Thief (Brotherhood of the Throne Book 1) (30 page)

“That could be what I’m feeling from him,” Brenna said. “His indecision.” But what if Lord Stobert never adjusted, what if he never felt comfortable enough to act? What then? She’d do what she always did - she’d make her own decision, her own plans. She was going to meet with Duke Ewart whether Stobert agreed or not.

Their meal arrived and they both concentrated on eating. By the time she’d sopped up the last of the gravy with a piece of dark bread, Brenna could barely keep her eyes open. She left Kane in the common room, trudged up the stairs and went to bed.

Brenna woke up instantly. Gingerly she stretched her legs out. Nothing hurt too badly. She could hear Kane’s even breathing from where he lay on the floor beside the bed. As quietly as she could, she sat up, grabbed her shirt and breeches and slipped them on. She had to step over Kane before she could reach her socks and boots, but she tripped over his blanket and stepped into him. A hand snapped out and grabbed her leg. Off balance, she slid to the floor.

“Sorry,” she whispered.

Kane shook his head and smiled. His chin was dark with stubble and his eyes were still half closed. He turned onto his side and she leaned into him. Beneath the thin blanket Brenna could feel the warmth of his body against her back. Heat flooded through her and she looked at him from the corner of her eyes. It had been a while since she’d bedded a man. Kane would be … interesting. And complicated.

“I was going to get us some breakfast,” she said.

“Good idea.” Kane leaned his head on his hand and looked up at her. “Although I wish you’d been a little quieter about it. What happened to the stealthy thief?”

“She’s been subjected to days of torturous riding,” she said. “I may never recover.” She met his gaze and her smile faltered. The look in his eyes was more than simple attraction. She had to remember that he believed she was the prophesied heir to the throne. Any relationship they developed, whether it was as trail companions, friends, or bedmates, would hold so much meaning for him. Kane had been far too generous and kind to her for her to treat his feelings with no regard.

One hand on his shoulder, she steadied herself as she stood up.

“I’ll be back soon.” She pulled on her boots, grabbed a purse and slipped out the door.

Over the next three days, Brenna made an effort to talk to Lord Stobert. They were in his lands and he took much delight in telling Brenna details of the farms and villages that they passed. The weather was more co-operative and for long stretches they rode in the hot sun, fields on both sides of the road high with corn, wheat and other crops.

Brenna couldn’t sense anything unusual about Stobert or his men when she tried to read them through old steel so perhaps Kane had been right and Stobert had simply needed some time to accept her. He still hadn’t committed to having her meet Duke Ewart, and it made her uneasy. If he believed, truly believed, wouldn’t he
want
her to meet the duke?

Brenna did find riding easier. She no longer felt stiff and sore in the mornings and her legs were steady when she dismounted. Inns were frequent and they continued to stop each night, but she no longer required a hot bath to ease her aching muscles. She wondered how much all of this travel cost, but when she asked Kane about it he assured her he had more than enough coin.

Brenna had been nervous all day. It was their last evening before they reached Silverdale and she and Kane were to dine with Stobert. Tomorrow they would enter the city, and although Lord Stobert had assured them he had a plan, he had not yet told them what it was. Tonight, he’d promised, they would find out. Although at this point Brenna was of a mind to simply thank him and make her own way into town. If she didn’t like his plan she
would
leave.

The inn, so close to Silverdale, was more refined than some of the ones they’d stayed at along the way. Stobert had commandeered a private dining room, and when Brenna arrived, she’d found Stobert and Kane already in conversation.

“Brenna,” Lord Stobert said. “Come in. Shall I pour you some wine?”

“Please.” She took the glass he handed to her and sat down beside Kane.

