Ian frowned and stroked his beard with feigned concern. “Why, that’s ghastly, Morgan. Absolutely ghastly. Ah, how many did you say attacked you?”

“I didn’t say,” Morgan replied neutrally. He eyed Ian suspiciously and tried to discern a motive for the question. “But I believe there were ten or twelve of them. Wouldn’t you agree, Derry?”

“We killed eight, m’lord,” Derry stated promptly. “But several more got away in the confusion.”

“Humph!” Ewan snorted. “Nine Gwynedd men killed only eight of the ruffians? I’d’ve thought ye could do better than that, man!”

“So would I,” Ian added, folding his arms casually across a brocaded doublet of golden yellow silk. “I don’t pretend to be an expert in these matters like Ewan, but it seems to me that you did make a rather poor showing. Of course, none of us was there. . . .” He shrugged and let his voice trail off meaningfully.

“That’s right,” Bran Coris said, his eyes narrowing suspiciously. “None of us was there. How can we be sure it happened the way you say it did? Why didn’t you use your precious Deryni powers to save them, Morgan? Or didn’t you want to save them?”

Morgan stiffened as he whirled to glare at Bran. If the idiot wasn’t careful, he was going to start something Morgan would have to finish. And Morgan didn’t dare risk a bloody open battle here and now.

Damn! This was the second time today he’d had to back down from a good fight!

“I did not hear that remark,” he said pointedly. “I obeyed the command of my king, and I came.” He turned to the left. “Kevin, do you know where Kelson is now?”

“I’ll tell him you’re here,” Kevin replied, slipping out of Bran’s reach before the angry lord could stop him. His bright plaid swung jauntily from his shoulder as he hurried across the room.

Bran dropped his hand to his sword hilt and glared at Morgan. “Smoothly maneuvered, Morgan. But seven deaths—I think that’s too high a price to pay for your presence here!”

He started to draw, but Ewan seized his wrist and forced him to return the blade to its sheath.

“Stop it, Bran!” Ewan growled. “And Alaric, I wish ye hadn’t come. Frankly, the queen didn’t even want Kelson to send for ye. In any event, I don’t think ye should see the lad until ye’ve talked with Her Majesty.”

“I’m well aware of the queen’s feelings about me,” Morgan replied softly. “Fortunately for my conscience, I don’t care what she thinks. I made a promise to the boy’s father, and I intend to keep it.” He glanced casually around him. “And I’m not at all certain Brion would approve of my being the agenda for today’s Council meeting. That is why you’re all gathered here, isn’t it, gentlemen?”

The lords of the Council exchanged furtive glances and tried to decide which one had told Morgan about their plans. Across the room, Morgan saw Prince Nigel exchange a few words with the exiting Kevin and head toward Morgan and his companions.