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

make concerning the Alister-Camber impersonation. For the people, both
human and Deryni, believed in Saint Camber, ascribed miracles to his
intercession, venerated his image and his memory in scores of shrines and
chapels across the land, that he might act in their behalf.
For the thousandth time, he asked himself whether faith alone was
sufficient to account for the miraclesтАФ for, as Deryni, he was well aware how
important mere belief could be in effecting cures, in helping cause things to
happen. For many, belief in Saint Camber seemed to bring comfort and
assistance. Who was Camber to say that such belief was not valid, if it produced
results?
Suppressing a sigh, he glanced aside at Joram and was surprised to see his
son gazing up raptly at the statue. Joram had been against the impersonation
from the start, though he had reluctantly agreed to help, when there seemed
no other choice. Through all these long years, he had stood by his father,
regardless of the shape he wore, and defended both Alister and his father's
name against all attack.
Camber wondered how the shrine was affecting Joram тАФthe statue, the
chamber, and what they all evoked now, for so many people. And in that
moment, Joram turned his head and looked him full in the face, reaching out
with his mind and willingly opening to his father's probe. As minds leaped the
boundaries of usual sensation, they knew one another's most secret thoughts
of Camber and of sainthood, and they plunged into even more profound
communication.
But there was none of the old bitterness in Joram's mind now, that
combination of fear and outrage which had for so long ruled his inner balance.
Something had finally enabled Joram to accept the inevitability of the situation,
to forgive the dogged determination which had moved the man who knelt now
beside him.
That decided, it was as if a great burden had been lifted from Camber's
mind, as well; he realized that he, too, could let go of the guilt, the uncertainty,
the shadow of apprehension. Together, the two of them were doing all they
could to hold back the Darkness, to preserve the Light. What more could any
mortal ask?
With a smile, Camber reached out and patted his son's hand, then let the
younger man help him to his feet. Together, arm in arm, they walked back up
the center aisle to speak with Queron and his Camberians, before heading back
to the capital and Cinhil.
Statues would never haunt either of them again.


chapter five


For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and
not lie; though it may tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come.
тАФHabakkuk 2:3


When they entered the torchlit yard again, Queron Kinevan was far easier to
face. He had gathered the entire complement of the abbey while the two of