kutzkattherine.the bishopsheir-第34章

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f　an　hour's　hard　ride　away。　〃Sicard's　reinforcements。　We'd　best　make　this　brief。　Sire。〃
〃My　thought；　precisely。〃　Kelson　kneed　his　horse　over　to　the　new　mount　another　squire　was　bringing　up　for　Dhugal　and　helped　him　shift　across。　〃Llewell；　I'll　oblige　your　father　for　a　few　minutes；　but　I　think　you　can　see　why　I　don't　intend　to　stay　around。　Jodrell；　prepare　the　men　to　ride　out　as　soon　as　we've　parleyed。　Conall；　we'll　need　a　horse　for　your　prisoner　as　well。　And　Morgan　…　bring　the　girl　partway。　They　may　be　more　inclined　to　reason　if　they　see　she's　safe。〃
Torches　hastily　lit　sputtered　in　the　falling　snow　as　they　rode　out。　Kelson　and　Dhugal　led；　Sidana　still　sitting　stiff　and　frightened　before　the　silent　Morgan；　half　a　length　behind。　Conall　and　Traheme　flanked　the　mounted　Llewell；　with　an　escort　of　four　knights　behind。　Among　the　dozen　riders　who　approached　from　the　Mearan　side；　Dhugal　identified　Sicard　MacArdry　and　his　son　Ithel　in　the　lead。　All　but　the　four　principals　drew　rein　within　hearing　distance　of　a　central　point　between　them。　Kelson　and　Dhugal　riding　on　to　meet　Sicard　and　Ithel。　They　stopped　a　horse…length　apart。
〃I　have　never　done　you　any　harm；　Sicard　MacArdry；〃　Kelson　said　quietly。　〃Why　have　you　broken　faith　with　me？〃
Sicard　turned　a　cold；　disdainful　look　on　Dhugal；　holding　a　torch　beside　the　king；　then　glanced　back　at　Kelson。
〃I　never　swore　you　any　oaths。　Kelson　of　Gwynedd。　My　young　kinsman；　on　the　other　hand；　betrayed　his　blood　and　broke　oaths　sworn　on　holy　relics；　before　many　witnesses。　Do　not　speak　to　me　of　faith　with　an　oath…breaker　sitting　at　your　side　as　counsel。〃
〃He　serves　far　older　faith　than　oaths　sworn　under　duress；〃　Kelson　answered。　〃But　I　think　you　did　not　e　to　argue　my　Lord　Dhugal's　shortings；　if　such　they　are。　I　assume　you　wished　to　verify　your　children's　safety。　As　you　can　see；　they　have　not　been　harmed。〃
Sicard's　tight…lipped　glance　flicked　to　his　son；　anxious　but　hopeful　in　his　bonds　between　Conall　and　Traheme；　then　more　briefly　and　painfully　to　Sidana。
〃I　want　them　back；　Haldane；〃　he　muttered；　forcing　himself　not　to　look　at　them　again。
Kelson　inclined　his　head　gracefully。　〃A　father　could　not　want　otherwise；　my　lord。　And　that　is　easily　arranged。　I　have　no　quarrel　with　children。〃
〃And　the　price？〃　Sicard　asked。
〃For　a　beginning；　the　return　of　my　bishop。　Henry　Istelyn。〃
〃I　do　not　have　him。〃
〃Not　with　you；　no。　But　you　can　get　him。〃
Sicard　shook　his　head。　〃He　is　Loris'　hostage；　not　mine。〃
〃Loris'　treason　is　old。　I　do　not　hold　you　answerable　for　that。　Your　treason　is　more　recent；　and　might　be　forgiven　if　I　received　sufficient　surety　of　your　future　loyalty。　If　Istelyn　is　returned　unharmed　and　you　deliver　Loris　into　my　hands；　I　would　be　willing　to　discuss　a　general　amnesty　for　all　your　family。〃
〃You　would　never　do　that！〃
〃I　have　said　that　I　would。〃
〃And　what　if　I　refuse？〃
〃You　will　never　see　your　children　again。　And　in　the　spring；　I　shall　lead　an　army　into　Meara　and　scour　the　land　until　I　have　found　you；　your　wife；　and　every　other　living　member　of　the　Mearan　royal　house　and　put　them　to　the　sword。〃
〃You　would　never　do　that！〃　Sicard　gasped。
〃Do　you　wish　to　test　that　belief？〃　Kelson　countered。　〃If；　on　the　other　hand；　you　present　yourself；　your　lady　wife；　and　the　rest　of　your　family　before　my　court　by　Christmas；　delivering　the　traitor　Loris　and　his　supporters　into　my　hands　and　pledging　your　true　homage　as　dutiful　vassals　of　my　crown；　then　this　all　may　be　resolved　most　happily　for　all　concerned。〃
〃Those　are　no　terms　at　all！〃　Sicard　said　with　a　contemptuous　spit　into　the　snow　beside　him。　〃You　must　take　me　for　an　idiot！　No　sane　man　would　agree　to　that。〃
