The Harrowing of Gwynedd by Katherine Kurtz Read Free Book Online Page A

burned, if they’d been able to lay their hands on his body. Fortunately, where Camber was concerned, God took that possibility out of their hands, by bodily assuming him into heaven. The good men and women of Saint Camber’s at Dolban were not so fortunate.”
    â€œSo they— burned them at Dolban,” Gregory muttered. “God help them—all of them!”
    Queron scowled. “Amen—but I pray He also helps the perpetrators swiftly to His justice. I have no fear for those who died, for I know that they reside now in the fullness of His glory, but I pray that those who did this thing may be made to suffer. They were episcopal troops, by the way—not just regents’ men. I hold Hubert MacInnis personally responsible for this one.”
    â€œ He deserves to burn in hell! ” Ansel whispered bitterly.
    â€œAye, he does,” Queron replied. “And there’s worse yet to tell.”
    â€œ Worse? ” Gregory gasped. “What can be worse?”
    â€œIt wasn’t just the fires,” Queron murmured, closing his eyes against the memory. “Simple burning at the stake was not sufficient for Hubert’s men. Before enacting the ultimate punishment, for heresy, they—imposed the first two penalties as well.”
    Young Jesse gasped, going a little white beneath his olive tan. “You mean, they—beat them and—cut out their tongues, and—and then burned them?”
    â€œ No one could be that monstrous!” Ansel stated flatly.
    â€œThose men were,” Queron whispered, brushing a trembling hand across his eyes. “And I might have ended up the same, had it not been for Revan.” He glanced up at Evaine. “Your young man has guts, I’ll say that for him. He knocked me out, then dosed me with my own drugs to prevent me going down there to try to stop it—as if I could have made any difference, other than maybe to prove that Deryni do, indeed, use their magic to harm humans—even humans who deserve to come to harm. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so helpless.”
    As Ansel and Jesse continued to mutter, exchanging glances across the empty chair of Saint Camber’s Siege between them, Joram said nothing, and Gregory only buried his face in long, trembling fingers. Evaine, tight-lipped and pale, finally glanced over at Joram and stared at him until he looked up, exchanging her recommendation in the blink of an eye.
    Nodding, Joram drew a deep breath and sat back in his chair.
    â€œThank you for telling us, Queron,” he said softly. “We realize how difficult it must have been. However, I think little purpose can be served by dwelling on this any longer. All of this will be filed away for further action, as such becomes possible, but for now, I fear that mere survival remains our overwhelming priority.
    â€œTo that end, I note that only four of us present are sworn members of this Council. That must be remedied. Evaine, Gregory, Ansel, are we still in agreement?” At their affirming nods, Joram went on. “Excellent. We’ve agreed on two additions, then. Jesse, your father has already briefed you on what that involves. Queron, I’ll speak with you privately, but I suspect that, like Jaffray before you, you’ll require time to make additional preparations before taking our oath, to avoid conflict with your Gabrilite vows. Or, are you still bound by them? I know you left active service to the Order some years ago, but I see you’ve also cut your braid now.”
    In an almost reflex gesture, Queron’s hand went to his shorn hair, and he smiled.
    â€œThe braid still would have bound me—yes,” he replied. “But in itself, it is only a symbol, albeit a powerful one. When a symbol becomes a liability, it is time to retire it. So I had Revan cut it off. It— will need to be dealt with in an appropriate manner, in private. I’m sure you understand.”
    Joram