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Posted on May 2, 2013 at 03:29:59 AM by sir walter smythe
| Ah yes. Sir Walter had wondered how long it would be before the closeness with Thoth was raised, or the claim that the king was carrying out Aura’s wishes. Sir Walter was a high priest, and had devoted his life to understanding and interpreting the whims of the goddess. No political leader could compete with him on that level.
“That is quite inaccurate,” he contradicted firmly. “Poppy is not ‘as much’ Aura’s child, as she was disowned by her. She is therefore of no interest to Aurans or, with the exception of the cult of Manekht, to the public as a whole. Furthermore, Poppy has no need of additional protection. Quite apart from being able to take care of herself, as I understand it. Due to the nature of her – er – magical condition, the council also keep a particularly close eye on her.” He raised an eyebrow. “It is no coincidence that Poppy was exiled to a world where the council keep constant supervision, Your Majesty. The risk to Thoth is far greater, and his relative protection far less.” The alterations to the prince’s face did not pass unmissed, and Sir Walter caught himself regularly observing them with increasing interest. At no more than thirteen, the young royal could not be expected to control his facial features in the same way that his father had learned to do which, in Sir Walter’s opinion, was proof of why he should not be here at all. Twelve or thirteen, or however old he was, was far too young to be involved in such prestigious meetings. However, Sir Walter had learned that children came of age at thirteen in Shaman, and had already mentally stored that figure away. If Thoth was twelve, then the king’s legal custody ended in only a year’s time. The church could wait a year, if it had to. On Earth, Thoth would have to be in custody until at least the age of sixteen. As the king turned to his third problem, Sir Walter’s expression hardened visibly and thin lines of silent objection creased his brow. He politely waited until the king had finished, however, before voicing his protests. “You misunderstand me, Your Majesty,” he began in a quiet voice which rang with certainty and authority. “Deification is precisely what the church wishes to protect Thoth against. Polytheism is against our founding principles. There is only one god,” his eyes flashed. “One creator, sole in Her glory, and She cannot be replaced or cast aside. Now that She has passed on to aid the deceased, we will continue to interpret Her will and worship Her as we always have done, and not deviate from the true path by idolising Her bloodline.” He pressed his hands firmly against the desk. “I do not know what you have been told of the Auran church, but I can assure you that we have no aspirations to increase our pantheon.” He leant back slightly in his chair. “However, we have not been so successful in convincing others of the same. If you mean to prevent Thoth from being considered a god, it is too late. He has already been deified amongst some minor polytheistic cults, and the number of believers is set to rise. You cannot prevent him from being worshipped as a god, or from encountering these people sooner or later; you can only educate him and protect him from the risks that come from being the son of the goddess. The church is in the best position to do that, and to convince others not to accept his deification. Contrary to your scepticism, we have his best interests at heart and the resources to best ensure that we can act in his favour. “With regards to the council, I reiterate: the church can provide the best protection.” The lines in Sir Walter’s forehead deepened. “You must be under no illusions. Tsi is not interested in protecting your people and is wholly occupied by this secret mission of his and the council’s. If he has the will to provide assistance then he lacks the attention. The same applies to Mallos. I fear your trust in him is misplaced,” again, Sir Walter’s eyes flicked briefly to Tristan. “If he failed to protect Aura at the height of his power then he is hardly able to do as much for her son while distracted by other matters. Are you aware that assassins recently made it to Shaman and got into the pantheon?” He lifted his eyebrows. “The council cannot even protect the one thing they care most deeply for: themselves. They cannot be expected to protect a child whom many of them feel hostility towards.” He leant back in his chair again and paused for a moment, although not for long. “I have to ask how you know that Thoth would be uninterested in my proposal. I have not asked him myself, and if you have not been in receipt of my letters then you would have been unable to do so before now too. I have to question, Your Majesty, whether he would be allowed to come to Earth if he did wish to come.” |
Replies:
- chased your ghost across the yard - By a r t h u r May 2, 2013 at 10:00:24 PM
- dancing with shadows. - By sir walter smythe May 3, 2013 at 04:32:11 AM
- chased your ghost across the yard - By a r t h u r May 4, 2013 at 11:38:13 PM
- dancing with shadows. - By sir walter smythe May 3, 2013 at 04:32:11 AM
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