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Conner gave a polite bow to Kerwyn "My lord High Chaive ents in the rooular table Conner’s place was near the end, but he hoped that by the close of the evening, he would replace Veldergrath at the head of the table This was a vain and largely useless group, feho had ever worked a real day in their lives Even if they knew of the risk and expense Conner had undergone to bring a prince to the throne, they would never appreciate the valiancy of his efforts Conner had accepted that it was his role to save Carthya But this collection of stiff-necked, silk-wrapped snobs would never understand that

"You may take your seat," Kerwyn said "I have alreadyEckbert and his queen and son to be dead In only moments, the death bell will toll, one round for each royal"

Alhout the castle Their ring would carry beyond the outskirts of the capital city and would signal to the commoners that a royal had died Three patterns of the bells would confirone

When the bells fell silent, Kerwyn continued, "Lords Mead, Beckett, and Hentoho traveled to Isel this past week, have confirmed for us that Prince Jaron o Therefore, we are left with no alternative, but to --"

"There is so and tilted toward the self-righteous This was a speech he had practiced so often in his head that he could repeat it in his sleep "May I speak, Lord Kerwyn?"

Kerwyn nodded permission at hients who searched for proof of Jaron’s death this past week, they are wrong Prince Jaron survived the pirate attack four years ago He still lives He is the rightful heir to the throne and should be crowned this night the king of Carthya"

Veldergrath stood, pointing a long finger at Conner "Then I was right! You did have him hidden at your horath, until now Surely, you can see how his being alive ht"

"Is that an accusation?" Veldergrath began hurling obscenities at Conner The two regents on either side of hients around the table murmured loudly to one another

Finally, Kerwyn stepped forward "So where is this prince of yours, Lord Conner?"

"He’s co here"

"Naturally, you did I’etting here"

Conner spoke above the chuckles of his peers "They didn’t let anyone through at the gate No doubt the prince will punish the guards there for failing to recognize him"

"If he were the prince, he would have kno to get through The royals always kno to get through"

"He otten" Conner’s face paled, and he held on to the table for support "But Prince Jaron will be here Then you’ll see"

Hearing footsteps in the hallway, he turned to the doors of the throne room expectantly Almost as if on cue, someone did enter But it was not who he hoped to see

"Mott?" Conner said