Jennery grinned at the boy and took the jug. He poured a glass for Simeon and waited as he drank it thirstily. Simeon held the glass out for more before he sat back, resting his head and closing his eyes. Alyssa sat next to him and reached for his hand. “Simeon?”
Simeon opened his eyes and rolled his head towards her. “What happened?”
Alyssa looked at Jerrol helplessly, tears springing into her eyes.
Jerrol stepped forward. “I am sorry to inform you, Lord Simeon, that you befell an Ascendant plot to take over Greenswatch.” Jerrol’s face tightened. “There is no easy way to tell you this, but they killed your father, Lord Hugh, intending to place you as their puppet in his place. Today was your confirmation as Lord of Greenswatch.”
“What?” Simeon looked frantically around the faces in front of him. “But that can’t be true. Lord William?”
“I am sorry, son,” William said, “but it’s true. We attended your confirmation today, that’s why we are all here. We just saw the spell removed.”
“I would never betray the Watch or my father,” Simeon protested.
“Not deliberately, no.” William raised his hands. “But there is much we don’t understand going on. The Ascendants are powerful, and they have magics we have never seen before. Son, it wasn’t your fault. What befell you almost befell us today.”
“And Aaron is still affected. How do we help my son?” Olivia clasped her hands together.
“Aaron?” Simeon peered at Lady Olivia. “What happened to Lord Stefan?”
Lady Olivia paled. “He was killed in a hunting accident; shot by his men,” she said bitterly.
Simeon swallowed as he understood what she wasn’t saying. “And our men? Where’s Garrick?”
“Garrick is representing you in the ballroom where all your guests may still be celebrating your confirmation,” Jerrol replied with a grim smile.
Simeon blanched even further. “Lady’s blessings,” he murmured, rubbing his eyes. “Do I have to face them all today? What did I say?”
Alyssa hugged him. “I am so glad you are back,” she said, her relief evident.
“Let’s deal with Reid first,” Jerrol suggested, turning to the man who was still slumped on the floor.
“Who is he, and what’s wrong with him?” Simeon leant his arms on his knees as he peered down at Reid.
“He is in the same state you were. And as to who he was, he was your Seneschal. As to who he is, let’s find out, shall we? Reid,” Jerrol said clearly. “Tell me your true name and your purpose here.”
Reid opened his eyes and sat up. “My name is Kor’aderil. I am to prepare the way for the Ascendants’ glory. Greenswatch will be cleansed ready to welcome the new leader. I will do what must be done to provide the brothers with the platform they need to overthrow Vespiri and bring it under the thrall of the Ascendants.”
Jerrol ignored the gasps of horror behind him. “And who is Meritas? What is his purpose?”
“Meritas?” Kor’aderil frowned, momentarily confused. “Ah, you mean Mer’iteras?”
“Mer’iteras,” Jerrol confirmed.
Kor’aderil’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Mer’iteras is the foremost expert in Mentiserium. He is spreading the word and helping the people to find the truth. He will wipe the Lady’s name from the world.”
“Mentiserium? How did they discover that?” Jerrol stared at the man.
“Var’geris found it. He discovered he could control the minds of others. It is a skill very few possess or can learn. Only the Ascendants’ direct descendants have the power. And the beauty is that the people don’t even know they are affected, so no one can tell,” Kor’aderil boasted.
“Who are the direct descendants?” Jerrol probed.
Kor’aderil’s eyes flickered around him. “I am not supposed to know, but Mer’iteras has a brother called For’teres, and there is another who’s never named.”
“For’teres, I’ve met,” Jerrol grunted, regretting he had allowed him to escape. “Are you a descendant?”
“Me?” Kor’aderil gave a sharp laugh. “No, I’m not a descendant. I’m not of the bloodline, but they welcomed me into the brotherhood all the same.”
“Who were you before you entered the brotherhood?” Jerrol asked, fascinated.
“I came from Terolia, a son of the Kiker, not deemed important to be anyone. But they will see. I will show them all!”
“Where are your marks? You display no family allegiance.”
“I am a brother. I am no longer a Kikerian. I do not need family allegiance. The Ascendants removed the marks for me.”
“Are you sure you joined the brotherhood of your own free will?”
Kor’aderil hesitated. “Of course I did.”
“Where did you join, was it in Terolia?”
“Yes, I had escaped from the Kiker conclave while we were encamped outside Il Queron. I found the true path in Mistra when I heard Var’geris speak. A true descendant.”
Jerrol looked around the room. “Anything else I should ask before I release him?”
“What will happen to him when you release him?” Simeon asked.
Jerrol grimaced. “I’m not sure, but I think he will revert to the Kikerian he is supposed to be. I think this whole brother thing is imposed on him, much like they imposed on you. How he will take that is anyone’s guess. It sounds like he has been under this spell for many years.”
“He must have been, to reach a position of authority and to be trusted to manage Simeon,” Jennery agreed, preparing to restrain the man.
Simeon winced at the reminder.
Jerrol turned back and commanded Kor’aderil to forget all imperatives and never to be susceptible to Mentiserium again. Jennery and Bryce leapt to hold him down as he convulsed. His eyes rolled back in his head, and he collapsed to the floor, unconscious.
Jerrol sighed, observing the man. “I imagine the removal hurt a lot more for him because it was ingrained for so long. I suggest you take him to the infirmary and keep a guard on him. I don’t know how he will react when he wakes up.”
Bryce grabbed the man’s shoulders, Jennery his feet, and between them, they carried the unconscious man out of the room.
Jerrol rubbed his face; his mad dash
