Thief (Brotherhood of the Throne Book 1) (22 page)

Brenna thumped her head against the wall. She was a fool. The Brotherhood had a spy in Duke Thorold’s household. If she’d asked Kane, he probably would have told her. No doubt he would have been able to get the information she sought as well; information that tied Duke Thorold to the King of Langemore, proof that he was committing treason against King Mattias. All the times he’d tried to get her to trust him and she never once thought that he might hold the key to her plans. As he’d told her, she tended to forget who and what he was. He was young to have risen to Captain of the Kingsguard, family legacy or no. It stood to reason he’d be smart enough to keep watch on his enemies.

But why had he not told her about his spies? She’d handed her own contacts over to him quickly enough. But she’d never asked. Nor had she asked him how he’d known about the knife she’d tried to steal from the priest. She’d been too busy trying to figure everything out on her own, too caught up in keeping secrets from Kane that she’d never considered that he’d have a few secrets of his own. He would have told her, if she’d asked. He would have told her in order to gain her trust for both him and the Brotherhood. The Brotherhood, with their weapons of old steel. Weapons made of the exact same metal as her mother’s knife.

Carefully she reached back and pulled the knife from her pack. How was her mother’s knife connected to the Brotherhood? It was - she could feel it. Hand on the knife, she
searched
for old steel. One piece was just outside her cell. That must be Tobias - he wore a sword that was not from his family. She widened her search. There was more old steel on Thorold’s property. This time the mismatch between bearer and weapon was even more jarring. And there, on the road, were half a dozen more pieces. And one was Kane’s sword.

Thorold dabbed his mouth with a napkin and threw it onto the table before he fixed Fridrick with a glare. “I assume you’re interrupting my breakfast for a reason, scholar.” He knew about the thief of course, his personal guard had informed him first thing this morning. He also he knew that Fridrick had been to question the thief.

“Yes, my Lord.” Fridrick’s voice quavered slightly.

Thorold really wished the man was made of stronger stuff. He might need to find ways to toughen him up a bit. He hated having to coddle anyone.

“As you no doubt are aware the guards captured a thief early this morning,” Fridrick said. “A female thief.”

Thorold straightened. His guard hadn’t mentioned that fact.

“This thief,” Fridrick said. “Is a match to the description of the one caught stealing the knife from the church. I have little doubt she is the one.”

“Have you questioned her? Did she admit it?” Thorold almost laughed out loud. He’d never believed that the healer who’d been killed had been the thief. He would love to hand this one over to the High Bishop. He
would not
allow a lowly thief to escape his justice. Even if this girl wasn’t the same one she could still help him cement his hold over the High Bishop. People had a habit of dying when questioned by the High Bishop. One more death would be one more lever to keep the man loyal.

“No, my Lord,” Fridrick said. “I thought you would prefer to question her yourself.”

Thorold nodded. “Very good Fridrick. Have the thief brought to me in the salon.”

“My Lord,” Fridrick said. “There is one more thing. The girl seems very familiar to me, but I can’t place why.”

Fridrick left and Thorold puzzled over his last statement. The scholar had a very good memory for people. It was unusual for him to not be able to place the thief.

Duke Thorold’s salon resembled an audience chamber more than a sitting room. A single imposing armchair faced the door that led from the main hallway. Small tables sat to either side of the chair with plenty of room beside them for guards. He chose not to be flanked by guards today - he was, after all, dealing with a simple thief. The two guards escorting the thief should be enough to manage her. 

He had just settled himself on his own chair when there was a knock at the door. Fridrick entered followed by a slim figure in black and two of his most trusted guards. He watched as the girl, head bent, slowly walked the length of the room. She stopped in front of him, raised her head and met his gaze. What was this? His mouth opened in shock and he saw the small smile of triumph on her face. He scowled. The brat had surprised him, like her mother had, but he’d make this one pay as well.

