by Jane Glatt
nine
Brenna wandered through the streets of Smithin. They were leaving tomorrow on the tide and Kane and Yowan were securing supplies for them and the four horses. It was a one way trip by sea - once on land they would travel to the mining town by horse. When they’d rescued Madelay they would escape over the mountains, eventually reaching Fallad.
Brenna had said her farewells to Laurel, Clift and their children. Duchess Avery had already left for Kingsreach – she didn’t dare let Thorold have unopposed control of the king’s council. She wasn’t sure she could do much, but she felt it her duty to try.
Brenna meandered through the market, buying a few healing supplies as well as some herbs and spices. Kane had warned that there could still be snow cover in the Godswall so they’d be living on their travel rations with the odd rabbit or grouse – but she saw no reason to resign herself to bland food.
Eventually she made her way back to the Red Anchor. She pulled open the heavy wooden front door but before she even took a step, Kevan, his head down, bumped into her.
“Hold on.” She grabbed the boy before he could careen off her and out the door. “What’s the rush?” He looked up at her with puffy eyes, tear tracks visible through the dirt on his face and caked blood under one nostril. “Kevan, what happened?” Brenna knelt down to check him over. Nothing more than a minor scrape.
“Nothin’ happened, nothin’” was the sullen reply. Kevan wiped a sleeve across his face, smearing the dirt.
“Come on.” Brenna stood up, one hand on his arm. “Let me get you cleaned up.” He stood his ground firmly when she tried to tug him towards the stairs. “I’ll talk Cook into giving you a sweet.”
“Why would she do that?” Kevan’s blue eyes narrowed.
“I fixed her burn, didn’t I?”
Blue eyes shifted from her to the door but finally Kevan shrugged and moved towards to stairs. “Cook’s made apple and current pies. D’you think I can have some of that?”
“I don’t see why not. Let’s get you cleaned up and we’ll go see.” Brenna checked for old steel before she opened the door to her and Kane’s room. He wasn’t there but he was close, perhaps out in the stables. She’d find him later and check on Sneath as well.
“Let’s see, Kevan.” She dipped a cloth in the water basin and touched it to the lad’s face. There likely wouldn’t even be a bruise but she would take this opportunity to clean his face. “Would you look at that,” she said.
“What? Will I have a scar?” Kevan’s voice was hopeful as he twisted in her arms, trying to see his reflection in the mirror over the washbasin.
“No, no scar this time.” Brenna grinned at the disappointed look on the boy’s face. “But plenty of freckles, now that your face is clean.” She wrung out the cloth in the water and left it on a hook to dry. “Now, do you want to tell me what happened or should we just see Cook?”
“You go see Cook,” Kevan mumbled. “I’ll stay outside the kitchen and you can bring me a piece of pie.”
“Kevan were you by any chance running from Cook when I saw you?” Brenna asked. “And was Cook mad at you for trying to steal a piece of pie? Apple and currant pie?”
Blue eyes glared at her angrily. “Does that mean you won’t ask her for some? You promised.”
“I did promise and I will ask, but I have to tell Cook that the pie is for you.”
Brenna went to ruffle Kevan’s red hair but he ducked under her arm and opened the door. She followed him down to the kitchen and she had to admit, the smell of apple and cinnamon would have been too much for her to resist when she was a child. She remembered the many treats she herself had stolen from Duke Thorold’s kitchen, shared afterward with Beldyn. Poor Kevan would get his pie but he would miss the thrill of having stolen it.
Cook wasn’t happy about feeding the young would-be thief, but she gave him a piece of pie because Brenna asked. Kevan scurried off to enjoy his treat and Brenna headed outside to look for Kane.
“Brenna, good, come here for a minute.” Kane and Yowan were facing each other across a patch of brown grass, each holding a wooden practice knife. Kane had his shirt off in the warm spring air, and Brenna caught her breath as she watched his muscles move beneath his skin. Yowan grinned at her and she shrugged and moved over to Kane.
