The Poisoner's Enemy (Kingfountain, #0.4)

by Jeff Wheeler

We lived in Yuork. My childhood was spent living in fear of the armed knights from both sides marauding the land, threatening to kill any who did not support their cause.

In the horrible years of civil war, she had grown accustomed to dangers and threats. As the kingdom tottered between the control of various nobles, the citizens had borne much grief and heartache.

“Daughter.” Her mother stepped back and knelt, gripping her shoulders. “The duke seeks a companion for his eldest daughter, Isybelle. A friend. He’s chosen you.”

“Only the Fountain knows why

“The kingmaker,” Ankarette said softly, realizing that she would be part of the duke’s household. The magnitude of it overwhelmed her.

A little ripple came into her heart as she continued to stare at him. A calming feeling. It was there one moment, gone the next, but it was enough to guide her.

She had heard and witnessed so much in this place . . . and couldn’t help but wonder what kind of world she had entered. Although tempted to fidget, she kept her

“Every ruler keeps a network of spies. The Espion are the men and women who are paid to inform us what is

going on in different kingdoms. And here within our own realm. Your father was one of our agents in Atabyrion. He studied the law and became an excellent lawyer.”

“He was murdered because he was doing his duty to the true king. I have had my eye on your family for quite some time, but it was my will that you be trained as a midwife. If it weren’t for that, I would have summoned yo...

Before I leave for Occitania, I will instruct Thomas to train you in the ways of the Espion. There are certain signals and gestures, a secret language, if you will. You need to know this to be effective in your role.”

You will hear many things said in Dundrennan. You will become privy to secrets that should not and ought not be shared outside this household. I am choosing to trust you, Ankarette, and I demand loyalty and obedience from you in return. If you serve me faithfully, you will be greatly rewarded.

You will need to live beyond reproach yourself, or many ill-intentioned men will seek your favor. You will care for the children of my heirs. To be a midwife and companion in a noble household is a position of incomparable trust and confidence.

Her breath caught at the splendor of the scene. This set of windows faced north, away from the town, and she had an unobstructed view of the massive waterfall spilling down the jagged face of the cliff. The sunlight bathed the stone in golden light, and the beauty of it snatched her heart like a fisherman’s hook. Tears pricked her eyes at the thought of seeing such a view every day.

Ankarette began to work on the flower. As she worked, her mind sorted through the events of the preceding day. Embroidery helped her open the door to her thoughts and sort through them in a deep, satisfying way. As she made the tiny, precise stitches, she felt better equipped to judge the truth of whatever was vexing or confusing her. Something about it helped her reason through her feelings and solve problems.

Isybelle, she discovered, preferred the legends about the Fountain-blessed. Ankarette’s father had always been skeptical about those ancient stories. He hadn’t believed in magic.

While working as a midwife, she’d occasionally experienced flashes of insight related to the birthing process—the notion that a babe would come early or that a birth would go easier if the mother paced during labor. Since coming to Dundrennan, the insights she’d experienced had all been related to political machinations. This was the first one that had warned of danger.

“If you feel you are asked to do anything amiss or untoward by anyone in this kingdom, please send word to me, Ankarette. Some kings train poisoners to murder their rivals and enemies. Some use them to defend their thrones. If I give my uncle permission to send you to Pisan, I want it understood plainly between us that I am asking you to defend my throne. No deceptions.”

Something rustled inside her heart, and she felt her throat thicken with emotion. Power emanated from the sanctuary, like the hearth at Dundrennan where she would warm her hands after spending a day hunting with Isybelle’s falcon. A feeling of peace and tranquility flowed from the structure, and she felt the urge to toss a coin into one of the fountains later and say a prayer for her mother who was so far away.

It explained the nearly purple complexion of the Duke of Warrewik, who had negotiated in good faith for months with the King of Occitania. This was not just a snub. This was a political nightmare, an outrage of colossal proportions.

“That is often the case with power, lad. It does blind you.”

He squeezed Dunsdworth’s shoulder. “How many times have I told you that your thoughts create your destiny? Does a boulder stop the river from flowing? No, water finds its way around it. The Fountain delivers to us that which we secretly want. With perseverance and commitment, we may achieve all that we desire. Remember

She realized with some shock that she had entered the king’s private bedroom.

The most clever and cunning minds are trained in the poisoner school in Pisan. Other skills are taught there as well. At thirteen, you won’t be the youngest student. Some go as early as ten. But I think you’re ready, Ankarette. And you will do us proud.” “Thank you,” Ankarette said, dropping to a curtsy again.

the identity of other poisoners and their reputations. The most mysterious poisoner of all, I learned, was in the employ of the King of Occitania. He was one of the nobility, sent to the school of Pisan in disguise to train. Only the masters of the school knew his true identity. Everyone else knew someone who believed they had once

she sensed an undercurrent—a preternatural warning the likes of which she had not experienced very often in Pisan. She stared at the door, a shiver starting at the base of her spine. Memories from a dark night long ago rushed into her mind. Someone was walking toward the room.

There it was again, that strange mercurial feeling that seemed to come and go of its own volition. She worried that recognizing its presence might frighten it away, so she kept her eyes closed and held perfectly still, trying to understand what was happening inside of her.

feeling of warmth and happiness trembled in her breast, and she sensed rather than saw color and light behind her closed eyes. All will be well.

The realization sent a tremor down from her head to her ankles. Her intuition, which she had long since learned to follow and trust, had always seemed a little different, a little keener than other people’s. Now she knew why.

Everyone who is Fountain-blessed must feed their power somehow.

“What a burden to put on you,” he said with disgust. “That man has no conscience left. There’s no room for one anymore. His ambition has crowded out all else.”

“We are alike in many ways, Ankarette. We both serve two masters, although our true allegiance is to one. It is a dangerous walk. The suspense is brutal. How are you enduring it?”