kutzkattherine.the bishopsheir-第39章

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it　until　the　spring。〃
〃Well；　thank　the　heavens　for　that　bit　of　wisdom；〃　Ewan　muttered　under　his　breath。　〃I　thought　he　might　be　intending　to　gallop　off　to　Meara　again　tonight！〃
〃In　this　weather？〃　Bradene　asked；　shocked。
Morgan；　sensing　the　disapproval　under　Ewan's　gruff　aside；　flashed　a　warning　look　at　Kelson。
〃I　think　His　Majesty　is　quite　aware　of　the　situation；　Ewan；〃　he　said　easily。　〃In　any　case；　even　were　it　not　for　the　weather；　we've　lost　our　element　of　surprise。　Our　foray　into　Meara　went　unchallenged　because　no　one　expected　us　to　venture　forth　on　the　edge　of　the　season's　first　storm。　They'll　be　ready　for　us　next　time。〃
〃They'll　be　ready　for　a　military　offensive；　yes；〃　Nigel　countered。　〃However；　I　have　in　mind　an　offensive　which　requires　no　military　action　whatsoever。　The　means　of　acplishing　that　offensive　is　already　in　your　hands；　Sire。〃
Expressionless；　Kelson　sat　back　in　his　chair　and　lowered　his　eyes；　tracing　the　carving　on　the　chair　arm　with　one　fingertip。　He　suspected　he　knew　what　was　ing。　He　had　hoped　to　avoid　the　question　indefinitely。
〃If　you're　referring　to　our　hostages。　Uncle；　I　don't　make　war　on　women　and　children。〃
〃Nor　am　I　asking　you　to　do　so；〃　Nigel　said。　〃I　would　remind　you；　however；　that　not　all　wars　are　won　on　the　battlefield。〃
Before　Kelson　could　frame　a　reply；　Ewan's　bearded　face　creased　in　a　lecherous　grin。
〃He　means　the　marriage　bed；　lad。　Now；　there's　a　merry　winter's　sport！　I　told　ye　a　bride　was　what　ye　needed。　An'　wouldn't　that　frost　her　mother？〃
〃Ewan；　please！〃
Kelson's　rebuke　stilled　the　old　duke's　tongue；　but　it　did　not　wipe　the　grin　from　his　face　or　extinguish　the　gleam　in　his　eyes。　Nigel　was　studying　his　royal　nephew　with　a　mixture　of　passion　and　resolution；　not　liking　the　suggestion　any　more　than　Kelson　did。　To　Kelson's　left。　Archbishop　Bradene　looked　dubious；　Cardiel　thoughtful。　As　Bradene　cleared　his　throat；　all　eyes　instantly　turned　toward　him。
〃Sire；　it　appears　that　between　them。　Their　Noble　Graces　have　just　suggested　a　marriage　with　the　Lady　Sidana；〃　Bradene　said　quietly。
〃The　Princess　Sidana；　by　Mearan　reckoning。　Excellency；〃　Nigel　amended；　〃and　heiress　to　what　they　regard　as　the　legitimate　royal　line。〃
〃But　it　isn't　the　legitimate　royal　line；〃　Kelson　pointed　out。　〃And　even　if　it　were；　she　has　a　mother　and　two　brothers　ahead　of　her。〃
〃The　mother　is　not　a　young　woman；〃　Nigel　countered。　〃Even　if　she　were　to　escape　us；　you　have　time　on　your　side。　You　can　easily　outwait　her。　Of　the　brothers；　one　is　in　our　hands　already　and　the　other　eventually　will　be　taken　or　slain　in　battle。　Eliminate　the　two　of　them　and　marry　Sidana　…　not　necessarily　in　that　order　…　and　the　Mearan　royal　line　will　bee　the　legitimate　line　in　your　children's　generation；　as　should　have　been　done　in　your　great…grandfather's　time。〃
From　the　animation　of　the　discussion　that　followed；　it　soon　became　apparent　that　the　notion　had　already　occurred　to　at　least　a　few　of　them；　probably　from　the　moment　Sidana　rode　through　the　city　gates　in　Morgan's　arms。　Kelson　mostly　listened　for　the　first　few　minutes；　occasionally　exchanging　uneasy　looks　with　Morgan；　Dhugal；　or　Duncan；　but　when　at　last　he　held　up　a　hand　for　silence；　he　had　shuttered　his　true　feelings　behind　a　facade　which　even　Morgan　could　not　pierce。
〃There　is　a　certain　logic　in　what　my　uncle　has　proposed；　my　lords；〃　the　king　said　carefully。　〃I　will　tell　you　from　the　outset　that　this　is　not　the　first　time　the　lady　in　question　has　been　proposed　as　a　potential　royal　bride。　When　I　was　in　Transha　a　few　weeks　ago。　Lord　Dhugal's　late　father　also　extolled　the　lady's　suitability　…　not　as　an　uncle　seeking　rich　dowry　for　his　niece；　but　as　a　loyal　liegeman　suggesting　a　possible　way　to　ease　the　tension　which　has　been　increasing　along　the　Mearan　border　for　the　last　several　years。〃
