Thief (Brotherhood of the Throne Book 1) (5 page)

“I’m assuming we’ll be buying her bond?” Kane rubbed his tired eyes. He was seated across the desk from his uncle in Feiren’s study
.
The meet had finally ended and late though it was, Kane knew his duties were not yet finished for the day.

The room they sat in was paneled in dark oak and on the walls, flickering in the firelight were some of the family’s most treasured heirlooms - a shield from the Kivvan wars, eight hundred years ago; a halberd that had belonged to the first Rowse to be Captain of the Kingsguard, over two hundred years old. But the most prized possessions were the old steel weapons. In addition to Kane’s own sword Feiren had an old steel sword from the time of Wolde, the first king. The wall held three knives and another sword from King Marto’s time, made just before the old ways and the old gods were swept away on the tide of the One-God. Worship of the One-God had been imported from Langemore along with King Marto’s wife. No king had followed the old gods since.

Feiren Rowse was a large man just into his fiftieth year. The trim form kept firm by years of active duty in the Kingsguard had diminished only a little in the years since his retirement. He’d allowed his thick salt and pepper hair to grow slightly since his military days and it now reached just to the collar of his white cotton shirt.

Beside Kane sat Dasid Addems, second-in-command of the guard, as well as a member of the council for the Brotherhood of the Throne. Dasid was a wiry man with closely-cropped sandy blond hair. At thirty-six more than half his life had been spent in the Kingsguard. Once he was named captain, Kane had inherited Dasid from his uncle and had been gratefully accepting his advice since.

“I think we need to keep out of this,” Feiren said. “For the girl’s sake it’s best if neither the Rowses nor the Kingsguard show any particular interest in her.” Feiren took a sip of his wine before continuing. “But I feel responsible as it was I who commissioned the theft of the priest’s knife in the first place.”

“And I who made the arrangements,” Kane said softly. “So I’ll make sure she gets out. I’ll contact Eryl, the thief I hired to acquire the knife.”

“Good.” Feiren nodded to Kane. “Now we know the High Bishop is collecting old steel weapons. What we don’t know is why, or if he even realizes the significance of them.”

“I don’t think I realized the significance of them either,” Kane said. “Is there anything in the histories that describes the effect the Caller has on old steel?” Kane could still feel his shock and surprise at seeing his sword shining under his and Brenna’s hands.

“There might be,” Dasid said. “I remember reading something in one of the old texts, a reference to a light of some kind. At the time it seemed to have little relevance, but now...” he shrugged.

“Yes, well, we’ll need to go back over some of those texts in light of recent events,” Feiren said. “In the meantime Kane must arrange to have our lass’s bond bought out.”

Kane nodded at his uncle’s words. It meant a trip to Thieves Quarter. It was almost midnight so he expected the Quarter to be a hive of activity.

A few minutes later with a couple of heavy purses tucked close to his skin, Kane left his uncle’s house by one of the secret passages. This one turned him out into the center of Kingsreach, well away from his uncle’s house and only a few blocks from Thieves Quarter.

Kane entered the Crooked Dog, his hat pulled low on his head. He’d been here before dressed as Master Arlott. His finely made but well-worn shirt, vest, and breeches blended in well enough with the downtrodden patrons of the pub. When he scanned the room his eyes burned slightly in air made thick by a drafty fire and cheap tallow candles. One of the two customers looked up at him and then, seeing no threat, went back to staring at the tankard in front of him. Kane walked warily over to the barkeep and placed a copper on the stained wood.

“I need to speak to Eryl.” At the barkeep’s nod towards the back Kane slid the coin all the way across the bar, then headed to the door the barkeep had indicated. Two quick raps, then three long ones – the signal Kane had been told to use before – and the door opened a crack. A dark brown eye peered out at him.

“I’m here to see Eryl about a delivery that’s been misplaced.”

The door opened and a beefy man shifted his bulk just enough to allow Kane to squeeze past. The small room had a round table covered with wine jugs and empty glasses, a few hard wooden chairs pulled up to it. Eryl Fentin, self-proclaimed Master Thief, sat at the table. Besides the man on the door, two more members of his gang, these two obviously the worse for wine, were also in the room. One man, head down on the table, his cheek dipped into a puddle of wine, snored softly. The other was stretched out on a bench along the back wall, an arm dangling limply onto the filthy floor. The door closed behind Kane and he settled his gaze on Eryl.

