by Jane Glatt
Rowse knife, if he was any judge. Steel coiled around the grip and the pommel ended with a round ball. The scabbard was a well-worn leather case that fit the five-inch blade perfectly. All in all Kane thought it a nice size for Brenna. When she hefted it in her hand, he saw from her smile that she liked the balance and weight as well. The light from the knife slowly grew brighter then went out quickly. Brenna returned the blade to the scabbard.
“So you’ve found one you like?” Kane asked. He smiled at her obvious pleasure in the weapon.
“And one that likes me as well,” she replied without taking her eyes off the knife.
Brenna leaned back in her chair and sighed. Dinner was, as usual, excellent. She’d never in her life eaten so well. It was a good thing she spent so much time at weapons practice, otherwise she’d quickly get too big to climb through windows. And she needed to be able to that when she went exploring. As it was, the shoulders of her tunics were snug, which meant her balance was likely different than usual. Weapons practice helped her cope with that change but she was determined to keep her thief’s skills honed or she’d risk losing the touch.
Not that she’d actually been stealing on the nights when she left the house. At first, bored and restless, she’d simply explored the tunnels of the house. She’d found a large cavern-like room that must be where the Brotherhood met. From the dank smells of the earth she assumed it was near the river. Eventually one of the passageways she’d followed had led outside.
She hadn’t gone far. It had been enough to be outside of the house, alone, for the first time since the night Sabine Werrett had been killed. She’d been watched – by the Brotherhood, based on the weapons they carried. The next time she exited the house she’d headed for the Quarter and she’d lost those trailing her before she was even four streets away.
On her first three forays into the city she’d kept to the Quarter. She knew those streets best and felt safest there. It eventually dawned on her that she was known best there too. That’s when she’d decided to investigate other parts of town. She’d started with the area around the Collegium. The night there had a much different feel to it than in the Quarter. The few taverns emptied of trade and shut down just when run-down taverns like the Crooked Dog would be getting busy.
Kayleen placed a cup of tea on the table in front of her and Brenna murmured her thanks. It was nice to be well fed, but she worried that she wouldn’t be able to leave this behind. She breathed in the slightly spiced scent of the tea and watched Kane out of the corner of her eye. Ever since his comment that she must learn better control over old steel she’d been expecting him to take her to task for going out at night. It was clear that Feiren didn’t know about her excursions and she felt guilty about that. She’d never known her father but she could imagine him being like Feiren, kind and generous to his family, friends and staff. Her father must have been good, after all her mother had loved him.
Brenna also felt guilty that she’d put Brothers at risk. She didn’t want them to follow her, but that didn’t mean she wished them harm. She thought she could already do what Kane wanted - check for old steel and make it not react to her.
“So Uncle,” Kane said. “I think we’re set to have the youngest Brothers come train with Brenna.”
Brenna straightened. She knew they were coming, but already?
“Good,” Feiren said. “We can start in two days. How does that sound to you Brenna?”
“I think that should be fine,” Brenna said. She thought her reply was calm, even though she didn’t feel that at all. “How many of the youngsters are there?” she asked Kane.
“Six,” he said. “Four boys and two girls. All have fourteen or fifteen years. It ended up being a good cross-section of families as well. We were even able to include the daughter of the Guild Master. He’s been very vocal about his doubts about the Call and you as the Caller.”
“So if I convince his daughter she’ll convince him?” She didn’t like that part of the plan - what if his daughter was more doubtful than her father? “That’s a tricky age,” Brenna said. She was nervous - other than Eryl’s gang she’d never spent much time with youngsters at all. And she’d never spent time with girls, not even when she was that age herself. Her worry must have shown because Feiren and Kane exchanged smiles.
“I’m sure it will be fine,” Kane said. “Uncle Feiren can keep the boys under control.”
“Aye. A lad that age just needs a knock to the head and a threat to his stomach,” Feiren said. “That’s always worked with new recruits for the Kingsguard.”
Brenna calmed a little at that. It was not so different from Eryl’s lads.
