(Every time I got started on this Interlude something sidetracked me. In the end, it will make things a lot more interesting, but it pushed this out much farther than I wanted.) Geros entered entered the meeting room. Since the last time he'd been here a mural of MidSea had been added to one wall, with Exquaestio's ecclesia clearly marked. "You wished to see me Primus?" he addressed Exquaestio's Primate, noting that Exquaestio's rohain Preceptor stood by one of the windows. "Yes Geros. You are the senior espiri available to me, and I need an espiri's opinion on a proposal of Preceptor Lars'." Geros took a seat, and Primate Rojez continued. "The Preceptor has proposed that Exquaestio put together a mercenary force and interfere in the wars between the Free Cities. What is your opinion on the matter?" Geros closed his eyes and thought deeply for a moment. "First, this is more a matter for Eldest Mira than myself." "It would take too long for a message to reach her and return." Geros opened his eyes and nodded, "Well then, military matters are the Preceptor's responsibility, and if there are valid military reasons for us to field a mercenary force then it's his decision. That decision may be overruled by the Primate for political or social reason if he feels it's necessary." He smiled, "Most espiri tend to be politically oblivious, and me more than most, so I have no idea if that decision needs to be overruled or not." The Primate's voice was tense, "What about the morality of the matter?" Geros was confused. "Morality Primus? I don't understand?" "Exquaestio is supposed to help people. Don't you think doing something specifically designed to hurt people is immoral?" "Uh . . ." Geros paused. Specific verses from The Book of Travels passed through his mind. "I don't think that comparison is, uh, appropriate. Uh, when and how we fight are more important than whether we fight, and in the end, those decisions are made by the rohain, not the espiri or anradan." "So," Rojez nearly hissed out the word. "Very well, Preceptor, you have permission. Go ahead and field your mercenary force." As Geros moved to get up, the Primate stopped him. "Stay Pioneer Geros. It might be useful to have your opinion in other matters that the Preceptor and I must discuss." Events from last year were quickly dealt with, but as the discussion moved into the plans for this year Geros became aware that relations between the Preceptor and Primate were not what he'd thought. The Primate actually disliked the Preceptor. Geros's thought flew back to the Grand Conclave when he'd had an opportunity to talk to Eldest Mira in person. She'd been trying to explain how Feroze had created the three branches of clergy to check and balance each other. He hadn't understood at the time, but he thought that understanding might finally be growing. Deciding that relations in the Burcancy were sufficiently advanced for the time being. Discussion moved on to how the the new mercenary force and investigating the squad of rohain who were overdue reporting from the Burcancy would affect Exquaestio's expansion into new areas. Then the Primate brought up the idea of sending a mission to the Ice Demons in Tanimbar. After much discussion, and taking into account the need to train new rohain, a general idea of what rohain would be sent where was agreed on. As he left Geros couldn't help but compare Primate Rojez with Primate Hugo. Though he had liked Hugo more, he couldn't help but think that Rojez was far better at handling things in the Free Cities than Hugo would have been. Jefferson (Exquaestio) http://www.picotech.net/~jeff_wilson63/rpg/Exq_Main.html ---------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send mail to celandra-off@phoenyx.net.