“Master Arlott. Good eve to you,” Eryl said. “You were not expected.” Small-boned and fine-featured, the man addressing Kane had the dark hair and eyes of one from the Falladian plains.

“And good eve to you, Eryl Fentin.” Kane sat down across from Eryl. “We have business to discuss.”

“Ah, I see you did not receive my message. We’ve had an unfortunate setback in regards to our efforts to make a certain delivery to you.”

“Hah!” The drunk lifted his head off the table as he spoke. “Like as not she’ll give us all up to the Guard. Never did understand why ye fancied that witch.”

Eryl sent the man a stern look. “That’s enough Millen. We have company. As I said, Master Arlott,” the thief turned back to Kane. “We’ve suffered an unfortunate set back.”

“Which is why I’m here,” Kane said. And what exactly had the drunk meant by his comment about Eryl fancying Brenna? “My patron is aware of the circumstances you and your, er, associate find yourselves in. He’s asked that I come on his behalf to make amends.” What if Eryl and Brenna were coupled up? 

“Despite the fact that the delivery was never made,” Kane continued, “the recent turn of events has been of some value to my patron,”

“Has it now?” Eryl’s dark eyes glittered and he sat up straighter. “That is good news. Mayhap he’d want to be appreciative about that.”

“So he has told me,” Kane assured him. “No doubt others would look to take advantage of the situation, but as I told you before, my patron is looking for dependable contacts for now and the future. He feels the least he can do his pay the girl’s bond price.” Kane had the attention of all four men in the room now and he watched warily as the two ‘drunks’ straightened up and eyed him soberly. Interesting. Eryl and his gang weren’t as undisciplined as they wanted him to believe.

“He’d do that?” Eryl asked. “Pay her bond? Why? And don’t give me none of your fancy speeches about your patron’s honour. We both know that powerful men don’t do nothin’ without some payback for themselves.”

Kane leaned back in his chair. He’d obviously hit a nerve. Eryl had slipped into street talk. “Let’s just say that my patron does not want the girl to fall into the wrong hands.”

Eryl nodded slowly at this.

“And be very clear that my patron means for her to remain free.” Kane hardened his voice.  “So if he hears you have used his coin to indenture her to you, he will not be pleased.” Although if Brenna and Eryl
were
a couple, Kane didn’t need to worry about that. But what if there were children? He looked around at the squalid room. No, not possible. The Brotherhood could accept a woman as the Caller, but one with a child? That might be more than even his uncle could manage. Kane pulled a purse out from beneath his vest and tossed it to Eryl.

“That will cover her bond price,” Kane said. He pulled a second, smaller purse out and hefted it in his hand, the noise of the coins muffled by cloth. “There is more business to discuss. My patron feels quite responsible for this girl and would like to be kept advised of her whereabouts.”

Eryl eyed the second purse speculatively. “I’m not sure I can do that to Brenna. Spying on her wouldn’t sit right.”

The drunk, Millen snorted. “She’d skin ye if she found out,” he said.

“I’m not asking you to do more than let me know if she finds herself in trouble.” Kane swept his gaze from Eryl to Millen before he settled it on Eryl. He placed the second purse on the table in front of Eryl. “My patron is concerned for her safety, as well as mine, and recent events may bring unwelcome attention to her. We can’t allow her actions to be traced back through you, to me.” Eryl wouldn’t even consider spying on Brenna if they were a couple. Unless he was simply angling for the extra coin? 

Eryl exchanged glances with his men and then nodded to Kane.

“Agreed,” Eryl said. He reached out and dragged the purse towards him. “We’ll keep a look out on Brenna in case some trouble’s been stirred up by this whole mess.”

“I will also be watching her at times,” Kane said. “I ask that you keep my presence a secret from her.” He held his breath, not knowing if they would agree to this last request. He needed to know if the church was after her. On behalf of the Brotherhood, he was now responsible for her safety.

“We’ll keep quiet about you,” Eryl said as he leaned across the table. “But only if we see no harm to Brenna in this. If we think you’ve brought her danger we’ll make you wish you’d never heard of us.”

