Spinspace: The Space of Spins (The Metaspace Chronicles Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

military balance and wanted more of them. 
    But as bad as it was that he had now spent years of his life on an education that would not be recognized (instead of learning a useful trade), what made it even worse was that he would not be able to explain his failure to graduate.  He could not explain it, because to do so he would have to reveal his membership in the Order of the Sihr.
    Like most of his classmates did at some point in their lives, Kareef had fantasized about being in the Order.  The one thing, however, that everyone knew about them was that none of them joined to become famous.  Their identities were kept secret.
    With a start he remembered that he knew one member's identity, at least – the Mullah Nizar.  He wished he didn't.  It could be dangerous to know things other people want kept secret.  And now he had to keep his own involvement with the Order secret, to avoid spreading the danger.  So he expected an awkward dinner tonight. 
    When he divulged that he is dropping out of the madresah and going to a foreign country to study at a school they have never heard of, he was fairly certain they would be neither pleased nor amused.
     
     

Chapter 10
     
     
    Esteban: Inopinatum Audientibus
    (an unexpected audience)
     
    “For in much wisdom is much grief, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.”
    – Ecclesiastes 1:18
     
    He nearly tripped over his robe going into the waiting room. His mind was a jumble of nervous anticipation and apprehension.  What could His Holiness possibly want to speak with him about?
    Esteban's fingers twitched as he handled the beads of his rosary, but he was not using it in the traditional way, to count prayers, but to enumerate reasons why the Pontiff would be interested in him.
    One. He could be about to be ordained, to leave his brothers at the monastery and take up a new calling. But that seemed unlikely, given that he had heard nothing that might indicate anyone was particularly impressed with his aptitude.
    Two .  He had committed some sin so grievous that he was about to be thrown out of his Order.  But try as he might, he could not conceive of any way he might have given offense.
    Three .  He possessed some bit of information that His Holiness needed.  Also unlikely, because as a member of the Custodians, all he did was look after the Reconditorium Prohibitum.  As such, his duties were not complicated.  When priests brought artifacts to him all he did was to classify and store them, and make sure they never left to tempt the faithful.
    There had been only one exception to this rule.  Some weeks earlier he had been ordered to allow a number of swizzles and everflames to be handed over to officers sent by the Honcho.  But that could not be counted against him as dereliction of duty!  The seals on the orders had been genuine.
    His fingers hesitated on the fourth bead.  What other reason could there be?
    The door opened and Cardinal McTavish poked his head in. “His Holiness will see you now.”
    Esteban forced himself to stand up and take a moment trying to calm the trembling in his knees before following the cardinal into the audience chamber.
    Pope Enrique II was engaged in quiet conversation with another of the cardinals as Esteban approached and prostrated himself. 
    He looked up.  “Ah, brother Esteban.  We are pleased to welcome you.  Please rise and be seated.”
    Esteban sank into one of the chairs facing the papal throne.  “Your Holiness,” he began, “I do not --”
    “You are no doubt wondering why we have summoned you.  Let me put your mind at ease right away by telling you that you are not in any sort of trouble.  We have heard only good things about you and your service to the Church.”
    Esteban swallowed.  “Then why?”
    “Have you heard about the recent developments in Denver?”
    Denver?  What did that have to do with him? “I must confess, Your Holiness, that I do not follow events in the secular world very