kutzkattherine.the bishopsheir-第28章

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He　did　not　say　that　Duncan　would　also　be　his　Deryni　link　back　to　his　capital；　but　Arilan　seemed　to　sense　it。
〃Shouldn't　you　take　a　bishop　to　represent　the　legitimate　episcopal　hierarchy。　Sire？〃　he　asked；　as　prelude　to　including　himself　in　the　campaign。
〃The　matter　is　best　handled　by　secular　authorities　at　this　point。　Excellency；〃　Morgan　answered　for　the　king；　before　Kelson　had　to　stumble　over　a　reason　not　to　include　Arilan　as　that　bishop。　〃Unless　His　Majesty　particularly　wants　to　risk　one　of　his　loyal　bishops　in　this　venture　…　？〃
He　glanced　at　Kelson；　ready　to　back　down　if　the　king　had　strong　reasons　for　wanting　to　include　the　disputed　Arilan；　but　to　his　relief　Kelson　shook　his　head。
〃That　won't　be　necessary。　If　anyone　holds　Ratharkin　besides　Istelyn；　my　sworn　man；　it's　out　of　ecclesiastical　jurisdiction。　Now；　does　anyone　have　a　major　objection　that　hasn't　already　been　stated？〃
No　one　had。
〃Then；　I　suggest　we　all　set　about　making　the　necessary　preparations。　I　suspect　Loris　has　agents　here　in　Rhemuth；　so　I　want　to　leave　tonight；　under　cover　of　darkness；　before　anyone　has　a　chance　to　send　word　ahead　and　warn　him。　Morgan；　let's　get　started。〃
As　he　rose　and　headed　toward　the　great　double　doors　leading　from　the　chamber；　the　others　stood　and　made　their　bows；　Morgan　exchanging　a　resigned　glance　with　Duncan　before　falling　into　step　behind　the　king。

CHAPTER　TEN
Therefore　the　prudent　shall　keep　silence　in　that　time；　for　it　is　an　evil　time。
Amos　5：13
Two　days　later；　as　Kelson　and　his　battle　force　rode　toward　Ratharkin　in　an　icy　rain；　the　Pretender　of　Meara　entered　the　city　gates　with　her　husband　and　children。　Snow　had　been　falling　since　before　dawn；　discouraging　casual　travel；　so　her　party　passed　largely　unnoticed　through　nearly　deserted　streets。　Only　the　guards　keeping　the　gates　at　the　bishop's　palace　recognized　the　old　Mearan　colors　her　captain　carried；　and　hailed　her　as　she　passed。
She　took　their　homage　as　her　due；　she　rode　like　a　queen。　The　Lady　Caitrin　Quinnell　of　Meara　had　never　been　a　beautiful　woman；　nor　had　the　years　been　kind。　But　at　sixty…one；　she　was　pelling　in　that　cool　self…possession　that　sometimes　es　of　the　promise　of　power　and　the　unquenchable　belief　that　one　has　been　wronged　by　one's　station　in　life　but　eventually　will　be　vindicated。　The　white　palfrey　she　rode　was　not　a　large　animal；　but　the　top　of　Caitrin's　immaculately　coifed　head　barely　reached　its　shoulder　when　the　Baron　of　Trurill　handed　her　down　in　the　snow…covered　palace　yard。　When　he　kissed　her　hand；　she　acknowledged　the　salute　like　a　queen　receiving　homage；　polite　but　aloof　as　she　waited　for　the　rest　of　her　entourage　to　dismount　around　her。
〃Wele　to　Ratharkin；　Your　Royal　Highness；〃　Trurill　murmured。　〃Or　perhaps　I　shall　be　privileged　to　greet　you　as　the　Queen's　Grace；　ere　long。　I　am　Brice；　Baron　of　Trurill；　your　most　humble　servant。　Your　hosts　await　you　inside。〃
She　favored　him　with　a　quick　smile；　distracted　and　distant　as　she　tapped　a　riding　crop　gently　against　her　gloved　hand；　nodding　toward　the　bearded　man　in　border　tartan　who　joined　her　from　behind。　He　was　plain　of　face　and　a　little　thickset；　but　robust　and　fit；　his　costly　riding　leathers　cut　to　enhance　muscular　legs。
〃My　husband；　the　Lord　Sicard　MacArdry；〃　she　said；　by　way　of　introduction。　〃And　these　are　my　children：　Prince　Ithel；　Prince　Llewell；　and　the　Princess　Sidana。〃
Brice's　jaw　dropped　a　little　as　the　three　approached；　for　in　addition　to　being　far　younger　than　he　had　been　led　to　expect；　Caitrin's　offspring　were　strikingly　handsome。　He　had　no　idea　where　they　had　gotten　their　aristocratic　looks　…　neither　Caitrin　nor　Sicard　could　have　been　described　as　more　than　pleasant　looking；　even　in　their　youth　…　but　it　seemed　the　couple　had　thrown　three　of　the　eliest　offspring　Brice　had　ever　seen。　The　two　boys；　only　slightly　younger　than　King　Kelson；　pared　very　favorably　with　the　king　himself　for　poise；　bearing；　and　fairness　of　feature；　and　the　young　princess　…　
