“The what?” Trynne asked.

Sunilik clenched his fists and started to pace. “I had heard rumors of his alliance with the Bhikhu. They have the power you speak of. When he was driven from Imperial City as a young man, they say he sought refuge among the Bhikhu. That he became the ruler of their distant isle. You must away, Lady Tryneowy. You cannot be found here. Where is Samrao?”

Trynne felt her anxiety increase. She had never heard of the Bhikhu before, but she’d seen Gahalatine’s men soar through the air. As she gazed back at the lights shining in the waters of the fountains, she noticed more of those strange tall trees again.

“My lord?” she asked, her eyes following one of the long trunks up into the sky. “Can your soldiers climb those trees?”

He turned and looked at her, then shot his captain a look. “Captain Ashok?”

The tall commander frowned. “Everyone can. We’ve all climbed the palm trees since we were children.”

Sunilik smiled broadly. “Indeed. You are suggesting we hide soldiers amidst the fronds—”

“With bows or something else so they can strike from a distance,” Trynne finished for him.

“Captain Ashok, see it done,” Sunilik said.

Moments later, Samrao appeared in the doorway with a young woman dressed in the wrapped skirts and gauzy veils Trynne had seen the females in the palace wearing. This girl was dark skinned and dark haired, and elegant tattoos twined around her hands and forearms.

“Piya!” the girl cried out, rushing up to Sunilik and embracing him.

He clutched his daughter tightly, his brow furrowing into wrinkles of worry. “Sureya, this is Tryneowy Kiskaddon. You must go with her. Gahalatine is coming this very night.”

“But how can I leave you, Piya?” the girl said with raw emotion. “I will stand with you. What happens to you will happen to me!”

Sunilik looked to be in great pain. He cupped his daughter’s cheek, half-hidden by the veil. “I will bear what happens to Chandleer much better if I know you are safe. We must hurry, my daughter.”

The girl was distraught, but Trynne could tell she was mustering her courage. She pulled away from her father, stood silently for a moment, and then nodded. “I will obey you, Piya. Though I would rather stay.”

“You must go, child,” Sunilik said. “Samrao, let us go to the fountain. Captain Ashok—see to the defenses.”

“Yes, Master.”

They walked briskly through the doors into the palace. Servants were hurrying from room to room, and soldiers wearing turbans and carrying shields on their backs jogged through the visitors’ hall in columns from the front of the palace. The squawks of strange, colorful birds added to the confusion. Trynne was anxious to be gone.

“Have your king’s spies had any success in locating your father?” Sunilik asked her as they marched through the palace.