Forgotten Shadows

[Laurna]

Afternoon
Collos' small safe house
Grecotha

Washburn Morgan knelt pallet-side; one set of fingers deep in a tortured wound and the other holding forth his dagger hilt, his mind's eye focusing the power of his father's ensorcelled ruby embedded in the hilt to bring his friend back from the brink of death. The protection spell in the ruby was strong, Wash had spent years enhancing his father's spirit of the wondrous Airleas with his own indomitable zeal. Wash felt Alaric's presence like a warm fire on a cold night. He could curl up under Airleas's wing if it had been he who was injured.

But this was far more devastating. It was Lord Derry's youngest son who needed the Dragon's protection, it was Airich, Washburn's friend, who needed the talent of Healing. Bringing Airich to a safe place in the realm of thought was only the first step. So much more needed to be done. Truth was, Wash could not balance the energies of the ruby's protection spell with the intensity that was required and also incorporate his own Healing abilities. He had initiated the dragon with but one hand, but he needed both his hands unencumbered to Heal.

Desperately, Wash looked up at the man seated across from him. Collos Feyd d'Chameaux of Vezarie, House of Baordah, Master of the Black Order of Death, watched him with keen interest. "I am here as friend," Feyd said. And Wash heard no lie. The situation was too desperate for him to question why the master was here. What was going on? Iain knew, and he had vouched for Feyd.

Collos, Washburn corrected his thinking as he addressed the man before him. "I need for you to use your skill to keep Airleas as protector over Sir Airich. Without the dragon's guardianship, we could lose this fight. You have worked with my father's ruby-spell before, you know how it works."

"I will do this," Collos said, and he took Washburn's dagger and held it up high, using his considerable talent to balance the ruby's energy.

Airich's body convulsed weakly as he lay upon the pallet, his skin barely more colored than snow. The soul was in stasis, the heart beating but only because the Deryni Darius was working his magic to make it so. "Rescue from the depths of this ritual Hell is not enough," Wash said—someone would need to explain to him what this ritual was meant to accomplish and why, but there was no time now. "Time is critical." Blood, too much blood covered the bedding and Washburn locked his rapport with Darius, accepting part of the responsibility of keeping Airich's heart beating and blood flowing through the injured body, especially through the mind. Saving the body without the mind would be ruinous at this juncture. "Lord Darius, come down with me and show me first the wound and then the injury as you sense it."

Keeping his fingers deep in the wound, staunching the flow of blood that had caused this distress, Wash placed his other hand on Airich's chest. Lord Daruis, a Deryni of no small talent, placed his hand over Washburn's and shared in an instant all he had done in the last hours of the ritual. The Healer's fingers, originally trained to hold a sword in battle, now hold the gift of light. These fingers touched lacerated tissues, flesh torn from violent abuse, and skin torn from pulled threads of stitching. The body must have thrashed forcibly to have torn the skin in this way.

Don't question. Just Do, Wash tells himself. He fell back into trance like he had been in moments before. Only this time it was he, not his father's protective dragon who dove into the collection of rapport, witnessing the influence of Merasha, heartened that it no longer was strong enough to disrupt his own focus. Within this realm of the mind, Wash acknowledged his patient's brother, Father Trevor, who had faith as he offered energy. Wash met the stunned girl from his past, compassion pouring forth in the form of tears changing to flowers as she found hope. The Healer took their love and attached it to his own and took all of them down to the deeper level of trance where his Healer gift was found. They all came to the island where Airleas the dragon, the projection of his father's defense spell, leaned over the young knight laying on a bed of bell heather, Michaelmas daisies, comfrey, and hyacinth. The independent form of Uncle Seándry–whose presence Wash was incredibly curious about—knelt watching nearby, knowing his existence was dependent upon Airich's well being. Wash knelt beside them both, muttering, "I got you, stay with me, good friend." 

Airich's eyes opened and touched on the healer.  "Wash," he said, "You're dead too?" The words gurgled up from his throat and water dribbled from the corner of his mouth.

"I'm not dead, my friend, and neither are you. Airich, you need to breathe."

"Has my body stopped breathing?"

"Almost."

Airich made what looked like a half-hearted effort at taking a breath: it sounded like a weak wheeze. This was a man, Wash determined, who was close to death and hadn't decided yet if he wanted to fight to live or accept a death that no longer seemed so frightening as it did to a healthy man. 

Wash made the decision for him.

The healer didn't know if Airich's psychic body was causing fluid to fill his lungs, or if this psychic manifestation mirrored what his body was doing in the real world, but either way, the first need was to force the lungs to expel the water. He made sure Airich's mental and physical bodies were linked: no sense in healing the avatar if it didn't heal the physical presence as well.

