The Hollow Crown (Kingfountain #4)

Drew leaned back in the wooden chair, smoothing his hand across the polished table. “After the Wizr Rucrius appeared, uninvited, in this very room and threatened our city, I sent my sister to learn more about our enemy. She returned with dire news.” He looked at Morwenna and then nodded for her to speak.

Morwenna stepped away from her father’s chair and all eyes went to her. Despite her best intentions, Trynne could not help but compare herself with the other girl. Morwenna was a more impressive figure, tall and athletic and striking. Her raven hair and gray eyes marked her as her father’s daughter, but she was still a mix of her parents.

“My lords and ladies,” Morwenna said with an air of confidence. “I have been to Chandigarl. The threat we face is indeed very real. That kingdom is spilling over with riches from Gahalatine’s conquests. His city shines like a jewel. I’ve never seen the like in my life. There are no poor, no slums. The people conduct business with ferocity until noontide, and then they retreat to public forums to discuss and debate with one another. There is much wisdom in Chandigarl. It is an ancient city.” She shook her head. “There is nothing in our realms to compare it to. The city of Marq is no more than a pebble next to a boulder. Pree? A street.” She shrugged. “What I was most keen on learning is what power this ruler possesses. He is Fountain-blessed and highly respected by his people. They say he is quick to laugh and of a kindly disposition. But I also learned he is utterly ambitious, to the point of being ruthless.”

She began pacing around the Ring Table as she spoke. “I was able to insinuate myself into the royal palace. I have seen him use his Fountain magic. He did it in the great hall, which is the size of an amphitheater. One of his generals had captured the kingdom of Neffar at his behest and brought its ruler to bend the knee before him. The man was an ancient enemy of Gahalatine’s. One of his distant cousins. You could see the fury and humiliation in his eyes as he cowered before him. He looked as if he wanted to stab Gahalatine, but he had no weapons. I was disguised as a servant. There are many, too many to keep track of. Gahalatine rose and started to speak. He spoke about his vision of uniting Neffar with his dominion. He praised the ruler for having done the best he could, the best his traditions would allow, but said that he had failed as a leader because his people were suffering. For their sake, Gahalatine could no longer allow him to rule, but he would bring him and his concubines to Chandigarl so he could be taught the proper way to rule. Perhaps, in the future, he would once more be granted dominion of his lands. As Gahalatine spoke, the magic of the Fountain worked on the ruler. His hatred and animosity melted away. He suddenly became . . . servile. He thanked Gahalatine ardently, to the point of tears. I’ve never seen such a transformation. The man had literally lost his kingdom and he was thanking the man who’d wrested it from him. He was given a position in court. There are many such people in Chandigarl, living in the city’s royal mansions. It is a prison, to be sure. But they have the appearance of wealth and power.” She paused, considering her words. “It is my conviction that Gahalatine is blessed not with the power of speech, but with the power to inspire other men. As I heard him speak, I felt his power wash over me. If I had not trained my mind for many years, I would have fallen sway to him and betrayed this council. I think only someone Fountain-blessed can withstand such a force of will.”

Morwenna turned and faced the king. “As I told Your Majesty earlier today, Gahalatine is equipped with a fleet of treasure ships. I did not see them because the boats had already sailed from Chandigarl when I arrived. Gahalatine also has at least sixteen Wizrs serving him.”

There was an audible gasp when she said this.

Morwenna nodded, her eyebrows raised. “Rucrius is not even his chief Wizr. The pattern, so far as I have discerned, is that one of the Wizrs is sent with a warning to the court Gahalatine plans to attack. Not an ultimatum to surrender.” She shook her head decisively. “Gahalatine wants to defeat other rulers. He wants to prove he is the more able leader. They say a hundred kings have already sworn homage to him. I’m sure some of them have petty domains, but his conquests are still boasted about throughout court. He has fixed his eye on Kingfountain. I heard him announce that he was going to conquer our kingdom personally. His Wizrs reported that the fleet had landed at the fortress of Guilme, and he announced his intention to travel there this very day. The cheer in his hall was deafening. As soon as he vanished out of sight, I returned to bring my grim news.”

Morwenna clasped her hands behind her back, her cheeks a little flushed, and walked back to stand behind her father’s chair. Severn had a scowl on his face. His eyes were fixed on the king.

King Drew spoke next. “I’m sure you all have questions. But this is not the time or the season for being indecisive. The issue at hand, as I see it, is how to protect our borders. Gahalatine struck at the heart of our kingdom first. He sent Rucrius to demonstrate his might and power and the insignificance of our traditions. He stopped the river from flowing for a moment. He meant to break our spirit.” The king’s voice grew more steady and forceful. “But instead, he strengthened our resolve. He will not claim one city or plow one field uncontested,” he said, striking the table with his finger. He chuffed to himself. “We have been a fractious realm. We have fought against one another as squabbling brothers do. Well, that discord has taught us one thing. We know how to fight. My counselors have advised me that if we do not wield the hammer of war with all of our strength, then we will be shattered and not the stone.”

He paused, looking across the table at the variety of faces. Trynne was impressed by his cool demeanor, but also the throb of passion in his voice. She could feel the magic of the hollow crown wafting from him like vapors of mist.

“I have entrusted Queen Genevieve with the defense of Kingfountain. She has already chosen warriors to defend the homeland. The rest of you must gather every capable man and arm him with whatever is available—sword, spear, arrow, or pitchfork. From the reckoning we received from Grand Duke Maxwell, Gahalatine has brought over a hundred thousand trained warriors to conquer us. We do not have as many. But what we lack in training, we will make up in courage. We are fighting to protect our homeland, our wives and daughters. We will break the siege of Guilme and throw back those who would chain us into servitude. Do not provide for the defense of your own lands. If we fall in Brugia, we will all fall. Suffer no illusion that Gahalatine will make you lord of your own dominion. He will take it all. And I, for one, have no desire to sip his wine in bondage or pay him tribute from our coffers for the privilege.”

The king looked decisive and very regal in that moment. He then turned to Owen. “My lord duke, give the orders.”