Healer (Brotherhood of the Throne Book 2)

by Jane Glatt

  Tobias reached for the brandy and poured himself a glass. “Duke Ewart was not in Kingsreach when the edict was approved.” Tobias sipped from his glass. “Nor has he openly opposed it. I can’t tell you my direct orders of course, but any and all complaints made by members of the church of the One-God, including those made by priests, are being referred to Ewart personally. I’m sure he’ll tell you himself how he’s dealing with them.”

  “And the borders?” Kane asked. “Have there been any problems?”

  “Very few. Ewart assigned patrols over a month ago and brought in supplies to house, clothe and feed all manner of folk. He also set up wagon routes to transport any who do cross in to Fallad further north. I understand he hopes to spread refugees out far and wide so as not to overburden any particular town. This spring Duke Ewart encouraged Falladian farmers to increase their food crops this year. Now refugees are being sent to help work the land.”

  “That’s a good plan.” Brenna nodded. “Normal trade routes from Aruntun have already been disrupted - food could become scarce, especially if refugees come in the numbers I have Seen.”

  “Thorold has already given the church free reign in Comack,” Kane said. “Some are using the edict as an excuse to underpay followers of the old gods for their goods. We should have Aruntian ships sail further north with their goods.”

  “You had a vision of this?’ Tobias asked Brenna.

  “One of my new talents,” she replied. “What news of the Brotherhood?”

  “The council remains scattered,” Tobias said. “But the training continues. We’re to send any likely looking lad who crosses into Fallad straight there.”

  Brenna closed her eyes briefly. When she opened them she turned to him.

  “Dasid is coming south,” she said. “Perhaps to meet with Ewart?”

  “Let’s hope so,” Kane said. Once the edict had been pronounced Dasid would want to know Duke Ewart’s plans, as they did.

  “Anything else?” Brenna turned back to Tobias.

  “Lord Stobert and his men are still free, doing Duke Thorold’s bidding – which you already know. Although,” Tobias grinned, “they have very little land under their actual control.”

  “Thorold hasn’t yet allowed them onto his own lands,” Brenna said. “He’ll be furious when he learns Stobert’s prime grazing lands are no longer available for his horses.”

  “It is a shame how things turned out for poor Lord Stobert,” Tobias said. “Perhaps Duke Thorold will give him to the High Bishop, like he did with Neal Ravershaw.”

  “The High Bishop has Ravershaw?” Kane leaned forward. “When did it happen?”

  “What about Duchess Avery,” Brenna asked. “We heard she’d been captured. Has she been given to the High Bishop as well?” Brenna’s face was pale and when Kane took her hand, it was cold.

  “Both the duchess and Ravershaw are being held. The day the edict was pronounced they refused to agree to it,” Tobias said. “I haven’t heard that she’s been sent to the High Bishop - Thorold doesn’t dare do that. Not yet, anyway.”

  Kane dropped Brenna’s hand when she stood. “I need to tell Madelay,” she said and left the room.

  “Is there word of them?” Kane asked Tobias.

  “A week old, but the duchess is being treated fairly. No one seems to know about Ravershaw, though.”

  “I can imagine.” Kane’s heart sank. Neal Ravershaw was a fine man who didn’t deserve what he’d receive at the hands of the High Bishop. Given what Brenna had revealed about the High Bishop’s treatment of his Uncle Feiren, he wasn’t sure he should hope the man was still alive. “Poor Madelay.”

  “The healer you’re traveling with?” Tobias asked. “What’s this to do with her?”

  “She’s Brenna’s grandmother,” Kane said, thinking how sad for her to be free, finally, and then to hear this news. “And sister to Duchess Avery.”

  Kane knocked once before he entered the room he shared with Brenna. She was sitting on the bed, staring blankly at the wall. He closed the door and joined her, pulling her to him.

  “It’s not fair, is it?” She turned sad eyes to him. “Madelay has already lost so much in her life - it’s not fair that she should lose more.”

  “No, it’s not fair.” He smoothed one hand down her back and hugged her.

  “We have to get them back, both Avery and Neal,” Brenna said, her chin lifting. “I will not allow Thorold to win this one.”

