Deryni Checkmate

In Katherine Kurtz's "Deryni Checkmate," the fragile peace of Gwynedd is shattered as the young King Kelson faces relentless opposition to his Deryni allies. Following the dramatic events of "Deryni Rising," the powerful Archbishop Loris, a fervent anti-Deryni fanatic, orchestrates a brutal persecution across the land. Kelson's most loyal Deryni supporter, Duke Alaric Morgan, and his cousin Duncan McLain, a priest and Deryni, find themselves at the epicenter of this storm. Duncan is arrested and subjected to a harrowing ecclesiastical trial, his very existence as a Deryni priest deemed an abomination. As Kelson races against time to save Duncan from execution and solidify his own claim to the throne, he must navigate treacherous political waters, confront religious bigotry, and grapple with the resurgence of ancient magic. The novel delves deep into themes of prejudice, faith, loyalty, and the hidden power that could either save Gwynedd or tear it apart, forcing Kelson to play a dangerous game of 'checkmate' against the forces of intolerance.