With Darius's assistance, Wash rolled Airich on to his side. Reaching the level of Healer's trance came easier for Wash these days. When Darius reached the same depth, the Healer was pleased. Not many non-healers could attain the focus and share in the energies. Together they gave small mental nudges to move fluid out of air sacs where it obstructed the exchange of air. Airich coughed and gagged, expelling a great amount of water from his mouth; the fluid disappeared beneath the soft bed of flowers. Finally, though, he had room to breathe.

"Bring in air, more than that." Wash told his patient. The Healer forced the younger man's lungs to expand: using his powers, he sent wind in through Airich's nose and down into his lungs, expanding air sacs that had collapsed from the drowning. Airich made a face at the odd sensation, but when air filled his chest and he discovered he could breathe, he wasn't going to question the tactics.

The first hurdle toward living was resolved.

"Oh. Breathing," Airich murmured. "I barely remember what fresh air smelled like."

"You just keep concentrating on doing that," Wash encouraged him. "I'm going to work on this laceration."

Fingers deep in the wound, Wash touched where the steel of a blade had bitten deep. Four years of training had taught him the anatomy of the human body in minute detail. He knew what the tissue wanted to be, and he knew how to return it to that state. But some irregularities still slowed the process. Like a battle wound, it was not clean, and debris had to be lifted and removed before each tissue could be made whole.

The process, while in rapport, might appear slow, especially to anyone following the details of healing. In the real world, Wash knew the miracle of Healers was far faster to witness. He hoped Trevor and Amaryllis experienced the faster version, even if he, Airich, Darius, and Sean felt the full length of time and use of energy that Healing required. As for Collos, the Vezarie Lord had climbed up to sit upon the back of the great dragon Airleas. As rider, he smiled as the dragon gracefully spread his wings and lifted off the ever-growing island and flew in a low circular path, pushing the water and all evils further and further away.

Painstaking detail brought healing to the wound. But not completely so. Wash found isolated areas of infection that would not respond to his touch. He pulled them as superficial as he could and then refocused his gaze back to his companions. "Darius, I have isolated the infection. If I burn it out, it will only do more damage. We don't need that. Let us rely on a more mundane means of gently abolishing the infection with Talicil. Please apply it to both sides of the wound, front and back. As it takes effect, I will help Airich try to discover what is the true cause of the catastrophe."

((This is a wonderful culmination of Nezz and my efforts. Fun middle of several nights collaborations.  and thank you to our Game Master for allowing Wash to present his gift without the use of Dice rolls. or we might all be doomed.))

[Nezz]

Now the immediate danger had passed, Washburn insisted on knowing the history of Airich's illness from the beginning, starting with that original spell that had gone awry four years ago. Airich supplied the details with a deeper Rapport between the two of them and brought him up to the present. Washburn had to admit that this Ritual that Collos created was genius, and he appreciated the intricacies for incorporating Lord Derry's memories to bring Airich balance and control.

Yet something had gone wrong. Wash suspected that eliminating Sean's persona in its entirety would exacerbate the trouble. Sean's presence had been here for far too long, and was too deeply ensconced in Airich's mind.

Wash hid his concern that he had not been there for Airich months—nay, years ago. If he had only known. The cure now was not a removal of Sean but rather an incorporation, letting Sean remain to offer sage advice, like that little voice inside one's head that offers alternatives. Washburn had done the same thing with his father's spell. He looked up at Airleas flying free. Alaric was as much a part of Washburn now as it was possible for the man's spirit to be joined with his son. Washburn could do that for Airich.

Collos landed the dragon on the enlarging island. He smiled, pleased, as he agreed with Wash's prognosis and proposed solution. The master and healer started collaborating with Airich, building a pathway that could give Sean the space he needed to remain. Sean himself even offered a few helpful suggestions.

"I beg your pardon, Baron Washburn," Darius interrupted their efforts, "but the young lord's breathing has become liquid again."

Wash listened, and sure enough, he heard Airich's breath rattling in his lungs again. Which meant Wash didn't have time to gather his strength and figure this out slowly.

"If Airich is not recovering, then the path we are building is not the answer, or not the full answer. What started this?" Wash asked as they cleared Airich's lungs again and helped him breathe normally. "Something in the ritual caused it, do you know what it was?"

"Master Collos could tell you more about that," Darius responded. "I was not part of the inner circle of the ritual."

"I haven't had the opportunity to look into it yet," Master Collos said. "You must remember this happened mere moments before Sir Iain contacted you."

"I think I felt it happen," Airich offered.

"Oh? What did you feel?" Wash asked.

"I was just coming out of a set of memories when something started tugging at my head. It was mildly annoying, but I ignored it. Then it felt like something was ripped from inside my head, followed by a kind of a pop and a sudden release, and then the feeling was gone. The first quake happened right after that."

"That sounds very much like deep-rooted memories being removed," Collos commented. "I will have to investigate further to determine what went wrong."

