[KC] Counterspell, Warlord, and Coup

[Michael McCullough]

We have a question regarding Counterspell, Warlord, and Coup:

1. Black plays "Coup", naming a Knight as his new King.
2. Later, Black plays "Warlord" on the Knight-King and begins making 
Warlord-style moves (and assumes that Knight-style moves were no longer 
allowed for that piece).
3. Even later, White captures Black's deposed King (Prince).
4. Currently, White is attempting to play "Counterspell".

Black argues:  "Counterspell" has no effect, as, if it did, it would undo 
the effects of both "Warlord"
and "Coup", leaving me without a King, because the piece in question would 
revert to its original status as a Knight, see FAQ#1 below.

White argues:  The Coup CE was superseded by the Warlord CE per FAQ#2 below, 
and thus, "Counterspell" cancels the CE of "Warlord" and the pieces reverts 
to its status as King (which is what the piece was for purposes of 
transforming into a Warlord in the first place).

We have reviewed the following FAQ, but disagree on their application to 
this issue:

1-  Q. Suppose in a game there are multiple Continuing Effects in play, 
including COUP on Black's Knight. If Black's King was captured, can either 
player play COUNTERSPELL? Would it just ignore COUP, since cancelling it 
would break the Checkmate Rule?
A. COUNTERSPELL would have no effect.  COUNTERSPELL removes all Continuing 
Effects in play, as per the text of the card. If Black's King was captured, 
then COUP may not be cancelled or removed, as that would violate the 
Checkmate Rule. Playing COUNTERSPELL in this situation would violate the 
Checkmate Rule, so it has no effect.
2-  Q. My opponent played a PALADIN on a Knight, then played COUP on the 
PALADIN, and then played WARLORD on the PALADIN/King. Trying to checkmate a 
PALADIN/WARLORD/King is very difficult, if not impossible. Were any rules 
broken, or is this all legal?
A. Rules were broken. PALADIN on the Knight is legal, creating a Paladin.  
COUP on the Paladin is legal, and COUP and PALADIN conflict ("moves by ...." 
and "keeps its standard move"); PALADIN loses to the more recent COUP and 
the King has a Knight's move. WARLORD on the new King is legal, and the move 
specified by WARLORD is in effect � the King can no longer move like 
aKnight.

Thank you.