“That’s acceptable.” Kane stood up, not wanting to give them time to reconsider. He didn’t doubt Eryl’s sincerity. Brenna obviously meant a lot to him. He hoped it didn’t become a problem for the Brotherhood. In all the years he’d been a Brother, he’d never once thought about the Caller as a real person, leading a real life. Kane felt foolish that he’d overlooked something so basic. Of course the Caller would have a past - of course the Caller would have people in their life. But what that would mean to the Brotherhood?

At the door he turned back to Eryl.

“The bond should be paid at dawn,” Kane said. “And I warn you not to barter the bond down. My patron has his own reasons for this request and it’s more important that Brenna be out as soon as possible. Remember, this is not your coin. If my patron wishes to pay the bond in full it’s none of your concern.”

“I ain’t gonna take any chances with Brenna,” Eryl said.

Kane met Eryl’s brown-eyed gaze before he turned and left. He thought the thief could be trusted, in this anyway; Eryl seemed to want Brenna out and safe as much as he did. With a sigh Kane headed out through the pub and into the night. It was very late and he still needed to report to his uncle and change into his uniform before he could finally head back to the castle. He planned on being on hand at dawn; he just hoped Eryl did too.

four

Brenna hugged the worn blanket tighter to try to ward off the chill of the cell. At least she had the extra blanket. She was being given special treatment because of this Brotherhood the captain had spoken about and she wasn’t sure she liked it. The fine stew and extra blanket were welcome but she didn’t trust any of this. Everything had a cost, she thought. She’d learned that hard lesson when her mother had sacrificed her life for Brenna’s freedom. What could the Brotherhood possibly want with a thief?

But the knife and sword
had
lit up when she’d touched them. She idly rubbed her hand, the one Kane had placed on his own, his sword underneath. What had happened? She’d felt a tingle, a warmth and then the weapon had lit up. And afterward she’d been keenly aware of Kane Rowse and his sword. In some odd way she’d felt connected to them. Oh not that she knew his thoughts, not anything like that. But she was sure she’d felt …
something
… when he’d sheathed his sword, and then again when he’d left the cell. But it had happened so quickly and what he’d told her had surprised her so completely that it might just be her imagination.

At least the two guards on watch now pretended not to be studying her. The other one, the one who’d seen the sword glow, had openly stared at her. He’d only looked away when she’d asked him questions about this Brotherhood. And when her dinner had been delivered and the guard had apologized because the stew wasn’t better, Brenna had almost dropped the bowl. That had frightened her almost as much as anything else. She was his prisoner and yet he was apologizing to her. She did not need the Guard in her life like that. Brothers! And that stew had been better than what was served in most inns in the Quarter. Much better than the swill they served at the Crooked Dog - this stew had actual pieces of meat in it, not just the memory of it.

At the thought of the Dog, Brenna frowned. She hoped Eryl would come through for her. By now he’d know what had happened to her - not much went on in the Quarter that Eryl didn’t find out about. She’d made him promise years ago that if the Kingsguard ever caught her he’d buy her bond. But that was back when they’d been bedmates. Now all she could do is hope he kept his word.

He’d want to, but Eryl had a hard time keeping coin in his pocket. If he showed up she’d tell him where she’d hidden her own coin. She wasn’t sure it would be enough, though. For stealing from a One-God favored priest, no doubt her bond price would be high. But Eryl had to show. She would not be indentured to anyone ever again. She’d rather be dead, like her mother.

Brenna felt her grief rise at the thought of her mother. Six years and the pain felt as raw as the day of her death. She brushed a tear from her eye and grabbed a pebble, scraping furiously at the stone wall of the cell, trying to do something, anything, to push back her grief and anger.

Her mother had not deserved the mean life she’d been forced into. Sold into Duke Thorold’s household and forced into his bed, Brenna’s mother had never had much happiness, except for her daughter. And even then Brenna knew there was always fear. Fear of Duke Thorold’s anger, fear for Brenna’s future, fear that as bad as things were
he
would make their lives so much worse if he found out their secret - that Brenna wasn’t his child. Wynne had used her healing and herb knowledge to ensure she bore the child of the man she loved, Thorold’s eldest son. But Alastair had died in a hunting accident before he learned he was to be a father, leaving Wynne with no hope for her child unless everyone assumed Brenna was Thorold’s bastard. Luckily, Wynne had said, Brenna had her grandfather’s jaw. It had been obvious, even when she was a baby that she was of Duke Thorold’s bloodline.

