Then Trynne sensed something. It was an awareness, like the presence of another Fountain-blessed trying to remain concealed.
“What did it sound like?”
“I heard splashing.”
There was a grunt of anger. “Maybe someone was taking a bath!”
“It’s the middle of the night,” hissed the other man. “Do you hear anyone now? No, I know what I heard. This way.”
The light drew closer. Trynne knew it was time to return to Dundrennan. She couldn’t be found there, and she did not want to leave the king so vulnerable.
Rucrius had brought her many places, rejecting each one, trying to break free of her grip. Of all the choices he could have made, he had brought her to the poisoner school of Pisan. The school where Morwenna had studied.
How long had Rucrius been involved in the affairs of the kingdoms? Had he played a role in keeping Ceredigion and Occitania and Brugia fighting each other? Was there more subtlety to the poisoner school than she or anyone had imagined?
But there would be time to explore her suspicions later. For now, she needed to return to the fight at Dundrennan. She straightened and invoked the word of power.
Trynne emerged from the fountain in the midst of the castle and quickly invoked the magic of the ring, concealing the armor and streaks of woad on her face, looking just as she had before. The sound of fighting echoed in the stone hall. Trynne rushed out of the chapel and found the corridor filled with bodies, some wearing the tunic of the Pierced Lion, some the armor of Gahalatine. The corridors were lit by flickering torchlight.
“Gather near me!” she heard Captain Staeli bark. “Hold the doors. Do not let any of the wretches past!”
Trynne rounded the corner and saw a wall of soldiers facing off against Staeli and six Oath Maidens. They were outnumbered but defiant. The warriors of Chandigarl pressed forward and the Oath Maidens rushed to meet them, swinging blades and kicking out with booted feet. Trynne watched one of the girls fall. Then another, but for each one who fell, five or six of the enemy was killed.
She rushed to attack the Chandigarli from behind—the enemy soldiers were boxed in, and they seemed to panic when they realized it.
“That does it!” Staeli crooned, slashing at their foes with both hands. In moments, the rest of the attackers had fallen.
“Lady Trynne!” one of the girls said, seeing her.
Captain Staeli looked at her with surprise. “By the shroud, lass! Look at you!”
“It’s Trynne!” said another girl. She had a cut on her cheek but looked hale otherwise.
“I told you she’d be well,” Staeli grunted. She wanted to hug him, but there was too much going on.
“What is happening?” she asked.
“All the lads and lasses—save these, of course—are down in the dungeons and treasure rooms. The king is in the great hall. We’ve barricaded all the doors. This is the last one.”
Trynne nodded, and Staeli turned and opened the door to the great hall. It was full of soldiers, both wounded and hale, and it was absolute mayhem. Some of the injured knights of the North were drinking from cups pressed into their hands, before rising once more to continue the fight. Groans and murmurs filled the hall, and Trynne saw King Drew talking to one of the maidens, giving instructions and pointing. He turned and saw her and his fierce expression wilted into relief.
“Get these doors barred!” Staeli ordered. “Use those water barrels, I don’t care if they’re full. They are going to fight us for every inch, by the blood. It’s almost dawn. Hold steady. Hold steady.”
As she hurried toward Drew, Trynne saw Fallon leaning over Morwenna, who sat slumped on the floor. The poisoner nodded her head slowly, her face ashen, as he took a cup from her. Then she caught sight of Trynne walking toward them, and she covered her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking with the power of her sobs. Fallon looked over his shoulder to see what had caused the reaction and then leaped to his feet.
He rushed up to Trynne, gazing at her like she was a ray of sunlight. “Where have you been? I’ve had everyone looking for you. Some said you never made it in from the courtyard. I’ve been worried to death you were trapped out there in the blizzard!”
“I used the ley lines,” she told him, feeling pleased that he had worried, grateful to be back with him. Still, even though she knew Morwenna needed a friend now more than ever, she could not lie to herself. It bothered her to see them together. “I’m all right.”
“Trynne!” Drew sighed, reaching them. He gripped her arm tenderly.