"Where did you feel this ripping?" Wash asked the younger knight.

Airich touched the back of his head, at the base of his skull. "Right here. And even now, something doesn't feel quite right in there."

The function of breathing was run by the back of the brain near the spine, right where Airich had indicated. So the damage was not in the lungs after all, but in the brain. The Healer placed both hands on the young man's head and searched with his mind's eye for an answer.

"Khadasa, how did that happen?" Almost imperceptibly, a clot was building at the base of the brain. Pressing on nerves that controlled breathing. "Why didn't I catch this? Hold on, Airich," and the Healer gently touched sensitive brain tissue whose injury had caused this apoplexy. It would take all the energy he had to eliminate the damage. His own breathing became shallow as he went deeper into Healing trance, down to a level smaller than human sight. It was here that he found the building blocks of human matter and began working.

Bit by bit, the tissue knit together; drop by drop, the blood clot started to drain: the gift of the heavens worked its miracle. The damage was not great, but the precious tissue that had been damaged was delicate and needed minute, precise repair. Wearily, the healer did what was necessary, but exhaustion was blurring his mind. He didn't know how much longer he could keep this up without rest.

Somewhere in the distance, Wash gradually became aware of music wafting through the air around him. He paused, listening intently. The moment he started paying attention, he was able to identify the source of the music: Airich was singing quietly to himself. The melody was hauntingly familiar, and within seconds, Wash recalled the hymn and the words that accompanied it. Almost without thinking, the healer threw his voice in with Airich's, harmonizing with the melody almost effortlessly.

Behold!
Thou art my chosen child, My gift to man.
Before the daystar, long before thou wast in mother-womb,
thy soul was sealed to Me for all time out of mind.

And from the shore, a woman's soprano joined their voices, interweaving a complex countermelody.

With consecrated hands, make whole the broken,
with consecrated soul, reach out and give My peace.

Darius began to sing as well, a deep bass with resonating vibrations Wash could almost feel.

Here am I, Lord: All my talents at Thy feet I lay.
Here am I, Lord: Thou art the One Creator of all things.
Thou art the Omnipartite One who ruleth Light and Shade,
Giver of Life and Gift of Life Thyself.
Here am I, Lord: all my being sealed unto Thy will.
Here am I, Lord: sealed unto Thy service, girt with strength to save or slay.
Guide and guard Thy servant, Lord, from all temptation,
that honor may be spotless and my gift unstained.

The hymn was no spell, but Wash felt refreshed. His mind was clear. He knew exactly what more needed to be done to Heal Airich completely and efficiently.

And he was not at all surprised when he felt the elderly hands join him in the Healer's trance.

((So very many thanks to Laurna for helping me get through the Healing stuff, which almost had me throwing my hands up in despair. Could not have done it without her.))

[Laurna]

The sea was draining, and as it did so, the island grew. Wash put out his hand to help Airich to his feet. "And how do you feel now, Sir Knight?" Wash asked.

"I feel much more normal now, Lord Healer," Airich said, tilting his head to stretch his neck. "Everything seems to have been repaired to its natural state." He would have said more, but a woman flung herself into his arms, a woman wearing a purple dress that was soaked from hem to bodice. With the way the two clung to each other, there could be no question of their attachment, even had Wash not felt it during the deep Rapport. She hadn't even waited for the water to finish receding before she'd crossed over to the island to reassure herself that Airich was alive.

Appreciation of the young lady's presence lit Washburn's eyes. He had known her once as Ellia and though she had greeted him with recognition when he had first joined in this ritual rapport, her eyes were not for him: all her attention was upon his young friend. Wash was not jealous in the least; he was, in fact, pleased, and his smile showed that as he turned away, giving the two of them a moment to themselves. 

There had been a time or two when he had wondered what had become of her. In those darkest hours of his life, when he would have welcomed a cold, lonely death, she had been his light. Had he been able to rescue her as she had saved him, he would have. Heaven knew she deserved better than that foul guard Otis, who had claimed her as his own. Months later, after the war, he had sought her out, but she had already gone. Time later than that, his oldest brother Brendan had returned to him his tournament ring, which Lord Jaxom had purchased from a merchant trader. It seemed a young girl had sold the ring to the trader, doing as Washburn had bid her to do when he had placed the two rings that had been his only possessions into her hand. Had she sold the other ring too, he'd wondered. Wash had sent Kevin to search for her in Meara, but Kevin had found no sign of her. Back then, Washburn had satisfied himself that Ellia had found her way out of de Chantel's manor and out of Meara, and had made for herself a new life. It was good, without guilt, he too had made himself a new life with the loving woman whom he'd met weeks after his one night with Ellia. Lady Fiona graciously now shared his name.

