Alyssa smiled shyly as she approached. “Mother?”
Miranda opened her arms and Alyssa flew into them, and then they were both hugging and crying. Jennery retreated to balustrades at the end of the terrace.
Alyssa straightened up and wiped her eyes with her handkerchief. “I didn’t think you’d want to see me. I asked papa so many times.”
“It wasn’t his fault. I regret so much. I have no excuse, except to say that I was young and easily influenced by others. Hopefully, we can start again. I would so much like to be a part of yours and Simeon’s lives. I am so sorry, Alyssa, for causing you so much pain. Truly, I hope you will believe me.” Miranda marvelled at the change in the young woman before her. “Tell me about yourself,” Miranda pleaded. “I’ve missed so much. I know it’s my own fault. Why did Lord Aaron try to kidnap you? And how did you end up here?”
Alyssa sighed and leaned back against the bench. “Well, since Papa raised me, it will be no surprise that I know my guardianship lore, and I will tell you now, I follow the Lady, blood and bone. I guess it all started about half a year ago when Simeon brought in a new Seneschal. He changed overnight; became more argumentative, disruptive, was led down a path that didn’t include the Lady. He challenged father’s rule, though not overtly. It came to a head when Papa was … was killed.” Alyssa faltered and Miranda gripped her hands in sympathy.
“We had been to Lord Aaron’s confirmation. What a travesty that was. He had been led astray, as well. I was so bowled over by him; tall, handsome, attentive. I thought he liked me too, and his mother was so sweet. We were returning home when we were attacked by bandits, betrayed by Aaron. Captain Haven and his Sentinals turned up and rescued me. It’s all they seem to be doing these days.” Her gaze wandered down the terraces to where Jennery was leaning against the rails.
Miranda followed her gaze. “And who is that waiting for you?”
“Lieutenant Jennery. I’ll introduce you to him in a bit.” Alyssa flashed her mother a brilliant smile. “He is very important to me.”
Miranda nodded, a smile dawning on her face. “I can’t wait to meet the man that makes my daughter so happy.”
Alyssa blushed but continued. “The Greenswatch guardianship settled on me, having nowhere else to go. When Simeon took the Watch, he forswore the Lady and didn’t pick up the mantle.” She paused as Miranda gasped.
“Don’t worry.” She leaned forward and patted her mother’s hands. “He has it safely now. Captain Haven managed to release him from the spell that his Seneschal had him under and he was confirmed recently. I’ll let him tell you all about that.
“Unfortunately, Aaron was not so lucky. He abducted me and injured Steward Garrick,” she said, her voice hardening, “and then whilst I was being rescued, yet again, by Captain Haven, Sentinal Tagerill was injured and Aaron was killed. We need to go home and see how Tagerill goes on.”
“Have you heard how Sentinal Tagerill fares?” Miranda asked.
Alyssa pursed her lips. “Not good. But he’s in safe hands, so he’ll be on his feet again soon.”
“That’s a relief to hear. You are going to Deepwater?” Miranda asked, raising her eyebrows. “Are you not staying here in Vespers? Or returning to Greenswatch?”
Alyssa’s face softened. “No, Lea and I will become the Guardians of Deepwater. Sentinal Denirion demands it, and the Watch is waiting.” A smile glinted in her eye. “The Lady approves and the king has agreed. And we need to care for Tagerill. Captain Haven misses him sorely.” Alyssa gripped her mother’s hands. “It’s all I’ve ever wanted, to have a mother. But tell me where you’ve been and why. I want to understand why you did what you did.”
Miranda sighed. “Are you sure you want the sordid details? If it hadn’t been for Captain Haven, I think I would still have been ensorcelled.”
“Captain Haven? It seems he’s had to save all our family. The least we can do is return Tagerill to him. Tell me what happened.”
Miranda dropped her eyes. “What can I say? I was young and silly; younger than you when I joined with your father. I had only lived in the city, never the country. I hated the country. It was too quiet. No parties, little attention. In truth, I never gave it a chance. Whenever I was at court, I was feted as one of the beauties,” Miranda twisted her lips. “I expect it all went to my head, and then the princess took a liking to me. I was flattered, and she started suggesting I move back to court and live with her.
