Trynne felt a shiver go through her. “I think you are right.”

Genny nodded firmly. “Be careful, Trynne. Morwenna doesn’t know you are an Oath Maiden. She has possibly become too powerful.”

Trynne let out her breath. “If I must go, then I think you should summon some of the Oath Maidens to Kingfountain to protect you. None of the others are Fountain-blessed, at least not that I’ve sensed, but they are skilled fighters. I would advise choosing Rani Reya or Mariette.”

“Mariette, merchant Barton’s widow, correct?”

“You have an excellent memory.”

Genny smiled. “Thank you. I will summon Mariette to wait on me. Any others you should send to Brythonica to ease your worries. Trynne, my husband believes his sister is loyal. I’ve shared my suspicions with him, but he cannot bring himself to believe it. He does not know what I’m asking you to do. Once you get there, you may be cut off from the ley lines. Remember how Reya told us that the women are kept in a compound called the zenana? That is where you will likely find my mother. You have a ring that can disguise you, the one that Morwenna originally gave Fallon. But there may not be any ley lines to help you escape. If Morwenna is planning you any harm . . .” Genny bit her lip and shook her head helplessly. “I know it’s a great risk. I hate to ask this of you, but I must. You’re the only one I can trust with such a mission.”

Trynne gave Genevieve a fierce hug. “Don’t you worry about me, Genny. I’m confident that I can get away if I need to. I didn’t only take the staff from Rucrius. He was also carrying a device the Chandigarli call a Tay al-Ard. It’s one of the magics of the Deep Fathoms, I think, and it allows the user to transport from place to place without using the ley lines at all. Morwenna doesn’t know that I have it.” She paused, then added, “I don’t think Rucrius is truly loyal to Gahalatine. When I interrogated him, he said he knew where my father was. That he’s been held prisoner, forced to wear a mask. Somehow his memories have been stolen from him. If Morwenna wants to prove her loyalty, then perhaps she can help us get information about where he’s being kept.”

Genevieve nodded. “While you are in the Forbidden Court, learn what you can about our enemy. We need to understand Gahalatine. We need to understand how he can afford to pay such exorbitant bribes. His wealth cannot be unlimited. Find that out, if you can. Then perhaps we can discern where he will strike next.”