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

returned to stand attentively beside the stool Murdoch had just vacated. After a
few minutes, Camber straightened up and glanced at Joram, signalling him to
sit as Cinhil slowly opened his eyes.
"Is that better, Sire?"
"Yes, thank you," Cinhil whispered. "It helps. It really does. I should know
better than to let myself get so agitated. I don't dare breathe too deeply any
more, or it starts me coughing all over again."
With a raise of one eyebrow, Camber leaned down to retrieve the napkin
which had fallen from Cinhil's hand after he stopped coughing, noting the
browning-red stain on the fabric. Calmly Cinhil reached out and took it gently
from the bishop's hand, folding the napkin so that the stain could not be seen.
When Joram started to open his mouth to speak of it, Cinhil shook his head
and carefully laid the napkin aside.
"I know, Joram, I need no lectures," he whispered, very matter-of-fact in the
stillness which his acknowledgment had created. "I am very ill. Only Rhys and I
know precisely how ill. And this matter of JavanтАФI need to speak of it to both of
you. Believe me, I trust Tavis. He is a fine young Healer. ButтАФ"
 A short, staccato rap on the door stopped him in mid-phrase, and Camber
flicked a glance in the direction of the door. He recognized the mental presence
on the other side, but it was obvious from Cinhil's sigh that the king did not.
"It seems this discussion is not to be," Cinhil said resignedly. "No matter.
See who it is, Joram."
As Camber had known it would be, Lord Jebediah of Alcara eased past the
door which Joram opened.
"Your pardon, Sire," he said as he approached, making a slight bow in
Cinhil's direction. "Alister, one of the Earl of Ebor's men just delivered this. He
said something about Gregory having been injured in a riding accident."
The greying earl marshal was dressed in worn blue riding leathersтАФfrom his
rosy cheeks and the amount of mud liberally spattering his body, it was
apparent that he had been jumping his new hunter in the castleyardтАФbut he
was carrying a clean packet of parchment in one gloved hand, the green of a
Healer's seal bright against the creamy white.
Cinhil perked up immediately. "Is he all right? What's happened? I sent
Rhys and Evaine to him this morning."
As Jebediah shrugged and handed over the packetтАФ this was obviously the
first time he'd heard of the accident тАФCamber broke the seal and unfolded the
stiff parchment. He read the few terse lines of script, penned in Evaine's precise
hand but in Rhys's unmistakable style, then refolded it and thrust it into his
wide sash with a sparse little Alister smile.
"It seems our friend will be all right, Sire."
"Thank God!"
"Rhys says his memory is a little hazy, but his injuries have been completely
healed. Apparently Gregory isn't convinced, however, and insists I come at once
to give him the Last Rites."
"Last Rites?" Cinhil sputtered, almost bringing on another coughing attack.
"Now, Sire," Camber soothed, "under" the circumstances, I think simple
Communion will probably be sufficient. I suspect Gregory is merely being
dramatic, to make excuses for falling off his horse. Still, he has asked for me,
and you're doing well enough. May I go to him? I should be back by dark, and
Jebediah can fetch Tavis, if you should need a Healer before then."