BY SCHISM RENT ASUNDER – snippet 113:
Mahrys withdrew with his normal quiet efficiency, and Dragoner settled his professional diplomat's expression into place as he found himself alone with his visitor.
Rolf Khailee was a tallish man, with the light complexion and fair hair which was common in the Republic but which still seemed odd to Dragoner's Charisian eyes. He was of middle years, with a strong nose which suggested — correctly, in his case, as it happened — that he was related to the powerful Stohnar Clan. In fact, he was Lord Protector Greyghor's fourth cousin . . . and his name was not "Rolf Khailee." It was Avrahm Hywstyn — Lord Avrahm Hwystyn — and he was a mid-level official in the Republic's Foreign Ministry. Precisely what he did there was something of a mystery to most people, although his relationship with the lord protector undoubtedly suggested several interesting possibilities.
Sir Rayjhis Dragoner didn't need any "suggestions," however. He was one of the relatively small number of people who knew that Lord Avrahm was his powerful cousin's finger on the pulse of the Republic's relations with the realms which were most important to it. And he was also the conduit through which the Republic's ruler sometimes passed particularly sensitive messages or bits of information to someone else's ambassador. Of course, no one, not even — or especially — Lord Protector Greyghor was going to admit anything of the sort, and so Hwystyn's alternative persona as Master Rolf Khailee. Dragoner knew perfectly well that the masquerade never fooled anyone, but that wasn't really the point. It provided a degree of official separation. It was certainly no more farfetched than the pretense that the Knights of the Temple Lands weren't also the Council of Vicars, at any rate, and no one was likely to press the Lord Protector of Siddarmark too hard on any diplomatic fictions he chose to maintain.
Besides, the real reason Avrahm uses Khailee is to underscore the fact that whatever he's about to tell me is important . . . and that he was never here.
"This is an unexpected pleasure, 'Master Khailee,'" he said calmly. "May I offer you some refreshment?"
"That's very kind of you, Ambassador," his guest said. "Unfortunately, I'm rather pressed for time this afternoon. Perhaps some other day."
"Of course," Dragoner murmured, and gestured courteously at the comfortable chair facing his desk. He waited until "Khailee" had seated himself, then settled back into his own chair. "May I ask what brings you here this afternoon?" he asked politely.
"As a matter of fact," the Siddarmarkian said, "a rather remarkable message crossed my desk this morning. A message from Chancellor Trynair to Lord Frahnklyn."
Dragoner managed to keep his face only politely attentive, despite the quiver of shock which went through him. Lord Frahnklyn Wallyce was the Republic's Chancellor, Earl Gray Harbor's equivalent here in Siddarmark. The fact that "Khailee" was here instead of an official messenger from the Chancellor's office sounded all sorts of warning bells. And the fact that "Khailee" was here about a message between Wallyce and the Chancellor of the Council of Vicars was the next best thing to terrifying.
The hell with the "next best thing," Rayjhis, he told himself. It damned well is terrifying, and you know it!
"Indeed?" he said, as calmly as he could.
"Indeed." His guest sat very straight, his eyes intent. "It was transmitted by semaphore for the Lord Protector's urgent attention. Unfortunately, the Lord Protector is out of the city this afternoon. He won't be returning until quite late this evening."
"I hadn't heard that," Dragoner said, listening very carefully to what "Khailee" wasn't saying, as well as what he was.
"Chancellor Trynair requested that his message be presented to the Lord Protector as quickly as possible, and with the utmost confidentiality. Unfortunately, that leaves us with something of a problem. Since we're not entirely certain where the Lord Protector is at this particular moment — we know his schedule, but we can't be certain he's managed to keep it — we can hardly send a copy of it racing about, trying to find him. So, in order to comply with the Chancellor's request for confidentiality and security, we've transmitted the message to Protector's Palace to await his return and sent messengers looking for him to tell him that it's arrived."
"That sounds commendably thorough," Dragoner said.
"Thank you. However, that's also what brings me here today — as one of those messengers, as it were. It just happens that the Lord Protector had mentioned he might be dropping by your embassy on his way home. Obviously, his schedule isn't exactly written in stone, so I can't be certain he actually will be visiting you. If you should happen to see him, however, would you pass on a message for me?"
"I'd be delighted to be of service in any way I could," Dragoner assured him.
"I appreciate that, Ambassador." The Siddarmarkian's mouth smiled, but his eyes never did. "Would you please tell him we've received a directive from the Chancellor, transmitted on behalf of the Grand Inquisitor. Obviously, I can't go into the details of such a confidential communique, but if you could also inform him that we require his authorization for the harbor master, director of customs, and the port admiral to enforce the Grand Inquisitor's directive. And –" he looked directly into Dragoner's eyes "– we also need his instructions as to where and how he would that like us to house the crews and officers of the merchant ships involved in the enforcement of that directive until the Church is able to make her own arrangements for them."
