Camber the Heretic by Katherine Kurtz

Rhys?” he asked, almost inaudibly.
    â€œA matter of weeks,” Rhys managed to reply. “A month, at the outside. I don’t think he’ll see Eastertide.”
    A chill slithered down Camber’s spine. Weeks! A month at the outside!
    And Cinhil knew , he realized, as he thought back on their last conversation. Cinhil was aware that he was dying, and had started to tell Camber and Joram about his concern for his sons when Rhys’s message had called them both away.
    Now Cinhil was alone at Valoret—or, not alone, for Jebediah was with him; and Tavis was available for the basic work of Healing. But Jebediah was not trained to cope with what must occur before Cinhil died—and Tavis must never know!
    â€œWe must get back to him,” Camber breathed, unclasping cramped fingers and reaching for his cloak. “How soon can the two of you leave?”
    He stood as Joram laid the heavy cloak on his shoulders and fastened the clasp. Rhys and Evaine also stood, almost frightened at the intensity of Camber’s reaction.
    â€œWe need to be certain Gregory is free of any aftereffects,” the Healer said. “Under the circumstances, with he being who he is, we really should spend the night here and plan to leave in the morning.”
    â€œSo long?” Camber murmured. “God, I wish I hadn’t left Cinhil! What if he—”
    â€œ Father , he isn’t going to die tonight!” Evaine insisted gently, sensing Camber’s increasing anxiety and knowing it to be unwarranted, as yet. “Unless he was much worse at noon than he was this morning, he has time.”
    With a weary sigh, Camber clasped both their hands to his breast and shook his head.
    â€œI’m sorry. I know. You’re right. Nonetheless, I must go back to him. We’ve come so far.… Return as soon as you can. God keep you both safe.”

C HAPTER F OUR
    Judge none blessed before his death: for a man shall be known in his children .
    â€”Ecclesiasticus 11:28
    They delayed at Ebor longer than Camber would have liked. The horses had been fed and watered, the men of their escort provided for, while Camber and Joram were in the earl’s chambers; but when the two emerged, nothing would do but that they take a light meal with Lord Jesse and the steward—for Jesse was hungry for news of the capital and the king, and knew that the bishop had just left the court that morning.
    So half an hour was lost appeasing Jesse. When at last Camber and his men rode out again, the hazy shadows were lengthening beside the muddy road, the sky dulling to a close, leaden grey which bespoke ill weather to come. With luck, a full moon would light their last miles almost as bright as day, reflected off the pale and silent snowdrifts. And if the promised new snow held off for even a few hours, they would be back at the king’s side before Compline. As for a storm—Camber preferred not to think about that.
    But so far, the weather seemed to be holding. They had been riding at a steady, ground-covering canter for some time, Camber and Joram leading, the four guards following in pairs, when Camber finally reined back to a brisk walk to let the horses blow. As he caught his breath, he overheard one of the younger guards wondering softly to his colleague how such an old man could set such a pace. It was all Camber could do to keep from smiling as Guthrie, the guard sergeant, shushed the man and urged his mount alongside Camber’s, on the opposite side from Joram.
    â€œYour Grace, do you intend that we should take this road all the way back to Valoret?”
    â€œNow, Guthrie, that’s an odd question,” Camber answered, cocking his head curiously at the man. “This is the shortest route. You know I want to rejoin the king as soon as possible.”
    â€œOf course, Your Grace.” The man bowed respectfully in the saddle. “The men merely wondered whether you were aware that there is