Saint Camber by Katherine Kurtz Page A

fire of the Haldana rubies and diamonds.
    Camber took up the flagon of water and poured it into the bowl, a wistful lift to one corner of his mouth as he glanced aside at Cullen.
    â€œThis is water—nothing more. Alister, would you please bless it?”
    â€œA simple blessing, or something more involved?”
    â€œThe latter, I think. Use the Paschal blessing with the necessary changes.”
    â€œVery well.”
    Taking a deep breath, Cullen extended his priestly hands flat over the surface of the water as Camber put the flagon out of the way behind him.
    â€œI bless and consecrate thee, O creature of water, by the living God, by the true God, by the holy God, by that God Who, in the beginning, separated thee by His word from the dry land, and Whose Spirit moved upon thee.”
    With his hand he traced a cross on the surface of the water, then scattered some of it toward each of the four quarters so that it sprinkled each of the watchers.
    â€œWho made thee to flow forth from the fountains of Paradise, and commanded thee to water the world in four rivers. Who, changing thy bitterness in the desert into sweetness, made thee fit to drink, and brought thee forth from the rock to quench the people’s thirst.”
    Again he signed the water, this time bending to breathe thrice upon it, as God, in the beginning, had breathed upon the water with the Holy Spirit.
    â€œDo Thou, with Thy mouth, bless these clear waters: that besides their natural virtue of cleansing the body, they may be effectual for the purification of minds. In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti, Amen .”
    As he looked up, Camber handed him the four tapers.
    â€œNow consecrate the tapers, please.”
    Handling the four as one, Cullen dipped the bases of the tapers into the bowl of water.
    â€œMay the power of the Holy Spirit descend into the fullness of this water, that it may purify all it touches.” He removed the tapers. “Per omnia saecula saeculorum.”
    â€œAmen,” the other four responded.
    Cullen shook the excess water off the tapers, then handed them to Camber, who dried them with his napkin before giving one to each of them.
    â€œWe’ll set the wards now. Rhys, when we’re all ready, you can light your taper from the central one. Alister, I’ve purposely put you last so you can pick up the pattern and follow when your turn comes. Any questions?”
    There were none—only returned gazes of varying confidence. With a brief smile of reassurance, Camber closed his eyes and bowed his head, fingertips resting lightly on the cloth covering the table. After a few seconds he could sense the new light as Rhys touched his taper to the central candle. He could feel the prickle of power beginning to build as Rhys spoke softly:
    â€œI call the mighty Archangel Raphael, the Healer, Guardian of Wind and Tempest. May thy winds blow cool and sweet this night, to send us that which we must know. Fiat, fiat, fiat voluntas mea .”
    To his right, Camber felt Joram stirring, to reach across and light his taper from the central flame. His son’s voice was firm and confident in the stillness.
    â€œI call the mighty Archangel Michael, the Defender, Keeper of the Gates of Eden. Lend thou thy fiery sword as protection this night, that naught may keep us from that which we must know. Fiat, fiat, fiat voluntas mea .”
    The air was beginning to crackle around him now, as Evaine brushed his left elbow in leaning out to light her taper.
    â€œI call the mighty Archangel Gabriel, the Herald, who didst bring glad tidings to Our Blessed Lady. As we are born of water, so let knowledge be born of water here tonight, that we may learn what we must know. Fiat, fiat, fiat voluntas mea .”
    The circle was almost complete. Camber let himself relax a little as Cullen’s light joined the others.
    â€œI call the mighty Archangel Uriel, Angel of Death, who bringest all souls at last to the