“What are you going to do?” Jennery kept his voice low as his eyes flicked around the quiet gardens. Birlerion drifted off and shimmered into his sentinal, and the sentinal trembled. The pointed green leaves rustled above them.
“Speak to Liliian, see what she can tell us. I think we need to disguise our companions here. The scholars seem the best option to me. Unless you have any better ideas?” Jerrol waited expectantly, but after a few shakes of the head, he continued. “That is, if Liliian is here. Tagerill, you come with me, the rest of you wait here with the horses. The scholars are peaceful historians who support the Lady. We don’t want to scare them; they are not soldiers. Whatever happens, if an alarm goes up, protect those in silver robes; do not hurt them. Understood?” Jerrol looked around the group of tall men surrounding him.
They all nodded. “As you command, Captain.” Darllion appeared to be their spokesperson. “Though this Chapterhouse does not look like the Lady’s Chapterhouse; the buildings were much taller, and there is no palace. I cannot sense the Sentinals – were they lost?”
Tagerill stiffened. Serillion lifted his head as if searching. Darllion gripped Tagerill’s shoulder in sympathy. “I regret, but Marianille is not here.”
“I didn’t realise this was the Chapterhouse of Vespers, but she would have been up at the palace, not here. Where is the Lady’s Palace?” Tagerill surveyed the town before him. “The Lady’s Palace is gone, and the Captain’s bridge is missing. This can’t be Vespers.”
“We couldn’t protect the buildings and the people,” Birlerion said from behind them.
Serillion moved as if he was about to speak, but he held his tongue as Jerrol spoke. “There has only ever been one Sentinal in Old Vespers,” he gestured at Birlerion, “and never a bridge. The Chapterhouse before you is the only Chapterhouse of the Lady’s Order of Remargaren in Vespiri. Legend has it that the old city was engulfed by a huge landslide at the end of the Ascendants’ rebellion when the stone was sundered. The scholars are still excavating the archives below the Chapterhouse.” He looked at Birlerion. “The temple and your Sentinal were only discovered in the last hundred years or so.”
Birlerion’s eyes widened, but he remained silent.
“Remargaren,” breathed Tagerill. “The Lady still watches.”
“She never stopped,” Jerrol said. “I will signal if it is safe and you can bring the horses in; otherwise, you wait here. Understood?”
“We will await your signal or your return. If the alarm goes up, we will come to your rescue. We will not harm any of the Lady’s scholars,” Darllion repeated.
Jerrol closed his eyes. He sincerely hoped he would not set off any alarm. He couldn’t imagine what havoc his Sentinals would cause coming to his rescue.
Jennery grinned at the Sentinals. “You gonna rush to my rescue if the garrison gets upset?”
Darllion smirked, a glint in his eye. “As the Captain orders, it would be our honour. Are we allowed to harm the soldiers?” he asked, straight-faced.
Jerrol glared at Jennery. “Don’t encourage them,” he said. “They are the King’s soldiers. They are just misguided. The King would be unhappy if we disabled his garrison. We need to cause as little disturbance as possible. You can cause havoc at New Vespers. The Prince will have his men on duty; you can deal with them as you see fit. I’ll need a diversion to get to the King anyway.”
Serillion, a quietly enthusiastic young man whom Jerrol hoped would not turn out to be another Tagerill, returned from a self-imposed sortie around the Chapterhouse, his face alight with anticipation. “Guards on the main gate, none at the back. If there is a patrol, it must be inside,” he reported.
“Very well, the back it is; somehow I doubt we would pass inspection.”
The Sentinals grinned viciously in anticipation. “We will bide until your return. Walk silent, my Captain,” Darllion said before glaring at the other Sentinals. Serillion pulled Birlerion to one side and began talking fast. Jerrol wondered what they were discussing.
Jerrol and Tagerill slipped around to the back of the Chapterhouse. As Serillion had reported, there were no guards in sight. Tagerill paused at the double gates; he gave them a tentative push, but they were barred from the inside. “How about I give you a boost, and you open the gate for me?”
Glancing up at the stone walls, Jerrol estimated the distance was a good fifteen feet above him. He searched Tagerill’s face. He was serious.
