The Warlock Heretical Read Online Free Page B

around. Yes, the thought of power must be tempting."
    "Aye, and some of us were agreed that, despite what he

    knew to be right in his heart of hearts, milord Abbot, did but devise excuses to justify a break with Rome and a
    regaining of his full power."
    "Where I come from, we call that kind of excuse a rationalization—and once a man has found enough of them,
    he's capable of doing anything. Yes, I can see why you'd be wary."
    "Wary indeed—and unsure whether our vows of obedience to our Lord Abbot might not be superseded by
    obedience to our Holy Father the Pope. Thus we sought to place ourselves apart from the dilemma by coming
    away from the Monastery of St. Vidicon and journeying here to Runnymede, to begin our own chapter house."
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    "Wisely done," Gwen agreed. "Yet doth this not, in itself, violate thy vow of obedience?"
    "It would, had we been commanded to stay—yet we were not."
    "Of course not." Rod smiled, amused. "In fact, the Abbot didn't even know you were leaving, did he?" Father Boquilva had the grace to look abashed. "I own he did not—and nay, further, that we did not seek his
    permission, as any monk is obliged to by the rule of our order. Yet we were resolved to go, whether it broke our
    vow to our Lord Abbot or not, for we feared greater peril of sin than that."
    "Ah, then." Owen's eye glinted. "Thou didst come away at night, and most quietly?"
    "Like thieves." Father Boquilva gave her a guilty glance. "In truth, we did steal away. Yet if I cannot feel completely right in my heart therefore, I would have felt more wrong still had I stayed." Rod nodded. "Wise decision, I'd say. But isn't the Abbot apt to try to make you come back?"
    "He may indeed—and 'tis therefore that we have come to
    Runnymede, to Their Royal Majesties' personal demesne."
    "Ah." Rod sat up straighten "A prudent move, Father—
    putting yourselves under the King's accidental protection, so to
    speak."
    Father Boquilva replied, "I do not think milord Abbot will wish to make too great a stir so close to Their Majesties, for fear King Tuan will notice that the Order of St. Vidicon is not wholly of one mind on the issue."
    Rod was still nodding. "Yeah, it makes good sense. The

    Abbot doesn't want to make that much of a fuss where the King might notice. But it might be a little wiser,
    Father, to let Their Majesties know you're here; they might wish to be a little more open about their protection."
    Father Boquilva shook his head. "I had liefer not; we have too great a sense of betraying our order even now. I do
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    "I wish I had your rosy view of human nature. But if he does send a war party?"
    "Nay," Father Boquilva protested. "He is a good man, Lord Warlock!"
    "Yes, but not a terribly strong one—and priests can be tempted, too. So just for the sake of argument, what would
    you do if he sent an attack squad?"
    Father Boquilva said slowly, "Why, I would heed thine advice, and appeal to the Crown for protection."
    "Wise—and I hope you won't have to, Father," Rod said.
    "Yet thou dost anticipate it." The priest gave Rod a searching look. "Wherefore dost thou so?" Rod shrugged. "He's just always struck me as the kind who can resist anything but temptation. And as you say,
    he's found some rationalization that will let him stop resisting. But I don't think he came up with those excuses
    all by himself."

    The house was finally quiet, and Rod sank down in a chair by the fire with a grateful sigh. "Well, they're wonderful, but it's always a relief when they're down for the night." His brow clouded. Gwen noticed. "Aye. Thou wilt not be here to join in it tomorrow night, wilt thou?"
    "No, but I should be back two nights after, with smooth
    roads and fair weather. Even if the Abbot wants to take a