War in Heaven by David Zindell Read Free Book Online

hold the ceremony later in the Pilots' Hall."
    For a long time Lord Nikolos and the Sonderval stared at each other like two cats preparing to spring at each other's throat. True, as Lord Pilot, the Sonderval had the power to make new masters as he chose. But he was supposed to put the names of all candidates before a board of master pilots who would make their recommendations according to each candidate's prowess and worthiness. And then by tradition, if not rule, the Lord of the Order himself would approve the elevation and make the first welcoming of the new master. Precipitous times often require precipitous decisions, but the Sonderval usurped Lord Nikolos' prerogatives less from need than pure arrogance. Since the Sonderval thought that he himself should have been made the Lord of the Order on Thiells, he exulted in acting in Lord Nikolos' place whenever he could.
    "Very well," Lord Nikolos finally said, forcing the words from his tight thin lips. He turned to Danlo, who still stood at the centre of the hall watching this little drama between the most powerful lords of his Order. "Very well, Master Pilot, would you please remain here while we make our decision as to what must be done?"
    Danlo bowed formally, then smiled and said, "Yes." Then he carried his wooden chest over to the table where the master pilots sat and took his place on a chair between Lara Jesusa and Alark of Urradeth. Alark, a quick, hot-tempered man who had once crossed the Detheshaloon solely as the result of a dare, embraced Danlo and whispered his welcome as he rapped his ring against the table.
    "And now," Lord Nikolos said, standing to address the lords, "we must reconsider our mission in light of all that Danlo wi Soli Ringess has told us."
    So began the great war debate in the Hall of the Lords. At first, it was more a personal argument between the Sonderval and Lord Nikolos. Although no one favoured full war, the Sonderval wanted to lead a group of lightships to the Civilized Worlds, there to intercept and destroy Bertram's Jaspari's fleet along the stellar Fallaways before they could reach Neverness. Lord Nikolos, however, a frugal man always concerned to husband his resources, pointed out that the New Order's lightships were few in number, and every ship would be needed now that Tannahill had been found. For the Order's mission, Lord Nikolos suggested, was still to the Architects of the Old Church. An embassy would have to be sent to Tannahill. The Order would have to provide the Architects with ships and pilots so that the Church's missionaries could spread their new programs to every corner of the Vild. Architects everywhere must know that they were no longer permitted (or encouraged) to blow up the stars.
    "We must not become involved in these wars between religions and their sects," he told the assembled lords. And here he turned to smile at Danlo. "And as for the wars between the gods, unless one of us suddenly remembrances these war secrets of the Elder Eddas, then we cannot become involved, for there is nothing we can do to touch the gods or influence them in any way."
    Most of the lords accepted the logic of Lord Nikolos, but the Sonderval turned to him and asked, "But what of the Iviomil fleet that the warrior-poet and the renegade lead towards Neverness? Are we simply to abandon the world from which we came?"
    "Have you heard me speak of abandonment?" Lord Nikolos asked.
    "I haven't heard you speak of protecting our brothers and sisters on Neverness!" the Sonderval said with great passion. Once, years before, he had lost his beloved when a comet struck her planet, and since that time he had never been with another woman. "I would hope this isn't because you're afraid of risking a few tens of lightships."
    "There are always risks no matter what course of action we choose," Lord Nikolos said. "But risks must be calculated. Costs must be assessed."
    "Calculations and costs!" the Sonderval mocked. "Thus do the merchant-pilots of Tria