Read Online The Quest for Saint Camber by Katherine Kurtz - Free Book Online

shivered as he put it back down and quenched the handfire with an impatient closing of his fist.
    â€œSo, that’s merasha .”
    He glanced uneasily at Dhugal, who looked even more apprehensive than he himself felt, then made his gaze continue on around the table to Duncan, solemn and sympathetic, no doubt remembering his own most recent brush with the drug, to Nigel, who was trying hard not to transmit his dry-throated fear to the rest of them, full of dread even though he was not being asked to endure the testing, past the inscrutable-looking Arilan, and on, at last, to Morgan.
    â€œI think I would have preferred some time to get used to the idea, Alaric,” he said softly, managing to keep most of the reproach out of his voice. “You could have told me.”
    â€œForgive me,” Morgan murmured. “I misjudged. We did talk about the advisability of doing this—one night late in the fall, as I recall. Dhugal, you were there. But I suppose you put it out of mind when I was unable to procure any merasha on my own. The need is no less important for having been postponed, however. It’s vital that you know what you could come up against and how to deal with it.”
    â€œWhat’s the urgency?”
    â€œBecause you aren’t a child any more, my prince,” Morgan said a little sharply. “Because in three days’ time, you’ll be knighted. For those who will never wear a crown, that’s the official seal of manhood. It makes you fair game for those who might have spared you before, because of your youth—especially as your talents become more widely known. When you go on progress, and especially when you meet the Torenthi legates in Cardosa, you’ll be particularly at risk.”
    â€œImplying that I haven’t been for the past four years?”
    â€œYou’ve been lucky. You can’t be sure your luck will hold. If Brion had known what you’ll know, he might not have died. That’s my fault. I knew what merasha could do, at least in theory. I should have made certain he did, too.”
    â€œDon’t flatter yourself, Alaric,” Arilan said. “It would have done no good in Brion’s case. Brion was never really comfortable with what he was and he never learned to utilize his powers the way he might have done. That isn’t your fault; you were only half-trained yourself. No, there was something in Brion’s own makeup that held him back, that made him just a little too reluctant to use what powers he had. I think I know, but I mayn’t speak of it. Remember that I was his confessor for the last six years of his life.”
    â€œHe spoke of these things to you?” Kelson asked.
    â€œOnly peripherally and very rarely, at that. But why do you think he never taught you anything about the Haldane potential? Think back. Alaric and Duncan were the only ones who even tried to expose you to magic and esoteric philosophy.”
    Kelson swallowed uncomfortably and reached out to touch a hesitant fingertip to the side of the leather flask.
    â€œIf—if my father had known how to minimize the effects of the merasha , would that have saved him?”
    As all eyes turned to Arilan in question, the Deryni bishop slowly shook his head.
    â€œI can’t answer that, Kelson. It might have done so. If he’d known—if he’d been fighting it when I realized what was happening—it’s possible. But not knowing, he definitely didn’t have a chance. That I can say without reservation.”
    â€œI see.”
    Kelson picked up the flask and tipped it from side to side, with an answering gurgle of liquid still inside.
    â€œVery well. Is there enough in here to do the job, or has it gone bad in four years?”
    Nigel paled, and Morgan and Duncan exchanged startled glances, but Arilan only smiled slightly.
    â€œI fear the wine has gone a little sour, and the merasha has lost its potency after so long, but I