The Silent Shield (Kingfountain #5)(57)

The guardswomen flew at Trynne in a savage fury, rushing at her to defend the emperor they served and cherished. They seemed completely oblivious to his shouted commands.

“Trynne!” Lady Evie shrieked in terror.

“No!” Gahalatine raged, stepping between her and his own guards.

Trynne rushed toward the queen as she fumbled with her sleeve for the Tay al-Ard. She sensed a sword swinging toward her from behind and her magic responded to protect her. Trynne swiveled just in time, and the blade struck the lute case. The strap was severed and the case thumped to the floor. Whipping her leg around, Trynne kicked her attacker in the jaw, knocking her to the ground in a single blow. The next two attackers were almost upon them, but Trynne backstepped toward Lady Evie, pulling the Tay al-Ard free from its bindings.

Gahalatine had heaved two of her attackers away and he turned to gaze at her. His eyes were filled with panic and desperation. It was obvious he thought she was going to be murdered right in front of him, and just as apparent that he was powerless to stop it. The emperor of the Forbidden Court was powerless.

Trynne put the Tay al-Ard between her and Evie, grabbed the queen’s hand with her own, and summoned the magic to take them away as swords slashed down to kill her.

The sound of a blade ringing against the stone lingered in her ears as the magic yanked them away.





CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE


Midnight




Trynne’s heart was still racing when they appeared inside the fountain at the small chapel in Kingfountain. A couple of torches flickered from wall sconces at their sudden arrival, and Trynne felt the water soak into her skirts and boots. She didn’t normally get wet when she traveled the ley lines, but the Tay al-Ard was a different magic, and it had brought her exactly where her frantic thoughts had imagined.

She was still clutching Lady Evie’s arm, and the two stared at each other in the shadows for a moment, the stillness of the night such a contrast to the blazing day they had left on the other side of the world.

“That was terrifying,” Lady Evie said at last, releasing her panicked grip on Trynne’s arm. “I thought we’d both be killed.” She stifled a sudden yawn.

Trynne was about to reply when she became aware of the presence of Fountain magic. It permeated the very air she breathed, whispering through the corridor like a breeze. It was as if an enormous shroud had fallen over the entire palace. It felt like fog on a misty morning.

Everything was utterly silent.

Trynne’s brow furrowed and she walked to the edge of the fountain and stepped over. The waters sloshed and splashed as she and Lady Evie extricated themselves from it. Water dripped onto the polished marble floor.

Only then did Trynne see the two crumpled bodies that had been concealed by the edge.

Lady Evie gasped, seeing them at the same moment. “Look! Are they dead?”

Trynne knelt by the two bodies that were wearing Espion rings on their right hands. They had been stationed to guard the chapel fountain at all hours, day and night. Her insides quickened with fear and dread, but she heard the men breathing. Both were in a deep slumber.

“Something’s wrong,” Trynne whispered, once again sensing the magic that hung in the air. She jostled one of the men by the shoulder.

The Espion didn’t move; he just rolled onto his back, his mouth parted. It was a magically induced sleep.

“This is unlike Kevan’s men,” Lady Evie said, shaking her head. She stifled another yawn. “They’re supposed to be guarding this place.”

“I think they are under a spell,” Trynne whispered, holding up her hand. She was tempted to reach out with her magic, to divine the source of the shroud. The magic was trying to make her fall asleep, but it could only billow around her and Lady Evie. Trynne realized that her presence was the only thing keeping the Queen of Atabyrion awake.

“It’s so quiet,” Lady Evie whispered. Her look grew more concerned.

Trynne licked her lips. “The Wizr Rucrius was being held prisoner here,” she said. “Morwenna claimed she’d drugged him to sleep before we left to find you.”

“Morwenna said that?” Lady Evie answered in a distrusting tone.

Trynne nodded. “We must go to the king. Let’s make sure he is safe.”

“And my daughter,” Lady Evie said.

They started walking down the dark corridor together. Trynne immediately felt the presence of multiple Fountain-blessed in the audience hall where the Ring Table stood. She discerned there was other magic at work as well. Fear churned inside her. What was happening? Had Rucrius broken free in the night?

They walked as quietly as they could, but without any other sound, their steps seemed loud. There was another knight crumpled on the ground, fast asleep, ahead, hidden by the shadows. Another was sitting up against a pillar, his head lolling to one side. Trynne’s anxiousness grew with each step.

The main door to the audience hall lay just ahead. There were voices coming from it, but the thick door was too heavy for her to understand what was being said. They were the first sounds of life they’d heard since arriving in the fountain.

“My heart is full of dread,” Lady Evie whispered, but her eyes were more angry than fearful.

They stopped outside the door. There were four knights collapsed in front of it, spears splayed out haphazardly. Trynne gripped the cold handle with her free hand, the other still gripping the Tay al-Ard. She was so tempted to reach out with her magic, but she knew it would immediately reveal her to whoever lurked on the other side of that door. Much better for them to crack the door open and take a look. Carefully, she and Lady Evie pulled on the heavy door, Trynne praying all the while the hinges wouldn’t squeak.