The Legends of Camber of Culdi Trilogy Read online

  Also by Katherine Kurtz

  The Deryni Novels

  The Chronicles of the Deryni

  Deryni Rising

  Deryni Checkmate

  High Deryni

  The Legends of Camber of Culdi

  Camber of Culdi

  Saint Camber

  Camber the Heretic

  The Histories of King Kelson

  The Bishop’s Heir

  The King’s Justice

  The Quest for Saint Camber

  The Heirs of Saint Camber

  The Harrowing of Gwynedd

  King Javan’s Year

  The Bastard Prince

  The Childe Morgan Trilogy

  In the King’s Service

  Childe Morgan

  The King’s Deryni

  Other novels

  King Kelson’s Bride

  The Legends of Camber of Culdi Trilogy

  Camber of Culdi, Saint Camber, and Camber the Heretic

  Katherine Kurtz

  CONTENTS

  Camber of Culdi

  Prologue

  Now go, write it before them on a tablet, and inscribe it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever.

  — Isaiah 30:8

  I In the multitude of people is the king’s honour; but in the want of the people is the destruction of the prince.

  — Proverbs 14:28

  II He shall go to the generation of his fathers …

  — Psalms 49:19

  III Then give place to the physician, for the Lord hath created him: let him not go from thee, for thou hast need of him.

  — Ecclesiasticus 38:12

  IV Hear counsel and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

  — Proverbs 19:20

  V Now the king sat in the winterhouse in the ninth month …

  — Jeremiah 36:22

  VI O that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain, that I might weep day and night for the slain …

  — Jeremiah 9:1

  VII The skill of the physician shall lift up his head: and in the sight of great men he shall be in admiration.

  — Ecclesiasticus 38:3

  VIII Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?

  — Proverbs 27:4

  IX When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.

  — Proverbs 26:25

  X Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

  — Proverbs 20:1

  XI The just shall be in everlasting remembrance.

  — Psalms 112:6

  XII For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war.

  — Proverbs 24:6

  XIII For your hands are defiled with blood.

  — Isaiah 59:3

  XIV Blessed shall they be that shall be in those days,/He bringeth back His anointed.

  — Psalms of Solomon 18:6

  XV I have forsaken mine house, I have left mine heritage.

  — Jeremiah 12:7

  XVI There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother; yet is there no end to all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches.

  — Ecclesiastes 4:8

  XVII But he shall take a virgin of his own people to wife.

  — Leviticus 21:14

  XVIII The Lord said to my lord, “You are my son. This day I have begotten you!”

  — Psalms 2:7

  XIX And they put him in ward, that the mind of the Lord might be shewed them.

  — Leviticus 24:12

  XX Hear us, my lord; thou art a prince of God among us.

  — Genesis 22:6

  XXI For out of prison he comes to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becomes poor.

  — Ecclesiastes 4:14

  Preview: Saint Camber

  Bonus Story: Bethane

  Appendix I: Index of Characters

  Appendix II: Index to Place Names

  Appendix III: Partial Lineage of the Haldane Kings

  Appendix IV: The Festillic Kings of Gwynedd and Their Descendants

  Appendix V: Partial Lineage of the MacRories

  Saint Camber

  P ROLOGUE

  Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.

  — Isaiah 42:9

  I By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

  — Proverbs 25:15

  II But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them.

  — II Timothy 3:14

  III For death is come up into our windows, and is entered into our palaces.

  — Jeremiah 9:21

  IV For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

  — I Peter 3:17

  V Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

  — Galatians 4:16

  VI I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.

  — II Timothy 4:7

  VII And them shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name.

  — Isaiah 62:2

  VIII Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep.

  — Proverbs 24:33

  IX As a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

  — I Corinthians 3:10

  X The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.

  — Proverbs 23:24

  XI Grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, by stretching forth thine hand to heal.

  — Acts 4:29–30

  XII I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

  — I Corinthians 9:22

  XIII For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order.

  — Colossians 2:5

  XIV I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

  — Galatians 4:11

  XV I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people.

  — Psalms 116:14

  XVI For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.

  — Hebrews 5:1

  XVII Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you.

