Only Kelson, brushing dust from the knees of his hose in a carefully casual gesture, seemed unaffected by the feat of magic they had just witnessed. Anger, not awe, and a little resignation were in his manner as he stepped slightly away from Morgan and surveyed his waiting court.

“As you have surmised, gentlemen, the news of Bran Coris’s defection has shocked and angered me greatly. And the loss of Duke Jared will be felt by all of us for many years to come.” He flicked a sympathetic glance at Duncan, and the priest bowed his head.

“But I think there is no question what must be done now,” the king continued. “The Earl of Marley has allied himself with our bitter enemy and turned against his own kind. For this he will be punished.”

“But, what are his own kind, Sire?” Bishop Tolliver whispered. “What are we, hodge-podge of human and Deryni and half of each? Where is the dividing line? Who is on the side of right?”

“He who serves the right is on the side of right,” Cardiel said softly, turning to face his colleagues. “He who is human and Deryni and half of each. It is not a man’s blood that makes him choose good or evil. It is what lies within his soul.”

“But we are so different…” Tolliver glanced at Morgan in awe.

“It does not matter,” Cardiel said. “Human or Deryni, we share at least one common bond—and it is thicker than blood or oath or any spell that one might bind from the outer darkness. It is the sure and certain knowledge that we side with the Light. And he who would side with Darkness can only be our enemy, no matter what his blood or oath or spell.”

The other bishops, with the exception of Arilan, glanced among themselves and then were silent. Cardiel, after a slow scan across their faces, turned back to Kelson and bowed.

“I and my brethren will assist you in whatever way we can, Sire. Will the news of Bran Coris change your plans to leave at dawn?”

Kelson shook his head, grateful for the bishop’s intercession. “I think not, Excellency. I suggest that all of you get some sleep and make whatever arrangements are necessary for your provisioning now. I shall need the help of every one of you in the days ahead.”

“But we are not fighting men, Sire,” old Bishop Carsten protested weakly. “What possible use can we—”

“Then pray for me, Excellency. Pray for us all.”

Carsten opened his mouth and then shut it again, rather like a fish gulping air. Then he bowed and edged back with the rest of his colleagues. After a pause, those in the rear of the group turned and began making their way from the room. As they filed out, Nigel and the generals returned to their maps and resumed their interrupted discussion, though much subdued.

Kelson watched as Morgan led Duncan back to a window seat and talked with him for several minutes, then joined the fringes of the war council. Markers clicked and voices were raised and lowered with the tension of revising their plans, but after a while Kelson turned away from the council and walked slowly to one of the fireplaces. He was joined shortly by Morgan, who had noticed his withdrawal, even if no one else had.