A sob escaped the King of Arcium. ‘My aunt and my cousins,’ he cried.

‘Steady, Dregos,’ King Wargun said, putting his hand on the other king’s shoulder.

‘Then,’ Tessera continued, ‘after the count’s womenfolk had all been repeatedly raped, they were dragged one by one to a spot directly before where the count was tied and their throats were cut. The count wept and tried to tear his hands free, but his bonds were too tight. He pleaded with the Pandions to stop, but they only laughed and continued their butchery. Finally, when his wife and daughters were all dead and lying in their own blood, he asked them why they were doing this. One of them, the leader, I think, replied that it was on the orders of Lord Vanion, the Preceptor of the Pandions.’

King Dregos leapt to his feet. He was weeping openly and clawing at his sword hilt. Annias stepped in front of him. ‘I share your outrage, your Majesty, but a quick death for this monstrous Vanion would be far too merciful. Let us hear this good, honest man out. Go on with your account, Tessera.’

‘There isn’t much more to tell, your Grace,’ Tessera replied. ‘Once the Pandions had killed all the women, they tortured the count to the point of death and then they beheaded him. After that, they drove the churchmen out of the castle and looted the place.’

Thank you, Tessera,’ Annias said. He motioned to another of his soldiers, and the guard went to the same side door to admit a man dressed in a peasant smock. The peasant had a slightly furtive look and he was trembling noticeably

‘Say your name, fellow,’ Annias ordered.

‘I am Verl, your Grace, an honest serf from the estate of Count Radun.’

‘And why are you in Cimmura? A serf may not leave the estate of his lord without permission.’

‘I fled, your Grace, after the murder of the count and all his family’

‘Can you tell us what happened? Did you witness this atrocity?’

‘Not directly, your Grace. I was working in a field near the count’s castle when I saw a large group of men dressed in black armour and carrying the banners of the Pandion Knights ride out of the castle. One of them had the count’s head on the point of his spear. I hid myself and I could hear them talking and laughing as they rode by.’

‘What were they saying?’

‘The one who was carrying the count’s head said, “We must carry this trophy to Demos to prove to Lord Vanion that we have carried out his orders.” After they had gone past, I ran to the castle and found everyone inside dead. I was afraid that the Pandions might come back, so I ran away’

‘Why did you come to Cimmura?’

‘To report the crime to you, your Grace, and to place myself under your protection. I was afraid that if I stayed in Arcium, the Pandions would hunt me down and kill me.’

‘Why did you do this?’ Dregos demanded of Vanion. ‘My uncle has never given any offence to your order.’

The other kings were also glaring at the Pandion Preceptor accusingly.

Dregos wheeled round to glare at Prince Lycheas. ‘I insist that this murderer be placed in chains!’

Lycheas tried without much success to look like a king. ‘Your demand is reasonable, your Majesty,’ he said in his nasal voice. He cast a quick look at Annias, seeking reassurance. ‘We therefore command that this miscreant Vanion be placed –’

‘Um, excuse me, your Majesties,’ the Earl of Lenda interposed, ‘but by law, Lord Vanion is entitled to present his defence.’

‘What defence can there possibly be?’ Dregos asked in a sick voice.

Sparhawk and the others had remained at the back of the council chamber Sephrenia made a small gesture, and Sparhawk leaned towards her ‘Someone here is using magic,’ she whispered. ‘That’s why the kings are so willing to accept the infantile charges against Vanion. The spell induces belief.’

‘Can you counter it?’ he whispered back.

‘Only if I know who’s doing it.’

‘It’s Annias. He tried a spell on me when I first came back to Cimmura.’

‘A churchman?’ she looked surprised. ‘All right. I’ll take care of it.’ Her lips began to move, and she concealed her hands in her sleeves to hide their gesturing.

‘Well, Vanion,’ Annias sneered, ‘what have you to say for yourself?’

‘These men are obviously lying,’ Vanion replied scornfully

‘Why would they lie?’ Annias turned to the kings seated at the front of the room. ‘As soon as I received the reports of these witnesses, I dispatched a troop of church soldiers to the count’s castle to verify the details of this crime. I expect their report within the next week. In the meantime, it is my recommendation that the Pandion Knights all be disarmed and confined within their chapterhouses to prevent any further atrocities.’

King Obler stroked his long grey beard. ‘Under the circumstances, that would be the prudent course,’ he said sagely He turned to Darellon of the Alcione Knights. ‘My Lord Darellon,’ he said. ‘Dispatch a rider to Deira. Tell him to bring your knights to Elenia. They are to assist the civil authorities here in disarming and confining the Pandions.’

‘It shall be as your Majesty commands,’ Abriel replied, glaring at Vanion.

The aged King of Deira looked at King Wargun and King Dregos. ‘I would strongly advise that the Cyrinics and Genidians also send forces,’ he said. ‘Let us seal up these Pandions until we can separate the innocent from the guilty’

‘See to it, Komier,’ King Wargun said.

‘Send your knights as well, Abriel,’ King Dregos commanded the Preceptor of the Cyrinics. He glared at Vanion with hate-filled eyes. ‘I pray that your underlings attempt to resist,’ he said fiercely

‘A splendid idea, your Majesties,’ Annias said, bowing. ‘I would further suggest that as soon as we receive confirmation of the murders, your Majesties travel with me and these two honest witnesses to Chyrellos. There we can lay the entire affair before the Hierocracy of the Church and the Archprelate himself with our strong recommendation that the Pandion Order be disbanded. Strictly speaking, that order is under Church authority, and only the Church can make the final decision.’

‘Truly,’ Dregos grated. ‘Let us rid ourselves of this Pandion infection once and for all.’

A thin smile touched the primate’s lips. Then he flinched, and his face went deathly pale as Sephrenia released her counterspell.