Forgotten Shadows

[Bynw]

A pair of monks in hooded robes enter the chapel through a side door. They stop and knell before the alter and give thanks in prayer. Once they rise they turn towards Washburn and close the distance between.

One drops the hood shows an unfamiliar face. The other, drops his hood and the face is all too familiar for Washburn. It conjures up memories of 4 years past. From the time he was abducted in Rhemuth until he was given over to Valerian. The face of Feyd is well imprinted on Washburn's memories.

"You came with more than two. A violation of our agreement. But nothing I wouldn't have done if the roles were reversed. It is good to see you again my friend." Feyd says with his ever present smile.

"My companion is Father Malcom. An ordained priest and Deryni like ourselves."

"Congratulations on your coming child. But we are pressed for time. Small talk can be had at another date if we are to be gone before the monks here awake."

"I'm sure you know about the Willimite attacks on the Deryni across Gwynedd? They are being spurred on by the Custodes. An order of the Gwynedd Church that was officially disbanded centuries ago but actually continues in secret. That order was infamous for keeping the Deryni out of the priesthood. They handled the merasha laced wine used for ordaining to detect Deryni."

"And this is why we are here today. Meeting with you."

"Our Order has tried to infiltrate the Custodes on several occasions in past but they always find those who are Deryni. And a Human just wont do. We need a Deryni on the inside of the Custodes otherwise we are always hours to days late working against them."

"They crowned a King of Gwynedd in Exile yesterday. But we have no idea who he is at this point."

"So I have come to the one man in all the Eleven Kingdoms who can help us. And that is you Wash. Will you help us?"

[Laurna]

"Lord Feyd. It is not the violation of our agreement of two persons that you deem it is. Since marriage makes Man and Wife one entity. You may consider us one. Or at least two halves of one. Baroness Fiona MacIntire Morgan, may I introduce to you Collos Feyd d'Chameaux of Vezarie. Feyd by the name most familiar to myself. But I suspect that you two have already met by another name."

Ever the strength behind the man, Fiona gave a slight curtsey to the person who requested this meeting. "We have met before. Though your appearance is much changed. Good to see you again, Father Paulos."  Wash let slip a smile. He himself had not seen Father Paulos with his own awakened eyes. But he was fully versed on the events in the far away town of Windenburg. "I love you Fiona" he yelled behind his tight shields where no one could hear him.

"My second, whom you acknowledge upon arrival, is Keven McLain. And I know you know a king's man when you see one. Unless things have seriously changed, I believe you have an understanding with Earl Iain Camoreon that King Kelson is out of your jurisdiction in this game you play."

Washburn watched the eyes of the man in front of him and wondered for the first time if he had enough standing in the Kingdom of Gwynedd to finally be on equal footing with the man standing before him. Those eyes were still unnerving. Experience had taught Wash some semblance of how Feyd played his deals, and also how broken deals were dangerously repaid. So it was all in the negotiations from the outset.

"I see that you have not found another who could do this Blocking of Powers." No response was as good as an affirmation. "Now I must ask if you have finally grown out of your need to subjugate me into obedience and hold me prisoner to your will and needs at any given moment. I assure you, I will never be a part of your Order. I saw your invitation at the ancient dried-up water well In Windenburg, and I declined it.  I still do decline." Wash waited happy in this moment that Feyd could not read his mind.  Now to dealing.

"It seems you need my ability, I have talked to my king, and I am allowed to offer you some services. I hope we can come to an agreement that does not require me to break my vows to my kingdom or my wife." Again only Feyd watched him with cold eyes. But that little glare actually gave Wash a little more solid ground to stand on.

"Since you have come to me it appears that you are willing to deal as well. Information has always been your coin and it is good to learn these little gossips and not so little troubles. The Willimites crowning their own King of Gwynedd in Exile could be of Important to the health of the kingdom-- Truly that is pure insanity.-- But... it is knowledge that can be traded for and my king will be most interested in the details you can supply. But I must temper what I am willing to trade for it." Washburn stood taller much taller than the man before him. At least with my shields closed, I can not feel his strong magical Aura Wash mussed to himself.

"Know that I require more from you than just a few key gossips. If I am going to do this thing you request, which is strictly set in moral codes." and Wash seriously looked Father Malcom up and down. "I need assurances that it is I who decide if my gift is to be bestowed and it is I who need to determine when it is to be unbestowed."

Even Father Malcom seemed to suddenly take exception to that.

"I assure you I do not take this gift lightly. And I do not trade it lightly.  I will not give it to you to behead your enemies. That is not what it is for. But if I make a deal with you, on a one-by-one per situation. I give you my full word of honor that I will reverse what I have done, but sometimes it might be at my convenience and not yours.   And I require your full word of honor that you will not threaten, harm, blackmail, or poison any of my family, my loved ones, my king, or myself to subvert the deal originally made between us. And so long as you do not threaten myself or my loved ones, I will refrain from giving you my gift, directly. As much as I wanted to share it with you in the past. I will let the past stay in the past."

"On all these things can we agree?" There was a long pause and Fiona squeezed his arm showing her own agreement. Now what about the Master of the Black Order of Death?  "Are you ready to settle on a single situation that we have in front of us at this hour?"

[Bynw]

"You came with an armed escort. But like I said I would have done the same if the roles were reversed so it's a moot point anyway. It is just myself and Father Malcom."

"The Order would do well having you as one of it's members and you would go far indeed within it. But that choice is yours and yours alone. I have no desire to force you to do anything against your will."

"I believe I addresses the reasons for what happened previously between us. If things could have worked differently I would have welcomed that path but sometimes we are forced to take a path we do not wish to take."

"As for your King Kelson. I have nothing against him personally. And we do have an agreement when it comes to him. I would not like to see a usurper take his crown. No matter how legitimate they make it out to be. Kelson is the rightful King of Gwynedd."

