“I’ve seen a form of this mesmerising before, but not on this scale,” Tyrone growled as he came out of the back room, wiping his hands. “You, over here.” He pointed at Jerrol who, with a martyred sigh, sat on the bed Tyrone pointed to.
“How is Birlerion?” Jerrol asked.
“That is not the first stomach wound he’s suffered. He’s close-mouthed about it. Any of you like to explain it to me?”
Tagerill sighed. “Let’s just say we had problems in our day, and Birlerion took the brunt of them.”
“Mathew is sewing him up; he has a more delicate touch.” Tyrone helped Jerrol remove his shirt and checked his side. “You’re lucky you haven’t ripped it open. It looks like he only caught your shirt. Birlerion must have fouled his blade.”
“He and I will be having words about that.”
Tyrone grimaced in agreement. “How old is he? He doesn’t look old enough to have as many scars as he has.”
“He’s nineteen, a year younger than me,” Tagerill said briefly.
Jerrol was appalled. He had thought he was older.
“The lot of you need to be more careful. I have enough on my hands without you as well.” Tyrone glared at Jerrol. “We can’t do anything for the others without the keywords.”
“Which is why it’s fortunate I came across this, isn’t it?” Jerrol waved the small notebook in front of the healer.
“And that is?”
“A list of affected people and their keywords. The first word triggers the behaviour. Repeating it is a reset. It seems to leave them open to a new suggestion.”
“Where did you find that?” Jason reached for the book and began flipping through the pages. “Here’s Danilesh,” he said, his eyes bright as he stopped at a name he recognised.
“Councillor Fortes had it. He has been enspelling people in Velmouth and up at the towers.”
“At least we know a way to reverse it now,” Jason said with relief. “I’ll do a compare to everyone we’ve sedated, see if they are all in the book. I think you have your hands full with Birlerion for now,” he said to Tyrone.
Tyrone tapped Tagerill’s arm. “You said your Sentinal could help him – how?”
“He can speed up the healing process, as long as Birlerion is stable and the wound sealed. We can transfer him to my Sentinal, and he will assist with his recovery. I know the Captain is desperate to get to the King.”
Tyrone looked at Jerrol and Jerrol shrugged. “It’s worth a shot. He’s only going to fret in a bed in here. He may as well sleep in the Sentinal if there is a chance we can get him healed quicker.” He grimaced. “I need him.”
“You must tell me more about your Sentinal’s healing powers,” Tyrone said as Tagerill followed him into the back room.
Jason turned to Jerrol. “Let’s go back to my study. We can compile a list of questions and decide where to start. Maybe Danilesh?”
Tagerill helped carry Birlerion down to his Sentinal. He scooped him up in his arms, ignoring Birlerion’s protests, and shimmered into his tree. Birlerion relaxed with a sigh as the Sentinal spun golden strands around him. The strands pulsed brilliantly as Tagerill watched. “Do what you can,” he thought.
The air pulsed around Tagerill, and he sat on the chair that materialised under him. A flush of energy washed through him, and he straightened, easing his shoulders. “Thank you,” he murmured as his sentinal checked him over. He sat watching the pulsing strands as his sentinal began to heal the worst of his brother’s wounds. His mouth tightened; they had almost lost him. Again.
Jason and Jerrol were in deep discussion, reviewing the best way to remove the spells, when they were interrupted by a page who burst in breathlessly. Before Jason could reprimand him, he was speaking. “My Lord, a man and a woman have arrived from Greenswatch; they claim sanctuary under the name of Lieutenant Jennery.”
Jason pinched the bridge of his nose. “Advise them I am coming,” he said, rising. When he arrived in the courtyard, a large red-haired man was sheltering a small woman from the threat of the guards.
“Lord Jason,” Silene gasped with relief, as Jason entered the courtyard.
Jason strode forward. “I am sorry, but you have the advantage of me?”
“I am Silene, lately the Greenswatch Lore Master. This is my husband, Reese.”
“Silene, Reese. What are you doing here?”
“We found the Greenswatch no longer good for our health, and Lieutenant Jennery insisted we leave and come here. Captain Haven was right. Greenswatch is no longer safe for us.” Her eyes widened as she saw Chryllion behind his shoulder. “My Lord,” she whispered in awe. “I see the Captain is assembling his guards.”
