kutzkattherine.the bishopsheir-第29章

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her　identity　from　her　pany。　Even　had　the　man　at　her　side　not　worn　a　shoulder　plaid　of　MacArdry　tartan；　Dhugal　would　have　recognized　the　unmistakable　stamp　of　kindred　blood。　It　could　only　be　his　black…sheep　uncle；　Sicard　MacArdry；　and　the　woman；　the　Pretender　Caitrin。
〃Kinsman；〃　Dhugal　murmured　neutrally；　in　case　he　was　mistaken；　inclining　his　head　in　a　polite　bow。
White　teeth　flashed　in　the　man's　heavy　beard　and　mustaches　as　he　chuckled　delightedly。
〃So；　my　brother's　son　has　grown　to　manhood；　eh？　We　hear　you　gave　His　Excellency's　escort　a　hard　time；　lad。〃
Dhugal　merely　inclined　his　head　again。　〃I　but　did　my　duty　to　my　father；　sir。　As　his　heir；　I　could　do　no　other。〃
The　woman　raised　an　eyebrow　and　glanced　over　at　her　husband；　apparently　pleased　with　his　answer。
〃The　boy　speaks　well；　Sicard；　and　seems　to　know　how　to　guard　his　tongue。　Perhaps　blood　will　show　him　his　new　duty　as　well。　Will　you　introduce　my　nephew？〃
Sicard　gave　her　a　little　bow　and　called　Dhugal　closer　with　a　gesture。　Dhugal　approached　slowly；　all　too　aware　why　they　had　sought　him　out。
〃An'　it　please　my　Liege　Lady；〃　Sicard　murmured；　〃I　beg　leave　to　present　my　brother's　son。　Lord　Dhugal　MacArdry：　heir　to　the　Earldom　of　Transha　and　tanist　of　Clan　MacArdry。　Dhugal；　Her　Royal　Highness　The　Princess　Caitrin　of　Meara。　If　you　are　wiser　than　your　father；　I　hope　you　will　acknowledge　her　as　your　future　liege。　Transha　was　once　part　of　Old　Meara；　and　shall　be　again；　if　the　fates　are　kind。〃
Dhugal's　heart　was　chilled　by　the　implication；　but　it　was　only　what　he　had　expected。　Putting　on　what　he　hoped　was　one　of　his　most　wide…eyed　and　naive　expressions；　he　took　the　hand　Caitrin　extended　and　brushed　the　knuckles　with　his　lips　in　polite　salute。　He　could　feel　Istelyn　stiffen　behind　him　in　disapproval。
〃I　am　honored　to　make　your　acquaintance；　Lady；〃　he　said；　turning　earnest　eyes　shyly　upon　her。　〃Often　while　I　was　growing　up；　I　mourned　the　fact　that　my　father's　quarrel　with　his　brother　had　robbed　me　of　uncle　and　aunt　and　cousins。　I　hope　you　will　not　hold　his　quarrel　against　me。〃
〃A　wise　lad；〃　she　replied；　taking　him　by　the　shoulders　to　formally　kiss　him　on　either　cheek。　〃We　shall　talk　more　of　this　after　your　cousin　Judhael's　consecration　tomorrow；　if　you　port　yourself　as　the　well…bred　lad　you　appear　to　be。〃　She　drew　back　to　glance　at　Istelyn；　who　returned　her　gaze　stonily；　then　nodded　to　Loris。
〃I　wish　Lord　Dhugal　to　have　an　honored　place　at　the　ceremony　tomorrow；　my　Lord　Archbishop。　He　is　family。　I　wish　him　treated　as　such。〃
Loris　bowed。　〃If　the　Lord　Dhugal　will　give　his　word　not　to　interfere　with　the　proceedings；　I　am　certain　that　can　be　arranged。　Highness。〃
〃Well；　Dhugal？〃　She　glanced　at　him　pointedly。　〃Can　we　trust　you　to　conduct　yourself　befitting　your　blood？〃
