“To—to enter my mind? I—” He glanced plaintively at Cardiel, unconsciously falling back upon Cardiel’s authority as a bishop. “Is—is this permitted, Excellency? I—I know not how to judge this situation. Guide me, I beseech you!”

“I trust Morgan,” Cardiel said carefully. “I have no idea how he does what he does, but I accept the fact that it happens. And although I have not felt the touch of his mind, I am confident of his good intentions.”

“Then—you counsel me to accept his offer?” Warin whispered.

“I do,” Cardiel said gently. “Warin, you must see the error of what has gone before and join us. We must have unity in Gwynedd to stand against Wencit of Torenth. Surely, you see that.”

“Yes. Yes, I do. But, to permit Morgan…” His voice trailed off, resistance still evident as he hazarded another glance at the Deryni general, and Morgan nodded coolly.

“Believe me, I share your reluctance in this matter. My regard for you is likewise tainted by what has gone before. But there is none other who can do what must be done in this instance. The king, talented though he is, has not the necessary experience. And I fear that you have weakened my cousin to the point that I could not permit him to undertake it. What must be done requires an investment of energy, which, frankly, he cannot spare at this time. So it appears that you are left with only one choice—if you wish to learn the truth, that is.”

Warin lowered his eyes, studying his feet for a long moment, then turned slowly to confront his men.

“Tell me truthfully,” he said, his voice scarcely more than a whisper. “Do you believe me to be a Deryni, Paul? Owen?”

Paul glanced uneasily at the others, then shuffled a few steps forward. “I believe I speak for all of us, Lord, and what it comes to is that we don’t know what to think.”

“But what should I do?” Warin whispered, almost to himself.

Paul glanced at the others and then spoke again. “Find out for certain, Lord. Perhaps we have been mistaken about the Deryni. Certainly, if you yourself are one of them, then not all can be evil. We would ride with you to Hell and back—you know that, Lord. But find out!”

Warin’s shoulders slumped in an attitude of defeat, but then he slowly turned back toward Morgan, not meeting his eyes.

“It appears that I must submit to you,” he said. “My followers must know where I stand, and I confess that I, too, must know. I—what must I do?”

Morgan handed Duncan’s shirt back to him, then began turning the chair to face the fire. “It is hardly a matter of submission,” he said, motioning the others to stand back out of the line of vision of the chair. “What you will experience is a—a sharing of awareness, both of us working together. If at any time you become afraid, and do not wish to go on, you may break the bond. I promise you, I shall not force you against your will. Sit here, please.”