Children of Hope by David Feintuch Read Free Book Online Page A

to thwart us. Now we have Scanlen as well.” Hope Nation wasn’t really big enough to need both Bishop and Archbishop, but …
    I shot him a glance, hoping for permission to speak. He nodded. “Anthony’s been very careful dealing with the Church hierarchy, sir. I know that much.”
    “Yes. He’s gone out of his way not to alienate them.”
    Until I’d stepped in, and blasted his plans. A heathen or a Jew.
    “Do you know why, Randy?”
    “Because they have power? They own a lot of land, and …” I was out of my depth.
    Mr Dakko hesitated. “What I tell you must go no further. Give me your word.”
    “You have it. Absolutely.”
    “They have power, yes. To renounce, or excommunicate. Your father, Derek, was a hero, and could stand up to them: Even he didn’t find it easy. I think …” He faltered. “There’s a rumor … no, I won’t say it, not even with your word. But Anthony hasn’t his stature. It’s no disparagement to say that. He’s too young.”
    I nodded.
    He asked, “You know who the Territorials are?”
    “The opposite of the Supras.” The other party, in Earth’s politics.
    “They’re anxious to return to power. And they’re furious Seafort let us go. The Patriarchs favor them.”
    I puzzled it out. “So Scanlen and Andori …” My eyes widened. “They want to take control?”
    “I say nothing against Mother Church. I don’t even think it, do you understand?”
    “Yessir.”
    “I imagine Ambassador McEwan would be delighted if we returned to colonial status. But I speak no ill of the Archbishop.” His tone was carefully precise.
    “How does …” My voice quavered. “How does excommunication work?”
    “A Bishop or the Patriarchs at home may declare it. We are a religious state, always have been. An excommunicate is barred from the Church, his property forfeit, he’s to be shunned by the community. It’s a matter of ecclesiastic law.”
    I picked at my joeykid’s shorts. Anthony, what have I done? I was a child, despite my pretensions to more. If Scanlen vents his fury at me on the Stadholder, I’ve ruined my family. Dad’s family. His life.
    Mr Dakko cleared his throat. “Rebellion against His authority—”
    “Anthony didn’t rebel!”
    “Please don’t interrupt. Though rebellion warrants excommunication, so severe a penalty is almost never invoked. In Hope Nation’s history, just once.”
    “When?”
    “A madman killed a priest.”
    “Will I be excommunicated for telling the Bishop to fu—f—” In my cowardice, I couldn’t say it.
    “Oh, I very much doubt it.” A wintry smile. “Though I’m sure he’d like to get his hands on you.” He peered out the window, at a toddler exploring a clump of bushes, and the sunny bench where his mother sat reading. “A wardship of wayward minor, that sort of thing. The courts would cooperate.”
    “What would happen to me?”
    “There are Church agencies, as well as private ones. Residential cottages, a correctional farm. It depends where you’re sent. A good beating, for a start; he’d see to that. And frankly, you deserve it. Don’t give me that crosswise look, joey. Scanlen merits courtesy as an adult, if nothing else. Perhaps back in the Rebellious Ages you could … A sigh. “Not that you haven’t set folk to chuckling in their tea, from here to the Venturas. More than a few of them wish they were free to …” His mouth snapped shut. “Well. Time to hit the office.”
    “Sir, should I go back? I mean, after I work for you today?” I wouldn’t want him to think I meant to cadge free meals.
    “Well.” He followed the road in a gentle curve. “Think about your question.”
    I blinked, through fuzz.
    “Do you see?”
    “Not really.” What did he want me to guess?
    We were outside the park. Even in Centraltown, there was little traffic. His “office” was something of an anomaly. Most everyone worked from home, except in stores.
    “Think, Randy. What happens to a joeykid caught