Curiosity tickled his mind... there must be a story here. How had Ellia—now going by the name of Amy—come to Grecotha? How wonderful it was that Sir Airich had found her. A story to be sure, for these two were as close as lovers, and Father Trevor, looking on, did not seem startled by this closeness in the least. Wash stepped closer to Trevor to hear his tale, but he stayed his inquiry as Collos and Darius stepped up beside him.

The mind-world around them was shifting. They watched the water fall away to a mere shallow pond and the landscape reform itself, becoming a flower-strewn meadowland. Only a small earthen bulwark blocked the remaining pond from flowing out into the meadow.

"If you can excuse me, Master," Darius bowed to Collos, "I'll return now to the physical world to make sure Sir Airich remains stable."

"I should probably leave as well," Wash said. "I have people waiting for me." And a king who I pray will not have me sent to the stocks for disobedience.

"Bide a while yet, Baron Washburn," Collos said. "I hoped you might offer further assistance since I have lost one member of our company."

"Lord Collos, I find myself pleased, yet concerned with your attention to the youngest son of Lord Derry. I can see that you have saved his life; if not for that one failed instant, I know you would have given him the cure he needed. But I must ask if your intentions are pure. You are not intending to sell Airich to the highest bidder, are you?"

"Baron Washburn, I am aware that you may never forgive me. I had hoped to have proven to you, beyond a doubt, that my intentions toward you were always for your health and well-being."

Washburn laughed. "Your methods are sometimes questionable, and your motivations do not always align with my loyalties. But in this, I thank you for putting great effort into saving Sir Airich. And if you do not mind, I would be pleased to join with you and fulfill the last part of this ritual to see it come to a close. We have just a little more to go to allow Sean to remain in the mind of his son. I recommend that no more memories be removed. Good or bad, what is left behind the bulwark must be integrated."

"I concur," Collos replied.

[Bynw]

Sensing the Wards in place at the small safe-house he enters the larger through a concealed and magically protected door. Before emerging from the walls he senses the presence of several humans and a Deryni within the safe-house.

Using the magic of obfuscation he is able to emerge unseen and make his way through the rooms. In the common room he recognizes the occupants as the Bishop's investigators.

He decides to leave the way he came and reenter in a more conventional way through the main door.

[Nezz]

The babe wails lustily, his cries heard out in the hallway. He might be a week or two early, but his lungs are obviously fully developed.

Sean Lord Derry does not wait for the midwife to come to him; he and Celsie have been through this too many times to stand on tradition. He waits at the door of the bedroom just long enough for the midwife to finish with the afterbirth and for her assistant to clean the infant before he comes to Celsie and sits at the side of the bed.

"A son, my lord." The midwife hands the swaddled baby to his father, who handles the child with the expertise of a man no longer afraid of newborns. The baby yells angrily at his father, demanding to be put back in his warm and dark home. His eyes are deep blue, and his hair stands up straight instead of forming little whorls around his head.

"Cels, he's beautiful."

"He is," Celsie agrees. She is exhausted, for her body isn't as young as it once was, but the smile she gives Derry says that every minute was worth it.

Derry smiles at his youngest son. "May he receive the same love that he and his mother have given to me this day."

"Are we still settled on his name?" Celsie asks him. "After your grandfather?"

Derry holds up his son to the light to get a better look at him. The babe stops screaming and looks at Derry, and then looks through Derry, as if he wanted to tell his father about the secrets of the universe but doesn't have the words, and so he starts squalling again.

"Yes," Derry says. "His name is Airich Michael."

***

Airich looked up from the empty bowl. "That was the memory," he said. "That was the one I went looking for all those years ago."

"I know," Sean said, looking pleased with himself. "That's why I saved it for last. The day I received one of the most miraculous gifts ever."

With Sean stood Amy, Trevor, Collos, and Washburn. None of them had any more bowls for Airich. The pond was empty.

He looked up at Master Collos. "Now what?"

"Now? Now the rest of us return to our bodies. You will remain here, and rest. Darius will give you dreamless slumber as you continue to heal."

"I thought I was healed,"

"Not entirely," Wash said. "I'm afraid I skipped some of the parts that weren't life-threatening. You may find a certain amount of discomfort from that dagger wound, but I expect it won't be so great that you can't ease the pain yourself. And it will leave a scar, sorry about that. Plus you're still down quite a bit of blood, so you'll want to take it easy for a few days."

"Very well," Airich said. "I will see you when I wake."

#

Darius is pleased to see his master and the others return from their ritual trance. The priest turns to the task of giving respect and thanks to each of the quarters for their protection, putting each candle out as he does so. Darius' patient sleeps peacefully, and with a word from Master Collos, Darius brings his slumber even deeper.

It has been a productive afternoon and Darius is pleased. He goes to the smaller room at the suggestion of his master, and finds that sleep for himself comes quickly.

