Deryni Checkmate Read Online Free PDF Page B

Kelson continued to finger the stiletto he had produced when the man approached.
    “You know this man, Father?” Kelson asked.
    “He is who he claims to be,” Duncan replied cautiously, “though I cannot speak for his intent after such an entrance. An explanation, Hugh?”
    Hugh swallowed with difficulty, then glanced at Kelson and bowed his head. “I beg forgiveness, Sire, but I had to see you. I have certain information I could trust to no one else, and—”
    He hazarded another glance at Kelson, then cautiously withdrew a folded piece of parchment from inside the breast of his cassock. His heavy black cloak was dark across the shoulders where the rain had soaked through, and his thinning brown hair glistened with a mist of fine droplets in the dancing taper-light. His fingers trembled as he handed the parchment across to the king. He averted his eyes again as he folded his hands inside his sleeves to hide their shaking.
    Kelson frowned and replaced his dagger in its hidden wrist sheath before unfolding the parchment. As Nigel moved a candle closer, Duncan came around to read over the boy’s shoulder. The priest’s face hardened as he scanned the lines, for the formula was familiar, and what he had often feared. Tight-reining his rising alarm, he straightened and glanced at Richard, his blue eyes stormy, grim.
    “Richard, would you please wait outside,” he murmured, flicking his gaze to Hugh’s bowed head. “I will vouch for this man’s conduct.”
    “Aye, Father.”
    As the door closed behind Richard, Duncan returned to his chair and sat, taking the opportunity to fortify himself with several swallows of wine. He continued to study Hugh across the goblet between his hands, looking up as Kelson finished reading and laid the parchment on the table.
    “I thank you for this information, Father,” Kelson said, motioning Hugh to rise. “And I apologize for your rough handling. I hope you will understand the necessity, under the circumstances.”
    “Of course, Sire,” Hugh murmured self-consciously. “You had no way of knowing what I was. I thank God that Duncan was here to save me from my own impetuosity.”
    Duncan nodded, his eyes hooded and dark, but it was obvious he was not thinking about Hugh. His hands were clasped tightly around the silver goblet on the table before him, and the knuckles were white. Kelson did not seem to notice as he glanced at the parchment again.
    “I assume this letter has gone out by now,” he said, catching Hugh’s affirmative nod. “Father Duncan, does this mean what I think it does?”
    “May Satan doom them both to nine eternal torments,” Duncan whispered under his breath. He looked up sharply, suddenly aware he had spoken aloud, then shook his head and released the goblet. It was oval now instead of round.
    “Forgive me, my prince,” he murmured. “It means that Loris and Corrigan have finally decided to do something about Alaric. I’ve been expecting some kind of action for months now, but I never dreamed they’d dare to interdict all of Corwyn for the actions of one man.”
    “Well, apparently they have dared,” Kelson said uneasily. “Can we stop them?”
    Duncan took a deep breath and forced himself to control his anger. “Not directly. We must remember that Loris and Corrigan see Alaric as the key to the whole Deryni question. He’s the highest placed of any known Deryni in the kingdom, and he has never tried to hide what he is. That said, he was never blatant in his use of his powers. But when Brion died, circumstances forced his hand, and he had to use his powers or see you die.”
    “And to the archbishops,” Nigel interjected, “magic is evil, and that is that. Also, don’t forget how Alaric made fools of them at the coronation last fall. I rather imagine that has as much to do with the present crisis as any high-sounding motives they may say are behind the move.”
    Kelson slouched in his chair and studied a ruby ring on his right forefinger.