“You say the Lady is not here and yet you are her Captain,” Saerille said.
“Where is Guerlaire?” Chryllion asked suddenly.
Jerrol shrugged. “I am sorry, but I don’t know. The Lady said I needed to find the forgotten and I believe that is you. Your names have been lost in centuries of history.”
Tagerillion looked at him, his face pale. “Where are the others? You said there were other trees? How many are there?”
Jerrol considered for a moment. “Maybe ten or twelve in Vespiri.”
“Ten!” Tagerillion was aghast.
“How many should there be?” Jerrol wasn’t sure he wanted to know.
“There should be over a hundred,” Tagerillion said, looking horrified. His face paled even further. “Our families,” he whispered, the blood draining from his cheeks as he realised they would be long dead and buried as well. Forgotten much as they had been.
“I am so sorry,” Jerrol said, knowing it was not enough.
“It is not your fault.” Chryllion’s voice was deep and slow. “The Lady has called, we answer.”
“But, Chryllion...” Tagerillion screwed his face up in anguish.
Chryllion gripped his shoulder. “We serve the Lady, to protect her people. She has called. The Captain needs us.”
Tagerillion struggled for a moment, and then he bowed his head. “The Lady calls,” he said. When he raised his head, there was a sheen of tears in his eyes. “As you command, Captain,” he said, an audible tremor in his voice. Birlerion wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
Jerrol took a deep breath, steadying his nerves. “To work then. Let me introduce you to Lord Jason of Stoneford Watch.”
“He’s a good man, visits often.” Chryllion’s deep voice was soothing.
“Ah, but he hasn’t met you yet.” Jerrol couldn’t wait to see Jason’s face as he led them down the road towards the keep. The Sentinals kept shoving each other as they pointed out new landmarks and changes in the surroundings. Birlerion and Tagerillion continued a low-voiced conversation, Birlerion no doubt explaining all that he knew. Jerrol led the way through the keep to Jason’s office. Fortunately, the sentries recognised Jerrol and waved them through.
“It is much changed.” Chryllion spoke from behind Jerrol.
“Even inside? I thought this was all still the original building.” Jerrol knocked on Jason’s door.
“No, I don’t recognise any of this,” said Chryllion as he ducked his head and followed Jerrol through the door and into the study. Jason was seated behind his desk, talking with Jennery and Alyssa.
“Lord Jason,” Jerrol began, startling Jason with his formality until he saw the three people standing behind Jerrol. “May I present Chryllion, Saerille and Tagerillion, lately the Stoneford Sentinals. Saerille, Chryllion and Tagerillion, may I present Lord Jason of Stoneford, Lady Alyssa of Greenswatch and Lieutenant Jennery of the Lady’s Guard.” Jerrol stood back and observed their faces. He couldn’t help smiling broadly at Jason’s bemused expression. Jason glanced from the Sentinals to Jerrol.
“You can’t just leave that hanging out there,” Jason rapped, glaring at Jerrol. “Explain!”
“My Lord Guardian,” Chryllion spoke, “it is an honour to meet you finally. My colleagues and I have enjoyed your visits. We look forward to working with you to rid Stoneford of this Ascendant curse.”
Jason gasped. “You woke the Sentinals?”
“These are the original Sentinal guards, confined to their Sentinal trees until the Captain returned.” A smile flitted over Jerrol’s face as Jason struggled with his words. Alyssa and Jennery exchanged amused glances.
Jerrol poured some wine. “Here.” He handed one to Jason and, offering the Sentinals a glass, he took a gulp himself. “Sit, and we’ll explain.”
Jason sat and numbly drank his wine.
“Remember when I told you about the fire at the Grove in Greenswatch? And the loss of the Guardian.”
“You haven’t told me about any fire at the Grove,” Jason replied.
“I must have done,” Jerrol said, trying to remember.
“If you’d stop flitting around the country for five minutes, you might remember to tell me what you’ve been up to, but...” Jason spread his hands.
Jerrol launched into a recap of events at the Grove and Deepwater.
Chryllion’s low voice interrupted him. “You mean to say we’ve lost two Watch Guardians? Greenswatch and Deepwater?”
Tagerillion stirred his face pale. “Greens has lost its Guardian?”
“Yes, the Greenswatch Guardianship currently resides in Lady Alyssa, but I fear the other is lost. Both the heirs have strayed from the Lady’s path.”
“Your name is Tagerillion? Tagerill?” Alyssa said hesitantly, her diminutive form dwarfed by the Sentinals. “Your father was Lord Warren Descelles of Greens, wasn’t he?”
“Yes, he was the first lord, appointed when the Lady created the Watches.”
Alyssa held out her hand. “Then we are cousins, many times removed, but family all the same.”
Tagerillion’s face lit up, and he engulfed her in a hug, the thrill of the Guardianship flowing between them.
Saerille spoke over them, concern in her voice. “If what you say is true, I had better leave straight away. I need to see what is possible. It may be, Captain, that you will have repair the Veil after all.”
“We’ll worry about that when we have to. What do you need?” Jerrol hoped it wouldn’t come to that. He had no idea where to start.
“A horse and a map. I have all else,” Saerille said, ready to leave.
Jason gave the orders and glanced at the excited Alyssa and Tagerillion. Tagerillion dragged Birlerion forward, and Jason shook his head before turning back to Jerrol. “What are you talking about? What’s this about a Veil? When were you going to tell me about all this?” he said, his voice rising with exasperation.
“I’m sorry, Jason, I thought I had. Anyway, Ari will prove it one way or the other.” Jerrol muttered a command, and there was a ripple in the air as the Arifel popped into view.
Chryllion’s face lightened. “An Arifel, what a splendid fellow.”
“This is Ari. Ari, I’d like to introduce Lord Jason, Guardian of Stoneford, and his Sentinals Chryllion, Saerille and Tagerillion.”
Jason launched himself out of his seat. “What?” As Ari joyfully fluttered above their heads, a second Arifel appeared, and Lin chittered as she landed on Birlerion’s shoulder. Alyssa reached out to stroke
