Lyn sighed as she held Keelyanne close to her chest. The babe was sleeping contentedly in Lyn's arms and a joy spread through her as she watched Micah and Neara splashing each other in the shallow water of the beach-lined cove.

"Bet you can't catch me," teased Neara. She raced up out of the water and ran up the nearest sand dune.

Micah laughed. "You just wait and see, squirt." In less than a minute he was standing on top of the dune Neara had disappeared behind.

"Ma, come here," called Micah. "You've gotta see this."

Lyn got up quickly. "Stop your sister and wait for me to come for you."

"Neara," Micah called. "Ma, she's gone in some strange building. I'll go get her."

Nightmare images of the cursed temple of Shokoti haunted Lyn as she raced up the sandy hill. "Wait, Micah," she called, but it was too late. He disappeared over the rise before she was halfway to the top.

"Blast," Lyn cursed, trying not to jostle Keelyanne.

A sigh of relief escaped her as she saw her father's citadel at the foot of the dunes. Micah was rushing inside. After Neara, no doubt. The tension left Lyn. Her father would never hurt any child. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and walked down the hill after her children, only mildly disturbed that she should not be out in the middle of the desert after having just been on a beach.

The Faceless One tilted his head curiously. There was an odd, unfamiliar sound echoing through the old stone hallways. After a minute, he recognized the sound of laughter--a child's laughter. His heart lifted unexpectedly. 'Lyn?' He loved the sound of his little girl's laugh.

No sooner had he started towards the sound, however, when another child's voice echoed after her laughter. This one was older, and just slightly exasperated. "Neara, come back here. Ma's going to be mad."

A small girl suddenly slipped around the corner and stopped short, staring at the Faceless One. "Oh, you must be Grandfather. What happened to your face?" she asked matter-of-factly.

"I lost it some time ago," he answered slowly, somehow not at all surprised that this girl was calling him Grandfather. "When I became keeper of the Ram Stone."

She tugged on his sleeve to pull him down to her level. He bent over awkwardly, and she carefully kissed his cheek.

"My kisses are magic," she told him solemnly.

"That they are," agreed Lyn walking up with Keelyanne balanced on her hip. "And I see you've met my children."

"Yes," her father agreed, catching sight of the boy who stood only a few steps away, watching them protectively. "I didn't realize..." His voice trailed off, then he finished his thought. "I didn't realize quite how much time you and I had missed."

Lyn chuckled ruefully. "Perhaps not as much as you may think." Lyn walked up beside Micah and placed a hand on his shoulder. She led him beside Neara to stand facing her father. "This is Micah," Lyn explained, "and his younger sister, Neara. Keldor and I met them on Carina--the world we fled to after the final battle with the Horde. We cared for them for a while after our arrival and grew to love them even as we grew to love each other. After we were married, Keldor and I adopted them." Keelyanne began to stir and look around curiously.

"This one," Lyn said, inclining her head toward Keelyanne, "was born six months before we returned to Eternia. Her name is Keelyanne."

"That's a beautiful name," the Faceless One said tenderly. "They are beautiful children as well."

He glanced around, then up at Lyn. "These dreams..." He could see Lyn knew what he was about to ask. "Are they real, Lyn? Are you and I meeting as mages often do?" Without waiting for her answer, he reached out and gently took her hand. "I hope that is the case. I would like nothing more than to be a father to you again, and a grandfather to your children."

"I don't know," Lyn said looking up to her father. "I am on Eternia now, and I have been thinking of you more often as each day passes. I am at the Royal Palace for the time being so the distance between us is not so far that this is impossible, but I suppose the only way to know for sure when we meet again is to be aware of things we should not know without these dreams."

Lyn smiled as she saw her father run his hands down the snowy curls on Keelyanne's head.

"Perhaps you could tell me how all of this came to pass," suggested the Faceless One. "Then I can speak to you when I see you while awake should this dream be much more than a dream."

"And perhaps," he added softly. "I could hold Keelyanne."

"Of course," Lyn said, placing the baby in his arms. "As for how this all got started...well, it's a long story."

With a wave of his hand, the Faceless One brought forth comfortable chairs and a table complete with dragonberry tea and milk and a variety of cookies. Micah and Neara eagerly began eating the chocolate ones first. "I can't think of a better way to spend a dream than hearing about my daughter," the Faceless One said, and he listened intently as Lyn began her tale, one hand holding Keelyanne close and his other resting on Neara's shoulder as she leaned next to him and happily sipped her dragonberry tea.