"The Order wishes to infiltrate the Custodes. We have found this to be a difficult task as our Deryni spies are eventually detected and executed. The Custodes are strictly a Human organization. Hell bent on destroying the Deryni."

"We wish to destroy the Custodes. And we need someone on the inside in order to know their plans in a timely manner."

"Father Malcom has graciously volunteered for this assignment. We want 2 things from you."

Feyd pauses for a moment before he continues. "The first is that you block him. And the second is that I am to be linked with you during the procedure. With assurances that you do not block me. And there are no tampering from either of us with one another. You will be in full control of the link between us. I just want to See it happen. To feel what you feel, nothing more."

"It is a lot to ask given our history. But we will be able to get Father Malcom into the Custodes once his Deryniness is undetectable. And in return. We will give over what we find to either yourself or to Lord Iain. I am sure King Kelson would welcome such information before things get worse."

"And the Custodes certainly are planning on making things worse for Kelson and every other Deryni in or out of Gwynedd."

"I assure you no harm will come to you or your family. And we fully accept the condition that you will restore Father Malcom when it is convenient for you to do so, even if that makes it difficult for him for a time."

[Laurna]

"Your second term is off the table. That point is unconditional. If you have a problem with that, then good day to you, sir."

Washburn pulled Fiona's arm closer into the crook of his elbow on his far side away from his adversary. And he took steps to walk away, nodding to Kevin to keep a stern eye on his nemesis. 

[Bynw]

"I see that you do not trust me. I understand completely. You do not wish to link with me at all." He sighs. "It is regrettable. But the first term is the only term that is chiseled into stone. Father Malcom must be blocked and you are the only known Deryni to be able to do it."

"May I be in Rapport with Father Malcom as a concession since you and I cannot be linked? Rest assured you will be able to sense my presence in his mind and you would know instantly if I were to try anything."

"You have my word that I will not. This is as binding as the confessional and as a sovereign oath. This is a contract between you and I. And the Order takes it's contacts very seriously. Even I cannot revoke the terms of a sworn contract."

[Laurna]

Washburn knew there was truth in Feyd's words without having to Truth-read those words himself. The Master of his Order was striking a deal and if Wash took that deal then neither of them dared to break it. And in a way that was more assuring to Wash than any other explanation of troubled times for Deryni and the Order's concerns about them. Wash knew that once he took this deal it was a lifetime commitment. It meant that he would be the source of blocking persons of Feyd's choosing from now until someone else was discovered to have this gift. Of course he was reserving the right to refuse certain people that Feyd might bring before him. But he had better have good cause to refuse them. This is where King Kelson's intelligence would be crucial for him. Without that backing Wash would never have the nerve to make any such agreement with this man. Thankfully, the men of the Tre-Arilan castle were very good at what they did and Iain Cameron, a master spy, was a very close reliable relation, being his wife's cousin whom Wash could count on to keep him advised on the current affairs of the kingdom.

Wash did not yet turn back to look at Feyd or Father Malcom; instead he looked at Kevin who was but a step in front of him. He opened his eyes as if to ask Tell my your opinion.

Kevin, unconcerned that Feyd heard every word, said "I have been truth-reading Master Collos Feyd, and he is being as forthcoming and truthful in this matter as he can be. That aside, there is not much more that I can read from him. His aura is complex and quite unyielding. Now that I am meeting the man, I can fully understand your reservations.  He appears to be everything you have said he is in the past and currently in the present. But I do believe that he will hold this bargain once made. But how often your one-on-one situational event will happen is impossible to tell."

Washburn then looked at his wife, her lovely face showed her concern.

Fiona grasped her husband's hand tightly as she gazed into his eyes. "I understand the need to stop the Custodes from attacking and killing innocent Deryni, and if this is the only way it can be accomplished, I support you. I am afraid that when you drop your shields to perform the blocking, you will be vulnerable to harm."

"My dear, I'm sure—"

"Therefore," Fiona put her finger to Wash's lips, "I insist that I also be in the link to protect you and prevent any unexpected attempts by Feyd or anyone else to try to enter the link or cause trouble. I do believe that Feyd will keep his bargain. I do not agree that Feyd should have unlimited access to the power. There needs to be limits for the safety of all involved."

Fiona grasped his hands. "I am also concerned that Father Malcom will somehow be discovered and forced to reveal your role in this. If the Custodes were to find out, they would surely try to kill you. Protection from revealing this memory needs to be made for both your sake. And I do not mean a Death mind-trap set on the father here; I have seen that and I will have NO part to play in that for myself or my husband." She said this last directly to Feyd.

Wash was so proud of his wife, That protective lynx-cat trait in her was stronger than ever. He took these concerns into his consideration.  Slowly he turned back to look Feyd square in the eye.

"My wife raises a valid point, I trust you will remove this certain memory of our meeting tonight from Father Malcom until such time as his powers are returned." Feyd gave a nod, even the priest gave a nod, and Wash knew well that Feyd was a master at memory concealment so he was assured they would attend to that point.  "I will not put a number on the times that you may ask this gift from me, for there may be events when several people may need it at one time. But I will request that you are judicious in putting forth this request to me for those moments of most importance. And again, I reserve the right to use my own judgment."  Wash looked at Feyd to see if this little added portion could be amended to the deal now forming.

"I am certain that this will be quite rare. And very limited."

"Very well then," Wash nodded in agreement.  "Just remember that my loved ones and I are protected by this deal, and that includes my children, if ever I have a Healing child who may receive this gift from myself and from God. Is that Understood?"

"As long as that same child holds the same honor and moral code that goes with this talent," Feyd declared. "You are a man of honor and there is much trust bestowed upon you by your king, your fellows, and myself. If ever a child with your talent is found to not hold this same honor, then I would consider it a break from this agreement. Are we clear on this?"

