“You are trying to force us into a hasty decision,” he said in a low voice. “I want to know why. Why is it so important that we accept the challenge on your terms?” He paused only slightly. “Or is there some new treachery afoot?”

Wencit turned his head deliberately to stare directly at Morgan, as though incensed that Morgan had dared to interrupt his negotiations with Kelson. Then he ran his glance disdainfully over the other’s form. His voice was mocking when he finally spoke.

“You have much to learn of the Deryni, Alaric Morgan, for all that you claim that heritage for yourself. You will find, if you survive, that there are ancient codes of honor concerning our powers which even I would not willingly transgress.” He returned his gaze to Kelson. “I have offered you formal duel under the laws set forth by the Camberian Council more than two centuries ago, Kelson Haldane. There are other laws, far older, which I am also bound to obey. I have sought and received permission from the Council to wage this duel with you on the terms that I have already specified, and to have Council arbitrators present. I assure you, there could be no treachery where the Council is concerned.”

Kelson’s brows furrowed in consternation. “The Camberian Coun—”

Arilan interrupted for the first time, cutting across Kelson’s response. “My lord, you will forgive my intrusion, but His Majesty was not prepared to answer a challenge such as you have proposed to him today. You will understand that he must have time to consult with his advisors before giving you a final answer. If he accepts, the lives and fortunes of many thousands of his people will hang upon the talents of four men. You will appreciate that it is not a decision to be taken lightly.”

Wencit turned to study Arilan as though he were some particularly noxious form of lower life. “If the King of Gwynedd feels that he cannot make a decision without consulting his inferiors, Bishop, that is his weakness, not mine. However, my original warning still stands. If I do not have the decision I require by nightfall, two hundred prisoners will be drawn and quartered where we now stand, and two hundred more impaled alive at the rising of the moon. Such measures will continue until all of the prisoners are dead, and then I shall take even sterner measures. See that you do not provoke me overmuch, Kelson of Gwynedd.”

With that, Wencit backed his horse a few more deft paces, then whirled the animal on its haunches to begin cantering back toward his own lines. His companions wheeled with him in perfect formation and followed, leaving a stunned Kelson staring after their retreating forms.

Kelson was angry at Arilan for interrupting, at Morgan for provoking Wencit, at himself for his indecision, but he did not trust himself to speak until they, too, had returned to their own lines and were dismounting outside the royal pavilion. He gave orders for the battle lines to be put at ease, since there was obviously to be no fighting until the morrow, at the earliest, then motioned the three who had ridden with him to follow him inside.