The Druid Queen - Douglas Niles [14]
"Is the Exalted Inquisitor present? I request the honor of an audience with him."
"The inquisitor is a very busy man," sniffed one of the guards, with a disdainful inspection of the magic-user's finery. "Whom shall we report is calling?"
"I am Keane of Callidyrr, serving as ambassador for His Majesty, High King Tristan Kendrick of the Moonshaes."
The guard's eyes, much to Keane's satisfaction, widened slightly at the information. The man turned and started for the house at a trot while the other guard took pains to effect an absolutely rigid stance. A few minutes later the first guard returned, accompanied by a short, chubby man in a white clerical robe. The symbol of Helm, the All-Seeing Eye encircled by a ring of platinum, bobbed against the latter's ample belly.
"A royal ambassador… this is a signal honor! Come in, come in, my good lord!" The cleric beamed at Keane, waddling forward and gesturing imperiously to the guard who still stood rigidly at his station. "Open that gate, man-and be quick about it!"
"Thank you," Keane murmured as the priest bowed and smiled.
"You come from the court of the Kendricks? Your king's name is known far and wide, of course-an honorable man and a wise and beneficent ruler! But, of course, you know that already. Perhaps there is something that I can help you with? I am the bishou of this temple and shrine-Bishou Harmanius." The rank of bishou was not unknown to Keane. Harmanius was an influential man and a powerful cleric-but not powerful enough for the mage's needs.
"Actually, I'm afraid that my business must be conducted with the Exalted Inquisitor. Will he grant me the honor of an appointment?"
"Ahem… well, you see… he is a very busy person these days," the bishou demurred. "Perhaps if I could relay to him the nature of your business…?"
As they spoke, the pair passed between a pair of tall columns, climbing several large steps to approach the huge, ornately carved doors at the front of the manor. These swung open ponderously at their approach, and Keane saw another pair of scarlet-coated guards, images of immaculate tunics, obsidian-black boots, and buckles of gleaming silver, flanking the entrance.
"It concerns a matter of great importance to my king-a service he desires. Naturally it involves a sizable donation to the coffers of the church." Keane added the incentive on his own responsibility, suspecting from the opulence around him that it would be an effective inducement. He was not disappointed.
"Of course, the business of an esteemed monarch like King Kendrick must supersede lesser concerns," noted the cleric, without a hint of irony so far as Keane could tell. "I shall relay your request immediately. Would you be so kind as to wait in here?" Harmanius indicated a large parlor lined with marble walls, the floor buried beneath an array of lush, silken rugs.
"My pleasure," Keane replied. The cleric bustled into the temple while the magic-user walked slowly about the large chamber, dazzled by the wonders on display.
A large doorway of cut glass led into an enclosed garden, and from it sunlight spilled into the room. Paintings hung along the walls, mostly battle scenes, in which the banner of the All-Seeing Eye floated proudly above the victorious troops. One canvas made a mural along a good-sized wall, depicting the toppling of Maztican gods from their pyramid-shaped temples while the local peoples bestowed gifts of gold and silver on the bishou who had enlightened them. The mage spent several minutes studying the scene, noticing the strong flavor of righteous triumph tinged with bleak and abject conquest.
"Lord Ambassador?"
Keane turned suddenly, surprised that someone had entered the room without being heard. He felt a flash of guilt, as if he had been caught eavesdropping. "Ah, yes-forgive me. I was just admiring your artwork." He recovered smoothly from his surprise to bow formally to the man he knew must be the Exalted Inquisitor of Helm.
"Splendid,