JК
The Floodgate :: Каннингем Элейн
Страница: 147 из 212More than is seemly fora jordain."
"Our paths seem destined to cross," he said shortly. "I should think you would be far more concerned about the magehound Kiva. What do you know of her?"
"The same as you, and no more," the headmaster said. "Yes, the Azuthan temple contacted me with word of her escape. I agreed that for now the jordaini order would hold this information in confidence. These are troubled times. It is important, especially in light of the raid upon the Lady's Mirror, that the Azuthans do not appear unduly vulnerable."
"I would argue that the times are troubled because of Kiva, and that the vulnerability is real."
Ferris scowled. "You give the elf woman too much credit."
"That is worthy of debate, but perhaps another time. I will answer your question about Tzigone. Let the Azuthans concern themselves with their good name, but the jordaini are pledged to serve the land. I accept the aid and friendship of those who are likewise pledged."
"Your duty is to serve your patron," Ferris reminded him, "not to take up personal quests."
"I have royal permission to do as I will and to use what resources I need."
"Yes, I know," the headmaster complained. "Themo left the college yesterday, riding faster than a flea off a fire-newt. It is not seemly to send a jordain into service who has not completed his training."
"Perhaps Themo should never complete his training. At heart he is a warrior, not a jordain. I wanted him released now, before receiving the rites and tests that end the final form." Matteo paused meaningfully, then added, "As some others have been."
Ferris Grail's eyes narrowed. "Why would you think one jordain's experience would differ from any other's? The jordaini are sworn to secrecy concerning the nature of these rituals."
"After the fact! By Mystra, what man would wish to boast of it!" he said heatedly. "This much I do know: This practice is wrong."
The wizard's face darkened. "Do you think to challenge the entire jordaini order? These rules might seem harsh, but they exist for good reason."
"When I know all these reasons, I will judge for myself."
"You are not meant to know everything, young jordain. You were trained as a counselor, not a judge!" snapped Ferris.
"In seeking truth, I am doing no more than I was trained to do. What I was bred to do," he added bitterly.
A long moment of silence followed. Matteo marked the guilt and fear on the wizard's face. It occurred to him that Jinkor the gatekeeper might not have been Kiva's sole source of information.
"Our paths seem destined to cross," he said shortly. "I should think you would be far more concerned about the magehound Kiva. What do you know of her?"
"The same as you, and no more," the headmaster said. "Yes, the Azuthan temple contacted me with word of her escape. I agreed that for now the jordaini order would hold this information in confidence. These are troubled times. It is important, especially in light of the raid upon the Lady's Mirror, that the Azuthans do not appear unduly vulnerable."
"I would argue that the times are troubled because of Kiva, and that the vulnerability is real."
Ferris scowled. "You give the elf woman too much credit."
"That is worthy of debate, but perhaps another time. I will answer your question about Tzigone. Let the Azuthans concern themselves with their good name, but the jordaini are pledged to serve the land. I accept the aid and friendship of those who are likewise pledged."
"Your duty is to serve your patron," Ferris reminded him, "not to take up personal quests."
"I have royal permission to do as I will and to use what resources I need."
"Yes, I know," the headmaster complained. "Themo left the college yesterday, riding faster than a flea off a fire-newt. It is not seemly to send a jordain into service who has not completed his training."
"Perhaps Themo should never complete his training. At heart he is a warrior, not a jordain. I wanted him released now, before receiving the rites and tests that end the final form." Matteo paused meaningfully, then added, "As some others have been."
Ferris Grail's eyes narrowed. "Why would you think one jordain's experience would differ from any other's? The jordaini are sworn to secrecy concerning the nature of these rituals."
"After the fact! By Mystra, what man would wish to boast of it!" he said heatedly. "This much I do know: This practice is wrong."
The wizard's face darkened. "Do you think to challenge the entire jordaini order? These rules might seem harsh, but they exist for good reason."
"When I know all these reasons, I will judge for myself."
"You are not meant to know everything, young jordain. You were trained as a counselor, not a judge!" snapped Ferris.
"In seeking truth, I am doing no more than I was trained to do. What I was bred to do," he added bitterly.
A long moment of silence followed. Matteo marked the guilt and fear on the wizard's face. It occurred to him that Jinkor the gatekeeper might not have been Kiva's sole source of information.