“You mean he does not believe as he speaks,” Roslan concluded as he mixed a handful of herbs with the steaming water.
Namel sighed and accepted the cup, indicating Roslan should pour one for himself. “I call him a fool, Roslan, not an idiot. He is not lacking of intelligence but of wisdom. I cannot be certain he believes in the gods he serves, nor, if he does, that he serves them truly. He seeks his own ends, and what he hopes to gain from this play I cannot tell. Lord Kirlas will not be pleased with the Lioran Rites coming so early in his reign, not that he will be free to openly object, and with a chosen Lady in the Courts, the balance of power has been disturbed. If Heron manages to manipulate the Lady, or worse, her son...”
“But there is no way to predict when the son will be born,” Roslan pointed out when his mentor drifted into silence.
“It is true that it has taken years for the Lady to birth the Lord in the past,” he looked distinctly uncomfortable, “but after these past three days I would be surprised if we are still without heir come next winter, and I am none too confident in the actions of our King once he has seen the expiration date of his reign.”
They sat silently for a moment, the old man lost in unpleasant thoughts while the student attempted to gather courage. “Sir,” he said at last and with great effort, “there is ever growing doubt in the gods. As part of our studies, we must attend the Mass at Court...”
“Yes,” Namel encouraged kindly, “and what burdens the people so that you share their weight?” He remembered his own days as a student, seated in shadows of the pillars in the main court, listening to his instructors as they answered the spiritual questions of any and all who sought the wisdom of the Center House.
“They come with a number of concerns, but as of late they are questioning the Lioran Rites,” Roslan explained.
Namel nodded with understanding. “It is a common occurrence. Thirty five years ago, the people asked the same questions. When a mortal woman is with child, the time is always the same. When she bares the child of a god, we cannot know the mysteries the of that union, how
Namel sighed and accepted the cup, indicating Roslan should pour one for himself. “I call him a fool, Roslan, not an idiot. He is not lacking of intelligence but of wisdom. I cannot be certain he believes in the gods he serves, nor, if he does, that he serves them truly. He seeks his own ends, and what he hopes to gain from this play I cannot tell. Lord Kirlas will not be pleased with the Lioran Rites coming so early in his reign, not that he will be free to openly object, and with a chosen Lady in the Courts, the balance of power has been disturbed. If Heron manages to manipulate the Lady, or worse, her son...”
“But there is no way to predict when the son will be born,” Roslan pointed out when his mentor drifted into silence.
“It is true that it has taken years for the Lady to birth the Lord in the past,” he looked distinctly uncomfortable, “but after these past three days I would be surprised if we are still without heir come next winter, and I am none too confident in the actions of our King once he has seen the expiration date of his reign.”
They sat silently for a moment, the old man lost in unpleasant thoughts while the student attempted to gather courage. “Sir,” he said at last and with great effort, “there is ever growing doubt in the gods. As part of our studies, we must attend the Mass at Court...”
“Yes,” Namel encouraged kindly, “and what burdens the people so that you share their weight?” He remembered his own days as a student, seated in shadows of the pillars in the main court, listening to his instructors as they answered the spiritual questions of any and all who sought the wisdom of the Center House.
“They come with a number of concerns, but as of late they are questioning the Lioran Rites,” Roslan explained.
Namel nodded with understanding. “It is a common occurrence. Thirty five years ago, the people asked the same questions. When a mortal woman is with child, the time is always the same. When she bares the child of a god, we cannot know the mysteries the of that union, how