〃Old　Caulay　offered　you　her　hand　and　you　didn't　tell　us？〃　Ewan　blurted；　eyes　flashing　above　his　bushy　beard。　〃Why；　that　old　fox！〃
〃He　didn't　offer　me　her　hand；　Ewan！〃　Kelson　retorted；　allowing　himself　a　sigh　of　exasperation。　〃He　wasn't　in　any　position　to　make　me　such　an　offer。　He　simply　pointed　out　the　obvious　advantages　of　such　a　match。　Sidana　was　still　in　Meara　at　the　time。〃
〃And　now　that　she　is　in　Gwynedd？〃　Nigel　asked。
Kelson　closed　his　eyes　briefly　and　drew　a　deep　breath；　then　let　it　out　with　a　patient　sigh。
〃Frankly；　the　idea　terrifies　me。　I　don't　even　know　the　girl。　But　I'm　a　king　first　and　a　man　second。　If　such　an　alliance　would　ease　the　tension　along　the　border　and　help　secure　peace；　then　I　would　be　less　than　true　to　my　coronation　oath　if　I　did　not　give　it　my　wholehearted　support。〃
〃It　might　just　do　that。　Sire；〃　Jodrell　said　thoughtfully。　〃I　know　the　Mearans。　My　patrols　go　back　and　forth　across　the　border　constantly。　Caitrin's　sons　or　Sidana's　sons　…　it　would　make　no　difference　to　most　folk。　They've　been　sending　sons　and　husbands　and　brothers　off　to　war　with　Gwynedd　for　over　a　hundred　years。〃
〃I　doubt　a　marriage　with　Sidana　would　stop　that；〃　Saer　de　Traherne　said。　〃Unless　Caitrin　does　submit　by　Christmas；　which　I　think　highly　unlikely　in　light　of　that；〃　he　gestured　curtly　toward　the　letter　and　box；　〃there's　still　going　to　be　a　war　in　the　spring　…　at　least　until　we　take　her　and　Ithel。〃
Bishop　Hugh；　silent　until　then；　sat　forward　and　raised　a　hand　for　recognition。
〃Sire；　forgive　me　if　I　speak　out　of　turn；　but　might　not　a　marriage　with　Sidana　be　used　to　negotiate　a　true　peace？　Perhaps　Caitrin　would　be　willing　to　renounce　her　claim；　if　she　were　assured　that　her　daughter　would　be　queen　of　a　united　Meara　and　Gwynedd。〃
Dhugal　shook　his　head　emphatically。　〃Not　a　chance；　Excellency。　Even　if　she　would；　Ithel　wouldn't。　He's　full　of　plans　for　when　he's　king。　Llewell's　little　better；　though　at　least　we　have　him　in　custody。〃
〃The　lad　is　right。　Sire；〃　Jodrell　agreed。　〃Marriage　with　Sidana　might　provide　an　ultimate　solution；　but　we'll　still　have　to　take　Caitrin　and　Ithel　…　and　any　other　Mearan　heirs；　while　we're　at　it　…　before　it　would　be　meaningful。　Judhael；　in　particular。　Mearan　partisans　might　pass　over　Sidana　if　another　male　heir　could　be　persuaded　to　take　up　the　cause。〃
〃We　will　deal　with　Judhael；　my　lord；〃　Arilan　said　pointedly。　〃You　need　not　worry　about　a　renegade　priest。　The　marriage　does　have　its　merits；　though。　Sire；　from　what　has　been　said；　I　assume　that　you　would　be　willing　to　enter　such　a　union。　Is　that　a　correct　assumption？〃
Kelson　shrugged；　making　a　game　attempt　to　appear　casual。　〃If　I　must。　However；　a　great　deal　depends　upon　the　lady。　She　may　not　want　to　marry　me。〃
Ewan　snorted。　〃She'll　do　as　she's　told；　if　she　knows　what's　good　for　her！〃
〃And　suppose　she　doesn't？〃　Kelson　asked。
Jodrell　shrugged。　〃She　is　your　hostage。　Sire。　If　such　is　your　desire；　I　hardly　think　she　has　much　choice　in　the　matter。〃
〃Oh？　And　if　I　drag　her　to　the　altar　against　her　will；　how　then　for　the　sanctity　of　our　marriage　vows？〃　Kelson　retorted。　〃What　say　you。　Archbishop？〃
As　Bradene　squirmed　under　the　royal　scrutiny；　Arilan　shook　his　head。　〃It　is　not　required　that　the　bride　be　eager；　Sire；　only　willingly　resigned。　And　if　the　wooing　is　carried　out　with　…　the　proper　delicacy；〃　he　arched　an　eyebrow　knowingly　at　the　king；　〃I　think　she　would　not　be　unwilling。〃
His　glance　at　Kelson　conveyed　all　the　potential　of　a　Deryni　king's　ability　to　persuade；　without　even　resorting　to　his　own　Deryni　abilities。　Kelson　read　his　meaning　instantly；　a　little　sick　at　heart；　and　knew　by　Morgan's　quickly　damped　flare　of　indignation　that　he　had　read　it；　too。
