Thief

by Jane Glatt

felt that the creeping line of dusk would wash over her and sweep away all the dirt and grime and pain of the last day.

  “Let’s go then.” Kane urged Runner forward and Blaze followed. “It can’t be more than a few hours until the border and I doubt that Barton will stop there. We may need to ride all night.”

  Barton and his men caught them about an hour after the sun had finally set. Brenna had seen his old steel gain on them but she and Kane were already riding as fast as they dared. She drew her knife and held it in front of her. Barton would see the bright glow but they couldn’t see the trail without it. Their best chance now was to outrun their pursuers.

  Keeping her knife lit and tracking Barton’s position at the same time brought Brenna’s headache back with a vengeance. It was all she could do to ignore the pain and stay on Blaze.

  The trees here were too thick for him to use his sword so Kane drew his knife as he dropped behind Brenna. She kept his knife dark as he rode between her and their pursuers. She heard a sharp grunt and looked back. Kane edged Runner away from another horse and a body slid off it and slumped to the ground. So close. A few paces behind four other horses swerved to avoid the now stopped horse and fallen rider.

  Brenna headed for a rocky stream she saw up ahead. She urged Blaze forward and across and they splashed up the other side. She held her knife aloft for Kane to see by. As soon as he was across, she darkened her knife. Kane brought Runner up beside and they rode slowly up the small embankment. They heard the sounds of horses splashing into the water.

  Kane heard a dull sound off in the trees. With a quick motion to Brenna he reined in Runner. There, to the left, he heard it again. He grabbed Blaze’s reins and was about to kick Runner forward when Brenna spoke.

  “Kane, don’t move.” Her voice was quiet and steady behind him, so he gently dropped Blaze’s reins and relaxed. “There are archers in the trees. I’d say about eight of them.” She moved up beside him. “It’s likely they’re Aruntians. And Barton’s stopped moving. There must be more Aruntians back near the stream.”

  He watched her eyes sweep the gloom around them. He followed her gaze and saw the figures crouched behind trees and beside bushes.

  “We mean you no harm,” Kane said. “We’re simple travelers on our way to Aruntun.”

  “What’s you’re business in Aruntun?”

  Kane was about to ask why one needed specific business in order to travel to a part of Soule, when Brenna placed her hand on his arm.

  “We’re headed for Cottle village,” Brenna said. “Does anyone know that place?”

  “Aye, I’m from Cottle.” A man dressed in dark brown breaches and shirt stepped forward. “What’ye want in Cottle.”

  “We’re looking for the family of healer Sabine Werrett. We’ve news of her and she told me her family would make us welcome,” Brenna said.

  Another man came out of the trees. “Sabine’s my sister’s daughter. How might ye know her?”

  “I met Sabine in Kingsreach.” Brenna’s voice was gentle. “And I’m afraid I have bad news.”

  “She’s dead, then isn’t she?” the man asked. “My sister had a feeling. How’d she die?”

  Brenna’s smile was sad. “She was at peace at the end. I was with her.”

  “So, you come all this way to tell me that. I appreciate knowin’, but why?”

  “She was killed because of me,” Brenna said.

  Kane tensed when he heard the soft sounds of bows being stretched tight. How many arrows were pointed at them now?

  “The church killed her,” Brenna said. “It was a mistake. It was me they meant to kill.”

  Brenna didn’t seem to be aware of the danger and Kane wanted to warn her.

  “Is that why you have men following you?” This came from a different position. A man rode forward on a large black horse. He stopped in front of Brenna and eyed her warily.

  “Neal Ravershaw.” Kane grinned as the other man swiveled his head towards him. “It’s been some time since we last met.”

  Neal’s eyes narrowed as he looked Kane over. Finally he sighed and motioned to the men behind him. Kane relaxed when they lowered their bows.

  “Kane Rowse,” Neal said. “We last met the day you were named Captain of the Kingsguard. I didn’t expect to find you being chased in the dark in the far reaches of Aruntun.” Neal dropped his hand and eyed Brenna again. “You have a very interesting traveling companion.”

  Kane laughed. For the first time since Brenna had told him about his uncle, he relaxed. “So I’ve been told. Brenna,” he gestured to her, “meet Neal Ravershaw, captain of the Aruntun militia and advisor to Duchess Avery of Aruntun.” Neal tipped his head slightly. “Neal, this is Brenna Lightfingers.”

  “Mistress Lightfingers. You two will need to come with me.” Neal motioned for them to follow him.

  Silently they traveled through the woods, he, Brenna and Neal, along with four others riding single file along a narrow path. The archers, at least ten that Kane counted, ghosted alongside them. It was almost half an hour before they passed a sentry and entered a small clearing. A fire blazed in front of a large tent. To Kane’s surprise a woman stood outside the tent. When they approached she opened the flap and leaned into the tent. A minute later the tent flap opened again and there, briefly silhouetted against the light from within, was the Duchess of Aruntun.