She and Kane had been painfully polite and distant with each other ever since that morning a few days ago. For her part, Brenna was trying to ignore her increasing attraction to Kane. She supposed he was doing the same. But it was difficult. Some nights she found herself awake, listening to him breathe, and her heart ached. Ever since her mother was killed she’d felt alone. Kane was changing that, making her feel that she wasn’t isolated, that she could depend on someone – she could depend on
him
. But it was because he believed she was something she wasn’t - the heir to the prophesy. That was enough betrayal for her to live with. She wouldn’t compound it by bedding him. He deserved more from her.

“Are you ready to tell us what you have planned?” Kane asked.

Lord Stobert leaned back in his chair, his hand on the stem of his wine glass.

“I’m afraid we must wait a little while longer,” Westley said.

Brenna frowned and
reached
for him through the old steel. She didn’t feel anything. By habit she checked for other old steel nearby. There, a little ways away, was a piece that felt familiar.

“I believe your man has returned,” Brenna said. “I think you said his name was Kersey?” It was the same man, the same weapon, she’d felt the night Westley and his men had saved them.

“He is due to meet us here,” Westley said. “I’ve been waiting for him.”

“So he was sent to make our arrangements,” Kane said.

“Based on some options I gave him, yes.”

A few minutes later, a knock sounded on the door. After a brief conversation a guard Brenna didn’t recognize entered. But the old steel sword on his hip was familiar.

“Kersey,” Stobert said. “I don’t think you’ve formally met Brenna, the Caller. I believe you know Kane Rowse.”

Kersey bowed to her and Brenna dipped her head slightly. Kersey then passed a small leather envelope to Lord Stobert, backed away and took up a position near the door.

Westley opened the envelope and drew out some papers. He scanned them quickly and handed them to her.

“Kersey has arranged for a place for you to stay in Silverdale,” he said. “It should be quite safe.”

Brenna read the top paper. “We’re disguised as a newly married couple visiting elderly relatives,” she said. “This is good.” This would be the perfect way to see Silverdale. She would be free to explore the city on her own and find out information that hadn’t come to them from Lord Stobert. Her earlier nervousness disappeared.

“This could even be fun Kane,” she said.

He shook his head. “It could be dangerous,” Kane said. “Duke Thorold is not likely to give up just because we’re in Silverdale.

He was right, she knew it. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t have some fun. She’d be careful.

Thorold scanned the message once again before he crumpled it and tossed it into the fire. Barton’s note said he’d caught up with the girl and her companions and he was following them to Silverdale. Along with Rowse, there were at least four guards and a noble, Lord Westley Stobert. Thorold knew him. He had an estate in Fallad near the foothills of the Godswall and spent far too much time patrolling his border with Comack. He was annoyingly vigilant about keeping Thorold’s horses off his land. A few years ago Lord Stobert had seemed willing to lease him some pasturage, but then he’d tried to take advantage of the situation and charge an exorbitant fee.

Thorold smiled. When Beldyn became king, Lord Stobert would regret his actions.

And it would not be long now. King Mattias’ health was failing quickly. Thorold still hadn’t been able to get the king to approve his choice of captain, though. That old fool, Feiren Rowse, had put his own candidate forward. As if he would ever allow Kane Rowse’s second in command to be named captain.

Right now Barton needed to take care of the girl. She was a nuisance, a loose end, and he wanted her dead.

He looked up at Fridrick, who had waited in silence while he read the note.

“Anything for you to report?”

“Yes, my Lord. At least it seemed wise to inform you.” Fridrick kept his eyes on his feet as he took one step forward. “It seems that Acting-Captain Rowse has been seen in conversation with the king’s wine steward. There have been at least two sightings that I know about. On one occasion Rowse seemed to hand something to the wine steward.”

Thorold leaned forward. “And do you know what it was?”

“Not yet, my Lord, but I will soon enough. At least I’ll know as much as the wine steward knows.”