Tagerill continued. “There are no signs of patrols on the walls, very sloppy,” he finished in a disappointed tone.
Jerrol put his foot in Tagerill’s linked hands and was shortly landing on top of the wall. Tagerill peered up at him as he searched the courtyard, before spotting the stone pegs drilled into the walls an equal distance apart. A simple stairway leading down. He climbed down and unbarred the gate, opening it enough to allow Tagerill to slide in unnoticed.
Chapter 35
Chapterhouse, Old Vespers
“This way.” Jerrol headed across the courtyard towards the cloisters and then under the arch which led into a walled garden. A small fountain tinkled to itself in the quiet evening: a gentle counterpoint to the soft cooing of doves roosting in the eaves of the buildings rising either side of the gardens. A peaceful oasis bathed in the evening sun.
“The Deane’s office is in the north tower. We need to go this way.” He led Tagerill down the passageway behind the golden stone columns which lined the garden, pausing in the shadows as Scholars crossed before them, intent on the scrolls in their hands and oblivious to their surroundings.
Jerrol’s lips twitched as he heard Tagerill tsking behind him. They reached Liliian’s tower and her gatekeeper, seated at his desk at the base of the stone stairs, having traversed the length of the Chapterhouse unnoticed.
The scholar-secretary lurched to his feet in surprise as Jerrol hovered in his doorway. “Captain Haven, what are you doing here? How did you get past our guard dogs?”
Jerrol grinned. “They are not attentive, and they are only posted at your front gates. So they are not very serious about it, whatever they said to you.”
“Attentive enough to keep us contained.” The man curled his fists.
“We only saw two, are there any inside?” Jerrol asked.
“There is supposed to be a roving patrol inside and out, but they only check once a day, fortunately. But they won’t let any of us leave unless it’s at the Chancellor’s behest.”
“Is Liliian here?”
“Yes, she’s in her office. Let me warn her you’re here. Can you give me a moment?”
Jerrol waved Tagerill into the small antechamber. The looming Sentinal filled the space, and the secretary skirted the tall guard peering up at him before hurrying up the stairs. He returned immediately, gesturing for Jerrol to go up.
Scholar Deane Liliian was on her feet behind her desk when Jerrol entered, her eyes widening as she saw the tall man behind him.
“Jerrol! Thank goodness, where have you been?” Liliian exclaimed before he had a chance to close the door.
“Travelling the watches, avoiding assassins, you know, the usual,” Jerrol replied with a flash of a smile.
“Don’t joke. The situation is dire. The Prince controls the King, and the Chancellor controls everything else. We are under house arrest here.”
“How is the King?”
Liliian scowled. “Not so good, the last I saw, and that was over three weeks ago. Prince Kharel moved him up to the palace at New Vespers. He was confused. I can understand why Prince Kharel is starting the proceedings to take over as Regent. The King deteriorated visibly in the few weeks he was here.”
“Has the King’s Justice been invoked yet?”
“Not yet, but with the Chancellor pushing him, it won’t be long. The Chancellor is all cosied up with the Elothians, some special relationship he brokered. There is a state dinner in their honour next week in New Vespers. Not that I’m invited. I think he intends to invoke the process then.”
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Jerrol’s eyebrows rose. “Elothians, huh? This new relationship is not that new, I think.”
Tagerill loomed behind him. “Who is this Chancellor that seeks to overthrow the Lady’s champion?” His silver eyes glinted dangerously.
Liliian stared at the tall man standing by Jerrol’s shoulder. He wore the same unfamiliar uniform Jerrol was wearing, casting him in a mysterious light. “And who is your tall friend?” She narrowed her eyes.
“My apologies.” Jerrol gestured at Tagerill. “This, my dear Deane, is Sentinal Tagerillion of Greens. Tagerillion, Scholar Deane Liliian of Remargaren,” he said with a gleam in his eye and paused, waiting.
Liliian made a gurgling noise as she watched the tall Sentinal bow in turn and murmur, “My lady.”
“A Sentinal? You managed to wake them?” she asked, awe tingeing her voice.
“Indeed, my lady, it is an honour to serve the Captain.”
