© 2018 by Jill Williamson
Published by Bethany House Publishers
11400 Hampshire Avenue South
Bloomington, Minnesota 55438
www.bethanyhouse.com
Bethany House Publishers is a division of
Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan
www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
Ebook edition created 2018
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4412-3085-0
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, incidents, and dialogues are products of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Cover design by LOOK Design Studio
Author is represented by MacGregor Literary, Inc.
Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
Map of Er’Rets
Key Players
Trevn
Grayson
Mielle
Trevn
Gozan
Charlon
Hinck
Oli
Qoatch
Grayson
Trevn
Kalenek
Onika
Trevn
Charlon
Inolah
Grayson
Hinck
Oli
Trevn
Grayson
Gozan
Onika
Qoatch
Trevn
Hinck
Grayson
Onika
Kalenek
Trevn
Onika
Charlon
Qoatch
Hinck
Trevn
Hinck
Gozan
Charlon
Trevn
Grayson
Oli
Trevn
Charlon
Qoatch
Trevn
A Note From the Author
Acknowledgments
About the Author
THE KINSMAN CHRONICLES
Back Ads
Key Players
ARMANIA
House Hadar
Trevn-Rosâr Hadar, king of Armania
Hawley, Trevn’s onesent
Ottee, Trevn’s honor man
Sir Cadoc Wyser, Trevn’s High Shield
Rzasa, Trevn’s backman
Nietz, a guard
Bonds, a guard
Jhorn, Master of Requests
Grayson, son of Jhorn, a spy
Sir Kalenek Veroth, Grayson’s High Shield, former protector of Shanek and former One of Charlon’s Five Men
Mielle-Rosârah, Trevn’s wife
Tonis, Mielle’s onesent
Pia, Mielle’s High Shield
Bero, a guard
Abree, Mielle’s honor maiden
Onika [ON-ik-ah], the True Prophet, a blind woman
Kempe [KEM-pay], Onika’s personal maid
Rustian, Onika’s dune cat
Zeroah Barta-Hadar, the dowager queen
Doth, Zeroah’s guard
Ephec, Zeroah’s guard
Brelenah-Rosârah, the dowager queen mother
Hrettah-Sârah Hadar, Trevn’s half sister
Rashah-Sârah Hadar, Trevn’s half sister
Enetta, Hrettah and Rashah’s nurse
Inolah-Sârah Orsona-Hadar, Trevn’s half sister, mother of Emperor Ulrik and Prince Ferro
Princess Vallah Orsona, Inolah’s daughter, Emperor Ulrik’s sister
Princess Tinyah Orsona, Inolah’s daughter, Emperor Ulrik’s sister
Sir Doran, Inolah’s High Shield
Kreah, Tinyah’s nursemaid
Other Armanians
Oli Agoros, Duke of Canden
Kipp, Oli’s honor man
Eudora Agoros, daughter of Sârah Jemesha and Zeteo Agoros, Oli’s sister
Danek Faluk, Duke of Highcliff
Zura, Danek’s wife
Hinckdan Faluk, formerly Earl of Dacre, now Duke of Armanguard, a seer
Barek Hadar, Duke of Odarka
Arzah, Barek’s wife
Lady Brisa, daughter of Barek and Arzah
Lady Trista, daughter of Barek and Arzah
Joret Vohan, Earl of Idez
Cabena, Joret’s wife
Sir Ransen, son of Joret and Cabena
Enko, son of Joret and Cabena
Madara, daughter of Joret and Cabena
Rennik, son of Madara and Jarmyn Koll
Tace Edekk, Duke of Raine
Gitla, Tace’s wife
Lady Imara, daughter of Tace and Gitla
Lander Leevy, husband of Lady Imara
Captain Korvoh, captain of Tace’s private army
Natod, Tace’s onesent
Gunrik Koll, Earl of Blackpool
Sabin, Gunrik’s wife
Sir Jarmyn, son of Gunrik and Sabin
Dendrelle, Sir Jarmyn’s wife, Tace and Gitla Edekk’s daughter
