by Jane Glatt
A few minutes later, a knock sounded on the door. After a brief conversation a guard Brenna didn’t recognize entered. But the old steel sword on his hip was familiar.
“Kersey,” Stobert said. “I don’t think you’ve formally met Brenna, the Caller. I believe you know Kane Rowse.”
Kersey bowed to her and Brenna dipped her head slightly. Kersey then passed a small leather envelope to Lord Stobert, backed away and took up a position near the door.
Westley opened the envelope and drew out some papers. He scanned them quickly and handed them to her.
“Kersey has arranged for a place for you to stay in Silverdale,” he said. “It should be quite safe.”
Brenna read the top paper. “We’re disguised as a newly married couple visiting elderly relatives,” she said. “This is good.” This would be the perfect way to see Silverdale. She would be free to explore the city on her own and find out information that hadn’t come to them from Lord Stobert. Her earlier nervousness disappeared.
“This could even be fun Kane,” she said.
He shook his head. “It could be dangerous,” Kane said. “Duke Thorold is not likely to give up just because we’re in Silverdale.
He was right, she knew it. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t have some fun. She’d be careful.
Thorold scanned the message once again before he crumpled it and tossed it into the fire. Barton’s note said he’d caught up with the girl and her companions and he was following them to Silverdale. Along with Rowse, there were at least four guards and a noble, Lord Westley Stobert. Thorold knew him. He had an estate in Fallad near the foothills of the Godswall and spent far too much time patrolling his border with Comack. He was annoyingly vigilant about keeping Thorold’s horses off his land. A few years ago Lord Stobert had seemed willing to lease him some pasturage, but then he’d tried to take advantage of the situation and charge an exorbitant fee.
Thorold smiled. When Beldyn became king, Lord Stobert would regret his actions.
And it would not be long now. King Mattias’ health was failing quickly. Thorold still hadn’t been able to get the king to approve his choice of captain, though. That old fool, Feiren Rowse, had put his own candidate forward. As if he would ever allow Kane Rowse’s second in command to be named captain.
Right now Barton needed to take care of the girl. She was a nuisance, a loose end, and he wanted her dead.
He looked up at Fridrick, who had waited in silence while he read the note.
“Anything for you to report?”
“Yes, my Lord. At least it seemed wise to inform you.” Fridrick kept his eyes on his feet as he took one step forward. “It seems that Acting-Captain Rowse has been seen in conversation with the king’s wine steward. There have been at least two sightings that I know about. On one occasion Rowse seemed to hand something to the wine steward.”
Thorold leaned forward. “And do you know what it was?”
“Not yet, my Lord, but I will soon enough. At least I’ll know as much as the wine steward knows.”
“Excellent, Fridrick. Inform me when you have more information. You may go.” He smiled as the scholar turned and left. Feiren Rowse was meddling with the king’s wine. The old fool had handed himself over to him. He’d rather know exactly what Rowse had been doing, but really, it didn’t matter - adding anything into the king’s wine without his consent was treason. He’d have the High Bishop obtain Feiren Rowse’s confession. And he would watch.
nineteen
Kane hated waiting. It made him nervous. Four days they’d been in Silverdale and still no meeting with Duke Ewart.
He and Brenna were staying in the home of an elderly couple, Kane posing as their visiting great nephew and Brenna as his new bride. The couple had family connections to the Brotherhood, although they were no longer active in the order. Much to Brenna’s relief they had not been told that she was the Caller.
The daily messages he received from Westley Stobert assured him a meeting with Ewart would happen soon but Kane was running out of time and patience. If another day went by without a firm meeting date he and Brenna would move on. Her safety came first. Thorold had men out searching for them - they couldn’t simply wait in place until they were found.
Brenna was avoiding being alone with him. He went out each morning to pick up a message from Lord Stobert and when he arrived back at the house around noon, Brenna was gone.
She went to library, she said. She scoured the books for new poultices and medicines. Or she found a quiet corner and practiced with old steel. And she was much clearer when she communicated with him through old steel, proof that she was doing as she’d said but she could have worked with old steel here at the house, with him.
