"Katherine Kurtz - Camber 3 - Camber the Heretic" - читать интересную книгу автора (Kurtz Katherine)

As Murdoch watched, Camber grabbed a goblet from the table next to their
gameboard and filled it with wine from a silver ewer, upsetting half the pieces
on the board in his haste to get to CinhilтАЩs side and ease the wine past his lips.
Cinhil drank in grateful gulps between coughing spasms, gaining some ease
after he had gotten a few swallows down, and Joram hurried to his other side to
offer the king a napkin to wipe his mouth, picking up fallen gamepieces
awkwardly as the red-faced Cinhil fought to control the coughing.
Camber laid hands on the king's head, willing the coughing to subside and
perhaps even succeeding a little. In any case, Cinhil managed to stifle one more
coughing bout, then stopped, cleared his throat, and spat into his napkin. His
face was composed if ashen as he eased back onto his chair, and he would not
let them see the crumpled cloth in his hand.
"I apologize if I have caused you distress, gentlemen," he said, in a weak but
steady voice. "I seem to have a touch of a winter cold." He cleared his throat
again, then swallowed noisily.
"Murdoch, would you mind if we delayed the rest of your report until later? I
have been aware of your concern about Javan and Tavis for some months. I
think the matter can wait a few more days. However, I hasten to point out that
when Tavis was sent away for a time last year, the boy sickened and refused to
eat. Under Tavis's tutelage, he has thrivedтАФat least as much as he is able. The
fact that Tavis is Deryni does not concern me nearly as much as Javan's
unhappiness and ill health when Tavis is not about."
"You coddle the boy, Sire. It is not good."
"I do not coddle him. I face the realities of hisтАФdeficiency. You are aware of
my feelings on that subject."
 "I'm sorry, Sire. I meant no disrespect."
"I know you did not."
Awkwardly the king reached out to press Murdoch's shoulder in
reassurance, and bowed his head as the younger man seized the royal hand
and pressed it to his lips again.
Camber almost could not bear to watch, amazed that Cinhil could let himself
be so deceived. Cinhil could even Truth-See Murdoch if he wanted to; but
Cinhil rarely used the abilities which Camber and his children had given him
so many years ago. Please God, Cinhil's children would not be so blind!
"Please forgive me, Sire, but it's only that I care so much," Murdoch was
whispering.
"I know. Fear not. You yet are in my grace," the king replied.
He stifled another cough, and his face went a little paler against his scarlet
robe.
"Please go now, Murdoch. I think I must rest now. Alister, stay with me
awhile, old friend. Though you are not a Healer, your company does much to
ease my discomfort."
"As you wish, Sire," Camber replied softly, moving closer to stand with his
hand on the king's shoulder. "Earl Murdoch, my secretary will see you to the
door. His Grace will surely send for you again later."
With that, he turned his attention to Cinhil, bending closer to the royal ear.
"Try to relax, Sire. Take a slow, steady breathтАФnot too deep, or you'll start
yourself coughing again. That's right. Now exhale. Let the pain detach...."
Murdoch rose in annoyance, ignoring Joram's polite and precise bow as he
made his own way out. Joram, when he had closed the door after Murdoch,