Ambroise Villar had finally accepted the post of senior cleric for the sanctuaries and the two holy retreats on the grounds of the University of Orane. He declined to be named a high cleric with this, as the previous one had insisted upon. An affectation, some said, a showy demonstration of how humble he was. He still had the power to assign and dismiss those beneath him, didn’t he? Did the title matter?

Some of those saying this might have killed for the position, of course. But Ambroise Villar wasn’t making a show of humility; it was genuine, and most knew that, because he’d been observed in his own sanctuary over many years. Envy has little to grasp hold of with some people, even if it tries.

Because he’d declined the also offered, hugely exalted position of high cleric of Orane, including leading the rites in the Great Sanctuary on the island, with a handsome residence adjoining, there was an ongoing issue as to who should be appointed there. Both the king and the High Patriarch in Rhodias had thoughts concerning this appointment. It was a position of power, deeply entangled in politics, not just faith. Which is why there was an issue.

Also why Ambroise had declined, and his son knew it.

But what this meant was that for the current period, until the matter was resolved, Ambroise Villar had agreed to supervise some matters related to the Great Sanctuary, and lead the principal recurring rites there, although not the daily ones. Those he continued to perform in his own small, long-time sanctuary, and he still resided in his modest quarters there.

But he also now received, by messenger twice a day, all communications sent to the attention of the high cleric of Orane—since there was none.

One of these messages, a few days after an incident to the east at a roadside sanctuary, caused him to send a note to his son requesting Thierry’s presence.

He was forced to pay attention to several university sanctuaries now, moving among them through the day, but he was in his own (it was vanity to call it his, he knew, but after so many years…) when his son arrived.

Ambroise showed him the communication from the east. The one that had been sent to the high cleric of Orane, who did not currently exist. It mentioned that the same letter had also been sent to the court. And a third copy to Rhodias.

Thierry, who had changed greatly since the winter, was decisive. He was also trained in the law, Ambroise knew—at this university.

His son said, “This matters. Someone has to take the statement of this man, van Cové, before he is killed. Have I your permission to talk to people about it?”

It was an astonishment, really, that his son was now someone who could say a thing like this and mean important people.