by Jane Glatt
“Kane.”
“Here,” he replied. “Beldyn is in the hands of the High Bishop. I saw Thorold emerge from the chamber below the church. He must have been to see Beldyn.”
“Just as we expected,” Brenna said.
He felt her sorrow through the old steel.
“I don’t want to leave him there for more than two days,” he said. “Thorold was furious with Beldyn and I don’t think he’ll let him live much longer than that.”
“He’ll want to watch him suffer,” Brenna replied. “But two days may be all he has the patience for. Dasid believes the mounted troops can be there the day after tomorrow but the foot soldiers are four days away. He’ll confirm with Gaskain and we’ll let you know.”
“Ask him to have some the men ride double,” Kane said. “I’d like at least one hundred and fifty men here as soon as possible.” The Kingsguard would have more than four hundred men but his mounted troops were better trained. And he didn’t need to take the city, just get Beldyn out safely.
Kane paced while Brenna contacted Jemma to confer with Ewart and Gaskain. The door eased open and Eryl stepped through it, his face drawn and haggard.
“It’s been a very interesting day,” Eryl said tossing a bag on to the table.
Kane grabbed the bag, digging in with one hand, the other still on his sword hilt.
“Thanks for the food,” Kane said, taking a bite of a cheese. “I’m waiting for Brenna’s reply. She’s finding out how many men we’ll have to get Beldyn out of the church.”
“He’s there then, is he?” Eryl asked.
Kane nodded, chewing. He tore a piece of bread off a small loaf and tossed the rest to Eryl.
“Thorold was there, most likely to watch.”
“That sounds like him,” Eryl said grimly. “I’ve warned the Quarter. Every man woman and child is on alert.”
Kane looked over at Eryl in surprise.
“I told you,” Eryl said. “The Quarter looks after its own. Brenna is one of us and by naming her his heir, Beldyn became one of us today too.”
“How many people?”
“Many have left but I’d say there are at least two thousand people ready to help. Not trained, mind you, but smart and determined.” Eryl grinned. “And with no love for Duke Thorold or the Guard. Especially now.”
“Has something happened?”
Eryl sat down and rubbed at his chin. “The Guard have been all over the Quarter searching for anyone with even the most remote acquaintance with Brenna.” He shook his head and looked down at his hands. “Someone talked.” He looked up. “Mistress Took was taken from her bed this morning.”
“Mistress Took?” Kane asked.
“She owned a laundry that Brenna used.”
“Did she even know Brenna?”
“That didn’t matter to the Guard. They took her to the church. A group of witch haters was there.” Eryl looked away again. “The Guard let them have her. I’m told it took them over an hour to kill her.”
He hadn’t planned on telling Brenna but she sensed something was wrong.
“The woman who ran the laundry,” he said when she pressed him. “Mistress Took was taken by the Guard and killed.” He hoped she didn’t want more details about her death - he didn’t want to tell her that a mob had killed a woman because Brenna had frequented her business.
“Because of me?” Brenna asked. Her anguish coursed through the old steel. “But I barely knew her.” Brenna paused. “First Mistress Dudding and now Mistress Took. We have to stop this!”
Kane’s sword glowed and it felt hot under his hand.
“And that’s what we’ll do,” Kane said. The light from his sword faded. “First we’ll save Beldyn.”
“You’re right,” Brenna agreed. “Saving Beldyn will be a major defeat to Thorold.”
“And it might make him angry enough to make a mistake,” Kane said.
It was almost dawn by the time they had a plan. It was a slow process since Kane had to wait while Brenna talked to the others. He found himself dozing off at times, his hands wrapped around both his sword and his knife, waiting for Brenna’s call.
Eventually they all agreed and gratefully Kane stretched out in the chair, his feet up on the bench. Gaskain, Ewart and Jemma would be leaving for Kingsreach this morning, as soon as the mounted troops could be ready.
Gaskain promised to bring at least one hundred and fifty seasoned men and Kane trusted him on that. They should be within striking distance of the city by the afternoon on the second day. Three hundred foot soldiers would follow but they were at least four days away. If the rescue of Beldyn turned into a full-scale battle with the Kingsguard at least they would have reinforcements on their way. Kane was comfortable with that. Their one hundred and fifty experienced men could hold off a larger force of poorly trained Kingsguard long enough for the foot soldiers to arrive.
Kane shook his head. The Kingsguard had become such a sorry fighting force so quickly that even he discounted them. But not very many were left from his days as captain - more than half of the men on their way in Brenna’s colours had been under his command in the Kingsguard.
Kane tossed Eryl the last of the cheese.