“Well Fridrick,” Thorold said and turned his attention to the scholar. “I believe I know why our young guest looks familiar to you. I always thought my bastard daughter bore some resemblance to me, although her coloring is her mother’s.” Thorold smiled at the shock on not only Fridrick’s face but on the faces of his two guards.

“So daughter,” Thorold said. “How proud your mother would be if she were alive.” He eyed her dirt-streaked clothing and tangled hair. “A common thief. I always knew you were worthless despite my blood. I suppose it was you who tried to steal the knife from the priest, was it not?”

His bastard daughter simply shrugged. “My mother would be proud,” she said. “I’m free. As for the priest’s knife. I have nothing to hide on that score. I was caught and my bond was paid. Although I’m sure you’ve had other items go missing over the years, none would have matched the loss the knife would have been. Oh, forgive me, that knife was for the High Bishop, wasn’t it?”

Thorold narrowed his gaze. Had she just admitted that she’d been behind a cluster of small thefts that had plagued him for years? And how did she know that the knife was destined for him?

“That,” Thorold said. “Has no bearing on your current circumstance, does it? You, a known thief, found in my house.”

“I’m sure the Kingsguard will deal with the charges in the manner they see fit,” she said.

“I’m sure they would. If they had the chance.” He smiled as her face paled. “Do you think the Kingsguard will care what happens to a thief caught on my property? And there’s still the little matter of you being a runaway indentured servant. I’m sure that once all the accounts are added up, you’ll be quite in my debt for years to come.” Thorold laughed when her expression went from fear to anger. Oh, she was much more fun to goad than her mother had been.

“When all accounts are added up you owe me for the death of my mother.”

Before he could reply there was a noise from outside in the hallway. The sounds of muffled voices came from beyond the closed double doors, then they were flung open and Kane Rowse strode into the room, four men in the blue uniforms of the Kingsguard at his back.

“Captain Rowse.” Thorold could barely contain his rage. How dare the man barge in to his home? “What is the meaning of this?”

Kane Rowse stopped two paces in front of him and bowed slightly.

“My question exactly, Duke Thorold,” Rowse said. “What is the meaning of this?” He gestured to the two guards and the prisoner. “As you know, anyone caught breaking the law must immediately be reported to the Kingsguard and prisoners handed over for questioning. I appreciate the efforts you and your men have gone through to apprehend this person, but we’ll take custody of the prisoner now. My men will take statements from you and your household.”

“Stop!” Thorold shouted. “You
will not
lay a hand on this woman. She was my indentured servant and she and her mother plotted to kill me before she escaped. She is my property and I demand that you leave her in my custody.”

“That’s a lie!” the girl shouted. “My mother was a healer - she didn’t plot to kill anyone. She couldn’t defend herself against you and you killed her.”

Thorold stood, how dare she talk to him like that. “You think to accuse me? You are nothing. My bastard daughter by a mother who was both witch and whore.”

“If my mother was a whore, it was you who made her one! She
was
a witch and a healer, with powers you never understood,” she said.  “Powers enough to make sure she never bore your child, no matter what hold you had over her. My mother loved my father and he loved her until he died in a hunting accident. That’s right grandfather, your son fathered me, not you. And in all the years after he died, my mother never once let her secret out - not when you bedded her, not when you hit her, not even when you killed her.”

“You lie!” Thorold’s rage took hold of him and he stood up. Alastair, his son, his fine firstborn son, would never have done that. He saw Fridrick shrink back in fear but Brenna, that witch, and Rowse, stood together against his fury. He’d teach them to fear him. “Guards, kill her, now!”

The room filled with the hiss of swords clearing scabbards. Thorold looked around in dismay - all but two of the weapons were pointed at Fridrick. Thorold’s eyes narrowed. His two guards glared at each other over crossed swords. So, this was how he’d been betrayed.

“I don’t think you really mean that, Duke Thorold.” Rowse’s voice was calm in the quiet room. He stood beside the girl, his ancient sword in his right hand “Even you would find this difficult to explain to the king.”

