The Sentinel's Reign

by Suzanne Rogerson

  Chapter Three

  ‘Farrell, Councillor Banuth has come to visit you.’

  Farrell sprang up, and then fell back on the bed as pain erupted in his lower back. He eased himself up slowly as Leila rushed forward to help him. He flashed a reassuring smile. ‘It’s fine. Tell him I’ll be with him shortly.’

  She nodded, her expression concerned as she returned to entertain their unexpected guest.

  Farrell sucked in a steadying breath. He stood for a moment before stretching the taut skin around the knife wound. The injury was healing well, but he still shrugged gingerly into his shirt and had to sit down to pull on his breeches. Dressed in his best attire, he smoothed back his hair and tied it at the nape of his neck. He checked his appearance in Leila’s small dressing table mirror. He looked pale and gaunt, but he felt stronger than he had since the attack.

  He pushed open the bedroom door and walked into the sitting room. He was conscious of his limp, but hid the pain behind clenched teeth.

  Banuth rose from his seat by the fire and rushed forward to shake Farrell’s hand. ‘Commander, it’s so good to see you mobile again after such an awful attack.’

  The way he looked Farrell up and down made him uncomfortable, but Farrell put on his best smile. ‘A few armed men aren’t enough to stop me, councillor.’

  ‘I would expect nothing less from our commander.’ Banuth chuckled as they took their seats.

  ‘Here, have some tea, both of you.’ Leila handed them cups of brew and fussed about the councillor, ensuring he had honey and offering him a slice of the kelp bread she had already heated on the hearthstone.

  Farrell could see the councillor’s early morning visit had flustered her, and suspected that had been the old man’s intention.

  ‘Leila, I think I hear Fynn stirring. Why don’t you go and see to him?’

  When she was gone, he returned his attention to Banuth. ‘As you can see, I’m almost fully recovered and will be back to my usual duties in no time.’

  ‘I’m pleased to hear it.’ When Banuth smiled, it seemed almost genuine.

  Farrell studied him over the rim of his cup. ‘Why call so early, Councillor Banuth? Is there something wrong?’

  ‘Oh no, nothing for you to worry about. You should be focusing on your recovery. Your first mate is doing an exemplary job in your place.’ Banuth dropped it in so casually, Farrell almost missed it. Only the sly glint in the older man’s eye gave away his intended meaning.

  ‘Of course he is. I have every faith in Allisus to look after things for me. He’s been a rock to both my father and me; I don’t know what I’d do without his advice.’

  The old councillor nodded slowly. ‘I’m sorry this visit is necessary but we still haven’t been able to find out who was behind the attack. Allisus gave us a bare bones account of what happened, but perhaps you have remembered something more? Can you think of anyone who would wish you ill?’

  Farrell pretended to consider the question, while masking his shock as he realised what the councillor was insinuating - suggesting mutiny was behind the attack to clear the Stone Haven Council from any possible blame.

  He’d always suspected Cyris had orchestrated the attack, now he wondered if Banuth was in on it too. How deep in the council did the corruption spread?

  ‘It was dark, I didn’t see any faces. I’ve tried to remember but everything about that night is a muddle.’ Farrell ran his hand down his face and looked at the councillor earnestly. ‘I’m afraid I don’t remember.’

  Banuth gave a sympathetic smile and rose from his seat. ‘Please, don’t concern yourself with that now. You leave the details to us, get yourself well again.’

  Farrell shook his hand and saw him to the door.

  ‘Thank you, councillor, I appreciate your concern.’

  He waved Banuth off and then cursed under his breath as he shut the door. He turned to see Leila standing in the bedroom doorway with a sleepy looking Fynn sitting on her hip. She narrowed her eyes. ‘What was that about?’

  ‘The usual council games.’

  She passed Fynn to him and then busied herself preparing their breakfast.

  Farrell cuddled his son, ignoring the twinge in his back. They sat together at the table and played with Fynn’s bone figures until Leila brought over the breakfast.

  ‘Maybe we should go for a walk today. What do you think, Captain?’

  ‘Yes please, Daddy.’

