“That was very nice.” Dorota Faber sighed, urging the gelding on. “The bit about the ants, I mean. Oh, truly, when I listen to someone that wise, it gets me right in the belly.”

The priest ignored both her and her belly, launching into a lengthy diatribe about various heretical enemies of the faith, the Church and the Pope.

“To make it even more amusing,” Urban Horn interjected with a smile, “all the sects you named consider themselves righteous and all the others as enemies of the faith. As far as the Pope is concerned, you must admit, Father, that it’s sometimes difficult to choose the one true sect among the many. While as far as the Church is concerned, to a man they appeal for reform, in capite et in membris. Doesn’t that make you wonder, Reverend?”

“I don’t really understand your words,” confessed Filip Granciszek. “But if you mean that heresy is growing in the very bosom of the Church, you are right. They who err in their faith, arrogantly exaggerating their piety, are extremely close to that sin. Corruptio optimi pessima! Consider the well-known self-mortifiers or Flagellants. As early as 1349, Pope Clement VI had pronounced them heretics, excommunicated them and ordered them punished, but did it help?”

“It didn’t help at all,” pronounced Horn. “They continued to roam throughout Germany, causing delight since plenty of maids travelled with them, who flogged themselves, naked to the waist with their tits out. The last Vatican Council has condemned them again, but it won’t change anything. Some pestilence or other calamity will occur and self-scourging processions will begin again. They must simply enjoy it.”

“A certain learned master in Prague proved that it’s an affliction.” Reynevan joined the discussion a little dreamily. “That certain women find bliss in flogging themselves naked, in front of everybody’s eyes. Which is why there are so many women among the Flagellants.”

“I advise against making reference to Prague masters at the present time,” suggested Father Filip caustically. “Nonetheless, there is something in it. The Order of Preachers show that much evil comes from corporeal intemperance, which is insatiable among women.”

“Better leave women alone,” Dorota Faber said unexpectedly, “for you aren’t without sin yourselves.”

“In paradise,” Granciszek glared at her, “the serpent chose Eve, not Adam, and he must have known what he was doing. So, too, must the Dominicans. I never meant to denigrate women, but simply to show that lust and promiscuity lie at the heart of many of the present heresies, probably owing to some sort of gleeful perversity. The Church forbids it? Let’s do it out of spite. The Church demands humility? Very well, let’s show our bare arses! Does it call for moderation and decorousness? Very well, let’s fornicate like cats in March!”

“Fascinating,” Urban Horn said, lost in reverie.

Reynevan blushed and Dorota snorted, showing that they weren’t unfamiliar with the matter, either.