kutzkattherine.the bishopsheir-第31章

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Dhugal　had　never　seen　a　bishop　made　before；　so　he　was　not　sure　when　the　ceremony　departed　from　the　form　of　the　simple　Mass　he　knew。　It　was　difficult　to　follow　the　actions　of　half　a　dozen　priests　when　he　was　accustomed　to　watching　only　one；　and　once…familiar　words　took　on　odd　accents　and　emphasis　when　chanted　by　a　full　choir。　Taking　his　cues　from　those　around　him；　he　stood　and　knelt　when　they　did；　swallowing　his　disgust　and　outrage　when　the　traitorous　bishops　gathered　before　the　throne　Loris　had　no　right　to　occupy　and　the　chiefest　traitor　of　them　all　delivered　a　short　instruction　on　the　responsibilities　of　a　bishop。　Judhael　was　then　brought　before　Loris　to　respond　to　formal　questions。
〃Dearly　beloved　brother；〃　Loris　intoned　solemnly；　〃ancient　custom　dictates　that　bishops…elect　are　to　be　questioned　before　the　people　on　their　resolve　to　keep　the　faith　and　discharge　their　duties　justly。　I　therefore　ask　thee；　Judhael　of　Meara；　whether　thou　art　resolved　by　the　grace　of　the　Holy　Spirit　to　discharge　to　the　end　of　thy　life　the　office　entrusted　to　us　by　the　apostles　which　is　about　to　be　passed　on　to　thee　by　the　imposition　of　our　hands？〃
〃I　am；〃　Judhael　answered。
〃And　art　thou　resolved　to　be　faithful　and　constant　in　proclaiming　the　gospel　of　Our　Lord？〃
〃I　am。〃
The　ritual　dialogue　went　on；　but　Dhugal　had　no　stomach　to　listen　closely。　Whatever　promises　Judhael　made　under　these　circumstances；　and　however　pious　a　man　he　might　have　been　before　the　advent　of　Loris'　plotting；　Dhugal　was　as　certain　as　he　was　of　his　own　simple　faith　that　Judhael　of　Meara　was　damned　for　participating　in　this　mockery　of　holy　rite。　Why　did　God　not　strike　him　dead？　Was　there　no　justice；　even　in　the　very　House　of　God？
He　feared　greatly　for　Istelyn；　too；　though　it　was　the　man's　body　which　gave　him　greater　concern　than　the　man's　soul。　He　could　not　but　admire　the　man's　courage　…　forced　to　condone　the　affair　by　the　presence　of　his　body　but　unyielding　in　his　resolve　that　he　would　not　support　it　in　his　heart　…　but　Dhugal　was　made　of　more　practical　stuff。　He　did　wonder　whether　he　himself　had　taken　the　easier　way；　by　pretending　to　go　along　with　those　he　knew　to　be　wrong　…　and　whether　Istelyn　was　right：　that　Dhugal　was　dishonored　by　going　as　far　as　he　had　gone　already。　And　as　for　how　far　he　intended　to　go；　if　there　were　opportunity　…　
〃Beloved　brothers　and　sisters；〃　Loris　chanted；　standing　to　face　the　congregation；　〃let　us　pray　for　this　man　chosen　to　provide　for　the　needs　of　God's　Holy　Church。　Let　us　pray　that　Almighty　God　in　His　goodness　will　fill　him　with　abundant　grace。〃
Dhugal　knelt　with　the　others　at　that；　watching　the　forsworn　Judhael　prostrate　himself　before　the　altar　while　the　rest　of　the　bishops　knelt　around　him；　even　Istelyn　being　propped　kneeling　at　his　faldstool　to　the　side。　The　choir　sang　a　Kyrie；　familiar　to　Dhugal　even　in　its　embellished　form；　then　shifted　deftly　into　a　litany　of　angels　and　saints　invoked　to　bless　the　man　being　consecrated。
〃Sancta　Maria。。。〃
〃Ora　pro　nobis〃
〃Sancte　Michael。。。〃
〃Ora　pro　nobis。〃
〃Sancte　Gabriel。。。〃
〃Ora　pro　nobis。〃
〃'Sancte　Raphael。。。〃
〃Ora　pro　nobis。〃
〃Sancte　Uriel。。。〃
〃Ora　pro　nobis。〃
〃Omnes　sancti　Angeli　et　Archangeli。。。〃
〃Orate　pro　nobis。。。〃
The　litany　went　on　and　on；　the　cadences　lulling　the　senses；　and　Dhugal　let　his　mind　drift　back　to　his　own　dilemma。　Though　he　had　given　his　word　he　would　not　try　to　escape；　his　duty　to　Kelson　dictated　otherwise；　despite　the　terrible　oath　Loris　had　made　him　swear　on　holy　relics。　He　knew　Istelyn　did　not　approve；　and　counted　an　oath　on　oath；　regardless　of　the　circumstances　under　which　it　was　made　…　and　perhaps　he　was　right。　Perhaps　there　was　no　promising　with　evil。
