n his mind as they rode here this morning； and a possible alternate route through another side street。
Of more important immediate concern was the help or hindrance Dhugal might expect from the milling citizens； many of whom were making their way closer to kneel for the new bishop's blessing。 From what he had overheard； no one seemed to see Judhael's creation as Bishop of Ratharkin as any encroachment on the recently installed Istelyn； for Istelyn was Bishop of Meara。 Besides； was not Bishop Istelyn standing at the new bishop's side； affirming the new bishop's legitimacy by his mere presence？ Clearly； Judhael was meant to assist the bishop installed by archbishops and king a fortnight before … and who would have informed them otherwise？
The presence of Caitrin and her family； standing beneath a banner in the Mearan royal colors； only added local interest； for who of the mon folk knew what lord had placed his hands between whose？ If Meara's senior royal was here； publicly witnessing the elevation of her nephew in the presence of the king's duly appointed and enthroned representative。 Bishop Istelyn； who could say she was not entitled？ And a prelate of Mearan royal blood could not but please most residents of this ancient Mearan city； regardless of the lip…service professed to the Crown of Gwynedd。
Dhugal dared not expect support from Ratharkin's citizens； then。 But at least the public acclamation of Judhael； distasteful as it was to Dhugal； perhaps gave convenient cover to explore escape options； for with attention centered on Judhael and the rest of the Mearan royal family； there was very little notice being taken of Dhugal。 Foot soldiers mingled with the throngs in the square； lining the cathedral steps as well； but none were very close to Dhugal。 Less than a score of mounted knights and men…at…arms patrolled the area。 Two of them sat their mounts at ease near the gate leading back into the cathedral pound； only casually watching the crowd； but the nearest other men on horseback were clear across the square。 If Dhugal could make his way close enough to surprise the men and secure one of the horses。。。。
Blowing on his gloved hands to warm them； he eased his way a few steps farther to his left； closer to the guards； casually eying the nearer horse … a wiry； fast…looking bay。 Almost immediately the animal tossed its head and snorted； swinging its hindquarters against the sorrel beside it and dancing a little jig until its rider curbed it sharply。 The other rider looked irritated and murmured something to his panion that Dhugal could not hear； as he jerked at his own mount's mouth； but when the two stood once more at ease； both of them were several horse…lengths closer than they had been。 It occurrred to Dhugal to wonder whether the animals somehow had been aware of his scrutiny； but he dismissed the notion almost at once。 He was good with horses； but not that good。
The pageantry of Judhael's acclamation continued on the cathedral steps； but many of the Mearan folk were also hailing Caitrin now。 From under his hood； Dhugal watched her bask in their homage； wondering whether they realized their treason … or if they cared。 It was also beginning to snow again。 Soon； despite the sweetness of public acclaim； they would all pack up and go inside； and his opportunity would be lost。
He sidled a little closer to the horses； trying his best to appear nonchalant … and nearly jumped out of his skin when he felt a tug at his cloak from the right。
〃Ithel； it's getting cold。 I think we ought to … oh； I beg your pardon。〃
The voice was Sidana's； and as he curbed his initial urge to whirl in response and slowly turned instead； he saw by her expression what had happened。 He was wearing Ithel's clothes。 Immediately he sensed a way to take advantage of the error … if only he were given time to carry through。
〃No need to beg my pardon； fair cousin；〃 he murmured in his best court accents； catching her gloved hand to press it to his lips。 〃You're the only one who's addressed a kind word to me all morning … even if it was meant for someone else。〃
She blinked uncertainly； too flustered to withdraw her hand。
〃In faith； cousin； I had not known you pined for our kindness。 You were merry enough last night； but wine will make even false men seem hale and earnest。 My father was not certain you felt the bond of blood as strongly as we。〃
With a shrug； Dhugal let go her hand and wrapped his cloak more closely around him； stamping his feet against the cold and withdrawing turtlelike into the closeness of his hood。
〃In faith； cousin； the cold out here is cold enough without the chill of family rejection。 The ride from my father's lands taught me much of the realities of life。 If my uncle your father can make my fortune in the new order； then it behooves me to listen to my blood … and especially to so fair a kinswoman。〃
The color rose in her cheeks at that； but she dared a tiny smile as she returned his gaze。
〃Are you flirting with me； kinsman？〃 she asked； dark eyes teasing just a little。 〃We are first cousins； after all。〃
Dhugal decided not to pursue that line； though he let his eyes sweep her face in frank appraisal。 With a tiny smile of his own； he shrugged and merely brushed a few snowflakes off the ruff of her hood。 She paled a little and stifled a nervous giggle； poised to flee。
〃Wh…what are you doing？〃 she whispered。
〃Why； displaying cousinly concern for your well…being； my lady；〃 he answered softly。 〃Did you not plain of the cold； only a moment ago？〃
〃Aye； it is getting colder。〃
〃Then； allow me to act in your brother's stead；〃 he said； taking her arm and gesturing gallantly toward the side gate … which also brought him closer to the unsuspecting guards。 〃I would not have so fair a flower as my cousin blighted by the chill。 We can warm ourselves by the fire in the bishop's hall and have something hot to drink。。。。〃
He had kept his face averted in his hood as they walked； ostensibly against the wind； and as he set his hand to the gate latch and deliberately fumbled； the two mounted guards moved closer； the man on the sorrel dismounting with alacrity to give assistance … for he recognized Sidana； and thought her richly cloaked panion to be her royal brother。 The man presented half a dozen open targets as he eased importantly between princess and supposed prince and bent to the latch … and likely never even felt the dagger which Dhugal filched from the man's own boot…top and jammed home underneath his ribs。
Before the stricken guard did more than wobble； eyes glazing even as a half…gasp died in his throat； Dhugal had wrenched the man's sword from its scabbard and was lunging to catch the startled bay by the reins； twisting the bit to yank it deftly to its knees and unseat its hapless rider。 The exertion jabbed fire across his ribs； but he ignored the pain and vaulted into the bay's empty saddle； grunting as the animal lurched to its feet。 He kicked it into motion； hunting for his stirrups。 The horse squealed and lashed out with battle…trained heels at foot soldiers approaching from the rear。 Sidana finally screamed。
He ignored her cry； for others were scattering and screaming all around him as well； parting before the plunging greathorse like a surging human tide。 The bay's former rider snatched at his reins； but Dhugal whirled his mount on its haunches and sent the man staggering … in the direction of the snorting sorrel。 Brutally； Dhugal kneed the bay between the man and his intended prize； knocking him to the ground before he could grab the dangling reins of either steed。 The bay tried to bite him while he was down； and the man came up cursing it and him and slashing with a dagger； trying to hamstring horse or rider。
The man was bellowing for help now； still trying to catch the sorrel。 Dhugal had to stop him； or his chance was lost。 Swooping precariously low to slash at the man； he blocked another attempt to remount； at the same time praying that the animal would rear。 To his astonishment； it did。 The descending hooves slammed the man directly into one of Dhugal's swordblows。 Blood sprayed from a hand…wide gash in the man's neck and reddened the trampled snow as his body disappeared under the sorrel's churning hooves。 Sida