〃Then　perhaps　you　had　best　go　a　little　mad；　Sicard！〃　Kelson　retorted；　glancing　at　the　torches　now　closer　by　half　the　original　distance。　〃And　I　should　be　mad　if　I　remained　to　debate　the　issue　with　you。　I　did　not　expect　you　to　give　me　your　answer　without　more　sober　reflection。〃
〃But　what　of　my　children？〃
〃You　have　a　fortnight　to　tell　me　what　will　bee　of　them；〃　Kelson　replied；　gathering　up　his　reins　in　preparation　to　leave。　〃I　must　have　your　decision　by　Christmas　Court。　In　the　meantime；　I　give　you　my　word　that　they　shall　not　be　harmed　…　and　I　trust　you　will　make　me　the　same　assurances　regarding　Bishop　Istelyn。〃
〃I　told　you；　that　is　not　within　my　power。。。。〃
〃Then　find　a　way　to　make　it　so！〃
〃I　cannot！〃
〃A　fortnight！〃　Kelson　repeated。　And　as　he　and　Dhugal　wheeled　their　horses　and　started　back；　the　Haldane　line　edged　forward；　curtailing　any　thought　Sicard　might　have　entertained　of　following　after。　With　a　glance　backward　at　the　approaching　reinforcements；　still　a　quarter…hour　too　far　away　to　make　a　difference；　Sicard　cast　one　final；　longing　glance　at　his　son　and　daughter　being　drawn　back　among　their　captors；　then　reined　his　mount　around　and　rode　off　at　the　gallop　with　his　remaining　son。　Llewell　took　the　turn　of　events　stoically　enough；　only　bowing　his　head　and　biting　back　a　sob　as　father　and　brother　receded　into　the　dusk　and　the　nearer　torches　moved　off；　but　Sidana　burst　into　distraught　weeping。
〃No！　They　can't　leave　us！〃　she　gasped；　struggling　to　wiggle　from　Morgan's　grasp。　〃Father！　Father；　e　back！〃
The　attempt　was　futile；　of　course；　but　a　hysterical　woman　was　the　last　thing　Morgan　wanted　on　his　hands　if　they　were　going　to　have　to　make　a　run　for　it。　Pulling　off　his　right　glove　with　his　teeth　while　he　restrained　her　in　his　shield　arm；　he　caught　Kelson's　eye　and　municated　his　intention。　Kelson　agreed。　Pinning　the　struggling　girl　firmly　against　his　mail…clad　chest；　Morgan　pressed　his　hand　over　her　eyes　and　willed　her　to　sleep。　Immediately；　she　went　boneless　and　relaxed　in　his　arms；　head　lolling　against　his　shoulder。
〃What　have　you　done？〃　Llewell　gasped。　He　wrenched　at　his　bound　wrists　helplessly　as　he　tried　to　kick　his　horse　closer　to　see。　〃Oh；　God；　what　have　you　done　to　her？〃
〃She's　not　been　hurt；　he's　only　made　her　sleep；〃　Kelson　said　sharply；　plunging　his　horse　between　Llewell's　and　Morgan's　to　seize　Llewell　by　the　shoulder。　〃And　if　you　keep　your　head；　I'll　not　use　on　you　what's　been　used　on　her。〃
〃Was　it　magic？〃　Llewell　managed　to　whisper　around　an　almost　tearful　gulp。
〃No；　but　I　haven't　the　time　to　explain　the　distinction　just　now。　Agree　to　cooperate；　and　I'll　even　have　them　bind　your　hands　more　fortably。　It's　a　long　ride　to　Rhemuth　with　your　hands　tied　behind　you。〃
〃You'll　pay　for　this；〃　Llewell　muttered　through　clenched　teeth。　〃May　your　Deryni　soul　rot　in　Hell！〃
〃You're　about　to　try　my　patience　too　far；〃　Kelson　warned。　〃Don't　push　me。　If　you　believe　me　damned　already；　then　it　follows　that　I　have　nothing　to　gain　by　personal　restraint　…　though　despite　your　belief；　it　is　my　intention　to　deal　with　you　as　honorably　as　possible。　Now；　is　this　to　be　easy　or　difficult？〃
Llewell　maintained　his　glare　of　tearful　defiance　for　a　few　seconds；　measuring　it　against　Kelson's　calm；　passionless　gaze；　then　broke　the　contact　and　bowed　his　head；　shoulders　slumping　dejectedly。
〃I　cannot　stand　against　a　demon；〃　he　whispered。　〃I　am　not　fool　enough　to　seek　my　death　deliberately。〃
〃Nor　I；〃　Kelson　replied。　〃Conall；　see　to　his　hands；　but　keep　a　close　guard　on　him。〃　With　another　glance　at　the　approaching　Mearan　force；　he　reined　his　horse　around　and　raised　a　gloved　fist　in　signal。
〃'Tis　time　we　made　a　tactical　withdrawal；　my　lords！〃　he　shouted；　to　answering　shouts　of　approval　from　his　men。　〃We　have　acplished　at　least　part　of　what　we　came　for。　Now　we　return　to　Rhemuth！〃
