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into sated oblivion。
The sexual tension of that bedchamber at Rhemuth found its echo in an underground chamber far north and east of there； too； where Kelson dreamed restlessly in the delirium of long exposure to the vapors of the pool。 In the hours just past； his mind and soul had been spent of his passion for the vision of Saint Camber； but now his body； restored to health after so many weeks； fell prey to more primal instincts。
He dreamed of Rothana； the way she had looked in the moonlight that night in the gardens at Rhemuth。 In dream…bound memory； embellished by present desire； as some dark…robed cleric blessed their union and then withdrew； he drank her kisses again； once more feeling the stirring she roused in his blood。 Only this time； he did not let her pull back from his embrace as he loosed the ties at the front of her gown and buried his face between her breasts。 And this time； she did not try to stop him。
He could feel the delicious tightening in his groin as he lay back on a bed of fragrant grass； warm and enticing on a night changed in his dream from early spring to summer。 Half in awe； he watched her standing above him； her hair unbound in the moonlight； slowly unlacing the rest of her bodice until her outer gown fell in a pale； silver…azure heap around her feet A thin shift with moonlight behind silhouetted her body； slender but enticing； little pointed breasts emerging pert and firm above the edge of the garment as she loosed the drawstring at the neck and let it slip from her shoulders； to fall in a softer； lighter mound on the gown。
He sighed as she stepped free of the gowns； for her beauty made him ache with wanting her。 Her long hair lifted on the breeze as she knelt astride him； strands of it shrouding his chest and stomach； dark veiling against pale skin； and he could not seem to see clearly as she guided him into warm ecstasy。 His pleasure exploded at the top of his head in a cascade of fire and flame that did not subside but grew to ever more excruciating levels of delight as she moved with him； moved with him and carried him even higher。 He groaned as she brought him to release； the intensity plum…meting him near to fainting。
Then she was leaning forward on his chest to kiss him； tenderly and thoroughly； her dark hair veiling his face； slender fingers pressing warm and gentle against his throat； so that his pleasure was wrapped around in soft； velvet darkness； and he was sinking into oblivious sleep。
When he next became conscious； he was aware； without opening his eyes； that the night had passed。 He had pulled more of the furs around him while he slept； and he opened gummy eyelids to see the torches burned almost to stubs in their cressets； the vapors of the pool once more being drawn upward and out through a now…open vent。 The hot blood rose in his cheeks as he remembered his dream of Rothana… a dream which； he discovered； had been real enough in his body's response…and he rose stiffly to hands and knees to go to the pool and wash。
But the movement brought the rest of the night's experience back to crystal clarity at once； and he froze as his eyes sought the Saint Camber statue。 It was only a statue now； and at first he thought he had dreamed that； too； but then he realized that his wards were still in place； a doorway still yawning open in his circle。
He had not dreamed that part； then。 Saint Camber had； indeed； e to him…or at least Kelson had believed it sufficiently to risk much by deliberately opening a gate for the ghostly presence to e through。 He could recall every detail of that series of events： the double images separating； as one stepped out of the other and moved toward him； only to be brought up short against the circle； the entity's silent entreaty for admission； his own acquiescence； totally unafraid； and then the spine…tingling； awe…ful dread as the entity suddenly was in the circle and reaching out to touch him。
But he could not remember what had happened after that。 Something of knowledge had been imparted； he felt sure； but he could not quite grasp it in conscious memory。 It had been important； too…something more than a mere approval and acceptance of him； though that certainly had been given。
More thoughtful now。 Kelson stood and dispelled his circle； curiously clear…headed for all that had occurred； then went to the pool to drink and wash。 He immersed his head to clear it； and water streaming down his back raised goose…flesh as he paused； still kneeling； to glance up at the statue once more； trying again to see eyes or even some expression in the shadow where the face should be。
〃I hope that you'll forgive me if I don't yet fully understand；〃 he said aloud； as if the statue had ears to hear him as well as eyes to see him kneeling there。 〃I think you told me things last night； and I'm afraid I can't remember。 Is that also part of the plan？ Will it somehow e to me when I need it； remaining hidden until then？〃
When no answer came。 Kelson sighed and set his fists on his hips； feeling a little exasperated。
〃Very well； then。 I can only go on instinct； if you won't give me any more tangible sign。 I believe in you。 Saint Camber of Culdi； and I think you make a worthy example and source of strength for our people。 God knows； they need something to help them survive in this mad； hate…filled world。 So I'm going to restore your cult； as I promised。〃
He rose at that； standing with his hands relaxed along his sides。
〃That's not all I'm going to do。 either。 Shrines and other places of devotion are important； but I'm also going to rebuild the wasted places of our people and found schools to teach them what we've lost in the last two hundred years… as we find it； of course。 A lot of it will have to be rediscovered； but we can do that； especially with your help。 The lost Healing gifts are particularly important…and we now have three people who seem to have them。 Thank you for Dhugal's discovery； by the way； if you had anything to do with that。〃
He sighed and glanced around； suddenly feeling a little silly to be talking to a statue。 He did not regret any of the night's experience； but it was time to reap its further fruits。 With utter dignity then； even in his nakedness； he bent his knee a final time to the statue of the Deryni saint； bowing his head in homage。
Then he was turning to make his way carefully back along the narrow passageway； fingertips trailing the wall on one side while his other hand guarded against projections from the ceiling； for the passageway was much darker； heading away from the light。 The door at the end swung back effortlessly at his touch； and his appearance； as he emerged from the doorway； triggered an awed outpouring of chanted psalms。
The next hour passed in something of a blur for Kelson。 They would not let Dhugal e to him at first； though the sheer joy on the young border lord's face was easy enough to read。 They wrapped him in a cloak of royal blue this time and put a drink of goat's milk and honey in his hands… ancient custom； they told him； symbolic of revival as he emerged into the light of the new dawn。 When he had drunk it to the dregs as required； they enthroned him before the altar in a chair that looked suspiciously like a