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〃We hope to … ah … 'persuade' Istelyn to assist；〃 Gorony said carefully。 〃His cooperation would lend us credence in the eyes of royalist supporters in the city； and perhaps ease the situation through the winter。 Failing that； Mir de Kierney and several of the other itinerant bishops are remaining within easy access of Ratharkin。 Once the city is secured； you shan't lack for bishops to do your bidding。〃
〃How many？〃 Loris asked。
〃For now； perhaps as many as seven； not counting Judhael or yourself。 Three hold titled sees。〃 Gorony paused。 〃I should add that none of these know that you are involved besides Creoda and Judhael； though the cause of Mearan independence binds them all。 However； I think they can be persuaded readily enough to support you； once it's learned you plan to champion the Princess Caitrin。〃
Loris snorted under his breath； then glanced around behind them before looking at Gorony。 〃Do you think I care a whit about her； Gorony？ It's my see I want back … and I want the Deryni who took it from me。 I want them very badly。〃
〃I believe you may just get your wish； my lord。〃 Gorony smiled。 〃You'll find these bishops far more biddable than the last lot … and by starting with a united Meara； there's nothing to prevent the creation of more bishops who will do as you ask them。 Meara can be but the first step。〃
〃Ah； Gorony； you do understand quite well； don't you？〃 Loris murmured appreciatively。 〃I'll not forget； I promise you。〃 He sighed as he glanced out at the blank sea ahead。 〃How long before we make landfall？ I am eager to be about our work。〃
〃Tomorrow； dawn。 From there； it's two or three days' ride to Ratharkin。 We expect no opposition。 Why don't you rest； my lord？〃
〃Thank you。 I believe I shall。 And I may even sleep … now。〃
Sleep had fled Saint Iveagh's not long before； however； the abbot suspending the Office of Prime for the first time in thirty years。 The old monk who knelt trembling before the abbot and the brethren hastily assembled in Loris' empty chamber was nearly weeping； his voice barely audible； even though the abbot had already dispensed all in the room from the Order's Rule of speaking in a whisper save during Divine Office。
〃I cannot explain it。 Father Abbot。 He is simply gone。 He asked to attend Vespers； so that he might hear Brother Jeroboam preach； and I myself locked his door when he returned。 Here is the key。〃 He extended it in both hands； not looking up。 〃I will swear on whatever holy relics you require that it has not been out of my possession。〃
Another monk stepped forward from the ranks and knelt beside the distraught man。
〃It is true。 Father Abbott。 Brother Wenceslaus had the key when he returned from escorting Father Loris back to his room。 He and I kept vigil in the Lady Chapel until pline。 Both of us looked in on Father Loris before retiring； but he seemed to be asleep … and he often omits the early morning offices。 There was no occasion to check on him again until we came to rouse him for Prime。〃
The abbot； rumpled and disheveled in a hastily donned mantle pulled over his sleeping gown； sank wearily onto a stool and sighed。
〃Then； he could have been missing for many hours；〃 he murmured。 〃How can this have happened？ Brother Wenceslaus； please believe that I do not hold you personally to blame； but could there possibly have been a second key？〃
Another brother； bending to inspect the door latch by the light of a candle another monk held； tut…tutted primly to himself and shook his head as he glanced up at the abbot。
〃I doubt there was another key。 Father Abbot。 The lock shows definite signs of tampering … perhaps one of the tinkers who paid us visit in the last few days。〃 He paused a beat。 〃Or some other stranger。 I don't suppose anyone has questioned Brother Jeroboam？〃
The abbot shook his head miserably。 〃Unfortunately； I am informed that Brother Jeroboam is also missing。 Alas； it appears the good preacher was not what he appeared。 That we did not recognize this is the fault of no one in this Order； but the fact remains that the prisoner entrusted to our charge has escaped。 We have failed in our duty。〃
As he sighed again； the assembled brethren hung their heads guiltily。
〃Well； there is no help for it but to tell the king； my brethren … and told he must be； though I weep at the shame of it。〃
〃The shame is all ours。 Father Abbot；〃 one of the monks murmured。
〃Yes； yes。〃 The abbot shook his head and sighed a third time。 〃Search a final time； my brothers。 Perhaps we will find some further clue as to how this was acplished。 Meanwhile； I shall draft a letter to the king。 Brother Hospitaller； I shall need a messenger to leave for Rhemuth at dawn。 Do you see to his provisioning。〃
〃Yes； Father Abbot。〃
At a noon Mass that same day； the Feast of Saint Andrew； the Most Reverend Henry Istelyn of Rhemuth was officially proclaimed Bishop of Meara and invested with the symbols of his office。 Enthroned in his cathedral of Saint Uriel and All Angels； flanked by his archbishops and brother prelates； and witnessed by King Kelson； he received the homage and obedience of every Mearan clergyman present； no one's more gracefully or humbly offered than Judhael's。 The king himself begged the favor of the new bishop's first blessing； for he had fond memories of Istelyn's loyalty during the campaign against Torenth； and he and his closest confidants knelt with bowed heads as the age…tried words were spoken。 That night there was feasting in the bishop's hall。
The citizenry seemed reasonably content with their new prelate； but just to ensure a peaceful winter。 Kelson gave Istelyn the loan of twenty sergeants and men…at…arms from his own warband； Cardiel gave a like number of episcopal troops。 These were to augment the garrison remaining from the tenure of the deceased Bishop Carsten； which had already been swelled by a score hand…picked from Bishop Creoda's levies。 Creoda himself offered to remain in Ratharkin for a few weeks to assist Istelyn's peaceful assumption of the real reins of power。 It was a brotherly gesture which no one had cause to question。
The worsening weather allowed no over…long lingering on the part of the king； however。 With Istelyn apparently stable in his new…gained office。 Kelson must return to Rhemuth to resume the governing of the rest of his kingdom。 Troubles there might be during the long winter to e； but the king felt his new bishop tolerably well protected。 He was merry as he rode out the Ratharkin city gates the following morning； he and his party in good spirits despite the light rain which was falling。 Several of the other bishops who had e from Culdi for the installation intended to travel with the royal party until it was time to head off for their own holdings； so the journey had taken on almost a festival air。 As the cavalcade made its way south； to broach the mountain passes near Cuil…teine before bad weather should force a longer route； neither Deryni nor human in the royal van dreamed of the treachery brewing in the city they left behind … or the further treachery afoot but a few days farther north。
CHAPTER SEVEN
The words of his mouth were smoother than butter； but war was in his heart；
his words were softer than oil； yet were t