kutzkattherine.the bishopsheir-第33章

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But　he　was　not　going　to　wait　for　the　Mearans　to　take　him。

CHAPTER　TWELVE
All　the　men　of　thy　confederacy　have　brought　thee　even　to　the　border：　the　men　that　were　at
　peace　with　thee　have　deceived　thee；　and　prevailed　against　thee
Obadiah　1：7
〃Uh…oh；　we　have　pany；〃　Kelson　murmured。
He　reined　back　to　a　walk　and　stood　in　his　stirrups　for　a　better　look；　pointing　at　a　snowy　ridge　far　ahead　where　a　mounted　horse　had　just　appeared；　silhouetted　against　the　twilight　sky。
〃D'you　see　him？〃
Morgan；　with　a　curt　signal　to　halt　the　column　of　knights　riding　four　abreast　behind　them；　also　drew　rein　and　peered　into　the　distance；　casting　about　with　other　senses　than　sight；　lest　the　rider　not　be　alone。
〃Aye；　and　he's　undoubtedly　seen　us　by　now　as　well；〃　he　replied。　〃So　much　for　approaching　Ratharkin　unob　…　　what　the　…　？〃
He　broke　off　in　astonishment　as　the　horse　suddenly　broke　from　the　top　of　the　hill　and　began　plunging　down　the　snow…covered　slope；　each　ponderous　lurch　threatening　to　send　both　rider　and　steed　tumbling。
〃Is　he　trying　to　break　his　neck？〃　Kelson　gasped。
The　horse　stumbled　and　nearly　went　down　even　as　Kelson　spoke；　then　suddenly　both　he　and　Morgan　saw　the　reason　for　at　least　a　part　of　the　animal's　labor。
〃He's　carrying　double！〃　Kelson　exclaimed　in　amazement。
〃Aye；　and　to　be　riding　double　at　that　speed　and　on　a　horse　that　spent；　the　Devil　himself　must　be　chasing　them；〃　Morgan　agreed。　〃Care　to　give　the　Devil　some　sport。　Sire？〃
Kelson　raised　an　eyebrow　at　the　borderline　blasphemy；　but　he　needed　no　second　invitation。　He　had　been　spoiling　for　just　such　a　skirmish　all　day。　With　a　grin　which　had　nothing　to　do　with　mirth；　he　unsheathed　his　sword　and　raised　it　over　his　head；　glancing　back　to　where　Conall　was　already　shaking　out　the　folds　of　the　Haldane　battle　standard。
〃Forward　at　the　canter　and　fan　out！〃　he　ordered；　standing　in　his　stirrups　and　pointing　with　his　sword。　〃Whoever's　chasing　that　fellow　is　going　to　have　a　surprise；　I　think！〃
Immediately　Conall　and　Saer　de　Traheme　spurred　forward　and　to　Kelson's　left；　folds　of　scarlet　silk　billowing　on　the　wind　as　the　battle　standard　unfurled。　Jodrell　led　another　detachment　to　the　right。　The　deadly　hiss　of　steel　slithering　from　scabbards　joined　the　jingle　of　bits　and　spurs　and　the　creak　of　leather　as　the　knights　broadened　their　line；　outriders　spurring　ahead　on　the　flanks。　They　were　nearing　the　start　of　the　hillrise　now；　the　fleeing　horse　nearly　upon　them　…　close　enough　for　Morgan　to　see　that　the　front　rider　on　the　horse　was　a　girl；　dark　hair　whipping　in　the　wind。　And　the　other　…　
〃It's　Dhugal！〃　Kelson　cried；　even　as　the　other　rider's　arm　flailed　in　a　frenzied　wave　of　recognition。
Dhugal　was　in　their　midst　then；　laughing　aloud　despite　his　exhaustion。　Kelson　and　Morgan　reining　in　to　bracket　his　faltering　mount　as　the　rest　of　the　warband　swept　on　up　the　hill。　Morgan　caught　the　horse's　near　rein　and　drew　its　head　close　to　his　stirrup；　his　own　mount　scrambling　for　footing　as　the　sorrel　staggered　and　nearly　fell。
〃Steady！〃
〃Here；　take　her！〃　Dhugal　gasped；　helping　lift　his　protesting　panion　to　a　new　perch　in　front　of　Morgan's　saddle。　〃She's　Sidana；　the　pretender's　daughter。　Her　father's　men　are　right　behind　me。〃
〃How　many？〃　Kelson　demanded；　as　he　gave　Dhugal　a　hand　up　behind　him。
Dhugal　hooked　a　hand　in　the　back　of　Kelson's　belt　to　steady　himself　and　shook　his　head　happily。
〃Not　enough　to　give　your　men　any　trouble。　Sire。　Am　I　ever　glad　to　see　you！〃
〃And　I。〃　Kelson　wheeled　his　stallion　on　its　haunches　and　glanced　after　his　knights　nearing　the　crest　of　the　hill。　〃But　let's　make　sure　you　counted　correctly。　Morgan；　stay　out　of　the　fighting　unless　we're　needed；　but　e　along　with　me。　Oh；　and　wele　to　Gwynedd；　my　lady！〃
