The king looked decisive and very regal in that moment. He then turned to Owen. “My lord duke, give the orders.”
Trynne’s eyes were fixed on her father. This was the prophecy her mother had given them so many years ago. This was the battle from which he would not return home.
Owen looked haggard but determined. He rose from his chair. “I’ve given this some thought previously, but I won’t bore you with the permutations. Legault, Atabyrion, North Cumbria, and East Stowe will sail to the city of Aosta. That is north of Guilme, and your attack will come from the north. Southport and Occitania, you will be shuttled and join forces with the King of Pisan to attack from the south. Do not worry about supply lines. Pisan and Brythonica will help provide support. Lastly, the king’s forces will join with Westmarch and my lord of Glosstyr. We will cross to Callait and hasten to join the three segments together. We will attack as one at Guilme. Loyalty binds us together.”
As he said those words, Owen stared across the table at his previous master.
Trynne knew she needed to tell her father about Severn’s secret visitors before he departed. Or maybe he already knew and that was why he had determined to keep the former king close to him?
We are always wanting. We crave another man’s hat or his shoes. Women are jealous of other women for the color of their hair. He who is not contented with what he has would not be contented with what he would like to have.
Myrddin
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
The Ring of the Grove
It was nearly impossible for Trynne to find time to speak to her father alone. Sinia had returned back to Brythonica, and Trynne would join her there after she made her orders to Captain Staeli. He was to bring the soldiers of Averanche to Tatton Hall to join her father’s host. Then they would march to Kingfountain to combine with the king’s host before crossing the river.
She had never seen her father so worried. Reports came in almost constantly, which he reviewed with Lord Amrein. The two men had not slept in a while, and it seemed unlikely they’d have an opportunity anytime soon. Trynne knew she had to go, but she couldn’t leave without first warning her father. When she realized there was little chance he would leave the room called the Star Chamber that evening, she braced herself and knocked on the door. Lord Amrein opened it, his worried eyes softening when he saw her.
“Good evening, my lady. Owen, it’s your daughter.”
Her father stood over the table that was overflowing with messages. He glanced up, his brow furrowed with stress. When he saw her, there was almost an involuntary wince of pain on his face.
“I thought you had gone already,” he said, straightening. “I was hoping you hadn’t.” He rubbed his hands along his whiskers. He hadn’t shaved in days.
“Papa,” she said, feeling her throat suddenly seize with emotion. He was her rock, her pillar. She rushed to him, hugging him hard, and she felt tears squeeze from her own lashes. The thought of losing her father was unbearable. It can’t be the Fountain’s will! It mustn’t be! She remembered again the promise she’d made herself all those years ago. If there was anything she could do to save him, she would. The oath of obedience she’d made to follow the Fountain’s will chafed her mercilessly. Would she defy it if she could?
She felt his lips brush against her hair. He hugged her back, leaving the table of his troubles behind, and held her close.
“I won’t leave for Guilme without saying good-bye,” he said softly. “Your mother will bring me to Ploemeur before we go to Tatton Hall to join the soldiers.”
“I know,” she said, feeling her chest tremble with suppressed sobs. “Forgive me. It’s just that I needed to tell you something. I didn’t want to forget.”
He pulled away and then sat at the edge of the sturdy wooden table, bringing himself down to her height. There was so much he needed to do . . . She hated that she was robbing sleep from him, but he didn’t seem concerned about it. “What?”
Trynne licked her lips. She was going to the battlefield. Neither of her parents knew it. The Fountain had asked her to keep it secret.
“I learned something from Fallon,” she said. “I wasn’t sure if you knew.” She glanced at Lord Amrein, uncertain of how to proceed. Had the Espion master told her father yet? Would it put him in a bad light if she was the one who revealed it? She didn’t want to say anything to offend Lord Amrein, but the news was too important for her to withhold it.
“Tell me,” her father said simply, clasping his hands against his front.