Brice　had　to　consciously　remind　himself　that　he　was　contentedly　married；　and　such　a　lass　not　for　the　likes　of　him　in　any　case。　Short　but　sapling…slender；　with　curling　locks　the　color　of　chestnut　burrs　escaping　from　beneath　her　travel　hood；　Sidana　seemed　the　embodiment　of　Brice's　every　feminine　ideal；　dark　eyes　holding　the　dreamy　mystery　of　some　creature　from　another　realm：　worldly　yet　innocent；　wise　but　naive。　She　inclined　her　head　politely　in　his　direction　as　she　noticed　his　rapt　interest；　but　she　did　not　resort　to　the　condescension　so　often　shown　by　other　girls　of　rank　in　similar　circumstances。　Her　kindness　enabled　him　to　shake　off　her　spell　without　making　too　much　of　a　spectacle　of　himself。
〃Ah；　you　find　my　daughter　attractive；　my　lord　baron？〃　he　heard　Sicard　saying；　the　border　lord's　face　creased　with　faint　amusement　as　he　extended　his　hand　in　greeting。
Brice　looked　the　girl's　father　in　the　eyes　and　blurted　out　the　truth。
〃I'　faith；　my　lord；　she　is　exquisite。　I　had　no　idea。　She　will　bring　great　honor　to　the　man　fortunate　enough　to　win　her　hand。〃
〃Aye；　she　will　that；〃　Caitrin　said　a　little　impatiently；　〃though　she　is　not　for　just　any　lord；　as　I　am　sure　you　can　appreciate。〃　She　took　her　elder　son's　arm　and　peered　past　Brice　toward　the　doors。　〃But　may　we　go　inside　now？　Our　attendants　will　see　to　the　horses　and　baggage。　It　has　been　hours　since　our　last　warmth　and　refreshment。〃
A　short　time　later；　when　an　embarrassed　Brice　had　shown　the　royal　guests　into　the　bishop's　receiving　room　and　the　usual　amenities　had　been　exchanged；　refreshment　taken；　royal　and　episcopal　conspirators　settled　down　to　serious　discussion。　Sidana　had　made　her　apologies　and　retired　to　rest　with　her　ladies；　but　her　two　brothers　sat　expectantly　to　either　side　of　their　parents；　keen　to　be　included　in　the　exchange　of　recent　happenings。
〃I　like　not　this　news　of　the　Duke　of　Cassan；〃　Caitrin　said　grimly；　as　Loris　took　a　chair　directly　opposite　her；　with　Creoda；　Judhael；　and　Brice　flanking　him。　〃Cassan　is　to　be　Ithel's；　when　McLain　is　dead。　With　McLain　a　bishop；　it's　conceivable　he　would　try　to　leave　it　to　the　Church。〃
〃And　Kierney　as　well；〃　Ithel　said；　from　his　mother's　right。　Brice　thought　the　boy's　dark　eyes　made　him　look　a　little　like　a　vulture　in　that　instant。
Sipping　delicately　at　a　cup　of　mulled　wine；　Creoda　shook　his　head。
〃Not　to　the　Church；　Highness。　To　the　Crown。　McLain　is　the　king's　man。　We　did　try　to　eliminate　him；　however。〃
Caitrin　shrugged。　〃A　poor　try；　I　hear。　He　was　fit　enough　to　attend　Mass　the　next　day。〃
〃The　archfiend　Morgan　came　to　his　aid；〃　Loris　muttered。　〃He　used　his　Deryni　sorcery　to　heal　him。〃
〃That　was　after　the　fact；〃　said　Sicard；　with　a　disparaging　wave　of　his　hand。　〃　'Tis　said　that　McLain　himself　warded　off　the　attack。　Did　you　send　a　child　to　do　a　man's　work？〃
Anger　flared　briefly　in　Loris'　face；　but　his　response　was　temperate　and　controlled。
〃The　boy　was　young；　yes；　but　he　had　been　trained　in　McLain's　own　household。　He　knew　what　he　was　doing。　A　man　could　not　have　gained　access　as　readily。　McLain　was　wounded　…　〃
〃But　to　no　avail；　it　seems　…　〃
〃My　Lord　Sicard；　the　drug　on　the　blade　should　have　rendered　anyone　with　Deryni　blood　quite　incapable　of　effective　defense。〃　Loris　explained　patiently。　〃And　for　a　priest；　conditioned　not　to　kill　if　it　can　be　avoided；　the　added　hesitation　should　have　been　fatal。〃
〃No　matter　now；〃　Caitrin　murmured；　toying　with　her　goblet。　〃It　wasn't　fatal；　so　we　shall　have　to　eliminate　McLain　some　other　way。　Before　that；　however；　there　is　the　matter　of　my　nephew。〃　She　favored　Judhael　with　a　fond　smile；　which　he　returned。　〃How　soon　are　you　prepared　to　proceed　with　his　consecration　as　bishop；　my　Lord　Loris？〃