Wash took in a deep breath, he had much responsibility to raise his children properly, even more so than the average lord of the kingdom. Wash looked at Fiona and grasped her hand, her belly was only just showing, but she too knew the responsibility that they shared and she squeezed his hand back in agreement.
 
"Very well, I will take your vow and give you mine." Vows were made, not quite in the normal way, hands did not touch but eye contact was strong. It was enough for them both.

After a long silence when they knew that time was running short before the morning service of Prime, Wash turned to the most immediate task. "As for today, I will accept that you may link with Father Malcom and I will link with M'lady Fiona. And Sir Kevin will look on protecting us all from outer trouble and call upon the abbot and my captain if trouble does descend. But not until then."

"Father Malcom, please step forward, and tell me that you are cognizant of what is being asked  of you, and that you are a willing participant and not being coerced into this act. Once you are without your natural protections you may feel disorientation and have trouble coping. Being human is not an easy task. The blocking itself is painless, but after, I will give you a few minutes to compose yourself at which time you may request from me to be returned to your normal state. And I will do so.Feyd will have to find another willing recipient. I never want to be accused of doing harm, I am a Healer first, a knight of the realm second, and then a person with Blocking Power. The Healer is the strongest part of my center."

Malcolm nodded his agreement, knowing what was to come. "I am fully aware of the outcome. I request having my Deryniness blocked so that I may enter the Custodies without concern of Merasha exposure. I thank you for giving me the time to become oriented, but I assure you it will not be necessary, I have taken the drug that you were once given and I know the effects that it has on my powers."

Wash looked up at Feyd abruptly, unwillingly grimaced at his own memory. Some things were very hard to lay behind and leave in the past. Feyd could easily see that this was still the cause of the hard line between them. But Feyd did not respond.

Wash then gestured to the candle rack and placed coins for himself and Fiona in the offering box and he indicated that Feyd and Father Malcom should follow in kind.  Then he and Fiona stepped up to the statue of Saint Jorian, they lit their candles and placed them at the saint's feet. They genuflected, side by side, bowed their heads, and waited. The two in monks robes followed and did the same. When all four were kneeling, Father Malcom said a prayer, his voice far stronger than Wash believed his would have been if in the same position. Then all four persons crossed themselves and looked up.
 
Fiona scooted over to kneel just behind her husband, and she placed one hand on the back of his neck beneath his hair. Wash saw that Feyd followed suit, yet he placed both hands on the back of Father Malcom's head.

Wash hid his smile and wished Feyd good luck in trying to follow this. Wash had shown this procedure to enough people to know that none of them appeared to grasp what was happening. It truly seemed that if you were not born with this rare ability that understanding it was impossible.  But then, Wash never wanted to underestimate the master of the Black Order of Death.

Wash took a deep breath and found his Healing center. He had done this before without going that deeply internal, but he decided for this demonstration it would be better to appear that such a state was necessary. He placed one hand over Father Malcom's eyes. "As you know what is about to happen, I will ask that you willingly open your shields to me. Our rapport need not be that deep, but it does help to reduce the shock you will feel at the moment that it happens. If your shields bound back up, then I will take that as you are not a willing participant."

"My shields are down and they will stay down," the priest said. Wash knew that any man working for Feyd would indeed have this level of control.

It was a major Trust that Wash had to extend to Feyd that the master was not going to leap across the link with his priest to slam his own controls over Wash the moment Wash opened his shields. Fiona was there for that uncertain event. Fiona was strong after her years of training, but in a duel of strength, Wash did not wish his mind to be the battleground. "I will make this concise, but it will be fast." Wash said aloud, and then he deftly lowered his own shields, letting rapport flow from himself to Fiona and then back to Father Malcom. The strong presence of Feyd was a hard taste he had to let his mind ignore.

Malcom, let us go a little deeper so you can know that I do not hold any animosity toward you and that this thing that I do, I do for your protection and that I will undo when it is requested of me.

All four in the link closed inward into closer awareness. Wash took but a moment to find the trigger point. He even waited a minute for Feyd to try and catch up. Then he touched it and the change was so abrupt that Malcom would have cried out if not for the deep rapport. ((Washburn performs blocking. This roll is to see if Wash can do it without Feyd truly understanding what is done.  3d6= 6 + 2 + 5 ))

Washburn backed out very quickly after that, allowing Feyd to be the one to help Father Malcom recover. Fiona gave her husband a very reassuring, You are safe, my love before she backed out too. And then Wash was raising his shields to firmness once more.
 
"I will come to Arx Fidei Seminary, south of Valoret, as I think that will be closer to where you will be, if and when you request me to undo what I have done," Wash said. "I have a certain faith in working before the eyes of Saint Jorian and that location is as good as here for our next meeting.  Any information that you can pass along to my king, it would be best to contact Earl Iain rather than myself. He has a better understanding of these things that you will learn than I have time to deal with."

((I wish to thank DeryniFanK for joining me with Lady Fiona in this. and for Bynw in adding a bit if Feyd.  and Nezz for some much needed suggestions.))

[Bynw]

Feyd, after seeing to Father Malcom, who is still a bit shaken from losing his Deryniness, turns to Washburn. "Thank you for coming. You may have helped us to save every Deryni still left in Gwynedd."

He offers his hand to Wash.

[Laurna]

A handshake was as old as ancient Rum and adopted by the Byzantyuns as a ritual gesture of good faith when making an oath or a promise. In olden times, it represented bare hands, without weapons, bearing no ill will toward one another. Even the up-and down motion of a handshake was symbolic of dislodging daggers that might be hidden in the sleeve. A truly human expression of proof that their word was their sacred bond.