With　a　chill　smile。　Kelson　leaned　back　in　his　chair　and　allowed　himself　a　resigned　sigh。
〃I　take　your　meaning。　Bishop；〃　he　said　quietly；　trying　to　put　out　of　mind　the　temptation　Arilan　had　just　presented　him。　〃If　wooing's　to　be　done；　however；　I'll　do　it　in　my　own　fashion。　For　the　sake　of　my　kingdom；　I'll　even　take　her　by　force　if　I　must。　I'm　sure　a　priest　could　be　found　who　would　turn　a　blind　eye　to　her　protests；〃　he　added　dryly。　〃But　if　peace　can　be　secured　some　other　way；　without　much　loss　of　life；　then　I　would　as　soon　not　wed　for　now。　We　still　have　time。〃
〃And　does　Istelyn　have　time？〃　Bradene　demanded。　〃How　do　you　intend　to　answer　that？〃
As　he　gestured　angrily　toward　the　box　across　from　him　and　Kelson；　the　king　slapped　his　open　palm　against　the　table　in　consternation。
〃Obviously　I　cannot　answer　it。　Archbishop！　I　have　already　said　that　I　can　do　nothing　for　Istelyn。　I　shall　reiterate　our　demand　that　Caitrin　and　her　son　submit　to　me　by　Christmas。〃
〃And　if　she　does　not？〃
Kelson　sighed　heavily；　his　momentary　anger　deflated。
〃If　she　does　not；　then　I　shall　take　the　Princess　Sidana　to　wife　at　Twelfth　Night　and　send　out　summons　of　array　for　a　spring　campaign。〃
〃Alas；　I　fear　that　will　mean　Istelyn's　death；〃　Cardiel　said；　as　murmurs　of　concurrence　rippled　around　the　table。
〃We　must　count　Istelyn　as　dead　already；　my　lords；〃　Morgan　said　softly。　〃And　if　he　dies；　then　we　must　make　his　death　count　for　something。　I　know　he　would　support　the　king's　wish　to　settle　all　as　bloodlessly　as　possible；　but　if　necessary；　the　spring　shall　see　his　murderers　confounded　with　the　sword。〃
〃Very　well；〃　Bradene　replied。　〃I　see　that　there　is　no　appeal　for　that。　Fortunately；　the　Church　has　weapons　other　than　the　sword　with　which　to　confound　Loris　and　his　would…be　Mearan　queen。　Nor　need　we　wait　until　the　spring　to　use　them。〃
As　Bradene　swept　his　fellow　bishops　with　his　hard　glance；　almost　in　challenge。　Kelson　knew　with　a　chill　certainty　what　was　ing　next。
〃I　propose　a　rite　of　general　exmunication；〃　Bradene　went　on。　〃That　we　formally　strip　Loris　of　his　rank　and　priesthood　…　something　we　should　have　done　two　years　ago　…　that　we　suspend　the　bishops　who　have　taken　his　part；　and　that　we　exmunicate　the　lot　of　them；　including　the　Mearan　royal　family。〃
The　other　bishops　nodded　gravely；　murmuring　among　themselves；　but　Kelson's　stomach　did　a　slow；　queasy　roll；　even　though　he　had　been　half…expecting　someone　to　bring　up　the　subject　before　they　were　done。　Having　been　exmunicated　himself　at　one　time；　if　only　for　reason　of　Loris'　spite。　Kelson　could　not　but　feel　pity　for　those　about　to　incur　the　same　fate。　He　glanced　at　Morgan　and　Duncan；　who　had　felt　the　cold　breath　of　exmunication　even　more　directly　than　himself；　and　caught　their　similar　recoil　at　the　very　notion；　but　it　needed　to　be　done。　Exmunication　was　a　language　Loris　would　understand；　though　it　would　also　enrage　him。
〃I　agree；〃　Cardiel　said　quietly。　〃The　measure　es　after　much　provocation。　Do　you　also　remend　a　general　Interdict　of　Meara；　my　lord？〃
As　the　others　drew　in　breath　…　for　Interdict　would　bar　everyone　in　Meara　from　all　sacraments　and　solace　of　the　Church；　even　the　innocent　…　Bradene　shook　his　head。
〃I　would　not　place　that　burden　upon　the　entire　Mearan　people　at　this　time　…　though　it　may　prove　necessary　in　the　future；　if　exmunication　does　not　bring　the　principals　to　heel。　No；　what　I　have　outlined　is　sufficient　for　the　present；　I　think　…　unless　you　have　some　valid　objection。　Sire？〃
Kelson　bowed　his　head。　〃I　would　not　presume　to　dictate　the　conscience　of　my　bishops。　Excellency；〃　he　whispered。　〃If　you　feel　this　action　warranted；　then　so　be　it。〃
〃It　should　be　done　as　soon　as　possible；　then；〃　Bradene　said　decisively。　〃Tonight；　I　think；　after　pline　…　so　that　our　response　may　go　to　Loris　and　the　Lady　Caitrin　along