Niallerion grinned. “The Captain plays many roles in court; the king’s claim on him is as his Commander of the King’s Justice just as the Lady’s claim is as her Captain of the Sentinals,” he replied. “No matter what the king demands of him, he will always be the Lady’s Captain.”
“Is it true he annexed Terolia for the king? He just told them what to do and they obeyed him?”
“It was not so simple, but yes, King Benedict now rules Terolia,” Niallerion said, staring out of the office window as the amusement drained from his expression.
Deron nodded, his gaze drawn to the Sentinal. Niallerion stiffened under his inspection, wondering what he saw. Relief was uppermost in his mind when the Captain came out of his office, preventing what he was sure would have been another astute question.
Jerrol looked across at Deron. “We’ll be down at the Chapterhouse.”
Deron nodded as he left the office, heading for the stables, Niallerion in tow.
“What do you think of Old Vespers, so far?” Jerrol asked Niallerion as they walked around the building.
“It’s alright; a bit crowded. Takes a bit of getting used to with so many people in one place.”
“I suppose we’ve grown over time,” Jerrol said.
“Not only that, the city is unrecognisable. Without the Lady’s palace and the old Justice buildings, it is disorienting.”
“Why do you suppose none of the buildings survived? I believe Vespers had to be rebuilt from the ground up.”
“No idea,” Niallerion said with a shrug.
Jerrol took the reins from Adilion, who was waiting by the horses, and swung himself up into the saddle of yet another borrowed mount. Niallerion watched as Jerrol’s gaze grew distant. The Captain was searching for his Darian mare. From his frustrated expression, he still couldn’t find her. The hope was that, if the Captain could contact her, she could tell him where the Ascendants had taken Birlerion and give them somewhere to head for. The Ascendants had stolen her away, along with half a unit of Kings Rangers and Birlerion. Niallerion sighed as he followed the Captain out of the palace courtyard with Adilion beside him.
They fell silent as they rode into the city, and Niallerion’s thoughts moved onto the Sentinals that the Captain had woken in Terolia. Eleven more Sentinals to bolster those he had woken in Vespiri, but still a fraction of the number there were supposed to be. His gaze swept the surrounding fields, pausing on a sudden movement. He relaxed as a roosting bird took flight and continued his inspection of the unfamiliar landscape. His gut tightened at the sight of Old Vespers. Nothing looked as it should, and they were too few of them to be able to spend the time learning it anew.
Jerrol pulled up beside the gate to the Lady’s temple. “I won’t be a moment,” he said, slipping off his horse and entering the gardens where Birlerion’s sentinal arched over the Lady’s temple. The sentinal tree stood tall and proud, silver bark gleaming, crowned by emerald green pointy leaves. This was the tree that had sheltered Birlerion for over three thousand years, suspended in sleep until Jerrol had awoken him. He lay his hand against the smooth trunk, and the bark warmed beneath his palm. “I am so sorry. We are searching for him. I promise I won’t stop until I find him.”
The tree shuddered under his palm, and Jerrol had a brief impression of utter despair and loss. He took a deep breath as he tried to discern whether it was the tree’s feelings or whether the tree was sharing what Birlerion was experiencing. “Do you know where he is?”
There was a succession of impressions; a stormy sea, grey stone, darkness and despair, and cold, a bone-chilling cold that sapped the energy, and then more darkness, impenetrable and consuming.
Jerrol removed his hand and stood back, shaken. A sense of urgency ran through him. Birlerion needed help, and he needed it now. He patted the tree. “We’ll find him, I promise.” He reached for Zin’talia again, the bark warming under his hand in acknowledgement as he searched the vaults of his mind, extending himself further. “Zin’talia? Where are you? If you don’t hurry up, I’m going to find another horse.”
“Don’t even think of it,” she gasped in his mind, horrified, her voice faint. “Jerrol? I’m coming.”
“Zin’talia? Thank the Lady. I’ve been so worried. Where are you?”
“I’m coming. I’m up near Ramila. They tried to get me on a boat, but I told She’vanne there was no way I was going north. It’s too cold.”
“Is Torsion with you? What about Birlerion?”
