kutzkattherine.the bishopsheir-第58章

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his　arm。
〃I　see　I　am　also　alone；〃　he　said　evenly。　〃But　I'll　not　deprive　my　sister　of　the　escort　to　which　her　rank　entitles　her。　I'll　…　play　my　father's　part　and　give　away　the　bride；　if　it's　the　proper　form　you're　looking　for。　Kelson　of　Gwynedd。　But　I'll　be　loathing　you　for　every　second！〃
〃Ah　…　loathing　me。〃　Kelson　raised　an　eyebrow　and　smiled　with　relief。　〃Well；　I　can　put　up　with　that；　I　suppose；　if　you　do　as　you're　told。　Morgan；　you　can　let　him　go。　My　lady；　I'm　sorry　you　had　to　witness　this。〃
〃Please　forgive　my　brother；　my　lord；〃　Sidana　whispered。　〃He　only　means　to　protect　me。〃
〃Sidana；　I　don't　need　to　hide　behind　a　woman's　skirts！〃
〃Will　you　shut　your　mouth？〃　Morgan　muttered。
As　he　raised　a　gloved　hand　in　threat；　Llewell　drew　back　in　alarm。
〃Enough；　Morgan！〃　Kelson　said。　〃He's　young　and　he's　proud　and　hurting。　Let's　not　make　those　fatal　flaws。　I　will　make　you　one　threat；　however；　Llewell　of　Meara；〃　he　went　on；　turning　the　full　force　of　his　quicksilver　gaze　on　the　Mearan　prince　again。　〃I　will　remind　you　only　once　that　Morgan　and　other　loyal　friends　and　vassals　will　be　right　at　my　side　during　the　ceremony。　If　anything　happens　that　isn't　supposed　to；　and　it's　your　fault　…　anything　…　I　am　here　and　now　giving　them　free　license　to　take　whatever　action　they　deem　necessary。　That　assumes；　of　course；　that　I　haven't　dealt　with　you　first。　Do　I　make　myself　perfectly　clear？〃
〃You　do；〃　Llewell　muttered　under　his　breath。
〃I　didn't　quite　hear　that。〃
〃You　make　yourself　perfectly；　abundantly　clear；〃　Llewell　repeated　sullenly。
〃Good。　Then　we　understand　one　another。　My　Lady？〃
He　glanced　up　at　Sidana　again；　tentatively　extending　his　hand；　and　to　his　surprise；　she　responded。　Much　heartened；　he　bent　to　brush　her　knuckles　with　his　lips；　more　confident　as　he　straightened　and　released　her　hand。
〃My　lady；　I　apologize　again。　A　woman's　wedding　day　should　be　joyous　and　free　from　care。　I'm　afraid　I've　started　it　out　on　rather　a　poor　note。〃
〃You　have　done　what　you　had　to　do；　my　lord；〃　she　whispered；　〃and　I；　too；　must　once　more　beg　pardon　for　my　brother。〃
〃Sidana！〃
Ignoring　Llewell's　outburst。　Kelson　shook　his　head。　〃This　is　neither　the　time　nor　the　place　to　speak　further　of　the　matter；　my　lady。　Later；　after　we　are　wed；　there　will　be　time　enough　for　everything。　But　for　now；　the　archbishops　are　waiting　…　and　the　people　…　to　see　their　new　queen　go　to　her　marriage　and　coronation。　May　I　give　the　mands　for　our　procession　to　begin？〃
〃Do　you　ask　my　permission；　my　lord？〃　she　said；　amazed。
〃Of　course。　You　are　my　lady　and　my　queen。〃
One　look　at　her　brother　glaring　up　at　her；　hanging　on　her　every　gesture　and　expression；　apparently　was　sufficient　to　keep　Sidana　from　answering　with　words；　but　she　shyly　inclined　her　head　nonetheless。　To　Kelson；　it　seemed　more　than　just　dutiful　agreement。　As　he　withdrew　to　the　head　of　the　procession　where　his　horse　waited；　he　signalled　the　knights　to　bring　the　canopy　…　blue　silk　powdered　all　over　with　tiny　stars　and　moons　…　but　his　expression　was　jubilant　once　his　back　was　safely　to　the　Mearan　prince　and　princess。
〃Alaric；　did　you　see？〃　he　whispered；　as　Morgan　held　his　stirrup　and　helped　him　mount；　and　Dhugal　spread　the　cnmson　mantle　over　the　horse's　rump。　〃I　think　she　does　like　me。　Once　we　get　her　out　from　under　her　brother's　thumb；　who　knows　what　might　happen！　Maybe　it's　going　to　work；　after　all。〃
As　they　started　to　move　out；　Morgan　glanced　back　at　the　small；　lonely　figure　on　the　white　horse；　led　to　her　destiny　beneath　a　canopy　of　silk；　all　their　hopes　of　peace　wrapped　up　in　one　frail　girl。　He　dearly　hoped　Kelson　was　right。


CHAPTER　TWENTY…TWO
For　the　Lord　delighteth　in　thee；　and　thy　land　shall　be　married。
Isaiah　62：4