Dragoner's stomach muscles clenched into a constricted knot. He knew his expression was giving away entirely too much, but his professional diplomat's reflexes had deserted him for the moment.
"Of course," he heard himself say.
"Thank you." "Master Khailee" pushed back his chair and stood. "Well, Ambassador, as always, it's been a pleasure. However, I'm afraid I must go. There are several other places I need to leave messages for the Lord Protector, just in case he should happen by. And I'm afraid it's rather urgent. We really need his decision on these matters no later than dawn tomorrow."
"I understand." Dragoner rose and escorted his guest to the door. "I hope you find him in time, and if I should happen to see him, I'll certainly pass on your message."
"In that case, Ambassador, I'll bid you good day," the Siddarmarkian said. He bobbed his head in a courteous little bow, then he stepped through the door and it closed behind him.
Dragoner gazed at the closed door for several taut seconds, then shook himself. He knew — or, at least, he was reasonably certain he knew — why Lord Protector Greyghor had seen to it that he received "Khailee's" warning, despite the very real risk he and his cousin had both run. And, as the Charisian Ambassador, there was no doubt in Dragoner's mind about precisely what he ought to do with that warning. But even as he thought that, the son of the Church within him recoiled from the thought of deliberately sabotaging a direct order from the Grand Inquisitor speaking for the Council of Vicars.
But he isn't speaking for the entire Council, Dragoner told himself almost despairingly. He's speaking for the Group of Four, and God only knows what their final objective is now! Yet, even if that's true, it doesn't magically absolve me of my responsibility to honor the expressed will and decrees of Mother Church. But, if I do, if I don't act on this information, then . . . .
He leaned forward, pressing his forehead against the door's cool wood while conscience fought with duty and conviction warred with unwilling recognition. And then, finally, he drew a deep breath, straightened his spine, and opened the door. Young Mahrys was waiting, and Dragoner smiled at him.
"Find me some messengers, Zheryld," he said. "People you can trust to keep their mouths shut afterward."
"Yes, Sir. Ah, what message will they have to carry?" Mahrys asked, and Dragoner's smile turned into something entirely too much like a rictus.
"Let's just say that any Charisian vessel here in Siddar is about to discover she has urgent business somewhere else. Anywhere else, if you take my meaning."
Despite himself, Mahrys' eyes widened. Then the color seemed to drain out of his face, and he swallowed hard.
"Yes, Sir," he said, after a long, tense moment. "As a matter of fact, I think I know just the men we need."
Wow!
So, one of our questions has been answered at last. I like the struggle that Dragoner went through as he chose between loyalties.
I think this gives us a good read on how Siddarmark feels about the conflict…
Indeed, Charis’ own ambassador seemed to feel rather more ambiguity than Siddarmark’s rulers.
I don’t find it at all surprising that the Protector would do this, in such an elegantly deniable fashion, too. I liked the struggle that Dragoner went through, but it’s not really one between Church and State; it’s between his wish that the Church be what she ought to be, and his unwilling recognition that she won’t be, at least while the corrupt leadership has control. I bet there are a _lot_ of people on Safehold that will be making this ame choice very soon.
PS – Hi Tarl.
Well, at least we know that Siddarmark has chosen a side, and even if it takes awhile, we know that charis has a mainland ally with which to strike at the GoF in the future ^^
Nice contrast to the previous two chapters….
I was looking at the map to see how far the ships had to go and noticed a typo. The text in snippet 112 states “And as one of the premier ports of West Haven, Siddar was…” and yet Siddar and Siddarmark Republic are clearly in East Haven.
After the ships leave, what will be the fate of the Charisians who live and work in Siddar? I can’t see them being handed over to the church, but some will likely be “taken” by the inquisition who will not distinguish loyalists from non-loyalists.
Siddarmark has NOT chosen a side, yet. This action is just to show that they didnt want to burn all the bridge behind while waiting to build ships. Obeying Church’s directives in this situation set dangerous precedents but disobeying is not… timingly, perhaps. So they punted. or walked the batter. whatever.
In the long term, I expect Siddarmark will turn against the Church. The underground forces drive those decisions are the same that drove Spain to actively meddle in Rome’s affair after all: you meddle with them or you will be meddled with.
Thanks for your comment (#4), paul; I’d failed to grasp the full meaning of the word “recognition” in the description of Dragoners struggle between duty and conviction and your comment spotlit its true meaning nicely.
As for the Charisians who live and work in Siddar, since I suspect that the “orders” were to capture Charisian Ships & Crews then the Lord Protector’s troops won’t bother them. [Wink]
As for the Inquisition taking them later, it might be a case where the Lord Protector people might say “Charisians living here? Nope, if they’re living here, they’re *Not* Charisians”.