  “Captain Rowse.” The duchess approached him and waited while he dismounted. “Not anyone I was expecting to see tonight.”

  Kane bowed low. “Duchess. I feel the same about you. But I might add I’m not unhappy to see you.”

  Duchess Avery laughed. Kane turned to catch Brenna as she slipped from her saddle. She took two shaky steps towards him and he grasped her, keeping one arm around her shoulders to help steady her. Duchess Avery and Neal Ravershaw were a welcome sight, but that didn’t mean he trusted them. Why were they out here? It was a very long way from the Duchess’ home in southern Aruntun.

  “Yes, I imagine you expected to meet much worse,” the duchess said. Neal slipped off his horse and joined her. He bent his silvered head to hers and whispered in her ear.

  “Your friends were stopped at the border, as all uninvited guests are.” She peered at Brenna in the firelight. “The question is why you weren’t? How did you get past the magical barrier?”

  The duchess took another step closer. Brenna lifted her head and Duchess Avery’s eyes widened in surprise.

  “A Seer.” Duchess Avery’s eyes narrowed. “That explains much. I welcome you to Aruntun.” Kane saw the duchess glance briefly to the woman standing outside the tent.

  “Please come inside.” Duchess Avery gestured to the tent. “We have much to talk about, you and I. Bring Kane with you.”

  Brenna grabbed her pack from Blaze and headed toward the tent. Kane held the tent flap back and Brenna stepped past him. Kane went to follow her and met the gaze of the woman who stood outside. He stopped. She had two different colored eyes, just like Brenna. He nodded to her then entered the tent and let the flap fall behind him.

  A warm glow of lamplight met Brenna as she entered the tent. She was comforted by Kane’s solid presence behind her as she followed the duchess towards a set of small three legged chairs that ringed a low table. Brenna sat down in the chair opposite the duchess. Her head still ached but much of the worst pain had subsided as soon as she’s crossed into Aruntun. She didn’t know what that meant but she welcomed the relief.

  Kane seated himself to her left. Outwardly he was relaxed but she could sense his wariness. She dropped her hand to her knife. Kane did not trust this situation.

  Neal Ravershaw entered and seated himself at the remaining chair.

  “What family are you from, Brenna?” Avery asked.

  “I’m not sure I understand you, Duchess.” Brenna looked at Kane, who shook his head slightly.

  “You’re obviously a Seer, so I’m wondering what family of Seers you hail from,” Avery said.

  “I t
hink there’s a mistake,” Brenna said. Avery seemed nervous. What did the Duchess of Aruntun have to fear in her own land surrounded by her guards? “I’ve been told I have Seer’s eyes, but I’m not from Aruntun.”

  “And where was your mother born?”

  “She was born in Comack,” Brenna replied. “She was in Duke Thorold’s employ.”

  “And your father?”

  “He was also in Duke Thorold’s household.” Brenna wondered what this had to do with anything. She had no intention of telling this woman her life story, duchess or not.

  The silence stretched out until finally Avery sighed and turned to Kane. “Please tell Brenna that she can trust me.”

  “I can’t, Duchess,” Kane said. “The men who were following us work for Thorold. He is the single most powerful man in Soule.” Kane shook his head when the duchess would have interrupted. “He’s more powerful than King Mattias. That makes him more powerful than you. Right now we can’t be sure you wouldn’t betray us in order to save yourself and Aruntun.”

  “But surely the king will …”

  “The king is being poisoned,” Brenna interrupted the duchess. “He doesn’t have much time to live.”

  “How do you know this?” Neal turned sharp eyes on her and Brenna held his gaze.

  “Because I’m healer born and trained. My mother was Duke Thorold’s healer.” Brenna smiled grimly. “I believe Duke Thorold forced her to devise the poison, but of course we have no proof.”

  “What about your mother?” Neal asked.

  “She’s dead,” Brenna said. “She was killed by Thorold shortly after she gave him the poison.”

  “Surely there’s a way to give the king an antidote?” Avery asked.

  “We tried.” Kane ran a hand wearily through his hair. “Brenna made one and we left it with my uncle to administer secretly. But he was caught. My Uncle Feiren is dead.”

  Brenna felt a sob catch in her throat and she looked down. She felt Kane grasp her hand. She squeezed his hand and looked back up at Duchess Avery.

  “How did this happen and when?” Neal demanded. “We would have heard.”

  “It was last night,” Brenna whispered, remembering. “I killed him. Thorold and the High Bishop were torturing him, so I killed him. He asked me to. Both Feiren and Kane asked me to.” Kane’s grip on her hand tightened and she looked up at him through teary eyes. He didn’t seem to blame her for his uncles’ death, but she blamed herself. She should have been able to do more.

  “Kane, I’m very sorry,” Avery said. “This is sad news. Feiren Rowse was a very fine man. How did you kill him? And how do you know it was Thorold and Valden?” Avery’s face was guarded.