But　the　greater　evil；　if　Kelson　did　not　learn　of　what　was　happening　here　today；　seemed　to　Dhugal　to　outweigh　the　niceties　of　semantics。　If　he　could　escape；　it　was　his　duty　to　do　so；　regardless　of　his　sworn　oath。　Time　enough；　if　he　succeeded；　to　seek　absolution。　He　would　not　betray　his　brother。
Increasingly　angry　and　indignant；　he　watched　the　traitor　bishops　go　through　the　form　of　consecrating　Judhael：　the　imposition　of　hands；　the　anointing　with　sacred　chrism；　the　giving　of　ring；　mitre；　and　crozier；　the　bringing　of　the　gifts　of　eucharistic　bread　and　wine　by　his　family　…　Caitrin　and　Sicard　and　their　children。　At　least　they　did　not　ask　him　to　assist　them。
But　he　was　expected　to　go　forward　and　receive　munion　with　the　rest　of　them；　after　the　new　bishop　had　ordained　a　deacon　and　concelebrated　Mass　with　his　new　brothers。　And　he　was　spared　receiving　it　from　Judhael　only　to　have　Loris　himself　lay　the　consecrated　wafer　on　his　tongue。　Dhugal　had　all　he　could　do　not　to　choke　on　it　as　he　returned　to　his　place　with　folded　hands　and　downcast　eyes；　hating　the　hyprocisy　which　forced　him　to　pretend　the　same　traitor's　game　which　they　played　in　earnest。　He　prayed　as　he　had　never　prayed　before　that　God　would　forgive　him　for　receiving　the　Sacrament　with　as　much　loathing　in　his　heart　as　he　felt　for　the　treacherous　Loris。
The　final　strains　of　a　solemn　sung　？？　Deum　followed　them　out　onto　the　cathedral　porch　when　it　was　over。　Surrounded　by　senior　clergy　and　his　family；　the　new　bishop　paused　on　the　cathedral　steps　to　impart　his　first　episcopal　blessings　to　the　people　outside。　Dhugal　was　drawn　along　with　them；　by　virtue　of　his　kinship　with　Sicard；　but　surveillance　seemed　to　have　lessened　in　the　general　excitement　of　the　event　and　he　found　it　possible　to　ease　into　the　background；　almost　blending　in　with　the　family's　lesser　retainers。　The　bite　of　a　ing　storm　was　in　the　wind；　so　he　pulled　up　the　fur…edged　hood　of　his　cloak　against　it　and　began　a　casual　survey　of　the　cathedral　square　while　he　pretended　merely　to　savor　the　fresh　air。　Other　than　to　enter　the　cathedral　a　few　hours　before；　he　had　not　been　out　of　doors　since　his　arrival　in　the　city。
From　what　he　could　see；　the　physical　layout　was　not　entirely　impossible。　He　did　not　know　Ratharkin　at　all；　but　movement　in　and　out　of　the　square　appeared　to　be　unhampered　and　unregulated。　The　south　gates　of　the　city　lay　less　than　half　a　mile　beyond　the　mouth　of　a　narrow　street　opening　off　west　of　the　square。　He　had　marked　the　way　well　in　his　mind　as　they　rode　here　this　morning；　and　a　possible　alternate　route　through　another　side　street。
Of　more　important　immediate　concern　was　the　help　or　hindrance　Dhugal　might　expect　from　the　milling　citizens；　many　of　whom　were　making　their　way　closer　to　kneel　for　the　new　bishop's　blessing。　From　what　he　had　overheard；　no　one　seemed　to　see　Judhael's　creation　as　Bishop　of　Ratharkin　as　any　encroachment　on　the　recently　installed　Istelyn；　for　Istelyn　was　Bishop　of　Meara。　Besides；　was　not　Bishop　Istelyn　standing　at　the　new　bishop's　side；　affirming　the　new　bishop's　legitimacy　by　his　mere　presence？　Clearly；　Judhael　was　meant　to　assist　the　bishop　installed　by　archbishops　and　king　a　fortnight　before　…　and　who　would　have　informed　them　otherwise？
The　presence　of　Caitrin　and　her　family；　standing　beneath　a　banner　in　the　Mearan　royal　colors；　only　added　local　interest；　for　who　of　the　mon　folk　knew　what　lord　had　placed　his　hands　between　whose？　If　Meara's　senior　royal　was　here；　publicly　witnessing　the　elevation　of　her　nephew　in　the　presence　of　the　king's　duly　appointed　and　enthroned　representative。　Bishop　Istelyn；　who　could　say　she　was　not　entitled？　And　a　prelate　of　Mearan　royal　blood　could　not　but　please　most　residents　of　this　ancient　Mearan　city；　regardless　of　the　lip…service　professed　to　the　Crown　of　Gwynedd。
