Page 14 of The Warrior Priest
“Brother Rhys won’t mind if I speak to you,” the high priest said as he joined me at the tree. “I know he employs you as a spy. Master Tomaj knows, too. Who do you think approved the payment for your services?”
It was hardly a surprise to me that the master knew, although it was curious that the high priest did. Did he also know I was the governor’s niece?
No, he mustn’t. He called me lad just now, and it sounded like he believed the story of the governor’s lost niece earlier. Rhys had kept both facts a secret.
The high priest studied me down his nose. “Your name is Jac, is it not?”
It was the first time I’d seen the high priest up close. He was older than the master, with white hair and a neatly trimmed white beard. His rotund middle strained his cloth of gold belt so much that I worried the clasp in the shape of a sun would pop off at any moment. Either he liked eating sludge or he dined on heartier fare up at the high temple. As Glancia’s most senior priest who oversaw every order in the kingdom and answered only to the Supreme Holiness in the Vytill city of Fahl, he must need to host dignitaries from time to time. Still, if I were a priest or priestess, I’d be annoyed that he didn’t suffer deprivation alongside me.
“It is. Your Eminence,” I added, remembering my manners.
The high priest glanced back the way he’d come, as if judging the distance and whether I could have overheard their conversation or not. Then he turned back to me. His next words proved his thoughts went in a different direction altogether. “Brother Rhys speaks highly of you.”
“He does?”
“He claims you have a memory like a trap, and a knack for discovering even the most intimate of secrets. To hear him, you’d think he was a proud older brother.” The high priest showed no sign of humor or irony, so I was even more certain that he didn’t know I was a woman. “I assume it was you who discovered a certain document that’s of interest to Tilting.” When I didn’t respond, he smiled. “Discreet, too. I can see why Brother Rhys admires your capabilities. It’s as if you were born for the role of spy.”
Still, I said nothing. What did he want from me?
The high priest stepped closer. “I have a task for you, Jac.”
“I only do as Rhys asks.”
“I admire your loyalty, but as this involves Brother Rhys, I thought you would make an exception.”
“Then I definitely don’t want to be involved. Good day, Your Eminence.” I walked off.
“He’s in love with a woman who will ruin his life.”
My breath caught in my chest. I hadn’t realized I’d stopped until the high priest stood in front of me again.
“I see you want to protect Brother Rhys as much as I do. You are indeed a good friend.”
“Why do you think he’s in love?” I asked carefully.
“I know him well and I can tell. There has been a change in him these last years.”
“Years?” I echoed numbly.
“It has been gradual and subtle, but I’ve noticed it. Lately, it has become more obvious. Ever since Master Tomaj marked Brother Rhys for promotion, I’ve kept a close eye on him and I can see the signs. Brother Rhys has matured, and he rightly deserves the promotion. He’ll be master one day, when the time comes.”
“As you say, that’s maturity. It’s not necessarily because he loves.”
“He is in love. I’m quite sure of it. Whether he realizes or not…” The high priest shrugged. “The woman is no good for him.”
“Why not? She might be exactly what he needs. Besides, shouldn’t Rhys be allowed to decide who is good for him or not?”
My vehemence seemed to catch him by surprise. “I wasn’t expecting such a fierce response, but I applaud it. It goes to prove you are precisely the person for this task. Once you discover how unsuitable this woman is for him?—”
“I won’t spy on him.” I turned away.
He caught my elbow. His fingernails dug through my doublet into my arm. “I’m not asking you to. I want you to spy onher.”
My pulse sounded loud as it pounded through my veins. “Who?” The word was a mere puff of breath, expelled before I could stop it.
“Her name is Giselle.”
I swallowed. Breathed.Giselle. Not me.
