The Silent Shield (Kingfountain #5)(40)

“I think I’ll keep it,” she answered. “Do you know where they took my father? Do you know where Owen Kiskaddon is being held? I know he’s alive.”

She saw it in his eyes. There was knowledge, there was truth, there was the information she desperately sought. But the low, cruel smile he gave her told her that he would never reveal it to her. That he would rather die than help her.

“Why should I know such a thing?” he said. “My lord Gahalatine did not abduct him. How dare you suggest it.”

“I didn’t suggest that Gahalatine did. I asked you a question.”

“And what would you do to get the answer?” he said smoothly, his voice full of cunning. “Would you betray your king?”

His words cast a shadow on her soul. She wanted to save her father, and she believed that Rucrius knew where he was. But she could do nothing to force him to tell her.

“Tell me,” Trynne said, barely able to control her anger.

“I can bring you to where he was taken,” Rucrius said. “Hold out the Tay al-Ard. We will both touch it together. You cannot go there alone. But I can. I know the way. I will take you there. Hold out the scroll.”

Again, she felt his thoughts pushing against her. They were pushing stronger this time.

Their silent stalemate was broken by the noise of steps coming down the corridor. Trynne turned and saw her father’s herald approaching rapidly.

“My lady. Morwenna Argentine is here.”





CHAPTER SIXTEEN


Revenge




When Trynne reached the audience hall, she found Morwenna walking amidst the debris of cracked floor, gouged pillars, and detritus from the battle with the three Wizrs. The king’s poisoner had a look of wonder and astonishment as she surveyed the damage to the once-tranquil room. None of the palace servants had begun cleaning yet—all their focus had been on rescuing the survivors along the shore.

Morwenna’s hand stretched out and touched one of the fragments of broken stone on the floor. After hefting it in her hand, she set it down and turned as Trynne approached.

“You’re safe,” Morwenna breathed out with a sigh of relief, reaching out and embracing her. “When you did not come to Kingfountain straightaway, the king worried that you too had been abducted. He and the queen bade me to bring you back to the royal castle if you were here.”

Trynne caught her meaning immediately. “Too? Who else has been taken?” She still harbored doubts about Morwenna’s loyalties after seeing the maps and was more interested in gaining information than in sharing it.

Morwenna shook her head, looking saddened. “The Queen of Atabyrion.”

“No!” Trynne gasped in shock.

“Fallon knows,” Morwenna said with a suggestive tone. “He’s beside himself with worry. Gahalatine attacked Edonburick personally. The defenses were no match for him, and the heights were overpowered in short order by those flying troops of his. Queen Elysabeth was snatched away by one of the emperor’s Wizrs. She’s probably already been taken to the Forbidden Court.”

Trynne felt as if her broken heart had been wrenched from her chest. “What happened to Iago?” she pressed.

“He was taken aboard one of the treasure ships. There is a governor of Edonburick now, assigned by the emperor. He has brought gifts—more like bribes—to pay off the nobles. Some fled and returned to their own lands. With Iago and Elysabeth gone, only Fallon has a chance to rally any defense for Atabyrion. But he’s still at Kingfountain.” She reached out and touched Trynne’s shoulder. “He was chosen, you know. He’s the king’s champion.”

The Gauntlet had been the furthest thing from Trynne’s mind. So Fallon had won after all?

“I’m glad for him,” Trynne said, her feelings still very conflicted.

“Yes, there was hope that someone else would compete. You know the people keep talking about the Painted Knight.” She gave Trynne a conspiratorial smile. “They were surprised he didn’t come to Kingfountain.”

Did Morwenna know? Trynne kept her expression guarded, but suspicion writhed inside her like a nest of snakes. Had Fallon told Morwenna?

“I had not heard the latest news. Thank you.”

Morwenna looked around at the rubble. “When I arrived, I was surprised to hear that you were not also captured. They must have sent someone to take you?” Her tone urged Trynne to confide all her secrets.

“Yes, and they learned that Brythonica was not as helpless as they had supposed. We were not easy prey.”

Morwenna looked startled. “I am impressed, Trynne. The king will wish to hear of your success from your own mouth. Shall we go now?”

Trynne had the feeling that Morwenna was more surprised than she was letting on. Despite the bonds of the past, she felt more wary of her than ever. Severn’s daughter was a dangerous person, a Wizr in her own right, and Trynne’s own stores of magic were perilously depleted. If Morwenna’s loyalties lay elsewhere, she would be walking into danger if she left with her.

“I will come shortly,” Trynne said, deciding to trust her instincts. “Please tell the king and queen that I am safe. Ploemeur is unconquered, and our navy is still intact. There is other news I must bring them as well.” Trynne wasn’t going to share what she had learned with Morwenna. Nor was she going to tell her that Rucrius was being held in the dungeon.