“Then one day, when your father had taken me to court, I refused to come home. Just like that. Overnight, I moved in to wait on the princess and rejected your father.” Miranda looked earnestly at her daughter. “I never meant to leave you; it just seemed the right and natural thing to do at the time.”
Alyssa leaned forward to take her mother’s hands. “If they were playing with your mind, there would be little you could do about it. I know, they tried it on me. Lately, whenever there has been some emergency in my life, it seems that Captain Haven is always there, protecting me, with Lea not far behind.”
“Lea?” Miranda asked.
Alyssa stood and waved Jennery over. She reached to take Jennery’s hand. “Mother, may I present my intended husband? Lieutenant Leander Jennery of the Captain’s Guard. Lea, this is my mother, Miranda.”
Miranda stood and looked up into the rugged features and bright blue eyes of her daughter’s intended. She took in his archaic uniform, which was the same as Captain Haven’s, and reminded her of Tagerill. “Leander, it is a pleasure to meet the man who makes my daughter so very happy.”
Jennery cleared his throat. “Call me Lea, please, or Jennery if you prefer.”
“He hates his name; he never uses it!” Alyssa laughed, hugging his arm. “But it will be known now, at our joining and the confirmation,” she teased, her eyes alight. Jennery made a face, and she turned back to her mother. “You will come with us to Deepwater for our joining, won’t you? You are welcome to stay with us as long as you want.”
Miranda’s face lit up. “I wouldn’t miss it for anything, though I must visit Simeon as well.”
“Simeon will come for the confirmation. You can make arrangements to stay with him then,” Alyssa promised, her eyes sparkling. “I can’t believe it! Everything is turning out wonderfully. The king will announce our Guardianship tonight at the ball, and then the day after tomorrow, we will leave for Deepwater. I can’t wait to go home.” Her eyes twinkled at Jennery and she enthusiastically embraced him.
Miranda smiled at her daughter’s obvious delight and Jennery’s embarrassed pleasure, though he seemed to be enjoying the open displays of affection.
Alyssa laughed at herself. “Sorry, he only just asked me to join with him. You’re the first person we’ve told. I’m so happy.”
Miranda was delighted and opened her arms to embrace them both. “I am honoured that you told me. I wish you all the happiness the Lady can provide,” she said.
Jerrol caught sight of the happy group in the arbour as he travelled across the upper gallery. He paused to watch them out of the window. Alyssa must have made an honest man of Jennery. He wished he had seen him proposing, and he laughed at the picture. He was glad to see that Lady Miranda was back in the fold. It would all develop naturally, he was sure. Deepwater was secure.
His thoughts drifted to Taelia. Hopefully, he would have a chance to dance with her at the ball, maybe smooth over their misunderstanding. It didn’t feel right to be at odds with her.
Hurrying down the corridor towards the king’s chambers, he scowled at the number of servants clogging the passageways, arms full of cloth, flowers, chairs. This was madness. If Fenton had approved all these additional people to work the ball, they were in trouble. He would have filled the palace with his supporters, all enspelled to fight for a cause that still eluded Jerrol. Apart from taking over power, Jerrol couldn’t see what the Ascendants were offering that would improve people’s lives.
“Darris, what’s going on? Who brought these people in?” Jerrol g
rabbed the steward as he hurried passed.
“Fenton cleared them. They were pre-checked in preparation for the dinner. The fact that it is now a dance has confused them; they are hopeless.”
Jerrol pulled Darris against the wall as two large men staggered passed, carrying a long table. “We need to revoke their clearance. Fenton is working with the Ascendants. Anyone Fenton approved is suspect. I’ll warn Bryce and Jennery, and get them checking the staff. A quick check is to get each person to swear the Lady’s Oath. If they can’t say the oath then they’ve been enspelled.” Jerrol hurried Darris down the corridor. “I’ll send word to Nikols, but we need to warn the king.”
Darris raised an eyebrow. “The king is in his chambers. You’re all due there for a debrief in a chime.”
“Go warn the king. I’ll join you shortly.” He ran off down the corridor, but the floor was slick and he skidded around the corner. Jerrol steadied himself against the wall, and crouching, he ran his hand over the floor and brought his fingertips up to his nose. His eyes narrowed and he hurried towards Fenton’s office.
