Jerrol looked around him, frantic. He cast about for the nearest weapon as Ain’uncer began to advance on him. Jerrol found himself holding a ladle as he moved towards the far end of the table, shaking his head as if he could shake Ain’uncer’s words out of his mind. How had he affected him so fast? It was alarming how easily this man could control people’s minds.
He swung the ladle at Ain’uncer, distracting him enough to stop the chanting. His groping hand found a sieve, and he planted it like a mask over Ain’uncer’s face, before the startled man realised his chant didn’t have the desired effect. Jerrol grabbed a pan, hefting the ladle in his left hand.
Ain’uncer stepped back in surprise. “It’s not possible,” he muttered under his breath. Jerrol parried the sword with his ladle while swinging at the man with his pan. Ain’uncer retreated into the dining hall. Jerrol followed; the aroma of wood smoke drifted in the air. His fire was taking hold.
“Guards!” Ain’uncer shouted as he pointed the sword in front of him, trying to keep Jerrol in the kitchen. “Seize him!” he commanded, as guards entered the hall behind him.
Four guards raced across the dining hall, fanning out either side to pen Jerrol in until one of the guards saw the smoke coming out of the kitchen. “Fire,” he yelled, rushing towards the kitchen. Jerrol stuck his ladle out and tripped him up, followed by a stunning blow to his head with the pan.
Dropping the pan, Jerrol unsheathed his dagger and threw it across the room at Ain’uncer, before turning back to the advancing guards. He parried the first blow with his ladle, rolled, retrieving the pan, and spun upwards. His momentum turned him back inside the guard’s swing, and he hit the guard with the pan. The guard tumbled into the wall, stunned.
Jerrol jerked his other dagger out and circled Ain’uncer, aware of Birlerion staggering into the hall and drawing off two more guards trying to flank him. He attacked, striking hard with his dagger as he deflected the sword with his ladle, twisting the man into the path of the other soldiers. He darted around the tables towards Ain’uncer and gasped as a burning pain in his back brought him up short. A King’s Guard lunged at him as he spun, and he managed to deflect the blade away from his ribs.
Jerrol lurched back as the guard advanced, and Birlerion slid his body between them. Birlerion faltered, his breath hissed out, and he launched himself at the guard, forcing him back across the room, blocking the follow-up strike.
Jerrol took a steadying breath, and Ain’uncer roared as Tagerill arrived. Jerrol gripped his ladle just in case. Birlerion staggered back, and Jerrol grabbed him. His shirt was more red than white, and what he could see of his face that wasn’t bruised was far too pale. He eased Birlerion to the floor as he sagged in his arms. Birlerion held a sword, and he waved it feebly as Tagerill waded in.
Chapter 27
Greenswatch
Jennery and Silene arrived back at Greenswatch later that evening, not long after the evening meal had finished. Alyssa flew to embrace Silene before Simeon could utter a word of complaint. Alyssa ushered Silene into the room, passing her coat to a hovering manservant.
She threw Jennery a grateful look as she escorted Silene to a chair by the fire. Silene came to an abrupt halt as she caught sight of Reid beside Simeon. Her eyes widened and her lips tightened, but she held her peace and allowed Alyssa to fuss over her.
“My dear Alyssa, Simeon, allow me to offer my heartfelt condolences. Your father was a good man, and he will be greatly missed,” Silene began, clasping her hands in her lap.
“Thank you, Silene.” Simeon was stiffly formal. “But you didn’t need to rush over tonight; you could have waited until the morning.” He glared at Jennery. “The Lieutenant takes too much upon himself.”
“It was fortunate Alyssa sent word, else I would not have known. I would not want you to think me remiss in paying my respects.”
“Oh Silene, it was awful.” Alyssa’s voice trembled.
“Hush, child,” Silene soothed. “Lady be thankful, you are safe.” She patted her face sympathetically and hesitated as the zing of a Guardianship sparked at her fingertips. “You must tell me all later,” she said, searching Alyssa’s eyes.
Reid shifted sharply behind Simeon and muttered a few words before bowing to the room and leaving. Jennery moved from his lean against the door to allow him to go, watching him with suspicion.
“Simeon, child, are you ready for tomorrow?” Silene asked.
“I am not a child, Silene.”
“I know,” Silene said. “And tomorrow you will be granted the responsibility of the Watch. Your father so hoped you would not have to take that on so soon.”
Simeon drew himself up. “It is my inheritance. He tried to keep me from it, but it is mine.”
“He never wanted to keep it from you, Simeon. He was so proud of you. But these are troubled times and holding the Watch will be more difficult. He wanted to protect you for as long as he could.”
“Rubbish!” Simeon spat. “He had gotten stuck in the old ways; he was trying to keep control. He wouldn’t listen.”
“Wouldn’t listen to whom?” Silene asked. “Your seneschal? Not a follower of the Lady, I believe. Where did you find him?”
“None of your business. Who I choose
