The last day of waiting arrived, and that morning she found herself checking her pack once again to make sure it was ready. There was a knock at her door and Trynne was startled to find her mother’s lady-in-waiting behind it. Her name was Blanche.
“Tryneowy, your mother would like to see you ere she departs for the House of Pillars. Can you come?”
“Of course,” Trynne answered, her stomach suddenly aflutter with nerves. She knew it was the Fountain’s will that she go to the Gauntlet in Marq. But it had left the arrangements to her. Walking nervously to her mother’s sitting room, she took a deep breath and then entered, trying to appear calm and free of worries.
“Yes, Mother?” she asked. Her mother was sitting at the table, brushing her golden hair, but she looked ill at ease. When Trynne entered, Sinia set down the brush and quickly rose.
“What’s wrong?” Trynne asked her, giving her a concerned look.
Sinia approached and took her hands, her expression brooding. “I had a strange vision last night,” she said in a low voice, and Trynne’s stomach began to flop like a fish tossed on a plank.
“You did?” she replied, trying to hide the tremble in her voice. “Of what?”
Sinia’s brow furrowed even more and she clutched her daughter’s hands. “You will be sixteen soon and I know I should trust you more.”
A spasm of fear shot through Trynne. Her mother knew something was amiss. Her skin went cold and she felt a tremor starting in her knees.
“I had a vision of you in Brugia,” Sinia said, all but confirming Trynne’s worst fear. Would her mother forbid her from going? Why was her assignment turning out to be so difficult?
Trynne’s mouth was so dry she needed to swallow. “Brugia?”
“Yes. I’ve not been there myself, but it was very clear to me in the vision that you were there. I saw you with Captain Staeli.”
Before Trynne could form any response, her mother continued. “Trynne, there is an old sanctuary in the capital city of Marq. There are a lot of waterways, so there is an abundance of bridges and boats. It’s very lovely. I saw you and Captain Staeli at a bookmaker’s shop across the bridge from the sanctuary. You were holding a book in your hand. A rare copy of The Vulgate. It was in the window of the shop. I saw you buy it.” She sighed. “Trynne, I believe the Fountain wishes you to go to Brugia to retrieve that book. It may help with your Wizr training. I have to admit that I’m very nervous about letting you go. Brugia is not friendly to our family, and you are not used to bringing people with you on the ley lines.”
A gush of excitement and gratitude flooded Trynne’s heart. The Fountain was aiding her! She willed herself not to smile, but she couldn’t help beaming.
“I know that you have always wanted to travel,” her mother said, shaking her head. “Perhaps it is the Fountain’s attempt to meet your wishes. It does respond to our thoughts in its gentle way. Trynne, do be careful! I will worry about you until you return. Marq is full of waterways, and you remember how sometimes water affects the magic, don’t you? Water can protect you, of course, but it sometimes breaks apart other spells.
“Do you think you are strong enough to take someone with you? If you’d like, I could bring Captain Staeli there myself to make sure all is clear. I don’t know why the Fountain isn’t sending me; I could be there and back in half a moment. But I think it wants to test you. To give you an opportunity to develop your power.” Sinia gave her an encouraging smile.
“I would relish this opportunity!” Trynne said, squeezing her mother’s hands hard. “Thank you, Mother!”
Sinia gently touched her hair. “In my vision, I saw you wearing a dress in the Brugian fashion. It would help conceal your identity, at any rate. There are those from Brythonica in Brugia, though not many. I’d feel better about this journey if you did go in some sort of disguise. And I trust Captain Staeli. He is an able protector.”
“I would like to try bringing him through myself. If I’m too sick or weak, then you can do it, but I’d like to try, Mother. If that’s all right.”
Sinia sighed again as she hugged her daughter. “You are growing up too fast, Tryneowy. I wish you could be a little girl for a while longer.”
Trynne felt so grateful for her mother in that moment, for her wisdom and for her devotion to the Fountain, how she heeded its directions even though her mother’s heart worried.
“Mother?” Trynne asked. “Tomorrow is the Gauntlet of Brugia. I believe it is being held in Marq.”