Brenna sucked in a breath as her knuckle scraped along the stone and a bead of blood well up. Then Thorold had killed her mother and Brenna had escaped, had become free, just as her mother had always hoped. She would never be anyone’s slave again, she promised herself as she absently smeared her blood along the stone wall of the cell.

It was just after dawn when the outer cell room door opened. Stretched out on her blanket, Brenna peered through lowered lids as her two overnight guards left and the jailer entered with two more Kingsguard. She knew, even before she saw him, that one of them was Kane Rowse. He was wearing his sword - the one that had lit up at her touch. She could sense it, somehow – that same connection she’d felt yesterday. She closed her eyes and concentrated. It was almost like seeing something from the corner of her eye. She knew
something
was there, but she couldn’t catch more than a vague impression of it. And the more she concentrated, the more elusive it was. She wondered if Kane Rowse could feel it too.

“All right Jervis,” Kane said. “The paperwork is all in order. Here’s the seal of the clerk for the payment of the bond and here’s the order to release the prisoner to her bond holder.”

Brenna quit feigning sleep and stood up and stretched. The jailer examined two pieces of paper. It must be Eryl. Let it be Eryl who’d come for me.

“Looks all right Captain. A bit unusual to have the bond paid up so fast like, but mayhap she were missed last night, if you catch my meaning.” The old jailer cackled as he trudged over to the cell door. The keys jangled as his fingers searched through them.

Her cell door swung open and Kane took her arm. Brenna definitely felt a tingle from the sword reach her through his hand, and when she looked up at him she saw a flicker of puzzlement in his blue eyes.

“This way,” Kane said.

His grip tight on her arm, Brenna had no choice but to match his stride as they walked quickly away from the jail. They climbed one short flight of stairs and passed two sets of guards before they reached an arched wooden door flanked by two more guards.

Kane nodded and a guard pulled the door open. Then she was out into the morning, squinting against the bright glare of the day.

“Your friend was here at first light in order to pay off your bond,” Kane said and released her arm.

Brenna blinked in the early morning sunlight. Then she saw him.

“Eryl, thanks be to Jik.” She hugged him with a surge of relief. “I was hoping you’d come.”

“Course I’d be here, Brenna. I gave you my word years ago.” Eryl stepped back and gave her a worried look. “Are you all right?”

Brenna’s chest tightened and her heart raced. Did he see her eyes? But no, instead of shock or fear, all she saw on Eryl’s face was concern.

“I’m fine,” Brenna said. Her shoulders relaxed and she smiled. “Let’s get out of here.”

Brenna let herself be swept along with him as he steered them away from the castle gate and into the quiet dawn streets of Kingsreach. With a last glance back she saw Kane Rowse, face turned away, re-enter the castle.

Brenna and Eryl made their way towards the Crooked Dog. She didn’t much like the Dog. The tavern was one of the more run down establishments in Thieves Quarter, but Eryl never was one to pay too much for a bed and a roof over his head. When they’d been bedmates Brenna had paid for their room from her share of their takings, insisting on a clean place to sleep. As soon as they parted ways Eryl had taken a cheap room at the Dog and he’d been there ever since.

They took a winding path through the early morning city streets, sidestepping merchants who were opening up their shops and carts. Anxious, Brenna looked behind, afraid she’d see the blue uniforms of the Kingsguard, but as they traveled further from the castle and the shops became smaller and closer together, she started to believe she really was free. She stepped over a drunk who’d either fallen or been tossed into the street the night before. A cart owner was trying to dislodge him but he simply waved his hand and muttered as he lay face down on the dirty cobbles.

Despite the increasing grime in the Quarter Brenna’s shoulders loosened and her hands unclenched as she walked the familiar streets. Now that she was back in her own territory she felt in control. A few blocks from the Dog and she finally stopped worrying about the Guard.

She followed Eryl through the rough wooden door, past the dingy tavern room and up the stairs. Once inside Eryl’s room she collapsed on the bed with a huge sigh. She looked up when he held out a parchment to her. She quickly opened it and read the few lines. Her heart sped up and her eyes widened. So much!

“Keep it, it’s yours,” he said.

Brenna took the parchment – her bond – and flattened it before she tucked it into her vest, next to her pounding heart. Two hundred gold crowns! How could she ever repay that?