For Deryni a handshake was of far deeper trust. For their weapon was not metal but the mind that could so easily slide across the link in the grasp of the hand. Wash in particular was not one to often extend his hand in a handshake. He knew the fear in the eyes of those who knew his rare talent, most of these people's fears were from ignorance. Most assumed he could not truly use his talent in that benign appearing moment of the handshake.  But Washburn knew differently. His experience had proven that a simple handshake was all he needed to find the trigger point, and because of this, he almost never shook a person's hand.  Healing was a different trust altogether when touch was essential to bring health back to a person. The song of the Healers was a vow to do no harm. That vow was now a very strong part of Washburn's soul. Friends who knew him well never questioned the hand grasp or arm grasp, but Feyd? He was showing a trust and a securing of their vows in a gesture that Wash had not expected.

Very well, If he has the courage for this, then how dare I not rise up to the same courage.

With a strength of will that Wash had not shown in four years. He extended his bare hand forward, he suppressed the instant feeling of a knife jetting forward and slicing his hand from his wrist; a one handed Healer would be a destruction of his internal balance. But he mussed to himself,  I do not need two hands to Block a Deryni's Power.

Washburn Alaric Morgan grasped Collos Feyd d'Chameaux  hand with a distinct firmness and gave it one shake. Both their eyes looked up from their hands and met straight on. Their agreement was sealed. 

[Bynw]

"Until we meet again." Feyd had said as he released Wash's hand. And then the two Deryni raised their hoods and become mere monks again. Stopping before the Alter and kneeling in silent prayer as monks ought to do. Then they departed through the side door that the entered from earlier. Leaving no trace of their passing within the chapel save for the memories that Wash and his campions have of them.

[Marc_du_Temple]

((Written with a little guidance from the whole gang!))

The bells of Grecotha Cathedral chimed Lauds, and Bede rose accordingly, wearing yesterday's clothes instead of a blanket. The blanket that came with the cot was draped over Mistress Elspeth, dozing over some parchment he could not understand at the desk in her room. With a wince, he reflected that the ground had often been gentler to him than the cot, and yet it still seemed improper for him to try and move her like a child to the cot and take her place in the chair as a guard should. The blanket was a compromise. He cleared his throat, gently stirring her from her well-earned slumber. "Good morning, Mistress Elspeth."

"Morning, Bede," she yawned behind disheveled chestnut hair. "What time is it?"

"Dawn on Sunday," he answered as he rolled off of the cot and onto his feet, absently scratching his stubble. "I reckon we can all catch the earliest mass if we get moving promptly."

She shook her head slowly. "I need more ..." she was too tired to say rest. "... you go ahead and find the others if they're able. I'll try for a later service."

He bowed his understanding, collected the last of his effects, and swept out like a dignitary. It took him a little thinking, but he recalled the way back to the boarding house, where he and Edwin were rooming together once again. He was less gentle with awakening the scholar, simply striding into the room and beginning to shave with a mirror. ((Bede tries to hold his breath 2d6 3 + 2)) Edwin said something, but Bede could not hear him, for he had then stuck his face in a washing basin and was holding himself under for a grand total of five seconds. "What did you say?" he gasped when he surfaced.

Edwin stood there in his nightshirt looking sulky, annoyed that Bede was showing as more devout than himself. He knew that he was being unreasonable but that just made him crosser. "You could have woken me earlier. You've got a nerve supposing I don't want to come to Mass."

"I would not keep ye from it intentionally," Bede apologized. I'm not your manservant, you weaning pup, he thought. "I am ashamed to ask, but would ye have something for the smell I can borrow on short notice? There's no time for a bath."

Having said his piece, Edwin felt kinder now. He groped amongst his things until he produced a hollow pewter bauble with a fastening red ribbon. "Take this until you come back," he instructed the man, who sniffed it and was repelled as well as awed.

"This must be why the room smells so nice, eh?" Bede marveled as he fastened it to his belt. "What is it called?"

"A pomander," answered Edwin. "Where were you all night long, anyway?"

"With Elspeth," Bede answered as he strode back out of the room. Edwin did not like that answer one bit, but he assured himself he might mean nothing by it. He did not, of course.

Bede's next destination was Airich's room. Completely soundless except for his knocking, but of all of his new allies, he was most confident in the impassioned knight's ability to handle himself, so he moved on to Amy and Elspeth's room, hoping to find the former. "Mistress Amy?"

She opened the door, dressed smartly in flowering shades of purple, with a thin lavender veil draping her raven hair, now tied back. She seemed quite refreshed after the stress of the last several days, perhaps by the consolation of Sunday. "Hello, Bede," she nodded. "How may I help you?"

"Mistress Amy," he bowed with less bravado than usual. "Today you are like something found in a stained glass."

She almost smiled. "It is better when you are honest.... Did you need something?"

He narrowed his eyes and tried to seem unphased. A cogent stab at my character, yet is she dazed? "I simply have been making a round to collect our little band for mass, yet you are the only one I find ready for it. May I walk you to the cathedral?" She did not stop him from following, at any rate. On the way to the cathedral proper, he made a few attempts at idle talk, about the weather, the city, the investigation, yet with each attempt she seemed further withdrawn. It is as Muirea said, he thought. I have dug a moat between myself and this lass. Normally I would laugh and run, but it's not pleasant to be stuck at the scene of the crime. Yet I find it easier to confess to God than to a woman, no matter the content of the confession.

He did not believe she could read his thoughts, yet she asked him, "Do you hope Muirea will be there?"

"Aye," but he could hardly think of a rationalization in the haze she had transmitted to his mind. He thanked God when they finally reached the doors of the cathedral and went over his knowledge of sanctuary law in his head to move on, little knowing that Amy had other things to think about beyond his transgressions.

