"Katherine Kurtz - Camber 1 - Camber Of Culdi" - читать интересную книгу автора (Kurtz Katherine)

strangely compelling. She passed it to her father without a word as he set
aside his wine goblet.
"Now," said Camber, gesturing expansively with the stone in his hand, "you're
familiar with the spell Rhys uses to extend perception before he heals-the one
he taught you and Joram as an aid to meditation?"
Rhys's image flashed before her for just an instant and she blushed. "Of
course."
"Well, on my last trip to Culdi, I found this. I happened to have it in my
hand one night while I said my evening devotions, and it- Well, watch. It's
easiest to show you."
Holding the object lightly in the fingers of his two hands, Camber inhaled,
exhaled, his eyes narrowing slightly as he passed into the earliest stages of
a Deryni trance. His breathing slowed, the handsome face relaxed-and then the
stone began to glow faintly. Camber brought his eyes back to focus and
extended his hands toward Evaine, still in trance, the stone still glowing.
Evaine's lips formed a silent O.
"How do you do it?" she breathed.
"I'm not exactly sure."
Camber blinked and broke the spell, and the stone-light died. He cupped it
between his hands for a mere heartbeat, then held it out to her with a shake
of his head.
"You try it."
"Very well."
Taking the stone in one hand, Evaine passed her other hand over it and bowed
her head, mentally reciting the words which would bring Rhys's trance. The
stone did nothing for several seconds as she explored its several avenues of
approach; then it began to glow. With a sigh, Evaine returned to the world,
held the stone closer as the light was extinguished.
"Strange. It hardly takes any effort at all, once you know what you're doing.
What is it for?"
Camber shrugged. "I don't know. I haven't been able to find a single use for
it yet-other than to fascinate gullible daughters, that is. You may keep it,
if you like."
"May I, really?"
"Of course. But don't think it's going to help you with Pargan Howiccan. Two
cantos, indeed! If you make it through more than two pages, I shall be very
surprised. Pleased, but surprised."
"Is that a challenge, sir?" Evaine grinned delightedly, opening the scroll and
leaning closer to her father. "Canto Four, being the Rise of the Lleassi and
Johanan's Quest.
" 'Now, in those days, the Lords of the Dark Places were exceedingly powerful,
and their sphere was the orb of the Earth.
" 'And the Deryni Lord Johanan said unto the Servant of the High Gods, "Send
me, Lord, to cast out the Lleassi. For Thou hast seen their iniquities, and
their sins are great."
" 'And the eyes of Makurias-in-Glory were inclined with favour upon the Lord
Johanan, and His hands He laid upon the head of His servant in the blessing of
the Lord of Hosts.
" 'And the Lord Johanan gathered to him his hosts of liegemen, and laid siege
to the Lords of the Dark Places. And great was their strength. . . .' "