s in Duncan's mind； feeling what he felt； seeing what he saw。 The impression was blurred by the double perception of Kelson in the link with him； also one with Duncan in that instant。
〃God hath made thee a sharer in Christ's priesthood；〃 Bradene said； pouring the holy chrism on the crown of Duncan's head。 〃May He pour upon thee this oil of mystical anointing and make thee fruitful with spiritual blessing。〃
As Bradene cleansed his hands； first with scraps of fine white bread and then with a linen napkin； Morgan basked in the joy welling over from Duncan； feeling a little of the warmth even as a physical thing。
〃Receive thou the Gospel and preach the word of God；〃 Cardiel said； putting the great book briefly in Duncan's hands； 〃always teaching with the greatest of patience。〃
The book was taken away； to be replaced by a silver salver bearing the ring。 As Bradene traced a cross above it； Morgan thought he saw it glint from more than candlelight。 It flashed with a fire of its own as the archbishop held it briefly before Duncan's extended right hand。
〃Take thou this ring as a seal of faith； and keeping faith； guard and protect the Holy Church which is the bride of God；〃 Bradene said。
Morgan was not surprised； as Bradene slid it onto Duncan's finger； to sense reiteration of the images he and Duncan had seen before： the placing of the ring on another hand； in days gone by … and vague impressions of a ghostly Other； clad in priestly vestments of a deep； royal blue； offering up the ring … no； a cup … in ritual sacrifice of the Mass。
But there was more … a misty aureole of silver shimmering around Duncan's head for just an instant； its boundaries contained between half…sensed hands which Morgan had known half a dozen times before； and Duncan as well。 It vanished as Bradene and Cardiel placed the mitre on Duncan's head； leaving Morgan to blink and glance at Kelson in question； wondering whether the glimpsed vision had been only his imagination。
If imagination； however； it had not been his alone； or even his and Kelson's。 From the king's other side pulsed a more discordant note of shock and stark panic： Dhugal； his face drained of color； shoulders rigid with blind fear。 Kelson caught the echo of Dhugal's distress in the same instant and immediately slipped to Dhugal's other side； supporting him between himself and Morgan。 Behind them； Nigel half…rose in concern； but Kelson shook his head。
〃It's all right。 Uncle；〃 he whispered lamely。 〃He's a little ill； is all。 He'll be all right。〃
As Nigel subsided； shushing Conall and the curious Pavne and Rory and no doubt suspecting there was more to it than that； Morgan slid his arm around Dhugal's shoulder and tried to shield him from curious eyes。
〃Are you in pain； Dhugal？〃 he whispered。
Shuddering； Dhugal broke his rigid stare at the pageant still proceeding before the altar and ducked his head。
〃What's happening to me？〃 he managed to gasp。 〃My head feels like it's about to burst。〃
〃Take a deep breath and try to let go what's frightening you；〃 Kelson urged softly。 〃Try to flow with it。〃
〃Oh； God； I can't！ Didn't you see it？〃
Alaric； he picked up the same thing we did！ Kelson whispered in Morgan's mind。 We've got to get him out of here … and I can't leave until it's over。
His thought was mixed with consternation； caution； and even a little joy； but Nigel was jostling Morgan from behind； gesturing toward the altar。 With the consecration itself pleted； the bishops had rearranged themselves to continue with the Mass … and Morgan had a part in what came next。
It's time for the offertory； Morgan sent back； glancing sidelong at Kelson and the still trembling Dhugal and rising as the choir monks began the hymn which was his cue。 If I don't go forward； it will look even worse than this。 Keep him quiet until I can get back。
With eyes averted and hands folded as was seemly； Morgan moved down into the aisle and paused before a small； white…draped table； gracefully returning the solemn bow that a waiting deacon gave as he handed over a crystal cruet of wine and a lidded chalice of gold。 The crystal was cold and sleek in his hand； the ciborium seeming oddly light for all its contents of pale； unconsecrated hosts。 He could feel Duncan watching him as he slowly passed to the foot of the altar steps and knelt before him and the two archbishops； aware that something was amiss。 The sense of what he planned passed between himself and Duncan like a spark as he offered up the gifts and their hands touched。
Dhugal Saw something。 I'm taking him to your old study。 e there with Kelson as soon as you can break away； Morgan sent。
He felt Duncan's startled agreement like a caress as he rose and bowed and turned to go back to his place。 The stark； disruptive pulse of Dhugal's distress welled up almost like a wall as he knelt once more and slipped a supporting arm under Dhugal's elbow。
〃Say that Dhugal became ill；〃 he whispered across to Kelson； 〃and meet us afterward in Duncan's old study。 I'll do what I can until then。 I've already told Duncan。〃
He did not look back as he led Dhugal stumbling from the choir。 The words of Archbishop Bradene's prayer chased them in hollow echo； embracing with depths of meaning which neither could appreciate at the time。
〃Lord； accept these gifts which we offer for Thy chosen servant； Duncan； Thy chosen priest。 Enrich him with the gifts and virtues of a true apostle； for the good of Thy people。 Amen。〃
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
In the valley of vision。。。
Isaiah 22：5
With Dhugal clinging dazedly to his arm； so pale that his freckles seemed painted on in blood。 Morgan managed to navigate the curved aisle around the back of the cathedral apse without arousing any more attention that was his usual wont。 Several monks not involved in the ceremonies eyed them curiously； but Morgan's grim expression precluded any offers of assistance。 Morgan was known and at least grudgingly respected even by most clergy after three years' active and visible service with the new young king； but he still inspired a certain amount of fear in some。
But Dhugal's fear worried Morgan far more than that of any anonymous monks lurking in the shadowy aisle … and it was likely to get worse before it got much better。 He could feel the stark terror throbbing just beneath the surface like floodwaters only barely held in check by a failing dam； and realized Dhugal's awareness of the precarious balance was only adding to the pressure。 The only way Dhugal was managing to hold his panic in check at all was by watching his feet； concentrating all his attention on the simple act of putting one foot in front of the other。
〃We've got to get you away from here；〃 Morgan muttered； guiding Dhugal toward the door to the sacristy。 〃Can I trust you to do exactly as I say？〃
Dhugal stumbled and nearly fell as he gave Morgan an odd； pinched look。
〃You're … assuming I have a choice；〃 he managed to whisper； as Morgan braced him and reached for the door latch。 〃What's happening to me？〃
〃That's exactly what I'd like to know。〃
Morgan had hoped that the sacristy might be unoccupied during the ceremony； but the presence of Saint George's elderly sacristan was not unexpected。 The old man had been nodding in the meager sunshine of an oriel window at the other end of the room when they entered and woke with a start as the door closed behind them。
〃Who's that？〃
〃Ah； Brother Jerome； is that you？〃 Morgan said； shifting his grip on the tottering Dhugal。 〃The boy's been taken ill。 He needs to sit down。〃
Frail and failing of eyesight； the old monk shuffled closer to squint quizzically at Morgan and his obviously ailing panion。
〃Why； 'tis the Duke o'Corwyn … an' who's this？〃 the old man said； his tone conveying just a trace of wariness along with surprised respect。 〃Here； laddie； sit ye doon。 Ye look a trifle peaked。 What's wrong with the boy； Yer Grace？〃
〃Nothing serious； I hope；〃 Morgan replied； letting Jerome help him seat Dhugal on a low settle next to a vestment press。 〃I think it was just the closeness of the air in the choir。 Maybe the incense was too much for him。〃 He ventured a sidelong glance at Jerome as he felt for the pulse in Dhugal's wrist。 〃I'm sure he'll be all right in a few minutes。 Do yo