“Ego te absolvo…” I absolve you, Alaric Anthony and Duncan Howard, and do absolve and deliver you from all heresy and schism, and from every and all judgment, censure, and pain for that cause incurred. So do we restore you into the unity of our Mother, Holy Church….

Morgan humbly bowed his head and folded his hands in an attitude of piety and tried to formulate some new plan of action. Having made contact once, however fleeting, he knew that he would have to try again, that something must be drastically wrong wherever Derry was.

But what? And how much harder did he dare to try, here within the confines of the cathedral?

The priests were at his elbows again, pressing him forward, and to his left he could see Duncan receiving the same guidance. He moved to the first step before him and knelt again, Duncan to his left. Cardiel stood directly before them. Now came the imposition of hands, the central part of the ceremony. Morgan bowed his head and tried to clear his mind, to make his response not altogether unworthy, and listened as the age-old phrases rolled from Cardiel’s lips, his outstretched hands slowly descending toward their heads.

“Dominus Sanctus, Patri Omnipotenti, Deus Aeternum….” Holy Lord, Father Omnipotent, Eternal God, who coverest the earth with Thy favor, Thee we Thy lowly priests as suppliants ask and entreat, that Thou wilt deign to incline the ear of Thy mercy and remit every offense and forgive all the sins of these, Thy servants, Alaric Anthony and Duncan Howard; and give unto them pardon in exchange for their afflictions, joy for sorrow, life for death.

Cardiel’s hands came to rest lightly on their heads.

“Lord, grant that they, though fallen from the celestial heights, may be found worthy to persevere by Thy rewards unto good peace and unto the heavenly places unto life eternal. Per eumdem Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum…. Amen.”

There was a great shuffling of feet and clearing of throats and rustling of garments as the congregation got to its feet, and Morgan let his attending priests guide him and Duncan to the side of the chancel. Now would follow a special Mass of thanksgiving, in celebration of their return to the fold. Morgan glanced covertly at his kinsman as they took their places at a wide prie-dieu, where they were expected to remain during the Mass. His eyes sought Duncan’s as they knelt side by side.

“Something has happened,” Morgan murmured, his voice barely audible. “I don’t know what, but I’m going to have to try to find out. And I’m going to have to go deeper into trance to do it. If I go too deep, and lose track of what’s going on here, bring me back, and we’ll use the ruse we discussed earlier. I’ll even arrange to faint, if necessary.”

Duncan nodded slightly, his eyes grave as he scanned the cathedral. “All right, I’ll do my best to cover you. But be careful.”