The King's Traitor (Kingfountain #3)(64)
Owen’s interest was piqued yet again. “If I recall correctly from my reading, Myrddin eventually stopped protecting the king, and that’s when King Andrew was mortally wounded and passed on to the Deep Fathoms.”
“Precisely,” Polidoro said, nodding in agreement. “Once the king’s Wizr was removed, the king’s realm began to fall into chaos. He was betrayed constantly, and his dominions crumbled. In those days, the king taught the people the code of Virtus.”
Owen wrinkled his brow. “Isn’t that the family name of the kings of Occitania?”
“Indeed. They’ve carried it for generations. But it is also an ancient ideal. The kingdoms of Ceredigion and Occitania were founded on it. The more common use of the word is ‘virtue’ today, but in ancient times, it encompassed many meanings, including prudentia, iustitia, temperantia, and fortitudo. ‘Prudence,’ ‘justice,’ ‘self-control,’ ‘courage.’ This is what King Andrew taught his people. To become a knight in his realm meant a person had to embody all of these traits, to demonstrate them in all aspects of their lives before they were bestowed the rank of knighthood. These attributes are famous in the literature, though they are no longer requisite. The early Argentines espoused them publicly, but in their private lives, the burden often felt too heavy.”
“You’ve given me a lot to think about, sir,” Owen said, trying to make sense of it all. “I thank you.” Another thought came to him. “How did they destroy Myrddin in the end? I seem to recall that he disappeared from court and never returned. King Andrew said he was taken away by the Fountain.”
Polidoro gave him a wise look. “Well, that is a story in itself. The Wizr eventually fell in love.”
“Truly?” Owen said with a chuckle.
“Of course. Love overthrows the strongest of men. And women. It was love that united the first Argentine king with the Queen of Occitania. She tricked her husband into divorcing her and then married King Ursus and founded the dynasty that has gone on for centuries now. Love is a powerful force, my lord. More powerful than the Fountain itself, I fear.” He sighed deeply, his thoughts turning more introspective. “Myrddin fell in love with a nobleman’s daughter. The history does not state which kingdom she was from. She persuaded him to teach her his magic so that she might become a Wizr as well. He knew from his visions that she would betray him. But even though he knew it, he could not stay away and he could not prevent it. The water in a river cannot escape the boulders strewn in the path ahead. They can only crash against them. She betrayed Myrddin and captured him beneath a mound of giant stones. They say Myrddin was immortal and could not die. That he is trapped there still. No one knows where he was lost, for he traveled with the girl willingly as she led him to his doom. A sad end for a great man. His last prophecy was about the Dreadful Deadman and the return of the White King. You tell this to King Severn, my boy. As I’ve told you both before, there is no proof that these legends of King Andrew are more than stories. But then again,” he added wryly, lifting his eyebrows, “perhaps the records were drowned in Leoneyis, eh?” He gave Owen a conspiratorial wink.
When Owen returned to the Star Chamber with Etayne, she hastily bolted the door behind them.
“I hardly know what to think,” she said. Before continuing, she rushed to the various spy holes to make sure no one was eavesdropping. Her whole manner communicated agitation and bewilderment.
“What do you mean?” Owen asked, looking for some paper to craft another note to Sinia.
Having finished her inspection, Etayne turned back to him and folded her arms. “You’ve only just met the Duchess of Brythonica. You two are betrothed. It never occurred to me that she might be otherworldly! What if she’s a Siren, Owen? What if her magic is clouding your mind?”
Owen shook his head. He had managed to regain most of his control. “Fountain magic doesn’t work on me unless I permit it. You could try your best to deceive me with one of your disguises, Etayne, but I’d still know it was you. I don’t think I’m under a spell.”
Etayne started to pace. “I don’t trust her.”
“Who? Sinia?”
“Who else?” she said angrily. “She’s been manipulating you from the start. If she truly has mantic gifts like Myrddin, who’s to say she’s not using them to prevent Severn from using Brythonica as a base to attack Chatriyon? She could be defending herself through intrigue.”
Owen took a moment to sort through this possibility, for her words made sense and he was not going to discount them. But his heart told him that Sinia wasn’t deceiving him. She had been truthful when confronted with his suspicions. And she had known about Eyric’s death before it happened. He had the note from her to prove it.
“I don’t know everything,” Owen said after a lengthy pause. “But I’ve decided to trust her. Based on what Polidoro said, not all water sprites are harmful. She’s trying to prevent the destruction of our kingdom. When we brought back the Wizr set, it started to snow. The evidence backs up her claims.”
Etayne looked unconvinced. “I have a bad feeling about her,” she said.
Owen gave her a wary look, wondering if that bad feeling was jealousy. “I’ve already cast the die, Etayne,” he said. “What I intend to do,” he continued, gesturing to the paper and quill, “is ask her directly about the name Peisinia. Is she an otherworldly creature?” He shrugged. “Perhaps. At this point, it wouldn’t surprise me. Did you hear what Polidoro told us? About how Myrddin trained a woman to become a Wizr? How he shared his power and was then trapped under stones?”