The King's Justice by Stephen R. Donaldson Read Free Book Online Page B

are answered? I do not preach that any god answers prayer. Father Tenderson does not. We mislead no one. I tell my flock only that their god accepts and pardons them, as he does all living things. Why must we doubt ourselves now? What have we to do with shapers and foul murder?”
    Black means to pursue his needs, but Father Tenderson intervenes. Turning to the Bright priest, he urges gently, “Calm yourself, Father. Put your mind at rest. Black does not accuse us. Unless I am much mistaken, he has not named his reasons for bringing us together yet.”
    Then he faces Black once more. “Let us be clear, sir.” There is no good cheer in him now. Though he considers himself cowardly, he has his own anger in addition to his sorrow, and they speak for him. “I do not boast when I say that neither of us would hesitate to stand between any child of Settle’s Crossways and murder.”
    Black watches him in silence, waiting. He does not doubt what he hears, but it is not enough. Unfortunately he cannotteach the Fathers to recognize the smell he seeks. He cannot ask them about their parishioners.
    After a moment, the Dark priest recalls that he has not been blamed, though he is quick to blame himself. Ruling his emotions sternly, he settles his sorrow back to its depths and his limbs in his chair.
    â€œOur good Father Whorry’s theology is simplicity itself,” he begins. As he speaks, he recovers his composure. “His heart is pure. Therefore his service is pure. I take a more oblique view. Perhaps I spend too much time alone.” He attempts a smile, then exchanges it for a rueful frown. “But leave that aside. I admire the King’s efforts to provide peace. I am grateful to him. But I am not troubled by his reasons for creating our temples, and I am not diminished by my role as his charlatan.
    â€œTo my mind—Father Whorry will forgive me for repeating myself, we have argued the matter often enough—the faith is more necessary than the god. Worshipping together is more necessary than the god. And speaking what is in our hearts—as a form of worship, you understand—is more necessary than all else. Dark Enduring”—he raises a placating hand to his friend—“please, Father, I know your objections—is merely an excuse for wounded souls to come together so that they can say or hear what is in their hearts.
    â€œThe King, if I have understood you, sir, would not disapprove of either of us.”
    â€œHe would not,” Black confesses. He has his own faith. The Balance Wars must not be permitted to resume. He has faith inhis purpose. “Still there is evil to consider. There is Tamlin Marker’s murder to explain.”
    Father Whorry remains angry. “And you expect that of us? An explanation?”
    Black shrugs. “You have knowledge of the townsfolk that I do not. Perhaps that will suffice.
    â€œYou know what was done to Jon Marker’s boy?”
    Father Tenderson nods with sadness in his eyes, but the Bright priest speaks first. “All Settle’s Crossways knows.”
    â€œDo you also know how it chanced that Tamlin Marker was alone? That his killer was able to take him and remained unwitnessed?”
    Now it is Father Tenderson who replies. “We have heard poor Jon’s account. Directly or by rumor, we have heard it. He sent the boy home to fire the stove.”
    Black sits motionless as a stone. He reveals nothing. “And you do not call it
unlikely
that Tamlin’s killer was ready to take him at the moment when mere chance provided his opportunity?”
    Both men are struck by the question. They have not considered the matter in that light. Father Whorry’s brows squirm. He rubs his hands together like a man attempting to wash away some stain. Father Tenderson stares with his eyes wide. He is too full of chagrin to contain it. When he speaks, his voice is hoarse.
    â€œI call it unlikely
now
.