He ensured that Amy was safely and comfortably seated in the sanctuary before scanning in search of a priest. ((Bede looks for(Perception) a priest 2d6 5 + 2))His search took him throughout the first floor, wandering from section to section. He finally found Airich, quietly praying in a chapel, and Bede was relieved to see somebody at peace. Then his search continued, until he found himself confronted by another familiar face, unhappy to see his. But he would do, and so Bede bowed and addressed him with respect. "Brother Phillip?"

The churchman nodded. "Bede Archer. You are shaved and washed? What for?"

"I have heard it said that physical impurity is unsightly, in God's eyes. This is the best I can do. Could you shrive me, Father?"

There was a contemplative hesitation on Phillip's lips, but he ultimately said, "Come, child," and motioned for Bede to follow him into the confessional.

There, with a contrite sigh, Bede began on his knees. "Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been a month since my last confession." Phillip remained silent, so Bede continued. "I have lived a life of rebellion and provocation. I do not regret all of it, but more than enough. I took up arms against the king in the war. I saw the lord of Ratharkin beheaded and I laughed, although it troubled my heart. I dinna care for murder, father, but I worry I am guilty of that. I believe I have my virtues, but they are hardly why anyone comes here, no?"

"They do not come here to recount old sins either, son," Phillip pointed out. "Most of those things I am already aware of, and they happened more than a month ago, did they not?"

"Ah, you wish for me to return to the murder. I was not Bede Archer for many years. One time when I was running for my life, I was taken in by a troupe of entertainers, and then I became Spotted John, playing off of my hideous injuries earned around the end of the war. But I longed for a new chapter in Carbury, and so I said my farewells and made towards the abbey to pray for a clean slate with an old nun who once saved my life. On the way over, I was roughly taken by sailors in need of a new pair of arms on their deck. They mistook a jester for a fool, and I managed to cut my way away from the harbor with everything but my rags retained. Yet their first mate blocked my path, and so I pierced him good, with finality, and without so much as a warning, and continued to flee until somehow I wound up here.

"Personally, I see it as murder to shoot a man in the back without considering what else may be done. The church knows many of my sins, as you say, but not this one. I felt it was pertinent before they believe I have done the duty earning the ... pardon you have promised. I seek God's forgiveness and from you, Father, counsel, penance and absolution."

They sat in silence for so long that Bede began to wonder if he was free to go, or if Phillip had insolently fallen asleep. He flinched when the priest finally spoke. "Where are these injuries, son? Who gave them to you?"

"A member of the Haldane Archer Corps, scourging the woods of rebels who did not accept the surrender. These archers were good. Better than me, even," he said, suddenly burning with wounded pride. "The scars are all over my body, wherever a shirt would hide them. Please, do not make me show them to you."

"I will not. Do they hurt?"

"Sometimes."

"And you are now on a quest for the power to heal."

Bede shook his head. "No, it's the Carbury women that seek that. I just need some coin and direction back home."

"Home," Phillip mused. "I've always thought that to be a nebulous concept, myself."

"A what?"

"Something hard to define, and changing. I do not believe it is a coincidence that you have found yourself amongst these people. Perhaps God took you off of the path to the abbey that night."

Bede was befuddled. "So He put the first mate in my path?"

"It may be, but He did not make you shoot him. It's the way with these things. It was a test, and your failure has led you here. Your wounds may be sometimes self-inflicted, but you already suffer, and seek redemption." Father Philip unexpectedly smiled, "You are now headed in the right direction and I would not turn you off that path, but remember that an incomplete list of virtues is not enough for any man."

Then he stood and making the sign of the cross said gravely,
"Ego te absolvo in nomine Patris, Filii et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.
Go in peace my son, and pray for me who am also a sinner."

[revanne]

Edwin resisted the urge to get back into bed after Bede had left. He was still feeling annoyed, but with himself rather than the archer. Yesterday he had felt an adult, on equal terms with the others in their group, proud of his skill at providing protection. This morning, even to himself, he had sounded like a whiney brat. It was no one's responsibility but his own to get himself to church.

He dressed quickly but neatly, there was still time to get to Mass. It occurred to him to wonder why Bede had been in such a hurry; it was always possible to join with other last-minute worshippers and slip unnoticed into the back of the nave. As he left the house the Cathedral bells were still ringing their call to worship, and the service was only just beginning as he entered the building.

He dutifully stood and knelt with the other worshippers, managing to cudgel his thoughts appropriately for at least some of the time. He was somewhat surprised not to see Bede here towards the back of the nave where the less devout tended to congregate. He even wondered whether Bede had come to worship at all. As the time for Communion drew near, Edwin remained on his knees, he knew that though it was only a few days since he had been confessed by Canon Damian, his thoughts this morning showed how far from a state of grace he was.

He heard the quiet sound of those who did go forward for the sacrament, and in an effort to focus his thoughts he raised his head and looked towards the altar. He was startled to see Bede amongst them; even more startling was the look of serenity on the man's face as he returned from receiving Communion. He realised Bede must have been to confession and felt ashamed of his arrogant judgements of the man. Maybe it was time to try to get to know him.

[Jerusha]

As Elspeth watched Bede depart, she realized she still had mixed feelings about him.  He had conducted himself well these past few days, yet Amy remained convinced there was something he was not telling them.  Something he talked around without ever revealing the truth.  Espeth stood, folded the blanket and laid it on the cot.  He had given it to her with a gallant bow the night before, slightly overdone.  And very typical. 

A novice entered the infirmary carrying a bowl of steaming broth.  Elspeth pulled up her hood as he approached the door to the inner room where Robert lay.  "For the patient, Mistress," he said with lowered eyes. "I'm here to feed him."

"Thank you," Elspeth replied and held her hands out for the bowl.  "I was going to check on him anyway, so I can feed him as well."

The novice gave her a perplexed look, but handed her the bowl.  "As you wish, Mistress," he said and made a hasty retreat.

