He gestured toward Morgan with his right hand as he continued. “We have also heard the wishes—indeed, the demands—of the Council in this matter. However, it pleases us to consider one further item of business before pronouncing judgment on the accused.”

There was a murmur of question that rippled through the assembly, and Kelson caught his mother’s ill-masked look of surprise and fearful anticipation.

“It has occurred to us,” Kelson continued in the same conversational tone, “that our ranks have recently been saddened by the loss of our good and loyal servant, Lord Ralson of Evering.” He gestured toward Ralson’s empty chair, then crossed himself piously. The rest of the assembly followed suit, wondering curiously what he was about.

“Therefore,” Kelson continued, “we have decided to appoint a new Council lord to fill his place.”

“You cannot do that!” Jehana stated, coming to her feet.

“We are aware, of course,” Kelson went on, his voice cutting through Jehana’s opposition, “that Lord Derry can never replace Lord Ralson, but we are certain he will bring his own measure of devotion to that honored post. Sean Lord Derry.”

As the Council erupted with dissension, Kelson signalled Derry to rise. The young man glanced aside at Morgan for reassurance, but even Morgan looked a bit startled.

Kelson held up his hands for silence, then pounded the table with the hilt of Morgan’s sword as the din continued. Jehana stood defiantly at the other end of the table, trying to make herself heard above the discord.

“Kelson, you cannot do this!” she shouted, finally able to top the volume of the dying discussion around her. “You have no right! You know you cannot appoint a new councilor without the approval of the Regents. You are not of age!”

Kelson’s eyes went cold and steely gray as he glared down the table, and the room suddenly grew hushed.

“Lords of the Council, my esteemed mother has apparently forgotten that it was precisely fourteen years and one hour ago, in another room of this very palace, that she brought into this world a son: Kelson Cinhil Rhys Anthony Haldane; that, as her labor ended, the royal physicians placed me in her arms—and the bells tolled three in the afternoon!”

Jehana’s face went ashen, and she sank back in her chair, nodding slowly to herself, her eyes glazed, stunned.

“And you, my lords: The reason for our coronation tomorrow instead of today has apparently slipped your minds, also. As you are well aware, royal writ decrees that no king of Gwynedd shall be crowned in his own right until he has fully reached legal age. Since I was not due to reach that legal age until three this afternoon—too late for a coronation, you must admit—the ceremony was scheduled for tomorrow. But I rule today!”