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Sanglant tapped one foot, waiting The plank flooring of the hall ept clean No carpets covered the long boards The scritching of quills continued unabated Clerics bent their heads over tables, writing and writing and writing He wondered that their hands did not begin to ache

"Then a proper e," Mother Scholastica said

"We settled this at Gent," he retorted

"A subtle player made thatmore than minor lords Her father was dedicated to the church and should never have fathered a child It can’t even be proved that she is legitimate rather than a bastard It can’t even be proved she has a soul Without your support, Sanglant, she is nothing more than an excommunicated practitioner of forbidden sorcery Subject to execution, if the church so desires"

"With such plain speaking, you can scarcely expect me to withdraw ame"

"The throne, or the woman"

"It is a false choice Why are you so stubborn?"

"Why are you so stubborn?" She was er made hilant It would have been better if Henry had married you to Villaainst the match at the time, as I recall"

"So I was Then Villam had already too much power in Henry’s council"

"Waltharia is unmarried, at this moment Would you object to her now?"

Scholastica hesitated Liutgard looked surprised, but Theophanu s away nothing

"I would object," said Liutgard finally

Scholastica still gave no answer

"Had you soht be sealed," she said slowly, "with a princess out of Salia or Alba Even, in these tih I account the with it a hile alliance So that will aid us"