Loris　inclined　his　head。　〃Tomorrow；　if　you　wish。　Highness。　It　is　regrettable　that　Bishop　Istelyn　continues　to　resist　the　inevitable；　but　Bishop　Creoda　and　several　others　will　be　honored　to　assist　me　in　that　happy　task。〃
〃So　you　said　in　your　letter；〃　Caitrin　replied；　glancing　at　her　husband。　〃You　said　also　that　the　Master　of　Transha　is　in　your　custody。　Would　you　care　to　explain　that？〃
Blinking　in　surprise；　Loris　glanced　from　one　to　the　other　of　them；　husband　and　wife；　then　at　Creoda；　who　shrugged。
〃I　landed　near　Transha；　Highness；　as　I　am　certain　I　informed　you；〃　Loris　said　cautiously。　〃The　boy　led　a　patrol　which　tried　to　intercept　me。　My　Lord　Brice　took　him　hostage　to　insure　our　escape；　and　we　kept　him　because　Transha's　support　could　be　valuable　in　the　future。　The　boy's　young；　he　might　be　won　over。　If　you　don't　agree；　it　isn't　too　late　to　kill　him。〃
〃Kill　him？〃　Sicard　gasped；　half…rising　from　his　chair。
As　Loris　jerked　back　in　surprise　and　Brice　and　Creoda　poised　to　intervene；　Caitrin　caught　at　her　husband's　hand。
〃Peace；　Sicard。　He　obviously　does　not　know。　Peace；　my　lords　…　please。〃
As　all　of　them　subsided；　Caitrin　returned　her　attention　to　Loris；　at　the　same　time　gently　stroking　her　husband's　hand。
〃In　all　the　intensity　of　your　own　escape；　you　obviously　have　forgotten　my　husband's　clan。　Archbishop；〃　she　said　carefully。　〃The　young　Master　of　Transha　is　my　husband's　nephew。　My　Lord　Sicard　has　not　spoken　to　his　brother；　the　boy's　father；　for　many　years；　but　you　must　realize　that　blood　is　very　important　to　border　folk。　The　fact　that　Sicard　and　Caulay　had　a　falling　out　does　not　lessen　my　husband's　affection　for　his　only　surviving　blood　nephew。〃
Loris　smiled　and　relaxed；　nodding　his　understanding。　〃Ah；　then；　we　have　no　quarrel；　dear　lady；　since　young　Dhugal　is　in　good　health　and　waits　upon　your　pleasure。　Would　you　like　to　see　him？〃
〃Immediately；〃　Sicard　murmured。
〃But；　of　course　…　though　I　assure　you；　he　is　honorably　detained。　He　presently　shares　quarters　with　Bishop　Istelyn；　who　has　been　seeing　to　the　injuries　he　received　when　he　was　captured。　Nothing　too　serious；　I　assure　you。　e。　I'll　take　you　to　him。〃

Dhugal　MacArdry　stretched　carefully；　then　moved　one　of　his　archers　on　the　gameboard　set　between　himself　and　Istelyn；　glancing　up　to　see　the　bishop's　reaction。　Istelyn　raised　an　eyebrow　and　passed　a　ringed　hand　across　his　mouth　and　lower　jaw　as　he　studied　the　new　tactical　situation；　deep　in　thought。
It　was　now　more　than　a　week　since　Dhugal's　capture；　and　his　injuries　were　healing　with　the　swiftness　often　granted　to　the　young　and　healthy。　His　head　still　throbbed　a　little　if　he　moved　too　quickly　or　tried　to　stay　awake　for　too　long　at　a　stretch；　but　the　constant　ache　of　his　ribs　had　eased　to　only　an　occasional　twinge。　Nor　did　it　hurt　to　breathe。　For　the　last　day　or　two；　he　had　even　begun　light　exercise　to　start　getting　back　into　shape。
He　flexed　his　sword　hand　and　made　a　fist；　heartened　by　the　increased　strength　he　felt；　then　stiffened　and　looked　up　as　footsteps　approached　the　outer　door。　Istelyn　pursed　his　lips　in　resignation　but　rose　as　the　door　opened；　gesturing　for　Dhugal　to　rise　as　well。　Dhugal　obeyed；　for　it　would　do　no　good　to　antagonize　their　captors。
〃You　have　visitors。　Lord　Dhugal；〃　Loris　said；　moving　through　the　doorway　as　the　guard　stepped　back。　〃I　assured　them　you've　been　treated　with　all　the　proper　respect　due　your　rank。〃
As　Dhugal's　eyes　darted　to　the　figures　entering　behind　Loris；　his　heart　sank。　The　rather　plain…looking　older　woman　he　did　not　know；　but　he　could　guess　her　identity　from　her　pany。　Even　had　the　man　at　her　side　not　worn　a　shoulder　plaid　of　Mac