In the evening, after they’d dined with their hosts, Brenna would excuse herself early and retire to their room. By the time he followed, she’d be gone, out into the night.
He’d asked her not to go out at night, of course. She’d told him that she would be careful, that she was keeping her skills sharp - it hadn’t eased his worries. He hated her being out alone, away from his protection.
Last night he hadn’t even pretended to be asleep when she climbed back in the window. He’d been sitting in the chair and she’d practically had to step on him to get into the room. Without a word to him she’d shrugged out of her black clothing and climbed into bed. Eventually he’d stretched out on the floor and fallen asleep. But it hadn’t been restful.
Kane felt that he was failing Brenna in every way. He hadn’t secured a meeting with Duke Ewart, nor was he able to follow her into the night to keep her safe. And he certainly hadn’t gotten her to trust him. No wonder she didn’t want to see him. But he missed her.
He ran a hand over his stubbled chin. He’d been letting his beard grow. It helped him blend in when he went to pick up Lord Stobert’s message. This was the last time he’d do this, too. Either a meeting date had been set or he and Brenna would leave the city.
He stepped out of the house and into the busy street, headed towards the market area. In his guise of a tradesman from Kingsreach, Kane had learned a lot about the price of wheat and lumber, but not much about the whereabouts of Duke Ewart. If the duke was in town, the tradesmen weren’t aware. The nobility did not seem to affect their lives enough for them to notice and Kane could only hope it stayed that way. If Thorold ended up controlling all of Soule, many of these people would suffer greatly. Often it was the folk in the middle who suffered the most. They were the ones who would be taxed until they lost homes and businesses to pay their debts.
Kane quickened his steps as he got closer to his destination. The Blue Boot was the least welcoming tavern in the market area and it was where he’d been meeting Stobert’s contact since he’d arrived. Something else that made him uneasy. Better to meet someplace new each day, but the one time he’d tried to send a message, his contact had shaken his head and left it behind. So Kane was left with no choice - show up at the Blue Boot or not make contact.
He took a seat at a table in back and ordered an ale. No doubt Brenna would feel right at home here. The tavern was dark and dingy and reminded him a little of the Crooked Dog, Eryl’s headquarters.
Only a few patrons were here at this time of the day. Each one sat alone, desperately nursing their drinks. The barkeep wandered amongst them filling empty glasses. If any orders were given, or coin changed hands, Kane didn’t see it.
After half an hour Kane’s contact came in and headed slowly towards him.
“This be my regular table, mind if I sit?” He was of medium build with close-cropped black hair under a well-worn felt hat. His clothing was coarse but clean - a patched woolen shirt and dark, threadbare breeches that were tucked into scuffed boots.
Kane nodded and the other man sat down. They’d done this exact same series of actions for the past four days. Kane couldn’t tell if any of the other patrons noticed anything, but it troubled him. It was too predictable, too contrived. Someone would notice, eventual
ly.
A short time later, Kane drained his mug and stood up to leave. He transferred a small piece of paper from his hand to his vest pocket and stepped out into the street. A few doors down he ducked into an alley and pulled out the note.
Thank the gods - Lord Stobert had finally arranged the meeting. Kane would meet Stobert’s men tomorrow at dusk and then he would be taken to see Duke Ewart.
Kane made his way back to the house. He had to talk to Brenna. The invitation did not include her and she would not be happy. Nor was he, for that matter.
Kane slowed down and then stopped in front of a shop window. A man lounged across from the house. Head down, Kane pretended to eye the goods on display. When he started to saunter back the way he’d come, the man straightened and followed him.
Had they been found? Kane wasn’t sure if his follower was friend or foe, but he had to assume the worst. Once he was sure no one was following him he’d find Brenna.
It took an hour and a complicated route through the city but eventually Kane made it to the library. He just hoped Brenna was there, and safe.
