The Harrowing of Gwynedd by Katherine Kurtz Read Free Book Online Page B

nodded. “Of course. We’ll proceed with Jesse’s swearing-in this evening, then, as planned, and hope to do yours tomorrow night. It’s best they were done separately anyway. Jesse, is that agreeable to you?”
    Jesse, following the exchange with keen interest, made Joram a ritual bow of his head.
    â€œI will place myself at the Council’s disposal, as always, Father Joram,” he said carefully.
    â€œThank you. In a sense, this is all a formality now, since the Council as such is hardly what it was, but in these times, we can’t be too careful. After we’ve gotten both of you properly installed, we’ll think more about whether we still want to elect Tavis O’Neill as our seventh member. We do have at least one other option, now that Bishop Niallan is firmly in our camp. But in Tavis’ favor is the point that he managed to learn Rhys’ power-blocking trick before Rhys died—which I don’t believe you knew, Queron.”
    â€œ Did he?” Queron murmured. “I freely confess my envy. I shall have to question him about it.”
    Joram smiled. “I’m sure you will. I think you’ll find he’s done a bit of maturing, too.”
    Queron snorted good-naturedly. “A stubborn young man, last time I saw him. Where is he now?”
    â€œPreparing to make contact with Prince Javan—after which he’ll return to our sanctuary at Saint Michael’s,” Joram said, rising. “I’ll take you there now, if you wish, and explain what will be involved for tomorrow night. You may have the use of the chapel for the rest of the evening, for—whatever you need to do.”
    â€œSaint Michael’s—ah,” Queron said with a nod. “Is that where the children ended up?” he said, glancing at Evaine as he also rose.
    She nodded. “And my men at arms and the Trurill survivors, such as they are,” she murmured. “Eventually, we’ll be taking in part of Niallan’s party as well, along with Bishop O’Beirne and a few more Gabrilites and Michaelines who’ve been sheltering at Dhassa.”
    â€œOther Gabrilites,” Queron said. “Do you know who?”
    â€œDom Rickart, for one,” she said. “I believe that Dom Kenric and Dom Juris passed through as well, but I don’t know whether they’re still there.”
    â€œA good start, at least,” Queron agreed, moving with Joram toward the doors which Ansel rose to open for them. “And what about Prince Javan, if Tavis is working with us now?”
    â€œOh, he’s still at Valoret, being a prince,” Joram said smoothly. “However, you’ll be surprised when next you see him, too. Not only is he actively supporting us, Queron, but he’s functioning practically like a Deryni.”
    â€œIndeed?” was all Queron said, as he and Joram stepped into the Portal outside.

C HAPTER T HREE
    For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land .
    â€”Psalms 35:20
    Valoret, at that moment, was a scene of triumph for the regents—not for Prince Javan, who dared act nothing like a Deryni if he hoped to survive. The royal stewards at Valoret had turned the castle’s great hall into a gala banquet room for the new Earl of Sheele’s wedding feast, for the earl was one of those regents. That noon, the former Baron Horthness, sometimes called Rhun the Ruthless, had exchanged nuptial vows with the only daughter of Murdoch of Carthane, another of the regents—whose elder son Richard had wed Lady Lirin of Udaut, the Constable’s daughter, in a double ceremony. The two couples now sat at the high table to either side of young King Alroy, resplendent in wedding finery no less sumptuous than his own—royalty themselves, were one to judge only by their appearance. Rhun and his bride wore coronets more costly than those worn by the king’s own