"Katherine Kurtz - Kelson - The Quest for Saint Camber" - читать интересную книгу автора (Kurtz Katherine)

Cardiel nodded unhappily, obviously feeling the weight of his official responsibility.
УIТm afraid I must agree. We appear to have reached an impasse, then. It all comes back to whether DuncanТs oath can be deemed sufficient-whether he did, in fact, make vows with Maryse MacArdry before the Blessed Sacrament. As a private person, and DuncanТs friend, I have no doubt that he is telling the truth. But as archbishop, I cannot accept his unsupported word simply because he is one of my bishops. I could not accept that from a layman, and I certainly cannot accept it from one of my spiritual sons.Ф
УI agree,Ф Arilan said, fiddling with the feathered end of a goose-quill pen as he glanced at the king and then at Morgan. УA pity we cannot accept evidence confirmed by De-ryni powers. Duke AlaricТs testimony would be prejudiced, in any case, since he is kin to Duncan, but you Deryni do have ways to verify whether a man is telling the truth, donТt you?Ф
The question was for WolframТs benefit, of course, for the Deryni Arilan knew full well what those of his race were capable of, but the scene he would now attempt to unfold had been carefully orchestrated by bishop, duke, and king the night before, to suggest a no less reliable verification of DuncanТs oath that the Church could accept. For the Haldane line was also possessed of power-a power not unlike that wielded by the Deryni, though the Haldane power was held to be linked with that houseТs divine right to rule.
But much depended upon WolframТs recognition of that fact, and his faith in it, and whether they had read their man correctly.
УDeryni are not the only ones to have this power. Bishop Arilan,Ф Kelson said, staying Morgan with a hand on his sleeve as he himself rose to address the court. УPerhaps here is an answer to your dilemma. We Haldanes can tell when a man is lying. It is a power of our sacred kingship. If I were to question Bishop McLain and could ascertain beyond doubt that he is telling the truth about his marriage to DhugalТs mother, would that satisfy this tribunal?Ф
Arilan raised an eyebrow in guarded assent and looked to Cardiel, careful not to appear too eager, and breathed a cautious sigh of relief when his superior did not immediately veto the notion. Clearly, the human Cardiel understood what the king was proposing, but he still was archbishop, and forms must be observed.
And Wolfram, as devilТs advocate, would be even more insistent that propriety be maintained. Wolfram de Blanet did not hate Deryni-which was one of the main reasons, besides being impeccably honest, that he had been appointed to this tribunal-but as an itinerant bishop, not often exposed to the few known Deryni at court, he knew little about them, other than through hearsay. Even the enlightened leadership of the past four years could not immediately overturn two centuries of suspicion and hatred. And some of the Haldane abilities fell into a grey area about which Wolfram was quite unsure.
УWhat is it, Wolfram?Ф Cardiel asked quietly, noting the older manТs expression of consternation. УI assure you, the king can do what he proposes. I have seen him question prisoners in the field. There is no evil in it. And his results were always verifiable by-those whose talents are less acceptable to this court.Ф
УMeaning Duke Alaric?Ф Wolfram asked, flicking Morgan an uneasy glance.
УYes.Ф
Wolfram drew a deep, shuddery breath, visibly pushing aside his apprehensions to return to the task he had been assigned, and let out a heavy sigh.
УVery well. I would not presume to question His MajestyТs ability to do what he says he can do-or the judgment of my Lord Archbishop that such an ability is benign.Ф He paused to clear his throat. УLegally speaking, however, I wonder whether it is prudent to enlist his MajestyТs assistance in this matter. Lord Dhugal is his foster brother, after all.Ф
УAre you suggesting that I might distort the truth for the sake of the love I bear him?Ф Kelson asked;
Wolfram paled, but he did not flinch from the kingТs gaze.
УI suggest nothing of the sort, Sire. But others might.Ф
УAye, so they might.Ф
Before Wolfram could do more than gasp, the king suddenly drew his sword and sank to one knee before the tribunal, reversing the weapon to grasp it beneath the quillons and extending the cross of the hilt at armТs length between them and himself.
УI swear on my fatherТs sword, on my crown, and on my hopes for the salvation of my immortal soul that I have spoken and shall speak only the truth in the matter here before this court. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, amen.Ф
He kissed the sacred relic encased in the hilt, then let the tip of the blade rest on the floor before him, keeping his arm extended as he glanced toward Wolfram and the others.
УI am willing to repeat my oath, or any other you may prefer, in yonder chapel,Ф he added, nodding toward the open doorway behind them. УAnd I assure you that I do not take such oaths lightly.Ф
УNo one questions that. Sire,Ф Wolfram said, looking a little embarrassed. УBut-Ф He sighed uncomfortably. УSire, Duncan McLain is said by some to be Deryni.Ф
УI donТt believe thatТs at issue here,Ф Kelson said mildly, getting to his feet. УThe question is whether the man contracted a valid marriage with the mother of his son.Ф
УBut-if he were Deryni, Sire-could he not evade even your reading of the truth?Ф
With an exasperated sigh, Kelson turned toward Morgan, sitting at his right, and held out the hilt of the sword.
