“Do you imply that the Archbishop of Treves has broken his compact? I understood that your escort was limited to the few men following you.”
His Lordship laughed.
“The Archbishop of Treves,” he said, “is not a great strategist, yet I surmise he is ready in case of trouble to seize the city of Coblentz.”
“What trouble could arise?”
“The present moment is somewhat critical, for the Emperor lies dying in Frankfort. We three Electors hope to avoid all commotion by having our plans prepared and acting upon them promptly. But the hours between the death of an Emperor and the appointment of his successor are fateful with uncertainty. I suppose the good Sisters at Nonnenwerth taught you about the Election of an Emperor?”
“Indeed, Guardian, I am sorry to confess that if they did I have forgotten all about it.”
“There are seven Electors; four high nobles of the Empire and three Archbishops, Lords Temporal and Lords Spiritual. The present Count Palatine of the Rhine is, like my friend Treves, completely under the dominion of the Archbishop of Mayence, so the three Lords Spiritual, with the aid of the Count Palatine, form a majority of the Electoral Court.”
“I understand. And now I surmise that you assemble at Stolzenfels to choose our future Emperor.”
“No; he has already been chosen, but his name will not be announced to any person save one before the Emperor dies.”
“Doubtless that one is the Count Palatine.”