“Excellent, Fridrick. Inform me when you have more information. You may go.” He smiled as the scholar turned and left. Feiren Rowse was meddling with the king’s wine. The old fool had handed himself over to him. He’d rather know exactly what Rowse had been doing, but really, it didn’t matter - adding anything into the king’s wine without his consent was treason. He’d have the High Bishop obtain Feiren Rowse’s confession. And he would watch.

nineteen

Kane hated waiting. It made him nervous. Four days they’d been in Silverdale and still no meeting with Duke Ewart.

He and Brenna were staying in the home of an elderly couple, Kane posing as their visiting great nephew and Brenna as his new bride. The couple had family connections to the Brotherhood, although they were no longer active in the order. Much to Brenna’s relief they had not been told that she was the Caller.

The daily messages he received from Westley Stobert assured him a meeting with Ewart would happen soon but Kane was running out of time and patience. If another day went by without a firm meeting date he and Brenna would move on. Her safety came first. Thorold had men out searching for them - they couldn’t simply wait in place until they were found.

Brenna was avoiding being alone with him. He went out each morning to pick up a message from Lord Stobert and when he arrived back at the house around noon, Brenna was gone.

She went to library, she said. She scoured the books for new poultices and medicines. Or she found a quiet corner and practiced with old steel. And she
was
much clearer when she communicated with him through old steel, proof that she was doing as she’d said but she could have worked with old steel here at the house, with him.

In the evening, after they’d dined with their hosts, Brenna would excuse herself early and retire to their room. By the time he followed, she’d be gone, out into the night.

He’d asked her not to go out at night, of course. She’d told him that she would be careful, that she was keeping her skills sharp - it hadn’t eased his worries. He hated her being out alone, away from his protection.

Last night he hadn’t even pretended to be asleep when she climbed back in the window. He’d been sitting in the chair and she’d practically had to step on him to get into the room. Without a word to him she’d shrugged out of her black clothing and climbed into bed. Eventually he’d stretched out on the floor and fallen asleep. But it hadn’t been restful.

Kane felt that he was failing Brenna in every way. He hadn’t secured a meeting with Duke Ewart, nor was he able to follow her into the night to keep her safe. And he certainly hadn’t gotten her to trust him. No wonder she didn’t want to see him. But he missed her.

He ran a hand over his stubbled chin. He’d been letting his beard grow. It helped him blend in when he went to pick up Lord Stobert’s message. This was the last time he’d do this, too. Either a meeting date had been set or he and Brenna would leave the city.

He stepped out of the house and into the busy street, headed towards the market area. In his guise of a tradesman from Kingsreach, Kane had learned a lot about the price of wheat and lumber, but not much about the whereabouts of Duke Ewart. If the duke was in town, the tradesmen weren’t aware. The nobility did not seem to affect their lives enough for them to notice and Kane could only hope it stayed that way. If Thorold ended up controlling all of Soule, many of these people would suffer greatly. Often it was the folk in the middle who suffered the most. They were the ones who would be taxed until they lost homes and businesses to pay their debts.

Kane quickened his steps as he got closer to his destination. The Blue Boot was the least welcoming tavern in the market area and it was where he’d been meeting Stobert’s contact since he’d arrived. Something else that made him uneasy. Better to meet someplace new each day, but the one time he’d tried to send a message, his contact had shaken his head and left it behind. So Kane was left with no choice - show up at the Blue Boot or not make contact.

He took a seat at a table in back and ordered an ale. No doubt Brenna would feel right at home here. The tavern was dark and dingy and reminded him a little of the Crooked Dog, Eryl’s headquarters.

Only a few patrons were here at this time of the day. Each one sat alone, desperately nursing their drinks. The barkeep wandered amongst them filling empty glasses. If any orders were given, or coin changed hands, Kane didn’t see it.

After half an hour Kane’s contact came in and headed slowly towards him.

“This be my regular table, mind if I sit?” He was of medium build with close-cropped black hair under a well-worn felt hat. His clothing was coarse but clean - a patched woolen shirt and dark, threadbare breeches that were tucked into scuffed boots.