Teela snuggled close to Adam, who was already sound asleep on his back. Oddly enough, in spite of her conversation with Adam, her mind was on Keldor and Lyn. Two of their greatest enemies had helped save Josiah's life. Teela sighed as she tried to figure out her feelings about them, and her hand passed restlessly over Adam's chest. Her fingers stilled as if of their own accord when she reached the large thin scar spanning him, and she remembered a conversation they had had not long ago.

Adam had told her he was grateful for every one of his scars. She had been so surprised by that, until he explained why. The two scars from Darren, he said, were a reminder that he had to be vigilant, that even He-Man could fall from grace. The scar from Damien reminded him that Evil would stop at nothing to get what it wanted. She wondered idly if he had thought of those scars while he had been struggling with whether to accept Damien's "offer."

And then there was the smaller scar caused by Adora…Adam had said it was a constant reminder that family members forgive each other. It was something he had probably needed reminding of lately, as frustrated as everyone had been with him.

Teela's finger traced that small scar over and over for several minutes. 'Families forgive.' The words played again in her mind. 'And aren't Keldor and Lyn family now?' she asked herself. The idea seemed so preposterous, and yet…it was true. And they seemed to have truly changed. Teela drifted off to sleep as she came to the conclusion that somehow, she had to try to forgive Keldor for killing her father.

"So that's where things stand," Hawk summarized, looking around the table a bit nervously. It was the first time he had presented the monthly budget report to the royal family. Duncan was there, but Hawk was running the show.

"Thank you, Hawk, that was perfect," Randor said. "Any questions?"

"Why haven't you drawn a salary for yourself yet?" Adam asked, one eyebrow raised as he studied the report.

"Was I supposed to?" Hawk asked in surprise.

"Of course you were," Randor said with a deep frown. "Make it twenty-five gold coins per week."

Hawk swallowed hard at this generous amount, but simply nodded obediently. The meeting drew to a close, and everyone began gathering their papers. Hawk caught Adam glancing over at Randor, the prince's expression wary. Randor, for his part, nodded sharply to Adam as he left the room, a gesture to which Adam sighed heavily. Hawk frowned. Obviously things were still tense between them. A few moments later Adam walked out, leaving Hawk alone with Duncan.

"You did a fine job lad. More than enough to earn the pay offered," Duncan said.

Hawk nodded, though he still looked a bit green several moments after Duncan had slipped out of the room.

"Hawk, might I have a moment of your time?" Keldor asked, appearing before him. Hawk raised an eyebrow. He had not seen Keldor come into the room.

Keldor held the two documents that his father had given him in his hand. He would worry about the birthright later, but, while he knew how to waste money foolishly, he knew little about money management. Keldor needed help to make this work and he only hoped Hawk had learned enough of him to see that Keldor was in earnest with his request for help.

Hawk closed the door he had been about to exit. Keldor motioned toward the two chairs nearest the table. Once they were both seated facing each other, Keldor began. "I understand that you are in charge of the financial holdings of the royal family."

Hawk nodded slowly, his hunter-green eyes narrowed suspiciously. "That's right."

"I assume, then, that you are aware that King Miro transferred a very large trust into a separate account recently," Keldor continued.

"Of course," Hawk said. His eyebrows shot up. "That was for you?"

Keldor passed the account summary over to Hawk. "I'm more surprised than you. Father informed me that he had been building that fund for me from the day I was born. He wanted me to have access to it now." Keldor ran his hand through his hair. "I have plans for it, but I need help in implementing it. I'm afraid I know little of finance."

"What kind of plans?" Hawk asked warily. 'If he thinks for one second I'm going to help him do something that would undermine the royal family, he'd better think again."

"Plans to do good for a change," Keldor explained.

"Oh?" Hawk said, surprise and disbelief plain on his face.

"I understand your doubt, Sea Hawk. Were I in your position, I would feel the same way. But I am in a position that I feel should not be completely unfamiliar to you. I have stolen, hurt, and destroyed so much. I want this money to do all it can to see that those I harmed are helped in any way possible." Keldor paused for a few seconds. "You were once a pirate...you know a little of remorse."

"I do," Hawk acknowledged quietly as he studied the man before him. He prided himself on understanding someone's character. He had to admit he thought Keldor was sincere. "Did you have something specific in mind?"

