Free Darker Jewels by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro

Pogner.”
    “Since he is in charge of you Jesuits,” said Hrabia Zary, “he must give his permission or I cannot authorize you to ride. Where you priests are concerned I must bow to his authority.” There was a tinge of irritation in his acknowledgment, an indication of the strain that had developed between Father Pogner and him.
    “I will submit my request at once,” said Father Krabbe, and wheeled his horse to ride back where the rest of the priests waited.
    “Father Pogner will forbid it,” predicted Hrabia Zary with anticipatory satisfaction; he had his suspicions about Rakoczy but could give him the benefit of the doubt; he was hostile to Father Pogner. “He does not like the influence you have with Father Krabbe, Rakoczy.”
    “I am aware of that,” said Rakoczy, a quick frown flickering over his features. “He believes Father Krabbe’s gratitude for his recovery is inappropriate. Little as he may believe it, so do I, but. . .”
    “Father Pogner dislikes you because he has no authority over you, except his authority as a priest. He thought he would be in command of everyone in this embassy and he is not pleased with the way Bathory arranged it. Which I suppose is why the King arranged it as he did.” Zary lifted a fair brow and looked sideways at Rakoczy. “Are you surprised?”
    “At what you have said, or that you have said it?” asked Rakoczy smoothly, and answered both questions. “I am relieved that you are aware of the disputes within this embassy, and I thank you for your observations.” His dark eyes filled with ironic amusement. “Be aware that Father Pogner is likely to clash with you before we go much further.”
    “I will,” said Zary, puzzled why Rakoczy should offer him such a warning.
    Then Father Kovnovski rode up on the leggy black Furioso Rakoczy had loaned him that morning. “Father Pogner has ordered me to assist you in your scouting. He has determined that Father Krabbe is not sufficiently recovered to undertake so arduous a venture.”
    “Indeed,” said Rakoczy, his face betraying no emotion whatever. “Then put cheese and bread and water in your bags, and come with us.” Next he looked at Hrabia Zary. “Appoint the best scout in your Lancers. We have three hours to sundown and that means he may have to ride at night. If you make a temporary camp here, we will know where to find you.” He turned away to Rothger. “We’ll need lanthoms, three of them, with spare wicks. Flint-and-steel, one for each of us. And two pitch torches, for when we find a place we can stay. I will rely on you, as always.”
    “As well you might,” said Rothger with amusement, his Hungarian spiced with an accent that none of the others recognized.
    Zary did his best to reassert his authority. “You will have to depart quickly if we are not to make camp for the night here, with nothing temporary about it.”
    “Of course,” said Rakoczy in his unflustered way, adding, “While I am gone I request you put three of your Lancers on guard with my things and my horses. The two wagons contain valuable articles, many that are not replaceable and that must remain untouched.”
    Although Zary himself was consumed with curiosity about the secret things Rakoczy was transporting, he wanted to ally himself with the other nobleman against Father Pogner. “Certainly,” he said at once, determined to find out later what those two wagons contained.
    There was a faint smile in Rakoczy’s compelling eyes, as if he guessed Zary’s desire. “That is very good of you, Hrabia.”
    Father Kovnovski heard this out with apprehension, for he was aware that there were tensions in the embassy that could not be ignored. He shifted in the saddle just as Rakoczy dismounted and handed his reins to Rothger. “I will get my food and return, Rakoczy.” Like most of the others he was unsure what title to use with the black-clad alchemist and so generally avoided using any at all.
    “Excellent,” said Rakoczy, then