Katherine Kurtz - Deryni 2 by Deryni Checkmate

Author:Deryni Checkmate
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2011-09-27T22:19:45+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

the aid of darker counsel...

IN THE DIM, predawn drizzle of a back street of Cor-oth, Duncan McLain gave the buckle on the girth a final tug and replaced the stirrup, then moved quietly back to his horse's head to wait. Another pair of reins looped over Duncan's left arm pulled gently as Alar-ic's riderless horse shook its head in the icy mist; and worn harness leather creaked beneath the oilskin saddle cover as the animal shuffled its feet.

Beyond, a shaggy pack pony laden with bundles of untanned furs and skins lifted its head to snort inquisitively, then went back to sleep.

Duncan was getting tired of waiting. The rain which had begun at dusk had continued to fall throughout the night, most of which Duncan had spent catching fitful snatches of sleep in a tiny merchant's stall not far away.

But now a messenger had said that Alaric was on his way, that he would be there very soon. And so Duncan stood waiting in the rain, his rough leather cloak drawn up closely under his chin in the fashion of Dhassan hunters, the collar and hood muffled close against the icy wind and rain. The cape was already dark across the shoulders where the wet had soaked through. And Duncan could feel the chill of his mail hauberk even through the rough woolen singlet he

wore under it. He blew on gloved fingers and stamped his feet impatiently, grimacing at the feel of toes squishing in wet leather, and wondered what was taking Alaric so long.

As though on command, a door opened in the building to his right, and a tall, leather-clad figure was momentarily silhouetted in the path of light. Then Alaric was moving between the horses, clasping Duncan's shoulder reassuringly as he glanced up at the dismal grey sky.

"I'm sorry I took so long," he murmured, sweeping off the saddle protector and wiping the seat fairly dry.

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"Were there any problems?"

"Only damp feet and spirits," Duncan replied lightly, uncovering his own saddle and mounting up.

"Nothing that getting out of here won't remedy. What kept you?"

Morgan gave a grunt as he checked the girth a final time. "The men had a lot of questions. If Warin should decide to move against me while we're gone, Hamilton will have his hands full. That's another reason I want to keep our departure a secret. As far as the people of Corwyn are concerned, their duke and his loyal cousin-confessor have gone into seclusion in the depths of the palace, so that said duke can examine his conscience and repent."

"You, repent?" Duncan snorted as his cousin swung into the saddle.

"Are you implying, dear cousin, that I lack the proper piety?" Morgan asked with a grin, collecting the pack pony's lead and moving his horse alongside Duncan's.

"Not I," Duncan shook his head. "Now, are we or are we not going to quit this dismal place?"

"We are," Morgan replied emphatically. "Come. I want us to be at old Saint Neot's by sundown, and that's a full day's ride in good weather.

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