Jerrol grinned. “They are not attentive, and they are only posted at your front gates. So they are not very serious about it, whatever they said to you.”
“Attentive enough to keep us contained.” The man curled his fists.
“We only saw two, are there any inside?” Jerrol asked.
“There is supposed to be a roving patrol inside and out, but they only check once a day, fortunately. But they won’t let any of us leave unless it’s at the Chancellor’s behest.”
“Is Liliian here?”
“Yes, she’s in her office. Let me warn her you’re here. Can you give me a moment?”
Jerrol waved Tagerill into the small antechamber. The looming Sentinal filled the space, and the secretary skirted the tall guard peering up at him before hurrying up the stairs. He returned immediately, gesturing for Jerrol to go up.
Scholar Deane Liliian was on her feet behind her desk when Jerrol entered, her eyes widening as she saw the tall man behind him.
“Jerrol! Thank goodness, where have you been?” Liliian exclaimed before he had a chance to close the door.
“Travelling the watches, avoiding assassins, you know, the usual,” Jerrol replied with a flash of a smile.
“Don’t joke. The situation is dire. The Prince controls the King, and the Chancellor controls everything else. We are under house arrest here.”
“How is the King?”
Liliian scowled. “Not so good, the last I saw, and that was over three weeks ago. Prince Kharel moved him up to the palace at New Vespers. He was confused. I can understand why Prince Kharel is starting the proceedings to take over as Regent. The King deteriorated visibly in the few weeks he was here.”
“Has the King’s Justice been invoked yet?”
“Not yet, but with the Chancellor pushing him, it won’t be long. The Chancellor is all cosied up with the Elothians, some special relationship he brokered. There is a state dinner in their honour next week in New Vespers. Not that I’m invited. I think he intends to invoke the process then.”
Jerrol’s eyebrows rose. “Elothians, huh? This new relationship is not that new, I think.”
Tagerill loomed behind him. “Who is this Chancellor that seeks to overthrow the Lady’s champion?” His silver eyes glinted dangerously.
Liliian stared at the tall man standing by Jerrol’s shoulder. He wore the same unfamiliar uniform Jerrol was wearing, casting him in a mysterious light. “And who is your tall friend?” She narrowed her eyes.
“My apologies.” Jerrol gestured at Tagerill. “This, my dear Deane, is Sentinal Tagerillion of Greens. Tagerillion, Scholar Deane Liliian of Remargaren,” he said with a gleam in his eye and paused, waiting.
Liliian made a gurgling noise as she watched the tall Sentinal bow in turn and murmur, “My lady.”
“A Sentinal? You managed to wake them?” she asked, awe tingeing her voice.
“Indeed, my lady, it is an honour to serve the Captain.”
Liliian’s eyes narrowed. “You are the Lady’s Captain?”
Jerrol grinned. “Afraid so. Vespiri may have disowned me, but the Lady staked her claim instead while we were saving the Watches.” His eyes gleamed silver like his companion’s.
Liliian closed her eyes in despair. “Sit,” she commanded. “I expect to hear the long story at your earliest convenience, but the short story will do for now.” She sat down behind her desk and leaned back in her chair as if exhausted. She had forgotten how exasperating Jerrol could be.
Jerrol sat, waving Tagerill to the other chair. He paused, collecting his thoughts; so much had happened. “Short story, the Ascendants are trying to destroy the Veil and weaken the Lady’s protections by killing off the Guardians. I have been travelling the Watches to discover the cause and reverse the damage they have been doing.
“I believe they have spread from Terolia, casting dangerous mind spells that have influenced the behaviour of everyone they manage to taint. Including the councils. We happened to be in the Grove when they attacked the local Guardian. The Guardianship temporarily sat with me until the rightful heir could accept it. That was when the Lady made me her Captain.” His face tightened as he continued. “The Guardians of Greenswatch and Deepwater have fallen; both heirs failed to pick up the mantle, though thankfully Greenswatch has been retrieved.”
Liliian raised her hands to her mouth in horror.
He leaned forward, his eyes darkening. “We came across Lord Hugh, ambushed just south of Deepwater returning home after the confirmation of Lord Aaron. We were unable to save him, though we did rescue his daughter, Lady Alyssa. We travelled to the Watch Towers where we found the source of the mind spell and discovered how to reverse it, before coming here where I intend to save the King.” He waited for Liliian to comment.
She stared at him. “And that is the short story? I hate to think what you left out.”
“Well, I suppose the Sentinals, but I can’t explain them now,” he said with a resigned shrug.
Liliian placed her hands carefully on her desk and inspected him, noting the new lines around his eyes, the shadow on his chin and his gaunt frame. “Well, Captain Haven, what do you need from me? I assume you are off to save the King next?”
“Straight to the heart of the matter; that’s what I love about you, Liliian. Where is the Chancellor now?”
“Living it up at the palace, I expect; he has gained a taste for the life he desires. We call him the Pretender.” She gave a sharp smile.
“Pretender?” Tagerill asked.
“He thinks he is the new Regent with the King indisposed and Prince Kharel at New Vespers.”
“And what does the court think of that?” Jerrol asked.
“If they know what’s good for them, they’ll toe the line and pay homage to the new force in town.”
“And Nikols?”
“Reluctantly biding his time, I think. He has no authority with the King’s voice silenced. The Chancellor controls the Justice, so be careful. There is still a warrant out for you,” she said, her face tight with concern.
