The King’s Justice Read Online Free PDF

was a little too quick to be quite as casual as he tried to pretend. “Why, I’d rather have you standing at my back than any other man I can think of—no matter what I was about to do. And as far as magic is concerned—”
    Morgan quirked him a quick, lopsided smile and chuckled aloud, knowing he had guessed correctly.
    â€œAs far as magic is concerned, you might do better with just about any trained Deryni at your back,” he said lightly. “Even Duncan and I don’t have a full set of training between us.”
    â€œMaybe not, but maybe formal training isn’t that important. Besides, Richenda’s trained. And Arilan.”
    â€œArilan.” Morgan sighed and managed not to look as uneasy as he felt. “You’re aware that he’ll tell the Council every detail, aren’t you?”
    â€œPerhaps. Perhaps not.”
    â€œKelson, you know he will. Despite his apparent loyalty to you, he has oaths of far longer standing with the Council—and far more binding. Even I know that.”
    â€œWell, they’ll have to find out sometime, I suppose,” Kelson murmured. “Besides, they’ve got access to records we’ll need if we’re ever to restore Saint Camber to his place of honor.”
    â€œSo you’ll compromise our security.”
    â€œNo, I’ll encourage further dialogue among fellow Deryni.” Kelson smiled. “Did you know that old Laran ap Pardyce has begun to use our library, for example? His scholar’s mind couldn’t stand not knowing what we had. And as a physician, he’s fascinated that you and Duncan can heal—though he won’t admit that to very many people.”
    â€œAnd just how do you know that?”
    â€œOh, I’ve met him there, once or twice.”
    Before Morgan could respond to that new piece of information, a raucous whoop from Rory and Payne, Kelson’s younger Haldane cousins, drew their attention back to the archery match, where Dhugal had just put his last arrow squarely into the center of the target.
    To a patter of appreciative applause from the watching ladies, Conall moved forward to take his last shot—though there was little chance he could even come close to Dhugal’s, much less beat it. Nor did he.
    â€œWell, that’s that,” Kelson said, as Conall’s arrow thumped home a full handspan from Dhugal’s—respectable enough shooting, but clearly not in Dhugal’s class.
    The ladies again applauded—for a prince was nearly as good a catch as a king—but Conall all but slammed down his bow, though he did manage a stiff little bow of acknowledgment before stalking off sullenly toward the stables. Kelson glanced wistfully at Morgan as a subdued Rory and Payne trailed along with Dhugal to retrieve the arrows from the target.
    â€œWell, well, well,” he said, sliding to his feet off the stone balustrade, “that was nearly far more exciting than anyone would have wished. Let’s go congratulate the winner, shall we? I don’t know how, but he even managed to keep Conall from losing his temper.”
    â€œWhich is an achievement in itself, aside from the brilliant shooting,” Morgan replied, as they headed down the stair and into the yard. “Perhaps one may venture to hope that Conall is learning.”
    â€œAye. Perhaps the presence of the ladies helped a little.”
    They were waiting at the firing line when Dhugal returned, Rory and Payne carrying the arrows in adoring attendance. After the boys had made their duty to Kelson, Payne chattering excitedly about Dhugal’s victory, the young border lord sent them on their way and gave his foster brother his own casual yet respectful salute. In public, at least, he was always careful to give Kelson the deference their ranks required.
    â€œWell shot, Dhugal,” Kelson said, smiling, “And a well-managed victory.”
    Dhugal inclined his head and