  — I Peter 1:13

  XVIII Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints.

  — Colossians 1:26

  XIX Order ye the buckler and shield, and draw near to battle. Harness the horses; and get up, ye horsemen, and stand forth with your helmets; furbish the spears, and put on the brigandines.

  — Jeremiah 46:3–4

  XX And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves.

  — II Timothy 2:24–25

  XXI And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

  — Galatians 6:9

  XXII For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.

  — Acts 22:15

  XXIII I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in
doubt of you.

  — Galatians 4:20

  XXIV For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness; God is witness: nor of men sought we glory.

  — I Thessalonians 2:5–6

  XXV How is he numbered among the children of God, and his lot is among the saints!

  — Wisdom of Solomon 5:5

  Preview: Camber the Heretic

  Appendix I: Index of Characters

  Appendix II: Index to Places

  Camber the Heretic

  P ROLOGUE But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people.— I Peter 2:9

  I For of the Most High cometh healing, and he shall receive honour of the king.— Ecclesiasticus 38:2

  II And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.— Daniel 11:21

  III He that loveth his son causeth him oft to feel the rod, that he may have joy of him in the end.— Ecclesiasticus 30:1

  IV Judge none blessed before his death: for a man shall be known in his children.— Ecclesiasticus 11:28

  V For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie; though it may tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come.— Habakkuk 2:3

  VI Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.— I Timothy 4:14

  VII Or ever the silver cord be loosed … then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. —Ecclesiastes 12:6–7

  VIII Now I say, that the heir, so long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; but is under tutors and governors until the time appointed by his father.— Galatians 4:1–2

  IX Woe unto thee, O land, when thy king is a child. —Ecclesiastes 10:16

  X But at present it is expedient for thee, and for thy house, to be grieved.— III Hermas 7:12

  XI Whom shall he teach knowledge? And whom shall he make to understand doctrine?— Isaiah 28:9

  XII Show new signs, and make other strange wonders.— Ecclesiasticus 36:6

  XIII Strangers conspired together against him, and maligned him in the wilderness.— Ecclesiasticus 45:18

  XIV And I will cut off witchcrafts out of thine hand.— Micah 5:12

  XV I will not be ashamed to defend a friend; neither will I hide myself from him.— Ecclesiasticus 22:25

  XVI For the elements were changed in themselves by a kind of harmony.— Wisdom of Solomon 19:18

  XVII A faithful friend is a strong defense: and he that hath found such an one hath found a treasure.— Ecclesiasticus 6:14

  XVIII The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.— Isaiah 40:3

  XIX There is no healing of thy bruise; thy wound is grievous.— Nahum 3:19

  XX Let us see if his words be true: and let us prove what shall happen in the end of him.— Wisdom of Solomon 2:17

  XXI An enemy speaketh sweetly with his lips, but in his heart he imagineth how to throw thee into a pit: he will weep with his eyes, but if he find opportunity, he will not be satisfied with blood.— Ecclesiasticus 12:16

  XXII For the chief-priest has his proper services, and to the priests their proper place is appointed.— I Clement 18:18

  XXIII And they shall scoff at the kings, and the princes shall be a scorn unto them: they shall deride every stronghold.— Habakkuk 1:16

  XXIV They plundered the sanctuary of God, as though there was no avenger.— Psalms of Solomon 8:10

  XXV In the day of our king the princes have made him sick with bottles of wine.— Hosea 7:5

  XXVI So they set a fair miter upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the Lord stood by.— Zechariah 3:5

  XXVII As for the illusions of art magick, they were put down, and their vaunting in wisdom was reproved with disgrace.— Wisdom of Solomon 17:7

  XXVIII It is the part of a brave combatant to be wounded, yet overcome.— Polycarp 1:14

  XXIX But these two things shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the loss of children and widowhood: they shall come upon thee in their perfection for the multitude of thy sorceries, and for the great abundance of thine enchantments.— Isaiah 47:9

  XXX For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branches thereof will not cease.— Job 14:7

  E PILOGUE And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places; thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.— Isaiah 58:12

