Nonetheless, this apparent contradiction regarding Jessamy and her brother had convinced Alyce that it was probably safest not to invite any untoward scrutiny of whatever abilities she herself possessed — and that included scrutiny by Jessamy. The feeling had intensified once she resumed her training with Father Paschal at Arc-en-Ciel. It was nothing he or anyone else had told her; she simply knew.

She also knew, in much the same way, that she need have no such reticence with Vera, who was her sister and her twin, and with whom she had shared their mother's womb. Not that mere willingness or even eagerness to also share their minds was sufficient to enable the easy doing of it — not when most of the focus of Alyce's training thus far had been geared toward keeping others out of her mind, or only allowing access to selected parts of it — or, wielding her power as the weapon it was, insinuating her own mind into another's, to impose her will.

No, in this instance there must be a balanced melding of senses, engaging the powers of mind as tool, not as weapon. Turning more knee-to-knee with her twin, Alyce drew another fortifying breath and laid their father's letter across her open palms between them, blue eyes meeting sea-gray as she invited contact. With the touch of Vera's hands on hers, with their father's words between them, she bade her shields to retract, flinching at the first brush of that other mind.

But Vera knew far more of such matters than she, and had been taught how to ease the process.

«Don't resist», she whispered. «Relax your shields. You're trying too hard». Don't make it happen…let it happen, she went on, shifting easily into mind-speech. Good.. just relax. We can do this…

Once past that point, as Alyce yielded to her twin's greater skill, their deepening rapport segued into a sharing that was profound. It left both of them blinking back tears of wonder, grinning and even laughing aloud as they embraced, and brought Marie back to the rear of the chapel to see what was so amusing.

«That's all very well for the two of you», she said, flouncing onto a seat beside Alyce in mock resentment and showing them her hands. «I'm all sticky with pine sap — though it does smell rather nice», she added, sniffing at her fingers, «and the two of you have just been gossiping away».

«Not gossiping — communing», Vera murmured. «Oh, it is going to be wonderful, having sisters — though we'll have to be very careful».

At first, they did, indeed, go very carefully, though the friendship suddenly blossoming among the three of them soon became obvious to all.

«I knew the three of you would get on wonderfully», Ahern told Alyce, after Mass on Christmas Eve, as he hobbled painfully beside her on his crutches. «I think she's always been my favorite of Rosmerta's fosterlings. Father always liked her, too».

Carefully shielding the reason for Keryell's fondness, Alyce merely said, «She is great fun».

«She is», Ahern replied. «I shall hate to see her leave. Unfortunately, Rosmerta will be taking all her household with her, when she goes back to her father. You did know that our esteemed step-mama is leaving…?»

«Well, there's nothing for her here, now that Father is gone», Alyce replied.

«Yes, well, good riddance», he said, his voice brisk. «But Sir Deinol’s wife has agreed to act as my chatelaine for the time-being, since I know that you and Mares can't stay indefinitely».

«You know that we would stay, if we could», she assured him.

«No, I know that you must go», he said. «Just promise me that you'll write often, and that you'll come to visit, when you can».

Later, when she told her sisters of the conversation, they reluctantly agreed that Ahern should not be told of the blood-tie that bound them, at least for the present.

«If he did know, though», Alyce said, «it would make it easier in some respects. I think he thinks he fancies you, Vera — but we can't have him courting his sister».

Vera rolled her eyes. «Did he tell you that?»

«No, but it's clear that he's fond of you».

«The dear boy. He is sweet — but in a few days, that won't be a factor», Vera said. «He's right that I'll be going with Rosmerta. Until my parents say otherwise, I have no choice». She shrugged at their knowing glances. «Well, they think they're my parents. Right now, the three of us are the only ones who know the truth of the matter — and Father Paschal, of course».

«Why can't we tell Ahern?» Marie asked.

«Because he's terrible at keeping secrets», Alyce replied. «At least he always was, as a child. Anyway, he doesn't need to know right now. It would be unfair to burden him with such knowledge while he's still recovering his health — and figuring out how to be an earl. Once we've gone back to Rhemuth, he's going to be very alone».

«I'm afraid she's right», Vera said to Marie. «This isn't the time to tell him. Our parents paid too high a price to make sure no one knows what I am. We mustn't do anything to jeopardize that».

«Exactly», Alyce said. «But we can do something to get Father's plans for you back on track. I thought to ask the queen about bringing you to court, when we go back to Rhemuth».

«To court?» Vera breathed.

«Why not? You've already been part of an earl's household. Don't think for a moment that this wasn't part of Father's plan for you. I'm sure he intended to arrange an extremely advantageous marriage, so that your eventual children — his grandchildren — would be in positions to improve the lot of our people. And no one would know that any of you are Deryni».

Vera was nodding by the time she finished, and Marie was grinning.

«The queen is very kind», Marie said. «And so many handsome young knights at court! Think what a fine marriage you might make!»

«There is that», Vera agreed.

«Then, it's settled», Alyce said. «We'll make inquiries as soon as we return.

The household of the late Keryell Earl of Lendour kept the feasts of Christmas at Castle Cynfyn, though the observances were muted because of his recent death. Two days after Saint Stephen's Day, to no one's particular regret, his widow announced, from the back of a horse, that she was departing at once for her father's lands near Dhassa.

«Madam, I am certain that my father did not intend that you should be turned out of your home», Ahern said dutifully, standing in the snowy yard with a hand on her horse's bridle, and balancing on one leg and a crutch.

«No, I am resolved», Rosmerta replied. «I have had several weeks to consider, while I waited for my husband's body to come home. But God did not consent to give me children by Lord Keryell, so there is nothing for me here. I wish you well, Ahern, but you do not need my presence. You must make a life of your own».

There was nothing he could say to that, for while his relationship with his stepmother had been civil, at least in his father's presence, there had never been true warmth between them.

«At least permit me to send an escort with you», he said, beginning to weave on his feet.

«I thank your courtesy, but my father has sent men of his own», she replied, nodding toward the half dozen liveried men interspersed among the sumpter animals and the mounts of her household and servants. «I desire to greet the new year with the family of my birth. God grant you health, my lord».

With that, she headed out the castle gate, her daughter at her side and with Vera among her household — hopefully, only for a few weeks or months, until Alyce and Marie could speak to the queen about her.

By Twelfth Night, the customary time for formal transactions of important business in any lord's hall, Ahern was sufficiently improved in health to preside at his first official court as Earl of Lendour — yet unconfirmed in his full authority, because of his youth, but lawfully acknowledged by the presence at his side of Duke Richard, who witnessed the investiture of the new earl's council of advisors and took their fealty in the name of the king his brother. Two days later, Richard bade all farewell and departed for Rhemuth, and life began to settle into some semblance of a pattern of daily life for the new young earl.