Brenna rubbed her eyes. The cheap lamp smoke made them water, but it was all she could find. The head librarian would have provided a better light source, but she’d snuck in today. The librarian liked to talk and Brenna wanted only peace and quiet. She was tired. She’d been out at night, looking for information about Lord Westley Stobert. Everything she’d uncovered painted him as an honourable, loyal man. A horse trader had even told her Stobert had angered Duke Thorold this past winter. It had been days and she’d not been able to read anything negative from Stobert through old steel. Kane trusted him. So why couldn’t she?
She picked up a dust covered book and rubbed it with her sleeve. A Compendium of Plants from the Western Forest. She had high hopes for this book - surely the forest at the edge of Soule contained plants and herbs not found anywhere else?
She opened the book to the first page but stopped when she felt the tingle of old steel. Kane was here. She was so attuned to him that she no longer had to consciously search him out, she just knew when he was close. She headed out of the room - he was somewhere ahead and to the left. She turned into a corridor, stopped and then backed up around the corner.
She could hear the creaky voice of the librarian and she stifled a laugh. The librarian had Kane cornered. Brenna peered around the doorway and smiled. The librarian had a grip on Kane’s arm and looked like he had no plan to let go. Kane nodded politely, but a muscle in his check tensed. She waved and he nodded slightly. She quickly backed out of view and headed further down the hall. A few minutes later, Kane joined her.
“By Jik, the master librarian can talk,” Kane said. “I thought librarian’s liked books more than people?”
“I think he’s just lonely,” Brenna said. She took his arm and steered him into the room she’d been in. “He did the same to me until I started climbing in through the window. This library is not very well used. Nor kept.” She batted at a cobweb on a book shelf. “What news?”
“I’ve just received word of an appointment with Ewart,” Kane said. “Tomorrow night.” He paused. “The invitation did not include you.”
“Mmm,” Brenna said. She crossed her arms over her chest. “That’s what I expected.”
“And you’re not angry? I am.”
“Do you think I should meet with Duke Ewart?” Brenna asked. Kane nodded and she continued. “So do I. So that’s what will happen.”
“Agreed,” Kane said. “We’ll come up with a plan that keeps you safe.”
“I have a plan,” Brenna said. She’d been thinking about it since they arrived in Silverdale.
“I’m sure you do,” Kane said. He crossed his arms over his chest. “But I need to approve it. I was followed earlier. Can you do a quick check for old steel?”
She closed her eyes and looked. She was surrounded by old steel. Kane she saw as a bright glow beside her. The three pieces she kept in her pack - the mortar and pestle and the coronet - pulled at her as they always did. There was Lord Stobert and his faithful guard Kersey. Much further off she could sense Feiren and Dasid, and less clearly, the boys and girls she’d had weapons drill with.
Close, though, there was a lot of unknown old steel. She sifted through it the way she would search through her herbs, identifying a specific note or flavour for each piece before she moved on to the next one. The old steel closest to them had the definite feel of Brothers.
“There are two or three Brothers within the block,” Brenna said. “They’re not familiar, but the old steel matches the bearers.” She widened her search area. There, that was familiar. Yes, that was him.
“Barton’s here in the city, but not too close to us. Now that I have him, I’ll be able to keep track of him.” She still didn’t understand why Barton’s weapon hadn’t responded to her the night of the fight. She opened her eyes and met Kane’s blue gaze.
“Barton,” he said. “I didn’t think he’d give up easily. We need to be even more careful. I need to know where you’re going at all times.” She opened her mouth to protest, but he continued. “And I’ll tell you my whereabouts as well. I mean it Brenna. We’ll leave the city right after the meeting with Duke Ewart, but until then, I don’t want you going out at night alone. There can’t possibly be anything so important that we can risk you. Please.”
“All right.” She didn’t like it, didn’t like being told what to do, but Kane had already agreed that she should meet with Duke Ewart. She’d have to settle for that.
For the rest of the afternoon, Brenna studied herbal lore in the library. Kane sat at a table beside the door, a book on military tactics open in front of him.
