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Except that； in this case； Conall knew that the victim would not get better unless someone could reverse what he had done。 He himself did not know how； for he did not know how he had done it； and if anyone else discovered the true reason for Niger s condition； they would surely make the eventual conclusion that Conall was responsible。
He dared not let his part in it be known； then。 His guilt was multiplying with every new； terrible thing that happened； but he dared not confess…not with the crown at last within his reach。
For with Kelson dead and Nigel indefinitely incapacitated； Conall was now the most powerful man in Gwynedd。 Perhaps he was not king yet in fact； for Nigel was rightful king so long as he lived； and Conall did not wish his father dead； but Conall certainly was the logical choice for regent； in his father's incapacity…king in everything but name。
The idea had a delicious feel to it…King Conall。 And even Regent Conall was not without its charms。 All that remained was to weather the discovery of his father's condition without giving clue that he had had any part of it。
He thanked God for the care Tiercel had taken in helping him sequester off a part of his mind from even Deryni probing； for Arilan was the one Deryni he would have to deal with immediately； but even Arilan did not scare him anymore。 He required only a few seconds to seal away this newest guilt with the several others； where Arilan would never see it。 Then； drawing a deep breath； he ran to the door and wrenched it open； calling down the spiral stair。
〃Guards？ Guards！ Fetch a physician at once。 My father's had some sort of a seizure！〃
Morgan sat numbly on the edge of the hearth in his sleeping chamber； Richenda crowded close beside him； holding his hand mutely； watching him with wide； frightened eyes as both of them listened to Duncan repeat the details of his news one more time。 Derry had taken a stool across from them； and Duncan slouched in Morgan's carved armchair； sipping halfheartedly at a cup of mulled wine a page had brought。
〃That's all I know； Alaric。 God help me； I can't believe it either； but it must be true。 I questioned all the eyewitnesses before I left…and I do mean questioned。 At least one of them saw Kelson slam into a rock； almost as soon as he hit the water。 They say Dhugal seemed to be swimming； the last time anyone saw him； but both of them went over the waterfall…hell； everyone who went into the water went over the waterfall！ And if； by sheerest luck； anyone survived that； apparently most of the river goes underground just past the spillway。 So you either dash your brains out on a rock or you get sucked under and drown…or both。〃
〃But you said one man did survive；〃 Richenda ventured。
〃Aye； but only barely；〃 Duncan replied。 〃That little squire of Kelson's…Dolfin。 They left him behind at Saint Bearand's until he's recovered enough to travel； but that could be weeks。 Father Lael says the boy could be crippled for the rest of his life。〃
〃They did find other bodies； though；〃 Morgan said。
Duncan nodded。 〃One…and a couple of dead horses。 But no sign of the monk who was guiding them； and no sign of Kelson or Dhugal。〃
Morgan closed his eyes； rubbing Richenda's hand gently along his cheek for creature fort but not allowing her mind to touch his。 He must keep himself detached from what had happened。 If he gave up and let himself admit that Kelson was dead； his grief would overwhelm him； and he would be no good to anyone until it ran its course。 Given the circumstances Duncan had reported。 Kelson probably was dead…though； as had been the case with Brion； Morgan felt he should have sensed some sign of such a momentous passing。 But as long as no one found Kelson's body； at least a part of him might still hold enough hope to sustain him through the rest of what must be done； to keep the reins of Gwynedd's government in capable hands。
And if Kelson was dead…in which case； neither Morgan nor Duncan nor anyone else could do anything for him now…there was a new king in Rhemuth who would need their help。 Stabilizing Nigel and the transition of government must be their first priority。 Only when that was acplished might they indulge in mourning those lost…both of them。
〃This must be especially difficult for you；〃 Morgan said to Duncan； looking up at last。 〃In my concern over Kelson； I fear I'd almost let it pass that you've lost a son as well as a king。 I'm sorry； Duncan。〃
Duncan shrugged forlornly。 〃It's a natural omission。 I know you didn't mean to slight Dhugal。 Do you think there's any chance they are somehow alive？〃
〃Do you want me to answer with my heart or my head？〃 Morgan countered。
〃Why don't we try not to answer it at all； just for now； then？〃 Duncan said。 〃We both know our first priority。 We have to get back to Nigel。〃
〃Aye。 On the other hand； we can't just stand by and assume that Kelson and Dhugal are dead。 Too much depends on it。 We need proof； one way or the other。〃
〃I hoped you'd feel that way；〃 Duncan whispered； after swallowing painfully。 〃What do you want to do？〃
〃A deep link； to see whether we can reach them。〃
〃I'll help；〃 Richenda said。
Smiling gratefully； Morgan shook his head； patting her held hand with his other one。
〃Not from here； darling。 It's too far； even if they are alive。 No； I had in mind from Dhassa。〃
〃Then； I'll e with you to Dhassa。〃
〃Don't be ridiculous。 You're in no condition to travel。〃
〃And neither of you is in any condition to attempt such a working without help；〃 Richenda countered。 〃It's still a long way from Dhassa to the area of Saint Bearand's。 And if they're injured…〃
〃You're not ing； and that's final；〃 Morgan said； releasing her hand as he rose。 〃Besides； someone Deryni has to stay here because of Morag。 That's asking a great deal of you； as it is； with your time so near。〃
Richenda's face grew petulant。 〃I've told you； that isn't nearly as big a factor as you insist upon making it；〃 she said。 〃A pregnant woman isn't sick； for God's sake。 Even when the birthing starts； I'll only be thoroughly distracted for a few hours。 And we've already made provisions for Morag。 Derry knows what to do； when the time es。〃
〃Aye； well； that's one thing if you're here。 It's quite another if you go gallivanting off with me to Dhassa…which is no place for a pregnant Deryni woman to be； in any case； among a bunch of intolerant clerics。〃
〃There is another Deryni there； Alaric；〃 Duncan interjected。 〃He's young and hasn't a great deal of training； so I don't know how much use he'll be； but he should be able to hold a passive link well enough。〃
Morgan blinked once； digesting the information； then shook his head。
〃I won't ask more about him now。 But his presence makes it even less necessary for Richenda to e along。〃
〃I beg to differ！〃 Richenda said。 〃If you think I'm going to let you trust your safety to some ill…trained Deryni sprat who； with the best intentions in the world； could let you slip too deep and…〃
〃Richenda； I've said 'enough。' We won't discuss it further。〃
〃Then； let me e with you； m'lord；〃 Derry said。 〃I'm not Deryni； but I know what to watch for。 Or you could draw on me for extra power。 I'm not afraid。〃
〃And leave Richenda to the wolves； Derry？〃 M