Garrick signalled, and the horse-drawn bier at the rear of the column entered the field. They lifted their lord onto the bier, draping his body with Greenswatch colours, and the honour guard retook their position at the four corners, at full attention.
Garrick stood stiff and silent, watching. Jerrol approached him carefully. “My lord steward,” he said. “I am so sorry for your loss, but there are matters to discuss.” He gave Lord Hugh’s ring to the steward. Garrick stared at the ring as Jerrol continued. “ Lady Alyssa was recovered from the field and is in the infirmary at Stoneford under the care of Healer Tyrone. Captain Bryce sent a troop after the Lady’s carriage, and they are yet to return. Lord Aaron and his men followed them. I regret to inform you that he didn’t stay long enough to be informed that Lady Alyssa wasn’t in the carriage.”
A muscle twitched in Garrick’s cheek. “Lady Alyssa is unharmed?”
“She was still unconscious when I left. She took a brutal fall. I followed one of the bandits to Deepwater, and although it is purely hearsay and my word against Lord Aaron’s, Deepwater knew. I swear they were involved.” Jerrol paused, but Garrick remained silent. “I know you need to escort Lord Hugh home, but if it’s your desire, I swear I will protect Lady Alyssa until you are available to escort her home.”
Jerrol waited as Garrick stared blindly across the field. “I will accept your oath, Captain Haven.” His face tightened in anguish. “I appreciate and honour the support of Stoneford Keep and the King’s Rangers, even though the new regime may not continue that in the future. I will return to escort Lady Alyssa as soon as I am able. For now, she is safe, and I have the fallen to honour.”
Jerrol bowed. “I will await you at Stoneford.” Jerrol turned away as a column of flatbed carts arrived to take up the fallen soldiers. Captain Bryce stepped forward, rapping out orders to his men to assist in the horrible job of moving the bodies to the carts in preparation for the journey home.
Jerrol jerked his head at Jennery and Birlerion to draw them away. “We can’t help any further here. I need a horse; mine has had it.”
“The horses are over here.” Birlerion led the way towards the picket line, where Jerrol selected a horse that looked in better shape than his last poor mount, tiredly heaved himself up into the saddle and led the way from the battlefield.
Chapter 20
Stoneford Keep, Stoneford Watch
Night had descended by the time they reached Stoneford and clattered into the keep’s courtyard. Lord Jason met them as they dismounted. Stable boys dashed to take the reins and lead the horses away. He noted their strained faces and sent them off to freshen up with instructions to meet him in the hall as soon as they could.
Jerrol gazed longingly at the bed but stripped off his filthy clothes and washed in the warm water waiting for him. His side was twinging a warning as he carefully dressed in the clean clothes, leaving the bandages untouched. He stamped into his still muddy boots as his clothes shimmered into his uniform of Lady’s green. He grinned. The Lady was stubborn.
“Jerrol? Are you back then? It would be nice to know you’re alright!” Zin’talia’s peevish voice intruded on his thoughts, and he veered out towards the stables to reassure her that he was fine. Hugging her silky neck, he breathed in her musky scent, as she did the same, huffing in disapproval. “That’s the last time I let anyone else ride me. I’m supposed to be with you.”
“I didn’t mean to leave you,” he said as he leaned into her warmth. “Jason is waiting for me. I’ll come back later.” He reluctantly pushed himself away and headed into the hall.
“You’d better.” Her voice followed him.
Jason was seated at a table loaded with food for three hungry men. Jerrol was still the first to arrive, even with his detour, and he carefully sat opposite him.
“Are you alright?” Jason watched his stiff movements in concern.
“We got jumped last night – was it last night? I’m losing track! All this strenuous activity today hasn’t helped it.” Jerrol reached for the bread and cheese. He was suddenly starving. “How is our patient?” he asked around a mouthful of food.
“Tyrone is keeping her quiet. She came around about an hour ago, but he won’t let her talk yet. Hannah is sitting with her. She knows about Lord Hugh; she saw him fall after all.” He pursed his lips. “Bryce managing alright?”
“Having the time of his life. I think he might have a few words when he returns. He wasn’t too happy with the politics of his situation. I think Birlerion can explain more. He was there when Lord Aaron arrived.”
Jason winced. “I can imagine. What a mess!”
“What’s worse is that our ambushers originated from Deepwater, and I overheard the young lord and his men discussing the ambush. They were in on it. Deliberately attacking a neighbouring Lord Holder while he was still under their hospitality. Not that anyone is going to believe a disgraced ranger against the word of the Lord Holder, but still, the rot goes deep.” Jerrol took another bite and chewed slowly as Jennery and Birlerion entered the room and joined them. “Two key holds without a Guardian. Aaron didn’t take up the mantle, and the word is Simeon won’t either.”
Jason’s face blanched. “That is not good news; if there is no Guardian the land will fail. Once the land starts sickening the people will begin to suffer.”
“I wonder if that is the intent. If someone wants to overthrow the current ruler, causing civil unrest would do the trick, don’t you think? And that someone riding to the rescue while the current ruler is distracted and ill?
“Both Greenswatch and Deepwater had their councils recently infiltrated by new players encouraging them
