"Your Bible," Medart corrected. "I'm a little surprised you didn't do
any religious study, even though Joan told you not to discuss it. If
you want, I'll have my ship make you a copy of the Traditional Catholic
version, along with an outline of their teachings; except for the
doctrine of the Protector, that seems to be the branch your Founders
belonged to."
"I'd . . . appreciate that," Odeon said slowly. "You're telling me
we've been lied to?"
"Not necessarily." Medart paused, studying the other. "Will you be
offended if I give you the Omnist position on different religions?"
"I'll try not to be."
"Good. The primary tenet is that all religions are true in part, none
in totality--Omnism included. While the Creator's both infallible and
unchanging, the creations aren't; we change, hopefully mostly for the
better, and He gives us different religions to reflect our changing
needs. I'd say that for some reason, your Founders were given a
revelation about the Protector. I can't say how faithfully they
recorded it, or if any interpretations were accurate, but another of
our primary beliefs is that the Creator plays fair with His creations.
He doesn't lie, though we may misunderstand or otherwise screw up what
He shows us." Medart grinned. "You told me yourself the real
Protector's shown up, which should ease your mind on that score. Do I
know @, by the way?"
Odeon managed a smile. "You brought him. Joanie had Keith given his
tattoo, then made a comment about being anxious for the permanent
Protector to take over. Keith offered to take that burden from her and
had that offer accepted--I'm not sure by Joanie. Then he sent me here
to visit you, telling me I had a lot to learn."
"Keith, huh? Mind telling me what you believe the Protector is, now
that we know who he is?"
"Until a couple of minutes ago, I was certain the Protector was the
Third Person of the Trinity. Now you tell me there's nothing known
about him outside the Systems, when God is universal. So . . . I don't
know. Did Lucius tell you anything about him?"
"That he and the Protector are both restricted to the Systems, at least
for a time, and that the Brotherhood's their problem. Of course, if
he's who he claims to be, that could be a lie."
"Damn." Odeon rubbed the back of his neck. "He told me months ago
that his reputation as Father of Lies comes from humans who don't want
to believe him, that the truth was more useful and painful. Since that
hurts, it probably is true."
"It makes you feel betrayed."
"Yeah." Odeon sighed. The Ranger wasn't mind-touching him, but he was
certain that wasn't necessary; he'd never been very good at hiding
strong feelings, and his current feeling of betrayal was as strong as
his anguish at Joanie's maiming had been. "What would he be, then?"