Hopefully God won't mind a small lie on a Sunday,  she thought.  Sleep was calling her urgently, but she would rather not leave Robert alone with the novice.  She had no way of knowing if it was the same novice she had seen in the library.  I am being over cautious, she chided herself. 

Robert awakened as she entered the small room.   His color was much improved, and he fidgeted himself into a semi-sitting position against the pillow.

"Careful," Elspeth said gently.  She set down the bowl and helped him to sit the rest of the way up.  Robert gave her a grateful smile.

Elspeth smiled back, and the boy's smile widened.   "Let me have a look at your hand while the broth cools a bit."  Her examination was brief but thorough.  "You are making good progress."  She sat in the chair beside him and began feeding him the broth. "You are going to want something more substantial than this very soon, I think."

"Very much so, Mistress!" he replied quickly.  In between spoonfuls of broth, he asked quietly, "Will I be able to use my hand once it heals?"

"I cannot promise you that," Elspeth replied, setting the now empty bowl down and taking his good hand in both of hers.  "But there is a good chance you will, if you are willing to give it time.  Once the bones are healed, you will need to do exercises with the hand to regain as much mobility and strength as you can.  You are young and have a good chance at recovery."  Elspeth was careful not to say complete recovery.  "Try not to spend your time worrying about it," she added.  "Concentrate on getting better, a little bit each day."

"Thank you, Mistress," Robert said fervently.

"You are welcome."  Elspeth released his hand and retrieved the bowl.  "If you need anything, there is a monk here to assist you until I return."  She smiled at him again and took her leave.

***

After two hours of deep sleep at the boarding house, Elspeth felt better.  After a warm bath and fresh clothes, she felt much better. She gathered her and Amy's wax tablets  and was feeling positively lighthearted as she entered the common room to find Edwin, Bede and Amy seated at the table, a trencher with bread and cheese, mostly eaten, set before them.

"Good morning Mistress/Elspeth," they all said at once.

"We saved you some," Amy said, looking at Bede and Edwin. "It was a close call, though."

"Why am I not surprised?  And none left for Airich when I'm through," Elspeth quipped.  Edwin, would you be willing to write a letter for me, plus make two copies of the talicil formula?  I want to send one copy of the formula with the letter to my stepfather for safekeeping. I need to explain our delay in returning, in general terms without great detail, and make sure he is willing to extend his original agreement with Bede."

"And a letter for me?" Bede quickly asked.

"Certainly," Edwin replied, rising to retrieve his satchel, which was never far out of his sight.

"I will pay you, of course," Elspeth said as Edwin laid out parchment, pen and ink.  "And for Bede's as well, since he is still in my employ.  Whatever the customary rate is will be fine."

"No, no," Edwin replied, shaking his head.  "I could not accept it.  Not after all that you have done for a fellow student."

"Nonsense,"  Elspeth said firmly.  "That would not be right or fair.  And goodness only knows how long Bede's letter will be," she added.

"Not fair!" Bede interjected, and Amy grinned.

((Dice roll for haggling:  Edwin  2d6 2+2=4.  No success for Edwin))

"I absolutely will not take payment!"

((Dice roll for Elspeth for haggling:  1+2=3.  Oops.  Well at least they are evenly matched!))

"And I absolutely insist you must!"  Elspeth was beginning to feel her earlier peace of mind fade.  "Other scribes will not thank you if it becomes known you will work for free!"

"Perhaps you can compromise," Amy said reasonably before either of the two might become angry.  "Edwin can charge half the rate, and you both come away having gained something."

Elspeth might have continued to haggle, but she wanted to get the letter done in time to attend Mass.  Edwin could copy the formula without her.

"Very well, if that is acceptable to you, Edwin," she finally said.

Edwin nodded his agreement.  "I think it is fair enough."  He picked up his pen and straightened the first sheet of parchment on the table.  "Shall we begin?"

[revanne]

Once again this is a joint effort, with thanks to all the gang, especially Laurna and, of course, Katherine for her beautiful Healers' song.

Elspeth finished dictating her letter for Edwin and Edwin gave it a final flourish. Then showed it to her. She was quite pleased to see he wrote with a perfectly stylized hand of fine craftsmanship; and ne'er  an error. Elspeth gladly put her name to the bottom of it.  Then she pointed to the two Talicil tablets which he nodded he would take care of as soon as Bede's letter was complete. With that duty delegated, she turned to Amy who had been curiously watching the entire time.  Elspeth gave her the first smile that Amy had seen that day. "What is the message from the celebrant of mass today?"
"Sorry that I did not hear most of it," Amy admitted with guilt. "but I did catch something about honesty and the lord's love of all men. I wish more people took it to heart."

"Maybe your inner turmoil should have listened better," Elspeth said with a touch to Amy's hand, "You want to go listen to it again with me?"
For a minute Amy was tempted, Airich might still be there. But no, he had asked for privacy, she would let him fight his inner demons and then see how he managed tonight. "No, but let Bede escort you there. I do not think you should be walking the streets alone."

"None of us should," Elspeth agreed.  Soon, Bede was done dictating his letter and then he was escorting her out the door.

With all the letter writing going on, Amy considered sending a letter to her half-sister. What could she really say? That she had discovered something about their family that had not been shared? Why had it been hidden? Speaking of things that were hidden... Could she inquire about the twins and see how they were growing? Three years old, they were.  If only...? No she did not dare. Better to not write that letter and let it be. For now.

"Mistress Amy?" It seemed that this was not the first time that Edwin had called her, but it was the first time that she heard him. "Can you help me with this? There is a word on this tablet spelled this way. And on this tablet it is an entirely different word. Which should I use?"

Amy leaned over the table and looked at both tablets. "Oh dear me, what was I thinking?  Definitely not that word.  Use the one from Elspeth's tablet." She laughed at her own homonym. "I will never be a scribe such as yourself," she said with a hearty laugh.

