Previous Anne and Richard file.
Narrator:
After the meeting, Sir Richard and Sister Anne leave the group.
Sister Anne:
Sir Richard, so much has happened since we last met that I am not sure even where to begin. I believe you were aware of Brother Titus' desire to search for the copper sword when he had opportunity? [Sir Richard nods] I joined him on that search which ultimately resulted in his death. [long pause]
Sir Richard:
I don't know that my presence would have made any difference, but...
[Gestures helplessly with his hands]
He was a good friend and a man of great faith. I'll miss him in the dark days ahead. But tell me, Anne, what became of the Derkesthai?
Sister Anne:
I have it and I'll get to that after I finish my story.
Narrator:
The talk is long as Anne explains the journey with considerable time spent on the "living" tapastries. Richard is suprised when he finds out who has the copper sword.
Sister Anne:
With the sword safe, I travelled onto Trent to return the Derkesthai to Lady Sgacity. While there I found out about Lord Jhereg's plan and made the decision to join him so that Father deSilva's writings could be properly recovered from the castle. In the meantime a letter from the pope arrived stating that I was to return to York and give the Pope the Derskesthai. I spoke with Sgacity, the Duke and Duchess of Lethbridge, Father Michael, and Cardinal McRoy about this and they all agreed that I should do this. I felt that the Pope has waited this long so the delay in McMannon shouldn't matter. What do you think?
Sir Richard: [Taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly]
Sister, by no means would I surrender that object to the Pope. His Holiness is on his last legs, and that fellow who's been running the Church for him is not fit to hold such a sacred trust, even if he will probably be the next pope. Any delay is good, since it gives us more time to consider how to respond. Damn!! It's a hard order to get around, though. And if the Pope were really concerned with leading the faithful, it would be a good thing for him to have.
[Sighs, serious look of frustration]
Give me a day or so to think on this. Maybe, between the two of us, we can discover an alternative to outright disobedience.
Sister Anne:
Outright disobedience would lead to banishment from the priesthood
[eyes cloud] but just handing the Derkesthai over causes much doubt.
It also did not cause those I talked to much pleasure; they just could not think of a reasonable alternative. The only thing I've been able to come up with is to insist that it be returned directly to the Pope and that it be placed into his hands. If it is the Dragons' will for him to have it, then he will live; if not then I shall again remove it from a dead body and ask after the next priest who is willing to accept the Derskesthai. I am afraid that if it is given to the Pope by any other means, it will be hidden in a box in the depths of the Vatican and will again be lost. Still, I don't know how I could even demand that. As you said, between the two of us maybe we can come up with a solution. Well the time is getting late, I need to arrange accommodations and I should let you get back to your sisters.