To　Kelson's　already　heightened　senses；　the　bright…etched　images　of　the　procession　route　were　almost　overwhelming：　crowds　cheering；　banners　rainbow…hued；　fluttering　above　the　streets；　showers　of　snowdrops　and　other　winter　flowers　carpeting　his　path　…　and　cheers　and　flowers　also　for　the　dark…haired　bride　who　followed。　The　sounds　and　the　colors　carried　him　higher　on　a　wave　of　hope；　and　he　grinned　at　Morgan　and　Dhugal；　riding　to　either　side　of　him。
The　streets　were　narrow　and　winding；　the　procession　thick　with　celebrants　between　him　and　his　bride；　but　on　the　few　occasions　when　the　way　was　straight　or　they　passed　through　a　square；　he　could　glance　back　and　just　catch　the　top　of　her　rose…crowned　head　under　its　silken　canopy。　Once；　their　eyes　met；　and　he　almost　fancied　he　could　feel　the　current　leap　between　them；　kindling　anticipation　in　his　brain　and　a　white　heat　in　his　loins。
He　told　himself　that　he　was　imagining　things；　that　he　was　letting　himself　read　too　much　into　their　earlier　meetings　…　a　word；　a　glance　…　but　it　was　not　in　his　nature　to　hold　back；　once　a　mitment　had　been　made。　His　body　was　eager　to　unite　with　hers　already；　but　he　was　also　resolved　to　make　theirs　a　union　of　hearts　as　well　as　lands；　if　he　could。　He　tried　not　to　think　too　much　about　the　ing　wedding　night。　He　was　much　relieved　when　they　reached　the　cathedral　at　last　and　he　could　dismount；　turning　mind　as　well　as　body　to　less　physically　distracting　contemplation。
Archbishop　Cardiel　received　him　at　the　great　doors；　golden　cope　and　mitre　almost　blinding　in　the　noonday　sun；　rich　counterpoint　to　Kelson's　crimson　and　gold　and　the　crown　of　leaves　and　crosses。　When　the　two　of　them　had　exchanged　formal　greeting；　archbishop　bowing；　king　bending　to　kiss　the　episcopal　ring；　Arilan　and　Duncan　joined　them　for　more　casual　interchange；　lace…lavished　surplices　immaculate　and　pristine　over　purple　cassocks；　gold　glistening　on　stoles　of　snow　white　silk。　Kelson　accepted　their　greetings　in　something　of　a　daze；　pulling　Morgan　to　him　psychically　as　he　made　nervous　conversation　with　the　bishops；　drawing　on　Morgan's　calm　as　he　shaped　his　own　thoughts　into　more　suitable　framework　for　the　sacrament　he　was　about　to　exchange　with　Sidana。　As　the　bride's　procession　began　to　enter　the　cathedral　yard；　king　and　escort　fell　into　place　behind　the　three　prelates　and　went　inside。
More　clergy　waited　just　beneath　the　western　portico　…　　the　crucifer　with　Cardiel's　processional　cross；　candle　bearers；　a　flock　of　choristers　…　men　and　boys　with　fresh…scrubbed　faces　above　the　white　and　scarlet　of　surplices　and　choir　cassocks　…　two　older　boys　gently　swinging　censers。　As　the　archbishop　and　the　rest　of　the　royal　party　joined　them　and　the　procession　began　to　move　down　the　nave；　musicians　in　the　gallery　above　trumpeted　a　royal　fanfare　and　salute。
Kelson　held　his　head　high　as　he　walked；　oblivious　to　the　scrutiny　of　the　congregation；　eyes　focused　on　the　roundel　on　the　back　of　Cardiel's　cope。　He　recognized　the　choir's　anthem　as　a　solemn　？？　Deum。　Flanking　him；　he　could　feel　the　solid；　reassuring　presence　of　both　Morgan　and　Dhugal：　Morgan　his　usual　pillar　of　bolstering　calm；　Deryni　senses　extended　just　slightly　to　give　Kelson　psychic　substance　to　lean　against　…　but　even　Dhugal　seemed　somehow　more　solid；　more　confident；　almost　Deryni　himself　in　the　steadiness　of　his　presence；　either　not　feeling　or　not　minding　the　distracted　but　curious　feather　touches　that　Kelson　sent　fleetingly　in　his　direction。
They　crossed　the　transept；　passing　directly　over　the　Camber　seal；　and　Kelson　briefly　wondered　what　the　Deryni　saint　would　have　thought　of　what　he　was　about　to　do。　As　he　recalled。　Camber　had　arranged　a　marriage　between　his　own　ward　and　Cinhil　Haldane；　even　before　the　Restoration。　The　name　of　Cinhil's　eventual　queen　escaped　him；　but　he　toyed　with　the　notion　that　she　might　have　been　crowned　with　the　same　golden　coronet　resting　on　the　alter　before　them；　shimmering　in　the　light　of　the　altar　candles。　He　eyed　it　wistfully　as　he　followed　the　bishops　into　the　choir　to　approach　the　altar　steps；　also　taking　in　the　wedding　guests　standing　in　the　choir　stalls。
