The crowd responded with a roar. “Hail Lyam! Long live the King!”
The Priests of Ishap chanted low, and the chief priest led them to the door. He struck the wax seal with his staff, and it split with a cracking sound. He struck the door three times more, and the guards outside opened it. Before stepping out, he intoned the last phrase of the ritual of coronation. To those outside the hall, not privileged to watch the ceremony, he announced, “Let the word go forth. Lyam is our King!”
Faster than a bird’s flight, the word went out of the hall, through the palace, and into the city. Celebrants in the street toasted the new monarch, and not one in a thousand knew how close disaster had come to visiting the Kingdom this day.
The Ishapian priests left the hall, and all eyes returned to the new ruler of the Kingdom.
Tully motioned to the members of the royal family, and Arutha, Martin, and Carline came before their brother Lyam extended his hand, and Martin knelt and kissed his brother’s signet. Arutha followed, then Carline.
Alicia led Anita to the throne, the first of the long line of nobles who followed, and the lengthy business of accepting the fealty of the peers of the realm began. Lord Caldric bent a trembling knee to his King, and there were tears of relief upon his face as he rose. When Brucal swore his loyalty, he briefly spoke to the King as he stood, and Lyam nodded.
Then in turn came the other nobles of the Kingdom until, hours later, the last of the Border Barons, those guardians of the Northern Marches, vassal to no Lord but the King, rose and returned to stand with the others in the hall.
Handing the sword of Dannis to a waiting page, Lyam stood and said, “It is our wish that a time of celebration be at hand. But there are matters of state that must be attended to at once. Most are of a happy nature, but first there is one sad duty that must be discharged.
“There is one absent today, one who sought to gain the throne upon which we are privileged to sit. That Guy du Bas-Tyra did plot treason cannot be denied. That he did commit foul murder is unquestioned. But it was the late King’s wish that mercy be shown in this matter. As it was Rodric’s dying request, I shall grant this boon, though it would be our pleasure to see Guy du Bas-Tyra pay in full for his deeds.
“Let the word go from this day that Guy du Bas-Tyra is named outlaw and banished from our Kingdom, his titles and lands forfeit to the crown. Let his name and arms be stricken from the role of Lords of the Kingdom. Let no man offer him shelter, fire, food, or water.” To the assembled lords he added, “Some here have been allied with the former Duke, so we have little doubt he will hear our judgment. Tell him to flee, to go to Kesh, Queg, or Roldem. Tell him to hide in the Northlands if no other will take him, but should he be found inside our borders within a week’s time, his life is forfeit.”
No one in the hall spoke for a moment, then Lyam said, “It has been a time of great sorrow and suffering in our realms; now let us embark upon a new era, one of peace and prosperity.” He indicated that his two brothers should return to his side, and as they approached, Arutha looked at Martin. Suddenly he grinned and, in an unexpected display of emotion, hugged both Martin and Lyam. For a brief instant all in the hall were silent as the three brothers clung closely to one another, then again cheers filled the room.
While the clamor continued, Lyam spoke to his brothers. At first Martin smiled broadly, then suddenly his expression changed. Both Arutha and Lyam nodded vigorously, but Martin’s face drained of color. He started to say something, his manner intense and remonstrative. Lyam cut him off and held up his hand for silence.
“There is a new ordering of things in our Kingdom. Let it be known that from this day forward, our beloved brother Arutha is Prince of Krondor, and until such time as there is a son in our house, Heir to the throne.” At the last, Arutha seemed less than pleased. Then Lyam said, “And it is our wish that the Duchy of Crydee, home of our father, stay within our family so long as his line remains. To this end I name Martin, our beloved brother, Duke of Crydee, with all lands, titles, and rights pertaining thereunto.”
A cheer again rose from the crowd. Martin and Arutha left Lyam’s side, and the new King said, “Let the Earl of LaMut and Knight-Captain Kasumi of LaMut approach the throne.”
Kasumi and Vandros started. Kasumi had been nervous all day, for Vandros had placed a great trust in him His Tsurani impassivity asserted itself, and he fell in beside Vandros as he reached the throne.
Both men knelt before Lyam, who said, “My lord Brucal has asked us to make this happy announcement. His vassal the Earl Vandros will wed his daughter, the Lady Felinah.”