Tagerill sighed. “Let’s just say we had problems in our day, and Birlerion took the brunt of them.”
“Mathew is sewing him up; he has a more delicate touch.” Tyrone helped Jerrol remove his shirt and checked his side. “You’re lucky you haven’t ripped it open. It looks like he only caught your shirt. Birlerion must have fouled his blade.”
“He and I will be having words about that.”
Tyrone grimaced in agreement. “How old is he? He doesn’t look old enough to have as many scars as he has.”
“He’s nineteen, a year younger than me,” Tagerill said briefly.
Jerrol was appalled. He had thought he was older.
“The lot of you need to be more careful. I have enough on my hands without you as well.” Tyrone glared at Jerrol. “We can’t do anything for the others without the keywords.”
“Which is why it’s fortunate I came across this, isn’t it?” Jerrol waved the small notebook in front of the healer.
“And that is?”
“A list of affected people and their keywords. The first word triggers the behaviour. Repeating it is a reset. It seems to leave them open to a new suggestion.”
“Where did you find that?” Jason reached for the book and began flipping through the pages. “Here’s Danilesh,” he said, his eyes bright as he stopped at a name he recognised.
“Councillor Fortes had it. He has been enspelling people in Velmouth and up at the towers.”
“At least we know a way to reverse it now,” Jason said with relief. “I’ll do a compare to everyone we’ve sedated, see if they are all in the book. I think you have your hands full with Birlerion for now,” he said to Tyrone.
Tyrone tapped Tagerill’s arm. “You said your Sentinal could help him – how?”
“He can speed up the healing process, as long as Birlerion is stable and the wound sealed. We can transfer him to my Sentinal, and he will assist with his recovery. I know the Captain is desperate to get to the King.”
Tyrone looked at Jerrol and Jerrol shrugged. “It’s worth a shot. He’s only going to fret in a bed in here. He may as well sleep in the Sentinal if there is a chance we can get him healed quicker.” He grimaced. “I need him.”
“You must tell me more about your Sentinal’s healing powers,” Tyrone said as Tagerill followed him into the back room.
Jason turned to Jerrol. “Let’s go back to my study. We can compile a list of questions and decide where to start. Maybe Danilesh?”
Tagerill helped carry Birlerion down to his Sentinal. He scooped him up in his arms, ignoring Birlerion’s protests, and shimmered into his tree. Birlerion relaxed with a sigh as the Sentinal spun golden strands around him. The strands pulsed brilliantly as Tagerill watched. “Do what you can,” he thought.
The air pulsed around Tagerill, and he sat on the chair that materialised under him. A flush of energy washed through him, and he straightened, easing his shoulders. “Thank you,” he murmured as his sentinal checked him over. He sat watching the pulsing strands as his sentinal began to heal the worst of his brother’s wounds. His mouth tightened; they had almost lost him. Again.
Jason and Jerrol were in deep discussion, reviewing the best way to remove the spells, when they were interrupted by a page who burst in breathlessly. Before Jason could reprimand him, he was speaking. “My Lord, a man and a woman have arrived from Greenswatch; they claim sanctuary under the name of Lieutenant Jennery.”
Jason pinched the bridge of his nose. “Advise them I am coming,” he said, rising. When he arrived in the courtyard, a large red-haired man was sheltering a small woman from the threat of the guards.
“Lord Jason,” Silene gasped with relief, as Jason entered the courtyard.
Jason strode forward. “I am sorry, but you have the advantage of me?”
“I am Silene, lately the Greenswatch Lore Master. This is my husband, Reese.”
“Silene, Reese. What are you doing here?”
“We found the Greenswatch no longer good for our health, and Lieutenant Jennery insisted we leave and come here. Captain Haven was right. Greenswatch is no longer safe for us.” Her eyes widened as she saw Chryllion behind his shoulder. “My Lord,” she whispered in awe. “I see the Captain is assembling his guards.”
“Indeed.” He gestured towards Chryllion. “This is Sentinal Chryllion. Please, let us go inside. We can talk more easily in my office. Mackie,” he called his aide over, “arrange for some food to be sent to my office, and request that a guesting suite is prepared.”
“Yes sir.” Mackie saluted and ran off without asking any further questions. Jason closed his eyes, blessing the boy before turning to follow his newest guests.
He paused on the threshold of his office watching Jerrol greet them. “I am sorry. Please, you are welcome. This has been a long day,” he said with a wry grin.
“We are sorry to be another burden on you.” Silene sat awkwardly in the chair.
Jerrol leaned forward. “Are you alright? Were you injured?”
“I’m fine. I fell off my horse when we were set upon and wrenched my shoulder, is all. It is a little sore after the journey here, and nothing time won’t fix,” Silene replied.
“But what happened, who attacked you?”
Silene eased back in the chair. “Your Lieutenant Jennery came to get me at the behest of Lady Alyssa. She was concerned her brother wasn’t going to perform the Lady’s Leaving ceremony for her father. She wanted me to talk some sense into him. I failed miserably. His feet are set on a different path, and he wouldn’t listen to reason. Alyssa was furious.” She shook her head. “I do hope she is alright. Simeon instructed Lieutenant Jennery to escort me back to where I came from.” Silene hissed as she shrugged, forgetting her injury. “We were set upon on the way home. Lieutenant Jennery managed to fight them off. I fear he took some injuries as well, but I damaged my shoulder when I fell
