The Bastard Prince

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Also by Katherine Kurtz

The Deryni Novels

The Chronicles of the Deryni

Deryni Rising

Deryni Checkmate

High Deryni

The Legends of Camber of Culdi

Camber of Culdi

Saint Camber

Camber the Heretic

The Histories of King Kelson

The Bishop's Heir

The King's Justice

The Quest for Saint Camber

The Heirs of Saint Camber

The Harrowing of Gwynedd

King Javan's Year

The Bastard Prince

The Childe Morgan Trilogy

In the King's Service

Childe Morgan

The King's Deryni

Other novels

King Kelson's Bride

The Bastard Prince

The Heirs of Saint Camber, Volume Three

Katherine Kurtz

For

my very dear friend,

DENIS O
'
CONOR DON
,

Prince of Connacht.

If Ireland were still a monarchy,

he would be High King.

Contents

Prologue He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him; he hath broken his covenant.

—
Psalms 55:20

I Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.

—
Psalms 73:6

II Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

—
I Corinthians 15:34

III And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.

—
I Corinthians 16:4

IV Miss not the discourse of the elders: for they also learned of their fathers, and of them thou shalt learn understanding, and to give answer as need requireth.

—
Ecclesiasticus 8:9

V There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear.

—
I John 4:18

VI Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up: It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice.

—
Job 4:15–16

VII Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift.

—
II Corinthians 9:15

VIII Who causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit.

—
Proverbs 28:10

IX Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me.

—
Micah 7:8

X Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

—
II John 1:8

XI Keep thee far from the man who hath power to kill … lest he take away thy life presently.

—
Ecclesiasticus 9:13

XII Whereas thy servant worketh truly, entreat him not evil, nor the hireling that bestoweth himself wholly for thee.

—
Ecclesiasticus 7:20

XIII Rejoice not over thy greatest enemy being dead, but remember that we die all.

—
Ecclesiasticus 8:7

XIV I have seen the foolish taking root.

—
Job 5:3

XV And that we may be delivered from unreasonable men.

—
II Thessalonians 3:2

XVI With arrows and with bows shall men come thither.

—
Isaiah 7:24

XVII Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight.

—
Psalms 144:1

XVIII For gold is tried in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of adversity.

—
Ecclesiasticus 2:5

XIX Who will bring me into the strong city?

—
Psalms 60:9

XX Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.

—
Proverbs 16:13

XXI And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.

—
II Thessalonians 2:11

XXII They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood.

—
Psalms 94:21

XXIII Keep thee far from the man that hath power to kill … lest he take away thy life presently.

—
Ecclesiasticus 9:13

XXIV Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.

—
II Timothy 3:4

XXV And as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way by consent.

—
Hosea 6:9

XXVI For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

—
II Timothy 4:6

XXVII I have seen the wicked in great power.

—
Psalms 37:35

XXVIII A wicked messenger falleth into mischief; but a faithful ambassador is health.

—
Proverbs 13:17

XXIX For she is privy to the mysteries of the knowledge of God, and a lover of his works.

—
Wisdom of Solomon 8:4

XXX And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you.

—
II Peter 2:3

XXXI His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not.

—
Job 14:21

XXXII Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains.

—
Acts 21:33

XXXIII I speak of the things which I have made touching the king.

—
Psalms 45:1

XXXIV Their bodies are buried in peace; but their name liveth for evermore.

—
Ecclesiasticus 44:14

XXXV But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

—
Galatians 5:15

XXXVI And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you.

—
Deuteronomy 19:20

Appendix I: Index of Characters

Appendix II: Index of Places

Appendix III: Partial Lineage of the Haldane Kings

Appendix IV: The Festillic Kings of Gwynedd and Their Descendants