Chapter 48
Jeffrey: “Prison and palace and reverberation”
His holiness departed as quickly as he had arrived. Jeffrey peered out the window of the building, watching the street far below, and saw the papal coach departing before he spoke. “The man is insane. A public execution?”
His father finished his whiskey. “It's not without precedent. In Mexico ordinary people have been burned as heretics, just for refusing to 'donate' lands to the Church there.”
“Yes, but those 'ordinary people' you're referring to were wealthy landowners who worked the poor like slaves. I'm not saying it was right to execute them without a real trial, but their hands weren't exactly clean. This apprentice you have, he's done nothing. Are you really going to let Pope Ricky burn him at the stake just for being who he is, a raw apprentice?”
The Honcho poured himself another glass. “It's not what I would prefer to do, no. But we need what they have. I don't like it, but it's as simple as that.”
Jeffrey slammed his hand down on the table, making the bottle jump. “No it isn't! It's not the only way. They can't have found every bit of alien tech in Texas. And if they have, maybe that apprentice can learn how to make what you need. Have you considered that? He must have talent, for Xander to recruit him. Maybe all he needs is time. But we'll never know if you let the TCC turn him into a human candle.”
The Honcho stared into his glass. “Killing the old wizard didn't help his attitude. Lester doesn't want to help us, certainly not against his own country. And he's not eager to let us know the true extent of his abilities. As far as he knows, his best move is to convince us he's harmless. I'm not sure I know how to change his attitude fast enough for him to be useful. Do you?”
Jeffrey mulled it over. “I don't know. He wants to live. Why don't you give him a piece of pipe and see if he can make a swizzle out of it? Don't tell him what it's for, just make it a test. If he can't do it you can always trade him for the gear you need, but if he can it's a start. Then you can start getting your oil.”
Pathspace Page 48