“By the gods Eryl, I’m sorry. I have some coin set aside but the rest I’ll have to pay off over time. Were you able to barter?” She couldn’t remember a higher bond price being paid. And if he’d bartered them down? Brenna felt fear clutch her guts. How much was that cursed knife worth anyway?

“You don’t owe me nothin’ Brenna,” Eryl said. “Weren’t my crowns that bought you out. It was the noble who made the original contract. He came by late last night saying how his patron felt responsible. Before I could say anything he ups and gives me a purse with the full amount of your bond - I can’t say how he knew the exact amount - and tells me to go get you at dawn and not to barter. I have to tell you,” he shot her a wry grin. “That’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I’m sure I could’ve talked them down forty or fifty crowns. I hate leaving coin on the table like that.”

Brenna’s stomach unclenched a little, but her fear didn’t disappear completely. She didn’t like being important enough for someone to pay two hundred crowns for and she didn’t like feeling obligated to someone she didn’t even know. Was this more meddling by the Brotherhood?

“It doesn’t make sense. Why would someone pay two hundred gold crowns to get me out of jail? They were only paying thirty crowns for the knife - and now they don’t even have that. Did they tell you why?”

“The noble, Arlott he calls himself, implied that the circumstances had brought his patron more benefits than expected. My guess is they uncovered some information they don’t want no one else to know. If they make sure you aren’t indentured then whatever they found is more secure. You got any idea what that might be?” 

Brenna kept her face as still as possible even as she remembered the glowing sword.

“Who is this patron?” she asked.

“I’ve only dealt with his man Arlott,” Eryl said. “I’ve not heard bad about him, but not much is known in the Quarter. And nothing about his patron, if he exists at all. Don’t seem like trouble, though.”

“Except he paid two hundred crowns to give me back my bond.” Brenna looked at Eryl but he simply shrugged.

She needed to find out more on her own. She needed to get home, where she felt safe, to think about it. Did this mysterious patron know what had happened when she held the knife and the sword? Only the two Kingsguard had seen that - and the priest. Brothers! The last thing she needed was the church after her. They had a nasty reputation of getting what they wanted and an even nastier one of leaving dead nonbelievers around. And what about what Kane, the Captain of the Kingsguard had said to her? What was this Brotherhood and why would she be under its protection?

Abruptly she rose and headed for the door. “I have to go Eryl. Thanks again. You know where to find me.” She quickly left his room and the Dog, heading back out into the streets of Thieves Quarter.

She planned on keeping her head down for a good while. She’d concentrate on her respectable business, healing teas and poultices and such. It didn’t bring in a lot of coin so she’d need to dip into her savings but she needed to keep off the streets for at least the next few weeks. Most importantly she needed to find out more about this Brotherhood and their weapons. And how Duke Thorold fit into this. Everyone seemed to want the same old weapons, but why?

Kane tensed his legs and then relaxed them. He’d been standing for over an hour while the High Bishop’s complained about the lack of justice for the church. After he’d seen to Brenna’s release he’d sent word to his uncle. Then he’d had to attend the king in his council chambers.

Despite the early hour he’d found King Mattias at the mercy of High Bishop Thomas Valden. The High Bishop seemed to have forgotten yesterday’s agreement that the matter of the thief was to be left with Kane and was trying to get the king’s assent to have Brenna turned over to the church. With heartfelt thanks to the old gods that he’d already seen her safely freed Kane, had stepped in to remind the two of their previous agreement. When he’d mentioned that the thief had already had her bond paid in full and been released the High Bishop had been almost apoplectic.

As he stood in front of King Matthias and High Bishop Valden, who were seated at the round council table, Kane silently cursed his uncle. When he’d been Captain of the Kingsguard, Feiren Rowse had begun the practice of standing during council sessions. He claimed it reminded the other council members of his position as an active soldier, responsible for the safety and security of king and country. As well, he’d told Kane, it was his own reminder to never relax.

              “And so I insist we deal with this thief forcefully.” High Bishop Valden said. He looked expectantly across the table at King Mattias.

“My Lord High Bishop,” Kane said. “I’m aware you feel the church has been mistreated but once again I assure you that the letter of the law has been followed. The maximum bond price was demanded and the maximum was paid in full. There was no lawful reason to keep the thief.”