kutzkattherine.the bishopsheir-第22章

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Dhugal　felt　hands　rolling　him　face　upward；　and　the　pressure　on　his　ribs　made　him　moan　and　actually　black　out　for　just　a　few　seconds。
〃　…　want　him　to　witness　Judhael's　consecration；　then；〃　Creoda　was　saying；　as　consciousness　returned。　〃Is　he　badly　injured？〃
〃Brice？〃　Loris　called。
The　Baron　of　Trurill　came　away　from　unbuckling　his　armor　and　knelt　to　peel　back　one　of　Dhugal's　eyelids。
〃He's　no　worse　than　he　was；　Excellency；〃　the　traitor　baron　said；　pressing　his　fingertips　to　the　pulsepoint　in　Dhugal's　throat。　〃He　has　some　cracked　ribs　that　nothing　could　be　done　about　while　we　rode；　and　probably　a　concussion；　but　you're　mainly　seeing　exhaustion。　He's　a　strong　lad；　he'll　mend。〃
〃Well；　if　he's　that　strong　a　lad；　we'd　better　put　him　in　a　secure　place；　hadn't　we？〃　Creoda　said。　〃Gendon；　take　him　to　one　of　the　chambers　below　and　have　someone　tend　to　him　in　the　morning。　I　don't　think　he'll　be　causing　anybody　any　trouble　before　then。　After　that；　you　can　see　to　your　men。　Excellency；　if　you　and　Father　Gorony　will　follow　me；　please；　I'll　show　you　to　quarters　where　you'll　be　secure　from　prying　eyes　until　we're　ready　to　confront　Bishop　Istelyn　in　the　morning。　I　expect　you're　in　need　of　sleep　yourselves。〃
〃A　few　hours　will　suffice；〃　Loris　said；　as　they　headed　out　the　door。　〃I　wish　little　delay　before　informing　Istelyn　of　the　error　of　his　ways。　Perhaps　we　can。。。〃
Dhugal　lost　the　thread　of　Loris'　words　in　pain；　groaning　anew　as　Gendon　and　one　of　Trurill's　knights　lifted　him　between　them　and　began　slowly　walking　him　toward　the　door。　His　only　thought；　as　he　tried　to　make　his　feet　move　with　theirs　through　the　fog　of　anguish；　the　pounding　in　his　head；　was　that　Kelson　must　be　informed　of　what　was　happening　here。　But　he　did　not　know　how　he　was　going　to　acplish　that。


CHAPTER　EIGHT
Thou　art　wearied　in　the　multitude　of　thy　counsels。
Isaiah　47：13
Kelson　and　his　warband　swept　into　Rhemuth　the　following　forenoon　on　the　fringes　of　a　thunderstorm；　half…frozen　and　soaked　to　the　skin　despite　oiled　riding　leathers　and　fur…lined　cloaks。　Prince　Nigel　met　them　in　the　castle　yard；　bare…headed　and　heedless　of　the　rain　pelting　down；　and　set　his　hand　urgently　on　the　king's　bridle。　The　ill　tidings　he　conveyed　set　a　chill　on　Kelson　which　had　nothing　to　do　with　the　storm。
〃Loris？　But　that　isn't　possible。〃
The　words　carried　to　the　others　of　his　close　circle　…　　Morgan　and　Duncan；　Cardiel　and　Aribn　…　despite　the　downpour。　Young　Baron　Jodrell　was　the　first　to　spring　from　his　horse　when　the　others　would　have　sat　there　dumbly　in　the　rain；　all　but　immobilized　by　shock。　His　movement　jarred　the　rest　of　them　to　action。　Kelson　beckoned　his　intimates　to　follow　as　he　dismounted　and　splashed　up　the　steps　to　the　shelter　of　the　great　hall；　anger　warring　with　despair。
〃I　expect　you'll　want　to　question　the　messenger　yourself；〃　Nigel　said；　handing　off　Kelson's　sodden　cap　and　gloves　to　a　page　and　hurrying　to　keep　up。
〃Yes；　but　tell　me　briefly　what　he　said　right　now；　so　I'll　be　prepared。〃
He　listened　tight…lipped　as　he　stalked　through　the　great　hall；　unclasping　his　wet　cloak　with　one　hand　while　his　other　fumbled　at　the　buckle　of　his　sword　belt。　Morgan　collected　cloak　and　sword　as　he　shed　them；　passing　them　to　another　page　in　exchange　for　a　towel　which　Kelson　used　on　his　dripping　face　and　hair。　Nigel　left　king　and　pany　in　a　small　withdrawing　chamber　while　he　went　to　get　the　messenger。
They　sought　the　meager　fort　of　the　fire　while　they　waited；　heaping　sodden　outer　garments　in　a　er　and　exchanging　guarded　glances；　no　one　wanting　to　be　the　first　to　break　the　silence。　Jodrell　played　squire　to　the　tight…jawed　Kelson；　removing　vambraces　and　spurs　and　helping　him　shinny　out　of　his　mail　shirt；　while　Payne　and　Rory；　NigeFs　younger　sons；　moved　among　the　others　with　cups　of　mulled　wine。　The　king　stiffened　at　the　approach　of　footsteps　outside　the　door；　hastily　drawing　a　dry　robe　over　his　clammy　undertunic。
