‘We’ll get our horses,’ Sparhawk said. He led the rest of the knights into the stables. Once inside, he swore irritably

‘Trouble?’ Tynian asked him.

‘Makova’s a supporter of Primate Annias,’ Sparhawk replied, leading Faran out of his stall. ‘I’ve got a strong suspicion that he’s going to try to hinder us.’

‘We must respond to his summons, however,’ Bevier said, swinging his saddle up onto his horse’s back. ‘We are Church Knights and must obey the commands of a member of the Hierocracy, no matter what his affiliation. ’

‘And there’s that company of soldiers out there, too,’ Kalten added. ‘I’d say that Makova doesn’t take too many chances.’

‘Surely he doesn’t think we’d refuse?’ Bevier said.

‘You don’t know Sparhawk that well yet,’ Kalten told him. ‘He can be contrary at times.’

‘Well, we don’t have any choice in the matter,’ Sparhawk said. ‘Let’s go to the Basilica and see what the Patriarch has to say to us.’

They led their horses out into the courtyard and mounted. At a crisp command from the captain, the soldiers formed up around them.

The square in front of the Basilica was strangely deserted as Sparhawk and his friends dismounted.

‘Looks to me as if they’re expecting trouble,’ Kalten noted as they started up the broad marble stairs.

When they entered the vast nave of the church, Bevier went down on his knees and clasped his hands in front of him.

The captain and a squad of his soldiers entered behind him. ‘We must not keep the Patriarch waiting,’ he said. There was a certain arrogant tone in his voice that irritated Sparhawk for some reason. He muffled that feeling, however, and piously dropped to his knees beside Bevier. Kalten grinned and also knelt. Tynian nudged Ulath, and they, too, went down on their knees.

‘I said –’ the captain began, his voice rising slightly.

‘We heard you, neighbour,’ Sparhawk said to him. ‘We’ll be with you presently.’

‘But –’

‘You can wait over there. We won’t be too long.’

The captain turned and stalked off.

‘Nice touch, Sparhawk,’ Tynian murmured.

‘We are Church Knights, after all,’ Sparhawk replied. ‘It won’t hurt Makova to wait awhile. I’m sure he’ll enjoy the anticipation.’

‘I’m sure,’ Tynian agreed.

The five knights remained kneeling for perhaps ten minutes while the captain stalked about impatiently.

‘Have you finished, Bevier?’ Sparhawk asked politely when the Cyrinic unclasped his hands.

‘Yes,’ Bevier answered, his face alight with devotion. ‘I feel cleansed now and at peace with the world.’

‘Try to hang onto that feeling. The Patriarch of Coombe is likely to irritate us all.’ Sparhawk rose to his feet. ‘Shall we go then?’

‘Well, finally,’ the captain snapped as they joined him and his men.

Bevier looked at him coldly. ‘Have you any rank, Captain?’ he asked. ‘Aside from your military one, I mean?’

‘I am a marquis, Sir Bevier.’