Scene – Legacy of the Archbishop
Edward led the two bishops to his workroom without summoning Ambrose. He had had his altar from Belgravia moved to his new residence, and Hugh and Liam stared at the fine marble workmanship for several moments. Edward went to a locked cupboard, withdrew a small key from the ring on his belt, and opened it. He removed a silver dish containing a wadded-up silk cloth.
“I have had no opportunity to examine this ring since Duke Lattimore presented it,” he explained, holding the cloth and carefully unfolding it. “I need maximum protection.” He glanced from Hugh to Liam as he placed the cloth back in the dish.
Hugh withdrew a white linen altar cloth that he handed to Liam. After Liam had smoothed the cloth over the marble surface, Hugh placed purple candles at each corner of the altar top. Edward placed the metal bowl on the altar’s top and began praying to prepare himself. Hugh filled a censer with incense and lit the fragrant spices. He began walking a Circle around the room’s perimeter as Liam took his place in front of the altar, his back to it.
Liam raised his arms and began invoking the archangels. “Raphael before us, guide us in this search for knowledge; Gabriel behind us, accompany us on our journey; On our right Michael, protect us from the evil we seek; On our left Uriel, teach us what we must learn.” Liam waited until Hugh had made three circles before concluding his prayer. “Protected by those on High, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, aid us, for Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory, forever and ever, amen.” He made the sign of the cross.
Edward and Hugh murmured “Amen” with Liam, and a protective golden-white Circle now glowed around the three men. Liam and Hugh took up protective stances at either end of the altar. Edward unfolded the white silk, revealing the silver ring with its black stone, and passed his right hand over the bowl, murmuring a protective prayer. The ring began glowing with a baleful green-black light of its own, countering the regular pulses of the Circle’s golden light.
With an expression of distaste, Edward picked up the ring and slid it on the forefinger of his left hand. His body went rigid. He felt a searing pain begin in his left hand and travel up his arm toward his heart. He had difficulty drawing a breath. His right hand reflexively began to remove the ring, but Edward fought the impulse. He stared at his arm as he ‘saw’ it glowing with the same hellish light of the ring. As the pain spread to his mind, Edward closed his eyes and clenched his teeth.
An image appeared before his Magic-heightened gaze. The features were little changed from the last time Edward had seen them, despite the intervening years. It took all of Edward’s will to remain standing as he remembered his last, humiliating, encounter with Aldric Smithson.
