by Jane Glatt
Eventually Kane took her arm and led her back towards Ewart’s house. Once there, Brenna headed for her room. She stripped off the dress and gently laid the coronet on a table. Then, before anyone could tell her otherwise, she donned her black thief’s clothes, strapped her knife around her waist and ducked out the window.
Brenna picked her way through the crowd. She felt her shoulders relax and she sighed - finally she felt like herself. The woman on the dais, the one in the gray dress and coronet, that hadn’t been her, not really. She edged her way around a fire where women were roasting chestnuts. Brenna dropped her hand to her knife hilt and quickly let Kane know she was fine. His worry turned to irritation when she refused to tell him where she was. She felt a twinge of guilt when she broke off their contact. She’d deal with his anger later, for now, she just wanted some time to be herself and reflect on the change in her life.
She knew the ceremony was needed - it followed the traditions of Soule coronations and allowed the people to see her acknowledged as the ruler of Soule. But it had felt so confining. She hoped the feeling of being trapped passed - she didn’t know if she could live the rest of her life feeling this way, feeling as though she had no control over her own life. It was how she’d felt as an indentured servant. Brenna shook her head. It wasn’t the same, she knew that, but it felt like that. There were two things about today that had felt right - Kane’s presence and wearing the coronet. Maybe the rest would feel all right with time.
“It’s her, I tells ye, the one as they just made queen,” someone whispered.
Brenna ducked her head and tried to move off. It was starting already - she couldn’t escape being queen even for a few hours.
“Can’t be. What would she be doin’ out her wit the likes of us?”
“I don’t know, but I’m tellin’ ye it’s her. I know her and she knows me.”
Brenna kept her head down and tried to ease away from the speaker but she found her path blocked by a rowdy group of men celebrating with mugs raised in their linked arms. She looked behind - recognizing the person who had been talking.
“Mistress Ventris, hello,” Brenna said. She smiled to the woman who stood watching her. The woman’s companion, a man just a few years older than Mistress Ventris, crossed his arms and stared at her.
“Ay, Mistress Brenna, ye remembered me.” Mistress Ventris elbowed her companion. “This here’s my man, the one I told you joined up the militia and all.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” Brenna nodded. She leaned in towards them. “But please don’t let anyone who I am. I’m here in secret.”
“Ah,” Mistress Ventris smiled and she took Brenna’s arm. “Tired of the fuss already, are ye? Don’t worry, we won’t say a word, will we Pell?” Her husband scowled, then he nodded.
“I don’t believe ye are who the wife says anyways,” he said. “So I won’t go sayin’ nothin’.”
“That’s fine,” Brenna said. She didn’t exactly look like a queen at the moment. Besides, it would make things easier for her if he didn’t believe it was her.
“Come, have a mug of ale with us,” Mistress Ventris said. “It’s not everyday we get a new queen.” She leaned closer. “Or I gets to have a drink with her.”
“Quit sayin’ such,” Pell said. “She’s not the queen. Where’s her crown?”
“Hush,” Mistress Ventris said. “She’s left that back. Why would she go out in secret wearin’ her crown? Don’t mind him,” she said to Brenna. “He’s a bit tired what with all the buildin’ work he’s been doin’.”
Brenna smiled and nodded, taking the mug that was offered to her. “Yes, the houses,” she said. “Kane said there’s been a great deal of progress already. And Master Gwylym is a real find. That’s a man who knows wood.”
“What do you know about Kane Rowse and Master Gwylym?” Pell asked.
“I told you it’s her,” Mistress Ventris said. “Kane Rowse is her man.”
“Is he?” Pell asked and Brenna nodded. “That’s a right fair man, that one.” Pell lifted his mug. “He’s seeing to it that we build homes for our families afore we do anything much for the army. That’s a right fair man.”
Brenna smiled. Yes, Kane was a right fair man. And she really shouldn’t make him worry any longer. She sighed and sipped her ale. It was weak and thin but it tasted like home to her. She drained her mug and handed it to Mistress Ventris.
