by Jane Glatt
“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 me
rcy 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.”
“Then we should change the cursed laws.” Valden glared at him “I find it unconscionable that a man of the church, a man who has committed his life to helping others, a man who was simply performing his priestly duties, can be victimized to the point of terror and there is no recourse except that shown to any common man.”
“And yesterday the council agreed to look at these laws in the future and not to change the current punishments,” Kane reminded him gently, concerned now that High Bishop Valden’s hostility seemed to be directed at him. If Valden and the church took too great an interest in him, it could lead them to the Brotherhood. Now that the Caller had finally been found, they could not afford to be exposed. Kane would need to be very careful with the High Bishop. He could not put two thousand years of secrecy at risk.
