No one moved or spoke as Kelson finished his speech. They simply watched, dumbstruck, as Kelson motioned Derry to approach him. As Derry reached his side, Kelson picked up Morgan’s sword and held it in front of Derry, hilt uppermost.

“Sean Lord Derry, do you swear by this cross that you will render true and loyal service in this Royal Council?”

Derry dropped to one knee and placed his hand on the hilt of the sword. “I do solemnly swear it, my liege.”

Kelson lowered the sword, and Derry got to his feet. “And how say you in the matter now at hand, my Lord Derry?” Kelson asked. “Is Morgan guilty, or no?”

Derry glanced triumphantly at Morgan, then faced Kelson. His voice was clear and steady. “Lord Alaric is innocent, Your Majesty!”

“Innocent,” Kelson repeated, savoring the word. “Which brings us to a vote of six to six—another tie vote.” He looked at his mother, who still had not moved from her huddled position in her chair. “I hereby declare Lord Alaric Anthony Morgan, Duke of Corwyn and Lord General of the Royal Armies, innocent of the charges which have been set out against him. If, after tomorrow, anyone wishes to reopen proceedings, and can produce definite proof, I will entertain such action. In the meantime, this Council stands adjourned.”

With that, he whipped Morgan’s dagger from his belt and cut the general’s bonds. Then, after returning Morgan’s sword, he bowed curtly to the stunned Council and swept out of the chamber, Morgan and Derry at his heels.

Silence persisted only until the doors had closed behind Kelson and his colleagues. Then the room erupted into loud discussion and argument. There was no doubt that what Kelson had done was legal, but it had been a totally unexpected coup. To the assembled Council lords and other noblemen, it had been a feat worthy of Brion at his very best and most cunning. There were mixed emotions as to whether that was a good thing or not, for there were many who had chafed under Brion’s rule.

There was no ambivalence in Jehana, though. For her, what had started out as a certain victory against the impetuous Deryni had become a shambles, a resounding defeat of everything she had hoped for Kelson.

Her nails punched little half-moon depressions in the palms of her hands as she clenched and unclenched her fists in dismay.

Morgan was free.