Morgan smiled enigmatically and folded his arms across his chest. “I believe that is more than obvious, my lord Archbishop. If you have some business with me, I suggest you say it to my face. Don’t pretend I’m not really here, just because you wish I weren’t.”

Loris turned back to Morgan, anger in the bright blue eyes. “General Morgan, I have here a warrant from the queen and her lords in Council, commanding you to present yourself immediately and answer to certain charges.”

“I see,” Morgan said quietly. “And what might those charges be, my lord?”

“Heresy and high treason against the king,” Loris replied emphatically. “Do you contest them?”

“Of course I do,” Morgan replied. He reached for the parchment, then froze as a dozen swords were leveled at his throat. He smiled patronizingly. “May I see the warrant, my lord?”

Loris gave a curt signal, and the soldiers lowered their weapons. Morgan took the warrant Loris extended and glanced over it briefly, holding it so that Kelson could read over his shoulder. Then he rolled it up and returned it to Loris.

“I find your warrant in order as far as format and letter of the law,” Morgan said calmly. “However, there is some dispute regarding the facts as they have been set out. I shall, of course, contest the charges.” He reached to his belt and removed his sword from its hangers. “As the summons to appear is valid, however, I do lawfully comply, surrendering myself voluntarily to the jurisdiction of the Council.”

He handed his sheathed sword to the surprised archbishop, then extended his wrists. “Do you wish to bind me, too, my lord Archbishop? Or will my word be sufficient?”

Loris drew back suspiciously, half afraid, and his left hand clutched the pectoral cross on his chest. “Morgan, if this is some Deryni trick,” he muttered, crossing himself, “I warn you. . . .”

“No tricks, my lord,” Morgan stated mildly, holding his hands palm up. “I’ll even surrender my backup weapon as further evidence of my good faith.”

His left wrist twitched, and there was suddenly a stiletto in his hand. Before Loris or his guards could react, he offered it to Kelson across his forearm, hilt first. “My prince?”

Without a word, Kelson took the slim dagger and thrust it grimly through his belt. Loris finally reacted.

“Now, see here, Morgan! This is not a jest or a game. If you think you can—”

“Archbishop,” Kelson interrupted, “I will not hear threats, either from you or from him. General Morgan has demonstrated his good faith, and I think it’s about time you started demonstrating yours. Might I remind you that this dagger could just as easily have found its way into your chest as it did to my hand?”

Loris drew himself up to full height. “He wouldn’t have dared!”