Chapter Twelve
When the news of Prince Igor’s murder was first reported around the kingdom of Breconia, there was consternation and confusion. The prince had no designated heir; he had been a young man and so did not feel the need. Being unmarried he had no legal children. Though there were many bastards resulting from his taking the virginity of countless first-born girls, bastards could not accede to the throne. The prince’s aged father still lived, but by this time he was far gone in dementia. His brother Roger was eventually located deep in the dungeons, but long imprisonment had ruined his health, and he too had no children; the rumour about his being castrated sadly turned out to be true, so no heir could be expected form that source.
A regent, who would become king when at last th
