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〃Very well；〃 Bradene replied。 〃I see that there is no appeal for that。 Fortunately； the Church has weapons other than the sword with which to confound Loris and his would…be Mearan queen。 Nor need we wait until the spring to use them。〃
As Bradene swept his fellow bishops with his hard glance； almost in challenge。 Kelson knew with a chill certainty what was ing next。
〃I propose a rite of general exmunication；〃 Bradene went on。 〃That we formally strip Loris of his rank and priesthood … something we should have done two years ago … that we suspend the bishops who have taken his part； and that we exmunicate the lot of them； including the Mearan royal family。〃
The other bishops nodded gravely； murmuring among themselves； but Kelson's stomach did a slow； queasy roll； even though he had been half…expecting someone to bring up the subject before they were done。 Having been exmunicated himself at one time； if only for reason of Loris' spite。 Kelson could not but feel pity for those about to incur the same fate。 He glanced at Morgan and Duncan； who had felt the cold breath of exmunication even more directly than himself； and caught their similar recoil at the very notion； but it needed to be done。 Exmunication was a language Loris would understand； though it would also enrage him。
〃I agree；〃 Cardiel said quietly。 〃The measure es after much provocation。 Do you also remend a general Interdict of Meara； my lord？〃
As the others drew in breath … for Interdict would bar everyone in Meara from all sacraments and solace of the Church； even the innocent … Bradene shook his head。
〃I would not place that burden upon the entire Mearan people at this time … though it may prove necessary in the future； if exmunication does not bring the principals to heel。 No； what I have outlined is sufficient for the present； I think … unless you have some valid objection。 Sire？〃
Kelson bowed his head。 〃I would not presume to dictate the conscience of my bishops。 Excellency；〃 he whispered。 〃If you feel this action warranted； then so be it。〃
〃It should be done as soon as possible； then；〃 Bradene said decisively。 〃Tonight； I think； after pline … so that our response may go to Loris and the Lady Caitrin along with His Majesty's。〃
Cardiel nodded。 〃The necessary documents can be drawn up by nightfall。 My monks will assist us。 Sire； we would count it a particular favor if you and the rest of the lords of state could lend us your support by your presence。〃
〃We shall attend you；〃 Kelson replied。
Bradene nodded； relieved。 〃Thank you。 Sire。 I should like your support in a happier matter as well。 I have had no opportunity to consult with my brother Cardiel； but I feel certain he will concur with what I should like to propose。〃
As he turned his glance across the table to Duncan and smiled； his intention immediately became clear。
〃Father McLain； you know that I was in plete sympathy with your wish to delay your consecration until the spring； so that you might better prepare yourself for your increased responsibilities； but our changed circumstances are such that I feel we need you now。 Confirmation of your rank will also underline the authority of the bishops who elected you and help to strengthen our present position regarding Loris' bid for power。 Will you consent to be consecrated immediately？ Or as soon as may conveniently be arranged？〃
As Cardiel nodded agreement； Arilan and Hugh also turning expectant eyes on Duncan； Kelson allowed himself to relax just a little。 This he could support without a qualm。 He sensed Morgan's support as well； as he turned his keen Haldane gaze on Duncan。 The Deryni priest folded his hands precisely on the table before him and let out a long； resigned sigh before looking up at his superior。
〃I will consent。 Excellency； but I would ask one indulgence on your part： I wish to be invested with Bishop Istelyn's ring。〃 He glanced around defensively。 〃It would mean a great deal to me。 We may be helpless to save his physical body； but I would at least do honor to the courage and conviction of his soul。〃
〃Well said；〃 Kelson murmured； as Bradene and Cardiel exchanged approving glances。
〃It shall be done as you have asked；〃 Bradene said。 〃We shall set your consecration for three days hence。 But for now。 Sire； by your leave； I think we must all retire to prepare our various answers to Loris and his cohorts。〃
The bishops' answer was given substance later that night。 Kelson did not relish his part in it； but he attended as he had promised。 Kneeling in the front row of the south choir stalls； Dhugal and Morgan to either side of him and the rest of his council behind； he listened to Bradene sing the opening invocation； answered by the circle of cowled monks and priest…bishops around him。 Duncan stood among them。
〃In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti。。。。〃
〃Amen〃
The cathedral was darkened save for the candles in the hands of the gathered clergy and the red glow of the Presence Lamp above the altar behind them。 A draft curled down the nave and through the choir； making the candlelight dance fitful shadows on vestments； choir screens； and stalls。 Bradene stood with Cardiel on the lowest altar step； both of them wearing black copes and mitres and also holding a candle apiece。 A long strip of parchment trailed from Bradene's other hand； ragged at the bottom with heavy pendant seals。
〃My lords and my brothers； it is my unpleasant duty to pronounce the following judgment； to which all of you have subscribed；〃 he said。 〃Be it duly witnessed； here before the altar of the Lord and in the Presence of the Hosts of Heaven； that we do what we do without malice； and for the good of the souls of those involved； in hopes that they may e to recognize the error of their ways and repent； returning at last to the loving bosom of Mother Church。〃
Clearing his throat a little nervously； he handed his candle to Cardiel and brought the parchment within the range of its light； beginning to read in a voice which carried through the choir and all along the nave。
〃Whereas Edmund Loris； priest and former archbishop； hath fled the just penance of a duly constituted synod of his equals and thus rejected the authority of those set above him； and whereas said Edmund Loris hath consorted with rebellious subjects of his lawful liege and king； forswearing his own sacred vows by such action； and exhorted them to treasonous acts； and whereas the said Edmund Loris hath resumed authority to which he no longer hath claim and hath used that authority illicitly to consecrate a bishop neither elected by a properly constituted synod nor approved by the king； and whereas said Edmund Loris hath usurped the authority of a brother bishop in his own diocese； and forced him to witness illicit acts； and caused him grievous physical harm； and used threats against his life in an attempt to sway others to his treasonous ways。
〃So therefore do we； Bradene； by the Grace of God Archbishop of Valoret and Primate of All Gwynedd； pronounce said Edmund Loris deprived of his episcopal rank and degraded from the fellowship and office of the priesthood throughout the land。 We do further exmunicate the said Edmund Loris and suspend and exmunicate all bishops claiming to o