[Bynw]

Lord Thane makes his way around the block to the front of the rowhouses. His cloak sheltering him from the rain. He knocks on the door to the house, 2 doors down from the one Washburn entered.

[Bynw]

In small safehouse

Collos turns to Washburn. "Thank you for coming. Because of you Lord Airich will survive this day. And I must thank you again for helping with Malcolm earlier. He is invaluable in the heart of the Custodes. There is much yet to learn from his appointment there."

"You have questions Wash. They are all over your face, burning to get out. We are here because of the Custodes. We learned that they were going to destroy the city. We came to stop it if we could. Too much Deryni history here to have it lost forever. We are making headway."

"It was by chance that Darius discovered Airich after he was attacked. I was out of the city at the time. He was the one that Saw the state of the young lord's mind and called me to help him. And he needed the help having unintegrated memories of another for over 4 years. It was a wonder he wasn't driven mad."

[Marc_du_Temple]

[Revanne and I worked together to write this ]

Not long ago, in the larger safehouse

Edwin woke from his nap still feeling tired and more irritable than before he had slept. His restless sleep had been full of changing scenes in all of which he was yelling at Airich. In his dreams he had felt the satisfaction of self-righteous rage but once he woke he knew that this anger was the product of the false memories. He thought he understood now something of what had troubled Airich. He supposed that someone had played tricks on Airich's mind, much worse than they had on his and that is why the man had wanted nothing to do with being Deryni. And all I did was make things worse for him by behaving like a spoilt brat. And maybe now he's dying and I won't ever get to apologise. Edwin sat and brooded on that thought for a bit when an even less appealing one occurred to him. And if he lives I'll have to grovel and hope that his lordship wakes up in a good mood.

What he wanted above all was to go to the Dean's house and confirm with his own ears that he really had been there. Instead he sat here waiting while more important people did more important things. God, I really do sound like a spoilt brat! He made a valiant effort to grow up, at least inside his own head, and muttered a prayer for those working to save Airich.

Unknown to Edwin, Elspeth had woken and had been watching him for several minutes. She could not quite discern from his expression what was going on in his head but some distraction was clearly in order if they were not to endure a storm cloud within the room as well as outside. She remembered that when she had taken the blankets out of the chest in the corner of the room there had been some bits and pieces lying underneath them. At the time, wanting just to get them settled, she had taken little notice. Now she lifted the lid, reached within, and was rewarded with a tattered but serviceable Cardounet board and pieces. She set them ready on the table, then turned to Edwin and asked pleasantly "Come on lad, would you do me the favour of seeing if I can beat you?"

Edwin recognised this for the distraction it was but finding, somewhat to his surprise, that he relished the challenge, unwound himself from his blanket, got to his feet and, smiling, joined her at the table.


Bede considered whether he could make a wager with himself as to who was most likely to win, but deciding that he could not afford to lose even to himself, sat there twiddling his thumbs. If it were not the second time it had happened today, he would have questioned his sanity when a shadowy man appeared seemingly out of nowhere, this time walking quietly but without a bit of wariness through the common room. The man quickly scanned the room while Bede made sure not to meet his gaze, before continuing on his shimmering way.  Bede wasted no time before rising to his feet, only bothering to hold a finger to his lips for his friends' benefit as he left.

He crept after the intruder, clutching his accoutrements so they would not rattle as he walked, including the sword at his left and the bow at his back. His footsteps were light and careful, brushing the floor instead of coming down upon it in his boots. He held his breath as the phantom man stopped in front of a seemingly ordinary and plain wall, then stifled any expression of surprise when the intruder pushed the wall inward and strutted into the dank corridor. As quickly as the man marched in, the door shut behind him, becoming imperceptible to human eyes once again. But Bede had seen enough.

The Archer hurried back into the common room. "I regret to interrupt ye, but we were just spied upon, by a Deryni, most like. Shadowy fellow came and went, but na through a window and na through the front door. There's more to this apartment than I found when I first looked." Then there was a knock on the door, and Bede dashed to the window that would give him the best view of the stranger. He was wet, like how a hound may be wet, and colored much the same, standing expectantly in the rain.

Elspeth and Edwin rose, inclined to open the door if not for the agitation of their guard. Elspeth nodded to him and mouthed the word "careful". Slowly, Bede opened the window's shutters and put one leg over the sill, but at that point, the man turned towards him, perhaps clued in by the sound of the shutters creaking or the vagabond moving too quickly. Salvaging the moment, Bede quickly completed his climb outside and then stood straight, gripping The Knight's sword in its sheath while saying, "I was worried ye'd come and go without saying hello."

