“And Bishop Arilan?”

“I disagree.” Arilan sat forward in his chair and intertwined his fingers, turning at the amethyst on his right hand. “I believe it not only uncalled for, but dangerous here. If you force Morgan and Duncan to use their powers to defend themselves against their own kind, you play them directly into the hands of the archbishops. If anything, Morgan and Duncan must be persuaded not to use their powers under any circumstances—at least that the archbishops find out about. Kelson needs their aid desperately, if he is to hold the kingdom together and keep Wencit on his own side of the mountains. I am in the midst of this controversy; I know the situation; you do not. Do not ask me to go against something I believe in.”

Coram smiled and glanced sidelong at the man beside him. “No one is asking you to challenge them, Arilan. As it is, you will probably be the first to see them in any case. And we all know that no one could force you to give away their whereabouts against your will.”

“I thought you were in sympathy, Coram.”

“Sympathy, yes. I feel for their plight: half-breed Deryni obliged to stand as though they were full, against their kinds of both halves, human and Deryni. But I didn’t make the rules, Denis. I merely play by them.”

Arilan glanced down at his ring, briefly bent his head to touch his lips to the stone, then shook his head. “My answer is still no. I will not challenge them.”

“Nor will you tell them of the possibility of challenge,” Coram persisted.

“No,” Arilan whispered.

Coram nodded in Barrett’s direction, sending him a mental image of the action, and Barrett returned the nod.

“Lady Vivienne?”

“I concur with Stefan. The young men must be tried to test their mettle.” Her fine, silvery head turned to scan the table. “I wish it understood, however, that this is not out of malice, but in curiosity. We have never had so promising a pair of half-breeds in our midst, despite what I said about them earlier. I, for one, will be interested to see what they can do.”

“A measured observation,” Barrett agreed. “And Tiercel de Claron?”

“You know I vote against the measure. I shan’t repeat myself.”

“And I must vote to accept the proposal,” Barrett countered, coming full circle at last. “I think there is no need for a formal count.” He rose slowly to his feet.

“The measure is sealed. From this time hence, until such time as the Council may reconvene and alter its decree, the two half-breed Deryni known as Alaric Morgan and Duncan McLain are to be liable to full challenge proceedings, saving only mortal combat. This injunction against deadly force does not, of course, preclude self-defense, should either of the aforementioned men attempt to answer such challenge with killing strength. But should any member of this Council, or any Deryni who keeps the Council’s tenets, be tempted to disregard this decretal, let him be liable to the censure of the Council. So let it be written.”