The Silent Shield (Kingfountain #5)(31)

“Thank you for coming, Fallon,” she said, her voice raw. She clung to him, nestled close, enjoying the feel of his arms around her shoulders. She felt as weak as a newborn puppy.

“I’ll take you back,” he said, patting her shoulder. “We shouldn’t be alone like this. I have my reputation to maintain, you know.”

She laughed softly, though the sound was thick with tears. He always could make her laugh. “Thank you for considering your reputation.” She craned her neck, looking up at him. He was the most handsome man in the world to her.

“What?” he asked, seeing her expression but not understanding it.

“Thank you, Fallon. Thank you for being here.” She hooked her hand around his neck, pulled him down, and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

It was obvious he was a little startled by that, but he gave her one of his appreciative smiles. With her arm still around his waist, they walked together down the rocky steps leading to the base of the falls.

“Is the Painted Knight coming to the Gauntlet of Kingfountain?” he asked as they maneuvered down, side by side.

Trynne felt a shudder ripple through her. She knew she couldn’t leave.

“She can’t,” Trynne whispered darkly.





PART II

Knights





CHAPTER TWELVE


Genevar




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.”