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I can?t very well haul off and give the man what he deserves, though it hasn?t gotten past the odd wandering hand. Yet. ?I know what you mean,? she replied aloud.?So far I?ve just let all his hints fly over my i
Ignatius nodded.?That was well and wisely done, my child,? he observed.?Both for reasons of prudence, and for itself as a kindness.?
Mathilda shrugged.?She has all the drawbacks of my position back home, and none of the advantages. Plus she?s stuck married to a man I wouldn?t have if he were the only male left in creation, and she?s extremely lonely. I was sorry for her. And she?s not as stupid as.. . well, as I thought at first, though she?s no genius either. Just very… inexperienced.?
The priest nodded.?And I hear that my lord of Gervais has made friends as well.? ?A few, Father,? Odard said.?Even the Bossman… although I don?t think he really has friends. But I amuse him and he likes hearing about the Association; I?ve never met anyone so fundamentally bored. He?s fairly confident I don?t want anything from him in the way of gold or land or offices, too, which must be a relief.?
For once I sympathize with him, Mathilda thought; she?d had far too many people maneuvering for favor around her all her life, or at least as much of it as she could remember. ?Excellent,? Ignatius said.?However, the enemy is also aware that there is a good chance that the Bossman will let us go… and even that he may let us go and keep them, or at least keep them for long enough that our trail will be cold. Therefore they will strike. And soon.? ?The Bossman and his guests are well guarded,? Odard said. ?From mortal enemies,? Ignatius warned.?But remember the fight when you were rescued after the battle at Wendell, Princess.?
Mathilda did, and shuddered.?They have a High Seeker of the Corwinite cult with them,? she said. ?They do,? the warrior-monk replied grimly.?And while the CUT are deluded fools, they speak truth when they say their prayers are answered. They simply don?t realize by what.? ?I could wish Heaven were a little more proactive on our behalf, Father,? Odard said.
The priest looked at him for a long moment and then shook his head. ?No, my son, you do not. It is precisely the difference between our Lord and theirs that we are given help, while they are treated like puppets and tools.?
Mathilda nodded.?What can we do about it? I mean, apart from cutting them into little bits. That seems to work-but we were lucky, and Mary and Ritva were lucky too.? ?If luck you call it,? Odard said.
They all quirked a shared smile. Dunedain were not the only ones to read the Histories. She loved them herself; they were far more alive than the chronicles of the world just before the Change, and who knew how much truth had gone into their fashioning, since the distant morning of the world? Perhaps as much as the Chanson de Roland or the Morte d?Arthur or the?Ballad of Bowie Gizzardsbane?; nothing in the Quest of the Ring seemed as impossible as firebombs that could destroy cities, or talking by invisible waves. But the Rangers were so literal about it.
Then after a hesitation the soldier-monk went on: ?There is something you should know; I have permission to tell it now. Something that happened while we were in Chenrezi Monastery. I was alone in the woods on the mountainside, just before Christmas. And as I prayed-?
He told the story. Mathilda felt her eyes growing wider and wider. Ignatius was fervent, yes-you didn?t become a warrior-monk of Mt. Angel without a real vocation, much less be ordained priest as well. But?Are you sure, Father?? she asked; her eyes flicked to the statue of the Virgin.
I don?t doubt that you believe it. So that?s why you?ve been so protective since then! ?Very, my child,? Ignatius said flatly.
He handed her a note. She opened it; the Cardinal-Archbishop of Des Moines? seal was at the bottom, with a brief note in a scholar?s hand that was also slightly shaky, probably with age:
I believe that Friar Ignatius has indeed been granted the vision he reports.
Mathilda blinked. I wouldn?t have disbelieved Ignatius anyway.
He was closer to her than Father Matthew now, though she?d known her old confessor since childhood. Having a Prince of the Church confirm it did help, though.
Which means… She felt her heart almost stop, and her voice stuttered a little when she got her breath back: ?But… but I?m not that important! The Queen of Angels in person told you to guard and guide me??
Astonishingly, Ignatius gri
Odard laughed and licked a finger, miming making a tally in the air. ?He?s got you there, your Highness.?
After a moment she snorted unwillingly.?Yes, he has.? ?You are a human soul, and all are precious to God, whether Princess or peasant,? Ignatius said gravely.?But it was strongly implied that some great purpose is served through you. More than your position as heir to the throne, or your role as mother of the next Lord Protector. There is something that you are to accomplish.?
It was terrifying and glorious at the same time. She closed her eyes for an instant, taking a long deep breath, then gave the knight-brother a glance from under a raised eyebrow: ?And you, Father, are apparently important enough that the Lady of Sorrows drops by to tell you that you?re her champion!?
The priest sighed and put his shapely, muscular hands in the sleeves of his robe, lowering his eyes for a moment. Sometimes it was irritating when clerics assumed humility, as if they used meekness as a form of rhetorical jujitsu. Ignatius didn?t do that, which made it all the more effective; suddenly she felt a little ashamed at twitting him that way. ?My children, that troubles me more than I can say. I hope I am willing to take the martyr?s crown of glory, if that is the will of God. But I am not so lost in vanity and pride that I wish for it. Even Our Lord asked that the cup pass from him. Consider the implications.?
She did, and felt herself quail. Only heretics thought that Heaven?s favor meant things were going to go well for you in a worldly sense-her tutors had gotten that lesson well home to her, starting with the example of what happened to Christ Himself. The Lord tried those He most loved; the strongest steel came from the hottest fire. The cross you were given to carry up to Heaven?s gate would be just exactly as heavy as you could bear by your uttermost effort plus the essential freely offered Grace, neither more nor less. Still… ?If she says that this quest is vital, then there?s really no choice,? Mathilda said.?Not that there was anyway; I couldn?t desert Rudi. I?m not going to turn back regardless.? ?But the Queen of Heaven also told me something else,? Ignatius said.
She blinked a little at his smile; he was an undemonstrative man, but for an instant there was happiness in his face that sang despite the matter-of-fact tone: ?You will be tested beyond what you can bear, unless you throw yourself upon Him and His love. In them is strength beyond all the deceits and wickedness you have seen; strength to put them behind you.?
He cleared his throat.?I will do my best, your Highness.? ?And so will I,? Mathilda said. ?And so will I,? Odard added. Then, lightly but with an undertone of wonder:?Somewhat to my own surprise.? ?As you commanded, my lord,? Rudi said with a bow and a sweep of his hand towards the piled cargo. ?Well, yes, yes, it seems to be mostly here,? the Bossman said, flicking aside the trailing dagged sleeves of his new tunic.