〃This　is　Father　Bevis；　my　liege；〃　Nigel　said；　ushering　in　a　nervous…looking　young　priest　in　the　sea　blue　robes　of　Saint　Iveagh's　Fratri　Silentii。　〃He　has　been　given　dispensation　from　his　abbot　to　speak　aloud。〃
The　man　had　the　courage　to　e　forward　alone；　but　he　could　not　bring　himself　to　meet　Kelson's　eyes　as　he　knelt　at　his　feet。　Glancing　at　the　others　to　draw　them　nearer。　Kelson　wrapped　his　robe　closer　and　sat　with　his　back　to　the　fire；　stretching　one　leg　slightly　to　the　side　so　Jodrell　could　pull　off　a　soggy　boot。
〃Be　wele　at　our　court。　Father　Bevis；〃　he　said　formally；　〃though　I　fear　I　cannot　say　that　your　news　is　wele。　Forgive　me　if　Baron　Jodrell　continues　to　disarm　me　while　we　speak；　but　I　should　rather　not　take　a　chill　…　　especially　if；　as　it　seems；　my　old　enemy　is　once　more　at　large。〃
The　priest's　tonsured　head　bobbed　even　lower。
〃Nay；　it　is　I　who　must　ask　to　be　forgiven。　Sire　…　I　and　my　brethren。　We　have　failed　you。〃　His　voice　was　hardly　above　a　whisper　despite　his　dispensation。　〃We　made　every　effort　to　keep　the　Lord　Loris　secure　as　you　manded；　but　he　…　got　out。〃　He　looked　up　fearfully。　〃Please　do　not　hold　us　entirely　to　blame。　Sire。　Father　Abbot　says　he　must　have　had　help　from　outside。〃
Morgan；　warming　his　backside　to　Kelson's　right；　snorted　contemptuously；　but　Kelson　only　shook　his　head　and　sighed；　bracing　himself　so　Jodrell　could　pull　off　his　other　boot。
〃Please　rise。　Father；〃　he　said　patiently。　〃My　uncle　has　told　me　the　gist　of　your　message　already。　We　are　certain　that　your　noble　Order　did　all　within　their　power　to　ensure　the　former　archbishop's　safe　detention。　Did　you　find　no　trace　of　him？〃
〃None；　Sire。　And　an　itinerant　preacher　calling　himself　Brother　Jeroboam　was　also　missing。　We　think　he　may　have　had　some　part　in　it。　Archb　…　I　mean　Father　Loris　specifically　asked　that　the　man　be　allowed　to　hear　his　confession　a　few　days　before。　We　thought　he　simply　had　been　moved　by　the　man's　preaching。〃
〃Moved　right　out　of　Saint　Iveagh's；〃　Cardiel　muttered。　But　Kelson　ignored　the　remark。
〃I　see。　And　the　escape　occurred　when？〃
〃Six　days　ago。　Sire　…　the　Eve　of　Saint　Andrew's　…　　sometime　after　pline；　we　think。〃
〃Saint　Andrew's　Eve；〃　Kelson　murmured。　〃While　we　were　in　Ratharkin。　That's　been　six　days；〃　he　added；　glancing　aside　at　Morgan。　〃He　could　be　anywhere。〃
〃Would　it　were　in　hell！〃　Morgan　said　bitterly。
Kelson　sighed　again　and　started　to　turn　toward　Cardiel　and　Arilan；　then　remembered　the　priest　still　standing　before　him。
〃Ah；　thank　you　for　bringing　us　this　news。　Father　Bevis。　We　may　wish　to　question　you　further；　but　for　now　you　have　our　leave　to　wait　outside。　The　pages　will　show　you　where。〃
As　his　cousins　escorted　the　priest　from　the　room；　clearly　disappointed　to　miss　what　might　happen　next。　Kelson　pivoted　on　his　stool　to　face　the　fire；　waiting　while　the　others　found　seats。　Nigel　and　the　bishops　claimed　the　remaining　stools；　so　Jodrell　hunkered　down　on　the　edge　of　the　raised　hearth。　Duncan　chose　to　remain　standing；　his　arms　folded　across　his　chest　as　he　leaned　against　the　wall　to　the　left　of　the　fireplace。　Morgan；　too　restless　to　sit　or　stand；　paced　a　short；　fidgeting　path　between　Duncan　and　the　king。
〃Very　well；　gentlemen。　Any　ideas　where　Loris　might　be　headed？〃　Kelson　asked。
Cardiel　pursed　his　lips　and　exchanged　a　glance　with　his　brother　bishop；　who　had　not　yet　said　a　word。
〃Toward　the　source　of　his　aid；　of　course。　Sire。　He　cannot　have　acted　alone　in　this　…　and　all　Gwynedd　knows　and　understands　why　he　was　relieved　of　his　office　and　sent　to　Saint　Iveagh's。　That　means　his　help　must　surely　e　from　outside　Gwynedd。　Two　possibilities　e　to　mind　immediately：　Meara　or　Torenth。〃