“Thank you for the ale and the company, but I have to go.” She stood up and smiled down at the couple.
“Ah come on, you can stay for another ale, can’t you?” Pell asked.
“Sorry, Kane’s waiting for me and I still have some tasks I need to complete tonight,” Brenna said. She sighed. Her stolen moment of freedom was over. She and Kane must contact Marcus Brunger and hear his report of Beldyn’s coronation. No doubt Beldyn felt as constrained as she did. She nodded to her hosts and headed into the crowd towards Duke Ewart’s house.
Kane heard her come through the window but he made no move to make her aware that he was there. He had his sword with him - she could check his whereabouts any time she wanted. Unlike him. She had the lamp lit and was removing her black slippers before she turned around and saw him.
“Kane, I’m sorry.”
She stood very still in the center of the room and any anger he’d been feeling dropped away when met her eyes. He sighed and stood up, opening his arms wide. Brenna flowed into them and he wrapped himself around her. He’d expected defiance, maybe some humor, but not this sadness and uncertainty.
“I just needed to remember who I am, to feel like myself again,” Brenna said against his chest and he felt his heart break a little.
This wasn’t anything she’d ever wanted - he shouldn’t have to remind himself of that. Her life would never be the same, would rarely even be completely her own - no wonder she was struggling with becoming queen.
“I’ll never ask you to wear a dress again,” he said, grateful to feel her body shake with laughter. “Will that help?”
“Yes, no, I don’t know.” She leaned back and he met her gaze. “The dress was only part of it. I felt trapped, somehow. And you know I hate being the centre of attention.”
Kane sighed and nodded. “And now you always will be. It’s your destiny, the prophecy.”
“Hmph. Only if I accept it.” Brenna smiled up at him. “I’ll figure out a way to make this comfortable for me. I have to.”
“I’ll help,” Kane promised. “In any way I can.”
Kane leaned back in the chair and lifted his hand off the two knives on the table. Marcus Brunger’s report on Beldyn’s coronation hadn’t contained anything unusual.
“If Thorold received the note Marcus sent telling him that Brenna has declared herself Queen with the backing of Fallad and Aruntun, he didn’t reveal it,” he said to Ewart and Dasid. “But we don’t know for sure that Beldyn hasn’t changed his mind since we talked to him and Jemma.”
“He won’t,” Brenna said.
She tiredly dragged a hand through her hair and Kane wanted nothing more than to take her upstairs and tuck her into bed.
“Marcus did say that Colm spent some time talking to Beldyn - maybe we’ll have more news after he’s talked to Colm?”
“And Thorold read out some general statements of support allegedly from Ewart and Avery.”
“Anyone who knows that Avery and Neal were imprisoned by Thorold knows her support is the last think he’ll get from her,” Dasid said.
“Yes. But not many know. Should we make that common knowledge in Kingsreach?” Kane turned back to Brenna. “Is Thieves Quarter the right place to start spreading that information?” She nodded.
“We’ll have Eryl handle it,” Kane continued. “He can circulate a few reports from witnesses. I’ll send a note to him in the morning. There’s no great rush on this one and we need to keep our overland routes open.” There was a scuffling sound from behind the sofa - Kane looked at Dasid, who mouthed Ronan.
“Perh
aps we need to start recruiting some younger spies,” Kane said loudly. “It’s dangerous work but I’m sure we can find some likely lads. What do you say Dasid?”
“Mm, I’m not sure. I might know a lad who’s good at spying.” Dasid grinned when a small head popped up from behind the sofa.
“I can do it,” Ronan said. “I’m good at hiding and I’m small and all.”
“I’m not sure,” Kane said. “Recruits need to be able to keep secrets and not mention anything they’ve heard to anyone.” He looked at the boy. “Not even to their mothers.”
Ronan’s eyes widened and Brenna stifled a laugh. The boy looked at Kane solemnly.
