When her maid Millie arrived, Alyssa was still pacing up and down her room. “Miss Alyssa, what in the Lady’s name are you doing? You need to rest before dinner. Here, let me help you out of your habit. A quick wash will get rid of the dirt, and then you can relax.”
Alyssa allowed Millie to help her undress and wash, thinking furiously as she obediently lay down on her bed, as if she needed a nap at her age. What was Millie thinking? She listened to her maid moving around the room until she gathered the travel-stained garments and left, shutting the door behind her.
Waiting for a moment, Alyssa listened intently and then got up, rummaging through her wardrobe for a simple gown she could manage on her own. She would send Jennery for Silene. He knew where she lived, and then Silene would be able to talk some sense into Simeon.
Alyssa paused with her hand on the door latch as she heard voices outside in the corridor. She listened carefully, eyes widening as she recognised the voices of Millie and Reid. That man’s voice grated on her nerves; there was something she didn’t like about him.
Millie was flirting with him. Alyssa couldn’t think of a more disgusting person to get close to than him. She shuddered delicately at the thought and listened harder. Was Millie reporting her movements to that creep? They moved away down the corridor, and Alyssa gingerly opened her door and peered out. The way was clear, so she flitted down to the room she thought Garrick would have provided for Hannah, and she tapped lightly on the door.
She slipped into the room as Hannah closed the door behind her. Alyssa clasped Hannah’s hands. “Hannah, you have to help me,” she whispered.
“Whatever has happened?”
“I need you to ask Lieutenant Jennery to go and fetch Silene. My brother and his nasty henchman are watching me, and Millie as well. I can’t believe Millie would betray me like that. Simeon is refusing to give my father the full Leaving ceremony tomorrow. I need Silene to talk some sense into him.”
Hannah took a deep breath. “Let me get this right. You want Jennery to bring a lady called Silene here to speak to Lord Simeon? And that Silene must convince Lord Simeon to give Lord Hugh the full Leaving ceremony tomorrow.”
“Yes, he must bring her tonight. Tomorrow will be too late!”
“What is the world coming to when a man’s child won’t provide his father with a proper Leaving ceremony. My, my, child, leave it with me. I’ll go now. Jennery will bring her, don’t you worry.”
“Oh, thank you, thank you. I am sorry to impose, but I don’t think I would reach the barracks unseen!”
“Don’t worry, child. It’s not for you to be visiting a barracks full of men for sure. You go back to your room and get ready for your dinner.” Hannah shooed her out and then bustled off towards the barracks.
She found Jennery leaning against the doorframe of a room in the guest barracks. He looked clean and relaxed, dressed only in his linen shirt and trousers. His blond hair was still damp from its recent wash, and he was laughing at something someone in the room had said. Her eyes dwelled fondly on his handsome face. Jennery straightened up in surprise when he saw her, his shirt moulding to his body as he moved. “Hannah, what are you doing here. The barracks are not the place for women!”
Hannah laughed. “I’m too old to worry about that. Anyway, it’s better I come than the Lady Alyssa.”
Jennery tensed. “Lady Alyssa? What happened? Come, sit down. Bryce won’t mind sharing his chair,” he said as Bryce hastily vacated the only chair in the room. He was similarly smelling of soap and looked much younger and relaxed out of uniform. His shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, and he was freshly shaven.
Hannah smiled her thanks. If only she were younger, she wouldn’t mind being held by those strong arms. She dragged her attention away from Bryce’s trim body and looked at her son. “Well, from what Lady Alyssa tells me, her brother Simeon is not going to give her father the full Leaving tomorrow. She wants you to go and find some lady called Silene and bring her back here tonight to talk some sense into him.”
Bryce whistled softly from his perch on the end of his bed. “That would be a mistake by the lad, that’s for sure.”
“And that’s not all. It sounds like her brother is keeping a watch on Lady Alyssa’s movements, him and that henchman of his. I am not sure what they are planning, but it doesn’t sound like it will be a benefit to the girl or the Watch,” Hannah said. “So, you had better get on your horse and go fetch this Silene now.”
