out, though."
He shuddered as the mood passed, then swept a strand of pale hair out of his eyes
and got to his feet with a sigh. Duncan, after another look at the sleeping Deny,
kept his eyes averted as he stood. Kelson was much subdued, and shifted
uncomfortably from one foot to the other as his gaze wavered between the two of
them.
"What do you think Wencit did do to him?" he finally asked in a small voice.
Morgan shook his head. "It's difficult to say at this point, my prince. Later 111
probe him more deeply if it's indicated, but he's too weak now. He really fought
me." "I see."
Kelson studied tile toes of his boots for several seconds, then looked up again. All
eyes were now on him, and he remembered abruptly what must be the next topic
of discussion.
"Very well, gentlemen. There's nothing further we can do for Deny at this time, so
I suggest that we get down to the business at hand. I " He glanced at Arilan and
cocked bis head. "Bishop Arilan, could you tell us about this Cam "
Arilan shook his head meaningfully and cleared his throat, glancing at Warm's
retainers, at young Conall, at the few guards, and Kelson stopped in mid-word.
Nodding slightly, Kelson moved to Conall's side and laid a hand on his shoul-
Htgh Deryni 285
der. It bad dawned on him that Arilan did not wish to discuss the matter before
comparative outsiders.
"Thanks for your aid, Cousin. Would you please send your father and Bishop
Cardiel to me before returning to your duties? And gentlemen," he included
Warin's men and the guards in his gesture, "I must ask that you likewise return to
your posts. Thank you for your concern.1"
Conall and the others bowed and made their way out of the tent, and Warm
watched them go, straightening and moving slightly as though to follow them.
"I sense that this is something not for the ears of outsiders, so I'll leave if you
wish. I'm not offended," Warin added hastily.
Kelson glanced at Arilan, but the bishop shook his head.
"No, you have a right to be present, Warin, just as we've called for Cardiel, who is
perhaps less Deryni than any of us. Kelson, if you don't mind, I'll wait until
Thomas and Nigel arrive before answering your questions. It will save me having
to repeat myself."
"Of course."
The king crossed to his chair and sat, unclasping his cloak and letting it fall over
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the back of his chair, then sat back and stretched out his long legs on the fine
Kbeldish carpeting. Morgan and Duncan took seats on a pair of folding camp
stools to Kelson's right, and Morgan unslung his sword and let it He on the carpet
between his feet After a moment's thought, Duncan did the same, shifting his
stool slightly to the left to accommodate Warin, who was placing a cushion so
that he could lean against the tent's center pole. Arilan remained standing in the
center of the carpet, pretending to be absorbed in the intricate design woven
beneath his feet He scarcely looked up as Cardiel, then Nigel, entered the tent,
and it was Kelson who had to direct the newcomers to take seats to his left When
they were settled, Kelson looked up at Arilan expectantly. The bishop's blue eyes
were hooded as he met Kelson's grey gaze.
"Do you wish me to outline what has happened, Sire?"
"Please do."
"Very well." Arilan folded his hands and looked hard at his thumbnails for several
seconds, then looked up.
"My lords, Wencit of Torenth has presented us with an ultimatum. His Majesty
wished to consult with all of you before replying. If we do not respond by sunset,
Wencit will begin slaying more hostages."
"Name of God, the man is a monsterl" Nigel exclaimed, stiffening in anger.
"Agreed," Arilan replied. "But his ultimatum was quite specific and quite
unalterable. He has issued Kelson a challenge to the duel arcane: himself and his
three henchmen, Rhydon, Lionel, and Bran Coris, against Kelson and any three
Kelson chooses to name. I think I need not tell you that two of Kelson's three will
be Morgan and Duncan; what may surprise some of you is that I am to be the
third."
Warin looked up with a start
"That's correct, Warin. I am full Deryni."
Warin swallowed hard, but Nigel only nodded his head slowly and raised an
eyebrow.
"You speak as though Kelson's acceptance is an accomplished fact," he said.
4'If Kelson does not accept the challenge by nightfall, two hundred hostages will
be drawn and quartered on the plain before our army. Any further delay, and two
hundred more will be impaled and left to die at the rising of the moon. Tonight
that occurs about four hours after sunset. This appears inescapable if Kelson
refuses the challenge."
He scanned the chamber slowly, but no one made a move to speak. "If, on the
other hand, Kelson accepts, the battle will be to the death, the survivor or
survivors to take all. Wencit obviously believes be will win, or he would not have
proposed this sort of contest"
Warin bad whitened at the mention of drawing and quartering, but Nigel, better
accustomed to the horrors of war, only repeated his knowing nod. After a few
seconds' pause, he raised his hand slightly to speak.
This duel arcane would it be similar to the challenge issued to Kelson at his
coronation?"
"Well, it would be governed by the same ancient laws of challenge," Arilan
nodded, "except, of course, that it would be four against four instead of the single
combat fought by Kelson and Charissa. There are fairly rigid rules governing the
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arbitration of a duel arcane, and Wencit has ah apparently received official
sanction to hold the duel according to the ancient laws."
"Official sanction from whom?" Kelson interrupted eagerly. " This Camberian
Council Wencit mentioned? Why do you evade the issue when I..."
His voice trailed off as he saw Arilan stiffen at the mention of the name, and he
glanced at Morgan in surprise. Morgan was staring at the bishop with rapt
attention, apparently no more informed than Kelson, yet suddenly keenly
interested in what the bishop would say. Duncan, too, had started at the sound of
the name, and now watched Arilan intently. Abruptly Kelson wondered what he
had stumbled onto.
"Arilan," he whispered softly, "what is the Camberian Council? Is it Deryni?" [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]