  Kane nodded. As soon as he heard the news he’d known this would be her response.

  “The High Bishop has one or both of them,” he said.

  “I know. If I can’t get them out I can make sure they don’t suffer any more.”

  “We need to meet with Duke Ewart and talk to Dasid as soon as we can.”

  Duke Thorold sat in his office in the castle, his fingers tapping impatiently on the desk in front of him. He’d sent a page to bring his son but it had been almost an hour and there was still no sign of him. He frowned. Was Beldyn starting to believe he had some real power? Perhaps he needed to clarify his son’s position.

  A quarter of an hour later Beldyn finally entered his study.

  “Where have you been?” Thorold stood up and stepped in front of his son. He smiled when the boy’s head dropped and his shoulders slumped. Better. “I sent for you over an hour ago.”

  “I am sorry, Father” Beldyn said. “It was not convenient for me to come earlier.” Beldyn said and lifted his head to meet his gaze. “I wasn’t aware I was at your beck and call at all times of the day and night.”

  Thorold stepped back and watched his son through lidded eyes. Beldyn looked rather disheveled and he nervously ran a hand through his hair, trying to smooth it a little. Could he have been wenching?

  “And I am sorry,” Thorold said. “There seems to have been a misunderstanding.” He smiled and Beldyn smiled tentatively in return. “You are here under my authority and if I send for you, you are not to delay. I don’t care how inviting the wench is.” Beldyn blushed and Thorold smiled. Yes, the lad had been wenching. He might be able to use that against him in the future. “Do I make myself clear?”

  “Yes Father,” Beldyn answered, his eyes on the floor.

  “Good. Now for a practical lesson.” Thorold strode to the door and opened it. A page stood at attention. “Ask Captain Barton to attend us immediately.” The lad rushed off and Thorold returned to his desk. He seated himself for the short wait, leaving Beldyn to stand and fidget. When Barton arrived a few minutes later Thorold stared at his son until he raised his eyes to him.

  “Captain Barton, thank you for joining us.” Thorold turned to his son. “The captain was very prompt, was he not, Beldyn?” Thorold smiled at his son’s mumbled agreement.

  “Now Captain, Beldyn and I were discussing a few things and I think it would be educational if we were to pay a visit to Neal Ravershaw.”

  Thorold, Beldyn trailing him, followed Barton as he led the way through the castle halls to the stables. They were going to visit the church of the One-God and the room the High Bishop played in. The High Bishop had kept Ravershaw mostly intact, although he’d likely not use a sword or a bow again without his thumbs. Let Beldyn see what he could expect if he crossed his father.

  Brenna held her knife out in front of her and concentrated. She could feel Dasid’s movements but she hadn’t been able to directly contact him.

  “Maybe he’s not wearing his sword,” Brenna said to Kane.

  They had camped tonight rather than finding an inn. Even though they thought they were in safe territory Kane still worried that they could be followed by Stobert’s men – camping was less predictable than staying at inns. The fire was barely glowing but Brenna could still see Kane clearly as he sat across from her.

  “He’ll be wearing it or sleeping beside it,” Kane said. “I know him - he won’t feel any safer than I do even though we’re in Fallad and Ewart is on our side.”

  “I think that’s the problem,” Brenna
sighed. “I don’t know Dasid well enough. It’s too bad you can’t reach him through your sword.”

  “Maybe I can.” Kane slid his weapon from its scabbard and laid it on the ground beside her knife. “What if we both touch old steel and then you try to contact him?”

  Brenna nodded, her hand already reaching to cover Kane’s on his sword hilt. Once his other hand covered hers on her knife she closed her eyes and concentrated on the old steel.

  She pictured the map in her mind and expanded her consciousness outward. She heard Kane’s soft intake of breath and knew they’d made a connection. Further out she went, until Fallad was spread out before her and all the specks of light, all the old steel she was connected to, dotted the landscape. Picking out one, the one she knew was Dasid, she narrowed her concentration until it was the only light she saw. She gently flared the sword to life and felt Dasid become aware of her.

  “Dasid, it’s Brenna,” she thought to him as hard as she could. No response. She could feel his attention on his sword but she couldn’t get through to him. With Kane it was so easy, she simply thought and he responded.

