And worse, Kelson had stood before the Council and defied her—not with childish threats and impotent taunts, but with decisive, adult action. It was a development Jehana had not been prepared for, and it bothered her even more, perhaps, than Morgan’s freedom. If only Kelson had shown some uncertainty, some sign of doubt in the proud Deryni he defended so avidly, there might have been a chance she could still get through to him. But now that Kelson was king in fact as well as in name—a development she hadn’t even considered before—how could she possibly lure him away from Morgan’s evil influence?

From across the room, Ian watched the confusion with interest. It was difficult to form any concrete conclusions in the chaos following Kelson’s stormy exit, but Ian had the distinct impression that the boy had scored points with more than one of the lords who had opposed him earlier. Even Rogier’s and Bran Coris’s outraged comments were tinged with a healthy leavening of respect. And that would never do. Though Ian had been forced to concede this particular encounter to Kelson and the proud Deryni half-breed, he had no intention of losing the entire war.

In truth, Ian had never really expected to win this round. He had suspected, when Morgan entered the chamber in custody, that the man had some plan in mind. Morgan would never have allowed himself to be taken if there had been the slightest doubt that he could escape where and when he chose.

But he didn’t think the encounter had gone precisely the way the general had expected. He was almost certain that Kelson’s coup had been a spur-of-the-moment affair. For surely, even this precocious boy-king could not have seriously expected to find so pat an escape clause, to have Morgan legally walk out a free man.

Yes, there was no doubt about it. Kelson had not acted according to prediction, and that bore closer watching. It would never do to underestimate Brion’s son at this late date. And in the meantime, there was much to be done. With Morgan once again a free agent, it would not hurt to continue blackening the already infamous name—a pursuit Ian frankly relished. And Charissa must be informed of the afternoon’s momentous turn of events.

Taking leave of Bran Coris and Rogier, Ian slipped out of the noisy Council chamber and proceeded toward the barracks area of the palace compound. He had a pretty piece of work ahead of him this afternoon, and there was no sense in delaying.

MORGAN clapped his hands together with glee as he, Kelson, and Derry hurried across the inner courtyard toward the royal apartments.

“Kelson, you were magnificent!” he said, throwing an affectionate arm around the boy’s shoulders. “Your performance in there was truly worthy of Brion at his very best. I think you even took me by surprise.”