“Yowan has been teaching me a slightly different style of knife fighting and I think you should learn it too,” Kane said. “Yowan, show that last move again, would you?” Brenna studied Yowan as he moved through a parry and thrust movement.
“See, the foot work is very different,” Kane said. “If you had no experience with this and came across it you might fall for one of the feints.” Kane handed her a wooden knife and Brenna squared up against Yowan.
“I’m ready,” she said, watching as the older man went through a slightly different variation of the footwork. He got past her guard easily the first time but by the third try she was able to deflect his wooden blade.
“Don’t go easy on me, Yowan,” she called when she felt him holding back. “It won’t help me in a real fight.”
“Don’t be silly, lass,” Yowan said. “Kane and I’ll be there. You won’t have to use your knife.”
The next pass, Brenna knocked his blade from her hand. “Yowan, I’ll keep beating you until you go hard on me.”
“And she can,” Kane said from the sideline. “She’s very good. She outpaced my Uncle Feiren and he’d been Weapons Master for the Kingsguard before he was captain.”
Brenna smiled grimly at Yowan. A small crowd was starting to gather - Sneath, a few of the kitchen staff, as well as Kevan, licking crumbs off his fingers.
The next pass Yowan made at her was more focused but still she felt he was holding back. “Yowan, I’m a healer. If I get any cuts or scrapes I can take care of them,” she said. “Yours as well as mine.” She grinned and lunged.
He finally hit back in a flurry of stabs and cuts with the practice knife. Brenna watched his feet, trying to gauge his action from how he placed his feet and shifted his weight. As Kane said, it was almost counter to what she’d learned in Kingsreach, but soon enough she was copying some of Yowan’s moves. She started to tire before he did, despite his years. Finally, she yielded, panting.
“Thank you Yowan. It seems my lazy winter spent learning magic is catching up on me.”
Yowan came over to her, breathing heavily. “You did well, lass, I’m impressed. And it seems we’ve got a following.” He indicated the small group still encircling them. It looked like the whole inn had turned out for the show, customers and staff alike. Warrick Chennel called for a free round of ale and the group headed back inside.
“That was well done,” Kane said “Are you coming in now?”
Brenna shook her head and handed the practice knife back to Kane. “I need to see Sneath. I’ll be in later.”
“I’ll see you at supper, then,” Kane said. He leaned over and kissed her forehead.
“Yes, I hear there’s a fine apple and currant pie,” she replied. Reluctantly she pulled away and watched Kane as he went inside the inn, his shirt thrown over one shoulder and the bare skin of his back rippling over his muscles. Sighing, Brenna went in search of the stable master. If she could find Sneath and treat him quickly, she might have time to get Kane alone for a few minutes before they ate.
Kane looked out at the dark stable again. Where was she? He caught sight of a shock of red hair.
“Kevan, do you know where she went?” he called.
The boy looked up guiltily - he’d been tossing one of the practice knives at the ground although Kane would swear he’d put both of them away inside.
“Brenna? She and Sneath went off to find the apothecary.” The boy sent him another guilty look. “Sorry, I was ‘sposed to let ye know but I got distracted.”
Kane sighed. It didn’t seem as though she was in danger. She was a grown woman, well able to look after herself, but since they’d started sharing a bed it didn’t take much to put him on edge
. Another reminder that once she was queen and had to form a political alliance through marriage, he would struggle to step aside.
He was in the tavern when she finally found him. It was almost two hours later and he’d had more than the one ale, trying not to think of all the terrible things that could happen to her in an unknown town.
Brenna sighed and leaned her head on the table.
“Everything go all right?” he asked. She looked tired. He quickly signaled to Warrick to send over Brenna’s supper.
“Eventually.” She looked up at him. “The apothecary pulled some of Sneath’s teeth - the stable master will be fine in a few days.” She smiled and sat up when a serving girl set a platter in front of her and a second one in front of Kane. Brenna sniffed appreciatively.
