After a short silence Vivienne nodded her gray head. “Tiercel is correct, even in his brash youthfulness. We had neglected to consider Wencit’s two non-Deryni combatants—and Wencit has affronted the Council by daring to misrepresent us. As for Morgan and McLain,” she shrugged, “so be it. If their side should win, and they survive, it should be ample proof that they were worthy of our protection from the start. We stand on firm ground, regardless of the outcome.”

“But—” Thorne began.

“Will you be quiet?” came the retort from Kyri, the other distaff member of the Council. “My lords, I concur with Vivienne, and I feel certain that Tiercel and Arilan will do the same. Laran, what say you? Will your curiosity and your pride permit what has been proposed?”

Laran nodded. “I will concede any point of order which might ordinarily be violated to permit this. And I hope that they do win. It would be criminal to lose the healing power, if Morgan does, indeed, have it.”

“A practical rationalization if ever I heard one,” Vivienne chuckled. “Well, my lords? Five of us support this measure. Is there any need for a formal vote?”

There was no word spoken, and Vivienne glanced toward Barrett with a slight smile. “Very well, my Lord Barrett. It appears that our august colleagues have agreed to take the half-breeds under our protection and to arbitrate the Duel Arcane tomorrow. Are you prepared to carry out your duties?”

Barrett nodded wearily. “I am. Arilan, recall your friends.”

With a satisfied smile, Arilan strode to the golden doors, which opened silently as he approached. The three without turned to stare at him with anxious faces, but his expression told them all they needed to know. They entered the room behind Arilan with confidence in their stride, heads held high, no longer quite so intimidated by the Camberian Council.

“Stand with your colleagues, Arilan,” Barrett said, as the four approached Arilan’s chair. Arilan stopped, Kelson, Morgan, and Duncan gathering around him, and faced Barrett squarely.

“Kelson Haldane, Alaric Morgan, Duncan McLain, hear the decision of the Camberian Council. It has been decided that all of you have the right to Council protection in this matter, and hence it has been granted. The Duel Arcane shall be arbitrated by Laran ap Pardyce, the Lady Vivienne, Tiercel de Claron, and myself. Arilan, you are to have no further contact with the Council until the Duel Arcane is decided. Further, you will instruct these three in what will be required of them in order to fulfill the requirements of the duel. All shall be done according to the proper ritual, as it was in the beginning. None of you is to discuss what will happen tomorrow with any person now outside the confines of this chamber. Is that understood?”

Arilan bowed, a formal, stylized obeisance. “It will be done according to our ancient ways, my lord.”

With that, he led the three out of the Council chamber, back onto the darkness of the Transfer Portal in the antechamber. Though he knew that they were bursting with questions, he would not permit them to speak while in the Council’s precincts, but instead took them back through the Portal.