Liliian’s eyes narrowed. “You are the Lady’s Captain?”
Jerrol grinned. “Afraid so. Vespiri may have disowned me, but the Lady staked her claim instead while we were saving the Watches.” His eyes gleamed silver like his companion’s.
Liliian closed her eyes in despair. “Sit,” she commanded. “I expect to hear the long story at your earliest convenience, but the short story will do for now.” She sat down behind her desk and leaned back in her chair as if exhausted. She had forgotten how exasperating Jerrol could be.
Jerrol sat, waving Tagerill to the other chair. He paused, collecting his thoughts; so much had happened. “Short story, the Ascendants are trying to destroy the Veil and weaken the Lady’s protections by killing off the Guardians. I have been travelling the Watches to discover the cause and reverse the damage they have been doing.
“I believe they have spread from Terolia, casting dangerous mind spells that have influenced the behaviour of everyone they manage to taint. Including the councils. We happened to be in the Grove when they attacked the local Guardian. The Guardianship temporarily sat with me until the rightful heir could accept it. That was when the Lady made me her Captain.” His face tightened as he continued. “The Guardians of Greenswatch and Deepwater have fallen; both heirs failed to pick up the mantle, though thankfully Greenswatch has been retrieved.”
Liliian raised her hands to her mouth in horror.
He leaned forward, his eyes darkening. “We came across Lord Hugh, ambushed just south of Deepwater returning home after the confirmation of Lord Aaron. We were unable to save him, though we did rescue his daughter, Lady Alyssa. We travelled to the Watch Towers where we found the source of the mind spell and discovered how to reverse it, before coming here where I intend to save the King.” He waited for Liliian to comment.
She stared at him. “And that is the short story? I hate to think what you left out.”
“Well, I suppose the Sentinals, but I can’t explain them now,” he said with a resigned shrug.
Liliian placed her hands carefully on her desk and inspected him, noting the new lines around his eyes, the shadow on his chin and his gaunt frame. “Well, Captain Haven, what do you need from me? I assume you are off to save the King next?”
“Straight to the heart of the matter; that’s what I love about you, Liliian. Where is the Chancellor now?”
“Living it up at the palace, I expect; he has gained a taste for the life he desires. We call him the Pretender.” She gave a sharp smile.
“Pretender?” Tagerill asked.
“He thinks he is the new Regent with the King indisposed and Prince Kharel at New Vespers.”
“And what does the court think of that?” Jerrol asked.
“If they know what’s good for them, they’ll toe the line and pay homage to the new force in town.”
“And Nikols?”
“Reluctantly biding his time, I think. He has no authority with the King’s voice silenced. The Chancellor controls the Justice, so be careful. There is still a warrant out for you,” she said, her face tight with concern. “There are those who would still collect the bounty.”
“They could try,” Jerrol said confidently, standing up. “They’ve failed so far, and now my guards are awakening I think they’ll find it even more difficult.”
“Guards?” Liliian asked, staring at Tagerill. “Just how many guards do you have?”
“How many Sentinals are there?” Jerrol replied with a grin.
“Jerrol!” Liliian exclaimed in exasperation. “What exactly is going on?”
Jerrol took pity on her and explained. “Well, we are under attack from within and without. The Lady needs our help. The Sentinals are awakening to support her cause. I need to see the King, reinstate his control. Then we can focus on securing all the Watches and deal with the Ascendants.”
“How can I help?” Liliian watched Jerrol as he paced. He had changed much since she had last seen him: thinner, yes, but it was more than just appearance. His manner was more authoritative, more decisive. He had a purpose, and he was driven by it.
“I have five Sentinals with me. I had intended disguising them as scholars to get them through Old Vespers, but I think we’ll dispense with that idea and just retake the city. The King will want to come home anyway.”
Liliian gaped at him. His supreme confidence was astounding. Jerrol grinned at her, his silver eyes lighting up boyishly and reminding her more of the old Jerrol she knew. “I’m not mad,” he reassured her, his grin widening. “I sent Jennery up to contact Nikols. If what you say is true, I am the excuse Nikols has been waiting for. He’ll take action to depose the Chancellor and reinstate the King.”
