“Do you believe these greenhouses would work as he claims?” asked Culich.
“It’s one of those things that just sounds right when you hear Yozef’s explanation. Combined with the success of some of his other ideas, I’m inclined to think it would work.”
“Then there’s the problem of getting plants or seeds from Landolin,” said Culich. “They impose the death penalty on anyone trying to smuggle out any plants or seeds.”
The abbot nodded. “There is that. However, I’m sure a hetman of your influence, ingenuity, and wealth could find ways around such annoyances.”
“Hah!” barked Culich. “Flattery will get you nowhere. I’m shocked, absolutely shocked that an abbot of your stature could conceive of such nefarious deeds.”
The two gray-bearded men shared a laugh. They had grown up together as boys in Caernford. Although the abbot had moved to different positions over the years, they remained friends, exchanged regular letters, and met whenever the opportunity lent itself.
“Pardon my saying so, Sistian, but this stranger of yours sounds too good to be true. If this keeps up, there are going to be fears he’s either a demon familiar or belief he’s an archangel sent from God to deliver Caedellium.”
The abbot sat back in his chair and sighed. “Don’t think I haven’t thought long and hard about those very points, Culich. I must admit to being leery of all of this at first. The Word warns us the Evil One can tempt in ways that seduce us into believing our actions are meant for good.” He paused. “However, I’ve observed Yozef for almost two years now, and several other brothers and sisters have discussed him with me. We all agree we detect no evil in the man. Not that I’m sure he’s told us the entire story of how he got to Caedellium. As for being an archangel, I think I can rule that out. He’s quite human.”
“Well, then,” said Culich, “if he’s not a demon familiar or some agent of the Evil One, and he’s not an archangel, what is he? A spy or an agent of the Narthani or some other power outside of Caedellium?”
“I don’t see how the knowledge he’s already passed to us would help any agency with designs toward Caedellium. I think his basic story is true, that he’s from a distant land that has knowledge that has not reached Caedellium. That he was a student still involved in his studies. That he was taken from his land against his will, perhaps in a manner he doesn’t fully understand. That he had a long bout of both loneliness and some despair when he arrived here, since he believes he’ll never see his home again, and that he harbors no animosity toward us. In fact, I believe he feels an obligation to us for the help we gave him. I also believe he’s accepted whatever fate brought him to Caedellium and has become a real member of the Abersford community. Having said all that, I also believe he knows more about how he got here than he’s told us.”
“How should we view this reticence to reveal all?”
“With a degree of caution, but still make use of what he knows. While I can’t be certain what he doesn’t tell us could be harmful, my sense is that what he’s not telling us is more personal, perhaps something about himself he doesn’t want to share. If so, it likely doesn’t pose a threat.”
Culich was thoughtful. “Knowing you as long as I have, I expect you have some recommendations for me.”
Sistian smiled. “Of course, my Hetman.”
“And those are . . . ?”
“I recommend you meet him yourself. I’ve given you my impressions, but yours would be from a different perspective. You’ve dealt with different ranges of human interactions than I have, at least from the political standpoint. I’m interested in your assessment of him. That’s one recommendation. Second is that while these pieces of knowledge he drops on us are giving us extraordinary advances in medicine, trades, and agriculture, I also wonder whether it might apply to other areas, perhaps even military.”
Culich’s eyebrows arched. “Military? You mean like the mainland realms that keep large numbers of men permanently armed and fight large-scale battles?”
“Yes. Like the Narthani. We haven’t done this on Caedellium, thank Merciful God, but we know from writings and reports that it’s common elsewhere on Anyar. It’s only logical to believe there are formal studies on managing such fighting.”
“Do you believe this Yozef Kolsko has military training and experience?”
“He’s given no such indication, and I once steered a conversation in that direction. I asked if he had been in any battles, and he said he had not and hadn’t been part of his people’s military. That confirmed his people had a military and indirectly suggests they were involved in these large battles. When I asked why he hadn’t served, he said they had a professional military drawn from their citizens, and most people don’t serve or receive training.”
“Then I wouldn’t see how he might have useful military information, except that the idea for defending St. Sidryn’s came from him.”
“Yes,” said Sistian, “there’s that. He’s told us how his people’s education is long and broad, so maybe his military knowledge is only from study.”
“Well, I trust your instincts, Sistian. Arrange for this Kolsko to visit Caernford, and I’ll meet with him.”
Sistian hesitated. Forgive me, God, for the little lie I’m about to speak. Any Keelander would heed Culich’s “request” without hesitation, but Yozef was not from Keelan, and Sistian wasn’t sure he’d come just because the Keelan hetman asked him to. He didn’t want Culich’s first interaction with Yozef to start off wrong.
“Actually, I wondered that since it’s coming the time for your yearly tour around the province, if you could manage to stop over a night or two at Abersford. I’m not sure Yozef is ready to leave where he is as yet, and I’d rather not force him to change his routine. I know the attack shocked him, perhaps in ways I’m not sure about, so it might be best if he stays where he is for now.”
“Then it’ll have to wait for a month or more. I’m postponing my inspection of the province. There’s a conclave called at Orosz City to discuss the Narthani threat.” Culich paused for a moment, stroking his beard in a manner the abbot knew indicated he had a new thought and was running it through his mind before sharing it. After a few more moments, Culich said, “Although I can’t go immediately, what about sending Maera? She’s wanted to visit St. Sidryn’s for some time, because it’s been several years since she’s been there. I’ve put her off because I value her help so much, but she can’t accompany me to the conclave, and this would be a good time for her to spend a month at the abbey.”
A smile warmed Sistian’s face. “We’re always happy to have a visit from Maera. Diera especially will be pleased. However, I still believe you will need to assess Yozef personally.”
“Of course, but Maera will have more time than I could spend, so her examination of this Kolsko character might be in more depth. I’ll speak to Maera, and I’m sure there’ll be no problem.”
Sistian nodded with a thoughtful expression.
Culich recognized the look. “Something else about this Kolsko?”