Kane nodded and the other man sat down. They’d done this exact same series of actions for the past four days. Kane couldn’t tell if any of the other patrons noticed anything, but it troubled him. It was too predictable, too contrived. Someone would notice, eventually.

A short time later, Kane drained his mug and stood up to leave.  He transferred a small piece of paper from his hand to his vest pocket and stepped out into the street. A few doors down he ducked into an alley and pulled out the note.

Thank the gods - Lord Stobert had finally arranged the meeting. Kane would meet Stobert’s men tomorrow at dusk and then he would be taken to see Duke Ewart.

Kane made his way back to the house. He had to talk to Brenna. The invitation did not include her and she would not be happy. Nor was he, for that matter.

Kane slowed down and then stopped in front of a shop window. A man lounged across from the house. Head down, Kane pretended to eye the goods on display. When he started to saunter back the way he’d come, the man straightened and followed him.

Had they been found? Kane wasn’t sure if his follower was friend or foe, but he had to assume the worst. Once he was sure no one was following him he’d find Brenna.

It took an hour and a complicated route through the city but eventually Kane made it to the library. He just hoped Brenna was there, and safe.

Brenna rubbed her eyes. The cheap lamp smoke made them water, but it was all she could find. The head librarian would have provided a better light source, but she’d snuck in today. The librarian liked to talk and Brenna wanted only peace and quiet. She was tired. She’d been out at night, looking for information about Lord Westley Stobert. Everything she’d uncovered painted him as an honourable, loyal man. A horse trader had even told her Stobert had angered Duke Thorold this past winter. It had been days and she’d not been able to read anything negative from Stobert through old steel. Kane trusted him. So why couldn’t she?

She picked up a dust covered book and rubbed it with her sleeve.
A Compendium of Plants from the Western Forest.
She had high hopes for this book - surely the forest at the edge of Soule contained plants and herbs not found anywhere else?

She opened the book to the first page but stopped when she felt the tingle of old steel. Kane was here. She was so attuned to him that she no longer had to consciously search him out, she just
knew
when he was close. She headed out of the room - he was somewhere ahead and to the left. She turned into a corridor, stopped and then backed up around the corner.

She could hear the creaky voice of the librarian and she stifled a laugh. The librarian had Kane cornered. Brenna peered around the doorway and smiled. The librarian had a grip on Kane’s arm and looked like he had no plan to let go. Kane nodded politely, but a muscle in his check tensed. She waved and he nodded slightly. She quickly backed out of view and headed further down the hall. A few minutes later, Kane joined her.

“By Jik, the master librarian can talk,” Kane said. “I thought librarian’s liked books more than people?”

“I think he’s just lonely,” Brenna said. She took his arm and steered him into the room she’d been in. “He did the same to me until I started climbing in through the window. This library is not very well used. Nor kept.” She batted at a cobweb on a book shelf. “What news?”

“I’ve just received word of an appointment with Ewart,” Kane said. “Tomorrow night.” He paused. “The invitation did not include you.”

“Mmm,” Brenna said. She crossed her arms over her chest. “That’s what I expected.”

“And you’re not angry? I am.”

“Do you think I should meet with Duke Ewart?” Brenna asked. Kane nodded and she continued. “So do I. So that’s what will happen.”

“Agreed,” Kane said. “We’ll come up with a plan that keeps you safe.”

“I have a plan,” Brenna said. She’d been thinking about it since they arrived in Silverdale. 

“I’m sure you do,” Kane said. He crossed his arms over his chest. “But I need to approve it. I was followed earlier. Can you do a quick check for old steel?”

She closed her eyes and
looked
. She was surrounded by old steel. Kane she saw as a bright glow beside her. The three pieces she kept in her pack - the mortar and pestle and the coronet - pulled at her as they always did. There was Lord Stobert and his faithful guard Kersey. Much further off she could sense Feiren and Dasid, and less clearly, the boys and girls she’d had weapons drill with.