She sat at the chair next to him watching his lovely calligraphy.  "Being Deryni, and knowing it all your life, do you feel different from others? I mean I didn't know I was, so I didn't know I was different. You see, the second-sight is not that special in the Culdi Highlands."

"I am from Culdi, ye kenned that, aye?" Edwin smiled at her, realizing she was a border lass. "My family did not consider it a privilege to be Deryni. They did not hide it quite the way my great grandparents did, but we certainly do not flaunt the knowledge to our neighbours."

"I don't understand," Amy said. "I thought that only the nobility were Deryni. It seems the only people I ever heard of being Deryni are high nobles. How can there be Deryni families like your own, and apparently mine, that are merchants and common folk? If you have that kind of power that Deryni control, then how can they not use it to their own advantage. I need to know this, so that it does not take advantage of me. What is the secret?" And Why is Airich fighting this battle by himself without his family supporting him? She wanted to scream.

Edwin felt honoured that this lass who had seemed so calm and competent should be asking him for his opinion though he was far from sure that he could answer her.

"I can only speak for my own kin," he began hesitantly, "but I'll make a guess that there are many other folk with similar stories. During the bad years when it was death to be Deryni then I'm thinking that those with more wealth and position, the nobility and gentry, had maybe more ways of escape, could flee abroad or at least send their wealth to safety for when better times came. And when it was safe to do so they could come out into the open, and they are the ones you speak of. But other folk, those that survived, that is, many didn't, went into hiding and tried to forget that they ever had anything that made them different. They lived like everyone else, I guess, just trying to get along as best they could, doing nothing to draw attention to themselves."

He stopped and excused himself "Sorry, I'm rambling. I've never really thought of this before, shall I shut up now?."

To his surprise Amy smiled at him and said, "No, sometimes it's easier to think things out loud. Please, carry on."

"Well, I think it was easier for us border folk, to hide Deryni gifts as Second Sight and be safer that way. My father says that's all that being Deryni is, 'a fancy name for the gifts that the Good Lord gave to border folk', though whether he really believes that or it was what was taught to him I don't know. And maybe some folk, like yours, really did forget who they truly were, and others, like mine, made it of no account. Either way it was a way of keeping safe and keeping your head down. Power and money make enemies, and Deryni don't need those, God knows."

Edwin could not suppress a shudder at the thought of the enemies who were within the very gates of Grecotha and Amy, catching his thought, was silent too for a moment before saying.

"That all makes sense but you haven't answered my other question; how can Deryni stop from using this power, to gain advantage and control over others?"

"Well, many did use their power wrongly," replied Edwin somberly. "My great-grandsire on my father's side was one who fell foul of one of the most evil, Wencit of Torenth. He was killed alongside our good Duke Jared, may God rest all their murdered souls." His face hardened as the often-told horror rose again in his throat with the raw grief unsoftened by the passing of the years. Then he got a grip of himself and said more evenly, "But there are others who see things very differently. Those who believe that their gifts come from God and they will be answerable to him for their use or misuse.

"Have you ever come across the ancient hymn that the old healers used to sing? I had to copy it out once and it stuck in my mind somehow. We came across a fragment of it the other day, Airich and I, and I found the whole thing in the library and copied it out." Edwin looked a bit sheepish, as though caught out in something soft and foolish.

"I'm no healer, God knows, brawling not healing has been more my style, but something in this spoke to me. Maybe it will answer you better than I can, how understanding that our powers are gifts can help protect us from becoming monsters." Edwin reached in his satchel and pulled forth a parchment folded precisely in thirds, tied with a green ribbon like a personal letter. He laid it open on the table and bid her to sit close to him to read it along with him. As he sang the words in a soft flowing voice, Amy sat enchanted reading with him.  And when he got to the"Here am I, Lord" on the second chorus she began to harmonize her voice with his. This was heart reaching and soul fulfilling. The song touched her spirit.

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 honour may be spotless and my gift unstained.

[Marc_du_Temple]

The bells had but recently rang Sext when Bede returned with Muirea following closely. Amy, her head still ringing with the healing hymn that she had sung with Edwin, could not help but think they were up to something or looked like they could be at a moment's notice. Yet despite their frequent and strange association, she was fond of the woman. They had much in common, even beyond their means of earning their keep. She even hoped that the lass would approach her table in the common area so they might reconnect, but instead, she walked to a solitary table in the corner and Bede gently pulled out a chair for her. With a heavy nod shaded by Muirea's dark red locks, he was the one to begin a lead-footed approach toward Amy's table.

"Mistress Amy," he doffed his cap slowly. "May I sit?"

"You may." She subtly gestured towards the newcomer. "What brings her here?"

"Respectfully, I dinna think you'd believe me if I told you."

Understanding crept over her, and she gave her laconic riposte. "Not yet."

With a wincing sigh, he began to tell her the truth. He could see that Amy was more attentive and accepting as she heard the real story.  "I must have struck you as odd when we first met, but tell me, would you have trusted a painted fool accused of murder? Because that night in The Broken Mast, that is what I truly was."

He's not lying? "If he could explain himself."

He blinked stupidly, no longer used to the sight of understanding in unfamiliar faces, before he found himself and continued.

She asked questions as she needed to. "It rang true when you said a Torenthi Deryni killed your father. Sort of."

"I blame Valerian for exploiting the grievances of Talacara, my home. Along with the trust of our fair Sidana. He's why my father, Ulrich Archer, did not survive the war, and I know Valerian was Deryni, at least."

"But you're working with us to save Deryni? Would you do that even if there was no pardon for your crimes?"

"It sweetens the deal, aye, but I owe the Deryni a care or two." She understood that was not much of an answer. But he held no general grudge. Far from it.

She motioned him to continue but stopped him again shortly after. "A 'loyalist for the Haldanes'," she repeated skeptically.

