“And what have you decided, my lord? What have you realized?” She gazed at the dark shadows, unable to see him. But she heard his steady breathing.

“Your father taught me that history repeats itself over and over. And so a thought struck me. My own grandfather, King Eredur, had his kingdom wrested away from him by his uncle Warrewik. He had to flee to Brugia with his brother, Duke Severn. He had to win his kingdom a second time. It was Genevieve’s mother who told me the story, and then Polidoro confirmed it when I asked him about it. Eredur lost everything and had to live by the means of the King of Brugia. He had no soldiers. He only had his brother. His wife and children were in sanctuary. Does this not sound familiar?”

Trynne felt a ripple from the Fountain in her heart, warming her against the cold of the night. “Very,” she answered with a smile.

“Then Polidoro told me something that filled me with hope. Eredur never would have reclaimed his throne all alone. The people wanted him to be king, not Warrewik. Not an Occitanian prince. The one who helped my grandfather win back his crown was his poisoner, Ankarette Tryneowy. Sometimes I forget that you were named after her. I’m glad you are with me, Trynne. Good night.”

His words warmed Trynne more than her blanket. He was a kindhearted man—a good and true leader—and she had to believe that he was right, that they would prevail.

“Good night, my lord.” Trynne laid her head down on her arm again and fell asleep immediately.

She wasn’t sure how long she slept before being jostled awake. It was still dark, in the fullness of night.

Drew’s hand was on her shoulder. A man stood by the king holding a small shielded lantern. She didn’t recognize him, but she noticed the Espion ring on his hand.

“Trynne,” the king whispered. She rose quickly, her muscles aching and weary.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, trying not to groan.

“This man is an Espion from Glosstyr. He says Gahalatine’s fleet, the one that sacked Legault, has landed at Blackpool. Duke Severn is under attack. The battle started at sunset.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX Trapping the Boar

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Trapping the Boar

It was a bruising ride from the yew forest to Blackpool. Trynne wished the old Wizr board had never been destroyed, that they could observe the pieces and see which were black and which were white. The kingdom was besieged and what they lacked most was information. Drew had asked for Trynne’s advice on whether she thought Severn had joined his daughter in betraying them. If they hastened to Blackpool, would they be greeted with a trap?