The Sapphire Rose. David Eddings

      ‘Sometimes you amaze me, Talen,’ Dolmant said. ‘Could I perhaps interest you in a career in the Church?’

      ‘Counting the contributions of the faithful, Your Grace?’ Talen asked eagerly.

      ‘Ah – no, I don’t think so, Talen.’

      ‘Have the votes changed at all, Your Grace?’ Abriel asked.

      Dolmant shook his head. ‘Annias still has a simple majority. He can bull through anything that isn’t a matter of substance. His toadies are calling for votes on just about anything that comes up. He wants to keep a running count for one thing, and the voting keeps us all locked in the audience chamber.’

      ‘The numbers are about to change, Your Grace,’ Komier said. ‘My friends and I have decided to participate this time.’

      ‘Now that’s unusual,’ Patriarch Emban said. ‘The Preceptors of the militant orders haven’t participated in a vote of the Hierocracy for two hundred years.’

      ‘We’re still welcome, aren’t we, Your Grace?’

      ‘As far as I’m concerned you are, Your Grace. Annias might not like it too much, though.’

      ‘How very unfortunate for him. What does that do to the numbers, Talen?’