He found Bryce arguing with Fenton’s aide. Jerrol flipped though the notebook and found the man’s name and his keyword. “Redwood,” Jerrol snapped and the man collapsed.
Bryce watched aghast. “He was refusing to tell me Fenton’s whereabouts,” he said.
“Fenton is compromised, and so is everyone he’s brought into the palace. Start rounding up as many as you can, and replace them with Landis’ men. At least we know we can trust them. I’ll send word to Nikols for help.” Jerrol called Ari, the little Arifel and continued. “Parsillion, find Birlerion and Darllion, and meet me at the king’s chambers. Don’t argue, do it,” he said, as the Sentinal opened his mouth to protest.
Jerrol left Bryce calling for Landis and hurried to the king’s chambers.
“Sire, we’ve got trouble,” Jerrol said as he entered. Ari popped into view and hovered above him. “Ari, ask Jennery to join us.” Ari meeped and disappeared. “Fonorion, the palace is infiltrated; protecting the king is your priority. Fenton has been compromised. Don’t trust any of his men. Shout the word ‘silverwood’ at them; that seems to be the most common keyword in this notebook,” Jerrol waved it, “and that might stall them long enough for you to deal with them.”
The king leapt to his feet. “What about Fenton, have you found him?”
“I’m sorry sire, but Fenton is nowhere to be found. I am assuming the majority of his men will be likewise affected. I have Bryce rounding them up.” He paused as Ari popped into view just as the door opened and Jennery, Bryce, and the Sentinals entered. He waited as they settled, and then continued. “We have another problem. Your palace floors are slick with linseed oil.”
The king raised his eyebrows, perplexed. “Linseed oil?”
“When it dries out and gets hot, it’s combustible." Jerrol grimaced at the king. “And if that's not bad enough your palace is crawling with strange staff with flash Justice permits. Have you had any word from Nikols?” Jerrol asked.
"He’s not due here for another chime. Fonorion, stay,” the king said as Fonorion made to leave.
“I also found another piece of this parchment in your son’s rooms, but it still makes no sense,” Jerrol unfolded the square of paper and lay it on the table by the map.
The king moved over to the table with him. “We don’t have time for this. We’ll review it after you save my palace from being burned to the ground! Jerrol, if Fenton arrives, I’ll keep him here.” The king indicated the notebook. “But his men will be everywhere.”
“We’ll manage. We have Landis and your guards, and we can lock as many of the servants into the servant’s hall as possible. The question is, when will they attack?”
“Secure the palace,” the king said. “The ball continues, but at least we are forewarned. Let’s use it to our advantage.”
Jerrol nodded. “Yes, sire.” Jerrol swept a glance around the Sentinals and began deploying them. They left at his word. “Bryce, tell the ladies what’s up, then find Landis and meet me in the commander’s office, and Jennery, go warn Nikols about the attack and the warehouse. We need to contain as many of the attackers in the warehouse as possible. Darris, we need to round up the staff, tell them you have an announcement to make in the servants' hall. I’ll meet you there. Birlerion, with me,” he added as he strode out of the room still issuing instructions. “Birlerion, do a sweep of the palace. Make sure there are no obstacles or things obviously out of place. You know what to look for. I’ll be in the commander’s office or with Landis.”
Heading back to Fenton’s office, Jerrol found a palace steward trying to redirect some burly men who were insisting on carrying tables through the palace. “Gentlemen.” Jerrol clapped his hands. “If you please, just put down what you are carrying. We need all staff in the servant’s hall, downstairs. I have an announcement, and I’d rather say it only once, and then we can all return to our duties. We still have a lot to do, and the king expects perfection tonight.”
Jerrol followed, rounding up the staff, telling them to stop whatever they were doing. Captain Landis entered the main entrance hall just as Jerrol opened the baize door to the servant’s quarters; he let it swing shut and called the young captain over.
“Landis, I need your men to patrol the palace and grounds. Help Birlerion clear out anything flammable. Some of these imported staff have been mopping the floor with linseed oil. We need to flush it out. Make sure there are no rags stuffed anywhere. It seems there is going to be an attack on the palace tonight, and Fenton’s men are the inside job.”
“What? Surely, we are cancelling the ball?”
