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

УI believe His Majesty said I was not to be asked that question.Ф
УMy Majesty did, indeed,Ф Kelson said, setting a hand on DuncanТs left shoulder. УShame on you. Wolfram.Ф
Wolfram shrugged. УI only ask what others are asking, Sire. I think he probably is-and I begin to wonder whether there is, indeed, harm in that, apart from the law-but, no matter, for now. I am not devilТs advocate for that question, thank God.Ф He glanced at the others, at the dark, who had looked up furtively at this last exchange, and motioned the young man to continue taking his notes. УShall we proceed?Ф
УWith the understanding that I will ask the questions, yes,Ф Kelson replied. He settled gracefully on the stool at DuncanТs left, his hand sliding down DuncanТs arm to grasp the wrist inside the loose-fitting black sleeve. In his peripheral vision, he could see Morgan sitting beside a stiff and anxious Dhugal, with Nigel leaning forward a little, the better to observe what was about to happen.
УFor the benefit of Bishop Wolfram, whoТs never seen this done before, IТll explain what IТm doing,Ф Kelson said, addressing the three bishops. УIТve asked Duncan to lay his open hands on the table so that you will be able to observe any sign of tension as the questioning progresses-though I donТt expect to see any. I have my hand on his wrist, partly for the same reason and partly because IТve found that physical contact enhances control in this kind of procedure. Are you comfortable, Duncan?Ф
УPhysically? Yes. Emotionally-Ф The Deryni duke-bishop shrugged and grinned, still playing innocent of direct Deryni knowledge. УIТve watched this done before. Sire. IТm not sure I look forward to reliving the days of my brash youth. I was very ardent.Ф
Kelson smiled fleetingly, feeling for Duncan, but there was no way around it. It had to be done.
УNonetheless,Ф the king said, as he turned his Truth-Reading talent on his friend. УLetТs begin with a simple review of basics. Please state your full name for the noble lords of this tribunal, and all your offices.Ф
УDuncan Howard McLain,Ф Duncan said easily. УPriest and bishop. KingТs Confessor. Duke of Cassan and Earl of Kierney. Acting Viceroy of Meara. I also have some subsidiary titles and offices. Do you want those, too?Ф
УI donТt think thatТs necessary. Did you contract a valid marriage with Dhugal MacArdryТs mother?Ф
УI did.Ф
УWhen was that?Ф
УIt would have been early in April of 1107.Ф
УAnd you were how old?Ф
Duncan smiled. УAn intellectually precocious but very naive fifteen, courting an older woman. Maryse was a year older.Ф
УI see. But you were both of noble houses, you a dukeТs son and she the daughter of an earl. What made you decide to contract a secret marriage?Ф
Duncan shook his head wistfully, letting his gaze shift in the general direction of the ring before Cardiel, remembering.
УYouth. Impatience. Maryse and her mother and sisters had come to stay at Culdi while our fathers took their levies into Meara on campaign. The two clans had been closely allied for several generations. The way I heard it told, one of my fatherТs men killed one other fatherТs men in a drunken brawl. Unfortunately, her fatherТs man was Ardry MacArdry, her eldest brother-the heir.
УThe culprit was tried and executed in the field, as was proper, but neither side was really satisfied. Our fathers feared a blood feud if contact continued between the clans. So old Caulay broke off his MacArdry levies and had them transferred to another command, separate from my fatherТs, then rode back to Culdi with a small escort to get his womenfolk and hie them back to Transha.Ф
УMaryse as well?Ф Kelson prompted.
Duncan blinked several times and nodded, his voice faltering just a little as he continued.
УI never planned to fall in love that spring. I had my studies and my vocation. I was to enter the seminary at Grecotha in the fall. I was old enough to go on campaign, but IТd stayed behind to host my fatherТs guests while he and my brother went. Nothing like love was supposed to happen.Ф
He shook his head, amazed anew at how events had upset all their plans.
УIt did happen, though. Within a few weeks, we were all caught up in it. We kept it secret, because we knew my mother would be furious when I told her I would not be entering the priesthood, but we planned to ask our parentsТ permission to marry at the end of the summer, when our fathers came back from the war. CaulayТs unexpected return changed all that-and the threat of a blood feud.Ф
УWhat changed?Ф Kelson asked.
