The Hollow Crown (Kingfountain #4)

“Very little in life is,” Sinia replied. “A philosopher said, ‘Only by joy and sorrow does a person ever know anything about themselves or their destiny.’ They learn what to do and what to avoid.”

Trynne entwined her fingers together, twisting them as her emotions battled inside. She let out a deep sigh. “I’m not meant to be a Wizr, Mother,” she whispered.

The stroking hand on her shoulder stopped its ministrations. Trynne felt tears burning in her eyes. She hung her head.

“I suppose not,” her mother said, her voice throbbing with sadness.

“I have tried. But in my heart, I would rather be . . .” Trynne’s words failed her.

“Preparing a castle for a siege?” her mother supplied. “Well, it seems you may get your wish after all.”

Trynne turned her head abruptly, staring at her with surprise. “What do you mean?”

Sinia had a pensive look. She was mastering her disappointment, but Trynne could still see it in her eyes, in her dejected countenance.

“One of the things we discussed in the council was the defense of the kingdom. You already know that the Wizr board has been broken. Rucrius’s magic cracked the stone. That special set has been a key to our kingdom’s defenses for centuries. No one could ever surprise King Drew because the board showed him plainly who was friend and who was foe. It also showed us which direction the enemy pieces were coming from. Who was moving against our king. We’ve been struck blind.”

Trynne reached for her mother’s hands worriedly. “And the pieces?”

“They are just stone now. They do not change color when someone switches sides.”

“Can you fix it?” Trynne asked hopefully.

Sinia shook her head. “That set was created long ago. It’s a relic of the Deep Fathoms. Myrddin said that it was a gift to the original King Andrew, and he used to play the game with his knights. It was stolen, along with the king’s sword and the scabbard, before the battle leading to his grave wound.”

Trynne’s heart shuddered. “Then I should not do this!” she said with anguish. “My duty is here. You are needed at court, Mother. The king needs you.”

Sinia clasped Trynne’s hands and stroked them gently. “Your duty is not here, Trynne,” she said. “As much as I might wish it were otherwise, I can see that your heart isn’t fulfilled by the study of magic. It is a burden to you.” She shook her head, gazing away a moment, as if preparing herself to speak difficult words. She let out her breath and then straightened her shoulders. “Daughter, the king’s men will be arriving shortly with an embassy from the palace. Your father and I have discussed it. The king and queen are investing you with the title of countess. Along with the title, you will be given lands, certain freedoms, and a royal pension. You are to be the Lady of Averanche shortly.”

Trynne’s heart whipped into a frenzy. “Can this be true?”

“I would never lie to you, Trynne,” her mother said with an arch smile.

The thought was almost too much to consider. Her? A part of the royal court in her own right, and not just because she was the daughter of powerful parents?

Her mother wasn’t done speaking. “You will hold that title independently. It was going to be invested on you when you turned sixteen, but in light of recent events, it will happen straightaway. You did great service to the people of Kingfountain. You have earned the king’s trust and demonstrated responsibility belying your youth. We chose Averanche because it is between both of our duchies and closest to Pree. Without the board, we cannot see threats coming. You will be responsible for defending our borders and preparing soldiers to fight with the king when the invasion comes.”

“I will be part of the battle?” Trynne gasped with wonderment.

“Of course not!” Sinia said, wrinkling her brow. “No, Trynne. You will help defend the homeland. The queen has been given command over the home army. She will choose one of the dukes of the realm to be her battle commander. Westmarch will go with your father to fight Gahalatine. Brythonica was chosen to help defend Ceredigion. When it’s time for battle, your army will march under your father’s banner whilst you remain here in Ploemeur. I will away to Kingfountain to advise the queen.”

Trynne felt the wrongness of the plan. It was not her destiny to remain behind. She had to go with the king to protect him when the time came.

“I thought you’d be pleased with this news?” Sinia said, looking concerned at her reaction.

“I am pleased,” Trynne said anxiously. “The Lady of Averanche. I had no idea. I’m just so surprised.”

Sinia seemed to accept her change in tone. “I knew you would be. For too long you have lived under the shadow of the past. And your father and I have perhaps coddled you more than we ought. You are a capable young woman. Captain Staeli will go with you—not as your protector, but as your captain. He served under your father for many years before joining the Espion. You will have your own household, your own herald—your father said that you cannot have Benjamin, but Farnes is willing to come out of retirement to help advise you.” She reached out and brushed some locks of Trynne’s hair away. “My heart is bursting right now, Daughter. Have I taught you enough? I led all of Brythonica when I was younger than you. That was forced on me when my parents died. You need to grow up so fast. It won’t be much longer before . . .” Her voice thickened and tears spilled from her lashes.

Trynne hugged her mother fiercely, burying her mouth against her neck. The vision of her father’s death hung like storm clouds over them. Mother and daughter tried to comfort each other. The grief of the moment was too powerful for words.





CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE


Lady of Averanche




The castle of Averanche commanded a stunning view of the sea. It was built atop a hill along the coast, the town nestled inside a sturdy wall that had withstood sieges for generations. The battlements were usually windy, but Trynne loved to scale the stairs leading to them and walk alone, staring out over her domain, wondering at all that had befallen her in recent weeks.

The Lady of Averanche.