Jennery scowled. “You’re worse than the Commander! Yes, alright I’m going, I’m going. Bryce, you might have to give my apologies. I doubt I’ll be back in time for dinner.”
Bryce waved him off. “I’m sure I’ll think of something.”
Watch Towers, Stoneford Watch
Tagerill cursed under his breath. “What is he thinking, why didn’t he wait for us?” he said, peering out of the door.
“Do you think he is enspelled?”
“Not Birlerion, no way. He must have seen something.”
Jerrol scanned the courtyard. “You go and restrain the off-duty guard. I’ll find a diversion to distract any others.” Tagerill didn’t argue. Instead, he moved stealthily across the courtyard.
Jerrol skirted the courtyard and entered the square building opposite the tower. The corridors were silent. He hadn’t seen any guards, and he wondered where they were; possibly off duty, he supposed. Hopefully, Tagerill would deal with most of them. He crossed the main hall, once catering to hundreds of students, now echoing emptily. This place was a forgotten place, shrouded in history and deliberate misdirection.
He needed to speak to the King. He would instruct Liliian to reassess the purpose here. To care for the Watchers and find out how they could patch the Veil. How many years had it been unprotected? No wonder the Veil was shredding, and magic was leaking back in. How could they have forgotten the purpose of the towers? A niggling thought surfaced. What did Torsion know that they didn’t? And where was he?
Searching the dining hall, Jerrol couldn’t find anything flammable except the tables, and they would make too much noise to move. He needed to be careful; he didn’t want to put the watchers at risk, but it had to be a big enough distraction to draw everyone, so he and Tagerill could pick them off. Maybe the kitchen would be better. He left the dining hall and peered around the door to the kitchen.
The kitchen was surprisingly empty. He had expected the cook to be firing up the ovens for the morning baking, but only dust motes spiralled in the silence. The room was dominated by a large wooden table in the centre, with an iron rack suspended from the ceiling. Hanging from the rack was a variety of utensils. The ovens lined the far wall, butting up to an open fire with a pot hanging over it in the corner. To the other side was a stack of kindling wood – piled neatly and promisingly inflammatory.
Jerrol skirted the table, moving towards the hearth. The fire was banked, a sullen red glow at its centre. He scooped up a shovelful of glowing coals and deposited them in the middle of the kindling wood. He piled some pieces on the top for good measure and left it smouldering, and then headed for the back exit.
“Well, what do we have here?” the man almost purred. “A rescue attempt, is it? Have you come to save the Lady’s Captain? I knew he was the one; he had to be.”
“I think you must be mistaken,” Jerrol replied as he met the dark eyes of the thin man across the table. His face was narrow with deep creases around his mouth, his eyes black and pitiless. He wore long black robes that made his skin appear even paler than it was. He was remarkably similar in looks and build to the man they had tied up in Velmouth, and to Torsion, come to think of it.
“Oh no, I have you now. Are you a Sentinal? I know all about the Lady’s Guard. We have much to talk about.”
“I don’t think so,” disagreed Jerrol, “unless you’re going to explain what you are up to here. Who are you, and where is Torsion?”
The man stared at him intently, his eyes pools of shadow. “Ah, you think you can resist. You all do
at first, but you’ll see the light in the end. My name is Ain’uncer, I am your friend, and you are mine. You want to help me. Look in my eyes, yes, look deep and see what you can see. You think you see, but you don’t. Let me show you the way.” Ain’uncer’s voice dropped into a steady drone, insidiously working its way into his head and subduing thought. The clatter of Jerrol’s sword hitting the stone-flagged floor jerked him back to his senses, and he backed away as Ain’uncer picked it up, chanting continuously.
Jerrol looked around him, frantic. He cast about for the nearest weapon as Ain’uncer began to advance on him. Jerrol found himself holding a ladle as he moved towards the far end of the table, shaking his head as if he could shake Ain’uncer’s words out of his mind. How had he affected him so fast? It was alarming how easily this man could control people’s minds.
He swung the ladle at Ain’uncer, distracting him enough to stop the chanting. His groping hand found a sieve, and he planted it like a mask over Ain’uncer’s face, before the startled man realised his chant didn’t have the desired effect. Jerrol grabbed a pan, hefting the ladle in his left hand.