“Torsion managed to escape, I think. I don’t know where they went, but they hurt Birlerion, Jerrol. They hurt him bad. They were so angry with him. They blamed him for you escaping. I was so relieved you got away. Are you alright?”
“I’m fine. Worried about you.”
Zin’talia snorted in his head. “Those shepakes. They couldn’t hold me. How dare they try! She’vanne said Birlerion wouldn’t survive the night, but he did.”
Jerrol’s stomach clenched at the thought. “Do you know where they took him?”
“They had a boat at Amsar, but where they went, I don’t know.”
“Be careful, Zin’talia. I’ll send Adilion to meet you in Ramila.”
“Alright, I’ll meet him there.”
He strode back to his horse and led him round to the Chapterhouse courtyard. Jerrol paused by Adilion’s stirrup. “Once you’ve found the Atolea and spoken to Medera Maraine, I want you to meet Zin’talia. She is north of Ramila. I need you to bring her home through the waystone.”
“Of course,” Adilion murmured.
Jerrol ran a hand through his hair and stared up at the two Sentinals. “If you had a boat at Amsar, where would you go? North is the logical direction, isn’t it? Into Elothia?”
Adilion nodded.
“Elothia,” Jerrol murmured under his breath as the Sentinals watched him, somewhat bemused. Realising the Sentinals were staring at him, he grimaced. “I’ll only be half a chime,” he promised as Adilion raised his eyebrows in surprise.
Jerrol crossed the cloisters and entered the Chapterhouse building, Niallerion close behind him. Jerrol smiled at the Duty-Scholar on the door. “Could you tell me where I might find Scholar Taelia?”
“At this time of day, she’ll be in the lower chambers,” the doorman replied.
Jerrol nodded his thanks and led the way deeper into the building.
Behind him, Niallerion released a dejected sigh. “I still can’t believe so many of Guerlaire’s records have been lost. He thought he was protecting them, building these archives.”
“They may still be preserved. It just takes time to dig them out.”
“They haven’t reached the main floor yet; these are just reception rooms and study booths.”
Jerrol led the way through the dim corridors until they reached the stone stairs that led down to the lower chambers. “I thought Darllion gave them a map?”
“He did, but there are processes to follow, apparently.”
Jerrol scowled. “Maybe I should fall into a few more chambers and speed them up.” He paused at the bottom of the steps as candlelight softened the grey stone chamber. “Tali,” he whispered as he saw her; a slight, young woman dressed in the silver robes of a scholar, with a mass of cloudy, brown curls. Crossing the room, she was in his arms before she could reply, and she relaxed into his embrace.
“Jerrol,” she breathed as he loosened his grip.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t assume you feel …”
“Hush,” Taelia interrupted him. “Yes, you should. I’ve missed you. The king needs to allow you more free time; a girl could get jealous,” she murmured against his lips, kissing whichever part of his face she could reach.
“I’ve missed you too,” he said, sighing into her hair. Breathing in deeply, he relaxed. The tension that had been singing through his veins melting away.
Reluctantly, she leaned back and raised her head from his chest. “I’ve been expecting you. I had a dream.”
Jerrol tensed. Her
dreams tended to mean more than other people’s dreams.
“I dreamt I was in a strange palace, and I was waiting … for you.”
“For me?”
“Yes, you asked me to wait for you, and I said I would wait for as long as you needed me to; forever, if need be.” She smiled up at him and kissed his chin.
“Tali.” Jerrol cleared his throat, which was suddenly croaky with nerves. He tightened his embrace and her smile faded.
“Yes?”
“Tali, will you join with me?” he asked in a rush. “I love you so much; you are the only person who keeps me sane.”
She smiled in delight, scattering kisses over his face. “Yes, yes, yes,” she replied as she hugged him tight and then kissed him again.
Jerrol couldn’t stop the grin that spread over his face at her response as he rummaged in his pocket. “Here,” he said as he slipped a twisted gold band onto her finger. “Two strands of gold entwined forever around a gem the colour of your beautiful eyes, and a silver pearl the colour of mine.”
“Oh,” Taelia sighed, her brilliant eyes brimming with tears. “I wish I could see it.”
