Issue1

1. Celia Grey asks: "Hypothetically, if Rhidian DID have sexual relations with Kelson during the cruaidh-dheuchainn: A, would you regard it as rape, since Kelson was drugged at the time? And B, how do you think Kelson himself might regard it?"

Katherine says: "Hmmm, you guys don’t ask easy ones! I’m probably going to get myself into trouble on this one, because I doubt that my answer is going to be considered P.C. Retreating to my police background for just a moment, rape involves (in broad terms) unlawful sexual congress without the consent of the victim, usually by force (or threat of force) or by deception; No force is involved in this case, but Kelson’s drugged state would have suspended his ability to give or deny consent; If it was really Rhidian and not a sexual fantasy, and in that deception would have been involved, the episode would, indeed, constitute rape--perhaps adding on what we might call “misappropriation of Crown assets,” especially if her motive had to do with hoping to conceive a child by the king, later to be used against him, or for her own purposes. We know that the possibility of such a child had been a deterrent from sexual activity in the past, for Kelson has told Dhugal as much, when confessing his virginity, earlier in the book. But he believes his experience in the shrine to be a drug-induced hallucination about the woman he loves and intends to marry as soon as possible, with the specific intention of getting her with child as quickly as he can--and with the blessing of everyone in his kingdom. Coming in the aftermath of his vision of St. Camber, and given the tension attendant on his recent ordeal, both in the underground caverns and at the hands of the Servants, his very vivid wet-dream is a welcome respite, a deliciously personalized fantasy encapsulating all his fondest desires for the future. Under those circumstances, I expect that most healthy, red-blooded males would have reacted much as Kelson did, embracing the moment with unabashed abandon. Rape would have been the last thing that occurred to him.(And of course, when he later learns that the dream coincided with Rothana’s wedding night, that pretty much confirms in his mind that he was picking up “vibes” from her sexual initiation. Of course, he could be wrong, she added, with an innocent smile….)"

---

2. Rebecca Davis asks: "What was the religious affiliation of the Airsid (if any)? I ask because Orin is said to be the last of the Airsid, and he established the Templum Archangelorum. Jodotha trained at the Templum Archangelorum, yet her ring reads 'Servant of the Gods.' If the Airsid were non-Christian or pre-Christian with each member following his or her own religious beliefs, how did they all cooperate when it came to performing magical rituals which are heavily steeped in religion?"

Katherine says: "I expect that individual members had their particular views on religion, but I’ve always envisioned them as mostly Christian, if of slightly different persuasion than more familiar forms of Christianity observable today; How about “earlier-Christian?” Also, a closer look at most of the rituals we’ve seen thus far reveals them to be mostly devoid of exclusively Christian symbolism. If non-Christian practitioners were involved in a working, I doubt they would have any problem adapting."

---

3. Peter Wilkinson asks: "Not a very deep question, I'm afraid, but is there any chance of future British editions of ANY of the Deryni books?"

Katherine says: "Nothing would please me more! (Well, there are a few things--like KKB being a smash best-seller, which it can be, with the help of fans like you!) The problem is that previous British publishers have not promoted the books sufficiently, so they didn’t sell that well over here, so they didn’t promote them….and eventually dropped the series. It is also inexplicable but true that British and American tastes in fantasy do not always coincide. That said, my agent and I are working on strategies to possibly re-launch the series in Britain in the not-too-distant future. Watch this space for further developments."

---

4. Jonathan Glanz asks: "By the time of King Kelson, the Camberian Council had basically degenerated, losing the clear focus and intent of its founders. Its mission as a whole seems to be all about policing the behaviour of Deryni within its precincts. What kind of methods does the Camberian Council employ to this end, and how far would they go to see their laws were enforced? Would they kill an errant Deryni without the benefit of a challenge?

Katherine says: "Some of the present members of the Camberian Council might take such measures. Certainly, in the past, individuals have taken it upon themselves to initiate action they felt necessary and warranted, without the authorization of the Council as a whole. However, the make-up of the Council is constantly changing, both by design and by natural attrition. Recent additions to the Council are bringing in fresh perspectives, and hopefully a shift closer to what the founding members had in mind. You’ll meet several of these in KKB."

---