"A complicated topic. We Archers of Talacara proudly marched alongside Kelson as part of the Haldane Archer Corps in the first repression of Loris, Warin de Grey, and their Coroth upstarts." He snarled like something was putrid. "To think they would treat their own duke with such disdain. Disgrace. Then we were there for the dash to the land by Cardosa, witnessing all of the horrors there, and Kelson's mercy for the Torenthi who glutted themselves on the murder of his allies. He got a crown, and we got blisters in our boots. Years later, Talacara Archers were torn between the corps and Prince Ithel's demands. When it was done and our fathers were offered the chance of renewed oaths, we could only remember those in our family who had ill luck in the decimation, so even the loyal ones quit to the homeland, the "protectorate," and that ended our service to higher causes than our necks. So when Sidana sang her song of independence and glory, what did we care who was pulling the strings? How shortsighted we were. It seems no matter who we fight for, we have a habit of witnessing the ruthlessness of mighty men when we are not meting it out ourselves."

"We'll have to agree to disagree on the viciousness of the king," she said. "Prince Ithel was no saint. In my hometown, he was a defiler of our nunnery." She paused as his face changed suddenly, his eyes widening in bewildered shock and his sunned face turning back to white. Then she continued. "King Kelson's justice was ruthless back then, so even my father has said, but not without cause. I thought the king had been merciful to the Mearans after. Even your young Sidana, the king has let live, though the rumors run high about just where she is now."

He furrowed his brow, considering arguing what is worth fighting for with this politically astute lass. Then he shook his head. "I dinna need you to take up the banner of the dancing bear. I just need you to know who I am, where I'm from, and where I've been."

"I can appreciate better now who you are than I could before. So, can I bet that you have never been farther into Torenth than the bordering mountains, have you?" she wagered. When he smiled, she felt satisfied with his confession. She gestured toward Muirea in the corner. "Your home is Talacara, just as is her home?"

"I have known Muirea since I was a child," Bede admitted truthfully.

"Now I understand how much she means to you." Before he could cause a reaction in her senses by splitting hairs and reminding her who gave him his earring, she continued, "Could you ask her over, please? I like her company myself, and we could use some more capable help in this work."

Bede stood, stepped over to Muirea, and whispered in her ear. Then his hand was helping her rise and he was pulling out a chair for her to sit across from Amy. Amy did not have to ask about any friendship between the two Talacarans, it was plain to see. "Mistress Muirea, I don't think you saw me more than a patron, the other day at the tavern. That was my fault for overstepping my position as Mistress Elspeth's helper. We are no longer just travelers and circumstances are getting more serious. Yet can I ask you one thing before we go further? Have you read this flier?" She pulled out the one that Bede had found in the streets. "How do you feel about Deryni? I imagine there were not too many Deryni in Talacara?"

"Why would you imagine that?" Muirea chuckled, reading the flyer as she went. "We have our share of strange folks, but you do have more, yeah. If I ever knew one, they never gave me reason to mistrust them." Bede nodded, agreeing with her assessment of the candidates for Deryni back home and here. She handed Amy back the flyer, just stopping herself from crumpling it and stomping it. "This is sordid, miss."

"I too have a confession," Amy said with a very open expression. "It seems I am Deryni. I hope that does not frighten you.  But I assure you I am really nothing more than a tavern wench, just as you are. I have worked as both a housemaid and a barmaid for several years."

"Bede says you are now working at the Drunkin Parchment.  Edwin told us that is where the most prominent students drink during any hour not occupied by study. Do you think you could help me get a job there too? I know something about service and how no one thinks twice about talking around barmaids. The two of us could protect each other and with luck, we might learn a thing or two about who supports these people"--she pointed to the flier– "and who does not."

"Yeah," Muirea said readily, the gears already turning behind her cunning eyes, and her face turning in greater respect for her fellow professional. "My thoughts exactly." She had come not only to support Bede, but to get involved herself.

[Laurna]

Elspeth returned to the boarding house with Canon Damian as her escort a little later in the day.  She and the canon had been in the infirmary to visit Robert,  talking with and examining the boy. Both she and the Canon were pleased with the student's positive demeanor and improved health, and Canon Damian officially turned the boy's recuperation over to the monks who normally ran the infirmary.

No sooner had the canon departed the common room to return to his Sunday duties, than Amy pounced upon Elspeth. "Speth, tell me, where is Sir Airich? Did you see him still within the Cathedral? Why did he not escort you back?" 

Amy's mentor saw her friend's tension and wondered if she had missed something important while caring for Robert. "I saw him in a side chapel praying; he seemed at peace. I decided it was best not to disturb him. Is there some reason to be concerned, something that I am unaware of?"

"No! No!" Amy exclaimed far too hastily. "I, I  just....  Never-mind." Amy was suddenly very exasperated with herself. "If he returns before we do, please tell him.... No, just make sure he has dinner to eat. Please, for me!"

"Of course... But where are you going?"

"Oh, well you see, I decided we might need a little more money, and Muirea said she could get me a job working at that student pub a few streets away. It seemed like the perfect solution. We would be working together. Watching each other's backs and Bede could escort us back and forth. And if I learn a little something about all the troubles here at the university then all the better to help out in our investigations. Don't you think that is a great idea?"

The look on Elspeth's face showed that she thought a score of things but not that. But she dared not say this to Amy. Instead she nodded without saying a thing, then within a minute later she had cornered  Bede and was giving him explicit orders that he was in charge of both girls' well-being and she would tan his hide if anything happened. He seemed to take her threats very seriously.

"The pub is not open very late on Sunday's, only long enough for students to get an evening meal.  If Amy gets the position, then I promise we will be back in time to say good night to everyone. If she doesn't get it then we will be back sooner." Bede vowed.

"I will be sitting up, waiting," was Elspeth's solemn reply.