She wasn’t sure how much reading he was doing. Every time she lifted her head and happened to glance his way, he looked away as though he’d been staring at her. It was unnerving. She tried to read him through old steel but was left with impressions of fear and hope and a fierce protectiveness.
Finally she put all the books back on the shelves and blew out the lamp. It was time to go.
“I’ll meet you outside,” she said to Kane. She hitched her pack onto her back and climbed out the window.
A few minutes later Kane rounded the corner. She fell in step with him and they made their silent way back to the house. Brenna didn’t sense any unusual old steel along the way, but all night and into the next day she nervously tracked Barton’s sword. He never came close to the house, but that didn’t mean she felt safe. He hadn’t struck her as the type to give up. And she knew Duke Thorold wouldn’t, ever.
Brenna barely tasted the food, but she’d eaten her dinner anyway - it would be a long time before they had a chance for another real meal. It was almost time to leave and they didn’t plan on coming back to this house. Kane was going to follow the instructions sent to him and meet with Westley Stobert’s men - Brenna would follow by tracking them through old steel. Once Kane was with Duke Ewart, Brenna would join them. It was a simple plan, which Kane had approved. Brenna was glad they weren’t going to negotiate with Westley Stobert. The man had not wanted her to meet with Duke Ewart from the start and Brenna had no reason to expect that he’d changed his mind. She still wasn’t sure why, though.
Hand on her knife she reached through the old steel and checked the surrounding neighbourhood. She could sense Barton in another part of the city. The two Brothers a few streets over must be Kane’s escort. A message from the Brotherhood had been passed along by their hosts promising that Runner and Blaze would be saddled and ready by midnight. Their packs had been sent ahead to the stable, all except her small one. As far as the Brotherhood knew, Kane would return here for Brenna before they took the north road out of Silverdale. No one knew they planned to head east to Aruntun.
Brenna fidgeted with the curtain and looked out into the street again. She was ready, dressed in her black thieving clothes. Kane entered the sleeping chamber still dressed as the tradesman.
“It’s almost dusk,” he said
. “Is there any old steel I need to worry about?”
Brenna shook her head. “I can see the Brothers you’re meeting. Lord Stobert’s farther away, with Jesson and Quint.”
Kane nodded and turned to leave. “Remember, keep as close as you can, but stay out of sight. And if you sense Barton near, be very careful. Don’t forget that the men with him will only have normal swords. Don’t rely only on old steel.”
Brenna nodded. “I’ll use all my abilities,” she promised. She’d eluded guards long before she’d known about old steel. Tonight would be no different.
“Good,” Kane said. “It’s dark enough now. I’m off. Give me a few minutes head start.”
With Kane gone, Brenna’s nervousness increased. She put a hand on her knife and followed Kane’s progress down the stairs and out of the house. She prayed it wasn’t her Seer’s abilities causing her unease. She blew out the lamp and looked out the window. It was dark enough that she could barely make out the tree on the corner. Time for her to go.
She hefted her pack onto her back, looked for Kane and noted his progress. She stepped up to crouch in the window and she reached up and hauled herself onto the roof of the house.
She crossed to the edge of the roof and jumped across a narrow gap to the roof of the house next door. From there she stepped onto the sturdy branch of a maple tree and crept to the centre of the tree. She edged around the trunk and out onto a branch that hung out over an alley. She took a few breaths and checked the alley. Good, no sounds or movements from below. She sat down and twisted until she dangled a few feet above the ground, then she dropped and rolled. Still crouched, she scrambled to the shadow of the fence. She sat there for a few minutes and listened to the still quiet night,
She checked Kane’s location again - he was already past this alley and headed towards the two Brothers. She checked their position and started to rise - and stopped.
Something was wrong. She reached again for the Brothers. The old steel was there and the Brothers were the same ones she’d felt before, but there was something about them, something she could almost sense through the old steel. Brenna frowned. She prodded at them through her link with their weapons. They were there, but something was wrong. If only she knew what to trust with this magic.