Liliian smiled in appreciation. “Oh, to arrest the Chancellor for treason, what irony!”
Tagerill spoke up. “My Captain, we ought to send a message to the others. We have been here too long. I fear their enthusiasm may overrule their caution.”
“The Sentinals are a little excited to be back in Vespers,” Jerrol explained to Liliian.
A shout at the bottom of the stairs preceded the clatter of feet as someone stumbled up in a hurry. Taelia burst into Liliian’s office, a look of horror on her face. “Jerrol?” Her hands reached for him.
Jerrol grabbed her flailing hands and brought them up to his chest. “Taelia! What’s happened?”
“The Chancellor’s men are coming. He knows you’re here; he’s coming for you. You have to leave,” she said, an edge of hysteria in her voice.
Jerrol looked at Tagerill. “Go get the others, bring the horses inside; there is more chance of defending from within.”
Tagerill left.
“No,” Taelia moaned, “he mustn’t find you here. He bought Kirshan assassins, and they accepted payment.”
Jerrol stilled.
Liliian’s face paled, reflecting the horror he felt. She reluctantly put her fear into words. “They won’t stop until they’ve killed you, not if payment has been accepted.” Liliian swallowed. “They don’t care who gets in the way. They destroy towns because of their single-minded purpose. You need to leave. They will destroy everyone and everything here to get to you.”
“The only way to stop them is your death. What should we do?” Taelia gazed at him in concern.
“Hush.” He hugged her close. “Let me think.” He inhaled deeply as he gently rocked her in his arms.
“It’s not only my death that will halt them, but also the death of the person who paid them,” he murmured into her hair. “The question is, is it the Chancellor or the Prince?”
Taelia heaved a shuddering breath. “I don’t feel the Prince in this,” she said, a little breathlessly; then she hesitated. “I’m not sure it’s the Chancellor either, though he is aware.”
“Well,” Jerrol said, his eyes flashing, “I think I ought to have a little chat with our Chancellor. I’m sure he’s missed me.” His voice had an edge to it as he contemplated their meeting.
Taelia shivered. “I can’t see him,” she said, gripping Jerrol’s arms.
“Don’t wor
ry.” Jerrol kissed the top of her head. “We’ll find him. We’ll try and lead them up to the palace. Give Isseran a dose of his own medicine,” he said, his face brightening at the thought.
At that moment Liliian’s secretary burst into the room, followed closely by Scholar Torsion. “Deane, soldiers are approaching, lots of them,” he gasped, eyes wide in panic. “What should we do?”
“Nothing,” Jerrol said without hesitation. “Stay within. They are not here for you.” He stared at Torsion, trying to see if he looked any different. He had tied his black hair in a queue, drawn off his narrow face, and his black eyes darted around the room; Jerrol had the impression he was searching for someone. “Torsion, thank goodness.” He released Taelia to grip his friend’s shoulder. “I’m so glad to see you.”
Torsion hugged him in return, his severe expression relaxing. “Jerrol, where have you been? We’ve been so worried. The rumours flying around about you are beyond belief.”
Jerrol grimaced. “Never believe all that you hear. How long have you been here?”
“He returned about two weeks ago,” Liliian said, watching Jerrol in concern.
Jerrol scowled at the thin scholar. “I’ve been trying to find you. I tracked you up to the Watch Towers.”
Torsion raised his eyebrows. “I can assure I’ve been here. You do not need to chase me anywhere,” he said, his voice bored, though his dark eyes burned at the sight of Taelia in Jerrol’s arms.
“He’s been here all along. I can vouch for him. Go, do what you must. We’ll distract them here for as long as we can,” Lillian said.
“Don’t take any unnecessary risks; there is no point losing a life over this,” Jerrol cautioned.
“What, like you aren’t? What do you take us for? Go.” Liliian shooed him out of her office. Jerrol hugged Taelia and released her before leading the way back to the ground floor. There was a commotion outside the gates, and as he crossed the grand hall and out into the courtyard, Tagerill appeared, dragging an unconscious sentry through the gate, the remaining Sentinals fanning out behind him.
Sentinals Awaken: Book One of the Sentinals Series Page 29
