Free Dagger's Edge (Shadow series) by Anne Logston Page B

downed the last swig of her wine rather defiantly. At last that was done.
    Urien glanced at her goblet and started to raise his hand for the wine steward; then he glanced at Jael and lowered his hand. He hurriedly swallowed the last sip of his own wine and leaned slightly toward Argent at his left.
    “You must pardon me,” Urien said in a lowered voice. “It’s rather embarrassing, but I find too much wine hinders my digestion. Might I trouble you for a digestive tea instead? My valet brought some for me.”
    “Gladly.” Argent nodded to one of the maids, who hurried to the kitchen.
    “Have you met with High Priest Ankaras yet, Lord Urien?” Donya asked interestedly.
    “Not yet,” Urien said, smiling ruefully. “I don’t imagine he will take the news well. Since it was your message which brought me, High Lady, I thought it best to come directly to you to assure you that regardless of Ankaras’s reaction to the orders I bring, you will have no further difficulties from the Temple of Baaros.”
    “I appreciate the generosity of the temple in sending a representative so far to help us,” Argent said, “and your kindness in being willing to travel so far. Ah, your tea.” The serving maid had materialized as if by magic. Argent waved her around to Urien’s seat.
    Urien leaned toward Jael, winking surreptitiously.
    “Calidwyn black tea is renowned, Lady Jaellyn. Would you care to try some?”
    Jael grinned inwardly. So this whole thing had been a maneuver to get the tea for her, as she had suspected. But he’d done it in a charming way, if rather obvious, to save her embarrassment.
    Jael accepted a cup of the hot tea, surprised at the intense, richly fragrant flavor. After the first cup she found herself craving another, and to her surprise, her stomach settled immediately. If it weren’t for the castle mages, who checked every morsel of food or drink before it passed into the castle, and again before it reached the table, Jael would have suspected that some kind of potion had been added.
    “Lord Urien, why don’t you dress like a priest?” Mera asked. “All the priests I’ve seen have given up their Houses and titles.”
    Donya gave her daughter a chiding look, but Urien appeared undisturbed by the question.
    “First, although I have the rank of a High Priest,” Urien told her, “I’ve served in Calidwyn primarily as an administrator of the temple for the last few years, managing its funds and dealing with city officials and other temples in any conflict. Secondly, Lady Mera, Baaros allows His priests to retain their standing in their House if there is no other heir, as is true of my family. Baaros wishes the mercantile Houses to prosper, not fail, by joining His priesthood.”
    “Is that trade goods you brought in the caravan?” Markus asked interestedly.
    “Trade goods, supplies for the temple, and my personal belongings,” Urien told him. “As I said before, I came prepared to stay for as long as necessary. There should be room at the temple to store my goods until I can make other arrangements. Tomorrow, however, I’ll spend the day with Ankaras, reviewing the temple records and working out a gradual change in doctrine so we don’t lose our acolytes and our base of worshippers. This business of the elves I’ll change immediately, but the rest will have to be more gradual. Fortunately I heard on my way through town that the Lesser Summoning was a dramatic success. That’ll help us hold our worshippers until the Grand Summoning at least, and by that time I hope to have the temple running a little more effectively.”
    He shook his head.
    “You must pardon me. I’m addressing you like a group of acolytes to be instructed. Forgive me.”
    “Not at all,” Jael said. “I think it’s very interesting.” She accepted another cup of the tea.
    “Well, I’m sure we will all be interested in hearing more later,” Donya said, rising from the table. “But our guest is undoubtedly tired from