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back from the center aisle like the sea parting before Moses。 What had begun as a breathless murmur of speculation and grudging respect at the man's first appearance became a wave of exclamations trailing into hushed silence as the cat's master dropped nimbly to the floor beside the beast。
The Moor walked the cat to the very foot of the dais steps。 One of his men led the barb back to the door of the hall and waited there。 The cat sat at once as its master halted； looking up attentively as the Moor slowly tugged loose the cloth veiling his lower face and allowed the faint glow of a Deryni aura to flare visibly around his head for a few seconds… which elicited yet another murmur of foreboding from the courtiers still edging away from the pair。 The man's nose was thin and aquiline； with a slight hook to it； made more prominent by a close…clipped beard and mustache。
〃May Allah the passionate； the Merciful； grant peace and health to all within this house；〃 the man said； touching a graceful hand to breast； lips； and forehead in salute as he made his bow。 His voice was deep and melodious； with only a hint of accent even in the speaking of the ritual phrase。
〃I am Al Rasoul ibn Tarik； emissary of my Lord Mahael II of Arjenol； guardian of my Lord Prince Ronal of Torenth and regent for my Lord King Liam in the absence of his royal mother； the Lady Morag。 My Lord Mahael sends his personal felicitations on this； the day of your Christian knighting； my Lord Kelson； and prays you will accept this small token of his esteem； one knight to another； as a remembrance of this happy occasion。 My Lord Mahael had it especially blessed by the Patriarch of Beldour。〃
While he spoke； he had drawn a small； silk…wrapped object from his sash and extended it on one outstretched palm。
〃Please accept； as well； my personal congratulations；〃 Rasoul went on； as Dhugal； at Kelson's signal； came close enough to retrieve the gift…though both young men kept a wary eye on the cat。 〃We have not the equivalent of your knighthood among the faithful； but we recognize the honor it betokens among your people。 My respect to these other young men as well。〃
The gift was a heavily enameled cross done in the eastern manner； but Kelson gave it only a cursory glance when Dhugal had brought it back…enough to reassure himself that it carried no malignant glamour。 The greater part of his attention was still diverted by the cat。
〃Please convey my thanks to your master； my Lord Rasoul；〃 Kelson said carefully； still wondering what he was going to do if the animal sprang。 It had sunk into a crouch as Rasoul began speaking； lithe tail slowly lashing； but its golden eyes watched every movement on the dais with great interest。 One giant paw had already crept onto the bottom step； claws flexing lightly against the priceless Kheldish carpet。 Nor would archers be much help； if the cat did decide to attack； though they had e to half draw at the animal's first movement。
I don't think she likes the cold floor； came Dhugal's surprising ment in Kelson's mind； not at all concerned。 Most cats don't。 Isn't she beautiful； though？
The notion so startled Kelson； in the process of handing the cross to Rory for safekeeping； that he glanced quickly at Dhugal before continuing what he had been about to say to Rasoul。 He had forgotten about Dhugal's uncanny knack with animals。
〃Say also； my Lord Rasoul； that I pray peace and health for all in his house； and that our two kingdoms may abide in peace and health。〃
〃I shall do so； my lord。〃
Rasoul sketched another brief； distracted bow； right hand to his breast； but he was already sweeping his gaze pointedly along the upper galleries as he straightened…looking for Morag； no doubt； since he had already seen Liam； still standing quietly among the squires between Duncan and Morgan； the latter with a proprietary hand on the boy's shoulder。 He plainly did not care for the archers； either。
Neither he nor Kelson said anything； but Kelson slowly raised one hand in sign for the archers to stand at ease。 He could afford that concession。 If the cat did attack…and Dhugal seemed not at all concerned that she would…then mere arrows would not be swift enough to stop her。
〃Thank you； my lord；〃 Rasoul murmured； with another inclination of his turbaned head。 〃My next message is for my Lord King Liam and his mother…though I do not see the Lady Morag present in the hall today。 I trust she is in good health。〃
〃Her health is excellent； my lord；〃 Kelson replied coolly。 〃Had her courtesy been as notable； I am sure her sojourn at my court would have been far more agreeable for everyone concerned。〃
Rasoul snorted and gave an impertinent jerk of his chin； causing the great cat to lift its head and look at him； the rumbling purr faltering。
〃I will concede that the Lady Morag's patience may occasionally have been lacking； my lord；〃 the Moor allowed； 〃as might be that of any noble lady held hostage against her will for close on a year； though her release was promised six months ago。〃
So。 Rasoul was pulling no punches； going immediately to the heart of the matter。 Fine。 It eliminated the need for playing diplomatic games。 As Kelson framed his reply； he carefully extended his Truth…Reading talent to gauge the Moor's responses…difficult at this distance and to read another Deryni； but Rasoul would find the reverse no easier。
〃That promise； my lord； was made before Torenthi agents attempted to assassinate my uncle last summer in my absence；〃 the king said。 〃According to the letter of the law； either I or my regent would have been wholly within our rights to execute both hostages； were it not for certain indications that Liam's own death was also intended by the assassins。〃
〃Sir； your insinuation is not only insulting； it is preposterous！〃 Rasoul retorted。 〃If； indeed； these were agents of Torenth who acted in such a manner…for which I have only your word； my lord…〃 The Moor made a curt； insolent bow； 〃…why should they wish their king dead？〃
The man was good； never making any statement that was not the literal truth； but Kelson knew how many lies could be hidden in what Rasoul did not say。 Besides； both he and Morgan had questioned the prisoners still languishing in the dungeons below the keep。 Someone had wanted Liam dead。
〃That； I do not know； my lord；〃 Kelson said。 〃Perhaps their master wished him dead。 I make no particular inference that their master is indeed your master； but one must wonder who stands most to gain； should our young royal guest perish before he es fully into his inheritance。 I assure you； it is not I…if only because your master has the governance of King Liam's heir。〃
The Moor bristled at that； prudently silent； but the great cat's rumbling purr rose in volume； verging on a growl； its tail lashing vexedly in response to its master's obvious agitation。 Both front paws were now on the lowest step； up to the elbows。
〃I decline to answer an allegation so patently absurd；〃 Rasoul said at last。 〃If carried to its logical conclusion； it implies that the Lady Morag countenanced her own son's murder。〃 He glanced at Liam and made him a bow。 〃Do not listen to their lies； my prince。 All is being done that may； to secure your release。〃
〃Which