Interlude 13/1
The ceasefire document reached the Curia after some weeks of travel. By then, the ceasefire had already been approved - no plans had been made for the negotiations to fail entirely. It was already in the Church’s interests for fighting to stop and their agents trusted that the military leadership would not go back on their word. That, more than anything, leads the way to peace and negotiations.
Over the next few months the office of the Curia continued to receive reports - the fighting in Avignon, the Grail War preparing in Iceland, a stray Wyvern seen flying over England, the gathering of the Sidhe and the mysterious political events in China. All of this was collated, filed, lost, refiled, translated into latin, summarised and passed through seven different layers of priests. Months later, it was a wonder that anything could even approach the office of the Pope. The documents were delivered, sealed and taken to Rome. But, before anything could make it to the top, first it had to make it through the Prefect of the Papal Household.
The Curia has had centuries to perfect making sure that Popes only find out exactly what they need to know. This set of reports would be one more step in that noble purpose.
“So, we have the text of the ceasefire here,” he muttered, handling the scrap of paper by raising it with a letter opener. “This can probably be filed appropriately.” The fire glowed as fresh papers joined the piles already warming the study. “So, first is the offer of chaplaincy for the School. I see we have a candidate already taking his place there, a Mr Parnell from Ireland. Approved for His Holiness.” Other papers sat on his desk, some concerning the activities of Mr Parnell. Most of them had already been burnt for the Pope’s protection and the remainder would tell the tale of a loyal servant of the Church.
“Next we have… a discussion… of the possibility of censuring some families?” He considered the Pope’s reaction to that offer. The page was consigned to the flames. “Next we have two matters regarding the Sea of Estray, the Thule Society have refused altogether to turn over any artefacts, let alone all of them, and the Prague Alchemists claim that they have ceased experimentation,” he flicked to a report from a spy, “in blatant disregard to the fact they have increased their blasphemous deeds.” He sighed. Best for the Pope not to know about promises made that they would not keep. He motioned for a servant to open a window, as the fire was starting to burn unreasonably hot for the season. As for the offer to inspect the Lords Chambers, that he placed into a separate file. There were others that he reported to who did not permit such things.
“Finally, more positive news,” he turned to the final report. “The Atlas Institute has indeed lent an army to the purpose of the elimination of Avignon, Clocktower has made an initial payment from the Fund Manager’s coffers and we have ended a steady stream of contraband which has been a thorn in the side of the Assembly.” He contemplated leaving those papers in the file for a moment, then noted that some new scribe had unhelpfully numbered the pages. With a moment of sadness for the effort wasted he swept the lot into the flames.
Later that day the Pope received the report from the summit:
Over the next few months the office of the Curia continued to receive reports - the fighting in Avignon, the Grail War preparing in Iceland, a stray Wyvern seen flying over England, the gathering of the Sidhe and the mysterious political events in China. All of this was collated, filed, lost, refiled, translated into latin, summarised and passed through seven different layers of priests. Months later, it was a wonder that anything could even approach the office of the Pope. The documents were delivered, sealed and taken to Rome. But, before anything could make it to the top, first it had to make it through the Prefect of the Papal Household.
The Curia has had centuries to perfect making sure that Popes only find out exactly what they need to know. This set of reports would be one more step in that noble purpose.
“So, we have the text of the ceasefire here,” he muttered, handling the scrap of paper by raising it with a letter opener. “This can probably be filed appropriately.” The fire glowed as fresh papers joined the piles already warming the study. “So, first is the offer of chaplaincy for the School. I see we have a candidate already taking his place there, a Mr Parnell from Ireland. Approved for His Holiness.” Other papers sat on his desk, some concerning the activities of Mr Parnell. Most of them had already been burnt for the Pope’s protection and the remainder would tell the tale of a loyal servant of the Church.
“Next we have… a discussion… of the possibility of censuring some families?” He considered the Pope’s reaction to that offer. The page was consigned to the flames. “Next we have two matters regarding the Sea of Estray, the Thule Society have refused altogether to turn over any artefacts, let alone all of them, and the Prague Alchemists claim that they have ceased experimentation,” he flicked to a report from a spy, “in blatant disregard to the fact they have increased their blasphemous deeds.” He sighed. Best for the Pope not to know about promises made that they would not keep. He motioned for a servant to open a window, as the fire was starting to burn unreasonably hot for the season. As for the offer to inspect the Lords Chambers, that he placed into a separate file. There were others that he reported to who did not permit such things.
“Finally, more positive news,” he turned to the final report. “The Atlas Institute has indeed lent an army to the purpose of the elimination of Avignon, Clocktower has made an initial payment from the Fund Manager’s coffers and we have ended a steady stream of contraband which has been a thorn in the side of the Assembly.” He contemplated leaving those papers in the file for a moment, then noted that some new scribe had unhelpfully numbered the pages. With a moment of sadness for the effort wasted he swept the lot into the flames.
Later that day the Pope received the report from the summit:
“Negotiations continue in good faith. A full report is anticipated within the year.”
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