〃Not　Torenth；〃　Arilan　said。　〃Not　while　Deryni　hold　the　Torenthi　throne。〃
〃Meara；　then；〃　Cardiel　said；　when　Arilan　did　not　go　on。　〃The　implications；　while　quite　different；　are　hardly　more　reassuring；　however。〃
〃How　so？〃　Kelson　asked。
〃Secular　and　ecclesiastical　politics　are　very　closely　intertwined　in　Meara；　Sire；　as　we　are　all　aware。　Loris　is　very　much　a　political　creature。　He　has　always　found　his　support　among　the　conservative　clergy　…　and　such　clergy　were　very　much　involved　in　the　dispute　over　who　should　be　Bishop　of　Meara。　He　garners　support　from　rebel　factions　as　well。　Two　years　ago；　it　was　Warm　de　Grey；　today　…　　well；　why　not　the　Mearan　Pretender？　So　long　as　it　suits　his　plans　to　regain　his　position；　I　should　think　Edmund　Loris　would　support　just　about　anyone。〃
〃A　sad　mentary　on　the　man　who　once　was　Primate　of　All　Gwynedd；〃　Duncan　muttered。
〃Let's　talk　about　Meara；　then；〃　Kelson　said。　〃Who　in　Meara　might　profit　from　Loris'　release？〃
〃That's　simple；〃　Nigel　said。　〃The　Mearan　Pretender　and　her　kin。〃
〃Especially　ecclesiastical　kin；〃　Cardiel　agreed；　glancing　at　Arilan；　who　still　was　oddly　quiet。　〃Like　Judhael。　Denis　and　I　had　quite　a　discussion　about　him　after　the　attempt　on　Duncan；　Sire。　My　brother　in　Christ　made　light　of　my　notion　that　Judhael　might　have　been　functioning　as　an　agent　for　his　aunt。〃
Morgan；　noting　Arilan's　sullen　expression；　decided　he　had　best　reveal　what　he　had　learned。
〃He's　innocent　of　that；　at　least。　Excellency；〃　he　said　quietly。　〃Or　if　he　is　involved；　it's　without　the　direct　knowledge　or　assistance　of　his　aunt。　Nor　did　he　know　anything　about　the　attempt　on　Duncan。　I　…　ah　…　questioned　him　about　it　that　evening。〃
Arilan's　reaction　conveyed　both　surprise　and　anger。　〃You　questioned　him　after　I　forbade　it？〃
〃I　didn't　set　out　to　disobey　you；〃　Morgan　countered；　before　the　other　could　raise　more　specific　objections　in　front　of　the　human　Jodrell。　〃Besides；　I　only　Truth…Read　him。　He　wasn't　sorry　to　hear　about　the　attack　…　which　is　hardly　unexpected；　given　Duncan's　position　relative　to　the　Mearan　royal　house　…　but　he　was　shocked。　When　I　asked　how　long　it　had　been　since　he'd　heard　from　his　aunt；　he　said　last　Christmastide。　I　ended　the　conversation　after　that。〃
〃A　conversation　you　should　not　have　begun　in　the　first　place。〃
〃But　one　which　does　not　rule　out　Judhael's　political　interests　in　all　of　this；〃　Cardial　interjected。　〃Denis；　you　surely　can't　still　believe　he's　totally　innocent。〃
Arilan's　lips　pressed　in　a　thin；　pinched　line。　〃I　never　said　he　was　totally　innocent。〃
〃Let's　not　wander　off　the　subject；〃　Kelson　said　patiently。　〃Just　now；　I'm　far　more　concerned　that　Loris　may；　indeed；　have　gone　to　Meara。　Uncle；　you　said　the　abbot's　men　found　no　trace　of　him　in　the　surrounding　countryside；　didn't　you？〃　Nigel　nodded。　〃That　may　mean　he　made　his　escape　by　sea；　then。　Jodrell；　could　he　sail　around　the　head　of　Ballymar　this　time　of　year？〃
Jodrell；　scion　of　an　old　seafaring　family；　wobbled　his　open　hand　in　a　yea…nay　gesture。
〃It　would　be　risky。　Sire　…　but　no　more　risky　than　sailing　the　Kheldish　coast　to　reach　Torenth　by　sea。　If　he　is　making　for　Meara；　however；　my　guess　is　that　he'd　not　go　as　far　as　Ballymar。　If　I　were　Loris；　I'd　land　somewhere　farther　east　along　the　coast；　probably　in　Kierney；　and　go　overland　to　Ratharkin。〃
〃Why　Ratharkin？〃　Morgan　asked。　〃The　Mearan　pretender's　in　Laas。〃
〃Ah；　but　Ratharkin　is　the　episcopal　seat　of　Meara；〃　Cardiel　said；　glancing　at　Arilan　and　almost　daring　him　to　contradict；　〃and　the　good　Father　Judhael　is　there；　just　aching　to　be　a　bishop。　In　addition；　Ratharkin　is　only　a　few　days'　ride　from　Laas　and　the　rebel　factions；　even　in　the　dead　of　winter　…　but　more　than　a　week's　ride　for　us。　Oh；　he's　picked　his　ground　wi