Summary

In Chapter 87, Caris and Merthin to visit Henri and Claude. She notices that they look young, though Henri is older than Caris and Claude is not that much younger. She believes it is because the majority of the clergymen, unlike aristocrats, do not eat and drink to excess. Merthin says Philemon wants to stop building on the tower and that he wants to take Henri's place as bishop when Henri is promoted. They suggest Claude be named bishop. Though Caris knows the men have a personal relationship, they quickly realize that they will often visit each other when Henri is archbishop and Claude is bishop. They agree and Henri agrees to be on the lookout for another promotion that will take Philemon out of Kingsbridge.

Before they leave Shiring, the plague returns. Back in Kingsbridge, Caris and Merthin suggest closing the...