“Cook was kind enough to set some dinner aside for us,” Kane said. “It might be a little tough by now, but she did her best. You were gone longer than I expected.” He tried to keep the accusation out of his voice - she was tired and didn’t need to hear him complaining. His job was to help her carry her burden, not add to it.
Warrick put two cold mugs of ale on the table.
“Please thank Cook for us,” she said to the innkeeper. “I know it can’t be easy, what with it being festival and all.”
“I’ll pass that along,” Warrick said. “But we’re more than happy to look after you, Brenna. You’ve helped most everyone here, it’s the least we can do. Besides,” he winked. “We’ve seen you with a knife and none of us want to cross you.”
Brenna waited outside the stable while Yowan and Kane saddled the horses. Their extra grain and travel rations had been sent ahead to the ship so all that was left were their personal belongings. As usual, Brenna had her own pack slung over her shoulder, the coronet and mortar and pestle tucked inside the secret pocket.
Yowan led Blaze out into the courtyard “I think I have all of your gear,” he said. He handed her the lead and went back into the barn. Kane came out, followed by Runner and Patches, the spare horse they were bringing for Madelay
“I thought now would be as good a time as any to try to See the trip,” Brenna said. Kane looked up at her sharply and she bit her lip nervously as he met her gaze. He nodded.
“That’s a good idea,” Kane said.
Yowan brought his own mount, Smoke, out into the courtyard.
“And better to do it here, where there’s no audience,” Yowan said. “Just tell me what you need us to do.”
Brenna handed Blaze’s lead to Kane and sat down on a damp bale of straw. “Wake me up if I take more than a few minutes.” She settled her mind and simply drifted, trying to remember Laurel’s lessons. She saw only snatches of things - a white sail billowing out, a sea bird flying after a boat, the sun bright upon the sea.
A few moments later she heard Kane’s voice calling her and she opened her eyes.
“I think it worked,” she said. “I saw signs of only good weather.”
Kane helped her up and she dusted her breeches off. She grabbed the lead for Blaze from him.
“Good,” Kane said. “Let’s go.”
The dock was busy when they arrived and Brenna had to calm Blaze as they wove through the crowds. The whole town had paused for the Spring Festival the day before but it looked as if they planned on making up for it today. Fishing boats were competing with trading ships for the limited dock space - men seemed to be shouting and shaking fists at each other everywhere she looked. Brenna followed Yowan’s lead and tied her horse beside Smoke and Patches.
“How are we supposed to get through this madness?” Kane asked.
Brenna shrugged her gaze darting from one chaotic scene to the next. “Didn’t you come this way before?” she asked.
“In the dead of winter,” Kane replied. “It was nothing like this.”
Yowan waved both arms at one of the larger ships. It was not yet docked and immediately a small boat was lowered. Four men rowed the boat across towards the dock closest to them.
“Here comes Captain Chaffer and some of his men,” Yowan said. “They’ll get us aboard.”
The small boat nudged its way to the dock, the men inside pushing the fishermen away in order to land their own boat. One of the men climbed out of the boat and headed towards them, leaving the other three to defend their place on the dock.
“Yowan Sellars,” the man called as he neared them. “I’m glad to see ye made it on time.”
He was a wiry man in his middle years with brown hair shorn close to his head and skin weathered brown from the sun and wind. His green eyes sparkled with humor when he turned to her.
“Seer,” he bowed low to Brenna. “Captain Rian Chaffer at your service. It’s an honor to have the Sea Sprite be your chosen vessel.”
“Thank you,” Brenna said. “I’m called Brenna Lightfingers, Captain. I appreciate that you agreed to transport us.” His rough calloused hands took one of hers before he moved past her.
“And Kane Rowse,” Captain Chaffer grasped Kane’s hands. “I see your last trip with me left you no worse for wear, despite your delicate stomach.” Captain Chaffer looked back at her. “I trust you’ll not suffer such ailments, Brenna Lightfingers.”