Morgan　felt　the　girl　stiffen　in　his　arms　as　she　heard　his　name；　but　he　only　shifted　her　closer　into　the　curve　of　his　shield　arm　as　he　urged　his　horse　up　the　hill　after　the　king；　naked　sword　still　ready　in　his　gloved　right　hand。　Ahead　of　them；　the　warband　spilled　over　the　crest　of　the　hill　with　shouts　of　glee。　He　could　hear　the　answering　cries　of　consternation　as　DhugaTs　pursuers　saw　the　Haldane　standard　in　the　midst　of　their　attackers。
The　sortie　was　all　but　over　by　the　time　Morgan　drew　rein　at　the　top　of　the　hill　with　Kelson。　Down　on　the　plain；　a　handful　of　Haldane　knights　were　in　pursuit　of　a　few　stragglers；　but　the　rest　of　the　opposition　were　on　the　run　far　ahead。　Several　men　unhorsed　in　the　encounter　were　scattered　down　the　other　side　of　the　hill；　picking　themselves　up　shakily；　but　none　of　them　wore　Kelson's　livery。　Haldane　knights　stood　guard　over　each　one；　Traheme　and　Conall　marching　another　one　back　to　join　his　fellows　while　the　squires　rounded　up　all　the　loose　horses。　A　cheer　went　up　from　Kelson's　knights　as　he　started　down　the　hillside；　and　at　his　signal　the　battle　hom　sounded　to　call　back　their　knights　still　in　pursuit。　Grinning；　Morgan　urged　his　horse　after　the　king's。
〃A　happy　circumstance。　Sire；〃　he　said　as　they　drew　abreast　at　the　bottom　of　the　hill　and　halted；　glancing　down　in　amusement　at　the　girl　now　beginning　to　wriggle　in　his　arms　as　he　reached　around　her　to　sheathe　his　sword。　〃And　a　rich　prize　young　Dhugal　has　brought　us；　too。　There's　no　point　in　struggling；　my　lady。　You'd　best　save　your　strength　for　the　ride　back　to　Rhemuth。〃
〃My　father　will　avenge　me！〃　Sidana　cried。　〃You　took　him　by　surprise。〃
〃But；　that's　the　whole　point；　isn't　it；　my　lady？〃　Kelson　asked　with　a　grin。　〃To　take　the　enemy　by　surprise？　I　would　be　a　poor　mander　if　I　sent　my　men　into　battle　in　rebel　territory　without　the　best　possible　advantage。　Your　father　would　have　done　the　same。〃
〃My　father　is　not　a　rebel！〃　Sidana　said。　〃He　seeks　to　restore　my　mother　to　the　throne　which　is　rightfully　hers；　and　to　give　Meara　back　its　freedom。　We　shall　not　be　ruled　by　…　by　a　Deryni　heretic！〃
The　taunt　was　only　an　accustomed　annoyance　to　Morgan；　inured　from　childhood　to　ignore　such　affronts；　but　Kelson　reacted　as　if　he　had　been　stung；　apparently　not　expecting　it　from　a　beautiful　young　girl。　Dhugal；　sitting　behind　the　king；　could　not　see　how　the　grey　eyes　flashed　warning；　but　he　obviously　sensed　the　sudden　tension　before　Kelson　brought　his　anger　under　control。　Even　Sidana　gasped　as　she　realized　what　she　had　said；　and　to　whom；　and　in　whose　arms。　Morgan　forced　himself　not　to　react；　waiting　to　see　how　Kelson　would　handle　this。
〃In　future；　my　lady；　I　should　take　better　care　for　my　choice　of　words；〃　the　king　finally　said；　after　permitting　himself　a　careful　sigh。　〃If　the　fact　that　we　are　Deryni　is　abhorrent　to　you；　then　you　should　be　aware　that　at　least　some　of　what　is　said　about　Deryni　is　true　…　and　we　are　not　made　of　stone。　Do　not　press　our　forbearance　too　far。〃
He　glanced　purposefully　out　at　his　returning　knights　for　a　few　seconds；　temporarily　releasing　Sidana　from　the　intensity　of　his　gaze；　but　the　brief　respite　did　nothing　to　reassure　the　girl；　trembling　in　Morgan's　arms　like　a　sparrow　in　the　clutches　of　a　bird　of　prey。　Dhugal's　stiff　carriage　proclaimed　him　still　stunned　as　well　by　the　tight…leashed　power　he　sensed　in　the　man　suddenly　stranger　sitting　in　front　of　him　…　even　if　Morgan　had　not　been　able　to　sense　the　fear　behind　the　shields　Dhugal　should　not　have　had。　Kelson's　expression　was　far　more　mild　when　he　at　last　looked　back　at　them；　but　Sidana　still　recoiled。
〃You　will　not　be　harmed；　my　lady；〃　Kelson　murmured。　〃By　my　honor　and　my　crown；　I　swear　it。　If　my　earlier　words　seemed　harsh；　I　apologize；　but　we　have　ridden　long　and　hard　and　I　had　not　thought　to　have　so　gentle　a　captive　in　our　pany。　My　quarrel　is　not　with　you；　but　neither　can　I　let　you　go。　Now　you　must　pardon　me　while　I　see　to　my　men。〃