Ain’uncer stepped back in surprise. “It’s not possible,” he muttered under his breath. Jerrol parried the sword with his ladle while swinging at the man with his pan. Ain’uncer retreated into the dining hall. Jerrol followed; the aroma of wood smoke drifted in the air. His fire was taking hold.
“Guards!” Ain’uncer shouted as he pointed the sword in front of him, trying to keep Jerrol in the kitchen. “Seize him!” he commanded, as guards entered the hall behind him.
Four guards raced across the dining hall, fanning out either side to pen Jerrol in until one of the guards saw the smoke coming out of the kitchen. “Fire,” he yelled, rushing towards the kitchen. Jerrol stuck his ladle out and tripped him up, followed by a stunning blow to his head with the pan.
Dropping the pan, Jerrol unsheathed his dagger and threw it across the room at Ain’uncer, before turning back to the advancing guards. He parried the first blow with his ladle, rolled, retrieving the pan, and spun upwards. His momentum turned him back inside the guard’s swing, and he hit the guard with the pan. The guard tumbled into the wall, stunned.
Jerrol jerked his other dagger out and circled Ain’uncer, aware of Birlerion staggering into the hall and drawing off two more guards trying to flank him. He attacked, striking hard with his dagger as he deflected the sword with his ladle, twisting the man into the path of the other soldiers. He darted around the tables towards Ain’uncer and gasped as a burning pain in his back brought him up short. A King’s Guard lunged at him as he spun, and he managed to deflect the blade away from his ribs.
Jerrol lurched back as the guard advanced, and Birlerion slid his body between them. Birlerion faltered, his breath hissed out, and he launched himself at the guard, forcing him back across the room, blocking the follow-up strike.
Jerrol took a steadying breath, and Ain’uncer roared as Tagerill arrived. Jerrol gripped his ladle just in case. Birlerion staggered back, and Jerrol grabbed him. His shirt was more red than white, and what he could see of his face that wasn’t bruised was far too pale. He eased Birlerion to the floor as he sagged in his arms. Birlerion held a sword, and he waved it feebly as Tagerill waded in.
Chapter 27
Greenswatch
Jennery and Silene arrived back at Greenswatch later that evening, not long after the evening meal had finished. Alyssa flew to embrace Silene before Simeon could utter a word of complaint. Alyssa ushered Silene into the room, passing her coat to a hovering manservant.
She threw Jennery a grateful look as she escorted Silene to a chair by the fire. Silene came to an abrupt halt as she caught sight of Reid beside Simeon. Her eyes widened and her lips tightened, but she held her peace and allowed Alyssa to fuss over her.
“My dear Alyssa, Simeon, allow me to offer my heartfelt condolences. Your father was a good man, and he will be greatly missed,” Silene began, clasping her hands in her lap.
“Thank you, Silene.” Simeon was stiffly formal. “But you didn’t need to rush over tonight; you could have waited until the morning.” He glared at Jennery. “The Lieutenant takes too much upon himself.”
“It was fortunate Alyssa sent word, else I would not have known. I would not want you to think me remiss in paying my respects.”
“Oh Silene, it was awful.” Alyssa’s voice trembled.
“Hush, child,” Silene soothed. “Lady be thankful, you are safe.” She patted her face sympathetically and hesitated as the zing of a Guardianship sparked at her fingertips. “You must tell me all later,” she said, searching Alyssa’s eyes.
Reid shifted sharply behind Simeon and muttered a few words before bowing to the room and leaving. Jennery moved from his lean against the door to allow him to go, watching him with suspicion.
“Simeon, child, are you ready for tomorrow?” Silene asked.
“I am not a child, Silene.”
“I know,” Silene said. “And tomorrow you will be granted the responsibility of the Watch. Your father so hoped you would not have to take that on so soon.”
Simeon drew himself up. “It is my inheritance. He tried to keep me from it, but it is mine.”
“He never wanted to keep it from you, Simeon. He was so proud of you. But these are troubled times and holding the Watch will be more difficult. He wanted to protect you for as long as he could.”
