: He wqas King AFTER he defeated Balor; before, he was
: prince of Covenant, but after it was sacked he was
: exiled royalty.
No. As Seraph points out, Alric is already King. While he's attempting to defeat SB, he also picks up the Ibis Crown, and is crowned emperor of an empire that no longer exists. Being that he's already a king, and *if* Madrigal was part of the Cath Bruig Empire (as I believe it was), then Alric would have a right to the crown regardless of his accomplishments and power. That's why the Heron are so glad to plop the crown on his head... he has both things going for him (bloodline and power).
--Stinger