The Quest for Saint Camber Read Online Free PDF Page B

than gasp, the king suddenly drew his sword and sank to one knee before the tribunal, reversing the weapon to grasp it beneath the quillons and extending the cross of the hilt at arm’s length between them and himself.
    â€œI swear on my father’s sword, on my crown, and on my hopes for the salvation of my immortal soul that I have spoken and shall speak only the truth in the matter here before this court. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, amen.”
    He kissed the sacred relic encased in the hilt, then let the tip of the blade rest on the floor before him, keeping his arm extended as he glanced toward Wolfram and the others.
    â€œI am willing to repeat my oath, or any other you may prefer, in yonder chapel,” he added, nodding toward the open doorway behind them. “And I assure you that I do not take such oaths lightly.”
    â€œNo one questions that, Sire,” Wolfram said, looking a little embarrassed. “But—” He sighed uncomfortably. “Sire, Duncan McLain is said by some to be Deryni.”
    â€œI don’t believe that’s at issue here,” Kelson said mildly, getting to his feet. “The question is whether the man contracted a valid marriage with the mother of his son.”
    â€œBut—if he were Deryni, Sire—could he not evade even your reading of the truth?”
    With an exasperated sigh, Kelson turned toward Morgan, sitting at his right, and held out the hilt of the sword.
    â€œMorgan, remembering the oaths of fealty and homage you have sworn to me and to my father before me, and further enjoined by your hand on this sacred sword, would you please tell Bishop Wolfram the limitations of Truth-Reading, if Duncan McLain were Deryni?”
    Quietly Morgan stood, laying his bare right hand on the relic in the royal sword hilt. It was not often that Kelson invoked the name of his father, with all the very special associations that called up for Alaric Morgan.
    â€œFor simple Truth-Reading, whether or not the subject is Deryni has no bearing,” Morgan said quietly. “His Majesty would have no difficulty distinguishing truth from a lie. The operative limitation to Truth-Reading is that the right questions must be asked. Nothing in Truth-Reading compels a man to tell the truth; it simply betrays him when he does not.”
    Wolfram swallowed uneasily, only partially reassured.
    â€œSire, is that true?”
    â€œIt is.”
    â€œYou would know if Morgan lied?”
    â€œIf I wished it, yes,” Kelson replied. “The process does require intent.” He turned his Haldane eyes full on Morgan. “I cannot simply know , as I suspect the Deryni cannot, either. But if I will it, I can distinguish truth from falsehood. Morgan, before God and these witnesses, have you spoken the truth?”
    â€œI have, Sire.”
    Kelson sheathed his sword as he returned his attention to Wolfram. “You have heard the truth, Excellency.”
    â€œI—see.” Wolfram turned to confer with Cardiel, Arilan nodding thoughtful agreement with whatever the archbishop said, then looked out boldly at Kelson again.
    â€œSire, I have only just confirmed something that I heard some months ago, but I am given to understand that—the Haldane talents are not limited to mere verification of truth. That more—compelling measures may be employed to elicit actual information from a subject. That—such measures were used routinely on campaign last summer to retrieve more complete reports from scouts in your service, not only by Duke Alaric, but by yourself.”
    Kelson allowed himself a tight, careful smile, wondering where Wolfram had gotten his information—though any of the scouts could have talked about it. No one had forbidden it. He wondered whether Duncan had used the method, too—though he would have been far less open about it, still feeling it needful to keep that aspect of his identity