“I know, where are they coming from?”
Birlerion led the way. “The Lady is calling them.”
Jerrol quickened his step and entered his room; he had returned none too soon. Jennery was groggily trying to swat what he thought was a persistent bug, though Jerrol grinned at the thought of an insect the size of this hungry Arifel.
Jerrol offered the Arifel a soggy piece of bread to draw him away from Jennery. The Arifel guzzled up the sops. Perching on the side of the mug, he leant down inside to reach the rest. Slurping, he leaned further and further forward until inevitably with a started squawk he fell in. Fortunately, it sounded as if the mug was empty; well, there wasn’t much splashing.
A rather sheepish face peered back over the rim of the mug at Jerrol. The creature’s whiskers had milk drops glistening on the ends, and he hauled himself out and perched on the edge; then, much like a cat, he started to clean his whiskers.
Jerrol watched amused as the creature carefully groomed himself. Jennery had woken up and was also watching wide-eyed. “By the Lady,” he started before Jerrol could shush him.
“It’s an Arifel.”
“A what?”
“An Arifel, a creature of myth and legend. I didn’t think they were real, though this one certainly is.”
“They are the Lady’s messengers, if you can get them to concentrate for long enough,” Birlerion said with a grin.
Jerrol glanced at him; he seemed more relaxed in their company after all the excitement of the previous evening. Jennery sat up, watching closely as he swung his legs over the side of the bed. “Is this to do with last night?”
“I would think so,” Jerrol whispered, not wanting to startle the small creature. “Both our Lady and our King are under siege, gentlemen, and she has chosen us as her protectors.” Jerrol grimaced, “Let’s hope she has chosen wisely.”
“Umm, Jerrol? Do you realise that your eyes are silver, like Birlerion’s? Did that happen last night as well?”
Jerrol rubbed his eyes; he hadn’t thought to check. He rose and looked at himself in the mirror. Liquid silver eyes gleamed back at him. “Along with my uniform. The Lady is determined.”
The creature finished grooming and settled back down in a crouch with a soft meep. His large emerald eyes stared at Jerrol.
“Better?” Jerrol reached out a careful finger to stroke his white chest.
The creature chittered in agreement and stretched his pink mouth in a jaw-cracking yawn, then walked up Jerrol’s forearm and snuggled into the crook of his arm. He gave a soft contented burp before closing his eyes.
Their eyes met across the room, and Jennery snickered. “Looks like you are on babysitting duty.”
Jerrol grimaced. “Looks like it, but he can’t sleep there.”
“Well, at least he’s cute, it could be worse.”
“How?” Jerrol growled.
“Well, he could be covered in spines and ten times bigger.”
With a sigh, Jerrol scooped the little creature up and, stuffing a wash-cloth in his pocket, he placed the Arifel safely inside his new bed. He didn’t seem to mind; he burrowed deeper into his nest. “Let’s hope he stays there for now.” He looked over at Jennery. “Get dressed, we need to speak to the smith.”
They left the inn and started to walk down the muddy high street. The sky was overcast, the clouds low and heavy, and a steady drizzle persisted. Someone had laid down a few boards in an attempt to create a sidewalk, but the boards squelched in the mud, creating a more slippery hazard. They sensibly avoided them, skirting the muddy puddles and flooded cart ruts.
“Ah, Jerrol?” Jennery rubbed his forehead. “You think you can catch me up with what’s going on? It’s all very well saying we are part of it, but what does that mean? I mean, last night was pretty spectacular, and you’ve had a grin on your face ever since, and now this furry creature turns up?”
Jerrol took a deep breath. “I guess it has been piling up. I’m not sure I can explain last night, but I’ll try and explain what I can.” Where to start, he wondered. At the beginning, he supposed. He began to speak. “You know I returned from Birtoli about five months ago, and Nikols assigned me to the Chancellor’s detail. I think Nikols has been suspicious of Isseran for quite a while. He’s been meeting with all sorts of people, in odd places, yet none of it is reported back to the King through the usual diplomatic channels.
“While I was with him, he tried to shake me off constantly, even though I was his security detail. I made quite a show of going off duty, but I know I was being followed.” Jerrol’s face tightened as he continued. “Well, let’s just say I didn’t go off duty and the Chancellor knew, then Prince Kharel accused me of treason and had me arrested.
“I tried to protest my innocence, but Kharel had his men hustle me out. I’m not sure who was behind it either. The Chancellor? Prince Kharel? It wasn’t the King, that I do know.”
Jennery watched Jerrol in concern. “But you managed to escape; how did you do that? And how did you know you needed to go to the Watches?”
“Yes, well, let’s just say the Prince didn’t watch closely enough. Having cleared all my immediate responsibilities to King and country out of the way, it seemed logical to head as far from Vespers as I could. There have been concerns about the Guardians, and well, the Lady guides my feet now.
“I believe there is a link between the King’s palsy and the state of the land. The King is supposed to protect the people, and the people protect the land for him. You know the story about the Guardians and how they are linked to the Sentinals. They maintain the balance in the lands.”
“Yes, everyone knows the importance. Lord Hugh is one, Guardian of the Greenswatch,” Jennery said.
“Hmm,”