  ‘Are you sure?’

  Leila looked concerned and he could tell it was for more than his recovery. He pulled her against him and kissed her cheek. ‘It’ll just be a little walk and we’ll take Thorn.’

  ‘But...’

  ‘I’m not staying locked in my own home. Whoever did this wouldn’t dare try anything again.’

  She bit her lip and pulled away from him. ‘As long as you’re so confident, I don’t suppose I can say anything to change your mind.’

  ‘Leila, trust my judgement on this.’

  She dished out the oats and kelp bread.

  Throughout breakfast, she barely took her eyes off him, though she didn’t raise any further protests.

  When she took Fynn into the back room to get dressed, Farrell felt the familiar tingling in his head.

  Glad to see you’re back on your feet, it’s about time.

  I’d like to see how you would cope with a knife in the back, Farrell said.

  His Kalayan contact snorted. Have I caught you in a bad mood?

  My mood is fine. I just don’t appreciate you implying I’m weak.

  You’re so touchy today, Farrell.

  Why are you contacting me? Not to antagonise me, I assume.

  No, I felt the bad aura around you and I wanted to see how you were.

  Farrell allowed his animosity to calm, knowing he was directing his anger at the wrong person. Besides, he owed the man his life. I’m fine, thank you. Though I admit, I am a little tetchy.

  And who can blame you. But you need to make a swift recovery and reaffirm your position as commander. If you don’t, your people will move on without you.

  The connection broke as Leila led Fynn back into the room. She was wearing her coat and smiled at him brightly. ‘I’ll come along too. A family stroll will do us all good.’

  He slung his arm around her shoulders and looked down into her eyes. ‘You two wait for me outside with Thorn while I grab my coat.’

  Farrell watched them head out the door and then slung on his coat. He quickly stuck his dagger in his pocket and followed them outside.

  ***

  Brogan struggled into the Assembly meeting, tired and bleary-eyed having spent a restless night dreaming up possible reasons for Rathnor’s secret meeting.

  The hall was already awash with conversation, but he paid it no mind as he selected a seat at the back. He sat alone and nursed his growing headache until Ellas slipped into position beside him.

  ‘You look terrible.’

  ‘Thanks for noticing,’ Brogan said.

  The door shut and a hush fell over the Assembly.

  ‘Gentlemen, I have welcome news.’ Rathnor strode into the centre of the room, not even waiting to reach his seat before addressing them. ‘The murderers have been captured. Lawman Jarance, bring forth the accused.’

  Brogan watched as the guards led four figures into the hall. He feared Tei would be among the prisoners, but checking along the line of faces he relaxed when he recognised none of them.

  He felt eyes upon him and realised Rathnor had been studying his reaction.

  Brogan turned back to the prisoners. The four men stood before a room of angry Assembly members, expressions blank. Each man looked battered and their bruises were in varying shades from vivid purple to fading green and yellow. ‘They must have been in custody for days,’ Brogan said to Ellas. ‘Why do we only find out now?’

  ‘Keep your voice down,’ Ellas whispered.

  Luth met Brogan’s gaze across the room and shook his head discreetly.

 
; Against his better judgement, Brogan held his tongue as he listened to the details of Lawman Jarance’s report, suspecting every word of it was a lie. The men were probably exiles, but he was certain they weren’t cold-bloodied killers. Rathnor was behind it. His plans to stir up war, which had been festering in the weeks of quiet, were coming to the fore again and Brogan realised this could be the catalyst.

  Jarance’s words registered. ‘We have been unable to find any trace of the girl and the prisoners have refused to confess to their crimes.’

  The jeering began then, and Rathnor allowed it to rise in volume, before raising his hands for silence. ‘Please, gentlemen. The trial begins tomorrow, let’s save the debate until then.’

  ‘Trial.’ Brogan spat out the word and earned a warning look from Ellas.

  Brogan studied the faces of the prisoners as they were led away like cattle to the slaughter.

  He shared another glance with Luth. The old man shook his head, cautioning Brogan not to interfere or make a scene.

