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

packet and broke its seal, then poured its contents carefully into the wine.
"Here are cups, m'lord," Gavin announced, setting them out expectantly as
Rhys swirled the flagon.
"Good. You've brought extras. Well, there's enough for all of you," Rhys said,
half-filling six cups with the doctored wine. "This is a sweet wine, but lightтАФone
of the Fianna varietals. Go ahead and try it."
The squires did not need to be invited a second time, though they did
manage to restrain themselves from grabbing until their young masters had
taken up their cups. Rhys Michael held his to his nose, sniffed it in imitation of
Rhys with the flagon, then tasted and gulped it down. Alroy sampled his
somewhat more conservatively, but he, too, clearly approved of the treat their
father had allowed and quickly drank it to the dregs.
Only Javan seemed somewhat reluctant, casting a questioning glance at
Tavis for reassurance before cautiously sampling it and then draining the cup
resignedly.
So much for developing that one's palate, Rhys thought ruefully, almost
wishing he had left some of the wine unadulterated, for his own consumption.
But of course, neither he nor any of the others who would be involved in
tonight's ritual had eaten or drunk anything since midafternoon, or would
tonight.
He never saw the squires drinkтАФonly their empty cups and pleased smiles
bearing mute witness to the fact that they, too, had partaken. When all the
cups had been replaced on their tray, Rhys smiled and clapped his hands for
them to be off to bed, following them affably into the sleeping chamber. He was
aware of Tavis gliding down from the window seat toward the half-flagon of wine
still remaining, and he made short work of his good-nights.
The squires were nodding off, too, finding their sleeping pallets, as Rhys
slipped back into the common room. He was not surprised to find Tavis waiting
for him, accusation in his eyes.
"You lied," Tavis whispered.
"I did?"
"That was no physick against colds," Tavis continued, gesturing toward the
flagon, eyes flashing like pale aquamarines in his anger. "You drugged them.
You gave them enough cinquefoil to put them asleep until tomorrow. I could
smell it! What are you up to?"
Mentally and physically steeling himself for what would probably have to be
done, Rhys feigned a look of innocence and inserted himself casually between
Tavis and the door.
"Up to?" Rhys replied. "Why, I'm simply following His Grace's instructions,
seeing that the children get a good night's rest."
"Rest in peace, more likely," Tavis muttered, touching a fingertip to the dregs
of one of the cups and tasting it analytically. "You won't mind if I check with His
Grace, willтАФwhat's this? Wolfbane and mer тАФRhys, you didn't!"
His shields were up, his mind shuttered behind the impenetrable controls of
a highly trained Healer, and Rhys knew he could not breach those defenses
except against great resistance.
So before the younger man could react, Rhys stepped forward and slammed
his fist into Tavis's solar plexus, caught him as he collapsed to the floor with a
startled whoof of expelled air.
"I'm afraid I did, my young friend," Rhys whispered, snatching up the flagon