  Appendix I: Index of Characters

  Appendix II: Index of Place

  Appendix III: Partial Lineage of the Haldane Kings

  Appendix IV: The Festillic Kings of Gwynedd and Their Descendants

  Appendix V: Partial Lineage of the MacRories

  Camber of Culdi

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  Also by Katherine Kurtz

  The Deryni Novels

  The Chronicles of the Deryni

  Deryni Rising

  Deryni Checkmate

  High Deryni

  The Legends of Camber of Culdi

  Camber of Culdi

  Saint Camber

  Camber the Heretic

  The Histories of King Kelson

  The Bishop’s Heir

  The King’s Justice

  The Quest for Saint Camber

  The Heirs of Saint Camber

  The Harrowing of Gwynedd

  King Javan’s Year

  The Bastard Prince

  The Childe Morgan Trilogy

  In the King’s Service

  Childe Morgan

  The King’s Deryni

  Other novels

  King Kelson’s Bride

  Camber of Culdi

  For

  Fredrick Harry Kurtz

  and for

  The good folk of the

  Society for Creative Anachronism,

  without whom this book would have

  been finished far sooner,

  but far less well.

  Author doth not live by typewriter alone!

  Contents

  Prologue

  Now go, write it before them on a tablet, and inscribe it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever.

  —Isaiah 30:8

  I In the multitude of people is the king’s honour; but in the want of the people is the destruction of the prince.

  —Proverbs 14:28

  II He shall go to the generation of his fathers …

  —Psalms 49:19

  III Then give place to the physician, for the Lord hath created him: let him not go from thee, for thou hast need of him.

  —Ecclesiasticus 38:12

  IV Hear counsel and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

  —Proverbs 19:20

  V Now the king sat in the winterhouse in the ninth month …

  —Jeremiah 36:22

  VI O that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain, that I might weep day and night for the slain …

  —Jeremiah 9:1

  VII The skill of the physician shall lift up his head: and in the sight of great men he shall be in admiration.

  —Ecclesiasticus 38:3

  VIII Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?

  —Proverbs 27:4

  IX When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.

  —Proverbs 26:25

  X Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

  —Proverb
s 20:1

  XI The just shall be in everlasting remembrance.

  —Psalms 112:6

  XII For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war.

  —Proverbs 24:6

  XIII For your hands are defiled with blood.

  —Isaiah 59:3

  XIV Blessed shall they be that shall be in those days,/He bringeth back His anointed.

  —Psalms of Solomon 18:6

  XV I have forsaken mine house, I have left mine heritage.

  —Jeremiah 12:7

  XVI There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother; yet is there no end to all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches.

  —Ecclesiastes 4:8

  XVII But he shall take a virgin of his own people to wife.

  —Leviticus 21:14

  XVIII The Lord said to my lord, “You are my son. This day I have begotten you!”

  —Psalms 2:7

  XIX And they put him in ward, that the mind of the Lord might be shewed them.

  —Leviticus 24:12

  XX Hear us, my lord; thou art a prince of God among us.

  —Genesis 22:6

  XXI For out of prison he comes to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becomes poor.

  —Ecclesiastes 4:14

  Preview: Saint Camber

  Bonus Story: Bethane

  Appendix I: Index of Characters

  Appendix II: Index to Place Names

  Appendix III: Partial Lineage of the Haldane Kings

  Appendix IV: The Festillic Kings of Gwynedd and Their Descendants

  Appendix V: Partial Lineage of the MacRories

  About the Author

  Now, these are the Names of the Eleven Kingdoms, sung rightly well of old:

  Howicce, and Llannedd, and fierce Connait;

  mountainous Meara, the Land Beyond the River;

  and Kheldour, the windswept;

  and pastoral Eastmarch;

  Tolan, and Torenth, and myth ridden Mooryn;

  and lost Caeriesse, which sank beneath the sea;

  and far-reaching Gwynedd, seat of the Haldane Kings.

  —LAY OF THE LORD LLEWELLYN,

  Troubadour to the High King

  of Mooryn

  PROLOGUE

  Now go, write it before them on a tablet, and inscribe in it a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever.

  —Isaiah 30:8