УMorgan, remembering the oaths of fealty and homage you have sworn to me and to my father before me, and further enjoined by your hand on this sacred sword, would you please tell Bishop Wolfram the limitations of Truth-Reading, if Duncan McLain were Deryni?Ф
Quietly Morgan stood, laying his bare right hand on the relic in the royal sword hilt. It was not often that Kelson invoked the name of his father, with all the very special associations that called up for Alaric Morgan.
УFor simple Trutji-Reading, whether or not the subject is Deryni has no bearing,Ф Morgan said quietly. УHis Majesty would have no difficulty distinguishing truth from a lie. The operative limitation to Truth-Reading is that the right questions must be asked. Nothing in Truth-Reading compels a man to tell the truth; it simply betrays him when ne does not.Ф
Wolfram swallowed uneasily, only partially reassured.
УSire, is that true?Ф
УIt is.Ф
УYou would know if Morgan lied?Ф
УIf I wished it, yes,Ф Kelson replied. УThe process does require intent.Ф He turned his Haldane eyes full on Morgan. УI cannot simply know, as I suspect the Deryni cannot, either. But if I will it, I can distinguish truth from falsehood. Morgan, before God and these witnesses, have you spoken the truth?Ф
УI have, Sire.Ф
Kelson sheathed his sword as he returned his attention to Wolfram. УYou have heard the truth. Excellency.Ф
УI-see.Ф Wolfram turned to confer with Cardiel, Arilan nodding thoughtful agreement with whatever the archbishop said, then looked out boldly at Kelson again.
УSire, I have only just confirmed something that I heard some months ago, but I am given to understand that-the Haldane talents are not limited to mere verification of truth. That more-compelling measures may be employed to elicit actual information from a subject. That-such measures were used routinely on campaign last summer to retrieve more complete reports from scouts in your service, not only by Duke Alaric, but by yourself.Ф
Kelson allowed himself a tight, careful smile, wondering where Wolfram had gotten his information-though any of the scouts could have talked about it. No one had forbidden it. He wondered whether Duncan had used the method, too-though he would have been far less open about it, still feeling it needful to keep that aspect of his identity unconfirmed.
УMy prince?Ф Morgan murmured.
УTell him,Ф Kelson said.
УWe Deryni call it Mind-Seeing,Ф Morgan said. УDo the Haldanes have another name for it. Sire?Ф
УNo.Ф
Inclining his head, Morgan continued. УWe distinguish two levels of Mind-Seeing, depending upon whether the subject is cooperative or not. A consciously cooperating subject can recall events in great detail. And ofcourse, thereТs no possibility of lying. An uncooperative subject may be able to block the efficiency of the process to the extent that he will not volunteer information. But his answers to specific questions will be truthful. Resistance produces varying degrees of discomfort for the subject, depending upon the level of resistance and the amount of energy being put into the demands for information. This holds true for Deryni as well as humans, though Deryni obviously will have the potential for greater resistance.Ф
УI see,Ф Wolfram said thoughtfully. УThen, if Bishop McLain were Deryni-Ф
УEven if he were,Ф Kelson said pointedly, У-which I will not ask him. Bishop-any resistance to my questions regarding his marriage would be immediately evident, for I would put the full force of my power behind my questioning. I will do that, if you wish-assuming, of course, that the findings thus obtained may be acceptable to this court.Ф
The measure Kelson proposed was a uniquely Haldane solution to a situation they had all feared would have none, and the king had little concern that Wolfram would continue to object for long. Nor did he. When the peppery old bishop had conferred again with Cardiel and Arilan, finally giving reluctant assent by his expression, Kelson bade Morgan set two backless stools before the tribunalТs table.
A glance in DuncanТs direction brought him forward-an unassuming, black-clad supplicant today rather than duke and earl and warrior-bishop, blue eyes guileless and unflinching, clean-shaven oval face framed by close-cropped brown hair, tonsured only in token, wearing no sign of his episcopal rank save the amethyst on his right hand. This he removed and laid on the table before Cardiel for safekeeping as he took a seat at KelsonТs behest, scooting the stool closer to the table and laying his forearms on the table, palms upward, as Kelson directed.
УThis questioning has nothing to do with my office as bishop,Ф he explained to Wolfram, as the latter glanced in question at the ring. УI am here as a father who wishes to acknowledge his son.Ф
УA Deryni father, acknowledging a Deryni son?Ф
Duncan managed a fleeting but stiff smile.