Saint Camber by Katherine Kurtz Read Free Book Online

declined to fill them, since he could not be assured of the election of candidates who would ignore his excesses. However, in keeping with your eventual plans to move the capital back to Rhemuth, Archbishop Anscom has decided to revive the Rhemuth archbishopric.”
    Cinhil nodded. “I knew of that. Robert Oriss, the vicar general of my old Order, is to be raised to the purple.”
    â€œA most deserving man,” Cullen agreed. “What you may not have heard is that Grecotha is to be revived as well, and that the archbishop and synod have elected me to fill that seat. I’ll be consecrated bishop with Robert in a few months’ time, as soon as all this war business is over.”
    â€œ You , Bishop of Grecotha!” Cinhil breathed. His initial glow of pleasure faded almost immediately to one of disappointment. “But that’s a long way from here, and days away from Rhemuth. Then I shall never see you.”
    Cullen shrugged, a helpless gesture. “Even as Bishop of Grecotha, I expect to spend a certain amount of time in the capital, wherever that might be, Sire. But I appreciate your concern. I, too, have mixed emotions about the promotion, though for additional reasons. Certainly, I’ll enjoy returning to Grecotha—I was partially educated there, you know. And I welcome the challenge of setting the diocese in order again. But it will be a grave responsibility to have the cure of so many souls in my care. And, of course, it will mean giving up my Michaelines.”
    â€œThe Michaelines—that’s right. I’d forgotten. You can’t retain both offices, can you?”
    â€œNo, but perhaps my successor will be able to do better for them than I have done. It will take years to rebuild what we lost under Imre, even with the generous assistance you have given us.”
    â€œYou lost it for me,” Cinhil murmured. “Is there nothing more I can do to repay that debt?”
    â€œOnly pray for us,” Cullen said simply. “And pray for me , if you will—for strength to know and do God’s will in my new undertaking. I would value your prayers, Cinhil.”
    Cinhil stared at the other man for a long moment, then smiled tentatively, almost shyly.
    â€œIt is I who would be privileged to pray for you, Father—or should I say ‘Your Grace’?”
    â€œâ€˜Father’ is always appropriate. Or ‘Alister,’ if you wish.”
    â€œNay, not ‘Alister.’ Not yet, at least. But a bishop,” Cinhil repeated. “You’re to be a bishop. What a wondrous thing!”
    â€œPerhaps we can share a few of our mutual burdens, Sire,” Cullen said, touching Cinhil’s arm lightly as he turned to go. “You may tell me how it is to be a king, and I shall tell you how it is to be a bishop. At least that is not forbidden us.”
    Cinhil watched almost reverently as Cullen moved to the door and turned to bow.
    â€œThank you for coming, Father.”
    â€œThank you for seeing me, Sire.” Cullen smiled.
    When he was gone, Cinhil sank back on the cushions of the window seat and let out a sigh.
    Cullen to be a bishop, and Bishop of Grecotha at that! And just now, when it had begun to look as if he were one Deryni who might be trusted. True, Grecotha was not that far away, but still …
    Even so, to have one in so high a place in sympathy, even if he was Deryni—that could not help but be useful. Perhaps Cullen could even be persuaded to restore Cinhil’s priestly functions, after a time. Or Oriss, for that matter. As Archbishop of Rhemuth, he would be in an even better position than Cullen to permit a more suitable disposition of Cinhil’s priestly status, especially once the capital returned to Rhemuth. And Oriss was human.
    True, Oriss had not known Cinhil while Cinhil was a monk under his rule. Oriss probably had never even heard of the Brother Benedict Cinhil had been before Joram and Rhys