"I met a boy on my journey to Illgar. His education was denied him because I hurt his father and he had to return home to help his family. I'm sure there are many other young men and women out there who were denied their chance for a better life because of what I've done to the stability of their families, so one thing would be the setting up of various anonymous scholarships for children whose parents or families were victims of crimes."

"I also know that Prince Adam has set up housing and support for wounded soldiers. I would like to augment that support in any way I can. There are other cases where I would like money to be granted to business, schools and public facilities that I have damaged in the past." Keldor reached up and tapped his mouth as he thought, then shook his head. "That's all I can think of right now."

Hawk nodded. "All right. You've got it."

"Thank you," Keldor said. He paused for a moment debating what to say next. "I do not ask you to hide the truth of what you are doing to anyone who asks, but I would appreciate your discretion in these matters. I would prefer these activities to be untraceable to me if possible." Keldor took in Hawk's suspicious look. "I don't want anyone to feel that I'm attempting to buy my way out of prison. And I worry that some would not accept the payment I owe them if they knew the money came from me. I want nothing to stop the help those I wronged deserve."

Hawk nodded. "I understand. I will be as discreet as possible."

Teela awoke to an empty bed. She turned over and spotted Adam standing next to Josiah's cradle, staring at their son, a mixture of love and worry on his face. Wordlessly, she rose and went to him, slipping her arms around his midsection from behind.

"Good morning," she said softly.

Adam placed his hands over hers and pressed lightly. "Good morning," he replied. He raised one arm and pulled her up alongside of him. "I'm still worried about that prophecy," he confessed before she could even ask him what was wrong. "Just because the spell is broken doesn't mean-"

"Stop," insisted Teela, her voice firm. "He's not going to die."

"Maybe if I go to Grayskull and surrender the sword, the prophecy won't come true," Adam murmured.

"And who would be He-Man?" Teela challenged him, looking up at his profile. "No one else can wield the sword, Adam. You know that."

"Maybe he's not needed anymore." 'I'm certainly not worthy of the power. I shouldn't be allowed to hold it any longer.' The fact that he had almost taken Damien's hand still haunted him.

Teela gave an unladylike snort and moved in front of him, re-capturing his attention. "That's a bunch of gronk fur, and you know it. Damien and Hutch and Marzo are more dangerous than Skeletor ever was."

Adam sighed heavily. "I know. I just can't figure out a way around this."

"You need to stop," Teela told him. "Trying to get around it may just make the prophecy come true."

"I can't just sit back and do nothing," Adam insisted, his jaw clenching.

"Adam, sometimes there are things you can't change," Teela pointed out. "I don't want to lose Josiah any more than you do, but let me ask you something. If you could purge evil's connection to Eternia by dying, would you do it?"

"Yes," Adam said without hesitation.

"Then why do you expect your son to be any less noble and selfless?" Teela asked quietly.

Adam met her eye then, his face stricken. "But he's just a baby."

"And you're assuming things about a prophecy," Teela said impatiently. "Things that may not come true. How do you know that the prophecy isn't going to be fulfilled sixty years from now? How do you know that we won't be involved in some big climatic battle, but it's something Josiah does as an old man that finally purges Eternia of the evil that plagues it?"

Adam held her gaze for a moment, then the tension abruptly left his body. "You're right," he said, relief full in his voice. "I'm jumping to conclusions."

"Bingo!" Teela replied, using a phrase she heard often from Marlena. She cocked an eyebrow. "What does that mean, anyway?"

Adam chuckled. "It's an Earth game," he said, and went on to explain it to her as they stood there, holding each other and watching their son sleep.

"Pregnant," Duncan mumbled to himself as he clambered around his workshop. "Pregnant!"

"Is that a new chant you're working on, or are you still trying to convince yourself?" Lana asked from the doorway. She hesitated as if unsure of her reception.

He immediately went to her and took her elbow. "You look pale. You'd better sit down."

"Duncan, I'm fine!" Lana protested. She did allow him to lead her to a seat, however, enjoying the extra attentiveness. She stared up at him. She hadn't had much of a chance to talk to him about the pregnancy, and she still wasn't sure how he felt about it. "Are you okay?"

Duncan smiled with a shake of his head. "I'm a little awed that I'm to be a father again, but Lana, I couldn't be happier."

Lana's own smile lit up her face. "Really?"