((Bede Resists 3d6 4 + 5 + 6))
((Bede Sneaks 3d6 2 + 5 + 4))
((Bede Vigilance 3d6 5 + 2 + 4))
((Bede Sneak 3d6 2 + 2 + 4))

[Bynw]

The man looks surprised but raises his hands up and not reaching for a weapon. "I mean you no harm Bede Archer. You and your companions are sworn to the service of the Bishop, investigating Willimites. Can we go inside out of the rain?" he gestures to the door.

"I am called Thane. And we both have the same goal. Preventing the destruction of this city."

[Marc_du_Temple]

Bede relaxed and strode forth, extending his hand in friendship. "That is a tremendous relief. I apologize for any scare, Mister Thane. Although ye gave us quite a bewildering fright inside, too."

Amiably, Thane chuckled while they shook hands. "Perhaps we both thought the other to be intruders."

Then Elspeth opened the door. "Enough time in the blasted rain, men," she urged them inside.

[Bynw]

Once inside while Thane is warming himself at the hearth he begins to talk with the others. At first just small talk. He himself is from Llannedd, from a noble family there. But as he dries his conversation shifts.

"How is your history," he asks without waiting for an answer from the others. "In the days following the Haldane Restoration and the death of King Cinhil, the Human Regents began their purge of all things related to the Deryni people."

"The Michaeline Order was high on the list and they had to flee the Kingdom. To fill that void, the Humans created the Custodes. The Guardians of the Faith. This militant priesthood and knights saw to the destruction of the Deryni. The rise of the Statues of Ramos. And all manner of evils against anyone of Deryni blood.

"By the time Cinhil's grandchild ascended to the throne the Custodes were officially disbanded and it's members joined into other religious orders. Their power broken and the evils forgotten.

"But this was not what really happened. The Custodes continued in the shadows. Secretly manipulating both Church and Crown in Gwynedd for the last 200 odd years.

"They were the ones that maintained the supply of merasha tainted wine for ordination of priests. To root out any Deryni that would attempt to become a priest. Even those that didn't know that they were Deryni.

"The southern bishop, Oliver de Nore, knew of the shadowed order, and feared them. But used their influence to become Archbishop of Valoret and Primate of all Gwynedd in the process. And they liked him since he hated the Deryni so much.

"Monsignor Lawrence Gorony, was actually a Custodes bishop. He not only influenced Oliver de Nore, but also his successor, Edmund Loris.

"The Willamites are opportunists. Some may have half baked grudges against a Deryni, but most are in it for the power, the coin, or to cause fear in others.

"They are the pawns and foot soldiers of the Custodes.

"It is the Custodes that have a pretender King waiting to overthrow Kelson. And to re-establish the Statutes of Ramos. It is the Custodes that are the real danger to this city. They are the ones who are planning to burn it to the ground.

"But we have a chance to stop them. I have learned who they are and where they are. This gives us an opportunity to stop them head on before they can burn the city. I will give all the details once Master Collos and the others behind the Ward join us."

[Laurna]

"I am grateful for your efforts to save this young man." Washburn said with sincerity to Collos. "I consider him a friend. From this day going forth, he and I will see our friendship grow. And Collos, I think you and I will also have better understanding in working with one another. Did you know that it was Airich who first learned of the imminent danger to Grecotha, and had it brought to the king's attention? He also initiated removing important documents in the possibility that the worst may come to pass. I believe your additional warnings concerning the Custodies. The king can not disregard the danger that is culminating here. Whatever headway against this threat that you can make will not go unnoticed. I will make certain of that. I will also push for a quick response from the crown to assist here. Our mutual enemy shall bring an interesting alliance between us," Washburn mused.

"Most interesting." Collos agreed.

"Have you noticed how our responsibilities has changed us both, Collos." The tall Healer looked upon Collos Feyd with fresh insight. The man in the profession of assassination has progressed to a humanitarian cause.  Oh Yes, Wash had so many unanswered questions.

Of course, on the sly, there was a chance this was all a facade for that revenge Feyd had quested to achieve four years back. There was also a chance that Washburn was being manipulated – his own need for responsibility made him promise to himself to get a professional opinion from Uncle Duncan before he went before his king– but Wash was fairly certain neither of these were what sparked this working relations between him and Collos.  He believed truth was spoken when Collos stated his concern to protect Deryni and Deryni history. A just cause to be sure. A cause that the Morgan family work tirelessly to protect. The difference he considered between himself and Collos, were his loyalties to his king, his kingdom and to all the innocent people who live in these lands. Including the rights of humans who did not have defense against Deryni powers. Deryni had a huge responsibility to refrain from abusing the powers they welded. Yet humans also had to refrain from abusing their power of destruction over what they feared. As Healer, Wash was vowed to do no one harm. A commitment that extended to Deryni and Humans alike.  If only he could convince others to abide a similar vow. Sadly, the warrior in him knew how difficult a task it will be to bring his own ideals about.

