The Silent Shield (Kingfountain #5)(54)

Sunilik shook his head. “We have all been persuaded that Gahalatine is unstoppable. But it is not true. His success is also his greatest weakness.”

Trynne’s ears burned eagerly. The news was vastly important. And not only because it confirmed what she had suspected. “And you have learned this for yourself?”

Sunilik nodded. “I have spoken to the various treasurers. They do not speak to each other. No one else knows how precarious the situation is, I think. Well, no one except for the Wizrs. There has been a power struggle between Gahalatine and the Wizrs of Chandigarl ever since he claimed the throne and usurped authority over the empire. While he controls the army, they still control the finances. But the Wizrs want to wrest the power back from him. They have employed the Mandaryn to look for a bride that they can control. He’s been given an ultimatum to choose a bride and sire an heir or one will be chosen for him. The leader of the Mandaryn is a Wizr named Rucrius.” Sunilik’s eyes glittered with enmity.

Looking past Sunilik’s shoulder, Trynne spied a man with a silver mask approaching them swiftly.





CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE


The High Tower




“And these Mandaryn wear silver masks?” Trynne asked in a low voice, nodding subtly to Sunilik as she took a cluster of huge purple grapes from the tray of fruit.

Beads of sweat popped on Sunilik’s brow. “Yes, in fact. They do.” He turned just as the man drew near.

“I must speak with you,” the man said in a curt, angry voice. His only greeting to Trynne was a dismissive jerk of his neck. “You have an audience coming up soon with Gahalatine over the palace enlargement project he intends to begin. What will you advise him?”

Sunilik gave Trynne a helpless smile and motioned for her to stay near. “I was just finishing my conversation. If I could speak to you in another moment?”

Trynne felt power radiate from the man in the silver mask. It exuded from him like smoke, sending tendrils spilling from his robes in a noxious haze.

“I would speak with you now,” the masked man insisted. “Are you going to recommend that he cancel the expansion? I insist you tell me.”

Trynne felt the gusts of magic parting away from her and Sunilik. The man in the silver mask radiated authority and power, but Trynne could tell it was emanating from some magic artifact he wore. She would have reached out with her own power to discover more about it, but she did not want to risk revealing herself.

“I was going to recommend holding off on the project for a while,” Sunilik said, rocking back on his heels. “It seems premature to build an extension of the palace dedicated to a queen who has not, in fact, been chosen yet. The proposal that I looked over from the chief builder was quite extravagant considering the . . . ahem . . . state of the treasury.”

The man in the mask clenched his fists. He was much taller than Sunilik and seemed even more aggravated that the man wasn’t sniveling before him. There was another jolt from the magic, but it diverted around them and had no effect whatsoever.

“The emperor will choose his bride soon. I assure you, I have it from the highest authorities that the decision is imminent. The expansion of the palace must begin at once. To the specifications that were given to you. You would be wise to heed my counsel.”

Again there was a throb from the magic.

“I will certainly take your recommendation under advisement,” Sunilik answered in a carefree manner. “How long does the emperor have to decide before you force—insist that he marry someone chosen by the Wizrs?”

“You speak boldly,” the Mandaryn said in a low growl.

“I speak the truth. Which is, I believe, why the emperor put me in charge of construction. Good day. I would like to continue my conversation with this young lady, so newly arrived.”

“Watch yourself,” the Mandaryn snarled. “I assure you that the treasury is not as depleted as you fear. Another shipment is due to arrive soon. Others will come afterward. There are additional . . . sources of wealth still untapped. The palace must be built to honor a queen. See that it is.” He turned and scrutinized Trynne, gazing at her face and her mode of dress. She couldn’t see his expression because of the mask, but there were dark lines painted beneath his eyes. He stared at her as if she were an insect waiting to be crushed under his boot. Then he stormed away and she felt herself begin to breathe again.

Sunilik watched him go with a dark look. “That sort of exchange happens rather frequently here, unfortunately. It’s unsavory. I would give up this new position to return to the oasis. But while I serve Gahalatine, I will do so with integrity.”

Trynne felt her courage building and her respect for King Sunilik as well. “What I have learned here is important. The emperor cannot endure a prolonged war. He will be forced to marry if he does not choose soon. Do you know who the Wizrs have chosen for him?”

Sunilik shook his head. “I do not. But I would expect him to choose someone from the noble houses of Ceredigion. Much could be gained from such an alliance.”

Trynne swallowed, feeling her heart race. “Can you take me to the Queen of Atabyrion?”

“I have no pretext for visiting her, but I will tell you how to find her. If you look up the center of the tower, do you see the gardens near the top? That is the level where the highest-ranking women of the zenana stay. There are only a few suites up there, as rich as any palace. Look for the one with the door handles shaped like magnolia flowers. She is there.”