A man who wore a mask of flesh showed green-flashed teeth. “Your chance of success seems low.”
“We don’t hope to win this round, just to force Kos’s clergy to retrench theologically. They’ll proclaim faith, affirm core principles, rouse the masses. Which, in turn, will undermine the moon goddess’s attempts to establish herself among the populace.”
*
“So we should let Kos take care of Himself, and focus on defending Seril.”
“No,” Tara said. “We use her feint as an opportunity.”
The skin around Nestor’s eyes crinkled like an apricot’s. “Because it gives us more time?” He was a man of gears and fans and belts, not thaumaturgy. Tara had to slow down, or lose him.
“Because chess is a bad analogy for an argument. We don’t start with an array of forces and remove them from the board one after another. We start with a blank board and build our position in the context of theirs. They’ll expect us to defend Kos so fiercely we’ll ignore Seril.”
“What do you mean?”
“How would you shore up faith in Kos, ordinarily?”
“Preach,” Abelard said. “Encourage prayer and reflection.”
“Using your current theology?”
“Of course.”
“Which sees Kos as the center of your faith, and Seril as an afterthought, or a rival.”
“Ah,” Abelard said.
“That’s her goal: her attack will push you into fundamentalism, exposing your flank. Then she’ll strike.”
*
The chaos beneath Ramp’s feet whirlpooled down and out to form a miniature of Alt Coulumb. Claws of light surrounded the model city, curved down, and pierced.
“That,” Ramp said, “leaves Seril to us. The moon goddess is not strong enough to defeat a direct attack, and we are not bound to respect her as we are Kos. Since she signed no treaties after the Wars, she is technically a combatant still. If we break her, we resolve the main issue and obtain a captive goddess, not without value. But if Kos comes to her defense, we have him.”
The raven-faced creature croaked a thunderclap. “How can we be sure of defeating Seril?”
“She is doubly weak: directly and through her creatures.” A mock gargoyle crouched upon Ramp’s open palm, fangs gnashing as it beat its broad wings. She closed her fingers, and stone dust rained onto the miniature city. “When they break, so will she.”
*
“Justice might also be a target,” Tara admitted, turning to page three, “but Ramp will probably ignore her. The parts of Seril connected with Justice don’t have enough slack to support the Goddess’s mind. If all Seril has left is Justice, she’ll be as good as dead.”
“How do we protect Seril, then?” Abelard asked. “Evangelism?”
“Seril draws faith from her new following in the Paupers’ Quarter. Jones’s interview will help, but it’s not enough. The church has to come clean.” Cardinals shifted uncertainly around the room. “Tell the truth about everything that happened last year, about Cardinal Gustave’s death, even.” She challenged each Cardinal with her gaze. “Support her.”
*
“What if the church pivots to support Seril?” asked a voice made from the screams of children.
“Doctrine,” Ramp said, “does not corner well. Which brings us to the church’s second, more profound weakness.”
“Which is?”
“Ms. Abernathy.”
“We have heard good report of her,” the crimson elephant said.
“She is a good Craftswoman, but she’s young. The church will retain other help for the battle itself—Kelethres Albrecht, most likely—but Ms. Abernathy’s decisions today will determine much, and she’s an optimist. She’ll believe the church can woo a city to supporting Seril—which will not happen in time.”
“You’re basing a great deal on your estimation of her character.”
“My assistant”—she pointed to Daphne, who waved—“knows her well. And I have inside knowledge. Besides, Abernathy will remain our principal adversary in the Seril matter. Craft firms can’t defend Seril, since she has made no formal peace with them. Which brings us to the best part.”
*
“You expect us to undo forty years of religious education in three days.”
“Of course not,” Tara said. “Hope springs eternal, but the spring constant’s not infinite.” Blank stares. “This is the part you won’t like.”
Bede crossed his arms.
“I have a plan to save Seril.”
Silence.
“When She died in the God Wars, Her killers carved her to pieces. Denovo remade what was left into Justice, but Seril’s butchers took large sections of her portfolio for themselves. If I get those back, or compensation for their theft, Seril will be able to defend herself against Ramp. She can rise in glory through the night, rule from her high tower, all that good stuff.”
“Why would we not like that?” Bede asked.
“There’s a big catch. I have to leave the city, today, for Dresediel Lex.”