The conversation with the queen had filled up Trynne’s reservoir of magic. She had always loved discussing politics with her father, plotting and planning maneuvers that would help them achieve their ends. A memory struck her in a flash that could only have come from the Fountain.

She smiled eagerly. “I think it was Ankarette who said that the best way to predict the future is to make it happen. Why wait to see where Gahalatine strikes next? We know what he wants. The hollow crown. He will go to wherever Drew is to get it. Some say Castle Beestone is the most defensible fortress because it is in the center of the land, but I know from my father that it is riddled with tunnels and caves. No, the strongest fortress is Dundrennan. It is the source of the river that flows down here. Fighting a battle in a winter storm would make any soldier quail. Even ones who can fly.”

The smile that came onto Genevieve’s face made Trynne flush.

“I am so grateful,” the queen whispered tenderly, “that you are on our side.”

Trynne stood in her room at the castle of Averanche, holding the Tay al-Ard in her hand. She had forewarned Mariette that the queen would summon her to the palace. The beautiful widow had bowed graciously, failing to conceal a look of eager excitement. Trynne had also spoken privately with Reya.

Trynne was prepared for her journey, dressed in the outfit Reya had worn while fleeing Chandleer Oasis, with two of the hook swords that Reya had commissioned from the blacksmith concealed in a long lute case strapped around her shoulder. She had used them in the training yard with Reya and liked how light and fast they were. She’d also had a scroll case brought to her to conceal the Tay al-Ard.

It was Trynne’s plan to avoid setting a time for their departure from Kingfountain. She did not want to give Morwenna the opportunity to plan an ambush.

Trynne stared at the device in her hand, then at herself in the mirror. The disguising ring was on her finger, but she had not yet activated it. One of her ideas was to make herself look like Reya until she reached the zenana. Then she would wander around the place until she found Lady Evie and dropped her disguise. But she hoped Reya’s outfit might be enough to help her blend in with the local populace.

Only at the end, if Morwenna proved trustworthy, would she reveal she had the Tay al-Ard. The betrayal, if it happened, would likely occur as soon as they were away from the protection of the ley lines.