I thought I’d share the first chapter for those of you eagerly awaiting the Christmas bonus story about Alyssa and Jennery which you voted for in my Sentinals Readers Group. This story will sit between books 2 and 3, and is called Sentinals and Guardians. This is a first draft, so not edited and subject to change, but I hope you enjoy all the same!
Chapter 1 Alyssa
For as far as she could see and beyond, it was all hers. From the depths of the deep blue lakes that gave her Watch its name, to the flat river plains, the stands of lush forests to the ravines of the mountain passes. Standing at the top of the stone steps of the manor house in Deepwater, Alysa shivered as a wave of apprehension flashed through her. She had gotten carried away in the flush of new love and the thrill of recapturing her Watch.
The King’s Rangers and the Lady’s Sentinals had swept through the Watch, cleaned out the Ascendants and handed the Watch to her on a platter. Well, King Benedict had approved her petition, and she had been confirmed as the Lady’s Guardian. It had helped that Denirion, the Watch Sentinal had supported her claim.
What she hadn’t expected was the weight of the Watch on her shoulders. She knew how to run a Watch. She had been involved in the running of her father’s Watch on a daily basis, taking more and more responsibility for the household in later years. Well, maybe not years, she was only eighteen after all, but certainly for the last year or so. It was the burden of responsibility for not only the Land but the people, the Sentinals and the Watch guards as well that she had underestimated.
She nibbled the end of an auburn curl as she stared out over the verdant land. The sun gleamed on the still waters, sparkling as the breeze rippled the surface. The flash of yellow water iris bobbed above the surface, the tall, slim stems creating a barrier around the water’s edge.
As she watched, a section parted and a slender man clambered onto the bank, water dripping from his clothes as he hauled what looked like a basket out of the water behind him. Frowning, she watched him slick his hair back, flick away the water and then crouch beside the basket.
She hurried down the steps towards him. “Oscar!”
The man jumped, startled by her voice, and stood. “Lady Alyssa.” He inclined his head, and wiped his muddy hands down his trousers.
“You are not supposed to be dredging the lake on your own.”
“I’m not, Jennery is with me.”
“Lea? Where?”
“Here,” Jennery said, as he parted the foliage and peered up at her.
Alyssa stood over him, hands on hips as she stared at her beloved and the Lord of the Watch. He was waist deep in water, soaking wet, smothered in mud and strands of pond weed. “And why are you crawling around in the mud, my lord?”
Jennery grimaced and then gave her sheepish smile. “We wanted to check latest report of contraband. I couldn’t believe they would stash it so close to the house.”
“And did they?”
“Well,” Oscar said, gesturing to the container he had hauled out of the lake. “I would say yes. Although this is empty, the fact it exists at all says it has been in use.”
“Couldn’t some of your men have checked it for you?” Alyssa asked. “I mean, seeing the Lord of the Watch and our Captain of the Guards, grubbing about in the mud has to be doing your reputation a great deal of good.”
“I don’t know,” Jennery said as he climbed onto the bank. “The men appreciate you more if you’re prepared to get your hands dirty.”
“I’m sure I heard once that delegation is key. There is bound to be much more important things both of you are supposed to be doing. I know for a fact that Peppins has been trying to find you.”
Jennery twisted his lips. “Yes, dear.”
“Don’t you ‘yes dear’ me,” Alyssa warned, her voice deepening as she glared at him. She batted his hands away as he attempted to hug her. “And don’t even think it! You are a mess. Both of you, go and get cleaned up.”
“Yes ma’am,” Oscar said quickly and unsheathing his dagger, cut through the rope trailing behind the basket and retreated to the barracks, hauling the basket with him.
“Coward,” Jennery muttered. He flashed Alyssa a placating smile and said, “I spoke with Peppins this morning. There was nothing urgent we had to deal with today.”
Alyssa shrugged. “Well, he must have found something since then. Go and clean up, Lea. We’re supposed to be meeting with Councillor Gregory in a chime.”
Rolling his eyes, Jennery started walking up to the manor house. “How is Tagerill today?”
Alyssa pursed her lips as she thought of the Sentinal who had nearly died retrieving her Watch for her. “He’s started more intensive training. Healer Clennin has given him strict instructions. Please make sure he follows them, Lea. If he doesn’t, he could do more damage.”
“Do my best. Though he’s a Sentinal. I doubt he’ll listen to me.”
“Well, remind him, he’ll be no use to Birlerion if he doesn’t behave.”
Jennery came to a halt and sighed. “I don’t think mentioning Birlerion is a good idea. Until we know where the Ascendants took him, there is nothing anyone can do. That just pours salt on the wound, and Tagerill has enough to contend with at the moment. Losing both Serillion and Birlerion at the same time …” Jennery hissed his breath out. “We should be glad he is even training.”
“What do you think really happened at the Watch Towers?”
“I don’t know. Nothing good, that’s for sure.” Jennery rubbed his eyes. “From what I heard, Birlerion caused enough of a diversion which allowed Jerrol to escape. Thank the Lady Jerrol is safe. If we had lost him …” Jennery paused and shook his head. “It doesn’t bear thinking of.”
“So many Sentinals hurt or lost. We need to protect ours, Lea. They seem to be taking the brunt of the Ascendants ire.”
“History repeating itself, I suppose. The Sentinals have always stood firm in the Lady’s name.” Jennery stopped at the steps leading to the house. “I can’t believe we are living in a time when the Sentinals have returned. Alyssa, imagine sleeping for three thousand years, only to be awoken to fight against the same foes you fought before you were enspelled! I don’t know how they do it. I’m not sure I could.”
Alyssa rubbed his back and then scowled at the mud smeared across her hand. “Of course you could. You would do whatever was necessary, just as the Sentinals do.”
Jennery shook his head. “I’m not so sure.” And then he climbed the steps and entered the manor house.
Alyssa stood at the bottom of the steps and looked down at the two graceful sentinal trees standing beside the lake. Smooth silver trunks rose to a canopy of emerald green leaves. The Lady’s Sentinals, her personal guard, had slept within those trees for three thousand years, only to be awoken by the Lady’s Captain in a time of need.
A soft caress warmed her skin as her Watch sentinal greeted her, and she smiled. Denirion’s sentinal was very attentive. Tagerill’s sentinal was newly arrived and still settling. He had appeared after Tagerill had been injured, and it was a good job too. Tagerill had recovered much faster with him here, even if he still needed to rehabilitate.
The Ascendants had returned. Men intent on overthrowing the Lady’s Guardians and coercing the people to follow them through magic and persuasive spells which removed free choice.
The Lady’s Captain, their friend Jerrol Haven, had been ambushed by the Ascendants at the Watch Towers. The reports were sketchy, but Tagerill’s brother, Birlerion, was missing, captured by the Ascendants and their friend and fellow Sentinal, Serillion, had died. Jerrol had been hurt, though he was now safe in Old Vespers, recovering from his injuries.
Alyssa sighed. Her Watch was one of the casualties of the Ascendants attention. The previous Lord, Aaron, had been influenced to turn a blind eye to his father’s demise. In fact, Alyssa was sure he had been involved in his father’s death. But he had paid for his mistakes with his life, and now Alyssa needed to pick up the pieces. She exhaled as she took on last glance at her Watch, and then turned and after climbing the stone steps, entered the manor house.
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If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series. As a new threat against Remargaren is discovered, only one man can wake the ancient guards who can protect them, only he doesn’t know how. Start the adventure and stay for the journey. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
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