Part the Two-Hundred Fourteenth
In which: two of our heroes find tests before them.
When the party received their charge, King Orrin described the attributes the next Chancellor would have to possess:
“The next Chancellor must be strong enough to hold their ground. Rational enough to navigate the political waters of the civic and religious authorities of the city, and last, but certainly not least, powerful enough to defend the academy should it once again come under attack.”
When the liaisons ask their charges who best represents these qualities, they get many answers.
“Of all of the candidates, I find Petros to be the most Just.”
“Personally, I might support Manaal, but I think you’d have serious objections from the other temples.”
“
Not the Miyen Kai.”
“Even for an elf he’s crazy.”
“I doubt he’ll even show up.”
“I
like Barnabus, but… umm…”
“Chi’i could be a good choice.”
“I doubt she’ll even show up.”
“She’s very smart. Dedicated to the theory of what arcanists
do.”
“Maybe.”
“I’m just not sure.”
###
“…and of that, there can be no doubt.” Anvil concludes.
“I see,” says Tenacious the Just, nodding at Anvil from across his large stone desk. “The selection committee will certainly keep that in mind.”
Anvil, with nothing to add, remains silent, waiting for Tenacious’s next question.
But older Justicar has none. “Well done, Anvil. You’re a great credit, to yourself and the Caucus. We’re in your debt. Which reminds me, the Caucus will be meeting Friday night. Gemstone has returned from the Assembly of Justice in Dar Darine, and we’ll be hearing her report.” He pauses a moment. “You should invite your friends to join us. There are many in the Caucus who would like to meet them.”
Anvil blinks. “I shall see to it they attend.”
“Good. Good. And, of course, we should also be thinking about you.”
Anvil pauses, but only for a moment. “Of course,” he says. “Pray tell, what exactly were you thinking of thinking about me?”
“Your 4th Order examinations, naturally. It’s still a bit early yet. You’ve some major cases yet to take on. But if we make a concentrated effort to get you there, there’s no reason you can’t test in, oh, the next few months some time…”
It is only the fact that Anvil is well practiced at hiding his surprise that keeps his jaw from dropping. His promotion to the Third Order came quickly enough. To already be discussing his promotion to Fourth Order…
It’s not that Anvil is not ambitious. Quite the contrary. The thought of receiving his Fourth Order so young, to be that much closer to the most intricate discussions of the deepest particulars of Kettenek’s Justice…
But, given all the cold looks that he’s been given since his return to the Temple… all the whispers that he’s overheard in the hallways….
Carefully, Anvil says, “There is, in fact, a related matter I wished to discuss with you. Since my return to Dar Pykos, I have noticed that a number of our brothers have behaved coldly towards me.”
“Oh?” Tenacious says, raising an eyebrow.
“Indeed. I believe that the basis for this behavior lies in my promotion to the Third Order. I believe they do not feel that I have truly earned the position. To push for another promotion again so soon may only serve to sow discord within our order.”
Tenacious shakes his head. “Anvil, I’m sure it’s nothing,” he says. “It’s quite common for older Justicars to feel some resentment when a young, talented individual is promoted up the ranks faster than they are themselves. I have the utmost confidence that once they’ve had time to get to know you, they’ll turn around.”
Anvil is not entirely convinced. The cold looks he has been receiving have not been restricted to Justicars older than himself. Nor to those lower in rank than he.
But Tenacious does not give him time to raise this objection. “Think of the Caucus, Anvil. We can always use more high placed Justicars within our ranks. You’ll be even more useful to us with a promotion.”
It is certainly true. As a Fourth Order, Anvil would be empowered to head a Special Inquiry Board, giving him broad discretionary power to pursue matters of Justice. He could begin an Inquest against the persecution of arcane magic if he so desired. Or perhaps even against the Slave Ownership Ruling, one of the biggest thorns in the side of Universal Law in Dar Pykos…
But…
But…
Anvil is all too aware that he only barely managed to pass his Third Order exams. If he goes into his Fourth Order exams with the same haste, he cannot expect to have the similar good fortune twice.
Surely his time would be better spent honing his skills at the Third Order. Surely, it is self-evident that he should dedicate himself to proving beyond all shadow of a doubt that he is worthy of what he has, before he attempts to move forward.
“Besides,” Tenacious says, as if reading Anvil’s mind, “if you hadn’t proven yourself ready for the Third Order, you would never have received it.”
There is a long, long silence in the cold, stone room. Finally, Anvil speaks.
“Very well,” he says. “I shall prepare for my Fourth Order exams. It appears that Kettenek’s Justice demands it…”
###
“…now, consider, if you will, the numbers in the third column. If properly balanced, their sum should equal the sum of the first column, minus the sum of the second column…”
Thatch pinches himself. Again. The pain is barely enough to keep him awake, but it is the best he can manage without calling attention to himself.
As it happens, Anvil isn’t the only member of the party preparing for upcoming exams.
Since Thatch’s return to Dar Pykos, Dame Jenna has eagerly thrust him into his official training as one of the Lady’s Attendants. His position as the Alirrian representative on the search for the Archmages has been a prominent one, and, as he only joined the Attendants halfway through the quest, his rank within the sect is still… well, technically he’s a squire. Dame Jenna believes it would be best if they can have him knighted as soon as possible, to better bring his title in line with his responsibilities.
Despite the fact that—as a member of an Alirrian order—this will make him
Dame Thatch, he doesn’t really disagree.
Thatch has thus far proven himself more than capable at the physical training, and his horsemanship is second to none. Unfortunately, since the Lady’s Attendants are expected to perform governmental and clerical functions in addition to their martial duties, he has had to sit in classes. Diplomatic classes. Accounting classes.
“…but, when compared to the principal interest rate for such an investment, we find what? Anyone? Anyone?”
He would almost rather be out negotiating with elves.
Almost.
The only person who seems more bored with the proceedings than Thatch is Eva. She has not left his side since their arrival in Dar Pykos. He knows well just how much she has been dreading this return ever since she
ditched her magically bugged holy symbol in Ebis. Whoever the Sedellans are that are harassing her, that simple act has clearly stated to them that she’s not going to take it any more.
Now it’s just a question of waiting to see what they’re going to dish out.
And whatever Eva’s religious leanings may currently be, she has certainly been blessed by Alirria. And protecting those blessed by Alirria is the clear job of the Attendants. Even if they are, technically, merely squires.
Thatch looks up from his mess of columns and numbers to glance over at Eva. Her eyelids are fluttering and her head is slowly starting to nod.
Humph, Thatch thinks.
Isn’t she the lucky one?
