The Silent Shield (Kingfountain #5)(53)

“Why do they wear masks?” Trynne asked.

“To keep their identity concealed, of course,” the woman said. “Please don’t trouble yourself about them. They will not hurt you. One of their duties is to find suitable brides for the emperor. They observe the girls, nothing more. Some of you will be selected to meet Gahalatine. Now, since you are new here, you will stay in one of the dormitories on this level. You may come and go as you like. But to become noticed, you must display some form of talent. A talent for conversation, music—such as the lute,” she added, gesturing to the lute case Trynne wore over her shoulders. “Poetry, languages. If you impress the Mandaryn, you will be chosen to advance to the next tier.” She gestured toward an upper level. “There are more private rooms and higher rewards for those who are deemed exceptional. Some girls come here to heal after they have been . . . mistreated.” She gave Trynne a sympathetic look. “You may stay as long as you desire. Gahalatine blesses this place with food, leisure, and opportunity. Some of his generals are permitted to come here to choose wives. Listen for the sound of the trumpet. That is the signal that a dignitary has arrived. That will be your chance to impress them. If that is why you came. If not, well, perhaps you can learn new skills while you are here. Improve upon your talents.”

Someone was approaching them. Trynne turned toward the sound of footsteps and nearly gaped in shock. It was King Sunilik.

“I recognized your clothing from my beloved oasis!” Sunilik said in a charming voice. He was looking at her face, but his expression betrayed nothing. “You must be one of the minstrels who used to serve me. I think I may even recognize you. Welcome!”

The matronly woman looked pleased. “I thought you would want to know about her,” she said, bowing and flushing. “I was going to tell you straightaway.”

“You are always so thoughtful, Jenaya,” Sunilik said, pressing his hands together and bowing to her. “Thank you.” He turned to Trynne graciously, still not revealing even a hint that he knew her identity. “You must be missing the delicious fruits of the oasis! I have some brought here regularly. The zenana grounds are being expanded, you see, and I’m overseeing the undertaking. Follow me. It will give you a taste of home.”

“Thank you,” Trynne said, swallowing. She bowed to Jenaya, who excused herself and walked away.

“Well, my dear,” Sunilik said in a low voice. “When I first saw you, I imagined you were my daughter. As I drew closer, I recognized you for who you are.” He shook his head in disbelief and his voice dropped. “How is Reya?” he asked with a throb of concern. He gestured for her to keep following him.

“She is safe,” Trynne said, her stomach bubbling with excitement. “I had not expected to find you here of all places.”

“I’m relieved to hear it,” Sunilik said. “My heart feared you brought ill news. We won’t be able to speak privately for long without attracting unwanted eyes. I understand that the invasion of Kingfountain is under way. I’m privy to some court secrets now, but not many. If you had been captured, a Wizr would have brought you here.”

They walked slowly, and he kept his expression neutral and made little gestures at plants and trays as if explaining the place to a newcomer.

“No, I came here seeking someone who was captured.”

“The Queen of Atabyrion, perhaps?” he asked, giving her a broad smile.

“Indeed. Do you know where she is?”

“She is on the upper levels.” He gestured upward. “I will show you where. First, I must thank you for what you did for me and for my daughter. Somehow, I have not fallen sway to the emperor’s magic. Mayhap it is because I’m Fountain-blessed, as I told you, but when Gahalatine arrived at Chandleer Oasis, I felt him use his power on me. It didn’t work the first time. I’ve since seen him use it on others who are Fountain-blessed, and it’s completely overruled their minds. The same has happened to me since then. So I have deduced that perhaps it had something to do with you.” He glanced around furtively, looking to see if anyone had noticed them yet. “I learned of your escape after I was taken to the Forbidden Court. I was thankful to hear that my daughter wouldn’t be held hostage for my good behavior.”

He clasped his hands behind his back as they stopped at a tray laden with small fruit slices. “Try some of this one, my dear. It is quite impressive.” He took a slice and bit into it himself, but then continued his story in an undertone. “When Gahalatine returned after you thwarted him, he brought me to a private interview. I thought I was a dead man. He asked me pointed questions. I gave him pointed answers. I told him what I’d done—how I’d written to the Queen of Ceredigion for help. I said that someone from court had come to help bring my daughter to safety. He asked who you were and I told him the truth, Lady Tryneowy. And because I told him the truth, he has rewarded me extensively.”

He gave her a serious look. “We do not have much time, so I will tell you what I can. The emperor has put me in charge of the construction and running of his palaces. It is a position far vaster than what I held in Chandleer. He heard of my reputation and sought me out to serve him. I meet in private council with Gahalatine regularly. Because I have continued to speak honestly with him, he has begun to trust me. Lady Tryneowy, I have been brutally honest with him regarding his situation. His expenditures have far exceeded his income and his resources. The treasury is nearly barren. He commissions new projects with no ability to fund them. The fleet of treasure ships has stripped his land of wood and trees, which will require another generation to replenish. Only his continued success in subjugating other kingdoms has allowed him to continue. If he fails to conquer Kingfountain, there will be a revolt inside his own empire when he can no longer pay the tributes his people have grown accustomed to. This empire that he’s built is an illusion of power, though it may yet work—for if enemies believe in his power, they will continue to yield.”