“I think the danger is past now. The spell is shattered, and he’s free.”

Kelson glanced at Morgan’s hand, which held the ring, and shuddered. “What he must have gone through, though. You shielded me from most of it, Morgan, but—aiie, what he’ll have to live with!”

“He won’t have to live with it.” Morgan shook his head. “I took a few liberties and blurred his memory of what happened at Esgair Ddu. Some of the horror will be with him always, but I was able to ease the worst of it. In a few weeks, all this will be mostly a vague recollection. And he’s going to be vexed he missed all the excitement tomorrow. He’s likely to sleep for several days.”

“He can have my share of the excitement tomorrow,” Kelson murmured under his breath.

“Um?” Morgan grunted. He had been climbing to his feet, and had not caught the comment.

“Never mind, it wasn’t kingly.” Kelson grinned. “We’d best get some sleep. My lady?”

He held out his hand toward Richenda, who had finished with Duncan, and the lady crossed to curtsy meekly.

“My lady, I am truly sorry for what has transpired this night. Be assured that I shall do everything in my power to see that your son is restored to you tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Sire.”

“Then, let us away—all of us,” Arilan said quietly. “The dawn will soon be upon us.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

“It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth.”

ISAIAH 40:22

THE day dawned unseasonably chill. There had been a heavy dew in the early morning hours, and the air still was heavy, oppressive, laden with the moisture of approaching weather. Sunrise was fiery, the east beyond the high Cardosa peaks slashed with crimson and gold and the gaunt gray of lowscudding clouds. In Kelson’s camp, men looked up at the leaden sky and crossed themselves furtively, for the strange dawn seemed an evil portent. Sunlight would have made the day easier to bear.

Kelson frowned as he buckled a golden belt around his crimson lion tunic.

“This is ridiculous, Arilan. You say we can’t go armed, we cannot wear steel or iron of any sort. I didn’t have to go through all of this when I fought Charissa.”

Arilan shook his head and smiled slightly, glancing at Morgan and Duncan. The four of them were the only ones in the royal pavilion; they had wished it that way, in light of what was to come. Earlier, Cardiel had celebrated Mass for them here, attended by Nigel, Warin, and a few of Kelson’s most trusted and well-loved generals.

But now, by choice, they were alone, well aware that, once they left the solitude of this enclosure, there might never be the chance for solitude again. With a sigh of finality, Arilan tied the ribbons of his bishop’s cloak under his chin, then crossed to set a reassuring hand on Kelson’s shoulder.

“I know this all seems strange, Sire. But you must remember that, when you fought Charissa, you were not dueling under the formal protection and supervision of the Council. The rules are much more stringent for group challenges, because there are more chances for treachery.”