“Indeed.” He gestured towards Chryllion. “This is Sentinal Chryllion. Please, let us go inside. We can talk more easily in my office. Mackie,” he called his aide over, “arrange for some food to be sent to my office, and request that a guesting suite is prepared.”
“Yes sir.” Mackie saluted and ran off without asking any further questions. Jason closed his eyes, blessing the boy before turning to follow his newest guests.
He paused on the threshold of his office watching Jerrol greet them. “I am sorry. Please, you are welcome. This has been a long day,” he said with a wry grin.
“We are sorry to be another burden on you.” Silene sat awkwardly in the chair.
Jerrol leaned forward. “Are you alright? Were you injured?”
“I’m fine. I fell off my horse when we were set upon and wrenched my shoulder, is all. It is a little sore after the journey here, and nothing time won’t fix,” Silene replied.
“But what happened, who attacked you?”
Silene eased back in the chair. “Your Lieutenant Jennery came to get me at the behest of Lady Alyssa. She was concerned her brother wasn’t going to perform the Lady’s Leaving ceremony for her father. She wanted me to talk some sense into him. I failed miserably. His feet are set on a different path, and he wouldn’t listen to reason. Alyssa was furious.” She shook her head. “I do hope she is alright. Simeon instructed Lieutenant Jennery to escort me back to where I came from.” Silene hissed as she shrugged, forgetting her injury. “We were set upon on the way home. Lieutenant Jennery managed to fight them off. I fear he took some injuries as well, but I damaged my shoulder when I fell off my horse. The Lieutenant managed to get me home, and I must admit I was somewhat overwrought and agreed to allow Reese to bring me here. Now we are here. I am not so sure we should have left Alyssa.”
“We have a healer here who can look at your shoulder for you. I am sure he has something that will ease the pain,” Lord Jason said. “You are both welcome to stay as long as you need to.” He was interrupted by a light tap, followed by a young woman carrying a tray. “Ah, Mary, please, on the desk will be fine.” The maid dipped her knees, and after staring around the room, her eyes wide, she left, closing the door softly behind her.
“Please, help yourself,” Jason said, leaning back in his seat and cupping his mug.
“Thank you for your care. We appreciate it,” Silene said, staring at Chryllion. She inspected his unusual uniform and the silver eyes that seemed to glow and then blushed as he smiled at her. “I am sorry. I can’t believe I am meeting another Sentinal. It seems unreal.”
Chryllion’s laugh was a deep rumble. “I feel the same way, believe me,” he said, shifting his sword. “It is strange to be awake and the world so different. Though I suppose not so different after all.”
“True, underneath it all, it is all about power. Those without trying to grab more. Usually at the expense of the innocent.” She stared at Jerrol. “You are attracting a lot of trouble, Captain, very quickly.”
Jerrol grimaced. “I know.”
“Guerlaire was the same. Leyandrii was always saying he should take better care,” Chryllion said.
Silene’s eyes widened at the casual mention of such legendary people. “You knew the Lady Leyandrii as well?”
“Oh yes, she was such a youn
g lass to have such a heavy burden.” His lips quirked. “I guess she wasn’t as young as she looked. Marguerite appeared even younger.”
“Marguerite? The Guardian of the Land? You knew her too?” Silene looked as if she might faint.
“Yes, she was a little tyke, always vanishing, had the palace in uproar half the time, ’til Taurillion calmed her down.” He paused, wrinkling his brow. “I wonder where he is now – where they all are. The Captain says there are only twelve Sentinals in Vespiri. There should be far more than that.”
“There are a few in Terolia, but not many,” Silene said with an air of caution.
“We will find them,” Chryllion said, Silene thought more in hope than in real belief.
Chapter 29
Stoneford Watch
The next morning Birlerion awoke early. His stomach fluttered uncomfortably; something was wrong, but he couldn’t remember what. A comforting hum filled his head, and he knew where he was. He opened his eyes and squinted at the glowing strands surrounding him. A fleeting touch and the glow began to dim; the strands were fading as he watched.
