Chapter 19 Summary

Severo spends part of the day dealing with the business of the diocese. He works his way through the pile of documents, and then decides to visit Beneditx and Palinor at Saracen's House. Severo has not seen them in months, and he's interested in whether Beneditx has made any progress with Palinor.

During the two-hour ride, Severo thinks about his older brother Gaspar. Severo and Gaspar lived at Saracen's House as boys. Severo remembers a time their father had beaten him for risking Gaspar's life climbing a sheer rock face. Severo was resentful because, in actuality, Gaspar had been leading Severo, and Severo knew that Gaspar mattered more. Gaspar was supposed to be the Prince of Grandinsula, and Severo was slated to be a regular priest. Gaspar died in his bed of port fever, however, and Severo was named Prince and Cardinal.

As...