Dropping　to　one　knee；　Dhugal　bowed　his　head　and　murmured　his　wholehearted　agreement。　If　that　were　all　the　oath　required；　he　could　give　it　in　clear　conscience　…　　for　his　blood　and　honor　bound　him　to　his　king　and　brother　above　all。　And　by　gaining　their　trust；　he　might　yet　escape　to　warn　Kelson。
〃Swear　on　the　Cross；　then；〃　Loris　said；　not　unexpectedly；　starting　to　extend　his　pectoral　cross　for　Dhugal　to　kiss；　〃Nay；　on　second　thought；　you　shall　swear　on　Istelyn's　cross；　lest　you　harbor　some　scruple　about　the　one　I　wear。　Istelyn；　attend。〃
As　Loris　snapped　his　fingers　toward　Istelyn　and　held　out　his　hand；　Dhugal　thought　the　bishop　might　refuse　at　first　…　Istelyn　was　looking　thoroughly　disapproving　at　what　must　surely　appear　to　be　a　defection。　But　Loris'　mand　left　no　room　for　disobedience。　Defiance　would　only　mean　the　taking　of　the　cross　by　force。　Unlooping　the　chain　from　around　his　neck；　Istelyn　averted　his　eyes　and　held　out　the　sacred　relic。　Loris　glanced　at　the　kneeling　Dhugal　and　plicated　the　matter。
〃I　think　Bishop　Istelyn　should　administer　the　oath　as　well；〃　he　said　softly；　seizing　Istelyn's　wrist　and　bringing　the　hand　and　cross　down　to　Dhugal's　eye…level。　〃Place　your　hand　on　this　holy　symbol　and　swear　the　oath　to　Istelyn；　young　Dhugal。　And　know　that　if　you　are　forsworn；　you　will　bum　in　hell　for　your　sin！〃
Dhugal's　jaw　dropped　in　very　real　misgiving；　but　he　knew　he　had　already　made　his　decision　as　he　laid　his　palm　on　the　cross　in　Istelyn's　hand：　his　first　obedience　was　to　God　and　the　king；　and　that　obedience　superseded　all　other　oaths　which　he　might　be　required　to　make　under　duress。
〃Swear　that　you　will　take　no　action　to　disrupt　tomorrow's　proceedings；〃　Istelyn　said　softly；　at　Loris'　impatient　buffet　of　his　imprisoned　wrist。
The　words　were　precisely　what　Caitrin　had　specified；　and　Dhugal　thought　he　could　still　give　his　oath　in　good　conscience。　Perhaps　Istelyn　had　even　recognized　that　the　wording　left　room　for　interpretation。　But　before　Dhugal　could　bend　to　kiss　the　cross　in　confirmation；　Loris'　free　hand　clamped　around　their　joined　ones；　pressing　the　metal　of　the　cross　cruelly　into　their　flesh。
〃Swear　also　that　you　will　make　no　attempt　to　escape；〃　Loris　demanded。　〃Give　me　your　parole；　and　you　shall　be　accorded　all　the　honor　due　your　rank。〃
〃I　swear　it；〃　Dhugal　murmured；　dragging　the　words　reluctantly　from　the　depths　of　his　soul　as　he　raised　frightened　eyes　to　the　rebel　archbishop's。
〃Say　the　actual　words　of　the　oath；〃　Loris　insisted。
Dhugal　squirmed　inside；　but　he　had　no　choice　but　to　obey。
〃I　give　my　parole　that　I　shall　not　attempt　to　escape；〃　he　said　steadily。
〃And　that　I　shall　do　nothing　to　disrupt　the　proceedings　。。。〃　Loris　prompted。
〃And　that　I　shall　do　nothing　to　disrupt　the　proceedings；〃　Dhugal　repeated。
〃So　help　me　God。。。。〃
〃So　help　me　God。〃
