church and her politics, and I can serve the order and Lord Vanion in that arena probably far better than I could on the field.’
    ‘We all do what we can,’ Sparhawk told him. ‘I’m told that God appreciates our best efforts.’
    ‘Sometimes I feel that I’ve disappointed Him,’ Nashan said. ‘Somewhere deep inside me I think I might have done better’
    ‘Don’t flagellate yourself, Nashan,’ Sephrenia advised. ‘The Elene God is reputed to be most forgiving. You’ve done what you could.’
    They took seats around Nashan’s ornate table, and the governor summoned an acolyte who brought goblets and the skin of the deep Arcian wine At Sephrenia’s request, he also sent for tea for her and milk for Flute and Talen.
    ‘We don’t necessarily need to mention this to Lord Vanion, do we?’ Nashan said to Sparhawk as he lifted the wineskin.
    ‘Wild horses couldn’t drag it out of me, my Lord,’ Sparhawk told him, holding out his goblet.
    ‘So,’ Kalten said, ‘what’s happening here in Chyrellos?’
    ‘Troubled times, Kalten,’ Nashan replied. ‘Troubled times. The Archprelate ages, and the entire city is holding its breath in anticipation of his death.’
    ‘Who will be the new Archprelate?’ Sparhawk asked.
    ‘At the moment there’s no way to know. Cluvonus is in no condition to name a successor, and Annias of Cimmura is spending money like water to gain the throne.’
    ‘What about Dolmant?’ Kalten asked.
    ‘He’s too self-effacing, I’m afraid,’ Nashan replied.‘He’s so dedicated to the Church that he doesn’t have the sense of self that one needs to have to aspire to the golden throne in the Basilica. Not only that, he’s made enemies.’
    ‘I like enemies.’ Kalten grinned. ‘They give you a reason to keep your sword sharp.’
    Nashan looked at Sephrenia. ‘Is there something afoot in Styricum?’ he asked her.
    ‘What exactly do you mean?’
    ‘The city is suddenly awash with Styrics,’ he replied. ‘They say that they’re here to seek instruction in the Elene faith.’
    ‘That’s absurd.’
    ‘I thought so myself. The Church has been trying to convert the Styrics for three thousand years without much success, and now they come flocking to Chyrellos, of their own accord begging to be converted.’
    ‘No sane Styric would do that,’ she insisted. ‘Our Gods are jealous, and they punish apostasy severely.’ Her eyes narrowed. ‘Have any of these pilgrims identified their place of origin?’ she asked.
    ‘Not that I’ve heard. They all look like common rural Styrics.’
    ‘Perhaps they’ve made a longer journey than they’re willing to reveal.’
    ‘You think they might be Zemochs?’ Sparhawk asked her
    ‘Otha’s already infested eastern Lamorkand with his agents,’ she replied. ‘Chyrellos is the centre of the Elene world. It’s a logical place for espionage and disruption.’ She considered it. ‘We’re likely to be here fora while,’ she observed. ‘We have to wait for the arrival of the knights from the other orders. I think that perhaps we might spend the time investigating these unusual postulants.’
    ‘I can’t really get too much involved in that,’ Sparhawk disagreed. ‘I have things far more important on my mindjust now. We’ll deal with Otha and his Zemochs when the time comes. Right now I have to concentrate on restoring Ehlana to her throne and preventing the deaths of certain friends.’ He spoke obliquely, since he had kept to himself the details of what she had told him had taken place in the throne room in Cimmura.
    ‘It’s all right, Sparhawk,’ she assured him. ‘I understand your concern. I’ll take Kalten with me, and we’ll see what we can turn up.’
    They spent the remainder