"What my informants have told me..." One of them spoke up, specifying that they were informants, not so reliable. "Is that there is a large number of troops coming up from the capital to the edge of the mountain, coming from the church."
"From the church? Impossible!" Shouted another of them, jumping into the conversation. "My informants told me they came from the governorates!"
He was angry, but the one who had spoken first nodded.
"I agree with you. He also told me they came from there. But, from the Church, there is no doubt."
"Are you saying that the Church has betrayed us!? Why then would they send a Pillar with us!?" Furious, he looked at a man sitting silently to one side of them, wearing distinguished vestments.
"Sir..." he tried to speak, but he silenced him with a gesture, as he looked at the first man who had spoken.
Everyone thought it was the end of that good-natured minister. If he upset a pillar, he would be finished without turning back.