“Two days, Eryl, just two more days of hiding,” he said. “How many will take the safe passage to Fallad?” Marcus Brunger was to gather as many merchants and their wagons as possible. Kane wanted every person from the Quarter to have the opportunity to leave Kingsreach now rather than risk starvation this winter.
“Can’t say. Folk here don’t like armies any more than they like the Guard,” Eryl said. “My guess is that you’ll get women and children but many of the men will stay behind. These folk don’t have much, but they want to keep what they do have.”
Kane nodded. “Anyone who wants to leave will be welcome.” He’d be especially relieved to help women and children escape the fate Thorold had in store for them. Thorold only wanted men for his army, would only feed men. The rest he’d let starve.
It was dawn before Brenna finally contacted Yowan. He was groggy but he listened to her request with a promise to forward it on. Dasid had left her room a few minutes ago - she hadn’t needed him for her talk with Yowan and they all needed as much sleep as they could grab.
Sighing, she slipped out of her clothes and lay down on her bed. The morning noises of the inn and the street around it reminded her of Thieves Quarter and her room at Mistress Dudding’s. She closed her eyes in sadness. Mistress Dudding had taken Brenna in at a time when she’d had few friends. She was dead because of it. And now Mistress Took was dead as well. Was her death a warning or simply an outcome of Thorold’s frustration and rage that his path to power wasn’t as smooth as he’d planned? Did it matter? The woman was dead and others she barely knew were at risk as well. But Kane was right. The way to keep them safe was to defeat Thorold. Exhausted, Brenna rolled over and tried to sleep.
eighteen
A bright light shining in her eyes woke her and she opened her eyes and blinked. The sun slanted in past the top of the curtain to fall across her face. Brenna reached over and opened the curtain wider to let the sun shine in on her fully. Stretching, she eased out of the bed and dressed.
By the angle of the sun it looked to be late afternoon. Her stomach rumbled as she left her room. She tapped quietly on the door across the hall in case Pater, Wils or Dasid were still about but there was no answer. After a short wait she headed downstairs.
At this time of day the tavern was almost empty. She peeked into the kitchen, wondering if her companions might be there. A single youth sat at a work table, peeling potatoes. He looked up and shook his head at her, indicating that there was no meal to be had at this time of day.
The market in any town was always easy to find, Brenna thought as she followed a laden cart through the narrow cobbled streets. It took her past what looked like a library and Brenna made a note to investigate if she had time. She’d love to add new remedies to her pack and this far north there wou
ld be different healing herbs.
The cart pulled into a square and Brenna stopped to look around. The market was crowded on this cool autumn day - stalls and carts displayed bright orange and yellow squashes, shiny, red apples and purple and red-skinned potatoes. She passed the vegetables and stopped briefly at a stall that sold strips of salted fish and pots of tiny fish pickled in brine. She sniffed and looked around. There, that cart. She headed over to it. Fish pies wrapped in parchment steamed over red hot coals. She quickly bought one and walked towards an empty patch of street, taking a big bite as she went.
“What are ye doing here, Brenna?” a voice said close to her ear and she turned.
“Finding something to eat,” Brenna said around her mouthful of food. Pater nodded as she chewed and swallowed. “I woke up late and the kitchen at the Whale was closed until supper. How about you?”
“Me, I miss my old cart’s all. The fruits and vegetables here are a bit further along seeing as they’re so far north but they look like they got some good crops in.” Pater steered her to a cart full of bundles of strange, dried plants. “This here’s seaweed. I heard about it afore but no merchant ever brought me any.” He fingered a bundle. “It’s salty, like, but would make a fine addition to a stew I think. Be especially good in the winter when ye can’t get other greens.”
“I guess it would be,” Brenna said. She popped the last of her fish pie in her mouth. “Are you going to buy some?”
“Me?” Pater sighed. “No, but I’ll keep it in mind fer when we get home and I can get my cart back on the street. Might get Martyn to travel here though, to see what other foods they have that the Quarter might like.”
“I’m sure he’d like that. He’s a good lad, Martyn. I told you he’s helping me contact Guild Master Brunger?”
“Yes, he is a good lad,” Pater said. “And real close to his ma. Helps her a lot.”
“Let me know if you want me to tell him anything,” Brenna said.
“Nah, you know me. I don’t talk much. If I get all chatty Martyn won’t likely believe it’s me.”
“All right,” Brenna said. She’d tell Martyn that his uncle said hello, anyway. He’d like that, she thought.