"Really," he confirmed, bending down to kiss her lightly. "You forget, this is my first natural child. I couldn't love Teela any more than I do, but this is special in a different way."

Lana reached up to stroke his face. "I didn't think of that," she admitted. "You were always such a good father to her, Duncan, as if she were your own."

"She was and is, in every way that matters," he confirmed. He gave a slightly sheepish grin. "I have to admit, I'm hoping for a boy."

"But you'll love it no matter what," Lana answered, a twinkle in her eye.

"Of course."

"Come."

Keldor took a deep breath and entered Randor's office, hoping he would survive this. Randor's head was down as he finished signing a few documents. When he looked up he quickly shot to his feet, his posture defensive as if expecting an attack.

"What are you doing here?" he demanded.

Keldor held up his hands, one of which contained a paper, as he tried to show he meant no harm. "Adam's right outside the door," he said quietly. "I asked him if I could speak with you alone."

"Why?" Randor asked suspiciously.

"Because I wanted to give this to you." Keldor handed over the document in his hand.

Randor took it and read it over, his body tense as he stood there. His eyes widened. "You want us to reveal who you are?" He sank slowly into his chair.

"If you admit upfront who I am and what I'm doing here, then Hutch and Damien have no power over you," Keldor said, praying Randor would listen to him. "Keeping it a secret will only cause problems for all of you. And if you allow Hutch and Damien to reveal my link to the royal family it will create much more unrest than if you shared the facts with openness. They will share what they know soon enough, and the people will resent having this kept from them."

"And you think the general populace will take kindly to the fact that the man formerly known as Skeletor is residing in the palace?" Randor asked bluntly.

"No," Keldor admitted, "but I think that if you and Adam both sign that, as well as He-Man and She-Ra, it will assure the people that He-Man has it--uh, me--well under control." He drew in a breath. "And I think it should be done before the festivities tomorrow."

Randor motioned for Keldor to sit as he stroked his beard. "What did Adam say about this?"

"I didn't tell him," Keldor admitted. "With all the stress he's been under, I thought it best to bring the idea to you first. He seems to have this annoying need to protect everyone around him, and I didn't think he'd go along with this easily. I know he's an honest person at heart, but the need to protect others seems to outweigh his need to be honest."

Randor narrowed his eyes at Keldor. "How on Eternia did you spy on us enough to understand us all so well, yet never find out Adam's secret?"

Keldor shrugged. "I guess I found out when I was supposed to," he said quietly. "If Adam had not traded his life for mine, I might never have found my way back to the light."

The king stared at Keldor for a long moment. His anger still existed, but at least it was manageable now. He could see, for the first time, that Keldor truly felt beholden to Adam. Finally he lifted his wrist to speak into his com-link. "Duncan, Adam, please come into my office." After a few seconds' pause, in which Adam had already entered, he added, "Father, please come to my office as well."

"Father will never agree," Keldor protested.

"He doesn't need to," Randor pointed out. "But I won't blindside him with this."

Adam eyed the two of them warily. "I didn't hear anyone throwing things or screaming bloody murder," he said, testing the tension he sensed.

Randor gave him a faint smile. "Not yet," he confirmed. "We'll talk when everyone's present."

Keldor fiddled with the other paper in his pocket. He wanted to take care of the issue on this paper as well, and he supposed now would be as good a time as any to deal with it. But he would wait until everyone arrived.

"What do you need, Son?"asked Miro as he walked in flanked by Man-at-Arms. Both men stiffened as they saw Keldor sitting in front of Randor's desk.

"You can relax you two. No one's bleeding," Adam joked weakly. "Yet," he added under his breath with a grimace.

"What's this all about?" Duncan demanded, his suspicious gaze falling on Keldor.

"Keldor has an interesting proposition for us," Randor said, his hands resting behind his head as he stretched back in his chair. "Why don't you all sit down?" Randor motioned with his hand to the high-back chairs around the room. Adam obediently went and grabbed two while Miro and Duncan took the ones closest to Randor's desk.

Keldor frowned slightly as Adam pulled his seat to his side. Keldor felt like he was in the center ring at a circus.

"Keldor?" Randor prompted. "Why don't you tell them all?"

