I joined the king’s army. There are rumors that the foreign war is not going well, that more soldiers are needed to join the attack. They are seeking older men now and training us in the arts of war. I keep quiet and to myself. It’s better to sleep in the barracks than in the brush. There is plenty of food. I have this feeling that I need to keep silent. To not reveal that I don’t remember my name. I call myself Stiev. I don’t know why. There was a man in the barracks the size of an ox. He thrashed anyone who stood up to him. I tried to stay out of his way, but he sought me out and tried to intimidate me. A feeling came over me. I knew his weakness and hit him there. I hit him hard. Now he stays away from me. They all do. The training yard is my favorite place to be. I know more than the weapons masters. But I don’t let on that I do. Maybe I used to be one? They say we might be put on a boat soon and sent to the enemy’s kingdom.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN Dundrennan

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Dundrennan

Following the battle, there was no time to attend to the dead. Chandigarli reinforcements began to march toward the field from Blackpool, and Drew issued the order to continue north to Dundrennan. Trynne had released Severn near the king and transformed back to herself amidst the press and confusion. Another knight had offered his horse to the duke.

She rode up next to the king after he gave the order.

His face brightened in relief when he saw her. “You’re safe!” he said. “Captain Staeli lost track of you, but said you were in the thickest part of the fight. Did you see the Painted Knight, Trynne? He joined the battle and rescued Severn.”

“Yes, I’ve heard,” Trynne answered, not wanting to lie to him outright. She felt a compulsion to keep quiet, to withhold the secret a little while longer.

“Everyone expected him at the Gauntlet,” Drew said, shaking his head in wonderment. “I had thought to name him champion. Some say he hails from Atabyrion, but no one knows who he is. It’s a mystery, truly. But he was here on the battlefield today.”

The king gazed at the crowd, looking for a soldier with a stripe of blue across his face. Trynne stifled a smile.

Severn rode up, his armor battered and stained with blood and dirt. “My lord,” he said curtly, trying to settle the fractious mount. “They are marching quickly from the city, and more soldiers are disembarking from the ships. How many soldiers did you bring? If we rally now, we can fight them back to the shore. Do not let them gain a foothold here. Dundrennan is a mighty castle, but it is leagues away. Fight them now!”