‘My page,’ Sparhawk replied. ‘It’s one of the encumbrances of knightly rank. He sort of fills in while my squire is otherwise occupied.’

Makova had glanced at the note. ‘We always welcome the words of the learned Primate of Demos,’ he declaimed loftily, ‘but please be brief, Your Grace. We have important business to attend to here.’ He stepped away from the lectern.

‘Of course, Makova,’ Dolmant replied, stepping to the vacated place. ‘Briefly then,’ he began, ‘as a result of the full recovery of Queen Ehlana, the political situation in the kingdom of Elenia has radically changed, and –’

Cries of astonishment echoed through the hall, and there was a confused babble of voices. Sparhawk, still leaning on the back of Annias’s seat, was pleased to see the Primate’s face grow totally white as he half-started to his feet. ‘Impossible!’ the Churchman gaped.

‘Amazing, isn’t it, Annias?’ Sparhawk said, ‘and so totally unexpected. I’m sure you’ll be happy to know that the queen sends you her very best wishes.’

‘Explain yourself, Dolmant!’ Makova half-shouted.

‘I was only trying to be brief – as you requested, Makova. No more than a week ago, Queen Ehlana recovered from her mysterious ailment. Many look upon that as miraculous. Upon her recovery, certain facts came to light, and the former Prince Regent – and his mother, I understand – are currently under arrest on the charge of high treason.’

Annias fell back in his seat in a near-faint.

‘The revered and respected Earl of Lenda now presides over the royal council, and warrants for a number of co-conspirators in the foul plot against the queen have been issued over his seal. The Queen’s Champion is presently searching out these miscreants and will doubtless bring them all before the bar of justice – either human or divine.’

‘The Baron Harparin was next in line to preside over the Elenian royal council,’ Makova protested.

‘The Baron Harparin is presently standing before the bar of the Highest Justice, Makova,’ Dolmant said in a deadly tone. ‘He faces the Ultimate Judge. There is, I fear, scant hope for his acquittal – though we may pray that it be otherwise.’

‘What happened to him?’ Makova gasped.

‘I’m told that he was accidentally beheaded during the changeover of administrations in Cimmura. Regrettable, perhaps, but that sort of thing happens now and then.’

‘Harparin?’ Annias gasped in dismay.

‘He made the mistake of offending Preceptor Vanion,’ Sparhawk murmured in his ear, ‘and you know how short-tempered Vanion can be at times. He was very sorry afterwards, of course, but by then Harparin was lying in two separate places. He absolutely destroyed the carpeting in the council chamber – all that blood, you know.’

‘Who else are you chasing, Sparhawk?’ Annias demanded.

‘I don’t have the list with me at the moment, Annias, but there are a number of prominent names on it – names I’m sure you’d recognize.’