In this way, the boundaries between the seven kingdoms became blurred. People became more loyal to their clan than to their local king. So the kings began to persecute the clans.

Therefore, when the Lotus Clan rose up to conquer the Seven Golden Kingdoms and create the Tranquil Empire, many of the clans supported the Lotus rebels.

While it is true some venerables among the Heart Temple theurgists warned against the impure ambition of the Lotus Clan, other theurgists were all too happy to aid the general known as the Guardian of the Lotus Fountain, he who was to become the founder of the empire, even if he was never a named emperor. As a reward for their support, the Heart Temple was granted a certain autonomy over internal matters of temple rule, as long as all theurgists served the empire. In exchange, they gifted to the palace full oversight of and authority over the rare and difficult magic known as theurgy.

In its turn, the palace rewarded the loyal clans with one of the benefits of that magic. The palace gave permission for each large clan compound to be invested with and thus protected by one of the earth spirits known as geniuses, whose function as guardians of physical buildings is described in more detail within the chapter on Manors. The favored clans were renamed Manors, in honor of their grand new domiciles.

It is these Manors who have subsequently provided ministers, magistrates, justiciars, administrators, captains and generals, financiers, councilors, favored consorts, and secret informers to the palace. The foundation of the empire stands upon the bricks and backs of the Manors. No wise emperor forgets that fundamental truth. Woe betide any cunning and ambitious prince who neglects to build and nurture these crucial alliances.

From The Official’s Handbook of the Empire as compiled by Luviara, theurgist, working at the behest of the Inner Chamber of the Heart Temple

59 A FUNNEL CLOUD

Pelis Manor was tucked into a little valley nestled amid a hilly countryside cut with new planting, all under guard. A watchtower stood at the top of a hill behind the manor house. Outbuildings, a small griffin mews, and livestock stockades stood farther out, inside an encircling moat. These included a big rectangular structure that Elen recognized as a sarpa pen, like the one outside Orledder Halt.

The main compound, shaped like a blocky trident, wasn’t particularly large or impressive, but it was a Manor all the same, built atop bedrock, into which Spore could get no hold, and linked to the imperial road by a spur of holystone-paved road. The lead carriage halted at the moat. The bridge across was barred by a railing. The militia on guard gave the wardens the appropriate salute for imperial officials. As per protocol, the militia did not speak first. Puzzlingly, their stoic expressions did not change, as anyone might think they would when they found themselves unexpectedly faced with one of the great princes of the land.