kutzkattherine.the bishopsheir-第7章

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Kelson　raised　an　eyebrow。　〃Is　she？〃
〃Aye。　My　Uncle　Sicard's　wife。　Sicard　and　my　father　haven't　spoken　for　years；　but　border　blood　runs　thick；　as　you　know。　Some　wonder　that　we　don't　support　them；　being　so　far　from　central　Gwynedd　and　all。　I'm　surprised　you　didn't　catch　some　inkling　of　that　during　your　progress　this　summer。　Isn't　that　the　sort　of　thing　you're　supposed　to　be　able　to　do　now；　with　your　new　powers？〃
The　question　was　not　at　all　hostile；　but　it　was　clear　that　Dhugal　was　fishing　for　reassurance；　as　uncertain　as　any　of　his　men　about　just　what　a　Deryni　king　could　and　could　not　do。
〃I'm　not　omnipotent；　Dhugal；〃　Kelson　said　quietly；　looking　the　other　in　the　eyes。　〃I　can　tell　whether　a　man　is　lying；　with　very　little　effort　…　it's　called　Truth…Reading　…　but　to　actually　learn　the　truth；　I　need　to　ask　the　right　questions。〃
〃I　…　thought　that　Deryni　could　read　minds；〃　Dhugal　whispered。　And　though　he　did　not　break　eye　contact；　Kelson　needed　no　Deryni　senses　to　know　what　courage　that　took；　operating　from　ignorance　as　Dhugal　was。　That　Dhugal　trusted　him；　there　was　no　question；　but　despite　his　earlier　protestations　that　he　was　not　afraid　of　what　Kelson　had　bee；　certain　fears　could　only　be　allayed　by　experience　…　and　that；　Dhugal　did　not　have　yet。
〃We　can；〃　Kelson　murmured。　〃But　we　don't；　among　our　friends；　unless　we're　invited。　And　the　first　time；　even　among　Deryni；　it　almost　requires　some　kind　of　physical　contact。〃
〃Like　the　way　you　touched　Bertie's　forehead？〃
〃Yes。〃
Dhugal　let　out　an　audible　sigh　and　lowered　his　eyes；　self…consciously　wrapping　his　plaid　around　his　shoulders　like　a　mantle　and　fussing　with　a　brooch　to　secure　it。　When　he　had　adjusted　it　to　his　satisfaction；　he　gave　Kelson　a　brief；　bright　smile。
〃Well；　then。　I　suppose　we　ought　to　see　whether　the　others　have　gotten　anything　else　out　of　the　prisoners。　You　won't　forget　what　I　said　about　highland　loyalties；　will　you？〃
Kelson　smiled。　〃I　told　you　how　I　go　about　learning　whether　a　man　is　lying。　How　do　you　do　it？〃
〃Why；　we　highland　folk　have　the　Second　Sight；　don't　you　know？〃　Dhugal　quipped。　〃Ask　anyone　in　my　father's　hall　about　Meara；　and　her　greedy　would…be　princess。〃
〃Well；　then；　if　it's　Meara；　I　suppose　I'd　better　be　back　there；　e　spring；〃　Kelson　replied。　〃And　with　men　beside　me　who　understand　what's　happening。　Maybe　even　men　who　have　this　…　Second　Sight。　Would　your　father　let　you　e　to　court；　do　you　think？〃
〃If　you　asked　it　as　king；　he'd　have　no　choice。〃
〃And　what　is　your　choice？〃　Kelson　asked。
Dhugal　grinned。　〃We　were　like　brothers　once。　Kelson。　We　still　make　a　good　team。〃　He　glanced　over　his　shoulder　at　the　sleeping　Bertie　and　back　again。　〃What　do　you　think？〃
〃I　think；〃　said　Kelson；　〃that　we　should　ride　up　to　Transha　in　the　morning　and　find　out　what　he'll　say。〃


CHAPTER　THREE
And　thou　shalt　put　the　mitre　upon　his　head。。。
Exodus　29：6
The　rain　which　had　been　only　an　annoyance　to　Kelson；　in　Transha；　had　turned　to　storm　by　the　time　it　reached　Culdi　the　following　afternoon。　Stamping　mud　from　the　soles　of　thigh…high　riding　boots；　Morgan　paused　just　inside　the　doorway　to　the　guest　apartments　at　Culdi　Abbey　to　shake　more　water　from　his　streaming　leather　cloak。　He　and　Duncan　had　intended　to　ride　in　the　hills　nearby　as　soon　as　the　afternoon　session　of　the　consistory　adjourned；　but　the　unexpected　storm　had　neatly　stymied　that　plan。　Now　the　iron　grey　R'Kassan　stud　moping　down　in　the　bishop's　barn　would　have　to　wait　another　day；　and　perhaps　longer；　he　and　his　master　both　growing　surly　and　restless　from　the　forced　inactivity。　It　hardly　seemed　fair；　especially　with　Kelson　out　enjoying　himself。
