The Silent Shield (Kingfountain #5)

Trynne sat facing Fallon across the Wizr board. They were in the solar of the castle in Ploemeur, sitting on two wooden chairs in companionable silence. She cast surreptitious glances at him as he brooded over the board, deep in thought. It was her father’s set, the one King Severn had given him as a child.

He reached out his hand, took a deconeus piece, and moved it diagonally to block a move she had been preparing to make. His interception abruptly ruined her plan. His abilities in the game had increased over the years. In their youth, he had played impatiently, often making quick errors that she had exploited to her advantage.

His arrival in Ploemeur had been a source of much-needed comfort to her. It did not change the terribleness of the situation, but it did soothe part of her misery. He leaned back in the chair, waiting patiently for her to make her next move.

“Are you going to take a ship to Kingfountain for the Gauntlet?” she asked him. “It’s in three days.”

Fallon rubbed his chin and then shook his head. “No, I’ll be riding directly. I think an overland route is safer, considering Gahalatine’s fleet is still at sea. Chandigarl may be to the east, but that doesn’t mean he can’t strike from the west.” He sniffed, stroking his upper lip. “I’ve seen some of the latest Espion maps that Kevan commissioned. Our world is like this fruit,” he said, leaning over to a nearby table and snatching up a large orange. He rubbed his thumb across the peel and slowly rotated it with his wrist. “The Genevese sail to many foreign ports. I think they know much more about Chandigarl than they are letting on.” He wagged his eyebrows at her. “It’s your move.”

She had already planned her next three and adjusted one of her pawns forward to begin her attack.

“Genevar has been a trading nation for centuries,” Trynne said. “They go to great lengths to keep their secrets.”

“Who can blame them?” Fallon replied with a snort. “Without their ships moving things back and forth across the seas, we’d all starve. Well, except for Brythonica. You’d survive on your berries, but only just. That was a good move. I see what you’re trying to do.”

“Do you now?” Trynne asked in a teasing voice. You can’t get used to this, the voice in her head reminded her, he’s not yours to keep.

“Yes, it’s as obvious as the sunrise. Your plan won’t work.”

“I think you are just trying to trick me into revealing something.”

He smirked. “You’ve already given yourself away.” Then the smirk faded into a sweet smile as he glanced around the room. “I have so many fond memories of this place. Hiding in the larder to sneak fresh-baked tarts. Watching your father stare at the fireplace. Finding your mother’s shoes in odd places.”

They were both quiet for a moment, lost in thought about how things used to be, and then Fallon heaved a sigh. “I should leave. This game could last awhile and I’m tempted to linger.” He leaned forward, planting his elbows on his knees. “If there were some way I could take this pain from you, I would. My sister is preparing to flee to the sanctuary of Our Lady, trusting in the integrity of a foreign emperor to protect her and my niece. I’m not certain we can trust Gahalatine’s integrity. If he had any, he would not have attacked us in the first place.”

“He did call off the attack at the Battle of Guilme after what happened to my father,” she reminded him. “How many battle commanders would have done the same?”

“None that I’ve ever read about,” Fallon said with a chuckle. “But his ambition defies all belief. He’s determined to conquer the world. What happens after he does? Have you ever heard the tale of Prince Jeffrey? It’s one of the stories from King Andrew’s time.”

Trynne wrinkled her brow and then shook her head. “I don’t think I’ve heard that one.”

“Really?” Fallon said in surprise. “It’s about the brother of the King of Bremen. The king’s brother was made chancellor after his brother was crowned, and he was given the keys of the treasury. I think he was Fountain-blessed at spending other people’s money,” he added with a grin. “The treasury was depleted and taxes were constantly being raised because Prince Jeffrey could not stop spending. The royal harbor was full of boats that were never used. The stables full of horses that were never ridden. The paddocks full of carriages. The prince bought and he bought until the king finally had to remove him from office because the people were rebelling. The horses and boats and carriages were sold at a fraction of their value.” Fallon chuckled to himself. “What a debacle.”

Trynne laced her fingers together. “That’s why he made it into a book, though. If the prince had been a responsible chancellor, there would have been no story to tell.”

“I heard that story from my mother,” Fallon said, his voice becoming softer. “While she’s always loved a juicy tale, the lesson she took from it was that greed is a hunger that will never be satisfied.” He was still leaning forward, his eyes finding hers. “She shared that story with me after I returned to Edonburick after our last . . . conversation in our garden. Mother said my hunger to be recognized and appreciated was like Prince Jeffrey’s greed. It would never be satisfied. So why should I be surprised that others saw in me what I was blind to? Mothers have an interesting way of rebuking wayward children, but they do it so nicely that you have to forgive them. Even better, learn from them.” He breathed out a long sigh. “I have learned a great deal since that day, Trynne. I want to thank you for speaking the truth, even though I wasn’t ready to hear it.” He paused, judging his next words carefully. “My mother—and you—are very wise. I still wish to earn your father’s seat at the Ring Table. But only because I too would sacrifice my life for the king’s.”

The door of the solar opened and Thierry entered, walking up to her briskly. He gave Fallon a weighing look.

“My lady, I’ve just spoken to a ship captain from Genevar. He has news from your mother.”

Trynne quickly rose, her heart fluttering in her chest. Her worried look prompted Thierry to continue. “My lady, the captain encountered your mother’s ship in the open seas. He hastened to Ploemeur after unloading his cargo in Genevar to share the news. Firstly, that he did encounter her ship. He had not heard of her departure and was surprised to find her so far from Brythonica. Secondly, he warned her that he had encountered an enormous fleet at anchor in the Myristican Islands and had discovered, while trading there, that they were preparing to sail toward our shores. The captain feared your mother’s ship would encounter them. He also wanted to hasten here to warn us to prepare in case they strike at Legault or Brythonica.”

Fallon rose instantly, his expression grave. “Attacking from the west, not the east,” he said, nodding his head. “This is timely news.”

“Indeed,” Thierry said, his head bobbing in agreement. “I can have the captain brought if you would like to speak with him yourself.”

“I would,” Trynne said, also rising. “Fallon, I can take you to Kingfountain. The king must be told at once.”