“It concerns the thief Dragan,” Fallon said. He was looking at Trynne as he spoke. “I heard a report before the battle that he was dead.” He shook his head. “It wasn’t true. He awakened, but he was a changed man when he did. He began raving. He didn’t know who he was, he said. Or why he had been jailed. The man cannot remember his own name.”

The king wrinkled his brow, full of doubt. “He can no longer remember?”

Fallon nodded. “I’ve spoken to him myself, my lord. He looked at me as if I were a complete stranger. He doesn’t know the name of our kingdom. He doesn’t know why he was captured. His memories have all been stolen.”

“But it is a jest, surely?” Drew asked.

“Perhaps,” Fallon offered with a shrug. “But if it is one, it doesn’t make sense. What would he have to gain by pleading amnesia? Surely it does not pardon his many crimes. He was frightened, earlier, about being killed. Do you remember?” he added, looking intently at Trynne.

“I do,” she said, feeling cold despite the heat of the hearth. “He was afraid of Morwenna.”

“Yes, but she was locked inside her cell,” Fallon said. “When the battle grew fierce, she used her magic to rip the cell door open. That was the first time she left . . . after he was already found unconscious, presumed dead. My lord, what will you do with them?” He had a strange edge to his voice, one of strained concern.

Drew’s face twisted into a frown. “They will both face the Assizes,” he said sternly. “Justice will be done.” Then he softened. “I will have Lord Amrein interrogate them both. There may be mitigating circumstances. Morwenna may have been under the sway of the Wizrs.”

“This is the king’s poisoner you speak of?” Gahalatine said.

Drew nodded. “My blood-sister.”

“Before you condemn her,” Gahalatine said, “let me see what I can discover about her involvement. There may be more evidence I can bring to bear.”

“Thank you,” Drew said to Gahalatine. Then he turned to Fallon. “Can I trust her to your custody for now? She must be guarded night and day.”

“Of course, my lord. But I ask that I not be the judge in the matter. Assign Lord Amrein or someone else, if you would. I will hold her until you send for her.”

Drew sighed and agreed. “To Kingfountain, then. Shall we?”

Trynne’s stomach twisted with excitement and dread. Soon she would be married to a capable and kindhearted king, but she sorrowed for Fallon, both for the suffering she saw in his eyes and for what might have been.

Without Morwenna’s help during the battle, things would have been worse for them, but she did not think it terribly wise to keep her in Dundrennan. Trynne would suggest to Genevieve that she be moved elsewhere, like Beestone castle.