Bemused, he sat up on a wooden cot extending out of the wall in a circular room. A soft silvery glow lit the room, revealing smooth silver bark for walls. Above him, a swirling mist took the place of a ceiling.
Memory came flooding back. He had seen Clary; he was positive he had. Tall and venomous, black hair tied back off his face. The same supercilious expression, which had changed to horror when he saw Birlerion. What had he been doing at the towers? And why was he afraid of him? Not his typical behaviour.
Tagerill appeared before him, relaxing as he saw Birlerion sitting up. “Thank goodness! How do you feel?”
Birlerion’s brow creased. He was still tired. A lassitude dragged at his body, but his stomach no longer burned, nor did his arm. “Much better, I think,” he said, running a hand over his healed skin, the new scar a thin pink line parallel to the other one. “Where are we?”
“My sentinal, he healed you. We are back in Stoneford.”
Birlerion stiffened. He had taken the blade for the Captain; he had to learn to stop doing that. Leyandrii would no doubt tell him off. “How is the Captain?”
“Upset at you for risking your life, but otherwise he’s fine.”
Birlerion rubbed a trembling hand over his face. “How long have I been here?”
“Just a day, the healer stitched your wounds. My sentinal helped you along. I expect you will still feel a little tired; the body needs time and sleep to heal. Time I thought we didn’t have. The Captain wants to get back on the road, but he won’t leave without you,” Tagerill said, watching Birlerion swing his legs over the side of the cot. He handed him a shirt that he pulled out of thin air. “Birlerion, you took a foolish risk. Why did you leave the stairs? If you had stayed there, none of this would have happened.”
“I told you I saw Clary.”
“You couldn’t have.”
Birlerion peered at him, his silver eyes still red-rimmed and bloodshot, though significantly less swollen. “He ran away.”
“That doesn’t make him Clary.”
Birlerion grinned. “He looked horrified when he saw me.”
“I imagine most people would be, the state you were in. Not a pretty sight.”
Birlerion chuckled softly and let Tagerill help him stand. Tagerill watched in concern as he swayed, trying to tuck his shirt in. “The Captain is waiting for you up at the keep. Also, Loremaster Silene and her husband, Reese, arrived yesterday, claiming sanctuary.”
Birlerion turned and almost fell. He felt so weak. He took a steadying breath as his brother held him up. He hadn’t felt this weak since – he shied away from the memory. Since the last time.
“Maybe you should stay here a little longer?”
“No, I’ll be fine. I just need a minute to adjust.” Birlerion ran an unsteady hand through his hair. “And something to eat,” he said as his stomach growled.
Tagerill escorted him back to the keep, his hand hovering behind him, but Birlerion seemed to regain his strength as he walked. By the time he reached the keep, he looked as if he had just awoken from a deep sleep instead of a near-fatal injury.
Jason and Jerrol were seated in Jason’s study, deep in conversation when the Sentinals arrived. Once Birlerion was safely seated, Tagerill went off to get him some food. Jerrol inspected him. He was still pale. “Are you sure you should be up yet? Tyrone will have a seizure if he sees you. He was saying you would be bedridden for at least a week.”
“I’m fine. Tagerill’s sentinal healed the worst. I can’t remember when I last ate; I’ll feel even better after I’ve eaten.”
Jason leaned back in his chair. “We were just discussing this Mentiserium. Chryllion and Tyrone worked up a list to try and remove the compulsions. Jerrol was just explaining it to me.”
“At least you Sentinals have some idea of what it is and how to use the keywords,” Jerrol said.
“Yes, the Ascendants were good at it back then, as well,” Birlerion said, twisting his lips.
Jason continued. “We’ve been checking the men each morning by getting them to swear the Lady’s Oath. That’s how we could tell who’s been affected, but we’re down to the bare minimum. I drew all the patrols in to guard the garrison.”
Jerrol leaned forward. “I think they plan to cause civil unrest. Incapacitating you and the Watches prevents you from intervening, means the King can’t protect his people.”
“The Ascendants intend putting their people in power. That is the bigger game,” Jason said. “Just as you said. Corporal Danilesh tried to put a bolt through me. That’s why we clamped down so fast; we had to know who we could trust.”
