“What did you do?” Alyssa asked, her stomach dropping. “Silene? What did you do to Silene?”
Simeon jutted his chin out, a sneer distorting his face. “You will learn, the easy way or the hard way. Silene will not be returning to visit us.” He strode on, dragging Alyssa with him, as she stared over her shoulder at Jennery in horror.
The lake spread out before them, serene and calm, reflecting the blue of the sky and the tall Sentinal under which they stood. Drooping spears of green water iris curved over and kissed the still water, the bright yellow blooms providing a splash of colour along the margins. The guards rested the casket on the wooden chute created to support it on its final journey. The Father stood to the side and began intoning a prayer as the household staff gathered around. They were few, most being advised to stay away, though some had ignored the orders and attended anyway. Alyssa saw Millie standing with the housemaster, blotting her eyes. Hannah stood behind her.
Simeon strode forward. “Who built this here? Who defied my orders, Reid? Didn’t you instruct them to build on the other side?”
“Yes, my lord, I did indeed instruct them so. When I checked last night that’s where it had been built.” He turned to the carpenters hovering behind them. “Who told you to move it here?” Reid demanded, retribution in his eyes.
The carpenter shrugged. “Wasn’t us, sir, we built it where you told us to. Must have been the Lady. She knows where the Leaving should take place.” He stared at Reid, his face expressionless.
Reid spluttered, but as the murmur spread around the waiting congregation, he shook his head at Simeon. “Deal with them later. Let’s get this over with.”
Simeon nodded at the Father fidgeting nervously by the bier. “Father, the service, please,” he said. “Exactly as you were instructed.” He glared at the small man.
The Father bobbed his head and began intoning a blessing, glibly reading the words from a sheet of paper in his hands. “We stand here today in the name of all those who have gone before us, and with the blessing of the Council, to say farewell to Lord Hugh of Greenswatch. He was a respected leader of the community who did his duty well...”
“Father, how could you?” Alyssa strode forward and snatched the paper from his hands. She seethed as she glared at the priest cringing before her. “You of all people!”
She cast a look of scorn towards her brother, who was staring at her in disbelief. “How dare you defile the final offering. I could understand you paying lip service to your new masters, but this!” She rent the paper in two.
Reid attempted to grab her arm, but she shook him off. “Lady Alyssa, you are overwrought; please, you are not well.”
Alyssa picked up a torch and swung it at him, so he had to jump back. “You!” She pointed at the four guards still standing at attention around the bier. “Launch it,” she commanded as she dipped the torch into the flame. It caught straight away.
She waved it before her as if to keep people back, but everyone was frozen in place, gaping at her. Jennery moved to stand at the head of the bier, ready to help knock the restraining blocks out of the way.
“At your command, my lady,” he said, his bow stiff and shallow.
As he rose, Alyssa saw the livid bruising across his face; she bit her lip and drew her breath. “Now. Now is the time of Leaving.” Her voice rang out loud and clear. “We celebrate the life of Hugh of Greenswatch. A life well-lived, honoured, loved. A life offered to the people of this land, in honour of the Lady and in the name of the King, our Liege. A life dedicated to the Watch and all who live within it. A man respected and true.
“We, his people, offer him to you, our Lady, to watch over in perpetuity. To love and honour in our place. Watch him well.” Her voice faded away as she bowed her head and then she threw her torch on the now floating bier, followed by a shower of blossoms. The people of the Watch had crept along the shoreline, and now cast flower after flower towards the casket.
Through her tears, she could see the flames creep higher as it floated into the middle of the lake, a trail of flowers in its wake. The bier blazed high, the dry tinder burning fiercely, the flames reaching for the clear blue sky before a blinding flash of white filled the lake and the casket was gone. The lake waters calmed, and a carpet of flowers bobbed in memory of Lord Hugh’s passing.
Jennery turned back from watching the bier and reached for Alyssa as she swayed, her face a deathly white. He caught her arm, offering support, but staggered as Simeon spun him around. Alyssa gripped Jennery’s arm to steady him in turn.
“Unhand my sister; you will not touch her.”
“Simeon.” Alyssa turned on her brother. “You will treat our guests with respect. He is a member of the King’s Guard, and you touch him at your peril. He is also my guest, and you dishonour Greenswatch and me by your behaviour.” Simeon took a step back at her acidic tone. “Lieutenant,” she faced Jennery, “I thank you for your concern and your support.” She shot an icy glance at her brother. “It is a shame that my family are unable to offer the same.
