«And it cannot be for any good purpose», Vivienne agreed.
«It seems to me», said Khoren, speaking for the first time, «that it might behoove us to neutralize this particular threat before it can become more focused».
«I tend to agree», Vivienne said. «Even his continued existence represents a grave danger to the king».
«If you are saying what I think I am hearing», Barrett said softly, «that is a cold assessment».
«Cold or not, let me make it perfectly clear, then», Vivienne replied. «If he is found again in the king’s vicinity, I say take him out — before it is too late!»
It was Rhydon who was designated to spearhead the effort, for his prior acquaintance with the renegade Deyrni was most likely to give him access. They had reckoned it most probable that Pomeroy would make his move at the coronation, at the earliest, the exact date of which now depended upon the election of a new Archbishop of Valoret. Even then, he might not show — it was possible that his intentions had been misinterpreted — but they could not take that chance.
Accordingly, while Rhydon went on the hunt, confident that he could carry out his mission — or at least set it up — those members of the Council also having legitimate reason to stay close to the king’s household did so, in those days and weeks following Twelfth Night Court. Rhydon, in particular, made certain to keep in touch with his Deryni contacts at the borders; but of Zachris Pomeroy there was no sign for many weeks.
Meanwhile, the Gwynedd Curia ground through their deliberations regarding who should succeed to the See of Valoret. Competition was spirited, for the office carried considerable secular power in addition to being the highest ecclesiastical office in the land. Archbishop Desmond presided over the deliberations, being senior in rank, though he could not have been said to be neutral in his outlook. Other serious candidates for the office were several, and evaluated as much by their hard line against Deryni as their spiritual soundness and administrative ability. Of the fifteen bishops attending, perhaps three could be considered as serious contenders.
At the top of the list was Desmond MacCartney himself, Archbishop of Rhemuth for the past four years and its auxiliary bishop for several years before that. O’Beirne of Dhassa might have been a good choice, but at sixty-five and in failing health, he was perhaps too old. Paul Tollendal, the energetic Bishop of Marbury, seemed a far better choice, at fifty-two, with a solid reputation as a bulwark against Deryni incursions from the east, and already fifteen years’ experience in his episcopate.
Also in the running, at least on paper, was Cosmo Murray, the aged Bishop of Nyford, whose adamant stance against Deryni was echoed in his far younger auxiliary, Oliver de Nore. But at seventy-four, Murray was adjudged too old, and de Nore too young at forty-five. Sadly, the assessment regarding Murray proved correct before the synod even settled down to serious deliberations, for the old man passed away during one of the sessions, simply nodding off and falling off his bench.
Bishop Murray’s death occasioned a recess of several days to see to his funeral obsequies, after which Oliver de Nore was confirmed to the See of Nyford by acclamation before leaving for Nyford to bury his predecessor, which really could not be delayed. It also took de Nore out of the running for the slot in Valoret, having just been elected to Nyford — an event that gave several royal observers cause for relief.
The deliberations ground on, with balloting finally narrowing to two candidates: Paul Tollendal and Desmond MacCartney. In the end, perhaps it was Archbishop Desmond’s relatively shorter tenure in Rhemuth that became the deciding factor for many of the delegates — hardly ten years a bishop, against Tollendal’s fifteen. On the second day of March, in the year 1096, the Curia of Gwynedd elected Bishop Paul Tollendal of Marbury to be Archbishop of Valoret and Primate of All Gwynedd. For his successor in Marbury, the curia chose the itinerant Bishop Fisken Cromarty.
Word was sent to Rhemuth at once by fast courier, that Archbishop Paul’s elevation and enthronement would take place in Valoret’s All Saints’ Cathedral in five days’ time, to allow clergy from the surrounding areas to attend. The curia and archbishop-elect also recommended that the king’s coronation date be set for the twenty-fourth of March. On hearing this news, the new king announced his intention to ride at once for Valoret to see the new archbishop installed. It was not a popular decision.
«I like it not, Sire», said Seisyll Arilan, speaking in council the morning the news arrived. «Your coronation is but three weeks away, and if you go to Valoret first, that will leave hardly a fortnight for final preparations when you return».