Close, though, there was a lot of unknown old steel. She sifted through it the way she would search through her herbs, identifying a specific note or flavour for each piece before she moved on to the next one. The old steel closest to them had the definite feel of Brothers.

“There are two or three Brothers within the block,” Brenna said. “They’re not familiar, but the old steel matches the bearers.” She widened her search area. There, that was familiar. Yes, that was him.

“Barton’s here in the city, but not too close to us. Now that I have him, I’ll be able to keep track of him.” She still didn’t understand why Barton’s weapon hadn’t responded to her the night of the fight. She opened her eyes and met Kane’s blue gaze.

“Barton,” he said. “I didn’t think he’d give up easily. We need to be even more careful. I need to know where you’re going at all times.” She opened her mouth to protest, but he continued. “And I’ll tell you my whereabouts as well. I mean it Brenna. We’ll leave the city right after the meeting with Duke Ewart, but until then, I don’t want you going out at night alone. There can’t possibly be anything so important that we can risk you. Please.”

“All right.” She didn’t like it, didn’t like being told what to do, but Kane had already agreed that she should meet with Duke Ewart. She’d have to settle for that.

For the rest of the afternoon, Brenna studied herbal lore in the library. Kane sat at a table beside the door, a book on military tactics open in front of him.

She wasn’t sure how much reading he was doing. Every time she lifted her head and happened to glance his way, he looked away as though he’d been staring at her. It was unnerving. She tried to read him through old steel but was left with impressions of fear and hope and a fierce protectiveness.

Finally she put all the books back on the shelves and blew out the lamp. It was time to go.

“I’ll meet you outside,” she said to Kane. She hitched her pack onto her back and climbed out the window.

A few minutes later Kane rounded the corner. She fell in step with him and they made their silent way back to the house. Brenna didn’t sense any unusual old steel along the way, but all night and into the next day she nervously tracked Barton’s sword. He never came close to the house, but that didn’t mean she felt safe. He hadn’t struck her as the type to give up. And she knew Duke Thorold wouldn’t, ever.

Brenna barely tasted the food, but she’d eaten her dinner anyway - it would be a long time before they had a chance for another real meal. It was almost time to leave and they didn’t plan on coming back to this house. Kane was going to follow the instructions sent to him and meet with Westley Stobert’s men - Brenna would follow by tracking them through old steel. Once Kane was with Duke Ewart, Brenna would join them. It was a simple plan, which Kane had approved. Brenna was glad they weren’t going to negotiate with Westley Stobert. The man had not wanted her to meet with Duke Ewart from the start and Brenna had no reason to expect that he’d changed his mind. She still wasn’t sure why, though.

Hand on her knife she
reached
through the old steel and checked the surrounding neighbourhood. She could sense Barton in another part of the city. The two Brothers a few streets over must be Kane’s escort. A message from the Brotherhood had been passed along by their hosts promising that Runner and Blaze would be saddled and ready by midnight. Their packs had been sent ahead to the stable, all except her small one. As far as the Brotherhood knew, Kane would return here for Brenna before they took the north road out of Silverdale. No one knew they planned to head east to Aruntun.

Brenna fidgeted with the curtain and looked out into the street again. She was ready, dressed in her black thieving clothes. Kane entered the sleeping chamber still dressed as the tradesman.

“It’s almost dusk,” he said. “Is there any old steel I need to worry about?”

Brenna shook her head. “I can see the Brothers you’re meeting. Lord Stobert’s farther away, with Jesson and Quint.”

Kane nodded and turned to leave. “Remember, keep as close as you can, but stay out of sight. And if you sense Barton near, be very careful. Don’t forget that the men with him will only have normal swords. Don’t rely only on old steel.”

Brenna nodded. “I’ll use all my abilities,” she promised. She’d eluded guards long before she’d known about old steel. Tonight would be no different.

“Good,” Kane said. “It’s dark enough now. I’m off. Give me a few minutes head start.”