“It used to be.” She watched Simeon closely. “When did you leave the path, Simeon? What made you forsake the Lady?”
Alyssa gasped beside her; raising her hands to her face, she turned stricken eyes on her brother.
Simeon raised his chin. “You are but a teacher for children, Silene, and there are no children here. I suggest you leave before you are escorted out and told not to return.”
“Simeon, you cannot banish Silene. She is our family,” protested Alyssa, standing between them. “You must allow Silene to preside over Father’s Leaving. You may no longer follow the Lady, but he did, and you will honour his beliefs.” Alyssa stood before Simeon, her eyes flashing, her face determined.
Jennery thought she had never looked so beautiful. He observed Simeon; he was strung tighter than a bowstring and looked as if he would snap at any moment.
Silene rose. “No, child, for now, it is decided. The choice has been made. He is lost, and his guide will not lead him back.” Simeon flinched as he met her eyes. “It is never too late to find the right path. If you ask you will never be refused,” she promised. “And now it is late, and I need to go home.”
Alyssa turned away from Simeon with tears in her eyes. “I will not stay and see you ruin the Watch,” she said, controlling her voice with an effort. “Mother requested that Lieutenant Jennery escorts me to her in New Vespers. I will be leaving after your confirmation.”
“You will do as I tell you,” Simeon began, but Alyssa flung up her hand.
“No,” she replied. “I will be travelling with Lieutenant Jennery to New Vespers.”
Simeon swallowed. “We will discuss this in private. But for now, I suggest that your lieutenant,” he sneered across at Jennery, “escorts Silene back to where he found her and keeps himself out of Greenswatch business if he knows what is good for him.”
Jennery offered a cynical bow. “My lord.” He bowed more respectfully to Alyssa, smiling into her anguished eyes. He wished he could hug her, but he restrained himself and turned to Silene to offer her an arm.
Silene looked at him with a twinkle in her eye. She turned to Alyssa and gave her a hug. “Come and see me before you leave, there is much to discuss.” She added wickedly, “And your lieutenant knows the way.”
Alyssa blushed and hugged her back. “What should I do?” She clutched Silene a little desperately.
“Be careful. There is little you can do. Keep your lieutenant near. I have to go. Simeon is watching.”
Alyssa watched them leave before turning back to Simeon.
“What did she say to you?” he demanded.
“She was offering the Lady’s blessings for Father for tomorrow since you are not going to. What happened, Simeon? Was your life so bad under the Lady’s watch?”
Simeon glowered at her. “You know nothing, and you understand less. Stay out of it, Alyssa, and you won’t get hurt.”
“Too late.” She hissed as if struck. “I have been hurt. I was there, Simeon – where were you? They slaughtered him. They slaughtered our father and all his men; an ambush off the East Road. You never asked; was it because you already knew? Don’t you care?” she lashed out at him before she turned away in floods of tears.
He stood stony-faced, watching her stumble from the room. He had been warned not to listen to her wiles. He was to ensure she was offered to Aaron. That had been the agreement and it would get her out of his hair. He swallowed uneasily. Things were not as easy to control as he had thought. He would be glad once he was confirmed. No one could argue with him then.
He looked up as Reid slipped back in the room. “It’s done,” Reid said. “Aaron will be here for your confirmation to take her off your hands, so stay the course, and it will all be yours.”
“What about my mother? Won’t she be expecting her in Old Vespers?” Simeon paced, unable to keep still.
“She’s lying. There’s been nothing delivered here for her. It’s all a ruse.”
Simeon pressed his lips together. “A ruse for what? Why would she lie?”
“It’s all about power, Simeon. You know that. You have it, and she doesn’t. She’s trying to defy you. You must show them who is in charge from the beginning; don’t allow anyone to tell you what to do. Tomorrow you must keep her under control.”
“How? You saw what she is like. Headstrong.”
“Well, let us say she should be subdued tomorrow. After all, she’s not going to embarrass you at your father’s Leaving, now is she?”
The day of the Leaving dawned clear and still. There was an air of expectancy. Everyone felt it as if something momentous was going to happen. The Leaving was to be performed at the home lake, where a single, tall Sentinal stood guard behind the house.
Alyssa stood on the steps watching her father’s bier carried by his honour guard down towards the lake. A dark green cloth covered the casket, the single globular Alyssium bloom for which she had been named lying on the top.
The procession moved slowly. The local people, barred from attending the so-called “private” Leaving, threw flowers at the bier as it passed, bowing their heads in respect. Her eyes teared as she silently thanked Garrick for keeping to the traditions.
Her father’s casket had been guarded by Garrick and his men ever since he had returned to Greenswatch. Four of his remaining personal guard had stood on honour guard all day and night. Garrick now led the procession with Alyssa and Simeon following.
Simeon was cursing steadily under his breath. “Who gave him permission, Reid arranged a cart for him.”
“You will honour the man who was our father.” Alyssa gripped his arm like a vice. “You will pay him the respect he is due.”
“No, dear sister, you and the rest will pay me the respect I am due, or
