Chapter 16: The Council Sits

The gates of Thornhall opened for the king because the law said a king must be heard in council.

Helene was always careful about the law.

Edmund rode in at the back, tied to a saddle, with his burned hand wrapped in a clean cloth.

Nobody cheered the king in the streets.

They watched him pass in silence, and a woman in a doorway held up her small son to see his wing.

The council sat in the white hall around the Stone, thirty lords on benches, with Helene in the first chair of the dais.

The Stone had stayed gold since Sorrel stood on it, and the room had the color of a late sun.

"Your Grace," Helene said gently, "we have heard a sad story from the south."

"You have heard the truth from fourteen of your own lords," Ronan said.

"I have heard that my son was provoked. He is young, and he was afraid for his house."

The Queen Mother folded her hands.

"The council has met. It orders Prince Edmund released into his mother's keeping, and Lady Linden with him, pending trial."

"By what right?" the chancellor said.

"By the right of the realm's regents, my lord, which this council still is."

The chancellor looked at Ronan.

Ronan said nothing at all, and Sorrel felt his arm tense next to hers.

He had told her in the corridor outside what he would do.

*If they win the vote, I will not fight the city,* he had said. *I will not have the Stone run red because I lost my temper.*

A guard cut Edmund's ropes.

Edmund walked to his mother's side and kissed her cheek, and he did not look at the Stone.

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