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

"He will sleep now," he murmured, making a halfhearted attempt to dry his
tears against his sleeve. "He will remember nothing unless there is need. Even
then, he will not remember this night unless it falls that he must perform a like
office for his son someday."
He drew another deep breath and buried his face in the boy's black hair,
which muffled his voice as he added: "Alister, would you please open a gate so
that I may take him to Rhys? I fear I may have drawn too deeply on my own
strength. Help me."
He was aware of the bishop striding quickly to the northeast quarter of the
circle and stooping for the blade. But by the time he had made his slow,
shuffling way to his friend's side, Joram and Evaine supporting him at his
elbows, the gate was open, Alister standing aside with the sword at rest beside
him while Rhys reached out for the unconscious Alroy.
Cinhil gave the boy tenderly into the Healer's keeping, then sank to his
knees outside the circle's gate, forcing himself to breathe slowly but not too
deeply, for the last thing he needed was to trigger a coughing bout. He waited
while Rhys laid his son on a sleeping fur, checked his condition, signed for
Joram to come and take Javan into the circle. When Joram had passed inside
with the boy, Rhys scrambled on his knees to Cinhil's side. His Healer's hand
touched Cinhil's in deep concern.
"Cinhil, are you all right?"
"With your help, I shall endure what I must. I need your strength, though,
Rhys."
"What would you have me do?"
Cinhil closed his eyes briefly. "There isтАФa Deryni spell for banishing fatigue.
IтАФknow it, but have never used it." He paused. "Will you help me work it now?"
"There is a danger. You know that. In your weakened stateтАФ"
"In my weakened state, I shall surely die if I attempt what further must be
done and do not have this help," Cinhil chided gently. "Come, Rhys. You know
that I am dying. At least let me accomplish what I must, before I go. If I do not
leave this circle alive, once my task is finished, it does not matter. But it does
matter that I finish my work. I cannot, without your help."
A flicker of compassion stirred behind Rhys's amber eyes, and then he
pressed the royal hand in acquiescence.
"Very well, my liege. You shall have your help. Open to me and let me enter.
I promise, you shall have the strength to finish your workтАФand you shall feel
no pain."
chapter seven


Or ever the silver cord be loosed . . . then shall the dust return to the earth as it
was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
тАФEcclesiastes 12:6-7


At Cinhil's nod, Rhys took a deep breath and let himself begin to sink into
trance, though he did not close his eyes just yet. Slipping his left hand along
the side of Cinhil's neck, his thumb resting lightly behind the right ear, he
brought his other hand up to touch the front of Cinhil's head, his hand's
weight urging the weary eyes to close. A moment more to collect himself, and