Finbar Wallington, Duke of Everton, brother of Mahat, father of Finnel Wallington
Gia, Finbar’s wife
Hirth, son of Finbar and Gia
Allain Ortropp, a nobleman
Rayim Veralla, captain of the King’s Guard
Sir Keshton, Rayim’s son, an officer in the army
Zanre, Rayim’s son, swordplay drillmaster
Father Burl Mathal, medial priest of the Arman church
Admiral Aldair Livina, admiral of the king’s fleet
Norgam Bussie, captain of the Seffynaw
Novan Heln, a guard
Collak Ensley, general of the Armanian army
Rowan Winstone, marshal in the Armanian army
The Omatta Clan
Rand, leader of the Omatta
Meelo, Rand’s son
Zahara, Rand’s daughter
BARTHIA
Barthel Rogedoth (also known as Prince Mergest III), self-titled king
Timmons, Barthel’s onesent
Iamos, a common shadir, loyal to Barthel
Daliza, a slight shadir, loyal to Barthel
Paliki, a slight shadir, loyal to Barthel
Agmado Harton/Harton Sonber, Barthel’s general, a mantic
Yobatha, a common shadir, bonded to Harton
Captain Orbay, captain of Barthel’s guard
Filkin Yohthehreth, Rôb prophet, a mantic
Mikray, a common shadir, bonded to Filkin
Zithel Lau, Rôb priest, a mantic
Shama, a slight shadir, bonded to Zithel
Zenobia, a mantic
Kabada, a common shadir, bonded to Zenobia
Mattenelle, called Nellie, a mantic
Hwuum, a slight shadir, bonded to Mattenelle
Lilou Caridod, a malleant
Mahat Wallington, a malleant, brother to Finbar Wallington
SARIKAR
House Pitney
Princess Saria Pitney, daughter of the late King Loran
Sir Menel, Saria’s guardsman
Sir Oris, Saria’s guardsman
Princess Nolia, Saria’s aunt, sister to the late King Loran
Finnel Wallington, Nolia’s husband, son of Finbar and Gia Wallington
Sir Malder, Finnel’s High Shield
General Norcott, general of Sarikar
Wolbair, a prophet of Arman
RUREKAU
House Orsona
Emperor Ulrik Orsona, emperor of Rurekau
Sir Iamot, Ulrik’s High Shield
Taleeb, Ulrik’s onesent
Jazlyn, Ulrik’s wife, empress of Rurekau, former High Queen of Tenma
Qoatch [KO-ach], Jazlyn’s eunuch slav, a seer
Niklee, an acolyte
Prince Jael (Adir), son of Ulrik and Jazlyn
Princess Jahleeah (Noyah), daughter of Ulrik and Jazlyn
Zinetha, nursemaid to Ulrik and Jazlyn’s children
Prince Ferro Orsona, Ulrik’s younger brother
Thallah-Rosârah Orsona, former queen of Armania, Trevn’s mother, Ulrik’s great-aunt
General Balat, head of the Igote guard
Kakeeo, Rurekan sheriff
MAGOSIA
Ruling Clan
Charlon, Magosian Chieftess
Shanek, Charlon’s son
Dendron, a great shadir, bonded to Shanek
Amala, Kalenek’s ward, Mielle’s little sister
Rurek (Gozan), a great shadir, bonded to Amala
Masi, a common shadir in Gozan’s swarm
Kateen, First of Charlon’s Five Maidens
Astaa, Second of Charlon’s Five Maidens
Roya, Third of Charlon’s Five Maidens
Rone, number Two of Charlon’s Five Men
Nuel, number Three of Charlon’s Five Men
Vald, number Four of Charlon’s Five Men
Gullik, number Five of Charlon’s Five Men
NATIVE CLANS
Ahj-Yeke Giants
Bolad mi Aru, headman of Ahj-Yeke
Uul-Yeke Giants
Ulagan, Bolad’s nephew
Jiir-Yeke Giants
Abaqa mi Niseh, headman of Jiir-Yeke
Duu Ovdog, a kholoi priest
Puru
Muna, a matriarch
Conaw, Muna’s grandson
Trevn
Mielle? Answer me!”
