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ni passed through Dhassa territory。 Both Morgan and Duncan had made substantial donations to cover the cost of rebuilding the shrine； so discovery of their true identities would not invite their murder； as it once might have。 Nor were they any longer under episcopal Interdict and exmunication； and therefore to be incarcerated for canonical trial and execution。 Still； their presence in Dhassa might raise awkward questions for Arilan as well as the two of them； if it were learned that they had e there to use a Deryni Transfer Portal。
But the delicacy of their situation； as well as any Deryni aspect of it all； paled almost to insignificance beside the very human ache of Kelson's loss。 Morgan had been trying； all during the long； hard ride from Coroth； to make himself accept that Kelson and Dhugal were； indeed； dead； but his heart refused to countenance the notion with any real seriousness； and when； occasionally； it did； the dull； heavy weight in his chest far surpassed the grief he had felt even at Brion's death…and at least at the time； he had thought he could never grieve for anyone as he had for his dead friend and king。 Duncan's grief he dared not touch at all。
And so； in clergy masquerade； Morgan followed his cousin through the gates of Dhassa and up toward the market square before the entrance to the bishop's palace。 On this Lenten Sunday afternoon； the square was mostly deserted； but Duncan headed immediately toward the public well； where several black…cowled monks were watering half a dozen milk cows。 A young man whom Duncan greeted as Father Nivard stepped out of their midst at the two's approach and bade one of the monks take their ponies； waiting while they unstrapped swords from saddles before leading them briskly into an inner chamber of the palace； not far from the chapel。 Duncan had told Morgan about Nivard； during one of their infrequent rest stops on the way； but Morgan was still surprised to see how young the Deryni priest looked。 Morgan's light； tentative probe confirmed that in shielding； at least； the priest knew what he was about。 Still； he seemed very young and vulnerable as he closed the double doors and turned toward them； awe lighting his face now that they were alone。
〃We shan't be disturbed here； my lords；〃 Nivard said； crossing self…consciously to add wood to the fire burning on the hearth。 〃Bishop Denis has instructed me to give you every cooperation I can。〃
〃I see；〃 Morgan replied cautiously。 〃Our mutual benefactor；〃 he gestured to indicate the room； with the arms of the Bishop of Dhassa above the fireplace； 〃neglected to mention that he'd been…ah…recruiting。 Is it safe to talk here？〃
〃Or to do anything else that you might deem needful；〃 Nivard said。 〃Bishop Denis said you'd want to try for a long range contact with the king or Lord Dhugal； before you go on to Rhemuth； and that you might want to use me to augment the link。 I haven't a great deal of experience in that particular kind of working…none； in fact；〃 he added with a fleeting； sheepish grin； 〃but he assured me that it wasn't necessary； and that you'd know what to do with me。〃
As he glanced expectantly between the two men； Morgan exchanged a skeptical glance with Duncan。
〃Are you sure he's up to our needs； Duncan？〃 Morgan asked。 〃Sometimes a little knowledge is worse than none at all。 Humans might be better； for our purposes。〃
〃But not as potentially powerful；〃 Duncan replied； giving Nivard a kindly smile。 〃Arilan had him make a light link with me； before I left for Coroth； and he was steady as a rock。 Besides； he'll be worth three or four humans who don't know what they're doing； even if he doesn't either。〃
〃Very well；〃 Morgan murmured。
He had no idea how broad Nivard's experience might have been with Arilan； but as he and Duncan made the physical arrangements necessary for what must be done； drawing three chairs into a tight circle so that knees could touch when they were seated； Nivard seemed to take it all in stride； not batting an eye when Morgan pulled out the red leather box containing his ward cubes and began placing the black and white cubes in the proper configuration on the floor at their feet。
He could sense Nivard centering and relaxing； his psychic presence smoothing out； as minute adjustments were made to the positions of the black cubes； set at the ers of the white square formed by the four white ones。 By the time Morgan was ready to touch his forefinger to the first white cube and name it； Nivard was as steady as Duncan； his leashed potential already settling into a light guidance by Duncan…who drew both of them back just a fraction as Morgan activated the first cube。
〃Prime。〃
Nivard hardly batted an eye as the first cube began to glow…if anything； seeming to center even deeper。 When the speaking of the next cube's name…〃Seconde〃…brought hardly any more reaction； Morgan put Nivard almost totally from his mind and concentrated on the cubes exclusively。 Nivard was not likely to bolt from ward cubes； at any rate。
〃Tierce〃 and 〃Quarte〃 followed close on； giving four white…glowing cubes。 And as Morgan straightened momentarily to take a deep breath and get the cricks out of his back； shifting the polarities in his mind before tackling the black cubes； Nivard closed his eyes and bent to lay his forehead against his crossed forearms； supported by his slightly splayed knees； his shields now wholly transparent and quiescent。
Any further apprehensions Morgan might have had about the young priest vanished in that instant； for to disregard the setting of wards so unflappably was an acplishment； indeed。 Nivard obviously was far more skilled than he had let on…or perhaps he was not aware of how good he was； having had only Arilan by which to measure himself before。 Quickly Morgan named the black cubes…〃Quinte；〃 〃Sixte；〃 〃Septime；〃 〃Octave〃…then began matching black and white counterparts to form the four pillars of the wards。
〃Primus。〃
〃Secundus。〃
〃Tertius。〃
〃Quartus。〃
Nivard straightened as Morgan and Duncan began putting the pillars into position outside the circle of their chairs； placing the one behind his own himself。 And it was his energy as well as that of Morgan and Duncan that raised the ward itself； as Morgan spread his arms to either side and threw back his head； speaking the final ritual words that would seal their safety while they cast for some sign of Kelson or Dhugal。
〃Primus； Secundus； Tertius； et Quartus； fiat lux！〃
As the faintly glowing canopy of silvery light sprang up above them； Morgan lowered his arms to take hands with both Duncan and Nivard。 The physical link reinforced the rapport that had already been bridged astonishingly well while the wards were being set； and Morgan found it easier to speak directly into the minds of his two associates than to try to say verbally what he planned to do。
I'll direct the first cast and try to link with Kelson； he sent。 If； after a suitable interval of trying； we're unsuccessful； we'll shift the cast to Dhugal。 Duncan； you'll direct that one。 Nivard； you're to back up the inactive partner in both instances and simply hold yourself ready to be tapped for additional power； if it's required。 Any questions？
There were none。 Morgan ceased t