Duncan sighed. УWe decided to marry anyway. We were thinking clearly enough not just to run away, but we knew none of the local priests would marry us without our parentsТ consent, especially at such short notice. So we agreed to meet in the chapel at midnight and make our vows before the only Witness we knew would not betray us.Ф
УThe Blessed Sacrament,Ф Kelson supplied, glancing at the bishops and noting WolframТs interest, in particular.
УYes.Ф
УAnd did you, in fact, meet? And did you, in fact, ex change marriage vows that you considered binding?Ф
УWe did.Ф
УThank you.Ф Kelson reached with his free hand to brush DuncanТs brow, carefully avoiding eye contact with Wolfram.
УClose your eyes now, Duncan. Close your eyes and slip deeper into memory of that night. In a moment, IТm going to ask you to recall exactly what you and Maryse said to each other. Are you willing?Ф
As Duncan complied, nodding dreamily. Kelson pressed his fingertips lightly on the closed lids, extending control without encountering resistance, then slid his hand down to rest on DuncanТs sleeve, his other hand stiti circling the relaxed wrist. Only then did he look at the bishops again.
Arilan, who knew exactly what Kelson was doing, and how truly Deryni it was, had raised one hand casually to shield a faint smile from Wolfram. Cardiel looked alert and fascinated, as he usually did when watching the king work. Wolfram himself appeared a little apprehensive, but that was only to be expected. He started a little as Kelson nodded in his direction and glanced deliberately at DuncanТs passive, upturned hands.
УHeТs been telling the truth exactly as he remembers it, my lords,Ф the king said softly. УThereТs been no flicker of resistance, no hint of deception. I have no doubt that they did exchange marriage vows. Is it necessary for me to go on?Ф
УIt-wonТt hurt him, will it?Ф Wolfram asked.
УNot at all-though, as he said, the intensity of some of those memories may be a bit uncomfortable. In a sense, heТll actually be reliving the incident.Ф
Wolfram swallowed. УI-donТt wish to cause him distress, Sire, but I would like to hear the words. The words can confirm much of his intent.Ф
УVery well.Ф Kelson sighed and turned his attention back to Duncan, waiting docile and ready beneath his hands. УDuncan, IТd like you to go back to that night when you and Maryse exchanged vows. Think back to the chapel at Culdi. YouТre fifteen years old, and itТs midnight. Did Maryse come to you?Ф
УYes,Ф Duncan breathed.
УAnd what, if anything, did you say to each other?Ф
УWe knelt before the Blessed Sacrament,Ф Duncan whispered. УI took her hand in mine and made my vow.
УBefore Thee as the Supreme Witness, my Lord and my God, I make this solemn vow: that I take this woman, Maryse, as my lawful wedded wife, forsaking all others until death do us part.Ф His free hand lifted vaguely to his left shoulder, then subsided as he went on. УI give thee this token of my love and take thee for my iwfe, and hereto I plight thee my troth.Ф
УAnd what did you give her?Ф Kelson prompted softly. УA silver cloak clasp, shaped in the likeness of a sleeping GodТs head.Ф
УI see. And what were the words she spoke to you?Ф Kelson could feel Duncan trembling beneath his touch, but it was the trembling of emotion, not resistance to the probe.
УI take thee as my wedded husband. I give thee this token as a sign of my love, and hereto I plight thee my troth,Ф
УAnd she gave you-Ф
УA shiral crystal, smooth from the river bottom and drilled to receive a slender leather thong,Ф Duncan replied, swallowing with difficulty. УIt was-still warm from her body as she placed it around my neck. Her perfume clung toit.Ф
УBe easy,Ф Kelson murmured, soothing the poignancy of the memory and shaking his head a little. УI know this is uncomfortable for you.ТТ
But he had caught a glimpse of something else, something he knew Duncan had never even told his old confessor. It was intensely personal for Duncan, but not particularly notable of itself. Still, it certainly would seal the validity of his intent.