Brenna laughed at the sour look on Kane’s face. “No need to worry,” she patted her pack. “I’m a healer. I’ll be able to deal with most ills.”
“Just wait until we hit a storm,” Kane grumbled in her ear. “Then we’ll see how well you feel.”
“But Kane, we’re going to have perfect weather,” she replied.
“Truly?” Captain Chaffer asked. He turned and met her gaze. “You know that from your gift?” Brenna nodded and a slow smile spread across the man’s weathered face.
“Lads,” he yelled down to the three sailors pulled up along the dock. “We’ve to have fine weather, so the Seer says. Let’s get her aboard the Sprite before she changes her mind.”
“Get ready,” Yowan said from behind her, then her arm was grabbed by Captain Chaffer and he gently pulled her forward.
“Make way for the Seer,” the captain cried. With Brenna in tow, he headed straight into the throng of fishermen still on the dock. “The Seer says there’s fine weather ahead. Make way, make way.”
To Brenna’s surprise, they did make way. She found herself at the head of a small procession with Captain Chaffer - Kane and Yowan followed, trailing their horses.
By some mysterious means the fishing boats all cleared the dock. More small boats were launched from the ship, each one connected by a rope. Slowly the ship was towed into position and tied up alongside the dock. A wide wooden plank was manhandled across to form a bridge from the dock to the shore. Brenna followed Captain Chaffer across the plank to the ship.
“Welcome to the Sea Sprite,” Chaffer said to her. “Get those horses loaded up!” he called out and bare-foot sailors swarmed down the plank. One at a time the horses were slowly led across the plank until all four were standing on deck. Brenna patted each one, whispering softly to try to calm them. Eventually the horses were led away, down another plank and into the hold.
Brenna felt the ship lurch and she turned to grab a railing. The small boats were now pulling the ship away from the dock. Captain Chaffer was everywhere at once - shouting orders, checking the ropes, adjusting their course. Before long the small boats were pulled in and the activity on board settled into a quiet order. The captain, still in motion, paused by her side.
“Ask the first mate if ye need anything lass,” he said. “And if ye could scare up a wind it’d be appreciated.” He winked and hurried off, shouting yet another order.
Brenna looked around, wondering which one of the dozens of men scrambling on the deck was the first mate. She shrugged - eventually she’d figure it out.
She located Kane and Yowan by their old steel and was about to head their way when another order was shouted out and sailors clambered up the ropes. Fascinated, Brenna watched, her head tilted back and one hand shading her eyes, as they climbed ever higher unti
l they were lined up along the largest of the wooden cross bars. Captain Chaffer barked an order and the white sail was unfurled, dropping down like a waterfall, with men scrambling after it tying knots and pulling ropes taut.
“It’s something to see, isn’t it?” Kane asked from beside her. “My first trip out I watched for hours, despite the cold.” She glanced at him and he smiled. “Captain Chaffer said he was afraid I’d freeze to the deck.”
Brenna turned back to watch as the sailors seemed to flow back down to the deck. The sail billowed slightly, but there wasn’t much wind.
“The captain said he’d appreciate it if I could create a wind,” she said.
“Can you do that?”
She shrugged. “Yes, but I need to be careful how much of a wind I create here.” She looked back at the city of Smithin. “If I use too much there could be a back lash somewhere else.”
“We’d only want a very light wind anyway,” Kane said. “A strong wind can be dangerous.”
Brenna nodded and gripped the rail. She closed her eyes and concentrated on what Mistress Utley had told her. Hold the power tightly and don’t let any escape. She pictured a hand, fisted tight, then she pictured a slight movement of a single finger letting some of the power out, slowly, gently. She urged the power into the air, shaping a breeze, soft and steady, blowing northeast.
Opening her eyes Brenna looked up. The sails billowed out fully and remain that way. A shout went up from a sailor and Brenna looked back toward the port. Nothing unusual seemed to be happening so she relaxed.
