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

red hair in a nervous gesture.
Rhys did not need to be shown the master's door; he had been there many times
before. He eased the door open to find the room in dimness, the draperies
pulled across the windows; and the air was stifling with incense and the odor
of impending death. A priest he did not know was aspersing the bed with holy
water and murmuring a prayer, and for a moment Rhys was afraid he had come too
late. He waited by the door until the priest had finished his prayer, then
moved closer to the foot of the bed.
"I'm Lord Rhys, Father," he said, his green mantle proclaiming his calling.
"Is he-?"
The priest shook his head. "Not yet, my lord. He's received the last rites and
is in a state of grace, but he keeps asking for you. I'm afraid he's beyond
even your healing powers-with all due respect, sir."
"I'm aware of that, Father." Rhys gestured apologetically toward the door. "Do
you mind leaving us for a few minutes? He said he wanted some time alone with
me, before the end."
"Very well, my lord."
As the priest closed the door behind him, Rhys moved to the left of the bed
and gazed down at the face of the dying man. The gray eyes stared at the
ceiling-Rhys could not be certain at first glance whether they saw or not-and
the man's breathing was very shallow. Rhys reached to the drapes and pushed
them aside to admit light and air, then touched the gnarled wrist and found a
pulse. Gently, he bent beside the old man's ear.
"It's Rhys, Dan. Can you hear me? I came as soon as I could."
The eyes flickered and the lips moved, and then the gray head turned slowly
toward the young Deryni. A thin hand was feebly raised, and Rhys took it in
his own with a smile.
"Are you in pain? Is there anything I can do?"
"Just don't be so impatient," the old man breathed. "I'm not ready to die yet.
Overanxious priests!"
His voice was stronger than Rhys had expected, and Rhys squeezed the old hand
affectionately.
"Do you mean to tell me you've let all those servants and apprentices get
teary-eyed for nothing?"
The old man gave a dry chuckle and shook his head.
"No, I'm not gaming this time. The Dark Angel is nearby. I can hear the rustle
of His wings sometimes. But I wanted to tell you something before I go. I
couldn't let it die with me, and you-you're something special to me, Rhys. You
could almost be the son I lost-or my grandson." Pause. "I wonder where he is
now?"
"Your grandson? I never knew you had one."
" 'Twas safer they thought him dead, like his father. Besides, the Church has
him now, if he still lives. He went when he was nineteen, right after we lost
his father. It was the plague that year, you know. But you were only a lad
then, if you were even born. You probably don't remember."
Rhys laughed softly. "How old do you think I am, old one?"
"Old enough to know better than to listen to the rantings of a dying old man,"
Dan smiled. "But you will listen, won't you, Rhys? It's important."
"You know I will."
The old man sighed deeply and let his gaze wander the room absently.