"I suspect we will have future discourse between Gwynedd and your order, Lord Collos. I would be interested in taking part in those talks.  For now, Lord Iain shall remain our respected go between. You know that without his assurances today, I might have balked when I first arrived in this room. I am pleased that my fears were unfounded."

"I consider us in partnership in these harsh times," Collos stated.

"I will concur," Wash said, putting his hand forward. This time, unlike weeks before, Washburn initiated the handshake, Collos did not hesitate. Perhaps they were forming a trust that both men could work forward from. "Know that I do have to report all of this to King Kelson and explain my actions. I shall hope he does not forbid me from returning to Rhemuth as he did before." Wash said with jest in his voice.

Master Collos snorted a near laugh, but refused to take the bait. "I would like to meet this king of yours," he said causally.

"That would be an occasion to witness."

Collos nodded in agreement. Washburn hid his concern. There was still much about this man's motives that he did not understand. So many questions yet to be answered. No time for them now.

Master Collos turned to the others, he waved his hand in a circle over his head and announced, "The ward around this room will remain. All within are safe here, but each of you now has permission to leave and return as you wish.  I suspect all of us need rest after the work we have done. Consider this a safe harbor if it is needed.

"Baron Washburn, Father Trevor, may I escort you to a portal?"

"If I might stay a while longer," Trevor requested. "I would see that my brother is fully recovered. And it is my task to see him escorted to the king when he is ready. Wash, I know you must go, and I know you must report what you have seen. But I also know that my brother desires to make his own admission for what he has done directly to the king. Please allow him that opportunity."

Wash nods. "I'm in so deep from the actions I have allowed myself to become involved in that I find your requested of this little-bit-more will not dig me in deeper. I regret none of this." Morgan nodded to Trevor. "When Airich awakes, tell him that I am proud to call him friend. And I will respond immediately, next time, if he needs me again. Have him keep using the Talicil. What is left of the wound should heal quickly. And tell him I will stand behind him when he enters Rhemuth. I will await for you both there."

"From my heart, I thank you." Trevor too shook Washburn's hand. Both men appreciating the outcome.

"Let me check the streets," Collos said, as he ducked out of the warded space and opened the door beyond.

It was that moment, which Ellia–no Amy, he must remember her as now–jumped up and curtsied low before Washburn. "My lord, I can never thank you enough, for arriving when you did. If you had not, Airich would have died."

"My lady, don't think I have forgotten what you did for me. This I did for Airich. For you– I am still in your debt–my lady. Ask what you will of me, and I will see it done."

"I..." Amy looked around, Collos had gone, but Father Trevor was still in the room with them but occupied with his sleeping brother; did she dare say what she needed to say? "I have something very personal that I need to tell you." she whispered. "Something that few others know."

Wash looked down into the lavender eyes as they searched his face. She found her courage when she meet his eyes. Without fear, she said, "My lord, you have a son."

"Aye, I am married and my son will be born at Yuletide. May the Lord in his grace bring both mother and child through so that I may cherish a family for the rest of my days."

But Amy was smiling as she stood up before him.  And he choked back startlement as she lifted a chain from under her gown's neckline; she held up the Lendour signet ring that he had given her so many years ago. "He is healthy and brawn. He is three years old, my lord." She gathered her considerable fortitude, not yet knowing how he would react. "It is right that you should know, for I now realize he is fully Deryni, and he will need more training and protection than he currently has. If you take him from me that is your right, but I would ask of you to allow me to protect him, and to allow Sir Airich to protect him as he has offered of his love for me to do so."

Washburn Morgan stood silent as he took in all that she said. "I have a son?" the words fumbled from his lips. "Oh, my lady, I did not know! It never occurred to me, in the state I was in, that... I... My lady, are you well? Is the child here in Grecotha?"

"No!" she said instantly, "far from here, and far safer than we are. And yes, thank-you, now I will be well! For my happiness is tied with him." A smile of devotion passed her lips as she looked back at the sleeping form of the youngest O'Flynn. "What, I fear, is that my secret might be discovered and news of it might spread. I need my son back at my side. Will you allow me to become mother to our child and not take him further away from me?"

"I would never take a child from his mother," Wash said aghast.

Amy saw through the ward that Lord Collos was returning, "I fear for him," she said, Wash saw, as he started to form Rapport with her, a little green squirrel dash across her mind, her eyes darting from Collos back to Wash. The chance of Rapport was gone, "Not now,"  she turned away.

Wash understood. "Come to Rhemuth with Airich, and we will talk more of this."  Then she had turned and was back on her knees, her hands holding Airich's hand to her face, stifling her tears.

Collos passed through the ward, "the streets are clear, your men are waiting for you." he said to Wash. Wash sucked all his emotions down deep into his heart. "Thank you." He nodded to Collos and walked out of the room, taking every effort he had to not look back as he did so.

