“They have, my lord,” Kelson spoke up, before Wencit could reply. “My men have been informed that, should we lose, their lives will be spared and that my heirs shall, in perpetuity, swear fealty to the Kings of Torenth, that there may be peace between our nations. Does the King of Torenth agree?”

Wencit glanced at his colleagues, then at Barrett. “I agree to the terms, my lord. If we should not prevail, I vow that my heirs shall, in perpetuity, swear fealty to the Crown of Gwynedd as their overlord.”

Barrett nodded. “Who is thine heir, Wencit of Torenth?”

Wencit nodded toward Lionel. “Prince Alroy Furstán, eldest son of my sister Morag and my kinsman Lionel. After Alroy, his brothers Liam and Ronal.”

“And Prince Alroy is prepared to swear fealty to Kelson of Gwynedd, if you and his father should perish today?”

Wencit nodded, tight-lipped. “He is.”

Barrett turned to Kelson. “And you, Kelson of Gwynedd. Is your successor prepared to swear fealty to Wencit of Torenth, if you should perish?”

Kelson swallowed. “My heir is my father’s brother, Prince Nigel Haldane, and after him, his sons, the Princes Conall, Rory, and Payne. Prince Nigel knows his duty, should I be killed.”

“Very well,” said Barrett. “And will these terms completely satisfy both sides?”

“Not entirely,” Kelson found himself saying. “I have one further stipulation, my lord.”

Wencit’s eyes widened, but he checked himself from moving closer as Barrett’s staff moved in his direction.

“State your stipulation, Kelson of Gwynedd,” Barrett said.

“Last night, Wencit of Torenth and Bran Coris entered my camp and stole a lady’s child. If I and mine prevail, I would require that the child be forfeit and given to me, that I may return him to his mother.”

“No!” Bran cried, starting to get to his feet, “Brendan is my son! He belongs to me! She shall not have him!”

“Hold your peace, Bran Coris!” Vivienne snapped, speaking for the first time. “If Kelson wins, what matters it to you who gets the child? You will be dead.”

“She speaks the truth, Bran,” Wencit added, before Bran could object. “On the other hand, if I am victorious, I might stipulate that the boy’s mother be returned to her husband, who stands here.” He gestured toward Bran, and Bran nodded. “If Kelson will agree to that, I will agree to the return of the boy. I will also agree to return unharmed all the remaining prisoners I hold alive, if that will help to sweeten the terms.”

“Kelson of Gwynedd?” Barrett said.

Kelson hesitated hardly an instant. “This is agreeable. I have no further terms.”

“And you, Wencit of Torenth?”

“No further stipulations.”

“Then, you may rise.”

The eight got to their feet in a rustle of silks and velvets.

“You may now form the circle of combat,” Barrett continued, walking between the two groups with Laran at his elbow. “We perceive that you have heeded our admonition against steel or weapons, so no further inspection will be necessary on that count. But if any man has question on how this duel is to be conducted, let him raise it now, before the Council closes the first circle.”