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

Jesse looked dubious and a little scared. "You're sure he won't start
throwing things around again? I mean, I don't suppose he would hurt me, but
what about the servants?"
"You let me and Evaine worry about that," Rhys said, gesturing for the men
to move closer. "Is everyone ready now?"
Reluctant but obedient, the men eased in gingerly around the bed and
made assignments among themselves, watching as Rhys and Evaine took
positions near the head and Evaine readied the cup. A moment they paused,
one man surreptitiously crossing himself before the expected struggle. Then, at
Rhys's signal, all of them pounced.
Pandemonium ensued. Gregory arched his body upward in reflex, almost
throwing off even that array of physical force, and the bed began trembling from
more than his movement. Rhys heard something smash against the floor
behind him as he forced the earl's jaws apart, but he ignored that as he tried,
at the same time, to apply pressure for temporary unconsciousness. Gregory let
out a terrified animal gurgle as Evaine began pouring the drugged wine down
his throat, but Rhys's skillful touch evoked a swallowing reflex once, twice, a
third time, and then it was done.
Releasing Gregory's head, Rhys signalled the servants to withdraw to the
safety of the doorway, then stood back with Evaine and Jesse and tried to
dampen the effects of the earl's temporary wrath. A bowl and pitcher of water
across the room toppled to the floor with a crash that made them all jump.
Then a pair of swords over the mantel came careening through the air to clatter
against the opposite wall, narrowly missing young Jesse's head.
Finally, the earl's pale eyes began to glaze, his head to cease its fitful tossing
from side to side, as the drug at last took effect. He moaned several times,
obviously still fighting, but it was evident that he was losing the battle. As the
earl at last grew quiet, Jesse gave a great sigh of relief and shuddered, hugging
his arms across his chest against more than physical chill.
"I told him not to ride that stallion," he whispered fiercely, almost to himself.
"The animal is a killer. Valuable stud or not, he should be destroyed!"
"What, exactly, happened, Jesse? Were you there?" Rhys asked, beginning
to relax a little. "Do you know whether he was thrown against something, or did
he just hit the ground?"
The young man shivered again, closing his eyes as if that might keep him
from remembering. "I was there. I wish I hadn't been. The stallion threw him
into a fence, hard, and then I think he kicked him, though I can't be sure of
that. It all happened so fast."
"But he was unconscious for a time?" Rhys urged.
"Either that or just stunned. The master of the horse said he thought it was
just a dislocation and the wind knocked out of him, at first. But by the time
they got him up here, he was moving the way you saw and raving with the pain.
That was last night. Things started flying around the room shortly after that.
Our household Healer is away for a few days, so that's why I sent for you."
"I see," Rhys said. "Well, I'm pretty sure he has a fracture and a dislocation.
And given his psychic activities, there's probably more at work than that.
Anyway, we'll see what we can do, now that he's manageable. You can wait
outside, if you'd rather."
With a nod, Jesse swallowed and slowly backed toward the door, finally
turning to flee with the servants. Rhys suppressed a smile with some effort