The Silent Shield (Kingfountain #5)

Gahalatine’s look changed to one of surprise. His eyebrows lifted. He tapped his heart with his finger. “I am the one on the leash,” he growled. He stepped closer to her. They were still far enough apart that he could not touch her. “And I cannot achieve the vision I have without a strong, courageous woman at my side. I seek, Tryneowy, to change the game that has been played out since the world was new and the boundaries of the Deep Fathoms were first established. The people truly suffer with hunger, blight, and disease because of the squabbling of their leaders and those who crave coin more than they do the well-being of their fellows. And you cannot tell me that such tortures do not happen in your kingdom. I pity the weak and the dispossessed. And I firmly believe that the populace of Kingfountain would welcome my benevolent hand if someone they trusted and respected stood at my side. Think on it, Tryneowy. Together, we could remake the world.”

He was using his magic on her. She saw it was not deliberate—he wasn’t trying to manipulate or coerce her. His convictions were so much a part of his character and his nature that the magic simply spilled out of him when he spoke about them. He was utterly confident that he was meant to rule the world.

But the power of his words, his convictions, could not pierce her heart. The magic of his words swept around her, leaving her with a strong sense of herself and what she believed. And she believed that it was King Drew’s right to rule his own lands. That the Fountain had established him as the benevolent ruler who would—and had—brought peace, slowly, bit by bit. Gahalatine was a like a flood that threatened to sweep everything away. Drew was more patient, steadier. His Wizrs had always served him willingly. Gahalatine obviously wrestled with his own.

“You cannot make me believe you,” Trynne said softly, piercing him with her gaze.

“I know,” he said, a smile on his face. “Do you have any idea how far I have searched for someone like you? There are two young women from the Ceredigion Court who are Fountain-blessed. You and another. The Mandaryn have tried goading and coaxing me into taking the Argentine girl.” His nostrils flared. “The daughter of a king. That is who they would choose for me. But I will not heed the Mandaryn or take a wife of their choosing.” He paused, looking into her eyes, then said, “I fear they have abducted your father. I have had my trusted allies searching for him this last year, and if he were in my domain, I would know of it. So I suspect they are keeping him somewhere in your king’s lands. When I attacked at Guilme, I had hoped to negotiate a marriage treaty with your father for your hand. And now you are here and within my power. Do not flee from me, gentle Tryneowy. You may be the only one who can save me from them.”

Trynne swallowed, her ears ringing from his declarations. Was this the husband her mother had foreseen for her? Was that why Sinia had looked so sad whenever Trynne had asked about the vision?

The door of the chamber was yanked open and guardswomen stormed inside, swords drawn. A man with a silver mask stood amongst them.

“That is her!” He pointed at Trynne. “She is the poisoner from Pisan! She will kill the emperor!”

“Stop!” Gahalatine shouted angrily, holding up his hand. “Be silent!”

Trynne had been so caught up in the rush of magic pouring out of Gahalatine that she hadn’t sensed another source of power building up outside the room. The Mandaryn with the silver mask was using the magical device in his possession to control the guardswomen. They were convinced Trynne was a dangerous threat.

“There are blades in her bag!” the Mandaryn shouted. “Kill her!”

The guardswomen flew at Trynne in a savage fury, rushing at her to defend the emperor they served and cherished. They seemed completely oblivious to his shouted commands.

“Trynne!” Lady Evie shrieked in terror.

“No!” Gahalatine raged, stepping between her and his own guards.

Trynne rushed toward the queen as she fumbled with her sleeve for the Tay al-Ard. She sensed a sword swinging toward her from behind and her magic responded to protect her. Trynne swiveled just in time, and the blade struck the lute case. The strap was severed and the case thumped to the floor. Whipping her leg around, Trynne kicked her attacker in the jaw, knocking her to the ground in a single blow. The next two attackers were almost upon them, but Trynne backstepped toward Lady Evie, pulling the Tay al-Ard free from its bindings.

Gahalatine had heaved two of her attackers away and he turned to gaze at her. His eyes were filled with panic and desperation. It was obvious he thought she was going to be murdered right in front of him, and just as apparent that he was powerless to stop it. The emperor of the Forbidden Court was powerless.

Trynne put the Tay al-Ard between her and Evie, grabbed the queen’s hand with her own, and summoned the magic to take them away as swords slashed down to kill her.

The sound of a blade ringing against the stone lingered in her ears as the magic yanked them away.





CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE


Midnight




Trynne’s heart was still racing when they appeared inside the fountain at the small chapel in Kingfountain. A couple of torches flickered from wall sconces at their sudden arrival, and Trynne felt the water soak into her skirts and boots. She didn’t normally get wet when she traveled the ley lines, but the Tay al-Ard was a different magic, and it had brought her exactly where her frantic thoughts had imagined.

She was still clutching Lady Evie’s arm, and the two stared at each other in the shadows for a moment, the stillness of the night such a contrast to the blazing day they had left on the other side of the world.

“That was terrifying,” Lady Evie said at last, releasing her panicked grip on Trynne’s arm. “I thought we’d both be killed.” She stifled a sudden yawn.

Trynne was about to reply when she became aware of the presence of Fountain magic. It permeated the very air she breathed, whispering through the corridor like a breeze. It was as if an enormous shroud had fallen over the entire palace. It felt like fog on a misty morning.

Everything was utterly silent.

Trynne’s brow furrowed and she walked to the edge of the fountain and stepped over. The waters sloshed and splashed as she and Lady Evie extricated themselves from it. Water dripped onto the polished marble floor.

Only then did Trynne see the two crumpled bodies that had been concealed by the edge.

Lady Evie gasped, seeing them at the same moment. “Look! Are they dead?”

Trynne knelt by the two bodies that were wearing Espion rings on their right hands. They had been stationed to guard the chapel fountain at all hours, day and night. Her insides quickened with fear and dread, but she heard the men breathing. Both were in a deep slumber.

“Something’s wrong,” Trynne whispered, once again sensing the magic that hung in the air. She jostled one of the men by the shoulder.

The Espion didn’t move; he just rolled onto his back, his mouth parted. It was a magically induced sleep.

“This is unlike Kevan’s men,” Lady Evie said, shaking her head. She stifled another yawn. “They’re supposed to be guarding this place.”

“I think they are under a spell,” Trynne whispered, holding up her hand. She was tempted to reach out with her magic, to divine the source of the shroud. The magic was trying to make her fall asleep, but it could only billow around her and Lady Evie. Trynne realized that her presence was the only thing keeping the Queen of Atabyrion awake.

“It’s so quiet,” Lady Evie whispered. Her look grew more concerned.

Trynne licked her lips. “The Wizr Rucrius was being held prisoner here,” she said. “Morwenna claimed she’d drugged him to sleep before we left to find you.”

“Morwenna said that?” Lady Evie answered in a distrusting tone.