“I’m real good at that,” Ronan said. “I have lots of things I don’t tell my mother about.”
“Like what?” Dasid asked. “We need to be sure we can trust you on this.”
“Well, I saw the cook at the Black Swan spit into Syme’s stew lots of times and I never told anyone that.” The boy looked confused for a moment. “Until now,” he added.
“That does prove that you can keep a secret,” Dasid said. “What do you say Kane, do we take him on?”
Kane watched the boy, fighting to keep from smiling. Brenna ducked her head and Ewart looked away. “I think he might do.” Kane nodded slowly. “That’s if you’ll vouch for him Dasid.”
“I’ll do that. Now Ronan,” Dasid turned to the boy. “You must not tell anyone you are secretly working with us.” Ronan nodded, his expression serious. “Anything you hear us talk about must not be repeated unless you have our permission.”
“Yes sir,” Ronan said. “I can be trusted.”
“In secret,” Kane said.
“In secret,” Ronan echoed.
“Now go to bed Ronan. And not a word of this to your mother,” Dasid ruffled the boy’s hair before he scurried from the room.
“I think that’s all for us as well,” Kane said, rising. He held out a hand to Brenna and pulled her to her feet. “Don’t wake us too early, my queen needs her rest.” He laughed when Brenna scowled at him.
Kane watched Brenna wander from chair to bench to table, her hand trailing the tops of the furniture.
“It won’t help, you know,” he said as she peered out the window again. “It won’t make Dasid and Gaskain get here any faster.”
The coronation had been a week ago and Dasid had gone to the ferry crossing. The only attempt to regain the ferry had come before the coronation but they expected another now that Beldyn had been crowned and Thorold named regent. Along with a change of guards, Dasid would try determine what else they needed to do to keep the crossing secure. Sergeant Murdoch would stay behind and take charge, replacing Gaskain, who would return to Silverdale with Dasid.
Smith Innis was finally satisfied that both he and the forge were ready to create old steel. Kane had suggested he start with new swords for Dasid and Gaskain - Brenna had spent time with both men before they’d lost their old swords and they all hoped that her familiarity with them would help her know if the forging process was succeeding. That couldn’t start until Dasid and Gaskain arrived.
“I need to do something.” Brenna flopped down in the chair beside his and put her hands on her chin.
“You make a terrible soldier,” he said.
She looked up at him and he raised his eyebrows.
“In less than six weeks we’ve accomplished so much more than I had hoped; three thousand troops are housed and have begun their training; housing for their families is well under way; there are eight healers and a well-stocked infirmary; food and other provisions are being shipped in from Aruntun and now we are ready to create more old steel weapons. And though you have declared yourself queen and neither Aruntun nor Fallad support him, there has been no sign that Thorold plans to wage war before spring. That gives us almost five months to prepare our recruits for battle. You need to get better at waiting.”
“I’m not used to letting others do so much for me.”
“It’s not for you, though, it’s for Soule.” Kane reached a hand out and she took it. “You need to let people do what they’re trained to do.”
“Yes, but I don’t get to do what I’ve been trained to do. I don’t get to heal, I don’t need to use magic, there isn’t even any need for me to use my thieving skills.”
“I hope not,” Kane said. “It would be awkward if the queen was caught stealing.”
“I know, don’t worry. But I am definitely losing my skills.” Brenna looked over at him. “And I know I don’t need to steal but thieving is a part of who I am.”
“Yes, but so is being a healer, so is being a witch and so is being queen.”
“An unusual combination, isn’t it?” Brenna grinned.
“I always thought so,” he replied.
She shrugged and stood up. “I can’t just wait around here any more. It’s been far too long since spent time with Blaze - I’m going for a ride.” She looked at him sideways. “Want to come?”
Kane nodded. It would be good to get outside of the city.
“What do you say we pack a bedroll and camp out tonight?” he asked. Her smile was all the answer he needed. He’d let Ewart know they’d be gone - Dasid was due later today - he could handle anything urgent that might arise.