"I came here initially to discuss the discretion with which my being held in custody has been handled. While I appreciate the efforts, I feel that further delay in sharing with the people exactly what is going on with Skeletor could damage both Randor's and Adam's rule," Keldor explained. "I do not wish this. I would prefer it if we announced who I am and placed the tracking wristlets Duncan developed on Lyn and myself as proof to the people that I am in custody and under the control of the crown."

"You can't be serious?" shouted Miro, rising to his feet. Adam and Keldor gently pressed on his arms. Reluctantly, Miro sat back down.

"Father, if you hold this back, as you once did the truth of my existence, I fear it will cause great harm. It will cause problems to share the truth with the populace, but not anywhere near as much devastation as it would for Hutch or his demon Damien to let the truth leak out."

Adam stared the desk in front of him blankly as he turned over Keldor's words. He was tired of hiding things, frankly. He didn't have the energy for it anymore. But he still tried to see the problems in Keldor's suggestion.

"There could be riots," he said quietly. "This may give the people more reason to want He-Man on the throne. People could get hurt."

Randor stared at Adam thoughtfully. His son wasn't arguing against this, he realized. Adam was just thinking it through. He nodded slowly. "Keldor actually had a good suggestion as to how to do this that I think might work," he replied calmly. Duncan stared at him in disbelief.

"I thought He-Man could put in an appearance at the end of the celebration of Josiah's presentation. Everyone will be in attendance and will be forewarned that there will be an announcement of great importance to the kingdom," Keldor explained. "He-Man will detail Adam's taking custody of Skeletor and Evil-Lyn and will explain the security precautions in place to keep me under control--including He-Man staying in a room near ours to keep us under constant surveillance."

Adam raised an eyebrow at his uncle, a lopsided smile tugging at his mouth. "Wouldn't that fall under 'creative truth-telling?'?"

Keldor pointedly ignored him. "The date for our trial will be set. As we plan to plead guilty to all charges, the people can be assured that their questions will be addressed at the sentencing rather than the trial, and that justice will be served."

Keldor looked around the room and waited to hear the reactions to his plan.

Adam had dropped his eyes again as he thought things over. The silence grew, and he looked up to find two pairs of eyes on him--Miro's pleading ones and Randor's expectant, almost antagonistic, ones. He turned to Keldor, nodding. "It could work," he said slowly. "It could take the wind out of all the rumors and discontent."

Duncan silently crossed his arms as he internalized Keldor's plan, searching for how it could be used to the former villain's advantage.

"But-" Miro protested, only to be silenced by Ranay's eldest.

"Father, as much as it pains me to admit it, Keldor's right," Randor said. "When we stop being honest with the people, we begin to serve ourselves instead of them. Adam keeps his secret for many reasons, not the least of which is that Grayskull's ancient wisdom advises him to. But we have kept Keldor's identity a secret out of anger and shame." His voice took on a bitter overtone. "As much as I hate to reveal who he is, and acknowledge that I am related to him, we need to do the right thing."

Keldor swallowed the lump of anger, pain, and shame that threatened to choke him. "Father," he pleaded, "I know this is hard for you. I am so sorry that you suffer for what I've done, but I deserve what is happening to me. I deserve a thousand times worse." Keldor fought for control as he thought of the new life growing within Lyn. 'Ancients will I ever be able to hold this child—or any of my children again?'

"I'm not sure about this," Miro said, his shoulders slowly drooping.

"Father," Keldor said roughly. "I am trying to do what is right. Please, let me."

Tears stood in Miro's eyes, but he refused to let them fall. "All right," he said in a choked voice. "But I will stand by you, Son. You won't go through this alone."

"I know you will." Keldor gave a weak smile to show his gratitude, then shifted uncomfortably. "There's another matter. One you spoke to me of earlier this week, Father. You left the decision in my hands."

"Yes," Miro said with a sad nod. "And I already know what you are going to do with it, don't I?"

Keldor nodded. He pulled out an official document with Miro's royal seal pressed into it. He passed it to Randor. The king started to open the parchment when Keldor motioned for him to wait just a moment.

"Before you see what is in that paper, I have one request, Randor."

Randor's eyes narrowed suspiciously but he managed a swift nod.

"Wherever I am sent for my punishment, please, may I hold the child Lyn carries at least once after it is born?" Keldor struggled to retain control of his emotions as he spoke.

Randor's hand froze as he saw the man before him clearly for a few seconds...a man who had made major mistakes, who had turned his life around, and loved his family. No matter his hatred towards Keldor, he couldn't possibly be cruel enough to deny this request. "I will make certain of it," he said, careful to keep his voice even. "You have my word."

