The Thief's Daughter (Kingfountain #2)

“None of his doing? He usurped the throne from us!”

Owen shook his head. “Because of your mother. She tried wresting the protectorship from him—the protectorship your father granted to your uncle. I know the history, Eyric. We cannot undo what was done. But if you came to court, I am certain the king would not only spare your life, but he would also make you one of the nobles of the realm. You lack experience and training. You’ve been running for most of your entire life. Come with me to Kingfountain. I will speak on your behalf, and I give you my word, Severn is not the monster you fear him to be. Reconcile with him and you will gain more than what you have now. This is a beautiful manor. You have a beautiful wife. Lay aside your claim to the crown. Come back with me. I implore you.”

Eyric was breathing hard and he had a wild look in his eye. Beads of sweat trickled down his temples. “If only you knew,” he muttered.

“Knew what?” Owen demanded hotly.

Eyric looked up at Owen. “It is a secret I cannot tell.”

The door to the solar burst open, and the steward could be seen directing guards into the room. “Take him! Take him at once!”

For a moment, Owen didn’t know who they were going to seize. But then he saw the look of triumph in Eyric’s eyes.

“You had your chance to join me,” Eyric said. “Without you, Severn will fall. And when he does, you will lose everything.”





In my research of the history of Ceredigion, I have been reading the interesting accounts of the Maid of Donremy. Truly, she is perhaps the most notable Fountain-blessed these lands have witnessed in several hundred years. She was a peasant girl who came from a town on the border between Brythonica and Occitania. She turned the tide in the conflict between the protector of Ceredigion and the Prince of Occitania. One of the more fascinating aspects is that her rise to power occurred after she met the prince. The Prince of Occitania demanded proof that she was Fountain-blessed. She demonstrated her talent by visiting the sanctuary of Our Lady of Firebos. She reached her hand into the waters of the fountain and withdrew a sword. It was cankered with rust, but the rust quickly fell away with a little scrubbing. There were five stars on the blade. That is all we know about her sword. When she was eventually captured, she no longer had the sword. No one knows where it is. The Occitanians believe that if their kingdom is ever invaded again, another Maid will rise up with the sword and expel the invaders. I did find one rumor in my search. One reference claimed the sword was found not at Firebos, but at the island sanctuary in Brythonica.



—Polidoro Urbino, Court Historian of Kingfountain





CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX


Refuge




A shower of glass and fragments of wood preceded Owen’s departure from the bay window. He had deliberately placed himself there, realizing it afforded him the most expeditious way to retreat from the manor. Shouts from behind heralded the arrival of his pursuers, and he wasted no time in drawing his sword and dashing for the front of the manor, where, he hoped, they had untethered the horses from the carriage.

Using his Fountain magic, he sent a thought hurtling through the air at Etayne. We must go. Now!

As he rounded the corner, he saw that both of the carriage horses were free, and the servant with the whip was standing by them, his eyes wide with concern at the sudden commotion. The front door was wrenched open, and two men with swords emerged, coming at a sprint to head off Owen.

The servant with the whip blanched and fit his own foot into one of the stirrups and hoisted himself onto the mount, then started whipping it violently on the flanks to get himself as far away as possible. That left one horse for Owen and Etayne.

As he ran toward the confused beast, he realized he could be pulled out of the saddle before he had the chance to escape, so he changed his tactics. Instead of fleeing the two men, he charged them. Hours and hours at the training yard came rushing back to him in a whirlwind. He didn’t slow down at all as he rushed toward the nearest man and raised his sword for a downward thrust. Changing tactics at the last moment to catch the man off guard, he leaped forward instead, his boot connecting with the man’s stomach so hard the man nearly backflipped and landed on his face.

The other Atabyrion lunged at Owen, and their blades connected. Owen parried twice, then dropped low and sliced the man’s leg at the knee. There was a jet of blood, but Owen was not trying to amputate his leg, only cripple him and prevent him from pursuing them.

Kathryn is drugged. The thought came from Etayne. I’m going to poison Eyric’s gloves to incapacitate him.

No! Owen thought back. He stared briefly at the farthest part of the building, the one half-overgrown with foliage. Get out here! Meet me there. He knew that she could see the vision of it in her mind.

This may be my only chance! Etayne thought back angrily. I cannot fail this mission!

He could sense the determination in her thoughts. She had been trained by the very best poisoners in Pisan, and she did not want her first major assignment to bring her shame. Owen also realized, however, that if he left without her, it was probable she would be caught and killed. Ankarette had been tormented with guilt after accidentally poisoning the wife of her intended victim. Haste was dangerous.

Listen to me, Etayne! Owen thought back. He reached the horse and swung up into the saddle as the guards rounded the end of the manor and rushed at him. He slapped the horse’s flank with the flat of his blade to get it moving. His heart was thundering in his ears at the closeness of his pursuers. Get out here. Now! I’ll circle back for you!

No, my lord. I’ll steal a horse and meet you at Edonburick. I can get Eyric. I know I can. Let me try!

Owen’s mount was starting to gallop, and Owen had to hold tight with his knees and ride low against the horse’s neck. One of the men sprinted after him. He was quite a runner, but even he could not outrun a horse. Owen stared back at him, smiling as the gap widened. The man quit the pursuit, hurling an epithet after him.

It’s no good, Etayne. They know who I am now. We’re leaving as soon as we get back to Edonburick. I’m not going to leave you behind. Now quit being stubborn and get outside! Don’t make me come in there to fetch you.