'I'm sure it didn't happen here.'
The old woman appeared relieved.
'In your former realm ... was the ceremony replaced by anything similar?'
Tom gave a lengthy discourse on all ceremonies remotely connected with the one occupying the queen's attention. He ended with one where the celebrants drank wine, symbolising the blood of a sacrificed god, and ate bread that represented his body.
'I like it,' the queen said. 'Perhaps we should discuss the symbolism with the Blessed Sisters. We could do it when we are explaining the need to correct errors in their calendar.
'There is another matter,' she continued. 'When I stand before the people and tell them about my dream. The one in which the Holy Mother named you as War Master. I need to be confident that you are well versed in the reply.'
'I am, Majesty.' Tom bowed deeply. 'Thunder son of Storm Cloud has helped me compose my speech of acceptance.'
***
A fire burned in the chariot enclosure and men with fur-lined cloaks stood around it, singing and drinking beer. Tom saw Thunder amongst them and went to speak to the little man.
'Have you any news on the princess?' he asked.
Thunder shook his head.
'Her Majesty is worried about her,' Tom said. 'And she's very unhappy about today's ceremony. She's clearly distressed. I wonder why something hasn't been done about it.'
A girl brought Tom a drinking horn and he took a swig before returning his attention to Thunder.
'Don't you people ever think about the pressure Her Majesty is under?..She's getting on in years. You can't expect her to go on handling things as if she were still a young woman.'
'We are aware that Her Majesty has reached a most difficult part of the Noble Way which it is her lot to follow,' Thunder replied stiffly.
Tom glared at him.
'By the Great Poof's Arse. Stop talking like a pompous prick. Aren't you worried about the old lady?'
'I'm as worried as anyone, Sky Warrior.'
'Well. If you're worried, why don't you make things easier for her?..You could start with tonight's ceremony. She obviously doesn't like it. Why haven't you got the Sisters of Rebirth to do something about it?'
Thunder adjusted his sword and ran his hand through his hair. 'That's something your ordinary warrior doesn't get involved in.'
Tom knew the technique. It was the one Thunder used whenever he wanted to shrink in importance. He admired him for it. Most people went out of their way to appear more important than they were.