“It is nothing to concern yourself with, my lady. It will heal, and all are well,” Jennery said, giving her a reassuring smile.
Alyssa breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness, I was worried...” She glanced at Simeon and tightened her lips. “I am so sorry.”
“It is not your fault,” Jennery reassured her again. “Please, my lady. You’d best return to the house. We will await your orders.”
Alyssa let go of his arm and straightened up. “Yes, we have to survive another day,” she muttered under her breath, and saw by Jennery’s sympathetic grimace that he had heard her.
“Ah, Captain Bryce,” she called as she caught sight of the wiry captain. “I appreciate your staying to pay your respects to my father. Please walk with me and Lieutenant Jennery. It is time to return to the house. You will stay and take refreshments with us, won’t you?”
“Lady Alyssa, I would be honoured.” Bryce offered her his arm, and they walked back up the road, adjusting their pace to Jennery’s rather stiff gait, through the waiting locals lining the way. Simeon strode on ahead of them, looking neither left nor right, escorting the Father who was scurrying next to him.
The waiting people reached out and touched Alyssa’s sleeve as she passed. “Lady’s blessing, miss,” they said, shyly ducking away before she could respond. She looked around in wonder as the people slowly melted away before her, returning to their homes but wanting to make sure she knew they had been there for her father. Her eyes misted, and she sniffed as she watched them leave.
“Here.” Jennery proffered his handkerchief.
“Thank you. You are so kind to me.”
“It is not difficult.”
“Not for you, but for some, maybe.” She tightened her lips. “Tell me what happened? How badly are you hurt, and what about Silene?”
“I am fine, and so is Silene. We were jumped on the road by supposed bandits. They came off worse, I can assure you. Silene and Reese left for Stoneford. It will be safer for them there.”
“Thank goodness they are safe. I can’t believe Simeon would hurt Silene, but I was wrong, and you are not fine. Captain Bryce, tell me the truth, you can see he is not well. Will he be able to ride tomorrow?”
“He’s just a bit sore, my lady, he’ll be alright tomorrow. Maybe he should have an early night tonight. The rest will do him good,” Bryce suggested as Jennery began to protest.
“Then that is what he will do, won’t you?” Alyssa glared at Jennery until he yielded. “Once we are back, it’s unlikely we’ll have a chance to speak. You can see what Simeon is like, and that man of his follows me everywhere. I am not sure what Simeon has planned for his confirmation, but I doubt either of you will be welcome. We need to ensure we delay your departure long enough today that you have to stay the night because I intend leaving with you as soon as possible after the confirmation, and I get the feeling he may make that difficult.”
“He cannot gainsay the King, nor your mother,” Captain Bryce said.
“I don’t think he believes she has summoned me,” Alyssa said bitterly. “He thinks he can dispose of me as he wishes. He has been very clear about that.”
“Well, we’ll have to convince him otherwise, won’t we?” Jennery said with a smile, trying to ease her concern.
She gave him a tentative smile in return, though her gaze firmed as she watched him. “Captain Bryce and I will find a way. You will go straight to bed. I will send Hannah with a draught to make sure you do go to sleep.”
Jennery’s protest died under her concerned gaze and Bryce’s glare. “Very well,” he said, easing his back; it was apparent he was uncomfortable.
Later that afternoon, as he dutifully climbed into bed, Hannah arrived with a sleeping draught and strict instructions for him not to get up until it was time for the confirmation the next day. Her expression grew more determined as she saw the dark bruising across his body. One of Bryce’s men was on watch outside his door, and he was to rest.
Hannah arched an eyebrow at him as she presented the sleeping draught. “Lady Alyssa’s orders,” she said firmly, standing over him as he drank it. He eased himself back on the pillow, trying to stifle a groan.
Hannah tutted and tucked him in. Her fingers gently brushed his hair back from his cheek and hesitated over the heat of the bruising. She sat in the chair and watched him until his breathing smoothed out, and he relaxed into sleep. He still looked strained, a crease between his eyes even in sleep. He was hurting more than he had let on. It was fortunate she had slipped the pain relief into the draught as well. He would no doubt need more of them on the morrow.
Her face softened as she watched him sleep. Jennery and Alyssa, she so hoped they would make a go of it. She had grown fond of Alyssa. She would be perfect for keeping Jennery out of trouble.
Chapter 28
Watch Towers, Stoneford Watch
Ain’uncer took a step back from the advancing Sentinal, and swept his black robes around him, disappearing in a swirl of cloth.
Tagerill took a deep breath and turned towards Jerrol. His heart stuttered at the sight of the Captain holding his brother in his arms. They sprawled in a pool of blood on the floor.
His sword clattered to the floor as he knelt beside them, his heart hammering as he searched for a pulse. His frantic check reassured him that Birlerion was still alive. He looked up as Jerrol cursed. “He just waded in, got between the guard and me. He was unarmed, Tagerill; why would he do something so stupid?”
“You are the Captain.”
“You don’t even know me.”
“The Lady chose you, and she
