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Sa Astridan Condicciles； she read from the caption below the picture。 The Conqueror Star。
A fit of shivering came over her。 The picture chilled her in a way that the Sancellan's dank corridors never could。 It seemed something she had seen in a nightmare； or a story told her in childhood whose evil she only now recognized。 Miriamele hastily restored the book to its original position and moved away； rubbing her fingers up and down her cloak as though she had touched something unclean。
Soft voices were ing from behind the arras through which Dinivan had disappeared。 She moved closer； straining to make out the words； but they were too faint。 She cautiously pulled the hanging aside to expose a silver of light from the room beyond
It seemed to be the lector's audience room； for it was ornate beyond anything she had seen since the entry chamber which she had sleepily traversed the night before。 The ceilings were high； painted with hundreds of scenes from the Book of the Aedon。 The windows were slices from the gray morning sky。 Behind a chair at the room's center hung a great azure banner embroidered with the Pillar and Tree of Mother Church。
Lector Ranessin； a slender man in a tall hat； was sitting on the chair listening to a fat man who wore the tentlike golden robes of an escritor。 Dinivan stood to one side； scuffing his foot back and forth impatiently m the deep carpet。
〃。。。 But that is the point； Your Sacredness；〃 the fat one said； his face shiny； his tone beautifully measured。 〃Of all times to avoid offending the High King。。。 well； he is not in the most receptive mood just now。 We must think carefully of our lofty position； as well as the welfare of all who look to Mother Church for moderation and good influence。〃 He pulled a small box from his sleeve and popped something into his mouth His round cheeks flattened briefly as he sucked at it。
〃I understand； Velligis；〃 the lector responded； raising his hand with a gentle smile。 〃Your counsel is always good。 I am eternally grateful that God brought us together。〃
Velligis tilted his round head in a bow of acknowledgment。
〃Now； if you will be so good；〃 Ranessm continued； 〃I really should give some time to poor Dinivan here。 He has been riding for days and I am anxious for his news。〃
The escritor dropped to his knees…not an easy feat for a man his size…and kissed the hem of the lector's blue robe。 〃If you need me for anything。 Your Sacredness； I will be in the chancelry until afternoon 〃 He rose and left the room in a graceful waddle； prying another sugar…sweet from his box。
〃Are you truly grateful God brought you together？〃 Dinivan asked with a smile。
The lector nodded。 〃Indeed。 Velligis is a living reminder to me of why men should not take themselves seriously。 He means well； but he is so blessedly pompous。〃
Dinivan shook his head。 〃I am willing to believe he means well； but his advice is criminal。 If there is ever a time when Mother Church must show herself a living force for good； this is the time。〃
〃I know your feelings； Dinivan；〃 the lector said gently。 〃But this is not a time in which decisions may be hastily made； lest they be repented later at tragic length。 Did you bring the princess？〃
Ranessin's secretary nodded。 〃I'll fetch her。 I left her in my work… room。〃 He turned and headed across the Audience Chamber。 Miriamele hurriedly dropped the hanging back into place； when Dinivan came through； she was standing before tlie brazier once more。
〃e with me；〃 he said。 〃The lector is free now。〃
When she reached the chair； Miriamele curtseyed； then kissed Ranessin's hem。 The old man reached down a surprisingly strong hand and helped her to her feet。
〃Please； sit beside me。〃 he said as he gestured for Dinivan to bring her a chair。 〃On second thought；〃 he told his secretary； 〃fetch one for yourself as well。〃
While Dinivan was getting the chairs； Miriamele had her first chance to look at the lector。 She had not seen him for over a year； but he seemed little different。 His thin gray hair hung down beside his pale； handsome face。 His eyes were as alert as a child's； with an air almost of hidden mischief。 Miriamele could not help paring him to Count Streawe； the lord of Perdruin。 Streawe's lined face had been suffused with cunning。 Ranessin looked much more innocent； but Miriamele did not need Dinivan's assurances to believe that a great deal went on behind the lector's gentle exterior。
〃Well； my dear princess；〃 Ranessin said when they had seated themselves； 〃I have not seen you since your grandfather's funeral。 My； you have grown…but what odd clothes you wear； my lady。〃 He smiled。 〃Wele to God's house。 Do you lack for anything？〃
〃Not in the way of food or drink； Your Sacredness。〃
Ranessin frowned。 〃I am not a lover of titles； and mine is particularly awkward upon the tongue。 When I was a young man in Stanshire； I never dreamed I would end out my life in far Nabban； being called 'Sacred' and 'Exalted' and never hearing my birth name again。〃
〃Isn't Ranessin your real name？〃 Miriamele asked。
The lector laughed。 〃Oh； no。 I was born an Erkynlander； hight Osvilne。 But since Erkynlanders are seldom elevated to such heights； it seemed politic to take a Nabbanai name。〃 He reached out to pat softly at her hand。 〃Now； speaking of assumed names； Dinivan tells me you have traveled far and seen much since you left your father's house。 Will you tell me something of your journeys？〃
Dinivan nodded encouragingly； so Miriamele took a deep breath and began to talk。
As the lector listened attentively； she spoke of her father's growing madness and how it had at last driven her from the Hayholt； of the evil counsels of Pryrates； and of the imprisoning of Josua。 Brighter sunlight began to creep in through the windows high overhead。 Dinivan got up to have someone bring them some food； as the noon hour was fast approaching。
〃This is fascinating；〃 the lector said as they waited for his secretary to return。 〃It confirms many rumors that I have heard。〃 He rubbed his finger along the side of his thin nose。 〃Lord Usires grant us wisdom。 Why can men not be content with what they have？〃
Dinivan soon returned； followed by a priest with a heaping salver of cheese and fruit； as well as a posset of mulled wine。 Miriamele began again。 As she talked and ate； and as Ranessin plied her with gentle yet shrewd questions； she began to feel almost as though she spoke with some kindly old grandfather。 She told him of the Norn hounds that had pursued her and the maidservant Leieth； then of their rescue by Simon and Binabik。 As she told of the revelations in the house of the witch woman Geloe； and related Jarnauga's dire warnings at Naglimund； Dinivan and the lector exchanged glances。
When she had finished； the lector pushed his tall hat back into place…it had slipped down several times during the course of the audience…and sat back in his chair with a sigh。 His bright eyes were sad。
〃So much to think about； so many dreadful questions unanswered。 Oh； God； You have seen fit to test Your children sternly。 I have a premonition of dire evil ing。〃 He turned to Miriamele。 〃Thank you for your news；