  “Dasid, it’s Kane.”

  Kane’s voice was loud and clear in her head.

  “Kane, where are you? Are you with Brenna?” Dasid’s response came to Brenna through Kane.

  “We’re both here, and safe. We hope to be in Silverdale in four days to meet with Duke Ewart,” Kane said.

  “I’m on my way to Ewart as well,” Dasid replied. “I’ll wait for you at an inn.”

  “We need more information about the edict,” Brenna thought. “And about Avery and Neal Ravershaw.”

  “I’m expecting more news from Kingsreach before I make Silverdale,” Dasid replied. “I should have some details then.”

  “We’ll see you soon,” Kane said. “May Jik guide you.”

  Brenna let the connection go - once again she was aware of the fire.

  “That worked well,” she said, picking up her knife and sliding it back into its scabbard.

  “Yes.” Kane held his sword in front of him. His gaze traveled from it to Brenna. “I wonder if you can do that with any Brother? Maybe you just need to work through someone who knows the person you want to contact?”

  “By the Bothers!” Brenna jumped up. “Maybe that’s it.” She hurried from the fire, past the horses, to where Yowan and Madelay lay curled in their blankets.

  “Madelay,” Brenna shook the lump under the blankets. “Madelay. Sorry Yowan.” He looked at her with bleary eyes. “I need to wake up Madelay.”

  “Can’t it wait, Brenna?” Yowan asked. “She’s done in, what with worrying about her sister.”

  “But I think I know how we can get news of her, of Avery.”

  The fire was built up and Kane had made yet more tea. Brenna gratefully accepted a mug and sat down, as did Yowan and Madelay when they followed her to the fire.

  “Do you want to tell us why we had to wake up in the middle of the night?” Madelay held her mug between her hands. She looked smaller, older somehow, since she’d heard about her sister.

  “I think I know how we might be able to contact Laurel,” Brenna said. “Mind to mind.”

  “We tried that before, Brenna,” Madelay sighed. “I couldn’t reach Avery so why would I be able to reach her daughter? She wasn’t even born when I left.”

  “Just try it. I’ll guide you. Together Kane and I were able to contact someone I couldn’t reach by myself.” Brenna looked at Madelay. “Please? Laurel will know about Avery and what they’re doing to get her back. We need that information.”

  “I’ll try,” Madelay said. “Tell me what to do.” Madelay drained her tea and handed the mug to Yowan.

  Brenna knelt beside Madelay and took her hands. “Breathe deep. Now close your eyes and look inward. Imagine you see Soule from above, like a map.” Brenna closed her eyes and tried to connect with Madelay.

  “I’m sorry Brenna.” Brenna opened her eyes to see Madelay shaking her head. “I was never much good at magic, only healing.”

  “Of course,” Brenna stood up. “That’s our connection. Healing.” She grabbed her pack and reached in to pull out the mortar and pestle. Sitting back down, she placed it in front of Madelay. As soon as Madelay’s hand joined hers on the mortar, both the mortar and pestle flared to life.

  “I didn’t do anything this time,” Brenna said. She tried to dim the light but only succeeded in making it brighter. “Let’s try it again, Madelay.” She closed her eyes, and this time she was drawn into Madelay’s glow. Concentrating on her mental map of Soule, Brenna tried to guide the two of them over the terrain but they didn’t move.

  “Show me,” Madelay said.

  Brenna formed an image of the map and pointed towards Aruntun and the city of Smithin. As soon as she formed the image they were traveling toward it. Concentrating, Brenna formed a picture of Laurel, trying to catch the feeling, the essence of the woman she’d lived with in the spring. Suddenly she sensed another presence, one that was familiar, and they headed towards it.

  “Laurel, is that you?” Brenna asked.

  “Brenna? How did you…?” Laurel stopped. “Who’s that with you? You’re not my mother but you seem familiar.”

  Brenna could sense Madelay trying to speak but she made no sound.

  “It’s Madelay Kerrich,” Brenna said. “Your aunt. It’s a long story, one we’ll tell you when we have time - right now we need to know about Avery.”