“And the girls will take care of themselves, I have no doubt.” Kane’s said.
“And likely take care of me as well.” Feiren laughed. “I think they can be a bit bossy at that age.”
Brenna detected a hint of nervousness behind Feiren’s laugh. Maybe he didn’t have any more experience with girls than she did?
Kayleen called Feiren away and Brenna and Kane were left alone. They moved to the sitting room and Kane poured them each a brandy. Kane fingered the base of his glass before he looked up into her eyes.
“So, the knife suits you?” he asked. She followed his gaze to the scabbard that sat at her waist. She nodded. Though she’d never worn a knife before in her life, it felt natural, as if it belonged there.
“You’ve a knack for knife work that’s for sure,” Kane said. “You’re not yet a match against years of hard training and experience, but take the knife with you if you insist on going out.”
Brenna swallowed at his serious tone and glanced away. For some reason the intensity in his blue eyes disturbed her tonight. Nor could she look away from him for long. She felt unsettled. Even the old steel seemed on edge.
“Are you going to tell your uncle?”
“No. Not right now. But feel free if you want to.” Kane smiled briefly. “I’m not sure what you’re looking for Brenna,” he said, a serious expression on his face. “But the Brotherhood might be able to help. I don’t want you taking unnecessary risks.”
“And I don’t,” she said, her chest tight. “Are you going to tell me not to go out?” She didn’t like deceiving Feiren - he didn’t deserve it from her, not after he’d opened his home to her. But being able to leave the house meant she didn’t always feel so trapped. It meant she was able to cope with the rest of the days and nights she spent inside these walls. She wasn’t sure either Kane or Feiren would understand.
“I don’t think it would change your mind,” Kane said, his gaze locked on hers. She shook her head and he sighed. “Can I at least know what’s so important that you need to go out at night?”
“It’s my business,” Brenna said and she saw his back stiffen and knew she’d spoken too harshly. “Sorry, it’s just that I have no privacy here, not really. I appreciate what you and your uncle have done, but sometimes I just need to get out and feel in control of my life. I’ll be careful,” she promised softly.
“And the old steel? Will you be able to dampen it?”
“I think so. I’ll try with the youngsters.” She grimaced and he laughed. Brenna smiled at the sound. Lately Kane’s visits were rare and usually so hurried that she hardly ever heard him laugh. She realized that she’d missed it.
“Don’t worry, you’ll be fine. My uncle spent over thirty years with the Kingsguard, many of those years dealing with fresh recruits not much older than these youngsters. I doubt he’ll have any trouble.” He laughed again. “At least not with the boys.”
“Exactly. He’ll expect me to know how to handle the girls. I don’t know anything about girls that age.” Brenna dropped her head into one hand and slumped down in her seat.
“Of course you do.” Kane seemed surprised by her answer. “You used to be one. You must know what girls that age are interested in.”
“When I was that age I worried about my next meal and making sure I didn’t end up indentured. I doubt these girls
have those concerns.”
Any reply he might have made was interrupted by Feiren’s return.
In bed but unable to sleep, Brenna thought about how different her life had been compared to the boys and girls she would meet in a few days. What would it have been like to grow up in a house that had been in your family for generations? Even before she was on her own Brenna had never had a secure home. To be indentured in Duke Thorold’s household meant you lived in fear of him, as all his servants did. But even so, the worst of his temper was saved for those closest to him - his sons, his wife, his advisors, and her.
Believing her to be his illegitimate daughter, the duke had been particularly hard on her. But instead of breaking her, his rough treatment made her more determined to defy him. That’s why she’d started to spy on him but she soon discovered that when she knew his plans, she could keep out of his way. Then she’d seen Thorold belittle and terrorize six-year-old Beldyn.
She’d started protecting Beldyn in part because it gave her a sense of control over Duke Thorold’s world, but once she understood the dread the boy lived in, she’d done it for his sake. Beldyn’s mother was herself so cowed that she often seemed relieved when the duke’s anger was turned on her older child, rather than her and her baby boy. And so it was that the duke’s heir spent almost four years