Nigel　and　Meraude　held　the　places　of　honor　to　his　right；　closest　to　the　altar；　they　and　their　three　sons　ranged　along　the　front　row　of　stalls。　Others　filled　in　behind　them　and　on　the　other　side：　Ewan　and　Deny；　Jodrell；　Saer　de　Trah…eme　…　all　the　senior　members　of　his　court　…　their　faces　reflecting　all　the　varied　expectations　of　the　marriage。　Just　before　Kelson　reached　the　altar　steps；　he　caught　Nigel's　quick　smile　of　reassurance；　the　fond；　approving　nod　of　his　aunt。
Lord；　forgive　me　if　I　approach　Thy　altar　with　reservations　in　my　heart；　Kelson　prayed；　as　he　paused　behind　the　bishops　at　the　foot　of　the　steps　and　bent　his　knee　to　the　Divine　Presence。　Let　me　love　the　woman　I　am　about　to　marry　…　and　let　her　love　me。　And　help　me　to　be　a　wise　and　passionate　husband　to　her。
Then　the　bishops　were　turning　to　face　him　in　anticipation；　he　and　his　supporters　shifting　slightly　to　the　right　to　turn　and　await　the　bridal　procession。　In　the　loft　above　the　western　doors。　Kelson　caught　the　glint　of　the　trumpets　being　raised　again　…　silvery　notes　sounding　Sidana's　fanfare　this　time；　sweet　and　lingering。　The　choir　began　to　sing　a　Psalm　to　greet　a　queen。
As　the　doors　opened　outward　to　reveal　her；　she　seemed　for　an　instant　to　be　floating　on　a　cloud　of　sunshine；　so　light　that　she　might　have　drifted　away；　were　it　not　for　the　anchor　of　her　hand　on　her　brother's　arm。　As　the　canopy　moved　slowly　inside；　she　and　Llewell　following　under　its　splendor；　the　white　roses　on　her　hair　seemed　to　glow　with　a　light　of　their　own；　lending　her　an　almost　Deryni　nimbus　in　Kelson's　Sight。
O　God；　she　wears　peace　like　a　mantle！　he　thought；　watching　her　approach　him；　eyes　demurely　downcast。　He　hardly　even　saw　the　tight…lipped　Llewell；　or　Richenda　and　the　other　attendants　following　behind。
Please；　Lord；　let　it　be　peace　between　the　two　of　us；　as　well　as　our　lands。　I　don't　want　to　have　to　kill　her　people。　I　don't　want　to　have　to　kill　anyone　else。　I　want　to　create　life；　not　death。　Please；　Lord。。。。
Then　she　and　Llewell　were　genuflecting　at　the　foot　of　the　altar　steps；　mounting　the　steps　to　stand　beside　him；　Llewell　scowling　between　them。　Flanked　by　Arilan　and　Duncan；　Cardiel　waited　for　the　canopy　to　move　into　position；　setting　apart　the　place　where　the　marriage　rite　would　be　performed。　Morgan　and　Dhugal　remained　just　outside　the　canopy；　Richenda　and　the　other　attendants　ranged　to　the　other　side；　as　Cardiel　read　from　the　Mass　book；　addressing　the　pale；　attentive　king。
〃Kelsonus；　Rex　Gwyneddis；　vis　accipere　Sidanam　hie　praesentem；　in　tuam　legitimam　uxoremjuxta　ritum　sanc…tae　Matris　Ecclesiae？〃
Kelson；　King　of　Gwynedd；　wilt　thou　take　Sidana；　here　present；　to　thy　lawful　wife　according　to　our　Holy　Mother；　the　Church？
〃Volo；〃　Kelson　breathed；　not　daring　to　glance　in　her　direction。　I　will。
Bowing　gravely；　Cardiel　turned　his　attention　to　the　bride；　asking　her　the　same　question。
〃Sidana；　Princepessa　Mearae；　vis　accipere　Kelsonum；　hie　praesentem；　in　tuum　legitimum　maritum　juxta　ritum　sanctae　Matris　Ecclesiae？〃
Holding　his　breath。　Kelson　allowed　his　glance　to　flick　just　slightly　to　his　left；　past　the　tight…jawed　Llewell　to　his　bride。　Part　of　her　glossy　hair　fell　like　a　curtain　over　her　right　cheek；　so　that　he　could　not　see　her　eyes；　but　after　only　a　slight　hesitation　her　lips　parted。
〃Volo；〃　she　whispered。
Kelson　could　almost　hear　Llewell's　mental　moan　of　despair；　but　he　forced　himself　not　to　read　it　further。　The　boy　was　bred　to　duty；　even　as　Kelson　was。　What　purpose；　for　Kelso