"Ronald Green - Great Kings War" - читать интересную книгу автора (Green Ronald)

audience. His countenance underwent a complete metamorphosis, taking on a feral cast as, right before
their eyes, he actually became a Styphon's House Highpriest. Many of the assembled academics moved
back in their seats or hissed audibly. Sirna was certain Danthor's unsuspected acting talent was a major
part of his success as an outtime researcher and media phenomenon.

After grinning wickedly, Dras resumed his talk. "In an effort to infiltrate Styphon's House, I set up a
cover as an Hos-Blethan temple Highpriest. Part of my background was passing myself off as a son of a
noble family, who had come to religion in his middle years. The Zarthani are unduly impressed with titles
and birth pedigree."

The room was filled with titters since many of the Home Timeliners, outside of the University, responded
the same way to outdated patents of nobility.

"Since the majority of Zarthani, including the priesthood, are illiterate, I was able to advance rapidly
through the Temple hierarchy. After a few years at the Temple of Hos-Bletha in Bletha City, I was able
to obtain a transfer to the Holy City of Balph, which is to Styphon's House much as Memphis is on
Fourth Level Alexandria Macedonian, or the Vatican is on Europo-American, Plantagenet Subsector.
My reading abilities got me a spot in the Archives, whichтАФtrust meтАФis not a popular posting with most
of Styphon's Highpriests. The corruption and influence peddling in Balph, to make a good First Level
analogy, is best compared to the Management Party's machinations in our own Executive Council!"

The audience roared. Management Party, which everyone considered the Paratime Police's political
mouthpiece, had been in control of the Executive Council since the Mystic Wars some four thousand
years ago. Management PartyтАФand therefore the Paratime PoliceтАФwas considered by most academics
to be the major obstacle to serious outtime research. Sirna wasn't convinced that the Paratime Police
were doing anything more than their job as mandated by the Paratime Code since, as a collective body,
the University had about as much vested self-interest as Styphon's House. That 'view' of hers had long
been a major area of contention between her and her former husband.

"The Archpriest of the Archives was a half-blind highpriest of some eighty years and he was pleased to
at long last find what he saw as a successor. In the Archives, most assistants leave as soon as they can
buy, bribe or blackmail their way to a better position within the Temple hierarchy. After a short period of
administrative work, I was promoted to his assistant and allowed access the High Temple of Balph
Archives, a treasure trove of ancient parchments and documents. After a number of years in the
Archives, I was able to put together a complete history of Styphon's HouseтАФnot that I'll go into that
here."

There was an audible sigh of relief throughout the room. These were all academics and they understood
how much time a complete history briefing might involve.

Sirna noticed wryly that Danthor did manage to add a plug for his new book. "However, I will mention
that the new edition of my history on Styphon's House,Gunpowder Theocracy ,is now available from
the Dhergabar University Press."

Danthor made a dramatic cough before starting again, "The actual priestly apothecary who invented the
fireseed formula is forgotten. However, while searching through the Temple Archives, I found a statue of
the priest who discovered its lethal potential. In the beginning Styphon's House used fireseed to create
explosions of colored gas and light to awe the locals. Then Highpriest Trythos discovered, while making
primitive fireworks, that fireseed, when used inside a tube with a fuse, could propel a stone a significant
distance.