Dhugal　dared　not　expect　support　from　Ratharkin's　citizens；　then。　But　at　least　the　public　acclamation　of　Judhael；　distasteful　as　it　was　to　Dhugal；　perhaps　gave　convenient　cover　to　explore　escape　options；　for　with　attention　centered　on　Judhael　and　the　rest　of　the　Mearan　royal　family；　there　was　very　little　notice　being　taken　of　Dhugal。　Foot　soldiers　mingled　with　the　throngs　in　the　square；　lining　the　cathedral　steps　as　well；　but　none　were　very　close　to　Dhugal。　Less　than　a　score　of　mounted　knights　and　men…at…arms　patrolled　the　area。　Two　of　them　sat　their　mounts　at　ease　near　the　gate　leading　back　into　the　cathedral　pound；　only　casually　watching　the　crowd；　but　the　nearest　other　men　on　horseback　were　clear　across　the　square。　If　Dhugal　could　make　his　way　close　enough　to　surprise　the　men　and　secure　one　of　the　horses。。。。
Blowing　on　his　gloved　hands　to　warm　them；　he　eased　his　way　a　few　steps　farther　to　his　left；　closer　to　the　guards；　casually　eying　the　nearer　horse　…　a　wiry；　fast…looking　bay。　Almost　immediately　the　animal　tossed　its　head　and　snorted；　swinging　its　hindquarters　against　the　sorrel　beside　it　and　dancing　a　little　jig　until　its　rider　curbed　it　sharply。　The　other　rider　looked　irritated　and　murmured　something　to　his　panion　that　Dhugal　could　not　hear；　as　he　jerked　at　his　own　mount's　mouth；　but　when　the　two　stood　once　more　at　ease；　both　of　them　were　several　horse…lengths　closer　than　they　had　been。　It　occurrred　to　Dhugal　to　wonder　whether　the　animals　somehow　had　been　aware　of　his　scrutiny；　but　he　dismissed　the　notion　almost　at　once。　He　was　good　with　horses；　but　not　that　good。
The　pageantry　of　Judhael's　acclamation　continued　on　the　cathedral　steps；　but　many　of　the　Mearan　folk　were　also　hailing　Caitrin　now。　From　under　his　hood；　Dhugal　watched　her　bask　in　their　homage；　wondering　whether　they　realized　their　treason　…　or　if　they　cared。　It　was　also　beginning　to　snow　again。　Soon；　despite　the　sweetness　of　public　acclaim；　they　would　all　pack　up　and　go　inside；　and　his　opportunity　would　be　lost。
He　sidled　a　little　closer　to　the　horses；　trying　his　best　to　appear　nonchalant　…　and　nearly　jumped　out　of　his　skin　when　he　felt　a　tug　at　his　cloak　from　the　right。
〃Ithel；　it's　getting　cold。　I　think　we　ought　to　…　oh；　I　beg　your　pardon。〃
The　voice　was　Sidana's；　and　as　he　curbed　his　initial　urge　to　whirl　in　response　and　slowly　turned　instead；　he　saw　by　her　expression　what　had　happened。　He　was　wearing　Ithel's　clothes。　Immediately　he　sensed　a　way　to　take　advantage　of　the　error　…　if　only　he　were　given　time　to　carry　through。
〃No　need　to　beg　my　pardon；　fair　cousin；〃　he　murmured　in　his　best　court　accents；　catching　her　gloved　hand　to　press　it　to　his　lips。　〃You're　the　only　one　who's　addressed　a　kind　word　to　me　all　morning　…　even　if　it　was　meant　for　someone　else。〃
She　blinked　uncertainly；　too　flustered　to　withdraw　her　hand。
〃In　faith；　cousin；　I　had　not　known　you　pined　for　our　kindness。　You　were　merry　enough　last　night；　but　wine　will　make　even　false　men　seem　hale　and　earnest。　My　father　was　not　certain　you　felt　the　bond　of　blood　as　strongly　as　we。〃
With　a　shrug；　Dhugal　let　go　her　hand　and　wrapped　his　cloak　more　closely　around　him；　stamping　his　feet　against　the　cold　and　withdrawing　turtlelike　into　the　closeness　of　his　hood。
〃In　faith；　cousin；　the　cold　out　here　is　cold　enough　without　the　chill　of　family　rejection。　The　ride　from　my　father's　lands　taught　me　much　of　the　realities　of　life。　If　my　uncle　your　father　can　make　my　fortune　in　the　new　order；　then　it　behooves　me　to　listen　to　my　blood　…　and　especially　to　so　fair　a　kinswoman。〃
The　color　rose　in　her　cheeks　at　that；　but　she　dared　a　tiny　smile　as　she　returned　his　gaze。
〃Are　you　flirting　with　me；　kinsman？〃　she　asked；　dark　eyes　teasing　just　a　little。　〃We　are　first　cousins；　after　all。〃
Dhugal　decided　not　to　pursue　that　line；　though