‘There are times when sacrifices must be made,’ Ortzel continued. ‘If a man’s leg be caught between the rocks at the bottom of a tidal pool and the rising waters be lapping at his chin, must not the man regretfully sacrifice the limb in order to save his life? Thus it is with us. In sorrow must we sacrifice the whole of Arcium if need be to save our life – which is our holy mother Church. What we are faced with here, my brothers, is a crisis. In times past, the Hierocracy has been extremely reluctant to impose the stern and stringent requirements of this most extreme of measures, but the situation facing us is doubtless the severest trial facing our holy mother since the Zemoch invasion five centuries ago. God is watching us, my brothers, and He will surely judge us and our fitness to continue our stewardship of His beloved Church. I, therefore, as the laws which govern us require, demand that an immediate vote be taken. The question upon which we will vote can be stated most simply. “Does the current situation in Chyrellos constitute a Crisis of the Faith?” Yes or no?’

Makova’s eyes were wide with shock. ‘Surely,’ he burst out, ‘surely the situation is not that critical! We have not even tried negotiation with the armies at our gates as yet, and –’

‘The Patriarch is not in order,’ Ortzel said abruptly. ‘The question of Crisis of the Faith is not open to discussion.’

‘Point of Law!’ Makova shouted.

Ortzel looked intimidatingly at the weedy monk who served as law clerk. ‘Speak the law,’ he commanded.

The monk was trembling violently, and he began to desperately paw through his books.

‘What’s happening here?’ Talen asked in confusion. ‘I don’t understand.’

‘Crisis of the Faith is almost never invoked,’ Bevier told him, ‘probably because the kings of western Eosia object so violently. In a Crisis of the Faith, the Church assumes control of everything – governments, armies, resources, money – everything.’

‘But wouldn’t a Crisis of the Faith require a substantive vote?’ Kalten asked. ‘Or even unanimity?’

‘I don’t think so,’ Bevier said. ‘Let’s see what the law clerk has to say.’

‘Isn’t it sort of redundant at this point anyway?’ Tynian asked. ‘We’ve already sent for Wargun and told him that there’s a Church crisis.’

‘Somebody probably neglected to tell Ortzel,’ Ulath replied. ‘He’s a stickler for legalities, and there’s no real point in disturbing his sensibilities, is there?’

The weedy monk, his face absolutely white, rose and cleared his throat. His voice was squeaky with fright as he began. ‘The Patriarch of Kadach has correctly cited the law,’ he declared. ‘The question of Crisis of the Faith must be put to an immediate secret vote.’

‘Secret?’ Makova exclaimed.

‘Such is the law, Your Grace, and the vote is to be decided by a simple majority.’

‘But –’