The King’s Justice by Katherine Kurtz Page B

linen cloth, then handed it off to Morgan, who reversed the blade and took up a guard position immediately behind Nigel, hands resting on the quillons. Nigel heard Kelson give a little sigh as Duncan pulled the thurible closer, still smoking slightly of incense, and opened it to the smoldering charcoal within.
    â€œBe thou blessed by Him in Whose honor thou shalt be burnt,” Duncan murmured, tracing a cross in the air over the incense boat before offering it to Kelson.
    Kelson bowed over the incense, hands joined before him in an attitude of prayer, then took the spoon and carefully sprinkled a few grains of incense onto the charcoal.
    â€œWelcome as incense smoke let my prayer rise up before Thee, O Lord. When I lift my hands, may it be acceptable as the evening sacrifice.”
    The chamber was so still and silent, Nigel could hear the faint hiss of the resin beginning to melt. As sweet smoke started spiraling upward, Kelson took the parchment and creased it loosely into quarters, then touched one corner to the glowing coal.
    â€œMay this offering blessed by Thee ascend to Thee, O Lord,” he said, laying the parchment full on the coal as it caught and began to burn. “And may Thy mercy descend upon Thy servants, both present and to come.”
    When he was sure it was burning well, he turned once more to Nigel. Arilan had joined them at the conclusion of the prayer, and now took from the altar a thumb-sized brass container and a small ivory spatula.
    â€œBishop Arilan has offered to provide you with a little assistance for the last part of the ritual,” Kelson said, as Duncan pushed back Nigel’s right sleeve to expose the inner forearm and Arilan unscrewed the lid of the container. “The drug is sometimes used in the early phases of formal Deryni training to enhance psychic response. It also has a slight sedative effect.”
    Wordlessly Arilan set aside the lid and dipped out a miniscule amount of viscous, butter-colored unguent with the spatula. This he spread in a thin film over a thumb-sized area of Nigel’s inner arm, which Duncan then bound neatly with a strip of linen bandage.
    â€œThe drug is gradually absorbed through the skin,” Duncan explained. “When we’re done, we wash off the residue and the effect stops soon after. That makes it far easier to control than if you had taken a specific dose by mouth.”
    Nigel cradled the bandaged forearm close to his chest and fingered the linen nervously. He was beginning to sweat profusely, whether from the drug or not, he had no idea.
    â€œIt tingles a little,” he said. “Sweet Jesu , it’s hot in here!”
    â€œYou’re feeling several effects already,” Arilan replied, handing him a towel and watching him closely. “How’s your vision?”
    Nigel wiped his face on the towel and blinked several times, feeling slightly befuddled, then closed his eyes briefly and opened them again.
    â€œI’m having trouble focusing,” he whispered. “I feel a little—dizzy, too.”
    â€œLook at me for a moment,” Arilan commanded.
    Swaying a little on his feet, so that Duncan and Morgan had to steady him on either side, Nigel obeyed.
    â€œHis eyes are dilated,” he heard Kelson murmur.
    â€œAye. Get him down before he falls down,” came Arilan’s low reply.
    Nigel needed no encouragement to collapse to all fours. Light-headed and rapidly losing all sense of balance, he let them help him to a sitting position on the floor. His arms and legs seemed to have no bones in them. The stone floor was cool and soothing, and he wanted to lay his forehead against it, but Morgan knelt behind him and made him sit upright, providing a backrest for him to lean against.
    He could not focus even as far as his toes. His hands lolled useless at his sides, but at least he could press the backs against the stone for relief from the heat now pulsing through his body with every