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〃 Bradene said quietly。
〃The Princess Sidana； by Mearan reckoning。 Excellency；〃 Nigel amended； 〃and heiress to what they regard as the legitimate royal line。〃
〃But it isn't the legitimate royal line；〃 Kelson pointed out。 〃And even if it were； she has a mother and two brothers ahead of her。〃
〃The mother is not a young woman；〃 Nigel countered。 〃Even if she were to escape us； you have time on your side。 You can easily outwait her。 Of the brothers； one is in our hands already and the other eventually will be taken or slain in battle。 Eliminate the two of them and marry Sidana … not necessarily in that order … and the Mearan royal line will bee the legitimate line in your children's generation； as should have been done in your great…grandfather's time。〃
From the animation of the discussion that followed； it soon became apparent that the notion had already occurred to at least a few of them； probably from the moment Sidana rode through the city gates in Morgan's arms。 Kelson mostly listened for the first few minutes； occasionally exchanging uneasy looks with Morgan； Dhugal； or Duncan； but when at last he held up a hand for silence； he had shuttered his true feelings behind a facade which even Morgan could not pierce。
〃There is a certain logic in what my uncle has proposed； my lords；〃 the king said carefully。 〃I will tell you from the outset that this is not the first time the lady in question has been proposed as a potential royal bride。 When I was in Transha a few weeks ago。 Lord Dhugal's late father also extolled the lady's suitability … not as an uncle seeking rich dowry for his niece； but as a loyal liegeman suggesting a possible way to ease the tension which has been increasing along the Mearan border for the last several years。〃
〃Old Caulay offered you her hand and you didn't tell us？〃 Ewan blurted； eyes flashing above his bushy beard。 〃Why； that old fox！〃
〃He didn't offer me her hand； Ewan！〃 Kelson retorted； allowing himself a sigh of exasperation。 〃He wasn't in any position to make me such an offer。 He simply pointed out the obvious advantages of such a match。 Sidana was still in Meara at the time。〃
〃And now that she is in Gwynedd？〃 Nigel asked。
Kelson closed his eyes briefly and drew a deep breath； then let it out with a patient sigh。
〃Frankly； the idea terrifies me。 I don't even know the girl。 But I'm a king first and a man second。 If such an alliance would ease the tension along the border and help secure peace； then I would be less than true to my coronation oath if I did not give it my wholehearted support。〃
〃It might just do that。 Sire；〃 Jodrell said thoughtfully。 〃I know the Mearans。 My patrols go back and forth across the border constantly。 Caitrin's sons or Sidana's sons … it would make no difference to most folk。 They've been sending sons and husbands and brothers off to war with Gwynedd for over a hundred years。〃
〃I doubt a marriage with Sidana would stop that；〃 Saer de Traherne said。 〃Unless Caitrin does submit by Christmas； which I think highly unlikely in light of that；〃 he gestured curtly toward the letter and box； 〃there's still going to be a war in the spring … at least until we take her and Ithel。〃
Bishop Hugh； silent until then； sat forward and raised a hand for recognition。
〃Sire； forgive me if I speak out of turn； but might not a marriage with Sidana be used to negotiate a true peace？ Perhaps Caitrin would be willing to renounce her claim； if she were assured that her daughter would be queen of a united Meara and Gwynedd。〃
Dhugal shook his head emphatically。 〃Not a chance； Excellency。 Even if she would； Ithel wouldn't。 He's full of plans for when he's king。 Llewell's little better； though at least we have him in custody。〃
〃The lad is right。 Sire；〃 Jodrell agreed。 〃Marriage with Sidana might provide an ultimate solution； but we'll still have to take Caitrin and Ithel … and any other Mearan heirs； while we're at it … before it would be meaningful。 Judhael； in particular。 Mearan partisans might pass over Sidana if another male heir could be persuaded to take up the cause。〃
〃We will deal with Judhael； my lord；〃 Arilan said pointedly。 〃You need not worry about a renegade priest。 The marriage does have its merits； though。 Sire； from what has been said； I assume that you would be willing to enter such a union。 Is that a correct assumption？〃
Kelson shrugged； making a game attempt to appear casual。 〃If I must。 However； a great deal depends upon the lady。 She may not want to marry me。〃
Ewan snorted。 〃She'll do as she's told； if she knows what's good for her！〃
〃And suppose she doesn't？〃 Kelson asked。
Jodrell shrugged。 〃She is your hostage。 Sire。 If such is your desire； I hardly think she has much choice in the matter。〃
〃Oh？ And if I drag her to the altar against her will； how then for the sanctity of our marriage vows？〃 Kelson retorted。 〃What say you。 Archbishop？〃
As Bradene squirmed under the royal scrutiny； Arilan shook his head。 〃It is not required that the bride be eager； Sire； only willingly resigned。 And if the wooing is carried out with … the proper delicacy；〃 he arched an eyebrow knowingly at the king； 〃I think she would not be unwilling。〃
His glance at Kelson conveyed all the potential of a Deryni king's ability to persuade； without even resorting to his own Deryni abilities。 Kelson read his meaning instantly； a little sick at heart； and knew by Morgan's quickly damped flare of indignation that he had read it； too。
With a chill smile。 Kelson leaned back in his chair and allowed himself a resigned sigh。
〃I take your meaning。 Bishop；〃 he said quietly； trying to put out of mind the temptation Arilan had just presented him。 〃If wooing's to be done； however； I'll do it in my own fashion。 For the sake of my kingdom； I'll even take her by force if I must。 I'm sure a priest could be found who would turn a blind eye to her protests；〃 he added dryly。 〃But if peace can be secured some other way； without much loss of life； then I would as soon not wed for now。 We still have time。〃
〃And does Istelyn have time？〃 Bradene demanded。 〃How do you intend to answer that？〃