“Well Captain,” Thorold said. He sat back down. With a calmness he didn’t feel he smoothed a hand down his vest. “It seems you have the advantage for now. And Tobias,” he looked at his guard whose sword was pointed at Barton, his one loyal guard, “It was you who betrayed me, was it?” When Tobias bowed in his direction, Thorold suppressed a surge of anger.

“Tobias and I go way back,” Rowse said. “It must be what, eight or ten years?”

“Yep. It was our first year in the Guard,” Tobias said.

“As you’ll find with many guards in Kingsreach, my Lord Duke,” Rowse said. “There are ties with the Kingsguard. I think it’s time we took our prisoner back to the castle. We wouldn’t want anything to happen to her, would we?”

“No we wouldn’t,” Thorold said. “Because Captain Rowse, as soon as you leave I will be petitioning the King for the return of my property. Don’t lose our young friend here.”

Once Rowse had left with Brenna, Thorold sat in quiet rage. Fridrick and Barton stood silent in his salon. The girl lied, of course. She couldn’t possibly be the daughter of his son. She was a witch, like her mother. But the mother
had
real power, as she’d shown at the end. He’d often wondered why someone with true power had allowed him to control her so completely. She could have poisoned him or made him trip and fall down stairs – so many ways she could have caused his death. At the time he’d been unaware of the danger he’d been in but it had caused him more than a few sleepless nights since. Until today he’d wondered if she’d been the cause of Alastair’s death, but what if she’d used her power to seduce his son?  Had the witch managed to turn his own son against him without him knowing?

“Fridrick,” Thorold said. “You need to find out how the Brotherhood is tied to Kane Rowse and his uncle. Go, now.” Fridrick bowed and scurried from the room. “Barton, I need to know where in the house the thief was. And create a detailed list of items she was attempting to steal. A complete list, you understand.”

“Yes my Lord,” Barton said. “I believe she was trying to steal your seal. I assume so she could send orders in your name.”

“Yes, I believe she was. Good, I think we understand each other perfectly.” Thorold watched as the guard saluted and turned to go. “One more thing. Find out who else in my household has close ties to the Kingsguard. If you think they are spies, kill them. I will not have any more betrayals.”

“Yes my Lord,” Barton replied.

“Send in my steward. I must prepare to see the king.”

Kane tried to control his anger but his horse sensed it and danced nervously. His men filed out through Thorold’s front gate, Brenna clutching Dasid tightly as she perched on his saddle behind him. Once they were all through the gate, Kane wheeled his horse and caught up to her.

“Brenna,” Kane said. “I am furious but right now I need to know if you’re all right.” He kneed his horse and it sidestepped a wagon.

“I’m fine,” Brenna said. “I’m sorry Kane. Thank you for coming for me.” She shuddered and gripped Dasid more tightly. “I don’t want to think about what he planned to do to me. I shouldn’t have provoked him, but I couldn’t help it. He killed my mother right in front of me.”

Kane met Dasid’s glance – neither of them had known this.

“We’ll talk,” Kane said. “You owe us the truth about that and the fact that Duke Thorold is your grandfather.” She nodded and hung her head. He had to be satisfied with that for now.

Kane didn’t speak any more than he had to until they were at the castle. The horses were led away to the stable and the rest of the guards headed for the clerk to give their statements. Kane headed for his office, Dasid, Brenna and Tobias in tow. They had to be ready when Thorold petitioned the king.

“Tobias,” Kane said. “Do you have somewhere outside of Kingsreach where you can go?” The man would now be in danger from Duke Thorold.

“Yes, I’ve a plan. It’s not like this wasn’t expected. In fact,” Tobias grinned, “I was getting a little tired of the old duke. He pays well, but he’s not pleasant to work for.”

“I can imagine,” Kane said. “Dasid will get you some crowns. You can buy what you need from the master at arms. Don’t tell anyone where you’re going. You can send word to Dasid later.” Kane sat down behind his desk. “I think your part in this is finished, if you wish it to be.”