Brenna reached down and patted Blaze, feeling better than she had in days. It was a glorious, late fall day and the bright sun warmed up the afternoon. She sighed as Kane trotted up to her on Runner.
“Can we camp near the river?” she asked. “While I’m out here I might as well see if I can find some herbs.” She shaded her eyes as Kane reined in Runner. “It’s the right time of year for a few things I’m running short of.”
Brenna had always enjoyed gathering her own herbs. She didn’t need to, she could buy what she needed from others, but it helped her feel closer to her healing when she gathered the supplies herself. And it reminded her of the few truly happy days of her childhood when she and he mother had been allowed out to forage.
“Let’s find a spot where we can do some fishing,” Kane said.
He grinned and Brenna was struck by how much younger he seemed out here with just the two of them. At times she forgot that Kane wasn’t more than a few years older than she was. He’d been in a position of authority for most of his life - it was part of who he was and he wore that command easily. No doubt he found her own struggles to accept the authority and duties that came with being queen irritating.
“I didn’t know you could fish,” Brenna said as she brought Blaze up beside Runner and they walked towards the river. “And last fall we spent quite a lot of time travelling close to the river.”
“I’m not very good at it,” Kane said. “And as I recall, we needed to make good speed and be more certain of our meals.”
“Are you saying we may not eat fish?”
“I’ve already admitted to not being a very good fisherman,” Kane said. “But ending up with dinner isn’t always the purpose of fishing,” Kane said. “At least that’s what Ewart’s father told me. He’s the one who taught me to fish. He never worried about what he caught, only about enjoying the act of fishing. Fishing is about patience, something you need more of.”
“Patience,” Brenna mumbled. So far she wasn’t very impressed. “I’m not sure I want to learn patience. Where I come from there’s no point in doing anything that won’t result in something that can either fill your belly or put a roof over your head.”
“And you always follow that rule when you’re healing?” Kane asked.
She shook her head. No, when she was healing she didn’t think about what she might get out of it - all she worried about was helping the patient.
Brenna flicked the end of the willow branch and watched the line swish back and forth in the water. Kane had fashioned some poles and tied some thin string to them, threading a nasty looking steel hook through each end. Then he’d dug into his pack for some dried mutton and skewered small pieces onto the hook. He swore it was what he’d been taught
to use but Brenna wondered if a fish would find the mutton appealing. She lifted the hook from the water and frowned at the wet lump of meat dangling off the hook. Letting it fall back into the river, she looked over at Kane where he lay propped up against the river bank. His legs were stretched out and his fishing pole was stuck into the dirt at his side.
“It’s been at least an hour,” she said, squinting up at the sun. “Shouldn’t we have caught something by now?”
“Be patient, Brenna.” Kane’s voice was muffled by his jacket, which he had thrown over his head to block the sun. “Just take a deep breath and relax.”
She tried to, really she did. Half an hour later she looked over at Kane and grunted in disgust. He was asleep. In the middle of the day he was asleep and she was left holding onto a fishing pole that would probably never catch a fish. Frustrated, Brenna jammed the end of her pole into the soft dirt near the river and crawled over to Kane. Gently, she lifted his coat off him and stared, willing him to open his eyes and talk to her.
Just like him, she thought. The first time they have a chance to be alone, really alone, and he falls asleep. But not for long. Grinning, she backed away and pulled her shirt and breeches off. She stepped over to the riverbank and gently placed one foot on the muddy bank. She eased herself into the water, relishing the refreshing feeling of it as she ducked her head under.
She came up fast and splashed hard towards Kane. “Wake up!” she yelled.
He sat up, his wet jacket falling from him. With all her might she scooped river water toward him again. He jumped back, soaked, and she laughed and stepped back, towards deeper water. Her foot slipped in the mud and she went backwards, her arms flailing overhead. By the time she’d sputtered upright Kane had stripped off his own clothes and was beside her in the river.
