Chapters 26-28 Summary

The day of Richard's public trial arrives, and the whole town shows up, wondering who Richard's unnamed patron could be. Alec stands up, representing the House of Tremontaine, and reveals that the Duchess had no part in Lord Ferris's plan to have Basil killed. Lord Ferris suddenly recognizes Alec, having seen him with Richard, and realizes that he has double-crossed too many people, and cannot save himself. Ferris does his best to appeal to the mercy of the court by apologizing publicly for misrepresenting the Tremontaines. He hints that he ordered the death of Lord Horn because Lord Horn claims to be Michael Godwin's real father. Alec and Richard allow him to lie to all, and Lord Ferris steps down as Dragon Chancellor. The court decides to banish him to a far away, primitive land, as ambassador, but with the possibility...