“That’s the zenana,” Morwenna said, pointing to a nearby dock. “See the boats? There is one always coming and one always going. See how they float on the water?”
Many passengers dressed in silks were getting into the boat from the dock, and if Trynne craned her neck, she could see another vessel skimming the surface of the lake from the island. The boats were more like barges, except longer, and they were indeed made of sculpted stone. The prows jutted up in a circular design, carved with images of waves and the crashing sea. Two layers of compartments were constructed atop the stone platforms, made of a series of arches, and the whole structure was topped with a triangular roof. The arches were open and the sturdy pillars provided support.
“Amazing,” Trynne whispered, shaking her head.
“They glide on the water like ducks,” Morwenna said. “You can feel the Fountain magic coming from this place.”
“Where is Gahalatine’s palace?” Trynne asked.
“You can see it better from the lake,” Morwenna said. “If we hurry, we can get on that one before it leaves. There are no rowers. It is powered by magic. If we go to the upper level, you’ll have a perfect view.”
The two young women hurried their steps until they reached the pier. The sun was just starting to appear on the horizon. It was dawn, not nightfall. It felt a little strange, but it was also thrilling.
Only women were at the dock, and no one gave her or Morwenna a second look or even asked them a question as they boarded the vessel. All of the guards protecting it, Trynne realized, were women too. They had an array of weapons, including broadswords, staffs, and long-shafted spears. Some of the women making their way to the barge looked frightened. Some looked eager. Others were nervous.
Trynne remembered that it was a sanctuary for women, that Gahalatine offered his protection to any women who sought refuge. How difficult would it be to find Lady Evie amidst so many?
So far, Morwenna had proven herself to be a reliable guide. There was nothing in her manner to suggest there was anything untoward about her motives. She boarded the barge ahead of Trynne and took the narrow steps to the upper deck. Trynne was fascinated by the paintwork on the stone columns. From a distance it had seemed like ivy vines, but she realized on closer inspection that the leaves were all painted. There were benches in the interior of the barge and less than half were filled. The warrior protectors walked among the girls, gazing beneath the benches to be sure no one was hiding there.
Trynne mounted the steps and joined Morwenna and several other maidens at the upper level.
“That is the Forbidden Court,” the poisoner murmured softly, nodding toward the north side of the lake. The view was better from the second level of the barge, since the boat was taller than most of the trees lining the lake. Trynne’s mouth gaped a little. The main palace was enormous, a dozen times larger and grander than Kingfountain. And the city that hunkered beneath the shadows of its massive walls was larger than any city she had seen. It glittered with gold as the buildings’ roofs captured the flaring sunlight. Pree and Kingfountain pressed together could only have occupied a tenth of the space of this one city. There were homes and palaces and manors and buildings all crowded against one another, arranged in orderly sections of rows that crisscrossed the view. From the distance, she could see specks of movement, little ants that in fact were people. She had never been to so grand a place.
“Gahalatine built this?” Trynne whispered in awe.
Morwenna stood near her. “The imperial palace used to be south of here. All of this has been built since he became emperor. He is the greatest king who ever lived,” she said in an almost reverent tone. Then she smirked. “Or so they would have everyone believe.”
The barge lurched as it began its journey across the lake. There was no noise, no grunting of oarsmen. The barge just glided from the docks at an even pace, as peaceful as a swan.
Trynne stared at the massive city, comprehending at last the vastness of Gahalatine’s resources. And this was only a portion of Chandigarl’s wealth. He had claimed dominion over dozens, if not hundreds, of other kingdoms. And he had turned his eye at last on Kingfountain, determined to overthrow the Argentine dynasty.
How could they hope to defeat him?
Morwenna crossed to the other end of the seating area, hands clasped behind her back, staring at the magnificent city. A woman bowed her head respectfully to Morwenna, as if she were a great dignitary. What was Morwenna thinking about as she gazed on the court?
Gahalatine was in search of a Fountain-blessed wife.