“We have a healer here who can look at your shoulder for you. I am sure he has something that will ease the pain,” Lord Jason said. “You are both welcome to stay as long as you need to.” He was interrupted by a light tap, followed by a young woman carrying a tray. “Ah, Mary, please, on the desk will be fine.” The maid dipped her knees, and after staring around the room, her eyes wide, she left, closing the door softly behind her.
“Please, help yourself,” Jason said, leaning back in his seat and cupping his mug.
“Thank you for your care. We appreciate it,” Silene said, staring at Chryllion. She inspected his unusual uniform and the silver eyes that seemed to glow and then blushed as he smiled at her. “I am sorry. I can’t believe I am meeting another Sentinal. It seems unreal.”
Chryllion’s laugh was a deep rumble. “I feel the same way, believe me,” he said, shifting his sword. “It is strange to be awake and the world so different. Though I suppose not so different after all.”
“True, underneath it all, it is all about power. Those without trying to grab more. Usually at the expense of the innocent.” She stared at Jerrol. “You are attracting a lot of trouble, Captain, very quickly.”
Jerrol grimaced. “I know.”
“Guerlaire was the same. Leyandrii was always saying he should take better care,” Chryllion said.
Silene’s eyes widened at the casual mention of such legendary people. “You knew the Lady Leyandrii as well?”
“Oh yes, she was such a young lass to have such a heavy burden.” His lips quirked. “I guess she wasn’t as young as she looked. Marguerite appeared even younger.”
“Marguerite? The Guardian of the Land? You knew her too?” Silene looked as if she might faint.
“Yes, she was a little tyke, always vanishing, had the palace in uproar half the time, ’til Taurillion calmed her down.” He paused, wrinkling his brow. “I wonder where he is now – where they all are. The Captain says there are only twelve Sentinals in Vespiri. There should be far more than that.”
“There are a few in Terolia, but not many,” Silene said with an air of caution.
“We will find them,” Chryllion said, Silene thought more in hope than in real belief.
Chapter 29
Stoneford Watch
The next morning Birlerion awoke early. His stomach fluttered uncomfortably; something was wrong, but he couldn’t remember what. A comforting hum filled his head, and he knew where he was. He opened his eyes and squinted at the glowing strands surrounding him. A fleeting touch and the glow began to dim; the strands were fading as he watched.
Bemused, he sat up on a wooden cot extending out of the wall in a circular room. A soft silvery glow lit the room, revealing smooth silver bark for walls. Above him, a swirling mist took the place of a ceiling.
Memory came flooding back. He had seen Clary; he was positive he had. Tall and venomous, black hair tied back off his face. The same supercilious expression, which had changed to horror when he saw Birlerion. What had he been doing at the towers? And why was he afraid of him? Not his typical behaviour.
Tagerill appeared before him, relaxing as he saw Birlerion sitting up. “Thank goodness! How do you feel?”
Birlerion’s brow creased. He was still tired. A lassitude dragged at his body, but his stomach no longer burned, nor did his arm. “Much better, I think,” he said, running a hand over his healed skin, the new scar a thin pink line parallel to the other one. “Where are we?”
“My sentinal, he healed you. We are back in Stoneford.”
Birlerion stiffened. He had taken the blade for the Captain; he had to learn to stop doing that. Leyandrii would no doubt tell him off. “How is the Captain?”
“Upset at you for risking your life, but otherwise he’s fine.”
Birlerion rubbed a trembling hand over his face. “How long have I been here?”
“Just a day, the healer stitched your wounds. My sentinal helped you along. I expect you will still feel a little tired; the body needs time and sleep to heal. Time I thought we didn’t have. The Captain wants to get back on the road, but he won’t leave without you,” Tagerill said, watching Birlerion swing his legs over the side of the cot. He handed him a shirt that he pulled out of thin air. “Birlerion, you took a foolish risk. Why did you leave the stairs? If you had stayed there, none of this would have happened.”
“I told you I saw Clary.”
“You couldn’t have.”
Birlerion peered at him, his silver eyes still red-rimmed and bloodshot, though significantly less swollen. “He ran away.”
“That doesn’t make him Clary.”
Birlerion grinned. “He looked horrified when he saw me.”
“I imagine most people would be, the state you were in. Not a pretty sight.”
Birlerion chuckled softly and let Tagerill help him stand. Tagerill watched in concern as he swayed, trying to tuck his shirt in. “The Captain is waiting for you up at the keep. Also, Loremaster Silene and her husband, Reese, arrived yesterday, claiming sanctuary.”
Birlerion turned and almost fell. He felt so weak. He took a steadying breath as his brother held him up. He hadn’t felt this weak since – he shied away from the memory. Since the last time.
“Maybe you should stay here a little longer?”
“No, I’ll be fine. I just need a minute to adjust.” Birlerion ran an unsteady hand through his hair. “And something to eat,” he said as his stomach growled.
Tagerill escorted him back to the keep, his hand hovering behind him, but Birlerion seemed to regain his strength as he walked. By the time he reached the keep, he looked as if he had just awoken from a deep sleep instead of a
