The answering lift of Morgan’s eyebrow dismissed the last notion, but he could not disagree with the rest of Kelson’s assessment.

“We’ll work with what we know. I’m going to show him a little of the true background of the Deryni to help counteract what he’s been taught before, then bring him out of it.”

He closed his eyes briefly and did what needed to be done, then looked up again, slipping his hands back to Warin’s shoulders to give a reassuring squeeze. Warin, as his head was released, opened his eyes, too, turning his head to look up at Morgan in wonder.

“I’m—I’m not Deryni,” he breathed, a look of awe on his face. “And yet, I feel almost disappointed. I had no idea…”

“But you understand now, don’t you?” Morgan said with a weary sigh.

“I just don’t see how I could have been so wrong about the Deryni. And my calling—was it ever really there?”

“Your powers are certainly there, and they come from somewhere not Deryni,” Duncan said in a low voice. “Perhaps you were called, but misread the tasks set out for you to do.”

Warin looked up at Duncan as the words sank in, then realized that Kelson was standing beside him, the gray eyes studying him gravely. Abruptly he remembered that he should not be sitting in the presence of the king, and he scrambled to his feet in dismay.

“Sire, forgive me. The things I said to you earlier, the things I’ve done against you in the months gone by—how can I ever make amends?”

“Be my liege man,” Kelson said simply. “Help us to convince the archbishops of what you have just learned, that we all may stand together against Wencit. If you will do this, and your followers also, I will forgive what has gone before. I need your help, Warin.”

“And I will freely give it, Sire,” Warin said, dropping to one knee and bowing his head in homage. Warin’s men, awed by what they had seen, likewise went to their knees.

Kelson touched Warin’s shoulder in acknowledgement and offered him his hand to kiss, in token of his homage, then motioned them all to rise.

“I thank you, gentlemen, but we have no time for further ceremony here. Warin, we must next think of a way to spread the news of your apparent change of heart. Have you any suggestions?”

Warin thought for a moment, then nodded. “I think so, Sire. Often, in the past, I have had dreams at critical times. My people know of these dreams, and will believe what I tell them. I have but to say that I have had a vision in the night, that an angel came and told me I must give my allegiance back to you, that Gwynedd not fall. There will be time enough later to reveal the true story. In the meantime, if we release the news immediately, the story should be sufficiently embellished by morning to account for your presence here and give us solid support when we confront the archbishops. Does this meet with your approval?”