  “Oh Brenna, Duke Thorold has her imprisoned. She’s being treated fair enough, for now.” Brenna could hear the fear and anger in Laurel’s thoughts. “She’s been jailed but with enough food, water and blankets - but they won’t tell her where Neal is. She hasn’t seen him for nearly two weeks and is desperate to know how he is.”

  “We heard he’d been taken elsewhere,” Brenna said. “We’re going to get them. Kane and I are meeting with Duke Ewart in a few days. We’ll know more then. What plans have you made?”

  “Clift wants to go to Kingsreach. He wants to sneak in if he can – he doesn’t trust anyone, not after the edict.”

  “He shouldn’t,” Brenna said. “You must go with him. We need to know where your mother is and if they move her somewhere else. Laurel, we will get them out.”

  “Thank you,” Laurel replied.

  Brenna felt her relief just before their connection was severed. She opened her eyes to find Madelay swaying with exhaustion. Yowan wrapped her in a blanket while Brenna repeated the conversation to him and Kane.

  Even after Yowan had helped an exhausted Madelay back to their bedroll, Brenna continued to stare into the small fire. She was aware of Kane, walking the perimeter of the camp, peering out into the darkness, while she peered inward.

  There were pockets of old steel weapons, all with the feeling of true Brothers but what held her attention now was what else she saw. They were dimmer, these lights, but more plentiful - great swathes were concentrated in Aruntun and Kingsreach but there were other pockets scattered across the rest of Soule. Many of the lights in Comack were on the move, heading north towards Fallad and east to Aruntun. By joining with Madelay and the mortar and pestle, somehow, for some reason, Brenna was now connected to all who followed the old gods. As she watched she silently prayed that these people, her people, would be safe from the coming conflict.

  On the third day after Brenna and Madelay had contacted Laurel, they stopped on the outskirts of Silverdale. Kane motioned to Brenna and they quickly reached out to each other’s weapons.

  Last night Dasid had told them he was waiting for them at an inn not far from the main road into town but Kane wanted to confirm that nothing had changed – even this far into Fallad he didn’t feel completely safe. He held his breath until Dasid confirmed that all was secure. He dropped his grip on Brenna’s knife and waved Yowan and Madelay forward.

  “Dasid’s at the inn,” he said. “Let’s go.”

  Brenna confirmed that Dasid was inside, amongst more old steel weapons,
and the two guards were exactly where she’d said they’d be. Kane led their small group around them – he didn’t want anyone to know they were on their way – not even guards Dasid trusted. Until they spoke with Ewart, he had to assume they had no friends in Fallad.

  The inn was small, but neatly kept. Kane dismounted and loosely tied Runner up outside while the others stayed mounted. When he opened the door he almost walked into a surprised Andel.

  “Well met Andel,” Kane said. He smiled at his former Kingsguard and stepped back while Andel re-sheathed the sword he’d half drawn.

  “Captain Rowse, good to see ye at last,” Andel said and smiled.

  “It’s not Captain anymore,” Kane looked past him into the room. Dasid was just rising from a chair. “Dasid!” Kane strode over and embraced his friend, slapping him on the shoulder. “Good to see you.”

  “Well met Kane,” Dasid said. “You’ve managed to surprise us. I have sentries who were supposed to meet you.”

  “I know. Brenna told me where they were.” Kane smiled at his friend. “I’d just as soon not be noticed. It’s a habit I’m not about to change even if we are in safer territory.”

  “It sounds like your journey was interesting. I want to hear all about it,” Dasid said. “But first, let me get you sorted out. How many rooms do you need?”

  “Two,” Kane replied. “One for me and Brenna and one for Madelay and Yowan.”

  Kane took the seat that was offered and poured himself a mug of ale while Dasid spoke to the innkeep. He briefly touched his sword and sent a message to Brenna that all was well – they could come inside now. He sipped his ale with one hand on his sword pommel in case Brenna tried to contact him.

  “So that’s the way it is with you and Brenna now?” Dasid sat down beside him, his green eyes looking at him solemnly. “Your uncle was always afraid you’d get too close.”

  Kane sighed. “I know, but it seems I was fighting a family tradition.” He looked up at his friend’s puzzled expression. “Kerrich women don’t marry, they build their lives with consorts.”