The Hollow Crown (Kingfountain #4)

She smiled and nodded. “I should have trusted Lord Amrein more. I’m sorry, my lord.”

“Your father likes to worry,” Lord Amrein teased. “We may be outnumbered by a sizable force. But we were outnumbered in Azinkeep as well. That turned out to be a rather crucial battle, did it not, between Occitania and Ceredigion? These foreigners haven’t tested our mettle yet.”

“True,” Owen said wryly. “That doesn’t mean we have to like it.”

“I worried needlessly. I’m sorry for interrupting you both,” Trynne said, coming forward and kissing her father’s prickly cheek. He caught her hand.

“There is something I would tell you.”

She paused, giving him her attention.

“When the battle is over, whatever happens, your mother will start training Morwenna as a Wizr.” He looked in her eyes. “She’s displayed an aptitude and interest for it, and we can use more Wizrs, especially if we need to retreat and fight a holding action against Gahalatine as he crosses to Kingfountain. This castle would be very difficult to siege. But with Wizrs who can control water . . . well, that changes things.”

Trynne felt the stab of regret in her heart, but she wasn’t disappointed. Being the Lady of Averanche was more to her liking. And she was determined to train other young women to defend the castle in different ways.

“I think she’s a good choice,” Trynne said resolutely.

Owen looked relieved. “There is something, however, that we are not going to teach her,” he continued, his voice very low. She felt his Fountain magic start to rise up and bubble. He cocked his head, as if he were listening. Then the magic subsided.

“No one is eavesdropping,” he said with a wink. “I wanted to be sure. Your mother and I have kept this secret. Lord Amrein knows, because he’s proven himself over many years.”

Her father held out his left hand, palm up. He took her hand and placed it on top of his. “You see the wedding ring. You can feel it, can’t you? But there is another ring on my finger. One that you cannot see.”

She touched his hand and examined his ring finger. She felt the metal edge, wrapped in magic that was so subtle it gave off no trace. It had to be a powerful relic to be able to disguise itself thus.

“What is this ring?” she asked.

“Remember the story I told you about the grove in the woods near Ploemeur? How your mother and I told you to keep it secret and never go there without us?”

“Yes. I’ve only been there a few times. There is strong magic there.”

Owen nodded. “That is where a past duchess of Brythonica entrapped Myrddin. King Drew, your mother, and I freed him. You’ve seen the silver bowl fastened to the chain.”

“Yes, and the little waterfall by the ancient oak tree.” She smiled eagerly.

“We showed you what happens. It is one of Brythonica’s greatest defenses. Whenever you pour water from that bowl, it summons a huge storm. Your mother used it during the battle of Averanche to help me defeat Chatriyon’s army. The father, not the son,” he added, wrinkling his nose. “I am the champion of the grove because of this ring. Marshal Roux was the previous champion. I took the ring from him.” His voice dropped lower still. “Trynne, if I fall in this battle, I’ve instructed Lord Amrein to bring the ring to your mother or to you. You must pick someone to become the new champion of Brythonica. I’ve had my eye on Captain Staeli for many years. I think he’s the one. I just wanted to tell you in case anything happens.”

She felt humbled by his trust and the secret he was confiding in her.

He put his hand on her shoulder. “Trynne, it was this ring that helped me save Genevieve when she fell into the river all those years ago. Dragan knows about it.”

Trynne’s eyes widened with shock. “How?”

Owen shook his head. “I don’t know. It was many years ago. Kevan, remember when Severn had me arrested for treason?”

A sickened look came onto the Espion master’s face. “How could I forget?”

“That was a bad day,” Owen said, chuckling. “I was locked in the tower and Dragan followed the guards, invisible like the cockroach that he is. He wanted revenge on me for his daughter’s death. Revenge that he’s already taken out on you, but I don’t think he’s satisfied with the injury he caused you. He also said he would be paid an enormous sum to bring my left hand to Chatriyon. I knew he was after the ring, even if he didn’t. That means Chatriyon knew of it somehow.” Owen turned and looked at Kevan. “If I fall in the battle, someone may try and take it.”

“Shouldn’t you leave it here before you go?” Kevan said worriedly.

Owen shook his head. “I cannot. It is my responsibility until I die. I cannot just give it to someone else. Roux gave it to me only as he was spitting up blood. I don’t think I could even take it off unless I was passing the responsibility on to someone else. Dragan is still after this ring, Trynne. He hasn’t forgotten nor forgiven. I wanted both of you to know that.” He paused. “I think one of the reasons we can’t find Dragan is because he’s hiding out in Glosstyr. He’ll probably be disguised as one of the soldiers who comes with us. I plan to set a trap for him. That is one worry I’d like taken care of permanently. I owe Etayne that much,” he added, a hint of grief lingering in his voice.




The rush of magic rippled through Trynne’s body. When the mist faded, she and Captain Staeli were standing in the shallow pool of a dormant fountain. Moonlight streamed in from the high arched windows of the sanctuary. The room was empty and still, except for the tiny sounds of lapping water. Trynne listened for noises. Down one of the corridors, she saw the glow of a lantern as someone, probably the sexton, patrolled the grounds.

“And where are we now?” Staeli asked gruffly, screwing up his nose and glancing around. “Occitania?”

“Pree, the sanctuary of St. Denys,” Trynne whispered, releasing his hand. “This is where the Maid left her armor.”

“We’re here to find armor?” he asked in confusion, looking around at the empty room. The wall sconces had extinguished torches. Staeli was still rubbing sleep from his eyes.

“Yes, the Maid left it here for me. I need you to help me carry it and teach me how to put it on. You’re leaving at first light for Tatton Hall. I’ll be joining the army along the way. Have a tent ready for me, but it needs to be apart from the rest.”

“If you say so,” Staeli said with a yawn. “Where is this armor? I don’t see any.”

Trynne heard the sound of approaching footsteps and saw the bob of the lantern light on the wall moving toward them.