He　turned　his　stallion　down　the　slope　toward　the　skirmish　site　without　waiting　for　reply；　white　horse　stark　against　the　trampled　snow；　Dhugal　shifting　his　grip　from　Kelson's　belt　to　the　horse's　crupper　behind　him　as　the　animal　lurched　down　the　slope。　Morgan　followed　more　slowly　with　the　subdued　Sidana；　still　pondering　Kelson's　reaction。
Dhugal's　Mearan　pursuers　had　not　wholly　abandoned　the　situation；　Morgan　saw；　as　he　scanned　the　darkening　plain　before　them。　They　milled　in　a　tight　knot　a　few　hundred　yards　out；　obviously　trying　to　decide　what　to　do　next。　Between　them　and　the　skirmish　site；　most　of　Kelson's　knights　sat　their　horses　in　a　long　single　line；　ready　to　repel　any　renewed　attack。　Behind　the　line；　the　remaining　Haldane　riders　kept　watch　over　the　prisoners：　six　in　all　…　　four　now　standing　bunched　before　Traheme　and　Conall；　hands　bound　behind　them；　two　more　having　minor　injuries　tended。　None　of　the　captives　were　heavily　armored；　and　several　wore　only　court　attire　…　no　armor　at　all。
〃Did　you　interrupt　some　festive　occasion；　Dhugal？〃　Kelson　asked　over　his　shoulder；　as　they　approached　Traheme　and　Conall。
Dhugal　grimaced；　leaning　around　the　king　to　inspect　the　captives　as　they　drew　rein。
〃They　would　call　it　so。　Sire。　Archbishop　Loris　consecrated　Judhael　of　Meara　Bishop　of　Ratharkin　this　morning。　And　I　suppose　you've　guessed　they　have　Bishop　Istelyn　to　prisoner。〃　His　face　lit　with　surprise　and　then　pleasure　as　he　got　a　good　look　at　the　sullen　young　man　standing　closest　to　Conall's　horse；　hands　bound　behind　and　a　rope　halter　running　from　his　neck　to　Conall's　hands。
〃Well；　fancy　that！〃
〃Someone　you　know？〃　Morgan　asked；　feeling　Sidana's　silent　gasp　of　horror。
Dhugal　laughed　and　clapped　Kelson　on　the　shoulder；　his　earlier　uneasiness　apparently　past。
〃Know　him？　Aye；　indeed。　Your　Grace。　Oh；　this　is　rare　luck。　Sire；　may　I　be　the　first　to　mend　to　your　acquaintance　Prince　Llewell　of　Meara；　the　younger　of　this　lady's　brothers。〃　He　gestured　grandly　in　her　direction。　〃Well　done；　Conall。　Did　you　capture　him？〃
Conall　drew　himself　up　importantly；　uncertain　whether　to　be　more　pleased　at　the　status　of　his　prize　or　annoyed　at　Dhugal's　omission　of　his　proper　title。
〃Of　course　I　did。　Llewell　of　Meara；　you　say？〃　he　repeated；　prodding　disdainfully　at　Llewell's　back　with　a　booted　toe。
Llewell　bore　the　affront　without　physical　resistance；　but　his　brown　eyes　blazed　as　he　twisted　to　glare　up　at　Conall。
〃You　never　would　have　taken　me　if　my　girth　hadn't　slipped；〃　he　said　hotly。　〃My　father　will　return　for　us！〃
〃Yes；　under　a　parley　flag；〃　Kelson　retorted；　directing　their　attention　to　the　party　heading　toward　his　line。　〃Hardly　a　dashing　rescue　mission；　I　think；　but　we'll　hear　what　they　have　to　say。〃
Sick　at　heart；　Llewell　whirled　to　crane　his　head　in　that　direction。
〃My　sister　and　I　have　done　nothing　wrong；〃　he　said　desperately。　〃You　have　no　right　to　hold　us！〃
〃Have　I　not？〃　Kelson　leaned　his　forearms　casually　on　the　high　pommel　of　his　saddle。　〃And　what　should　I　do　with　subjects　who　defy　my　laws　and　usurp　my　authority　in　my　own　lands？〃
〃But　ours　is　the　better　claim；〃　Llewell　began。　〃Our　line　es　from　…　〃
〃I　know　all　about　the　line　from　which　you　spring；〃　Kelson　interrupted。　〃The　matter　was　settled　nearly　a　hundred　years　ago。〃　He　glanced　up　at　the　squire　riding　back　from　the　defending　Haldane　line；　the　knot　of　Mearan　riders　slowly　approaching　under　a　white　flag；　then　stood　in　his　stirrups　and　shaded　his　eyes　to　peer　farther　out　on　the　darkening　plain。
〃I　see　them；〃　Morgan　said；　noting　the　numbers　of　the　torches　another　approaching　body　bore；　perhaps　half　an　hour's　hard　ride　away。　〃Sica