“Don’t cry, sweetheart, just know that I’m always with you.” Gently, he wiped away her tears and then he hugged her close, relieved that she had said yes.
“I’ve always known that.”
“I have to go to Marchwood, but when I return, I expect you to have picked the date.”
“If I had my way, it would be here and now,” she said. “It’s the only way I can guarantee it will happen before the king sends you off again.”
Jerrol grinned and kissed her nose. “I doubt he’ll send me anywhere. I’m on light duties, remember?”
“You’re off to Marchwood. Riding all the way there isn’t light duties.”
“Well, it’s not particularly heavy-duty; we’re using the waystones.”
“Rather you than me. Make sure you visit on the way back. I expect my future husband to be very attentive.”
“Ah, I see my chosen wife is going to be very demanding.” Basking in the warm glow of her love, he looked down into her sparkling blue eyes, which sadly couldn’t see him, and he hugged her tight. Not wanting to leave her, he breathed in the scent of hair again; finally, he was where he belonged. Niallerion shifted on the steps behind them and Jerrol sighed. “I have to go.”
Taelia smiled and cupped his face in her hands. “I’ll let you leave as long as you come back to me.”
“I will always come back to you; I promise,” Jerrol said.
“Good.” She kissed him. “You’re mine. It’s taken you long enough to realise it, but we belong together. I’ll be waiting!”
“The sooner I go, the sooner I return.”
“I suppose so.”
He grinned, seeing the same reluctance in her expressive face that he felt. He kissed her once more, easing back as the kiss deepened. If he didn’t leave now, he wouldn’t be able to. Turning back towards the stairs, he saw the wide grin on Niallerion’s face; a reflection of the smile on his own face, he was sure. He tried to straighten his expression but failed, dismally.
“Congratulations, Captain. Congratulations, Taelia,” Niallerion called as he backed up the steps.
Taelia laughed, her face glowing, and Jerrol’s grin widened as he mounted the steps behind the tall Sentinal.
6
Chapterhouse, Old Vespers
Adilion raised an eyebrow at Niallerion as the grinning Sentinal returned with a much happier-looking Captain. “Well?” he murmured as the Captain wordlessly took his horse and led it out of the courtyard. Niallerion winked as he followed.
The waystone, an ancient magical portal enabling instant transportation between one place and another, was situated behind the Chapterhouse and obscured by a small copse of trees. A soft chime resonated through Jerrol’s body as he approached. He hesitated remembering the day Birlerion had created it, and his chest tightened. Considering that he had only known Birlerion a few months, memories of his missing Sentinal surrounded him. He stiffened as Niallerion gripped his arm.
“Captain?”
“It’s nothing,” Jerrol replied.
He was prevented from entering the waystone by the arrival of an excited mackerel-striped Arifel. The small fluffy creature was a cross between a kitten and a lizard with wings, and it fluttered around Jerrol’s head. Jerrol coaxed the little creature down, and Ari perched on his arm, chittering with excitement, his thin scaly tail wrapped around Jerrol’s wrist.
“What is it?” Images of the Watch Towers and his friend, Scholar Torsion, filled his mind. “Torsion? Has he arrived at the towers?” Jerrol asked, his knees wobbling as relief rushed through him. Throat suddenly tight, he ducked his face into the Arifel’s fur. “Is he alright?” he asked. Some good news at last.
Ari chittered, and new images of Torsion falling off his horse and the guards helping him up passed before his eyes. The weary scholar didn’t look too steady on his feet.
Jerrol cuddled the little Arifel as he considered. “Adilion, go and ask the duty scholar to send a message to the palace. Advise them that we are going to Stoneford and won’t be back until tomorrow. Then go to Marchwood and collect Tianerille and Venterion; explain that Torsion has arrived at the towers, and I’m hoping he has news of Birlerion. After I’ve woken the Sentinals in East Watch, Niallerion and I will waystone to Stoneford, meet us there and we’ll go on to the towers together.”
Decision made, Jerrol released the Arifel and stepped through the waystone. The instant transition from one place to another, which upset most people’s stomachs, no longer affected him, and he stepped out into East Watch with Niallerion at his shoulder.