Blowing　on　gloved　fingers　to　warm　them；　Morgan　stalked　on　along　the　corridor　toward　Duncan's　temporary　quarters　and　indulged　a　brief　fantasy　about　a　rainstorm　in　Transha；　too。　The　notion　brought　a　smile　to　his　lips。　None　of　the　servants　were　about　when　he　let　himself　into　the　mon　room　Duncan　shared　with　his　master；　Archbishop　Cardiel；　so　he　built　up　the　fire　himself　and　set　wine　to　mull；　spreading　his　sodden　cloak　on　a　stool　to　dry　and　shedding　cap　and　gloves。　Half　an　hour　later；　Duncan　found　his　friend　ensconced　in　a　deeply　recessed　window　seat　which　overlooked　the　cloister　garth；　boots　propped　indolently　on　the　stone　bench　opposite　and　a　steaming　cup　all　but　forgotten　in　one　hand。　His　nose　was　pressed　to　the　rain…streaked　window　glass；　free　hand　shading　his　eyes　against　glare。
〃I　see　I　was　right；〃　Duncan　said；　casting　off　his　black　cloak　and　rubbing　his　hands　briskly　before　the　fire。　〃When　I　saw　how　hard　it　was　raining；　I　guessed　that　even　you　wouldn't　choose　to　ride　in　this　kind　of　weather。　What　are　you　looking　at？〃
〃The　ambitious　Father　Judhael；〃　Morgan　replied；　not　moving　from　his　vantage　point。　〃e　and　see。〃
Duncan　needed　no　second　invitation；　for　Judhael　of　Meara　was　probably　the　single　most　controversial　candidate　being　evaluated　by　the　bishops。　Though　unimpeachable　on　ecclesiastical　grounds；　and　personable　enough　as　an　individual；　his　family　connections　inspired　more　suspicion　than　confidence　among　those　aware　of　the　politics　which　went　with　the　Mearan　See；　for　Judhael　was　nephew　to　the　Pretender　Caitrin。　Just　now；　he　was　standing　outside　the　door　to　the　chapter　house；　deep　in　conversation　with　old　Creoda　of　Carbury；　Bishop　of　the　new　See　of　Culdi　since　last　winter　and　host　for　this　convocation。　Only　when　the　two　had　moved　off　down　another　corridor　and　disappeared　from　sight　did　Duncan　draw　back　from　the　window。
〃I　don't　like　that；〃　the　priest　said　softly；　glancing　at　Morgan　with　tight…lipped　disapproval。　〃Old　Creoda　can　change　with　the　wind。　You　remember　how　he　stayed　by　Loris　almost　to　the　end；　two　summers　ago。　When　the　bishops　decided　to　phase　out　his　old　see；　I　thought　for　sure　they'd　retire　him。　Who　would　have　guessed　they'd　give　him　Culdi　instead？〃
〃Hmmm；　I　shan't　argue　that；〃　Morgan　agreed。　〃He　certainly　wouldn't　have　been　my　choice　for　a　see　so　closely　associated　with　a　Deryni　saint。　But　perhaps　they　thought　Carsten　would　balance　him；　with　Culdi　being　so　close　to　Meara。　I　doubt　anyone　expected　that　Carsten　wouldn't　last　out　the　？　ear。〃
Duncan　raised　an　eyebrow。　〃No？　But　then；　no　one　asked　me。　Carsten's　health　had　been　frail　for　some　time。　Everyone　in　Kierney　and　Cassan　knew　that。　Still；　there　was　no　real　trouble　in　Meara　while　he　was　alive。　Now　that　he's　gone；　most　of　the　Mearan　clergy　are　suddenly　talking　about　Judhael　for　his　replacement。　Now；　that's　one　I　certainly　don't　fancy　being　appointed　to　the　See　of　Meara。〃
〃Judhael？〃　Morgan　toyed　with　one　of　the　links　of　his　captain…general's　chain；　tapping　the　engraved　gold　against　a　front　tooth　as　he　nodded。　〃Nor　do　I。　It's　entirely　too　much　like　a　real　throne。　Even　by　separatist　standards；　he's　too　far　down　the　succession　to　press　his　own　claim　to　the　Mearan　coronet；　but　as　Bishop　of　Meara；　he　could　certainly　exert　a　great　deal　of　influence　for　his　aunt　and　her　sons。〃
〃Those　sons　…　〃　Duncan　snorted。　〃Sometimes　I　think　we'd　be　better　off　if　old　Malcolm　had　killed　off　all　the　other　Mearan　heirs　when　he　took　the　coronet　and　married　Roisian。　Perhaps　that　sounds　cold　and　unpriestly；　but　it　might　have　prevented　a　lot　more　bloodshed　later　on。〃
〃Aye。　And　our　Mearan　princelings　are　only　a　little　younger　than　Kelson：　just　old　enough　to　be　ambitious　about　asserting　their　mother's　claim。　And　Judhael　on　a　bishop's　throne　could　be　the　foot　in　the　door。　The　very　thought　gives　me　the　shakes。〃
