Tarsa Tells Her Story to the Pope

When, thirty minutes later, Tarsa had finished her remarkable story, the Pope pondered. It would not be right for him to criticise Suivant in front of Tarsa and Satrina. However it seemed to him that, assuming that Tarsa was telling the truth, then the Father had panicked in removing her from her position as High Priestess, as well as having shown a regrettable lack of compassion in banishing her. He could detect no signs that Tarsa had been in any way compromised by her unfortunate experience, and therefore she was surely still the best priestess to perform the all important rite. According to Tarsa, her understudy, Niala, was young and inexperienced. Suivant didn't seem to have arranged the intensive coaching for Niala that he should have done in recent months, for - though he could not have been expected to anticipate the recent extraordinary events - there had always been the risk that Tarsa might fall ill or suffer some accident that would prevent her from officiating.

"So what are you going to do when we reach our destination?" Satrina asked, breaking in on his thoughts.

"I shall have to talk to Father Suivant as soon as possible and hear his version of events. If that tallies with Tarsa's, which I'm sure it will, then I hope that the Father may reconsider his decision and have her reinstated as High Priestess."

Tarsa brightened. Even if what His Holiness said to Suivant was phrased as no more than a suggestion, in practice it would amount to an order. It was unthinkable that any member of the Church of Granas would attempt to go against the Pope's wishes. The only problem would be if Suivant's version of events turned out to differ substantially from her own. But that could only happen if he lied to the Pope, and that too was unthinkable.

1. Of course, the coach still has to reach Agear Town, and before it does there could yet be danger to face.
2. Niala seeks her brother, the Commander of the Town Guard.
3. Father Suivant meditates upon his evil plan.

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