Brion rolled his eyes like the teenaged boy he still was, even though a king, and schooled his response to the tone and words he knew a king must use.
«My lord, we have been preparing for nearly three months now, and we have been cooped up for all the winter long. I need to get out among my people, as my father was wont to do; and I may be saddled with this new archbishop for many years, for good or ill. Best if we start off on the right foot, whereby I pay my respects to him as a dutiful son of the Church and then he pays his respects to me as his new king. I should prefer to begin that process before he comes to Rhemuth to crown me. I want it clear from the beginning just where we stand».
Duke Richard raised an appraising eyebrow, seeing much of the young king’s father in him. «If that is what you intend, Sire» — the preamble left no doubt that he accepted the boy’s authority — «then we must make certain that you remain safe for your journey. I would advise taking troops with you to Valoret — perhaps a score, in addition to a modest household». He held up a hand to stave off the objection about to leave Seisyll’s lips. «Any more would make it impossible to travel quickly, and would take more time to organize than is possible, with the coronation but a few weeks away. Less might be foolish, from the standpoint of safety».
Brion glanced in question at Kenneth, who inclined his head in agreement.
«It seems a reasonable plan to me, my prince. But if you plan to do it, best we ride straight through, and leave this very afternoon, before word can get out of your plans. That will also lessen the possibility of ambush along the way».
«Surely you don’t fear that?» Queen Richeldis said, wide-eyed at what had already been said — and not said.
Kenneth shrugged. «He is yet an uncrowned king, my lady. And if aught should happen to him, his heir is only nine. I think I understand why he wishes to do this thing — and I cannot fault his reasons, having myself suffered the less-than-welcome attention of bishops in the past — but there is a danger. That is a part of the lot of kings, but at least we can minimize it, if His Majesty agrees».
«His Majesty certainly agrees!» Brion retorted. «The sooner we leave, the better! I’ve been waiting for weeks! It’s time to start acting like the king you all believe me to be».
«And he is, indeed, acting like a king», Richard said mildly, though he was smiling as he rose. «I advise you all to travel light», he continued. «Kenneth, if you’ll help my eager nephew to pack what he’ll need, I shall see to the lancer escort. Tiarnán and Jiri, you’ll accompany us».
«Take my nephew as well, Your Highness, to see to the king’s squiring», Seisyll quickly interjected.
Richard inclined his head in agreement. «I will welcome an Arilan on this venture — and I know that you yourself do not relish the idea of a two-day dash upriver in the spring snows».
«No, those days are behind me, I fear», Seisyll replied, smiling. «Besides, Her Majesty may have need of my counsel in your absence».
Later that night, when the royal troop had ridden out, Seisyll Arilan assembled the Camberian Council in their domed meeting place.
«I should prefer that he weren’t going», he told the six others seated around the octagonal table, «but his reasons are sound. And while Paul Tollendal would not have been my first choice as archbishop, I can think of several worse».
Michon de Courcy snorted and leaned back in his high-backed chair. «So can I», he replied, «and one of them is now become Bishop of Nyford. Someone really must do something about that man».
«You cannot just assassinate a bishop!» Vivienne retorted. «That would be sacrilege».
«And so is regicide», Barrett countered.
«So far as I know», Oisín Adair drawled, «it isn’t bishops who might be trying to assassinate the king».
Rhydon sat forward impatiently. «No, it’s Zachris Pomeroy and his associates, and there is no ‘might’ about it. I am confident that is what he intends to do, and this is exactly the sort of opportunity he’ll have been waiting for». At the others’ looks of question, he went on.
«Surely you don’t think he would show up at the coronation, not knowing whether Brion Haldane has his father’s powers. Besides, he isn’t after Brion for his own cause; he wants to put the Festillic Pretender on the throne — and Prince Hogan certainly isn’t yet ready to face down a fully-functional Haldane king».
«He has told you this?» Vivienne asked, aghast.
«Not in so many words, no», Rhydon replied. «But killing Brion now, before he has settled into his kingship, would certainly make it easier for the future. The heir is underage; and his heir is Duke Richard Haldane, a childless bachelor. It would take only a few deaths to leave Gwynedd without a clear heir, open for a king of the old Festillic line to take back the throne».
