What's Beldan up to? (Beldan's POV)

The High Priest had not lied to Winlay, when he left her he sat through yet another dull series of interviews. However, as on the previous days his mind was not at all interested in the placement of the new church initiates, rather he was contemplating the meeting Maria Glendal had arranged for him.

Viceroy Vincent Thallfor had arrived in Telnon accompanied by Admiral Kyle Redbach on the Saint Georges, the latest of the Veertor navy's great battle galleons. The Viceroy's stated purpose for the visit was to inspect the barrier island defenses that were both over budget and behind schedule, but according to Maria's note, both these men were potential allies if Beldan could impress them with his power and influence.

During a short break he found Sister Anna and sent her to her room to change. He would use her in the role of a pretty young noblewoman, and Sister Winlay as well, to entertain these dignitaries.

"Wear the ivory dress, and get it right this time." Beldan warned her as he sent the whore away. She bowed and stepped back, perhaps unconsciously putting a little space between herself and the High Priest. "Don't bow you idiot, curtsey." He paused, and in a moment of benevolent good-will offered her an incentive. "Anna, if you do a good job I will reassign you to wherever it is that you'd like to serve." For the first time in months he saw a glimmer of the spirited beauty that had caught his eye originally. Cruelly he added "If you fail ..." leaving the thought unspoken Beldan returned to the great office.

"Let's get through this last bunch quickly, Louis." He directed the runny nosed clerk as he sat with a grunt on his raised seat. "I am expecting some honored guests for the midday break."

True to his intentions Beldan worked through the remaining interviews diligently, if any of the initiates felt rushed they dared not complain and Beldan finished a good thirty minutes ahead of schedule.

"Where is Sister Winlay?" He asked as he left the room and was directed to her office. She looked beautiful, dressed in the silver lined white robes of the Voice of Xelta, she was both serene and desirable, but he needed a different look from her today.

"Are you prepared for you first assignment as my Voice?" He asked the nervous young woman. She nodded willingly, and Beldan knew she was the right woman for him. "Some very important representatives from Victor's court will be dining with me today. These men are loyal to the Emperor, but they are not strong supporters of the Church." He could see Winlay's intelligent face take in his words and mull over them looking for hidden meanings.

"Sister Winlay, I want you to help serve the dinner wearing your initiate's robes. That way they will not realize who they are dealing with." Again she nodded seriously. "Listen to what they say and what they are feeling, listen as best you can so you can report back to me later." He could see her smile and he took her small hands in his and squeezed them firmly.

"Winlay, these men are impressed only by power and control. It is very important that you obey me completely." She was wide eyed with excitement, he didn't even need to use the golden net to stimulate her - Winlay was excited about her role.

"Oh, and Sister Anna will be there as well." He warned his Voice "But today she is assuming the role of Her Grace Anna of Meloxium, so give no sign of knowing her - or be surprised by anything she says or does. Understand?"

Beldan wanted badly to escort her to her chambers and help her change out of her fine garment and back into her initiate's robes. The sight of her naked body still excited him regardless of Mother's opinion of her, but time was short and he had to prepare as well. In his suite, Beldan changed from his clerical robes into a tunic cut and decorated to suggest the armor of a Templar Major. In all things, he would impress these military men with his precision and command of the situation. By the time this luncheon was over, they'd have to recognize the power and reach of the Church of Xelta.