  “I don’t know how,” Brenna said. She couldn’t explain her affinity with old steel. They wouldn’t believe her anyway. “But I was there. I felt every cut, every bruise, and every drop of Feiren’s blood they spilt. I saw Thorold and Valden. I’m sure.” Brenna sank back into her chair. She was tired. Couldn’t they ask her their questions in the morning? Neal and Kane were both tense and glaring at each other.

  “Stop it you two,” Brenna said. “I’m dead tired of fighting.”

  Kane nodded and settled back into his chair. “You’re right Brenna. I’ve had my fill of fighting as well. Besides, we pose no a threat to Aruntun. We’re simply looking for refuge.”

  Avery looked at Kane before her gaze finally rested on Brenna. “Come now, Kane. Of course you’re a threat. The former Captain of the Kingsguard, in the company of a Seer who happens to be the most powerful witch I’ve ever heard of?” Avery’s look was serious. “Do you want to know why we’re here, along this particular stretch of border?”

  “I had wondered,” Kane said. “It’s quite a coincidence.”

  “It’s not even close to a coincidence,” Avery said. “Two weeks ago, my daughter Laurel, who is a Seer, had a vision. She couldn’t be specific, which we thought unusual at the time but makes perfect sense now.” Avery pinned Brenna with her gaze. “We’re not sure why, but one Seer can never clearly See events that pertain to another. It’s unusual to have more than two or three Seers alive at any one time and even rarer for them to have visions about one another. Yes, Brenna you are uncommon even in Aruntun.

  “The vision showed the general time and place where we had to be,” Avery continued. “But my daughter could not determine anything else. And then last night.” Avery paused and Brenna saw her shudder slightly. “Those who are trained in the use of magics felt it the most but all of us who are sensitive felt a burst of uncontrolled power. There was so much power we feared the barriers along the border were destroyed.”

  “Which is exactly what I thought when you two slipped past them,” Neal said. “But when the group following you was stopped I knew you were the reason we were out here.”

  “And now you think I’m a threat,” Brenna said. “You say I have all this power. I don’t even know how to use it, really.” Brenna looked at Kane.

  “Brenna’s not the threat,” Kane said. “But there is a great threat to Soule. I’ll tell you the same thing I told Duke Ewart a few days ago. You must go to Kingsreach. Take your rightful place at the king’s council table. Thorold has a complete hold on Valden and no doubt the new Captain of the Kingsguard will also be his man. While he’s still able to rule, Mattias must have voices of reason to council him.”

  Avery sat back and sighed. “I must think about your request. Thorold’s note said that you resigned in disgrace over a mere thief. I see now that she is not a ‘mere’ anything.” Avery looked at Brenna. “And what about you, Brenna? What is it you want?”

  Brenna licked her lips before answering. She and Kane had only discussed finding a safe haven in Aruntun. Hopefully some where they could build support with the Brotherhood. She couldn’t very well tell the duchess that without telling her everything else.

  “I want to learn,” she said. “About magic, about Seeing, about healing. And anything else you want to teach me. I don’t want to be a threat to you or the people of Aruntun, and if I’m not trained properly, I always will be.” Kane squeezed her hand and she sighed in relief. Duchess Avery smiled and then she knew she’d said just the right thing. And she did want to learn. She promised Kane she’d use all of her abilities. How else was she going to defeat Duke Thorold?

  “I think we can arrange that Brenna,” Duchess Avery said. “I know just who to put in charge of your training. Kane, I’m assuming you’ll go with Brenna?”

  Kane nodded and Brenna relaxed. She hadn’t been sure he’d come with her. She thought he might need to do something more important, now that his uncle was gone.

  Neal showed them where their packs had been placed and Brenna and Kane silently spread their bedrolls. Brenna took her small pack and tucked it under her head. She was comforted by Kane’s even breathing close by and the feel of the mortar and pestle and coronet beneath her head. She let her awareness of old steel expand out past Kane’s and her possessions, past their own campsite, with its pinpricks of light, past Barton, in the foothills close by, until she saw dots of light scattered all across Soule, this time including Aruntun. Brenna smiled and rolled over. In a few minutes she was asleep.

  Acknowledgement

  It’s true what first time novelists say – so many people helped me get this book this far.

  Caro Soles’ ‘How to Write a Novel’ class at George Brown College was instrumental in helping me plot not just this book, but the entire 3 book series.

  Deb, Rick and Soula – we never came up with a name so we always just called it “The Writing Group” – had the patience to wade through all the smiling and nodding my characters did in the very first draft. If there’s still too much of that, the fault is mine, not theirs.

  Nalo Hopkinson and the Humber School for Writer’s helped me refine my style and characters.

  My first reader – Heike Zabel – who made me change the ending “because you can’t end it like that!” So I did and it works bet
ter now, I think. (No one else is going to see that ending so you have to trust me.)

  And to friends and family who kept asking how the book was going so I always had to have a good answer. (I gave up was not going to be an acceptable response – so I didn’t give up.)

  JG Toronto 2012