“Mentiserium is rife through the Watches, Velmouth and the towers. Where councils have new advisors, you can be sure they will be affected. We need to get word to Bryce and Jennery, warn them to be careful.”
“Tagerill was saying you wanted to get on the road. I imagine that will be you carrying that word?” Jason asked.
Jerrol nodded, concern clear on his face. “I fear the King is in graver danger than we first thought. I can’t delay, not with everything that is happening in the Watches. You should be able to get Stoneford back on its feet, even clear Velmouth. Councillor Sellins was unaffected; he holds the Lady close. Work with him to remove the spell.
“At least we can foil their plans here and in Old Vespers. I have the list for Old Vespers and the court up here,” he tapped his temple, “once we get the King back on his throne.” He shifted in his chair, easing the aches. “The Watch Towers are out of our control for now. The King will have to address that, maybe send you some more men to help. We can’t risk the Watchers, they are more important than we realised, and the Ascendants control them.” He paused as Tagerill entered with a plate of food, followed by a maid with a tray of mugs.
Jerrol reached for a mug of coffee, relaxing as he took his first sip. His face tightened as he watched Birlerion struggle to eat a pastry.
“Until we clear this Mentiserium,” Jason said, “the garrison is at half strength. We’ve not been able to shut down the smugglers as we planned. If we can get these men back on duty, we can address that.”
“Trealt removes free will. It is certainly part of the puzzle. If you could shut down that supply, it would help,” Birlerion said, looking up from his coffee. Jerrol saw he had given up on the pastry. He met Birlerion’s eyes and recognised the deep weariness behind the façade of the speedy recovery he was trying to convey. He needed to get Birlerion back to his sentinal even if Birlerion was going to pretend otherwise.
“How virulent this mind spell is at court, I dread to think. Hopefully, they haven’t got that far yet. Though the more I think about it, it would explain much. I don’t know how they got to the King. I’ll find out more when I see him.” He placed his empty mug on the desk. “Jason, I am sorry to leave you with all this, but I need to get on the road. Silene can fill you in on the Guardians and their re
sponsibilities.”
“Thanks, I think. Just you be careful on the road; make sure you look after him.” Jason glared at the Sentinals.
“With my life,” Tagerill promised solemnly. Birlerion just twisted his lips.
Chapter 30
Greenswatch
The day of Simeon’s confirmation as Lord of the Watch dawned grey and miserable. The rains sifted down as Reid ordered the servants about, setting up awnings and sheltered pathways to shield the guests from the inclement weather. He scowled up at the sky. It was supposed to be summer.
Lord Aaron and his entourage arrived mid-morning, causing a welcome distraction from the tension brewing between Simeon and Alyssa. Alyssa stood at the bottom of the steps waiting to welcome Lady Olivia as she dismounted from the carriage, which pulled up behind the men. Shaking out her skirts, Lady Olivia turned to greet Alyssa, her face drawn and pale. Alyssa exclaimed over her as she drew her in. “Lady Olivia, you look half frozen; please let me escort you to your room.”
Aaron gave her a keen stare. “Lady Alyssa, exquisite as always,” he said with a gleam in his eye.
Alyssa kept a smile on her face. “Why, thank you, Lord Aaron. It is a pleasure to see you. I’ll return after I show your lady mother to her room.” She led Olivia away, trailed by her maids.
Alyssa’s maid, Millie, hovered in the corridor and Alyssa was quick to put her to work. “Millie, please escort Lady Olivia’s maids to their rooms. Let them decant their things and direct them back to the Pink Room, where they may attend Lady Olivia.”
“Yes, m’lady,” Millie said as she bobbed a curtsey. “This way, please.” She led the way down the corridor to the back stairs.
Alyssa led Lady Olivia into the room and closed the door behind them.
Lady Olivia removed her cloak and gloves. “What a relief to be away from their mindless chatter,” she said as she sat in the pink upholstered chair with a small sigh. The chair seemed too big for her. “My dear, it is so nice to see you again, but I am so sorry it is under such circumstances. You have my heartfelt condolences. Your father was a good man; I will miss him.”
Sentinals Awaken: Book One of the Sentinals Series Page 25
