Jerrol held up a finger. “One, we need someone at court to keep an eye on the King and feed us up-to-date information. Two, we need to investigate the rumblings. Three, we need to shore up the watches and begin our defence.”
Jason looked at him keenly. “I see your time in the infirmary was well spent,” he said as he gestured for Jerrol to continue.
“Seeing as I can’t go back to Vespers and I am guessing that is a deliberate act to keep me away from the King, I suggest Jennery goes to court with Lady Alyssa. They have more reason to go than any of us, and I am sure if you drop the right hints, Alyssa, your mother will invite you, and Simeon will have to agree. He must want to appear to have a tighter alignment with Prince Kharel.”
Alyssa tapped her foot gently on the floor. “I’ll send a letter to my mother straight away.” She glanced up at Jennery, and they shared a fleeting smile.
“Bryce, once you’ve escorted Lady Alyssa home, you need to detour through the watches to Lords William and Marcus. Check their holdings, agree on the protocols, advise them what has been happening elsewhere and make sure they check out any newcomers to the council. If we can remove them before they can act, we have a chance to weaken their position.” Bryce whistled softly, glancing at Jason, who gave him a sharp nod.
“Jason, you need to coordinate with those you trust in the Stoneford council and remove those from power whom you think are the instigators. They can argue the toss once you have them out of position. And this smuggling business...” Jerrol rubbed his nose. “I smelt trealt at Deepwater. If drugs are playing a part in this, we need to cut their supply. Can you try and disrupt the operation permanently?”
Jason chuckled, his eyes bright. “I’m sure we can find a way.”
“Birlerion and I will go up to Velmouth; speak to the council, track down Torsion, check out the towers and the borders if possible. Dependent on what we find we’ll either head over to Terolia or return here. No matter what, if urgent send a messenger, but within the month, we all need to have reported back to Jason. Then we need to figure out how we win the Watches back!”
Jerrol stopped speaking and looked around the room expectantly. He was greeted by a slightly stunned silence, as they all digested his instructions.
Birlerion spoke up hesitantly. “If there is a deliberate attempt to keep you from the King, shouldn’t you make every effort to reach him?”
“We need proof. Evidence that will prove to the Inquisitors that Kharel and the Chancellor are trying to overthrow the King. Otherwise, as soon as I step into the palace, they will execute the warrant and me! They won’t have a choice.”
“Who else are you taking with you, Jerrol?” Jennery asked. “No offence, Birlerion, but you are only one person.”
Jerrol laughed as Birlerion spluttered in protest. “The Lady’s guards are not to be underestimated. You’d be surprised how much damage one Sentinal can do. And if there were two, then I would suggest that the Lady meant business.”
Chapter 22
Stoneford Keep, Stoneford Watch
As Jerrol expected, Birlerion cornered him after the meeting and asked him to awake the Stoneford Sentinals. They walked down the winding track to the grove of sentinals, Birlerion quietly excited.
The tension flowed out of Jerrol as soon as he entered the grove, the tall sentinals rising above him. He rested a hand on the sentinal’s trunk and the leaves above him rustled in welcome. He leaned in to embrace the tree and closed his eyes. He breathed in the invigorating green scent, and as he did so, he became aware of a sense of expectancy.
“Well, wake them up then,” Taelia said from behind him.
Jerrol spun in shock. “What?”
“They’ve slept long enough. Birlerion is quite right.”
“Tali! What are you doing here?”
Taelia rolled her eyes. “Waiting for you to wake them up.”
“I don’t know how.” Jerrol turned back to the tree.
“Yes, you do. Use the Lady; she’s rooted as deep in you as she is Birlerion. She’ll help you. She’ll always help you, Jerrol, if you ask.”
Jerrol laid his palm on the trunk and closed his eyes, reaching for the Lady as the bark warmed under his hand. He opened his eyes and found himself standing opposite a giant of a man; he was well over six foot, black-haired, broad-chested. His high-collared jacket and matching trousers glistened in the silver-green light. He wore a broad sword strapped across his back, the hilt protruding above his head. “Captain, is it time?” The man’s silver eyes were bright.
“Time?” Jerrol repeated, hearing the echo of another man asking the same question.
“Time to wake,” the man replied with a grin. “We have waited long for this day. We are ready.”
Jerrol stared at him; deep down, he knew this man. He knew his name. “Chryllion, yes. I believe it is time.”
Chryllion instinctively looked up. “The Veil weakens. You need to seal it soon, or they will breach it.”
“I’m supposed to repair it?” Jerrol’s stomach dropped.
“You are the Captain.”
“I wasn’t aware I could. It all happened so long ago that we’ve lost all knowledge in myth and legends.”
“How long ago?” The tall Sentinal stilled, waiting.
Jerrol gulped. It didn’t get easier with practice. “Umm, the year is 4124.”
Chryllion gasped. “It can’t be.” His voice shook.
“I’m sorry, but it’s been three thousand years since the Lady destroyed the Bloodstone.”
“Still, the Veil needs patching.”
“I don’t know how.” Jerrol ran his hand through his hair.
Chryllion gave a brittle laugh. “Of course you do.”
“Could you go and patch it?” Jerrol asked hopefully, not sure he understood the Sentinal’s words.
“If you command me so, but I will be noticed. Saerille would be better; she has a lighter touch.”
Jerrol spun as a woman stepped up behind him. She was tall and slender with long brown hair tied back off her face in a knot at
