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rom his capital； to keep him generally informed as to what was occurring in his absence。 A few were in Duncan's hand； either in a clerical capacity for the prince regent； signed by Nigel； or else his own analysis of certain items。 Those； too； were innocuous enough。
One was from Duncan to Dhugal； however； with instructions to share it with Kelson； and it made Conall almost dizzy with fear； for it detailed Duncan's discovery of Tiercel's body in the secret passageway。
Blast！ It would have to have been Duncan who found the body！
Another was from Arilan to Dhugal； inquiring as to any knowledge he might have of what transpired to bring about Tiercel's death。 The Deryni bishop had written a similar letter to Kelson； asking him to be certain that Dhugal responded to Arilan's inquiry immediately。
These last three frightened Conall； both singularly and in their bined implications。 He had known that Tiercel's body eventually must be found； but it was one thing to learn that the expected had happened and another to know that Duncan had found it…the one man in Rhemuth who might have been expected to recognize the dead man。
And by now； not only Arilan but very likely all the other powerful and mysterious members of the Camberian Council had applied their not inconsiderable Deryni talents to probe Tiercel's death further。 And while none of the letters even hinted that Arilan suspected Tiercel's death had not been accidental； much less mentioned Conall； Conall's guilt gnawed at him like a hungry wolf； already extant jealousy began almost immediately to color the guilt。
Conall found that the thought of Dhugal being questioned in the matter terrified him。 If Arilan or Duncan or one of the others had been able to pin down a precise time for Tiercel's death； Conall knew that Dhugal's alibi was iron…clad。 Conall had an alibi； too； for Jowan； his squire； could swear honestly under oath that his master had been abed early that night； but close questioning of the boy might reveal that his memory had been tampered with； and by whom。
That； in itself； could be damning enough to press the inquiries further； for Conall had no business knowing how to do such things。 And who knew but that Dhugal； under intensive interrogation； might remember hearing something connected with Conall's wary approach to the doorway into his chambers； when Conall had tried to return through the palace after arranging Tiercel's body on the landing？ What if he could make a connection to Conall？ After all； Conall had pushed Tiercel； even though he had not meant to do him serious harm。。。
But suppose； on the other hand； that evidence somehow could be contrived to implicate Dhugal in the matter？ Now； there was an attractive proposition。 Perhaps Dhugal could even be framed； thereby eliminating not only a dangerous potential betrayer； but also a troublesome rival。 Of course； steps would have to be taken to ensure that Dhugal could not defend himself。。。
Conall thought about the notion as he restored all the letters to the dispatch pouch saving his own and the three dealing with Tiercel's death。 He had brought Tiercel's drug satchel with him； for he dared not leave it behind and risk it being found。 Perhaps something from that could be put to good use。 He did not know the purpose of all the drugs in Tiercel's pharmacopia； but he knew some of them…enough to ensure； if he could figure out a way to administer them； that Dhugal should not survive the next day。
And not by a mere poison or overdose； either； for they rode through some very rugged country tomorrow。 A more subtle solution was required…something sufficient only to blur the victim's judgment or perceptions； or perhaps to lull him into a false sense of security。 According to the monk who would guide them； there were ample opportunities for an unwary rider to meet a fatal accident。
But Conall could do nothing to further his developing plan until the others returned； in any case； and he needed the time to decide exactly what he was going to do。 After closing the courier pouch； he took it next door； into the room Kelson and Dhugal shared； and left it beside the snoring Ciard 0 Ruane。 Then he went back to his own quarters to let Jowan wake up； to read his own letters； and to firm up his plans for later in the evening。
Kelson and his panions returned just in time to hear Vespers； and Conall watched fearfully and jealously as Dhugal walked into the abbey； arm in arm with the king。 The prince did not even try to pray as he knelt not far from them； though he mouthed the responses dutifully enough and bowed his head at the appropriate times。
Afterwards； at supper； Conall was as merry as any in the refectory； at least within the bounds of Lenten propriety。 He even stayed a while to listen to the ballads one of the lay brothers sang when the royal party had retired to the abbot's quarters for another casual hour by the fire。
No one tarried late； though； for Saer meant them to get an early start； to be well through the pass before any chance of failing light。 And so； when the king and his favorite retired even before pline； Conall； too； made his devoirs to the abbot and repaired to his bed。
He dared not sleep； however。 Not much later； when all the abbey slept in those deeply silent hours between pline and Matins； Conall made his way without challenge to the abbey stables； where harness and equipment was already assembled； ready for an early departure after Mass in the morning。 There he located Dhugal's belongings without difficulty； and slipped the stopper from a shoulder flask already filled with wine for the next day's journey。 He sniffed of the contents before adding the contents of the earthenware vial he had concealed on his person since late afternoon； to ensure that the scent and taste would cover what he had added。 He need not worry if Dolfin or Ciard or one of the other servants had a nip from the flask； for Tiercel had told Conall that the drugs only affected those of Deryni blood。
Then； apprehensive but at the same time thrilled； Conall quickly returned to his own bed and lay down； though he did not sleep much in what remained of the night。
CHAPTER TWELVE
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes。
Proverbs 12：15
The next morning dawned still and damp； pregnant with the probability of more rain； though none was yet falling。 The local monks； when questioned about the outlook； avowed that the weather should clear by noon…but the time of year was capricious。 Even snow was not unheard of in the passes； well into March。 Given the present aspect of the sky； either storm； snow； or a clear day were equal possibilities。
After Mass and over a far more leisurely breakfast than originally planned。 Kelson considered what to do。 It still was not raining。 Nor did they even need to worry about getting all the way through the pass today； for there was a small abbey at the summit that could surely provide them a dry place to sleep； if it came to that。 Saer declared himself half of a mind to delay another day； in hopes that more definite signs of clearing weather might prevail over the clouds scudding along the eastern horizon； but Kelson was impatient to be gone； fired by the prospect of what he might learn at Io