Augustin set down his quill, sighing with the kind of exhaustion that only comes to the writer after hours of text. Slowly crinking his neck, he could feel some of the tension ebb, yet the fatigue of so much thought weighed on him, and the young Bishop gazed upon his work with the silent personal judgement only an author could bring.
A Deo et Rege was only his second work to be published, a short history of the papacy and the empire, written without the more political assumptions that he easily could have made. Perhaps a few churches would inscribe a copy for their consumption and learning. Crude, perhaps, but maybe he was being too harsh.
There was a knock on the study door, and Augustin turned his head too quickly, feeling the tension in his neck throb painfully.
”Yyyess?”
”Messengers from the Mark, Your Grace.”
He smiled slightly, picturing the city father so annoyed at the nomination of one so young. Mark sees it as a threat, Augustin judged, someone he couldn’t control. And perhaps he was right. Besides, the city was not meant to control its church. The other way, however? He crossed himself at such a revelation of pride and turned back to the door, more slowly this time.
”Enter.”
The cedar door gave way to reveal the stoic form of his court steward, a man far older than him and someone who would call himself wiser, too, if Augustin let him. For now, however, Rolf was polite and reserved, taking a few proper steps into the room and bowing.
”Courier from Frankfurt, Your Grace. The Electors meet in congress.”
Augustin nodded, though he could feel the rush of interest. He, too, would rank himself among such noble lords, with a solemn duty to nominate and elect their Emperor. No, he shook his head. That was for His Holiness. They could only present their King and see him forth from there. Thinking of matters theological, he cocked his head.
”And His Holiness? Still in Prague?”
Rolf nodded, with a slight twinkle in his eye.
”Hmm, yes. Ladislav entertains him. Or perhaps the other way around. One can never tell these days…”
Augustin frowned slightly, though he enjoyed the momentary impertinence.
”Indeed? Well. That will be my first destination. I trust you can keep things in order here? The Marks are aware of my positions, so there should be little trouble on that score. Problems? Simply send someone to me and I shall resolve. Anything else?” When Rolf shook his head, he nodded in dismissal.
Books, he thought regretfully, were for another time then. For now, he had more momentous stories to author.