“Rubbish!” Simeon spat. “He had gotten stuck in the old ways; he was trying to keep control. He wouldn’t listen.”
“Wouldn’t listen to whom?” Silene asked. “Your seneschal? Not a follower of the Lady, I believe. Where did you find him?”
“None of your business. Who I choose as my servants is nothing to do with you.”
“It used to be.” She watched Simeon closely. “When did you leave the path, Simeon? What made you forsake the Lady?”
Alyssa gasped beside her; raising her hands to her face, she turned stricken eyes on her brother.
Simeon raised his chin. “You are but a teacher for children, Silene, and there are no children here. I suggest you leave before you are escorted out and told not to return.”
“Simeon, you cannot banish Silene. She is our family,” protested Alyssa, standing between them. “You must allow Silene to preside over Father’s Leaving. You may no longer follow the Lady, but he did, and you will honour his beliefs.” Alyssa stood before Simeon, her eyes flashing, her face determined.
Jennery thought she had never looked so beautiful. He observed Simeon; he was strung tighter than a bowstring and looked as if he would snap at any moment.
Silene rose. “No, child, for now, it is decided. The choice has been made. He is lost, and his guide will not lead him back.” Simeon flinched as he met her eyes. “It is never too late to find the right path. If you ask you will never be refused,” she promised. “And now it is late, and I need to go home.”
Alyssa turned away from Simeon with tears in her eyes. “I will not stay and see you ruin the Watch,” she said, controlling her voice with an effort. “Mother requested that Lieutenant Jennery escorts me to her in New Vespers. I will be leaving after your confirmation.”
“You will do as I tell you,” Simeon began, but Alyssa flung up her hand.
“No,” she replied. “I will be travelling with Lieutenant Jennery to New Vespers.”
Simeon swallowed. “We will discuss this in private. But for now, I suggest that your lieutenant,” he sneered across at Jennery, “escorts Silene back to where he found her and keeps himself out of Greenswatch business if he knows what is good for him.”
Jennery offered a cynical bow. “My lord.” He bowed more respectfully to Alyssa, smiling into her anguished eyes. He wished he could hug her, but he restrained himself and turned to Silene to offer her an arm.
Silene looked at him with a twinkle in her eye. She turned to Alyssa and gave her a hug. “Come and see me before you leave, there is much to discuss.” She added wickedly, “And your
lieutenant knows the way.”
Alyssa blushed and hugged her back. “What should I do?” She clutched Silene a little desperately.
“Be careful. There is little you can do. Keep your lieutenant near. I have to go. Simeon is watching.”
Alyssa watched them leave before turning back to Simeon.
“What did she say to you?” he demanded.
“She was offering the Lady’s blessings for Father for tomorrow since you are not going to. What happened, Simeon? Was your life so bad under the Lady’s watch?”
Simeon glowered at her. “You know nothing, and you understand less. Stay out of it, Alyssa, and you won’t get hurt.”
“Too late.” She hissed as if struck. “I have been hurt. I was there, Simeon – where were you? They slaughtered him. They slaughtered our father and all his men; an ambush off the East Road. You never asked; was it because you already knew? Don’t you care?” she lashed out at him before she turned away in floods of tears.
He stood stony-faced, watching her stumble from the room. He had been warned not to listen to her wiles. He was to ensure she was offered to Aaron. That had been the agreement and it would get her out of his hair. He swallowed uneasily. Things were not as easy to control as he had thought. He would be glad once he was confirmed. No one could argue with him then.
He looked up as Reid slipped back in the room. “It’s done,” Reid said. “Aaron will be here for your confirmation to take her off your hands, so stay the course, and it will all be yours.”
“What about my mother? Won’t she be expecting her in Old Vespers?” Simeon paced, unable to keep still.
“She’s lying. There’s been nothing delivered here for her. It’s all a ruse.”
Simeon pressed his lips together. “A ruse for what? Why would she lie?”
“It’s all about power, Simeon. You know that. You have it, and she doesn’t. She’s trying to defy you. You must show them who is in charge from the beginning; don’t allow anyone to tell you what to do. Tomorrow you must keep her under control.”
Sentinals Awaken: Book One of the Sentinals Series Page 23
