Fallon was likely still at Kingfountain. Did he believe the Wizr’s disguise? Or had he helped arrange the ruse himself? She wanted to believe that he was loyal to Drew, but she kept seeing that change of clothes in the chest beneath Morwenna’s bed.

Her shoulders and thighs ached from days in the saddle, but as they crested the final hill, the view of the fortress banished her fatigue.

Dundrennan stood as tall as a mountain itself. There was a huge waterfall behind it, the noise of which could be heard even from a distance. They stopped at the ridge, admiring the breathtaking view of the valley.

She noticed the king had a faraway look.

“What is it?” Trynne asked Drew softly, drawing up beside him. He slumped a bit in the saddle, a puff of mist coming from his mouth. It was getting dark and they hoped to find warmth and shelter before nightfall.

“It’s the castle of my childhood,” Drew said, turning and giving her a friendly smile. “When you grow older, the places you remember from childhood can begin to seem very small to you. But not Dundrennan.” He rested his hands on the pommel. “This place only grows grander.” The smoke rising from hundreds of chimneys offered a thin haze. The valley was pristine, crowded with enormous pine and fir trees and huge boulders cleft from the mountains. It was a place that had been untarnished by war since before Trynne was born.

As if he shared her thoughts, the king suddenly sighed. “But we bring trouble wherever we ride.” He turned in the saddle. “I want all the Oath Maidens with me when we enter. This is where we will fight.”

“Would you like me to go on ahead to make sure the castle is safe?” Trynne asked.

Drew frowned. “No. If I’m not safe here, I’m safe nowhere. The people here remember me. We go together, Trynne.”

An Espion rider fought through the crowded road to join them at the crest of the hill. His stallion was beleaguered, and the man looked as if he’d been riding even harder than they had.

“News, my lord,” the man panted. “From Lord Amrein. He said I would find you here. I’m glad he wasn’t mistaken.”

“Tell us,” Drew said patiently, watching the man gulp down some wine from a flagon to clear his throat.

“I’ve ridden ahead from Kingfountain. I was with Lord Amrein two days ago at the sanctuary of Our Lady. Your wife and mother be safe, my lord. And your daughter.”

“Thank the Fountain,” Drew sighed out. “What else?”

“Lord Amrein bid me warn you. Gahalatine has taken Kingfountain. Your blood-sister returned to the palace just before he rode into the castle. She warned that there was an imposter pretending to be you. It put the whole castle in an uproar.”