"Katherine Kurtz - Heirs 02 - King Javan's Year" - читать интересную книгу автора (Kurtz Katherine)

But what was Charlan doing here at this hour? It could not be to tell of Alroy┬┤s death, for he had
demanded admittance in the name of the king and asked to see Prince Javan.
Of course, Alroy could be dead and Rhys Michael declared king-but surely not even Rhun or Murdoch
would have been stupid enough to send Charlan to tell his former master that his crown was usurped.
Which all suggested that Alroy was still alive but failing. As Javan slipped his good foot into his sandal
and then set about the more time-consuming process of putting his special boot back on, he decided that
could also account for what he had been feeling all day. And if Alroy was failing-
Mince no words, Javan, he told himself. If Alroy is dying, you┬┤re about to have to fight for your crown.
You┬┤d just better hope you┬┤re ready . . .
He was fastening up the last buckle on his boot when torches approached from the processional door
that led into the cloister from the abbey church. Heart pounding in his throat, he scooped up his scapular
and rose, automatically starting to don it before the abbot saw him out of uniform-for Father Halex surely
would be the one to bring Charlan to him, the only one with authority to do so.
But then he decided to take the gamble that this was the call he had been waiting for and that he had
removed the hated symbol of servitude to the Custodes Fidei for the last time. As the torches
approached, Father Halex clearly in the lead and Charlan┬┤s towhead right beside him, Javan dropped the
scapular back onto the grass and contented himself with doing up the throat of his soutane.
Charlan strode out ahead of the abbot as he saw his former master, and Javan drew himself to attention
as the young knight drew near and made him a respectful bow, left hand resting lightly on the hilt of his
sword. The young knight wore a quilted jazerant over his riding leathers, token indication that this was
not a social call, but that seemed to be the extent of his armor. Still, it was a measure of the impact he
had made on arrival that Charlan retained his sword and dagger, even within these cloistered walls,
though he had not been allowed to bring any of his men with him.
тАЬYour Highness, I bear important news from Rhemuth,тАЩ Charlan said carefully, obviously as aware as
Javan that the abbot and his two attendant monks were taking in every word.
тАЬThe king?тАЩ Javan asked in a low voice, afraid for what he would hear.
тАЬThe king lives,тАЩ Charlan breathed,тАЩ but he commands your presence. The Prince Rhys Michael bade me
come, and gave me this as token of his authority.тАЩ
Without taking his eyes from Charlan┬┤s dark ones, Javan opened a palm under the closed fist Charlan
offered, glancing then at what lay gleaming in the torchlight. It was Rhys Michael┬┤s signet, near mate to
Javan┬┤s own, which he kept hidden in a small leather pouch under the mattress in his cell.
тАЬBrother Javan,тАЩ the abbot said pointedly, тАЬthis is highly irregular. You are under obedience to this Order.
And where is the rest of your habit?тАЩ
тАЬI mean you no disrespect, Father Abbot, but I am under a higher obedience to my king, who is my
brother,тАЩ Javan replied, ignoring the question of his habit as he glanced back at Charlan. тАЬRhys Michael
sent you, Sir Charlan?тАЩ
тАЬAye, my lord, for the king was too weak to make his wishes known outside his sickroom.тАЩ Charlan
delved into the pouch hanging from his belt and produced a folded handkerchief, which he handed to
Javan. тАЬAs further earnest that this is his personal request, the prince bade me give you this.тАЩ
Carefully Javan unfolded the soft linen, deliberately angling it so that Father Halex could not see what it
contained. The earring of twisted gold wire was mate to another he had been directed to remove prior to
making his vows and bespoke the very urgency of Rhys Michael┬┤s summons-that this, indeed, touched
on the kingship of Gwynedd. He kept his expression neutral as he folded the earring back into its linen
nest, deliberately ignoring the abbot as he slipped Rhys Michael┬┤s ring onto his right hand and looked up
at Charlan again.
тАЬI┬┤ll need to boot up and change,тАЩ he said, handing the handkerchief back to the young knight for
safekeeping. тАЬLook after that, will you? And did you bring me a horse, or shall I borrow one from the
abbey stables?тАЩ
тАЬNow, see here, Brother Javan!тАЩ the abbot began.
тАЬIt┬┤s Prince Javan now, my Lord Abbot,тАЩ Javan replied, rounding on the older man with a look of fierce