“Impossible. Safer to allow guests to arrive than turn them back into what could be a firefight. The king wants to use the ball as bait to identify as many disaffected courtiers as possible.”
Landis narrowed his eyes. “We’re going to find it difficult to tell friend from foe once it gets dark.”
Jerrol paused hand on the door. “Good point. What do you suggest?”
“Something easily seen. Reflective armbands would be ideal, but we don’t have any. I saw some white armbands being used in the training grounds; I’ll see if I can find enough. We’ll be able to tell if a person is on our side. I saw it work that time the Elothians tangled with the advance guard north of Stoneford; right mess it could’ve been!”
“Deal with it. Darris will know which of the staff we can trust. Make sure you give him some armbands. We need to take out as many of Fenton’s men as we can before the ball starts and replace them with your men. Try to remove them discreetly. We don’t want to trigger anything early. We’ve only got an hour before guests begin to arrive; you’ll know when the ball is starting. Lady willing, Nikols will contain the reinforcements.”
Landis nodded and headed back out the way he had come. Jerrol pushed open the door to the servant’s quarters and descended the stairs. The large room opened before him, and he stood on a chair placed by the door and clapped his hands for silence. Darris flapped his hands and the murmur of voices died away as the staff turned to face him.
“Apologies, folks, I know you are all busy. The king wanted me to convey a message. Tonight, is an important night, and he wants it to be perfect.” He dropped his voice and said, “Silverwood.” He watched as half of the staff collapsed to the floor convulsing, while the others tried to move around them in confusion. “Those who have collapsed are not the king’s staff; tie them with the twine, now,” he commanded as Darris passed out rolls of twine and knives to the shocked palace staff, staring wide-eyed at the writhing people on the floor.
“Make sure you tie them tight. Captain Landis has armbands. All staff still standing, make sure you get one before you leave this room. They will denote you as the king’s staff. We need to clear the corridors. Guests will start to arrive in one hour. Make sure this hall is locked once we leave. These folks are going to need help later. Be warned. We are expecting further hostilities, and there m
ay be some difficulties.”
Jerrol gazed at the remaining staff. “Stay out of the way of the King’s Guards as much as possible. I expect you to act in a manner that the king would expect of you. Remember, armbands denote the king’s staff; make sure you have one.” Jerrol jumped down off the chair and exited the hall, grimacing as he heard Darris repeating his instructions amongst the rising voices. Rumours that would no doubt flood the city by the morning.
Jennery reined in his horse as he dismounted in a flurry in the garrison courtyard.
“Where’s Commander Nikols?” he barked as he threw his reins at a stable lad.
“His office, sir,” the lad replied, grabbing the reins.
Jennery hurried down the corridor, pausing on the threshold of Commander Nikols’ crowded office. Nikols stood behind his desk, tapping points on a map spread out on the surface. His officers were gathered around him, listening intently. Jennery saluted as he approached. “Report from the palace, sir,” he said to Nikols. “Captain Haven advises that an attack will happen tonight. Commander Fenton is believed to be compromised.”
Nikols cursed. “Fenton? He left not long ago, saying he was on his way back to the palace.”
“I didn’t pass Commander Fenton on the way here, sir. Are you sure he was going to the palace?” Jennery asked.
“That’s what he said.”
“Captain Haven and Captain Landis are replacing the perimeter guards as we speak. Captain Haven asks for news of the warehouses. He believes the attackers are all housed there or manoeuvring from there already. He asks that you contain as many as possible, to prevent them from reaching the palace and his depleted forces.”
“The scouts sent to check out the warehouses didn’t return. We were just discussing sending a follow-up.” Nikols said. “That might explain why, I suppose.” Nikols stared at Jennery for a moment and then began issuing instructions to his men. “Units two and four surround the warehouses, see if the scouts can tell which ones are in use. Tell them to hold fast until the signal. Make sure they are all dressed in blackouts, let’s not warn them. Unit six, set up a silent roving patrol between the town boundary and the palace. Keep them invisible. Let’s make sure no one gets through.” He turned to Jennery. “Advise Haven that we will contain the warehouses, but who knows what is out there? I’ll detain Fenton as well, if I find him.”
Sentinals Rising: Book Two of the Sentinal series Page 17