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

The familiar Gabrilite braid was longer by a hand-span than it had been
eleven years before, and streaked with grey, where once it had been a rich,
reddish brown; but aside from that, Queron Kinevan did not seem to have aged
appreciably. The bright eyes still looked out with as much intensity as they had
that week in Valoret when Queron and his Order had first brought their
petition before the Synod of Bishops.
 "Nay, the king was fine when last we saw him late this morning, Dom
Queron," he replied, trying to keep his tone as neutral and matter-of-fact as
Queron's. "There was some trouble on the road, however, both to ourselves and
to another party which we encountered later. We left two of my men plus the
extra horses with them until you can send assistance. You are responsible for
patrol of the royal road in this area, are you not?"
"By day, yes, Your Grace. But no one has charge of the roads by night,
especially in winter. What trouble did you encounter?"
With a hitch at his sword belt, Joram gestured back toward the closed gate.
"A band of young Deryni noblesтАФyounger sons, by the feel of the situation,
sir. Perhaps ten or fifteen of them, all looking for trouble. They took us for
human at first, and thought to harass us, until they recognized His Grace."
Queron clucked his tongue and slowly shook his head. "A sorry business. I
do apologize, Father. And to you, especially, Your Grace. What of the other
party you mentioned?"
"Baron Manfred, the brother of Bishop MacInnis, his wife and chaplain, and
about ten or twelve retainers," Camber replied. "All angry but unharmed, and
horseless now. I told them you'd bring fresh mounts and escort them to their
destination." He sighed. "I hardly think I need warn you how MacInnis is going
to react, when he learns of this."
"Indeed, not. Excuse me a moment, please."
At Camber's nod, Queron turned away from them and conferred briefly with
a number of his monks, several of whom disappeared immediately in the
direction of the stables. After some further discussion with more of them,
Queron returned to Camber and bowed again. The second group of monks went
to meet the first, who had returned with horses and weapons from the stables.
"The baron and his party will be rescued immediately, and some of our
brothers will drive off the marauders, if they are still in the vicinity, Your Grace.
I am told that this kind of incident is becoming far too frequent on the roads
around the capital. I regret that our kind are being driven to such acts."
"I regret it, too, Dom Queron."
"As you say." Queron sighed. "But, no matter. It will be taken care of, you
may rest assured. In the meantime, you will stay long enough to see our
shrine, will you not?" He glanced back and forth searchingly between Camber
and Joram. "Father MacRorie, I especially understand your reluctance to come
here before now, but ours is a shrine of the Blessed Sacrament, as well as of
your sainted father, you know. Besides, the rest of your escort will not return
for some little while. Surely you will not leave without paying your respects."
Though Camber had, for a moment, considered doing that very thing, he
heard Joram's minute sigh of resignation and knew that he, too, realized they
dared not. This time they must play out the charade or else risk offending
Queron and the many Camberian brothers and sisters waiting expectantly in
the background. As Bishop of Grecotha, Camber could not refuse to visit any
shrine unless there were very pressing reasons. Alister Cullen would never