Thus　did　they　ride　from　the　plain　of　Ratharkin；　richer　for　two　royal　prisoners　and　a　rescued　earl；　Dhugal　not　yet　aware　that　he　was　poorer　by　a　father。　Darkness　and　the　increasingly　heavy　snowfall　soon　enabled　them　to　elude　the　pursuing　Mearan　host；　and　when　human　and　Deryni　senses　confirmed　that　they　were　out　of　danger。　Kelson　allowed　a　brief　stop　to　rest。　Only　then　did　he　draw　Dhugal　a　little　aside　and　tell　him　about　old　Caulay；　giving　what　meager　fort　he　could　as　he　shared　Dhugal's　grief　at　the　news　of　the　old　earl's　death。

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Grief　and　futile　fort　were　served　up　in　full　measure　that　night　in　Ratharkin　as　well；　when　the　desolate　Sicard　returned　without　daughter；　forsworn　nephew；　or　second　son。　Caitrin　and　Judhael　heard　his　halting　report　in　stunned　silence；　Judhael　lamely　holding　his　aunt's　hand　but　unable　to　give　a　word　of　reassurance。
〃How　could　the　Haldane　have　known　to　be　there　just　then？〃　Caitrin　whispered　when　her　husband　had　done。　〃'Tis　foul；　wicked　sorcery！　And　he　has　my　babes　to　hostage。〃
〃We　were　wrong　to　trust　young　Dhugal；〃　Judhael　muttered。　〃To　betray　his　own　kin　…　but　who　could　have　guessed　he　would　break　his　sworn　word；　given　on　holy　relics？　He　is　damned；　damned。。。。〃
〃I　should　have　struck　him　to　the　heart　with　my　own　dagger　when　first　I　saw　him；〃　the　miserable　Sicard　whispered。　〃I　should　have　known　my　brother　would　poison　him　against　us　after　all　these　years。　And　my　son。。。　my　little　girl。。。　in　the　hands　of　Deryni！〃
They　sent　for　Loris　and　Creoda　a　little　later；　when　they　had　recovered　some　of　their　posure　and　reviewed　the　terms　of　Kelson's　demands。　By　the　time　Sicard　had　repeated　his　account　for　their　benefit；　Loris　was　all　but　foaming　at　the　mouth。
〃He　offered　you　amnesty　if　you　would　abandon　me？〃　he　raged。　〃He　dared　to　demand　Istelyn's　release？　The　insolence！　The　very　cheek！　How　dare　he　think　he　can　threaten　us？〃
〃He　does　think　he　can；〃　Caitrin　replied　irritably。　〃What　is　more；　he　has　done　a　very　credible　job　of　it。　I　would　be　naive　in　the　extreme　if　I　thought　he　expected　us　to　accept　his　offer；　but　he　almost　had　to　make　the　attempt。　Still；　we　are　not　without　our　own　resources。　Nephew；　please　have　Bishop　Istelyn　brought　to　us。〃
〃He　is　still　my　prisoner；　not　yours；　Lady；〃　Loris　warned。
〃I　am　quite　aware　of　that。　I　wish　to　question　him。　See　to　it；　Judhael。〃
Loris　let　him　leave　to　do　her　bidding；　but　he　continued　to　rant　and　mutter　under　his　breath　all　the　while　Judhael　was　gone；　hardly　touching　the　wine　which　Ithel　poured　to　bolster　all　their　courage。
〃God　curse　the　Deryni！〃　Loris　spat；　as　Judhael　brought　Istelyn　in　a　short　time　later。　〃Curse　the　Deryni　king　who　pretends　piety　and　honor　and　continues　to　consort　with　magic！　And　God　curse　doubly　any　bishop　who　would　keep　counsel　with　him！〃　he　added；　glaring　at　Istelyn。　〃You　are　no　better　than　the　Haldane　you　serve；　Istelyn。　I　should　have　you　executed　as　the　traitor　you　are！〃
〃There　will　be　no　executions　in　this　city　without　my　leave。　Archbishop；〃　Caitrin　said　mildly；　as　she　signed　for　a　stool　to　be　brought　for　Istelyn。　〃A　dead　bishop　is　hardly　a　strong　bargaining　point。　The　Haldane　wants　him　back　unharmed。　By　the　same　token；　he　will　not　harm　the　children　so　long　as　he　believes　we　are　willing　to　negotiate。　Negotiations　could　drag　on　until　the　spring。〃
〃You　credit　him　with　too　much　honor；　Madame；〃　Loris　said。　〃These　Deryni　are　treacherous。　Kelson　is　most　treacherous　of　all。〃
〃He　is　still　hardly　more　than　a　boy；〃　Sicard　said　contemptuously。　〃Children　do　not　kill　children。〃
〃Do　not　underestimate　him；　my　lord；〃　Loris　replied。　〃I　did　so　before；　but　I　shall　not　make　that　mistake　again。　He　is　a　man；　with　all　a　man's　cunning　and　treachery　increased　because　he　is　Deryni。〃　He　paused　a　beat。　〃And　given　that　he　is　a　man；　has　it　not　occurred　to　you　that　he　may　have　a　man's　appetites　…