Trevn searched with his mind for his wife, but it was as though she’d vanished, gone mute. He leapt off the longchair and reached for his shield’s mind. “Cadoc? Something has happened to Mielle.”
When his shield did not answer, Trevn flung open the antechamber door and ran into the council room. There stood Cadoc, leaning against the arrow loop window.
He pushed off the wall. “Your Highness, Master Hawley is—”
“Something happened to Mielle,” Trevn said. “Why didn’t you answer me?”
“And now? Can you hear me?” Trevn voiced.
Cadoc walked toward Trevn. “What has happened?”
Trevn tore out of the chamber and ran past Novan and Bonds, voicing people along the way. “Hinck? . . . Saria? . . . Master Grayson? . . . Duke Canden? . . . Miss Onika?”
He fled downstairs, desperately trying to understand what had happened. Shanek must have found Mielle, but how had he sabotaged the voicing magic? Trevn turned on the stairs. His King’s Guards were right behind him. “Where might Duke Canden be at this hour?”
“The roof, likely, with his students,” Novan said. “Or in the great hall.”
That those locations were opposite one another made Trevn want to scream. “Find Duke Canden and Master Hawley and bring both to my office at once.” He continued down the stairs, frantic to locate anyone with the ability to mind-speak.
“Master Hawley is in your office,” Cadoc said from behind. “He asked to see you at your earliest convenience.”
That turned Trevn around, and he jogged back up to the third floor. “Did he say why?”
“No, sir.”
Trevn found Hawley sitting at his small desk behind Trevn’s. “Something has happened to Mielle,” he said. “She cannot seem to hear my voice.”
Concern etched the man’s face. “Both Miss Onika and Rosârah Zeroah complained this morning that they were unable to use their mind-speak magic. And Duke Canden was having trouble last night.”
Others had lost their magic? “I spoke with Princess Saria not a half hour ago about the attack on Hinck, but now I can hear no one.”
The men stared at Trevn. He paced to his desk, not sure he wanted to sit.
“How is Duke Armanguard?” Cadoc asked.
Trevn met Cadoc’s gaze across the room. “Saria said the wound is not fatal. I can feel Mielle to the northwest. There must be a way to find her.” Grayson had been with her. Trevn reached for Hinck to ask about Grayson, then stopped his foolishness. If he had no magic, he could contact no one.
“Would the God take away this magic?” Hawley asked.
Trevn didn’t know, but he suspected a different cause altogether. “I believe we have been silenced. Gather everyone who has the mind-speak magic in the council chambers as soon as possible. And bring Cook Labren to my office. I’ll speak to him after I discern how many are affected.”
Cadoc nodded to Novan, who set off at a run.
“The âleh tonic has been decreed highly confidential,” Master Hawley said. “Only a select few should know about the substance.”
“Which is why I want to speak with Cook Labren.” The man had been tasked with creating âleh tonic for the prisoners in the dungeon. He’d know if any âleh was missing.
“And the queen?” Cadoc asked.
Trevn fell into his chair and ran his hands over his hair, tugging at the braids. “I sense her, but I cannot find her without the mind-speak magic or Grayson’s help.”
“Let’s get you to the council chambers so you can question Master Grayson,” Hawley said.
“Master Grayson is with the queen,” Cadoc said.
Hawley instantly sobered.
Trevn could take no more. He rose and started for the door. “The âleh will wear off as long as we don’t take any more. The sooner we discover how we ingested it, the sooner we can recover our voices and find my wife. I’ll be in the Temple Arman.”
Father Mathal made a burnt offering on behalf of Mielle, and led Trevn and Onika in prayers. When he finished, Trevn remained on his knees before the altar, Miss Onika at his side.