Michon chuckled, then lifted a hand, half in apology. «You have spent too much time with Camille Furstána and her nephews, Rhydon. You make this sound almost a good thing, though I know you do not mean that». He drew a deep breath and settled slightly forward, fingers interlaced before him.
«The question is, will Zachris Pomeroy take advantage of the king’s presence to make his move in Valoret?» he went on. «It is, after all, closer to the border, and closer to Cardosa, where Pomeroy has been building his power base for Hogan and the other Furstáns. We can take no overt action, of course — nothing that would reveal our existence to the human population — but it seems to me a wise thing for several of us to make ourselves present at the cathedral, especially at the time of the archbishop’s enthronement. For if I were Zachris Pomeroy, that is when and where I would strike, heedless of the fact that to do so would be to desecrate holy ground. I do not think that would much matter to such as he».
Silence greeted this declaration, but it was of the thoughtful sort rather than born out of any disagreement. After a moment, Seisyll gave a heavy sigh.
«I made certain that Jamyl was included in the king’s party», he said quietly, «just in case Pomeroy should get wind of the king’s visit to Valoret and try to apprehend him there. If he does, we may rely on Jamyl to do what is necessary from within, though we shall have to be careful to ensure that he is not discovered as Deryni. I do not know the king’s status, regarding the Haldane powers, but I have hope that at least some of them have been awakened. It is little known, but he made a secret visit to the Lady Alyce de Corwyn as she lay dying. Given her involvement with the late king, it is possible that she was able to help Prince Brion».
«You have a plan?» Oisín asked quietly.
Michon nodded. «I do».
They had reckoned that for the next day or two, at least until the king arrived in Valoret, he would be in no particular danger, since he was on the move and no one knew he was coming. That gave the Camberian Council time to organize their strategy, for Rhydon to assemble his operatives, and for Seisyll to contact his nephew, already on the road with the king, concerning Zachris Pomeroy. Jamyl dared not pass on the warning to anyone in the royal party, lest he be obliged to reveal his source — and himself as Deryni — but he assured his uncle that he would maintain particular vigilance, and would somehow make contact with Rhydon once they arrived in Valoret.
Which occurred just at dusk on the afternoon before Paul Tollendal was to be installed as Archbishop and Primate. The arrival of twenty Haldane lancers in the cathedral’s stable yard, and with the king among them, provoked a flurry of initial alarm followed by consternation, as men in black habits and then a few in episcopal purple poked their heads from the chapter house doorway and then began spilling onto its steps, for no one had reckoned that the king might venture out of Rhemuth before his coronation, and certainly not as far north as Valoret.
«Sire, this is a pleasant surprise. You are most welcome!» said a young bishop Brion did not recognize, though Kenneth did: Faxon Howard, one of the itinerant bishops, and kin to Vera Countess of Kierney. Unlike the others coming warily onto the chapter house steps as the king and his immediate party dismounted, Bishop Faxon looked genuinely pleased.
Brion acknowledged the bishop’s greeting with a neutral nod, but made no move to approach, allowing his companions to close ranks around him — Richard and Tiarnán and Jiri Redfearn, and Kenneth at his back — as more bishops emerged from the arched doorway, finally some that he knew by sight. First came Esmé Harris, the Bishop of Coroth, followed by Archbishop Desmond and Patrick Corrigan, who had rejoined his brother bishops immediately after Twelfth Night to assist in the deliberations. None of them looked particularly pleased to see Kenneth Morgan in the king’s party.
«Reverend Father», the king said, nodding again. Though the stark black he wore was as much for anonymity of travel as for mourning for his late father, it lent him a gravity that belied his youth and stature; his companions stood nearly a head taller than he. Behind him and spilling back through the stable gate, the yard was awash with the Haldane crimson of the lancers’ pennons.
«Your Majesty, we were not expecting you», Archbishop Desmond said baldly. «Ah — should you not be preparing for your coronation?»
The king’s gaze flicked over the other clerics massing all around the archbishop. The resentment of some of them was only thinly veiled.