  Amongst the heated chatter of the Assembly, another man arrived in the hall.

  ‘This is our witness,’ Rathnor said, indicating the man. ‘He’s bravely stepped forward to ensure justice for the murdered family.’

  As Brogan looked at him, his stomach gave a painful lurch. He leant over to Ellas. ‘This is a set up,’ he hissed under his breath. ‘I saw Rathnor pay off the witness last night.’

  ‘Shut up, you fool, before you get us both killed,’ Ellas whispered.

  Brogan folded his arms across his chest and sat back in his seat. Rathnor glanced across at him. Brogan was certain his nemesis smiled.

  ***

  Tei dropped the sword on her bed and wiped her face on her sleeve, panting from the exercise. She poured herself a goblet of water and gulped it down as she looked around her dorm room; the small space offered barely enough room to swing her father’s sword let alone practise her manoeuvres. She sheathed the blade and then paced to the window and watched the exiles below busy with their daily tasks. She sighed and returned to her bed, stashing the blade beneath the wooden frame. The restless feeling hung over her, weighing her down. She would rather do anything than go to the meeting hall where she’d been summoned to meet the Elders at midday. Even the sword routine couldn’t hone her thoughts into a semblance of order.

  All the talk of marriage, Hafender’s talk of leaving Turrak, the dreams that refused to abate, her dubious role as Confidante; she felt trapped by the course her life was taking.

  The pull of the Astral Plane tugged at her subconscious. She sat on her bed and allowed her spirit to drift free of her body.

  ‘Don’t lose heart, Tei.’ Rike’s voice drifted to her.

  ‘Rike.’

  Her friend emerged from the mists. His likeness to Migil was more evident in spirit form and it comforted her to have the reminder of her father. ‘How are you?’

  Rike laughed at the question. ‘As fine as dead can be, I suppose.’

  ‘Garrick said you’ve been upset.’

  ‘I miss Mara constantly.’ He looked forlornly at the mists separating their two worlds.

  ‘She misses you too.’

  Rike walked along, drawing Tei with him. ‘Now the panic has calmed, I have too much time to reflect. The life of a Spirit Guide isn’t exactly enthralling.’

  ‘But you’re doing so much good here.’

  ‘Someone has to do it, and at least I’m with Garrick. But I never planned for this to happen.’

  They remained silent for a time.

  ‘How is Mara, really?’

  Tei took a breath. ‘Grief stricken, but the baby is keeping her strong. You should be thinking the same.’

  He smiled wistfully and some of his sadness lifted. ‘I’m going to be a father, that’s not something I would have expected either.’

  She grinned suddenly.

  ‘What?’ he asked, his brow wrinkling as he watched her.

  ‘You’ve changed so much from the brooding mystic I met. Who would suppose dying would help you open up.’

  He laughed. ‘I don’t know why I’m laughing, there’s not a truer word spoken and not one more depressing. I learnt the error of my ways when it was too late to make a difference.’

  ‘Rike, you’re still making a difference, especially to the Sentinel. Having you and Garrick here is important to her. And it helps me to know you’re here too.’

  ‘More compliments, I could get used to this.’ He looked at her more closely. ‘So why are you here? I assume it’s not just to boost my ego.’

  ‘I don’t know; helping others can help put our own problems into focus.’

  ‘And what’s your latest problem?’

  ‘Wondering what to make of the Elders trying to marry me off and continue the bloodline.’

  Rike stepped back and looked at her. ‘I assume you’ve told them it’s a ridiculous plan.’

  ‘No, not yet.’

  ‘What does the Sentinel say? Surely she won’t want that for you.’

  ‘Callisa isn’t exactly on the Elders’ good side right now.’

  ‘But she’s the Sentinel; if she tells them to stop this course they will.’

  ‘Maybe.’

  ‘What about Thal? He would never try to force this upon you, not after your mother...’

  ‘No one has spoken to me about it yet. Hafender warned me about their plans a few days ago and now I’ve been summoned to a private meeting with the Elders.’

  ‘Don’t accept their suggestion, not yet. You know well enough what can happen when the Elders interfere.’