As he gestured angrily toward the box across from him and Kelson； the king slapped his open palm against the table in consternation。
〃Obviously I cannot answer it。 Archbishop！ I have already said that I can do nothing for Istelyn。 I shall reiterate our demand that Caitrin and her son submit to me by Christmas。〃
〃And if she does not？〃
Kelson sighed heavily； his momentary anger deflated。
〃If she does not； then I shall take the Princess Sidana to wife at Twelfth Night and send out summons of array for a spring campaign。〃
〃Alas； I fear that will mean Istelyn's death；〃 Cardiel said； as murmurs of concurrence rippled around the table。
〃We must count Istelyn as dead already； my lords；〃 Morgan said softly。 〃And if he dies； then we must make his death count for something。 I know he would support the king's wish to settle all as bloodlessly as possible； but if necessary； the spring shall see his murderers confounded with the sword。〃
〃Very well；〃 Bradene replied。 〃I see that there is no appeal for that。 Fortunately； the Church has weapons other than the sword with which to confound Loris and his would…be Mearan queen。 Nor need we wait until the spring to use them。〃
As Bradene swept his fellow bishops with his hard glance； almost in challenge。 Kelson knew with a chill certainty what was ing next。
〃I propose a rite of general exmunication；〃 Bradene went on。 〃That we formally strip Loris of his rank and priesthood … something we should have done two years ago … that we suspend the bishops who have taken his part； and that we exmunicate the lot of them； including the Mearan royal family。〃
The other bishops nodded gravely； murmuring among themselves； but Kelson's stomach did a slow； queasy roll； even though he had been half…expecting someone to bring up the subject before they were done。 Having been exmunicated himself at one time； if only for reason of Loris' spite。 Kelson could not but feel pity for those about to incur the same fate。 He glanced at Morgan and Duncan； who had felt the cold breath of exmunication even more directly than himself； and caught their similar recoil at the very notion； but it needed to be done。 Exmunication was a language Loris would understand； though it would also enrage him。
〃I agree；〃 Cardiel said quietly。 〃The measure es after much provocation。 Do you also remend a general Interdict of Meara； my lord？〃
As the others drew in breath … for Interdict would bar everyone in Meara from all sacraments and solace of the Church； even the innocent … Bradene shook his head。
〃I would not place that burden upon the entire Mearan people at this time … though it may prove necessary in the future； if exmunication does not bring the principals to heel。 No； what I have outlined is sufficient for the present； I think … unless you have some valid objection。 Sire？〃
Kelson bowed his head。 〃I would not presume to dictate the conscience of my bishops。 Excellency；〃 he whispered。 〃If you feel this action warranted； then so be it。〃
〃It should be done as soon as possible； then；〃 Bradene said decisively。 〃Tonight； I think； after pline … so that our response may go to Loris and the Lady Caitrin along with His Majesty's。〃
Cardiel nodded。 〃The necessary documents can be drawn up by nightfall。 My monks will assist us。 Sire； we would count it a particular favor if you and the rest of the lords of state could lend us your support by your presence。〃
〃We shall attend you；〃 Kelson replied。
Bradene nodded； relieved。 〃Thank you。 Sire。 I should like your support in a happier matter as well。 I have had no opportunity to consult with my brother Cardiel； but I feel certain he will concur with what I should like to propose。〃
As he turned his glance across the table to Duncan and smiled； his intention immediately became clear。
〃Father McLain； you know that I was in plete sympathy with your wish to delay your consecration until the spring； so that you might better prepare yourself for your increased responsibilities； but our changed circumstances are such that I feel we need you now。 Confirmation of your rank will also underline the authority of the bishops who elected you and help to strengthen our present position regarding Loris' bid for power。 Will you consent to be consecrated immediately？ Or as soon as may conveniently be arranged？〃
As Cardiel nodded agreement； Arilan and Hugh also turning expectant eyes on Duncan； Kelson allowed himself to relax just a little。 This he could support without a qualm。 He sensed Morgan's support as well； as he turned his keen Haldane gaze on Duncan。 The Deryni priest folded his hands precisely on the table before him and let out a long； resigned sigh before looking up at his superior。
〃I will consent。 Excellency； but I would ask one indulgence on your part： I wish to be invested with Bishop Istelyn's ring。〃 He glanced around defensively。 〃It would mean a great deal to me。 We may be helpless to save his physical body； but I would at least do honor to the courage and conviction of his soul。〃
〃Well said；〃 Kelson murmured； as Bradene and Cardiel exchanged approving glances。
〃It shall be done as you have asked；〃 Bradene said。 〃We shall set your consecration for three days hence。 But for now。 Sire； by your leave； I think we must all retire to prepare our various answers to Loris and his cohorts。〃
The bishops' answer was given substance later that night。 Kelson did not relish his part in it； but he attended as he had promised。 Kneeling in the front row of the south choir stalls； Dhugal and Morgan to either side of him and the rest of his council behind； he listened to Bradene sing the opening invocation； answered by the circle of cowled monks and priest…bishops around him。 Duncan stood among them。
〃In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti。。。。〃
〃Amen〃
The cathedral was darkened save for the candles in the hands of the gathered clergy and the red glow of the Presence Lamp above the altar behind them。 A draft curled down the nave and through the choir； making the candlelight dance fitful shadows on vestments； choir screens； and stalls。 Bradene stood with Cardiel on the lowest altar step； both of them wearing black copes and mitres and also holding a candle apiece。 A long