Free Childe Morgan by Katherine Kurtz

the ivory table and sat back slightly in his chair, smiling faintly.
    â€œYou have a plan,” Seisyll said.
    Michon inclined his head. “I think we need not go into details just now.”
    Dominy rolled her eyes. “You do love to be mysterious, don’t you, Michon? But God willing, we’ll not need your plan. Khoren, are you willing to carry out Michon’s recommendations?”
    â€œFor all the good it is likely to do,” Khoren said darkly, “but I suppose it’s worth a try. Meanwhile,” he turned his attention to Michon and Seisyll, “I hope you bring us happier news from the court of Gwynedd. Please tell me there were no serious surprises.”
    Seisyll smiled like a cat with a bowl of cream. “Nothing seriously worrisome. Sir Kenneth Morgan is now Earl of Lendour for life, de jure uxoris .”
    â€œIs he,” Dominy said—a statement, not a question.
    â€œThat is a very interesting development,” said Oisín.
    â€œThe appointment is a logical extension of Kenneth Morgan’s past loyalty to the crown,” Seisyll allowed. “And it was actually a very shrewd move on Donal’s part, since it puts Kenneth in a stronger position to safeguard Alyce and their son.”
    Dominy snorted. “You know I have my doubts about the value of a half-breed Deryni,” she muttered.
    â€œWell, at least we know he isn’t Donal’s son,” Barrett said reasonably. “And as for being half-breed, he is only two years old. Let’s give him time to grow, and see how he develops. At very least, he has loyal parents who will raise him to be loyal—and God knows, Prince Brion will need loyal men around him when he eventually becomes king.”
    â€œAnd Kenneth Morgan is as loyal as they come,” Khoren pointed out. “As Earl of Lendour, he will be a strong bulwark to hold that part of Gwynedd against Torenthi incursions.”
    â€œSo we shall hope,” said Seisyll. “For now, however, I think I prefer to keep our focus on the students of Sister Camille Furstána, who are not loyal to the crown of Gwynedd, and who may well attempt to overthrow it.”

Chapter 6
    â€œMoreover, it is required in stewards,
that a man be found faithful.”
    â€”I CORINTHIANS 4:2
    A S the festivities of Yuletide wound down over the next week or so, winter promised to settle in with a vengeance. The new Earl of Lendour kept Sir Jovett, his two new knights, and the knights’ sponsors in Rhemuth for a few days, while he drafted instructions to the regents of which he was now head, then sent them back to Cynfyn to await his arrival in the spring.
    Alyce and their son and Zoë settled back into the usual domestic routine for Rhemuth Castle in winter, though the heavy weather curtailed much outdoor activity, and the short daylight hours hampered many indoor pursuits. At least Zoë was there to share the tedium—and Alazais, for a few weeks, though she returned to Morganhall as soon as the weather permitted.
    February was grim, and early March little better. The several months after Twelfth Night were always lean, as folk hunkered down to await the spring. Except for a few hours around noontime, close work like reading, writing, and needlework must be done by precious candlelight or rush-light. The children of the court, including young Alaric, chafed at being kept indoors in the inclement weather, and the older ones brooded over their books and ciphering. In the evenings, huddled before fires in the great hall, music and dancing became staples of evening entertainment for the adults and young people, for these were pastimes that could be enjoyed by firelight and torchlight. Many a child was conceived during those long, cold nights when Rhemuth lay wrapped in winter’s thrall, though Alyce and Kenneth were not so blessed.
    As the winter wore on, the long nights, the forced inactivity, and the monotony of meals eked out from