“My lord, I have no doubt that Gahalatine is coming to attack Dundrennan,” Fallon said. “I’ve sent word to rally as many of your knights as possible. The Duke of East Stowe is on his way with ten thousand. I sent a summons for Grand Duke Asturias as well.”

“As have we,” Drew said, wiping his mouth with a napkin before he spoke. He had removed the crown and returned it to the satchel that never left his possession. “We sent word from Averanche.”

“If we can hold off the siege,” Fallon continued, “it will give our allies a chance to flank him.”

“How many soldiers do you have defending the castle?” Trynne asked pointedly, staring at him, unable to get over the nagging doubts that assailed her. Morwenna was there, after all, and there was still no explanation for the person whose presence she sensed.

“Fifteen thousand men, all loyal, to a man,” Fallon answered.

Trynne frowned. “I heard some of your soldiers were marching south.”

He gave her a sharp look. “Who told you that? It’s not true.”

She clenched her fist under the table. “Maybe I misunderstood.”

Fallon nodded curtly. “I think defending Dundrennan will be much easier than trying to recapture Kingfountain. We just need to hold out and let Gahalatine lose men and nerve hammering away at our walls. He cannot dock his ships nearby, so he’ll need supply lines to feed and equip his men. I don’t think he’s prepared for a long siege.”

There was an urgent rap on the door and Fallon scowled, having left instructions for them not to be disturbed. The door opened and Morwenna entered. Her face was flushed, her hair disheveled. Trynne felt instantly wary.

The king turned to look at his younger sister as she approached his table. Although they shared the same mother, he had inherited his mother’s looks whereas she had inherited her father’s.

“Morwenna,” the king said. “Would you join us?”

“I won’t stay for long, Brother,” she said a little breathlessly. She looked at Trynne, as if only now recognizing her in her rough soldier’s garb. “Who are these women in the castle? All these maidens with swords and shields?”

“They are my protectors,” Drew answered, his voice guarded. “You had something of importance to say. What is it?”

Morwenna fidgeted with a ring on her finger. She cast a sidelong look at Fallon and the flush in her cheeks deepened. “I haven’t had the opportunity to speak to you. I heard that the Painted Knight saved my father’s life in battle.”

“Indeed,” Drew answered. “I saw it.”

“But where is he now? Was he riding in your company?” Morwenna gazed at Trynne with a hint of suspicion.