  ‘I won’t let them force me into anything. The trouble is I don’t know what I want. I feel so useless stuck as Callisa’s Confidante, revered but ignored.’

  Rike hugged her spirit. ‘You’ll never be ignored; it’s not in your nature to sit quietly and watch the world roll past.’

  ‘I wish I could be as certain as you are.’

  He gave her shoulders an extra squeeze. ‘We both know marriage to a stranger will never make you happy, so go on, off you go. You’ve done enough moping here.’ Rike gave her a push. ‘Go and sort things out in the real world.’

  She smiled at him. ‘Thanks, Rike.’

  ‘And when you see Mara, tell her I love her.’

  She nodded as his image faded. The transition back to her body left Tei light-headed. She took a few breaths and a swig of water, then left her room and headed for the meeting hall in the valley.

  The bright yellow structure stood out amongst the other grey stone buildings. Its thatched roof rose higher than any other dwelling, and the huge doors were open wide and welcoming. As she drew closer, she saw Thal and Hilda huddled outside the building. She couldn’t hear their conversation, but their stance looked hostile.

  Tei stopped and watched them from her vantage point up the valley. The pair had always seemed to have a special bond, but as they drew apart and disappeared inside, stiff-shouldered and not talking, Tei sensed something serious behind the argument.

  Tei continued down the sloping path towards the meeting hall, dragging her step as she imagined what waited for her inside.

  She stepped through the doors and stopped short as she saw the gathering of a dozen other girls; a quick glance along the row showed they were all a similar age to herself.

  They sat before the line of Elders at the head of the room. Five women and, at the end of the table, Thal. Outnumbered he looked deeply displeased about something, while the Sentinel’s chair remained conspicuously empty.

  Tei slipped into a seat at the end of the row and smiled nervously at the nearest girl. Some of them were talking in hushed whispers, but they all fell silent as the doors closed.

  Hilda rose and cleared her throat. ‘Thank you, ladies, for agreeing to meet with us.’ She looked across at them, acknowledging them as a group.

  Tei’s anger began to rise. After everything she’d done for them... She stroked her cloak and felt the stirring of magic in the fibres, as tho
ugh her father was reaching out to calm her.

  ‘Today we are putting forward a suggestion to all of our mystics who are young and happy within Turrak. We hope you will consider settling down to start a family.’ Hilda smiled warmly at them as if she hadn’t just said something outrageous. ‘The bloodline must continue and now we have our new Sentinel this is the perfect time to contemplate our future.’ She looked along the line of women, skipping over Tei briefly.

  ‘You all make excellent candidates for marriage. It will give your life stability and help you feel more connected to your bloodline. Turrak is a marvellous place to raise a family.’

  Tei digested her words in silence whilst registering the surprise of the other women. She’d known this was coming, but to find herself amongst others like her, all of them singled out to be breeding sows for the next generation of exiles, was still a shock.

  They muttered amongst themselves, making Tei feel even more excluded. She wished Callisa were there to offer moral support, but they hadn’t spoken since their fall out the other day.

  Thal scraped back his chair and stood to face them, his gaze lingering on Tei. ‘Don’t be pressured into making any decisions now,’ he said, blatantly ignoring the looks Hilda sent him.

  ‘Of course this is a lot to consider, so take a few days to ponder your choices.’ Hilda’s tone was soft and motherly as she tried her hardest to outmanoeuvre Thal.

  Tei thought of the words left unsaid; none of them had much choice. Even being Confidante wasn’t reason enough to deny their request.

  She left the room behind the others and hurried away.

  ‘Tei, wait.’

  She turned back, surprised to see Thal following her.

  He had an angry glint in his eyes and she quickly diverted her gaze.

  ‘I hope you aren’t considering this ludicrous idea,’ he said.

  ‘Is there a problem with Hilda’s suggestion of marriage?’ Tei asked.

  ‘Of course there’s a bloody problem.’ Thal clamped his mouth shut and strode ahead.

  She had to run to keep pace with him as he led them towards a deserted part of the valley.