The Silent Shield (Kingfountain #5)(93)

Gahalatine smiled and leaned forward slightly. “Urgently would be my desire. I explained to Lady Tryneowy that the laws of my realm forbid a man from consummating a marriage with a lady who is not of age if her parents are dead or cannot present her. In your kingdom, she is of a suitable age to marry. But in mine, we cannot be man and wife in truth until she turns eighteen or until one or both of her parents grant their consent. It would be wise, therefore, if some distance separated us in the interim. There is much that I must do to repair the injury I’ve done to Ceredigion. There are troubles in my own lands that I must address. But I would marry her this very day at the sanctuary of Our Lady if your lordship will permit it.”

“Our Lady,” Drew said, nodding as he thought on the words. “My own dear wife has been in hiding there. I should like to see her again.”

“Perhaps we can all go there together?” Gahalatine suggested. He rose from the window seat and brought Trynne, who was still holding his hand, up with him. “I will happily surrender the castle back to you, and we can end this conflict.”

“I think that would suit us all perfectly well,” Drew said. He turned to Fallon and raised an eyebrow.

Trynne risked a look at him, and part of her was relieved to see his mask still in place. “I’m unfit to travel at the moment,” Fallon demurred. “While I would regret missing out on the marriage, I think it would be better if I stayed behind. I do have some news for you, my lord. Lady Trynne may wish to hear it also?”

“Go on,” Drew said.

“It concerns the thief Dragan,” Fallon said. He was looking at Trynne as he spoke. “I heard a report before the battle that he was dead.” He shook his head. “It wasn’t true. He awakened, but he was a changed man when he did. He began raving. He didn’t know who he was, he said. Or why he had been jailed. The man cannot remember his own name.”

The king wrinkled his brow, full of doubt. “He can no longer remember?”

Fallon nodded. “I’ve spoken to him myself, my lord. He looked at me as if I were a complete stranger. He doesn’t know the name of our kingdom. He doesn’t know why he was captured. His memories have all been stolen.”

“But it is a jest, surely?” Drew asked.

“Perhaps,” Fallon offered with a shrug. “But if it is one, it doesn’t make sense. What would he have to gain by pleading amnesia? Surely it does not pardon his many crimes. He was frightened, earlier, about being killed. Do you remember?” he added, looking intently at Trynne.

“I do,” she said, feeling cold despite the heat of the hearth. “He was afraid of Morwenna.”

“Yes, but she was locked inside her cell,” Fallon said. “When the battle grew fierce, she used her magic to rip the cell door open. That was the first time she left . . . after he was already found unconscious, presumed dead. My lord, what will you do with them?” He had a strange edge to his voice, one of strained concern.

Drew’s face twisted into a frown. “They will both face the Assizes,” he said sternly. “Justice will be done.” Then he softened. “I will have Lord Amrein interrogate them both. There may be mitigating circumstances. Morwenna may have been under the sway of the Wizrs.”

“This is the king’s poisoner you speak of?” Gahalatine said.

Drew nodded. “My blood-sister.”

“Before you condemn her,” Gahalatine said, “let me see what I can discover about her involvement. There may be more evidence I can bring to bear.”

“Thank you,” Drew said to Gahalatine. Then he turned to Fallon. “Can I trust her to your custody for now? She must be guarded night and day.”

“Of course, my lord. But I ask that I not be the judge in the matter. Assign Lord Amrein or someone else, if you would. I will hold her until you send for her.”

Drew sighed and agreed. “To Kingfountain, then. Shall we?”

Trynne’s stomach twisted with excitement and dread. Soon she would be married to a capable and kindhearted king, but she sorrowed for Fallon, both for the suffering she saw in his eyes and for what might have been.

Without Morwenna’s help during the battle, things would have been worse for them, but she did not think it terribly wise to keep her in Dundrennan. Trynne would suggest to Genevieve that she be moved elsewhere, like Beestone castle.

As they started to follow Drew out of the solar, Fallon blocked the way. He looked at Gahalatine, a half smile on his mouth. “Congratulations, my lord,” he said, closing his eyes and bowing his head in a gesture of respect. “You will not regret your decision. You have won you the best that our shores have to offer.” Then he gave Trynne a heartbreakingly sweet smile. “Farewell, Cousin.”

He stepped out of the way and extended his hand gallantly for them to pass. But he did not follow them out of the solar.



The only hint of winter was the sharp feeling of the air. The sky over the city of Kingfountain was the deepest, clearest blue without even the hint of a cloud. The three of them emerged through the fountain in the side chapel of Our Lady.

The sanctuary was crowded with citizens offering coins and prayers. It was obvious that word from Dundrennan had not yet reached the city. Their murmurs filled the air as Drew came to a stop in the threshold leading to the main audience hall. Light from the sky filled the huge windows and painted dazzling colors on the black and white marble tiles.