〃And　may　my　soul　bum　in　hell　if　I　keep　not　this　solemn　oath　…　say　it！〃　Loris　ordered。
Chilled　despite　his　intentions；　Dhugal　turned　genuinely　frightened　eyes　on　Caitrin　in　appeal；　but　the　woman　only　smiled　and　nodded。
〃And　…　and　may　my　soul　burn　in　hell　if　I　keep　not　this　solemn　oath；〃　he　managed　to　choke　out。
〃Now　kiss　the　cross；〃　Loris　said；　releasing　his　cruel　grip。
Blindly　Dhugal　obeyed；　adding　his　own　fervent　prayer　that　God　would　forgive　him　for　taking　the　oath　in　vain。　He　was　shaking　with　the　exertion　the　act　had　cost　him　as　he　stood；　but　Caitrin　looked　pleased　and　even　Loris　seemed　satisfied。　Istelyn's　expression　revealed　nothing　as　he　put　the　cross　back　around　his　neck；　meeting　Loris'　gaze　defiantly　as　archbishop　and　then　pretender　turned　their　attention　on　him　instead　of　Dhugal。
〃And　what　of　you。　Bishop？〃　Caitrin　said　softly。　〃I　am　not　so　naive　as　to　think　you　can　be　won　as　easily　as　my　young　nephew；　but　you　shall　be　present　at　Judhael's　consecration　tomorrow。　Whether　you　attend　in　the　honor　due　your　station　is　up　to　you。〃
Istelyn　bowed　his　head。　〃I　will　not　be　a　party　to　any　of　this。　Lady。　I　do　not　recognize　the　authority　of　this　man　whose　escape　you　apparently　have　fostered　…　and　you　are　foolish　to　think　that　the　king　will　do　nothing　while　you　usurp　his　authority　in　his　own　lands。〃
〃Meara　is　mine；　not　Kelson's；〃　Caitrin　answered。
〃It　is　a　part　of　Gwynedd；　and　was　lawfully　joined　to　it　generations　ago；〃　Istelyn　said　stubbornly。　〃If　you　stand　with　this　renegade　priest；　you　join　in　treason　against　your　lawful　Lord。〃
〃History　will　decide　whether　it　is　treason；〃　Loris　retorted；　〃just　as　history　will　decide　whether　your　decision　was　wise。　You　may　have　overnight　to　reconsider　your　position　…　but　you　will　witness　Father　Judhael's　consecration　tomorrow；　even　if　you　must　be　drugged　and　bound　to　your　throne　half…conscious。　Do　not　make　the　mistake　of　thinking　this　an　empty　threat。　It　can　and　will　be　done。〃
〃Then；　the　legitimacy　of　what　you　are　doing　does　matter；　doesn't　it；　Loris？〃　Istelyn　turned　his　gaze　on　Caitrin。　〃My　lady；　I　pray　you　to　reconsider　what　you　are　about　to　do。　It　still　is　not　too　late　to　reverse　what　you　have　begun　and　beg　the　king's　pardon。　Loris　is　a　fugitive；　and　will　be　dealt　with；　but　you　have　mitted　no　grave　offenses　if　you　back　off　now。〃
Outraged；　Loris　lifted　a　hand　to　strike　him；　but　Sicard　blocked　his　wrist　at　Caitrin's　quick　signal。
〃We　shall　take　your　advice　under　consideration；　Bishop；〃　Caitrin　said　smoothly；　〃as　we　hope　you　shall　take　ours。　Archbishop　Loris；　we　have　more　to　discuss　in　private；　I　think。〃　She　glanced　at　the　silent　and　wide…eyed　Dhugal　as　Sicard　moved　to　open　the　door。　〃Nephew；　if　you　value　the　life　of　this　foolish　priest；　you　would　do　well　to　try　to　convince　him　of　the　error　of　his　stand。　You　shall　dine　with　us　this　evening　and　report　your　progress。〃
