But they were reasonable men, these bishops of Gwynedd. And while not entirely convinced of the beneficence of Deryni in general, they were at least willing to concede that perhaps these particular Deryni had been more wronged than wronging. The excommunication must be lifted and absolution given, now that repentance had been shown.

The situation was by no means resolved with that decision. For, while the bishops at Dhassa were, for the most part, reasonably educated and sensible men, not overly given to superstition and certainly not inclined to hysteria, convincing the common folk would be quite another matter, and one which must be carefully considered. The average man had long harbored the belief that the Deryni were an accursed race, whose very presence in a place could bring ruin and death. And while Morgan had managed to keep a relatively neutral name while in the service of Brion and Kelson, and Duncan’s reputation had been impeccable until the Saint Torin affair, these facts had been largely overshadowed in the greater knowledge that both men were Deryni.

For that reason, a more tangible affirmation must be offered to show that Morgan and Duncan had, indeed, mended their Deryni ways. So simple a measure as absolution and penance would not do for the common folk: the townspeople, soldiers, artisans, and craftsmen who make up and support an army. Their simple faith demanded a more exacting reconciliation, more substantial proof of the humility and repentance of the two Deryni lords. A public ceremony was called for, which would graphically demonstrate to the people that the bishops and the two Deryni were now in complete accord in the sight of Almighty God.

It would be nearly two days before final battle plans could be formalized; two days before the bishops’ army could be ready to move out, in any case. Also, Morgan and Duncan had brought word that Kelson could not be at the planned rendezvous point before the end of the fourth day anyway. It took but two days to reach that point.

Taking all of that into account, the time for formal reconciliation had been set for the evening hours two nights hence, on the eve of departure for the meeting with the king. During those two days, the two Deryni would confer with the bishops and their highest military advisors and plan the strategy of the war to come. And Bishop Cardiel’s monks would go out among the people and spread the word of Morgan and Duncan’s surrender and subsequent repentance. The evening of the second day would see their official reception back into the Church, before as many of the army and citizenry as could crowd themselves into Dhassa’s great cathedral. There, in a solemn display of episcopal authority, Morgan and Duncan would be taken back into the fold with all the pageantry the Church could muster. The people would approve.

TWO days later, at the edge of the great Llyndruth Plain below Cardosa, Sean Lord Derry pulled off his helmet and wiped a tanned forearm across his brow. It was warm here at Llyndruth Meadows, the air already charged with the sticky heat of approaching summer. Derry’s hair was damp where the helmet had matted it to his head, and his body itched between the shoulder blades beneath its leather and mail.