〃You'll　get　no　argument　from　me　on　that；〃　Duncan　replied。　'The　sad　thing　is；　he's　well　qualified　for　the　job。　His　record　as　a　priest　is　spotless；　and　he　has　all　the　right　administrative　abilities　to　make　a　very　good　bishop。〃
〃Or　the　focus　for　a　separatist　revolt；〃　Morgan　said。　〃Still；　credentials　like　his　will　make　it　very　difficult　to　ignore　his　candidacy。　And　let's　face　it：　the　man　had　no　more　say　about　being　born　into　a　cadet　royal　house　than　you　and　I　did　about　being　born　Deryni。〃
〃More's　the　pity。〃
With　a　sigh；　Duncan　turned　away　from　the　window　and　sat　down　in　a　high…backed　chair　whose　shadows　nearly　swallowed　his　black　cassock；　stretching　out　his　legs　toward　the　fire。　Morgan　followed　him；　lifting　mulled　wine　in　wordless　question　and　only　refilling　his　own　cup　when　Duncan　shook　his　head。　As　Morgan　sat　in　another　chair　beside　him；　Duncan　rolled　his　head　in　Morgan's　direction　and　looked　at　him　searchingly；　folding　his　hands　and　tapping　joined　forefingers　against　his　cheek　as　he　rested　his　elbows　on　the　chair　arms。
〃I'm　beginning　to　be　really　concerned；　Alaric；〃　the　priest　said　softly。　〃We've　interviewed　a　lot　of　candidates；　but　none　of　them　match　up　to　Judhael。　Oh；　some　are　better　in　one　area　or　another；　but　none　of　them　average　out　as　well。〃
〃What　about　that　one　they　interviewed　this　morning？〃　Morgan　asked。　〃What　was　his　name　…　Father　Benoit？　He　seemed　well　qualified　to　me。〃
Duncan　shook　his　head。　〃A　fine　priest；　but　far　too　naive　to　cope　with　the　Mearan　situation。　He's　someone　to　keep　ID　mind　for　the　future；　and　he　can　be　groomed　for　the　episcopate　in　some　subsidary　post；　but　that　doesn't　help　us　now。　No；　what　we　need　is　a　good　promise　candidate　…　and　I'm　not　sure　he　exists。　He　needs　to　be　the　king's　man；　but　he　also　ought　to　have　at　least　some　familiarity　with　Mearan　politics。　The　only　men　who　seem　to　fill　both。　requirements　are　either　too　young　or　too　inexperienced。　They　can't　all　be　like　Arilan；　I　suppose：　auxiliary　bishop　at　thirty…five；　and　with　his　own　see　before　he　was　forty。〃
〃No；　I　suppose　not；〃　Morgan　said。　He　took　a　thought…fill　pull　at　his　wine；　then　cocked　his　head　at　Duncan。　〃Has　it　occurred　to　you　that　perhaps　the　bishops　have　expanded　the　episcopal　structure　a　little　too　quickly？　…　reviving　three　old　sees　and　only　abolishing　one　…　that　you've　used　up　your　reserve　of　men　qualified　to　promote？　Plus；　you've；　lost　…　what？　…　four　bishops　in　the　past　two　years？　Five；　if　you　count　Loris。〃
Duncan　grimaced。　〃Count　that　a　blessing；　not　a　loss；　cousin。　Anyway；　he's　safely　locked　away　at　Saint　Iveagh's；　so　I　don't　think　we　need　to　worry。〃
〃Let's　hope　not。　Wouldn't　that　muddy　the　waters；　if　he　got　out？〃
〃Don't　even　think　it。　They　say　he　hasn't　changed　a　bit；　you　know；〃　Duncan　went　on；　in　a　more　confidential　tone。　1　hear　he　nearly　had　apoplexy　when　he　heard　Arilan　had　been　made　Bishop　of　Dhassa。〃
〃Did　he；　now？〃
〃Oh；　you　needn't　pretend　to　be　surprised；〃　Duncan　replied　with　a　droll　grin。　〃Who；　of　all　the　so…called　rebel　bishops；　was　largely　responsible　for　his　fall；　after　all？　And　even　if　Loris　doesn't　know　for　sure　that　Arilan's　Deryni；　think　about　it。　A　suspected　Deryni　in　one　of　the　oldest　sees　in　Gwynedd？　It　would　have　been　bad　enough　if　he'd　only　stayed　the　assistant　in　Rhemuth。〃
As　if　the　mere　mention　of　Arilan's　name　had　conjured　his　presence；　the　door　opened　at　that　moment　to　admit　Bishop　Denis　Arilan；　closely　followed　by　Cardiel。　The　two　looked　inordinately　pleased　with　themselves　as　Duncan　and　Morgan　divested　them　of　their　soggy　cloaks；　Cardiel　shaking　rain　from　his　steel　grey　hair　and　smoothing　back　little　wings　of　it　over　his　ears　with　both　palms　as　he　sat　in　the　chair　which　Morgan　held　for　him。　As　the　darker…haired　Arilan　also　sat；　leaning　forward　lazily　to　poke　at　the　fire　with　a　piece　of　kindling；　Cardiel　glanced　at　Duncan；　who　was　setting　new　cups　on　the　hearth　by　the　p