The Silent Shield (Kingfountain #5)(8)

They were all deeply worried about the life awaiting the innocent child. A haze of despair and dread had settled over the realm after the Battle of Guilme. It had been a harsh teacher, showing them how unprepared they were to face such a mighty enemy.

Trynne could still remember the enormous treasure ships she had seen anchored off the coast of Brugia before the battle. They had brought a hundred thousand soldiers from Chandigarl, and the Espion had since learned that Gahalatine’s full army was nearly ten times that number. He had more than a dozen Wizrs serving him, whereas Drew only had one left. Trynne’s mother.

Gahalatine had called off the attack after learning that Owen had fallen victim to some sort of foul play—but he’d promised to return in a year to finish what he had started. He’d left a garrison to control Guilme, and they had learned much about their enemy from watching the goings-on there. What they had learned made their situation seem even more desperate.

“My dear,” Genevieve said softly, stroking Sureya’s hands, “since your father was taken to the imperial palace in the Forbidden Court, he will be chosen for some duty for the emperor. Our poisoner has been there, and she says the city is so massive that it is difficult to traverse it within a day. Gahalatine changed the capital of Chandigarl to the Forbidden Court after he started ruling his empire. Your father will likely live in comfort. That’s what we know so far. From what Trynne just told me, it sounds as if Gahalatine was perhaps interested in you?”

Sureya nodded miserably. “Your Highness, it was my greatest fear to be taken to the Forbidden Court.”

“Why is that?” Genevieve asked. “From our understanding, he is not yet married.”

Sureya wiped a tear from her cheek with the back of her hand, and Trynne noticed that the tattoos smudged. “Gahalatine has been gathering his own zenana, my lady.”

Trynne hadn’t heard that word, and judging by Genny’s baffled look, she hadn’t either.

“I am sorry, our cultures are so different,” Sureya apologized. “A zenana is a sanctuary for women, guarded by women. One can go there for protection. If a girl is abused or hurt by a family member or her father, she can flee there for shelter and no one can force her to come out. She is treated with dignity and honor. It is like the sanctuary of Our Lady.

“Gahalatine has created a large zenana, and the most beautiful and skilled daughters of all the rulers whose lands he has conquered have gone to stay there. They wish to win his heart, but there are so many of them, he cannot choose. The competition in the zenana is fierce, and the girls can be very cruel to newcomers. Gahalatine wants someone who is Fountain-blessed—and I am not. To be taken to that place, to be made to stay . . .” She shuddered.

Genevieve nodded slowly. “The idea behind the zenana is a noble one. There are many girls who suffer. But like everything Gahalatine has done, it is the sheer scale of it that causes the problem.” She rubbed her mouth. “And the zenana is guarded by women, you say?”

Sureya nodded. “The Urdubegis.”

“What does that name mean in our language?” Trynne asked.

Sureya thought a while. “Promise Keepers? That is near enough to it. They embody the Lady of the Fountain. The protectors of the home. I told my father that if I had to go to the zenana in the Forbidden Court, I would rather be trained as an Urdubegis. Gahalatine may never decide who he wants to marry because he doesn’t stay in the Imperial City for long.”

Genevieve gave her and Trynne a knowing smile. “Some men can be that way. You are here now, Sureya. And I think it’s the Fountain’s will that you are. Lady Tryneowy is an Urdubegis. In our language, they are called the Oath Maidens. She has been secretly training defenders of Kingfountain. When I heard of your plight, I thought you might wish to join them.”

Sureya’s eyes widened with eagerness. “Is this true? To become an Urdubegis is my greatest wish!” She turned to Trynne. “You are a warrior, my lady?”

Trynne nodded and offered a small shrug.

“Gahalatine believes in the power of the Urdubegis. After Gahalatine won his first victory, the Emperor of Chandigarl sent his general with a massive army to destroy him. The emperor—Gahalatine’s father—had many children who were old enough to fight for him and was no longer accustomed to the rigors of war. His brothers ruled the court and the Wizrs ruled them. His general’s reputation was one of ruthlessness, and the people hated him. Gahalatine summoned all the women in the city—the one that became the Forbidden Court—to defend himself. They did everything they could. Some even threw steaming potfuls of water down from the walls to injure his enemies. Many knew how to use bows and spears. Some fought with swords. Without the women who rallied to him, he might never have achieved his victory.” She paused before continuing. “They say he is blessed so that people wish to follow him whenever he speaks. I felt the power of his words in my father’s oasis. They stirred my soul, but I did not feel compelled by them as I feared I would. Why do so many others? My father stood up to him. I don’t believe he was swayed. Is he losing his power?”

Trynne knew very well why it didn’t happen, but she was not prepared to share her secrets so quickly. “Your father has a very strong sense of duty and integrity, I suspect,” Trynne said. “And he has imparted that to you as well.”

Sureya flushed and bowed her head respectfully.