From the bookshelves to the desk, from the floor to the chandelier, from the potted plants to the pen rack, every place in the office where something could perch was occupied by crows.
There were still more that simply had nowhere to land and could only circle overhead. The sound of their beating wings surged out like a crashing tide the instant the door opened.
Each crow meant that a cleric had volunteered.
Even though the Chief Bishop had made it perfectly clear that the volunteers had almost no chance of survival, his office had filled with crows bearing their applications.
"Heh heh heh... ha ha ha... ha ha ha..."
Chief Bishop Byrne spread his arms and laughed heartily.
He had once lived in darkness. His family's plans had replaced the Pamireth Church's leadership, turning it completely into a vassal of Order.
Those had been long, painful years, and what had sustained him as he walked through the darkness was precisely this multitude of "chattering voices" before him, which had never been "summoned" but were certain to appear.
Byrne slowly turned to look at Kallen and said:
"Some people see one negative incident within the church and get agitated, worked up, waving their arms and shouting that the entire church is dark.
"Their brains aren't even as big as the two walnuts between their legs.
"A single hand blocking their view makes them mistake what they see for the whole world.
"They can't see the whole picture, so they easily become pessimistic, indignant, extreme, and defeatist.
"Kallen, I dare say I've seen more of the church's dark side than anyone else. The darkness I've dealt with personally is beyond counting.
"But I've never despaired or lost heart;
"Though occasionally, I do feel a little lonely.
"But I've never felt alone.