“I will gladly explain it to you,” he said, gesturing for the exit. “But I’d rather not say more in front of such a man. He has a thousand tricks. I had no doubt that you would sense him when you arrived. I might not be Fountain-blessed, but I know that one Fountain-blessed can feel the presence of another. I was going to tell you about him before . . . well, you know what happened. Let’s speak now. Come with me.”

“She will kill me,” Dragan said softly.

Fallon snorted. “Not likely,” he countered. “She’s behind bars herself and I had the blacksmith melt lead into the lock. Just as I did with this one. When I open this gate, it will be to drag you to a donkey and haul you to Helvellyn to freeze to death.” He took another step toward the locked gate, as if he couldn’t help himself. “I know you were at the grove, Dragan. I know you were part of the abduction, and I’ve already found the horde of coins you were bribed with. You have no further information I desire. The only thing I want from you now is your sorry carcass. But it will be done by the Assizes or by the king’s command. Not my own. But rest assured, Dragan, if your life is ended sooner by other means, I could hardly care less.” Then he turned and bowed to Trynne. “My lady, if you would come with me?”

Trynne nodded, feeling her heart flutter as Fallon’s words sank home. He gently took her arm and offered to carry her torch. As they walked away together, Dragan began to shake the bars in a fit of rage and screamed violent oaths.

Neither of them turned to look at him.

The stairwell leading up to the highest spire of the castle seemed unending. It was wide enough that they could climb it side by side, but soldiers wearing the badge of the Pierced Lion were coming down from above and they had to hug close to the wall to make room. Trynne craned her neck, peering up the dark shaft, unable to see the top. The noise of their steps and heavy breathing mingled to drown out any other sounds, save for the patter of distant steps and the noise from the wind every time they passed an arrow slit.

The climb was long but invigorating. By the time they reached the highest level, coming to a stop before a ladder leading up to a trapdoor, Fallon had a sheen of sweat on his brow. Both of them were a little winded.

“I don’t think Farnes would care to serve in Dundrennan, do you?” he asked.