Lyam answered with the staff resting upon his shoulder. “The right of succession was given to me in ignorance of Martin. It is a false bequest, for Rodric thought me the eldest conDoin male.”
The priest removed the staff and conferred with his fellow priests. The hall remained silent as the priests gathered together to discuss the unforeseen turn of events. Time passed torturously, until at last the chief priest turned once more to face them. He surrendered his staff and was handed the golden circle that was the crown of the Kingdom. He uttered a brief prayer: “Ishap, give all before us in this matter guidance and wisdom. Let the appointed one do right.” In a strong voice he said, “That the succession is flawed is clear.” He placed the crown before Martin. “Martin, as eldest son of the royal blood you have the right of first claim. Will you, Martin, take up this burden, and will you be our King?”
Martin looked at the crown. Silence hung heavy in the room as every eye was fixed upon the tall man in green. Breath was held as the throng in the hall waited upon his answer.
Then Martin slowly reached out and took the crown from the cushion upon which it rested. He raised it up, and every gaze in the room followed it, as it caught a ray of light entering through a high window, scattering glittering glory throughout the hall.
Holding it above his head, he said, “I, Martin, do hereby abdicate my claim to the crown of the Kingdom of the Isles, for now and forever, on my own behalf and on behalf of all my issue from now henceforth to the last generation.” He moved suddenly and placed the crown upon Lyam’s brow. Martin’s voice rang out once more, his words a defiant challenge. “All hail Lyam! True and undoubted King!”
There was a pause, as those in the hall took in what they had seen. Then Arutha faced a stunned, silent crowd, and his voice filled the air. “Hail Lyam! True and undoubted King!”
Lyam stood flanked by his brothers, one to each side, and the hall erupted into shouts and cheers. “Hail Lyam! Hail the King!”
The chief priest let the shouting continue for a time, then recovered his staff and struck the floor, bringing silence. He looked at Lyam and said, “Will you, Lyam, take up this burden and be our King?”
Looking at the priest, Lyam answered, “I will be your King.”
Again the room sounded with cheers, and the chief priest let the din go unchecked. Pug looked and saw relief on the faces of many, Brucal, Caldric, Fannon, Vandros, and Gardan, all who had stood ready to face trouble.
Again the head priest silenced the room with the striking of his staff. “Tully of the order of Astalon,” he called, and the old family priest stepped forward.
Other priests removed Lyam’s red mantle, replacing it with the purple mantle of kingship. The priests stepped away, and Tully came before Lyam. To Martin and Arutha he said, “All in the Kingdom thank you for your forbearance and wisdom.” The brothers left Lyam’s side and returned to stand with Anita and Carline.
Carline smiled warmly at Martin, took his hand, and whispered, “Thank you, Martin.”
Tully faced the crowd and intoned, “Now is the hour and here is the place. We are here to witness the coronation of His Majesty, Lyam, first of that name, as our true King. Is there any here who challenge his right?”
Several eastern lords looked unhappy, but no objection was raised. Tully again faced Lyam, who went on his knees before the priest. Tully placed his hand upon Lyam’s head. “Now is the hour and here is the place. It is to you this burden has fallen, Lyam, first of that name, son of Borric, of the conDoin line of kings. Will you take up this burden and will you be our King?”
Lyam answered, “I will be your King.”
Tully removed his hand from Lyam’s head and reached down to take his hand, gripping the royal signet upon it. “Now is the hour and here is the place. Do you, Lyam conDoin, son of Borric, of the line of kings, swear to defend and protect the Kingdom of the Isles, faithfully serving her people, to provide for their welfare, weal, and prosperity?”
“I, Lyam, do so swear and avow.”
Tully began a long liturgy, then when the prayers were done, Lyam rose. Tully removed his ritual miter and handed it to the Head Priest of Ishap, who passed it along to another of Tully’s order. Tully knelt before Lyam and kissed his signet. He then rose and escorted Lyam to the throne, while the Ishapian priest incanted, “Ishap bless the King!”
Lyam sat. An ancient sword, once carried by Dannis, the first conDoin King, was brought to him and rested across his knees, a sign he would defend the Kingdom with his life.
Tully turned and nodded to the Chief Priest of Ishap, who struck the floor with his staff. “Now it is past, the hour of our choosing I hereby proclaim Lyam the First our right, true, and undisputed King.”