The Silent Shield (Kingfountain #5)(59)

“We’ve lost the palace,” Lady Evie murmured darkly. “Haven’t we?”

Trynne nodded. “Their game does not end until they have the crown,” Trynne said. “I need to take the king to shelter. The people will rally to fight for him. I think Dundrennan would be the strongest defense.”

“It will,” Lady Evie agreed passionately. “It is the strongest castle we have. I know it is. The ships cannot reach it, and the soldiers there will be loyal to the king. More so than to my own son.”

Trynne nodded. “I will take us all there. Come!” She locked hands with Lady Evie and quickly envisioned the king’s private chamber. They vanished, wrenched away by the magic.

The room was dark save for the burning embers still glowing from the brazier. Trynne stumbled, her legs turning to jelly from having used the magic so many times in such a short while. She was nauseated and felt like vomiting, but she uttered the word of power to restore her strength, feeling the power sip from her magic stores.

“Who’s there?”

It was Drew’s voice. He stood at the side of the bed, the sword Firebos in hand. The blade was glowing, illuminating his face, his tousled hair. He looked haggard and tired.

Trynne reached out with her magic and sensed Rucrius coming down the hall.

“Trynne,” she answered hurriedly. “I’m here with Lady Evie. The castle is overrun, and I must take you to safety. Where’s Genny?”

Drew rubbed his eyes, still clenching the blade. “Something made everyone fall asleep. I couldn’t get up. I couldn’t move until just a few moments ago.”

“Where is Genny?” Trynne repeated more urgently. “Where’s the baby?”

“The nursery, I think,” Drew said. “She never came to bed last night. I think the baby was ill.”

Save the king.

Trynne felt frantic, but the warning pounded through her, even more urgent that time. She tried to see how she could get all of them to safety and realized it wasn’t possible.

Suddenly Lady Evie touched Trynne’s shoulder. “I’ll get them,” she promised. “I know my way through the Espion tunnels. I’ll get them to the sanctuary of Our Lady through the cistern. Go.”

Trynne felt a pang of relief and nodded. Evie rushed to the wall and tripped the latch that opened the secret door. She disappeared into it and shut it behind her.

“My lord, we must go to Dundrennan,” Trynne said. She marched up to him and seized his arm. The hollow crown sat next to the bed. The king stared at it as if it were a wolf spider, a bane. Then he took it up with his other hand, holding Firebos to his chest. He looked worried, heartbroken, and furious.

“Take us there,” he ordered.

The door flew open, revealing Rucrius and several guards wearing the Sun and Rose. But they were imposters and she knew it. The Wizr’s eyes were glowing, reflecting the light from the torches held by his lackeys.

Trynne pictured in her mind the castle of Dundrennan. She invoked the magic of the Tay al-Ard.

She felt the magic murmur.

Nothing happened.

A foul smile spread across Rucrius’s face. “All magic has its limits.”

The Wizr reached out his hand, the one with the beetle-sized ring, and the Tay al-Ard wrenched from her grasp and flew to him. He caught it triumphantly.

Then his visage shifted, his body altered, and suddenly Rucrius was King Drew, flanked by his knights. “Now give me my crown!” he snarled.

His eyes were still glowing.





I made it off the island in the disguise of a gardener. There is a great war under way. The king of this land is seeking all available warriors to join the cause. I don’t know how I know this, but I am skilled in the arts of war. I saw a knight riding his steed, and when I saw his sword, I knew that I could use it. I have neither money nor a weapon of my own. They say the king’s army is across the sea fighting an ancient enemy. More warriors are needed. Perhaps I was a mercenary. I wish I could remember more.





CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR


Scattered




“Stand behind me,” Drew said to Trynne, gripping the pommel of Firebos with angry determination. “He may mask himself, but I am the true king.”

Trynne felt the throb of worry and fear. She had no weapon, and the Tay al-Ard, which had failed her, had been wrenched from her hand. Rucrius had soldiers with him and she had no doubt they were here to murder her king. When the king tried to come before her, she held out her arm, barring him. Her magic reached out, looking for vulnerabilities in their enemies, searching for a way they could escape.

“You cannot take the crown,” Trynne said defiantly to Rucrius. “It must be earned.”

“You have been meddlesome long enough,” the Wizr snapped. “Take the girl, she has useful information. Slay the king.”

Trynne’s magic saw that there were only three ways out of the chamber: through the door that Rucrius was blocking with his men, through the Espion tunnel that Evie had just used to flee, and another, which Rucrius would never suspect. There was a garderobe closet behind where she and the king stood, connected to the cesspit at the base of the castle. Her magic sensed that the shaft was wide enough for a single person. No ley lines passed through the room.

She needed to buy them some time. “My lord,” she said over her shoulder. “Through the privy. Now! Aspis!”