IC:
In the surprise and confusion, which follow the arrival of the Osoerdean emissaries and their sudden words, the Amira-Zawja of Elinie seems to be focused, not upon the news, but upon certain hand-written messages:—two sent and two received. Then, as calm returns to the minaret library, a prominent aide appears beside her in the arched doorway, which she has not yet left. He hands her a scroll, which she unrolls, briefly, and the words upon which she peruses, carefully; and she proceeds to entre the room, with an authority to her gait, which she does not often manifest.
And she speaks, holding the scroll in the hand of her upraised arm, for all to see: “I hold, here before you, a sacred thing: for the words upon this parchment represent peace. Ignore them, dismiss them, or squabble over them:—and all of you may soon look back upon this sacred thing and upon this sacred chance with more than a mere regret.
“I am an Avanalite. And I have never strayed from this faith, even in the days of joy and sorrow, when I was married,—which was joyous,—outside the cathedral, wherein I have worshipped, during the entire course of my adult life:—a most sorrowful circumstance. However, this personal sorrow of mine pales in comparison to the great and many sorrows, which Elinie has known, of late. But will religious schism ameliorate our situation? Will civil war? . . . We, all, know that only further sorrow will come of these things.
“I hold, here, the draft of a Tripartite Treaty. The acting High Hierophant, Mohammad al-Rasshad, is ready and willing to sign it. I, Guildmaster and Amira-Zawja, am ready and willing to sign it. But will the third party, the Last Imperial Duke of the Eastern Marches, sign it with us and bring prosperity, by the stroke of a quill, to his Imperial Duchy?
“Reconciliation is not easily realised: to-day’s happenings are proof enough of that. But the Life & Protection has agreed to many points, which, in my mind, clearly demonstrate concern for the people of Elinie and for their lords. Firstly: to give up all claims to the law of the land. Secondly: to bestow blessings upon at least three provinces of Elinie, without fail, henceforth . . . and to do so without any monetary compensation for a period of several months. Thirdly: to recognise the legality of the Patriarch’s marriage and the legitimacy of any heirs, which might come of that union. Fourthly: to agitate on behalf of the Patriarch in at least one province of Elinie for eight consecutive seasons . . . without requesting any form of monetary compensation. And, lest there be any doubt in your minds, Mohammad has assured me that, whenever possible, this agitation will extend to multiple counties. So, I ask: are these not signs of a temple, which cares deeply for the commonweal?
“In return, the Life & Protection asks but one thing of any consequence: that the Patriarch embark upon an holy quest of pilgrimage, to explore and to recall the origins of his faith, which I know to be stronger than my own. The former High Hierophant, Gaerred Khaiarén, would accompany him; and their joint travels would be a symbol of, both, the end of strife and the restoration of concord, in the lands, which are our home.
“Words can have a certain edge; an edge can offend; and offense can stir up dark emotion. But are we not the masters of our emotions? So, let us forget the edge and the offense and the emotion; and let us strive for a future, in which the prosperity of Elinie will have been restored to its natural condition. Such a future will come, not via war, not via destruction, and not via religious strife: such a future will come only via concord and coöperation . . . which are inherent in this sacred thing, which I hold, still, in my hand.
“Read it, my dear husband; and tell me if it be not peace incarnate.”
In a relatively quiet but still clearly audible voice, she then adds, as she offers the scroll to the Patriarch, “My tongue grows weary. Perhaps, to my relief, the time for ink and quill is arrived. Mohammad will come, if you will sign.”