In the street, he was greeted with the concerned looks on Kevin and Jamyl's faces. "Get me back to Saint Willbrord's church and portal safely, my friends. I have much to confess to my Archbishop and my King."

[Jerusha]

Thursday afternoon
University Housing quarter
Grecotha

"You're damn right you will tell me as we go. What have you been doing that was more important than reporting for duty?" Phillip's voice was sharp, and the rain did nothing to dilute his anger.

"But I was on duty!"  Jimmy made his voice sound peeved. "I was trying to find Sir Airich."

Phillip snorted. "A waste of a guardsman's time, as far as I am concerned."

Now Jimmy sounded shocked. "You know that Jasper and his followers were arrested for his attempted murder. Well, except for the one found dead.  Have you questioned them?"

"Nay, I have left that to others. Besides, they are saying it was self-defense now. And you stabbed Jasper Cobern through the hand!"

"That's not exactly what happened. Jasper tried to grab my sword and instead ran his own hand down the length of the blade. All I did was hold the blade steady."

"Don't get cute with me, Taylor!"

"I would never," Jimmy said humbly. "But it could not have been self-defense. Jasper's cronies felled Sir Airich from behind, and Jasper ran him through with his dagger. He impaled him to the ground and left him to rot in a slow death from suppuration. That ain't self-defence, that's vengeance!"

"Where's the proof, other than your outlandish suspicions about people being murderers?"

"Sir Airich's word will provide the truth," Jimmy replied, watching closely to see how Phillip reacted.

"If what you say is true, the man's dead by now!" Phillip remembered the conversation with Father Jacob, Marcus, and de Guerra. It was de Guerra who had demanded the investigators be gotten rid of and by any means necessary. Jasper was de Guerra's man.

"But he's not; he's alive and recovering." Jimmy crossed himself. "Sir Airich O'Flynn was found, very near death, by a battle surgeon. One as skilled as you once were. He and Mistress Elspeth saved him. He'll soon be able to recount the events himself. And he'll be believed," Jimmy could not resist adding.
 
"Take me to him. I'll question him myself."

"Can't," Jimmy replied. "It would take too long, and I have to report to the bishop." Let Phillip assume Airich was some distance away. 

"Very well.  See to it that you return immediately to the barracks when you have finished." Without saying anything more, Phillip turned and strode away.

Sir Iain Cameron watched and wondered who the Purple Guardsman would be reporting to.

[Bynw]

Philip will indeed report the matter. But not to any superior within the Purple Guard or the Bishop's household. No, Philip will report the matter to his Willamite friends. And there, de Guerra confirms the attack against Sir Airich by Jasper and his friends.

De Guerra will have Philip attend to his duty as a leader in the Purple Guard. To get Jasper and the others to confess their crimes. To not implicate de Guerra in them. Not hard as there are witnesses to the fact of the matter that prove de Guerra is innocent and not involved in the attack on the young Deryni lord.

Jasper and his surviving men will face the Justice of the Bishop himself or be handed over to the appointed magistrates for sentencing. All will be expelled from the University and lose their status and privileges of being a student. One or two of them will lose their lives and be hanged within the week. The rest, as expelled students, will be forced to leave Grecotha.

[Nezz]

Late Thursday afternoon
Collos' small safe house
Grecotha

Trevor watched Amy as she returned to Airich's bedside. Despite her tears, she looked happy and relieved. He could feel that she was also exhausted and near collapse. Trevor himself was fatigued as well, but he was accustomed to intense magic rituals; Amy was not.

He could banish her weakness for her, but honestly, he saw no good reason to do so: Airich was sleeping peacefully, safe behind powerful wards, and would continue to do so until morning. It was a good time for Amy to do the same.

"Amy." Trevor got her attention as it looked like she was falling asleep where she sat. "You should go with Collos to the other house."

"I'm not leaving Airich," she declared.

"I'll remain here. You can't stay awake and at his side every moment of the day," he said. "You need to rest, especially after that ritual. Airich isn't going anywhere, and I expect he'd prefer to see you awake and refreshed when he wakes up in the morning, rather than worn out and groggy."

Amy looked about to argue more, so Trevor added, "And Elspeth will be worried for the both of you. You should probably give her a report about what you've been doing and on Airich's progress."

That did it. Amy's duty to Elspeth was probably the only thing that would override her need to remain with Airich. And once Elspeth saw Amy, he could count on the infirmarian to make sure Amy rested before returning here.

"Very well," Amy said. She placed a gentle kiss upon Airich's brow, then stood. "Master Collos, would you let me in to your other safehouse where my friends are? I should like to take a short rest while Airich sleeps."

"Of course, my dear," Collos answered. "For there is also much I need for you and your fellow investigators to know." He put his arm out for her, and together they exited the safehouse, entrusting Trevor and the wards to safeguard the sleeping men within.