The Papal Seal, the true symbol of religiuos and worldly might, with only the seal of the Holy Roman Emperor of comperable strenght, and even then, the Emperor lacked the support of being the representative of God on Earth. Yet, there was as much power scheming in the corridors of the Catholic Church, as in any other realm.
In the workroom of the Pope Gregory VII sat the Pope and his own personal advisor.
"Gregory, about the Emperor...your predecessors was deposed of the Emperors father. Now, his son is moving against you. You must act or let someone act in the behalf of the good for the Holy Church. We must not be trampled down by dukes, kings, not even the Holy Roman Emperor himself."
"But Leiss, he is more powerful then the Church...what can I do?"
"The Church is powerful in other ways then in worldly matters. The peasentry and commoners listen to the Church, through lies power...a king without peasents to get taxes or militia from is not a king for long...and the dukes, especially the saxons is itching for a opportinity to rise up against the Emperor."
"Yes...that would be an option...but why not more direct?"
"What has my dear Pope tought of?"
"Excommunication."
"Maybe be a bit too direct, but would suit excellently. But...wait, let he loose support from the commoners and nobles first. Then...he will suffer, and feel the plight of being alone, with everyone against him."
Leiss added very quietly "The nobles now, shall suffer like the Dark One did."
"Leiss, did you say something?"
"No, my dear Gregory. Shall I write the messages and have them brought to you for stamping with the seal?"
"Yes do so, how would I ever get by with the service of you or your family Leiss?"
Leiss answered with a smile that could be read as warm, but was only filled with nothing that even seemed like an emotion, only cold calculations and scheming.
"You wouldn't."
