A Clash of Magics by Guy Antibes (read this if txt) 📕

“That position has no standing in my church,” the bishop said. “It is a seer’s appointment.”

“Then why have I been dragged over here?” Trevor said. He thought the seers were reasonable people for clerics, but the church side was very irritating.

“I want answers, young man.” The pontiff finally said something.

“If you ask me intelligent questions, I’ll give you intelligent answers,” Trevor said. He glanced at the head seer, who appeared to be holding back a smile. Perhaps Dryden did align him with the right group.

“What is your relationship with the Presidonians?”

The question surprised Trevor. “I have no relationship other than that of an exiled citizen, I guess. I assume the Presidonians hired a band of assassins to end my life on the way from the western border.”

“So you say,” the bishop said.

“And so do two of my party—Brother Yvan, a seer, and Linwood Volst, a silver-ranked Viksaran magician. I also have some newly…”

Trevor stopped. He was going to talk about the charms, but Trevor stared at the two men with the funny hats. The churchmen didn’t deserve to be treated any better than anyone else. He couldn’t see how Dryden was working through these arrogant men. He changed what he was going to say.

“…gained information.” He told the men about the Maskumite magician who had influenced King Worto to make poor decisions, and that other magicians were doing the same thing with other heads of state. The other magicians were not King Worto’s subjects.

Trevor looked for some indication of indignation or shock, but the two clerics looked blankly at him. The Pontiff stood and said, “Thank you for the warning.” He sprouted a condescending smile. “Now that you have delivered your message, you may return to the Seer’s headquarters.”

Lister Vale rose and turned back to Trevor. “It is time to leave.” He faced the Pontiff. “We thank you for your time. I’m sure Trevor learned as much or more about Dryden as you did about the mundane matters that affect us.”

On the walk back to seer headquarters, Trevor tried to put his jumbled thoughts in order. “The split between seers and the church isn’t much better than the relationship between focuses and the Selaran church in Jarkan.”

Brother Yvan smiled and nodded. “You picked that up, eh? The relationship isn’t as acrimonious, but there is a schism. I’ve interfaced with bishops and church clerics, and when they find I am a seer, some clerics are very respectful and cooperative, and others aren’t. Dryden lets men run his church until he needs to prod them here or there. We’ve seen it in our travels.”

Lister Vale nodded his head. “I wanted to show you a different perspective on Dryden clerics. You are the equivalent of any seer, but you noted that the pontiff doesn’t recognize you as a cleric of Dryden. Do you believe that Dryden has been working through you, or do you think you aren’t a servant?”

“I am a servant, but I’m no cleric,” Trevor said. “You both know that. I don’t have the level of guilt about my behavior that Brother Yvan has. I can’t deny that I am different, but it appears that Dryden is moving me through Brother Yvan and now through you. I can’t claim to see the best in everyone, and I sure didn’t see much good in the pontiff.”

“You sound more like the prince I took out of Presidon than the duke of Listenwell,” Brother Yvan said.

Trevor sighed. “I can’t be honest with you now?”

“Be as honest as you can at the right times to the right people,” the head seer said. “Brother Yvan knows you much better than I do, but I will admit Dryden’s choice of pontiff often perplexes me.”

“Perhaps Dryden doesn’t care about the pontiff,” Trevor said, “but he cares who the head seer is.”

“I can only hope you are right,” Lister Vale said with a broadening smile. “What do you intend to do with your newfound insight?”

“I’m not sure I should do anything. If Dryden doesn’t care about him, why should I?” Trevor asked.

“Answer him, Yvan,” Lister said.

“If Dryden doesn’t care about what happens, where does that put you?” Brother Yvan said. “This should be an easy one, Trevor.”

“I am to make my own way unless Dryden directs,” Trevor said. “I ended up in the basement of the seer headquarters, so it is up to me to make something of it. Right?” Trevor knew he gave his mentor the correct answer. It wasn’t the first time they had talked about the general subject, but it was the first time they spoke about a specific instance affecting Trevor’s life.

A cleric ran up to the head seer. “You are wanted at headquarters.”

“I will leave you now. We will meet again after midday.” The head seer scurried away, with his subordinate lagging behind.

“If the church clerics are the way they are, why did you seek out the bishop of Jilgrath?” Trevor said, watching the head seer turn a corner.

“Not everyone in the church is like the pontiff. Most clerics have been led to their callings by Dryden. Sometimes it isn’t right to judge the members of an organization by their leaders, but by their subordinates.”

“And the bishop of Tarviston wasn’t as good a person as the one in Jilgrath?” Trevor asked.

“You expect me to answer that?” Brother Yvan said.

“Now that I think of it, no. I can answer that question by your actions.” Trevor furrowed his brow. “But you said you got direction from the bishop in Jilgrath? Wouldn’t the messages make it to the pontiff?”

“I needed someone local to be an intercessor with the head seer while I was performing penance. It is a rule both clerics and seers follow. Seers can communicate with headquarters, but the spell doesn’t allow for perfect communications.”

Trevor nodded. “That