“Very well, my lords,” Kelson said evenly. “I see that nothing I can say will change your minds at this point.” Out of the corner of his eye, he was aware of Jehana’s triumphant nod as he continued. “I would ask one indulgence before I pass judgment on this case, however. I shall require each of you to re-cast your vote as you did before.” His gaze continued to sweep the Council, slightly challenging. “As I understand it, you are questioning General Morgan’s fidelity to Crown and Church. I should like to know who believes this patent lie.”

Lord Rogier rose uneasily and turned to Kelson. “Are you challenging the findings of your lawful Council, Your Highness?”

“Not at all,” Kelson answered promptly. “I merely wish to reassure myself that your verdict was, indeed, secured through lawful means. Come, gentlemen, we waste precious time. How say you? Is Morgan, indeed, a traitor and a heretic? Uncle?”

Nigel stood. “Lord Alaric is innocent of the charges, Your Majesty.”

“Thank you.” Kelson nodded as Nigel took his seat. “And you, my Lord Bran?”

“Guilty, Your Highness.”

“Lord Ian?”

“Guilty, Your Highness.”

“And Rogier?”

“Guilty, Highness.”

Kelson frowned. “My Lord Bishop Arilan, how say you?”

“He is innocent, Your Majesty,” Arilan replied confidently. He ignored the glares coming across the table from Corrigan and Loris.

“Thank you, Excellency.” Kelson nodded. “And Lord Ewan?”

Ewan could not look at his prince. He had never particularly disliked Morgan, but he had seen Brion die. If the rumors were true . . .

“Well, Ewan?”

“He is guilty, Your Majesty,” Ewan whispered.

Kelson nodded sympathetically and then skipped over his mother to confront Archbishop Corrigan with the fatal question. There was no doubt in his mind how this prelate would react, though.

“My lord Archbishop?”

Corrigan met Kelson’s gaze levelly. “Guilty, Your Majesty. We have not yet even begun to catalogue the sins of the Deryni!”

“A simple ‘guilty’ is sufficient, Archbishop,” Kelson snapped. “The entire race is not on trial here. One man is. A man, I might add, who has done much for Gwynedd.”

“Who has done much to Gwynedd!” Corrigan interjected.

“Enough, Archbishop!” Kelson retorted. He fixed the prelate with an icy stare, then moved on to the McLains, grateful for a few friendly faces. “Duke Jared?”

“Not guilty, Sire,” the old duke replied.

“And Lord Kevin?”

“Innocent, Your Majesty.”

Kelson nodded, mentally tallying the votes. “I know that Lord Derry also voted for acquittal, so that makes—five to five.” He looked down the table at his mother. “I hardly think that constitutes a conviction, Mother.”

Jehana flushed. “Lord Derry was not permitted to vote. He is not a member of this Council.”