"Thank you," Keldor said thickly. He motioned to the paper on his desk as he cleared his throat. "Father gave that paper to me as proof that he never gave up on finding me. Never stopped thinking of me. He gave it to me knowing I would not use it for my defense. I wish to give it back to you now, Randor."

Randor opened the paper in his hands and gasped. The letter was written in Miro's own hand and was signed by both Miro and Ranay, Randor's mother. It named Keldor as rightful heir to the throne of Eternos should he ever be found. Underneath the contract between his parents were Keldor's words renouncing all claim to the throne, and validating Randor's line.

Adam could see that whatever Keldor had handed Randor had shocked the king. He leaned forward anxiously. "Father, are you all right?" he demanded.

Randor looked up as if dazed. "All these years, the throne was rightfully yours," he said needlessly to Keldor.

"Impossible!" Duncan sputtered. Randor silently handed his man-at-arms the letter, never taking his eyes off of Keldor.

"Why? Why on Eternia would you renounce your claim to the throne?" Randor asked. Duncan handed the letter to Adam without a word.

"Because I don't deserve it, Randor. Not after everything I've done. Blast it! I deserve a life in prison. I will not take a crown I am not worthy of. I will answer for my crimes."

Randor leaned back in his chair, staring at Keldor with an assessing tilt to his mouth.

Seeing the suspicion in the eyes of Randor and Man-At-Arms infuriated him. 'I just willingly gave up the throne with which I could have pardoned myself and they still doubt my motives?!?' Ire burned within him, and for a moment he thought perhaps his eyes would once again glow red.

"I still don't get this 'good' thing sometimes," spat Keldor, standing and pacing the room. "For ages you all tell me how wrong I am, how what I do is evil. How I must be punished and pay my debt to the planet. I am here now, admitting you were right." Keldor angrily waved his arm toward those still seated before him. He pounded his chest twice. "That I was wrong. You tell me to do the right thing. To stop serving evil." Keldor turned his frustrated gaze toward Adam. "To let go of my hate and change. Well I do it!" Keldor threw his arms up in frustration.

"I change. I go through one of the most painful times in my life on Carina learning how to be me again. Fall in love with children, only to have them almost ripped away from me. Endure pain to the point of death to be cleaned from my evil and become a servant of Truth. Then I leave those children I love with my new people to serve those I once hurt—to face justice. And when I return, I keep hearing those who all along have been explaining the virtues of goodness, justice, and personal responsibility, ask me WHY I do what I do?" His chest heaved as the others exchanged glances.

"Fine, you win," shouted Keldor. "I'm a masochist. I like pain, that's why I'm doing this. I want to torture my-"

"Keldor, don't!" Adam exclaimed.

Keldor's words were cut off as he began to gag and cough. His sarcasm, though potent, was untrue.

"Son, take it easy," Miro urged him, rubbing his back. Keldor waved away his father's arm as he caught his breath and moved towards his seat next to Adam again, though he didn't sit.

"You'll have to excuse us all, bonehead," Adam said, his tone as well as his words implying Keldor already knew the answer to his own tirade. "Most of us are still having trouble trusting you or your motives." He threw a glance at his father. "Some of us more than others," he added under his breath so only Keldor could hear.

Adam stood and held out a hand to Keldor. "I believe I owe you thanks, yet again," he said, a slight twinkle in his eye, "for allowing me to keep the kingdom you spent seven years fighting me for."

"We'll drop the treason and sedition charges," Randor said abruptly. All eyes flew to him. Randor shrugged indifferently, hiding his turmoil. "You had a legitimate claim to the throne. In an odd way, we were the ones committing treason." He gave Keldor a hard look. "I cannot excuse your other crimes, however. And they are more than enough to lock you away for the rest of your life."


"I understand," Keldor said wearily. "I expect no favors, Randor. That is not why I gave you that."

He sank back in his chair.

There was a tense silence as Adam, Miro, and Randor exchanged glances. Keldor intercepted the looks. "What?" he asked uneasily, seeing a tear escape down Miro's face.

"Father did just do you a favor," Adam informed him in a low voice. "There are ancient laws that, while they have not been used in centuries, were never repealed either." He met Keldor's eyes steadily. "Keldor, treason was the one offense for which you could have received the death penalty."