Blind Barrett turned his head toward Arilan and nodded. “Please ask your friends to wait outside, Denis. This request bears discussion in plain language. I would not expose our inner bickerings to outsiders.”

Arilan bowed and then glanced at the three behind him. “Wait beside the Portal until I call you,” he said in a low voice. As soon as the doors had closed behind the three, Thorne Hagen was on his feet, pounding his plump hand against the inlaid table.

“This is preposterous! You cannot grant Council protection to a pair of half-breeds! You heard how belligerent Morgan was. Do you condone that?”

Barrett turned his head slowly toward Coram, ignoring Thorne’s outburst.

“What think you, Stefan? I value your advice. Would it be worthwhile, do you think, to summon Wencit and Rhydon here and demand that they answer for what they allegedly have done?”

Coram’s pale eyes darkened slightly, and his face took on a determined set. “I would be opposed to calling any outsider to this Council chamber, especially the two you have named. Three intruders are more than enough for one day.”

“Oh, come now, Stefan,” said the red-haired Kyri. “We all know how you feel about Rhydon, but that was years ago. This is an important matter. Surely you can set aside your petty quarrel with Rhydon for the sake of the safety of us all.”

“It is not a matter of our safety. It is a matter of two half-breed Deryni who now are to be exposed to mortal danger because of their loyalty to their king. If the Council wishes to call Wencit and that other one into its presence, it has that right, of course. But it shall do so without my sanction and without my presence.”

“You would withdraw from such deliberations?” Vivienne asked, amazement written across her seamed face.

“I would.”

“I, too, should prefer not to have Rhydon come here,” Arilan joined in. “He does not yet know me for Deryni, and I would as soon matters remained that way for as long as possible. It could give the king a much-needed edge in the Duel Arcane, since it appears certain we shall have to fight it.”

Barrett nodded slowly. “That is a valid reason against. And the same argument applies to Wencit’s presence. Does the Council agree? And regardless of your feelings on this matter, what is your will regarding Morgan and McLain? Are they or are they not to be afforded Council protection?”

“Certainly they are!” snapped Tiercel. “Not only has Wencit impugned the dignity of the Council by daring to present a false arbitration offer, but there are two full humans on Wencit’s side, whose powers are only assumed. They haven’t a drop of Deryni blood. Because of both factors, I say, why not agree to formally arbitrate this Duel Arcane in truth? Let a real Council arbitration team show up at the duel tomorrow and extend the protection to all eight parties concerned. It’s a mere formality anyway, other than to guard against treachery from without. The outcome will depend on the strength and skill of the contestants. We all know that.”