The intransigence of Lord Dietrich, his retainers, and about twenty assorted folk of various stations and purpose troubled her more.
“What minion of the Enemy has fastened its claws inside you?” she demanded after Lord Dietrich refused for the third time to disavow the doctrine of the sacrifice and redemption. “The Mother and Father of Life, who are God in Unity, brought forth the universe. Into this creation they placed the four pure elements, light, wind, fire, and water. Above creation rests the Chamber of Light, and below lies the Enemy, which we also call darkness. Yet as the elements drifted in harmony, they came into contact with the darkness, which had risen out of the depths. Together, they mingled. The universe cried out in distress at this pollution, and God therefore sent the Word of Thought, which we also call Logos, to be its salvation. God made this world through the Word of Thought, yet there remains darkness in it. That is why there is evil and confusion in the world.”
“The blessed Daisan redeemed us,” said Ekkehard stubbornly, interrupting her. Lord Dietrich had the sense to remain silent.
“Of course he did! The blessed Daisan brought the Word of Thought to us all. He prayed for seven days and seven nights seeking redemption for all who would follow the faith of the Unities and be brought into the Light. And at the end of that time, angels conveyed him to heaven in a light so blinding that St. Thecla herself, who witnessed his Ekstasis, could not see for seven times seven days afterward.”
“He was sacrificed! He was flayed by the order of the Empress Thaissania, but his blood became roses, and he lived again! He rose from the dead.”
“Silence!” Alberada struck the floor with the butt of her crosier. The sharp knock silenced him as well as all those whispering excitedly in the hall at his outspoken words. Even the cleric whispering a translation into Duke Boleslas’ ear clamped his mouth shut. “You are guilty of heresy, Prince Ekkehard. The penalty for heresy is excommunication and exile, or death.”
“I am willing to die,” said Lord Dietrich calmly, not without triumph. He coughed, and blew his nose into a handful of straw.
“You can’t punish me,” exclaimed Ekkehard manfully. “I’m the king’s son, born out of legitimate marriage!”