“Trust Arman to bring you through this, Your Highness,” the prophetess said.
Trevn’s anger flared. He wanted a prophetic word about Mielle’s safe return, not vague lessons. “I never trust anyone fully, Miss Onika.”
“People will let you down, Your Highness, because people make mistakes. But you still need people in your life.”
“I need Mielle back safely.”
“You need to trust Arman. He will fight for you. And he never makes mistakes.”
“That’s not a prophecy,” Trevn said. He could feel it.
“No,” Onika said. “It’s a fact.”
By the time everyone had assembled in the council chambers, the evening bells had chimed. Trevn stood behind his chair at the head of the table and gripped the back.
“I cannot mind-speak either,” Hrettah was telling Lady Brisa.
“Nor I,” Lady Brisa replied, picking at her fingernail.
“I didn’t know that I couldn’t until Trista told me she couldn’t,” Barek said.
“Vallah can,” Trista said. “And Rashah too.”
Hope filled Trevn. Perhaps not all had been compromised. “Please stand if you still have use of your mind-speak ability.”
The two young princesses stood. No one else. Two of the thirteen present. “Voice each other right now, girls,” Trevn said. “Confirm that you are still able.”
Every eye on the room focused on the twosome.
“I heard her,” Rashah said.
“Me too,” Vallah said.
“Very good,” Trevn said, somewhat relieved. “I want you each to voice Master Grayson and find out where he is. Do so now.”
Another strained moment passed. Rashah’s brow wrinkled in concentration. Trevn prayed the young man would reply with good
news.
“He doesn’t answer,” Vallah said.
Rashah slouched. “Me either. Is he hurt?”
“I have no reason to think so, Rashah,” Trevn said. “No one here is hurt, are we?”
The girl shook her head.
“I do need your help, though,” Trevn said. “Will you help me?”
The girls nodded.
“Good,” Trevn said. “Rashah, please voice Princess Saria and inquire as to the whereabouts of Queen Mielle and Master Grayson.”
A collective gasp rose from those seated at the table. Rashah’s bottom lip began to quiver and tears filled her eyes.
Perhaps Trevn should have worded that better. He seemed to have frightened his sister. “As I said, there’s no cause to worry, Rashah. Please try to send those messages.”
Rashah began to cry. Rosârah Brelenah, who was seated beside Trevn’s littlest sister, scooted back her chair and pulled the girl onto her lap. “Perhaps Princess Vallah could voice Saria, Your Highness?”
Trevn nodded at Inolah’s daughter. “Please do so, if you can, Princess.”
Vallah curtsied. “Right away, Your Highness.” She sat down, folded her hands in her lap, and closed her eyes.
“Is the queen in peril, Your Highness?” Zeroah asked.
“I don’t know,” Trevn said, sick to his stomach.
“Have we been poisoned?” Lady Brisa asked, now biting her thumbnail.
“Silenced, at least,” Trevn said. “Until I find out what has happened, you will all eat and drink in this room. I’ll make sure everything served here is uncompromised.”
Vallah still had her eyes closed. Trevn couldn’t stand here waiting for the girl. He had to speak with the cook. “Rosârah Brelenah, bring Princess Vallah to me when she has finished speaking with Saria. I’ll be in my office.”
Trevn returned to his office with Cadoc and Hawley, where they found Captain Veralla and Cook Labren waiting.
“Report,” Trevn said.
“My âleh supply has not been tampered with, Your Highness,” Cook Labren said, “nor have we recently employed any new servants.”
A dead end there. “How long ago did you hire the newest?” he asked.
“Over two months, at least,” Cook Labren said.
“The âleh must be coming from another place,” Hawley said. “But where?”
Trevn sat down, frustrated. “I put a ban on imports from the houses Sârah Jemesha named as her allies. Could some have slipped by?”
“Not through the kitchens,” the cook said. “I and my staff have been very careful.”
If the silencer had come from one of the banned houses, they must have gotten it here another way. “Keep a sharp eye, Cook Labren. Dismissed.”