‘Why did you do this?’ Dregos demanded of Vanion. ‘My uncle has never given any offence to your order.’

The other kings were also glaring at the Pandion Preceptor accusingly.

Dregos wheeled round to glare at Prince Lycheas. ‘I insist that this murderer be placed in chains!’

Lycheas tried without much success to look like a king. ‘Your demand is reasonable, your Majesty,’ he said in his nasal voice. He cast a quick look at Annias, seeking reassurance. ‘We therefore command that this miscreant Vanion be placed –’

‘Um, excuse me, your Majesties,’ the Earl of Lenda interposed, ‘but by law, Lord Vanion is entitled to present his defence.’

‘What defence can there possibly be?’ Dregos asked in a sick voice.

Sparhawk and the others had remained at the back of the council chamber Sephrenia made a small gesture, and Sparhawk leaned towards her ‘Someone here is using magic,’ she whispered. ‘That’s why the kings are so willing to accept the infantile charges against Vanion. The spell induces belief.’

‘Can you counter it?’ he whispered back.

‘Only if I know who’s doing it.’

‘It’s Annias. He tried a spell on me when I first came back to Cimmura.’

‘A churchman?’ she looked surprised. ‘All right. I’ll take care of it.’ Her lips began to move, and she concealed her hands in her sleeves to hide their gesturing.

‘Well, Vanion,’ Annias sneered, ‘what have you to say for yourself?’

‘These men are obviously lying,’ Vanion replied scornfully

‘Why would they lie?’ Annias turned to the kings seated at the front of the room. ‘As soon as I received the reports of these witnesses, I dispatched a troop of church soldiers to the count’s castle to verify the details of this crime. I expect their report within the next week. In the meantime, it is my recommendation that the Pandion Knights all be disarmed and confined within their chapterhouses to prevent any further atrocities.’

King Obler stroked his long grey beard. ‘Under the circumstances, that would be the prudent course,’ he said sagely He turned to Darellon of the Alcione Knights. ‘My Lord Darellon,’ he said. ‘Dispatch a rider to Deira. Tell him to bring your knights to Elenia. They are to assist the civil authorities here in disarming and confining the Pandions.’

‘It shall be as your Majesty commands,’ Abriel replied, glaring at Vanion.

The aged King of Deira looked at King Wargun and King Dregos. ‘I would strongly advise that the Cyrinics and Genidians also send forces,’ he said. ‘Let us seal up these Pandions until we can separate the innocent from the guilty’

‘See to it, Komier,’ King Wargun said.

‘Send your knights as well, Abriel,’ King Dregos commanded the Preceptor of the Cyrinics. He glared at Vanion with hate-filled eyes. ‘I pray that your underlings attempt to resist,’ he said fiercely