‘Only briefly, Most Holy,’ Martel said. ‘It gave Sparhawk and me time to renew our friendship. We had much to discuss.’

‘Very much,’ Sparhawk agreed. He hesitated slightly, but then decided that Martel was so sure of himself that he’d probably miss the significance of the question. ‘You mentioned a talisman during your sermon, holy one,’ he said to Arasham. ‘Might we be permitted to see it?’

The holy relic? Of course.’ The old man fumbled inside his robe and drew out something that appeared to be a twisted lump of bone. He held it out proudly. ‘Do you know what this is, Sparhawk?’ he asked.

‘No, Most Holy. I’m afraid not.’

‘The blessed Eshand began life as a shepherd, you know.’

‘Yes, I’d heard so.’

‘One day when he was quite young, a ewe in his flock gave birth to a pure white lamb that was like none other he had ever seen. Unlike all other sheep of that breed, this infant ram bore horns upon its head. It was, of course, a sign from God. The pure lamb, obviously, symbolized the blessed Eshand himself, and the fact that the lamb was horned could only mean one thing – that Eshand had been chosen to chastise the Church for her iniquity’

‘How mysterious are the ways of God,’ Sparhawk marvelled.

Truly, my son. Truly Eshand cared for the ram most tenderly, and in time it began to speak to him, and its voice was the voice of God Himself. And thus God instructed Eshand in that which he must do. This holy relic is a piece of the horn of that very ram. Now you can see why it has such enormous power’

‘Clearly, Most Holy,’ Sparhawk said in a reverent tone of voice. ‘Come closer, little sister,’ he said to Sephrenia. ‘View this miraculous relic.’

She stepped forward and looked intently at the twisted bit of horn in Arasham’s hand. ‘Remarkable,’ she murmured. She glanced at Sparhawk, shaking her head almost imperceptibly.

The bitter taste of disappointment filled his mouth.

The power of this talisman will overcome all the concerted might of the accursed Church Knights and their foul witchcraft,’ Arasham declared. ‘God Himself has told me so.’ He smiled almost shyly ‘I have discovered a truly remarkable thing,’ he told them confidentially ‘When I am alone, I can lift the holy relic to my ear and hear the voice of God. Thus He instructs me even as He instructed the blessed Eshand.’

‘A miracle!’ Martel said in mock amazement.

‘Is it not?’ Arasham beamed.

‘We are quite overcome with gratitude that you have consented to let us view the talisman, Most Holy,’ Sparhawk said, ‘and we will spread word of it throughout the kingdoms of the north, won’t we, Martel?’

‘Oh, of course, of course’ Martel’s face was slightly puzzled and he was looking suspiciously at Sparhawk.