Political buzz words like “plausible deniability” and collateral damage jump to mind. Frm the reaction of the staff, this is not unexpected, but when the excrement encounters the ventalation blade, things can look different.
It seems we are to be treated to a litany of occasions where the result could have been much worse for the Charisian merchants. I would expect a few where the result is exactly what Clyntyn would have wished. In any event, in very short order all Charisian ships will be privateers, smugglers, pirates, or all three.
J
“And – he looked directly into Dragoner’s eyes “– we also need his instructions as to where and how he would that like us to house the crews and officers of the merchant ships involved in the enforcement of that directive until the Church is able to make her own arrangements for them.”
…”to where and how he would that like us to house”
Should probably be…”to where and how he would like us to house…”
I wonder if the Charisian Privateers would offer a special deal to ports/rulers who allowed smuggling into their ports. [Wink]
By the way JNees, I doubt that the Gof4 would call Charisian Ships both “Privateers” and “Pirates”. Privateers were ‘licensed’ to prey on Merchant Shipping of their Nation’s foes and were normally treated differently than Pirates. The Gof4 would want them treated as Pirates not Privateers.
Actually I think any Charisians captured from now on will be considered ‘heretics’ or blasphemers by those who follow Clyntahn. In that case being considered a pirate would be a blessing. Relatively quick death rather than torture for the sake of redeming your soul. Death by hanging rather than burning at the stake. I know that Langhorne brought back a lot of old cruel ways – does anyone remember if that form of execution was restored?
unknown.
I think that Siddarmark basically has a chosen a side. The Church won’t look at this and say, “I bet its just conicidence that they all got away from the group of people that we’ve been worried about attacking us for a couple of centuries.”
Of course, they really can’t do anything about it
This also will increase the pressure on the Go4 within the Assembly of Vicars. No church leader will sleep sounder knowing the Go4 is actively pursuing a course that could alienate Siddarmark, effectively courting resistance, if not rebellion, on a second, more dangerous, front when they are have shown such poor judgment predicting the outcomes of actions on the first one.
So what do Caleb, Charlyn and Merlin do if the Go4 is ousted and Mother Church announces a major housecleaning of corrupt officials while still pursuing the heretics of Charis? I don’t know if DW will go in that direction, but a palace revolt within the church would be a likely outcome in the real world. A lot of Middle Ages Popes had short “periods of service” (is a Pope referred to as “reining”?) and the job of Pope has the same retirement plan as Maximum Leader.
CS
From my understanding the politics between the Pope and European rulers was a lot more complicated then what has been setup here. The church on Safehold is a LOT more powerful. A few times a Pope was elected that wasn’t favorable to one king or other and was ‘replaced’. I believe that France even managed to get the Pope to ‘relocate’ to France. There were also couple of ‘anti’ Popes where an election was declared null and void and a rival Pope ‘elected’.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Schism
Unless the inqusistioners power is removed, I doubt that people will rise up too quickly. at least not for a while
The churches real power is at the hearts and mind level not the inqusition
In the honourverse the Saint Just was unable to hold power for long by just using terror
The same is true here on earth as well fear alone cannot work it needs other things as well such as faith etc.
Once people begin doubting the councils good heart… as a few mainlanders already are then it becomes a big issue
In a sense what is happening in to Safe Hold is millions of people are undergoing a change in religion which as this ambassador showed can be a very painful and deeply personal process.
If a person grew up in a very devout home here in the “real world” but came into ideas that brought that faith into doubt and those doubts into conflict both internal and in the family it becomes a very personal and difficult thing.
And this is precisely what is happening on a huge scale on Safehold of course as DW is showing faith is not being abandoned on safe hold merely set free from a web of lies.
Some however will never give up the lies and this is where the fun will really be not Just battles between armys but between townships familys a religious civil war
ahhh ..just love the deception and spin … meaning the way in which Rolf Khailee informed the ambassador of the Church’s plans ..beautifully planned and laid out …. at last some real tactical ingenuity and political drama …
Can anyone think of anything messier than a religious civil war? With an earlier statement that families and friendships were beginning to be strained and split apart even amoung Charisians living in Siddarmark that’s what’s it’s shaping up to be.
I don’t think that Siddarmark will become an ally of Charis anytime soon. It’s citizens may be too divided to take sides, although we have a good idea where the leadership stands. I wonder, FDR doing what he can to support Charis until his people decide?
Or Lincoln trying to keep the union from splitting apart? Or a bit of both?
“– we also need his instructions as to where and how he would that like us to house the crews and officers of the merchant ships involved in the enforcement of that directive until the Church is able to make her own arrangements for them.”
At first, I thought that last part was gratuitous. But it’s not. It’s there way of saying that only “the crews and officers of the merchant ships” are at risk.
Well, Greg, it could also be that they are the only people at risk so far…
RH