She　turned　and　swept　through　the　open　doorway　after　Sicard　even　as　the　astonished　Dhugal　made　a　hasty　bow。　Loris　cast　Istelyn　one　lingering；　venomous　glance；　a　more　calculating　one　in　Dhugal's　direction；　then　followed。　Dhugal　exhaled　softly　as　soon　as　the　bolts　had　snicked　shut　on　the　other　side；　glancing　uneasily　at　the　now…shaking　Istelyn。
〃So　that's　my　Aunt　Caitrin；〃　he　murmured。
Istelyn　shot　him　a　look　of　undiluted　disgust　and　turned　away；　making　his　way　blindly　to　the　prie…dieu　to　collapse　with　his　head　cradled　on　his　folded　arms。　After　a　moment　Dhugal　followed；　kneeling　awkwardly　on　the　bare　stone　beside　him。
〃Please　don't　be　angry　with　me。　Excellency；〃　he　whispered；　trying　to　will　the　bishop　to　raise　his　head。　〃You　don't　think　I　really　mean　to　do　anything　that　would　help　Loris；　do　you？〃
Istelyn's　whisper　could　barely　be　heard　from　behind　his　folded　forearms。
〃You　swore　an　oath；　Dhugal　…　in　terrible　terms。　Do　you　mean　to　be　forsworn？〃
〃I　…　I　had　no　choice。〃
Istelyn　looked　up　coldly。　〃You　had　a　choice：　the　same　choice　that　I　did。　And　you　gave　him　your　word。〃
Dhugal　swallowed　painfully。　His　ribs　were　aching　again　from　the　pounding　of　his　heart。
〃I　gave　the　king　my　word；〃　he　murmured。　〃And　if　it　costs　me　my　soul；　I'll　keep　my　word　…　to　him。〃　He　folded　his　hands　carefully；　interlacing　the　fingers；　and　pressed　them　tightly　clasped　to　his　chin。
〃But　I　can't　escape　to　warn　him　if　I'm　too　closely　guarded；〃　he　went　on　very　softly。　〃Maybe　I　can't　escape　anyway　…　but　at　least　I　have　to　try。　And　if　I'm　going　to　try；　I　owe　it　to　him　to　give　myself　the　best　possible　chance　of　succeeding。〃
〃Even　at　the　cost　of　breaking　your　sacred　oath？〃　Istelyn　asked。
〃Whatever　the　cost；〃　Dhugal　whispered。

He　could　not　convince　Istelyn　that　the　wisest　course　lay　in　pretending　to　cooperate　with　their　captors；　however。　He　tried　until　a　servant　came　to　fetch　him　for　dinner；　but　the　bishop　maintained　his　stand：　to　allow　the　appearance　of　cooperation　was　as　damaging　as　actually　capitulating　to　the　。enemy。　Istelyn　would　not　be　moved。
〃But　they　mean　to　have　you　there。　Excellency　…　probably　even　if　they　have　to　prop　up　your　dead　body　on　its　throne！〃　Dhugal　had　said　at　last。　〃You　can't　help　the　king　if　you're　dead！〃
〃Perhaps。　But　I　will　die　knowing　that　I　was　true　to　my　office　and　my　God。　Loris　will　never　have　that　satisfaction。〃
Dhugal　thought　about　what　Istelyn　had　said　as　he　followed　the　servant　into　the　bishop's　great　hall；　his　spirits　temporarily　dampened　by　the　heavy　weight　of　duty；　but　he　had　all　he　could　do　to　keep　his　wits　about　him　once　he　sat　down　to　supper。　They　put　him　at　the　far　end　of　the　high　table　with　a　man…at…arms　to　watch　as　well　as　serve　him；　and　he　knew　that　many　others　watched　for　errors　as　well。
Increasingly　conscious　of　the　dangerous　charade　he　played；　he　kept　his　peace　and　did　his　best　to　stay　wi