Jerrol passed Niallerion his reins and approached the majestic sentinal trees, still amazed that the Lady’s Guards had slept within them for so many years. Memories of his first meeting with Birlerion all those months ago in Old Vespers shivered through him, and he reached out to touch the bark of the first tall sentinal tree, standing proudly beside the manor house. A stocky man stepped out blinking in the brilliant sunlight. His alert silver gaze took in his surroundings and his tense shoulders relaxed.
Jerrol could wake them without difficulty now, though Royerion and Generille were the last Sentinals he knew of in Vespiri. Royerion’s black hair and hooked nose reminded Jerrol of the swarthy Terolians from the neighbouring country, but his face was a pale brown and creased with lines and wrinkles; here was a man who was used to being out in the sun.
“Royerion.” Jerrol held out his hand.
“Captain, welcome to East Watch.”
“Welcome home.” Jerrol released Royerion’s hand and reached to touch the second sentinal, and a beautiful woman shimmered out.
Generille’s smooth complexion was framed by long blonde hair, and her brilliant silver eyes sparkled as her face relaxed into a smile. “Captain, I’m so glad to meet you. Lord Marcus has been keeping us advised. We’ve been expecting you.” She hugged him before turning to embrace Royerion. She kissed him soundly before linking her arm through his. “You need to get out in the sun, my love. You’re looking peaky.”
Royerion grunted in response.
Generille glanced around her and spotted Niallerion beside the horses. With a yell of Niallerion! She ran across the courtyard.
Jerrol smiled as he watched their reunion, their happiness infectious. Jerrol and Royerion walked over to join them. “It’s so good to have you both here. I’m sorry it’s taken me so long.”
“I heard you’ve been kept busy,” Royerion said as he strode forward and gripped Niallerion’s arm. “Niallerion. You need to eat more, lad.”
Jerrol grinned as Niallerion rolled his eyes.
Lord Marcus appeared at the top of the steps, drawn by the commotion. He was a middle-aged man, short in stature but fit and competent. Marcus paused at the top of the steps and grinned at the gathering of distinctive Sentinals before him. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many Sentinals in one pla
ce. Welcome to you all.” He picked out his Sentinals without hesitation. “Generille, my dear, welcome to East Watch, and Royerion, you are both very welcome. We have been eagerly awaiting this day.”
Generille flew up the steps and hugged the surprised man. “Guardian, finally! We are so glad to meet you. Royerion, come up here, quick.”
Royerion grinned at the lord as he approached, shaking hands more sedately. “Thank you for your welcome. We look forward to assisting you with the security of your Watch.”
“Your help will be greatly appreciated. There is a lot to do. Please join me; I was just working in my study.”
Jerrol smiled. “I’ll leave you to it. Niallerion and I need to travel up to the Watch Towers; we hope for news of Birlerion.” He looked around the smiling faces, all of which grew grave at the mention of the lost Sentinal. “With you two awoken, that gives us all the Sentinals we know of in Vespiri.” His smile faded. “So many lost.”
“We will work together, Captain. We will be enough,” Royerion said. “We will work with the others and secure Terolia. We are familiar with the Families of old. I doubt much has changed. And if it has, we will learn.” He gripped Jerrol’s arm. “Leave it with us. Find Birlerion and deal with the Ascendants once and for all.”
Jerrol gripped his arm in return and nodded before leading the way back to the East Watch waystone and taking a deep breath he stepped forward. He walked out of the Stoneford Waystone and Niallerion stepped out behind him.
Jason, the grey-haired Lord of Stoneford Watch, and his Sentinals were waiting for them. Jason gave him a sharp inspection before pulling him into a hug. “Adilion already explained about Torsion,” he said, indicating the young Sentinal who had arrived before them. “Do you know what happened?”
“We’re hoping Torsion can tell us that.”
“We can’t feel Birlerion. Something’s changed,” Chryllion, one of the Stoneford Sentinals standing at Jason’s shoulder, said as he scowled in concern. Niallerion stiffened, his gaze turning inward; his lips tightened as he confirmed Chryllion’s statement. A general air of tension hung over them all.
Sentinals Justice: Book Three of the Sentinal Series Page 4