They spent a few more minutes in the market. Brenna bought and ate an apple before they wandered back to the White Whale. Wils and Dasid were in the tavern and Brenna and Pater joined them. For a few hours she felt as thought they were just friends sharing a jug of ale. Dasid told stories of when he’d been posted to the border and Pater talked about all the odd foods he’d eaten that had come from Langemore. No one talked about Duke Thorold, or Beldyn or Brenna being Queen. But then Dasid gave a signal and they headed back to Brenna’s room to help with Beldyn’s rescue and the fight to save Soule.
“Gaskain says they’re ready,” Brenna told him.
Kane motioned to Eryl, who nodded and slipped out the door. One hundred and fifty men of Brenna’s army, more than half of them mounted, waited just beyond the city along with Gaskain and Duke Ewart.
“Please check in with Martyn,” Kane said and he felt Brenna’s absence as she focused her attention elsewhere.
“The High Bishop is still in the church,” she said.
“Then we’ll have to deal with him.”
Martyn had been watching the High Bishop all day. Just after his noon meal Valden had entered the church. If he stayed inside until the sun went down he’d find himself at the wrong end of Kane’s sword. As long as it didn’t complicate Beldyn’s rescue, Kane looked forward to that.
“Tell Gaskain to give Eryl an hour before he sends the foot soldiers to the gate,” Kane said. “Have him keep mounted troops back. They can move in quickly once the Kingsguard realize their mistake.” Kane waited while Brenna relayed his instructions to Gaskain. Being able to co-ordinate with his split forces was a huge advantage - one he doubted Thorold would be able to overcome.
“Gaskain will be ready,” she said.
“All right. I’m off. I’ll contact you once I’m in position.” Kane dropped his hand from his sword hilt and flipped his cloak over the weapon to hide it. With one last pat at the beard, he eased out the door. He looked up and nodded in satisfaction. The sun was starting to sink below the tops of the buildings. The rescue would happen at dusk when most people around the church would have retired to their homes for the night.
Kane navigated the alleys through the Quarter, heading towards the church. He heard shouting and he smiled. When he emerged onto a street near the edge of Thieves Quarter he saw the mob. It was small still, but Eryl had promised that it would be large enough and noisy enough to attract the attention of the Kingsguard. Once the mob was big enough Eryl would head it in the direction of the castle. The people in the crowd would spread out and block the streets, trapping the Kingsguard on the castle side, away from the church. In the few minutes that Kane stood watching it, the mob seemed to double in size.
“To the castle!” Eryl shouted. “That’s where they’ve stored the food!”
The crowd echoed his words. “To the castle, to the food!”
The mob surged forward, following Eryl’s raised hand. Kane followed them, staying at the back as the crowd swarmed through the streets. He dropped back when they passed a street that led directly to the church. A few minutes later he stopped - the church of the One-God in plain view in front of him. He gripped his sword and called to Brenna.
“I’m at the church. Let me know where Martyn is,” he said. A short time later she replied with quick directions and he retraced his path and approached the church by a different route.
“Kane, I’m here,” a voice whispered.
He walked slowly towards it, scanning the streets and the square in front of the church. He couldn’t see anyone - no guards, no priests, not witch hunters. He ducked and slid under a wagon, crawling until he was even with Martyn.
“Anything unusual?” he asked the lad.
“No. A few priests have been and gone, that’s all.” Martyn said. “Ain’t seen any Kingsguard at all.”
“Good,” Kane said. “Go find Eryl.” He grasped the lad’s shoulder briefly.
Martyn inched out from under the cart and then he was gone, leaving Kane to watch the church. Another half hour, he thought, studying the shadow of the church as it crept toward him across the square. As dusk deepened two priests stepped out of the church. They lit the lamps that flanked the doors before they slipped back in, closing the doors behind them.
“Brenna?” Kane called. “Where are Gaskain and his troops?”
“They’re about fifteen minutes away,” she said. “They’ve just passed Marcus at the trade gate.”
“Good. I’m going into the church.” Kane checked the square again before he eased himself out from under the wagon. He settled his cloak around his sword and headed slowly to the church, stooping as if walking was painful.
Kane pushed one large door open and he was face to face with a young man dressed in the long robes of a priest.
“Good evening father,” he said to the priest, who nodded and stepped aside, allowing Kane to pass.
Kane kept his head down as he skirted past the man. The priest’s robe hitched and then slid over something before it hung straight to the floor. Kane selected a pew close to the back of the church and crept along it until he was in the middle of the row. He sat down and placed a hand on his sword.
“I’m in the church,” he called to Brenna. “At least one priest at the door is wearing a weapon.”
“I’ll let Gaskain know,” Brenna replied.
He counted four more priests who he thought were carrying swords. They were all young and stood at attention as they scanned the worshippers. Three older priests were bowed in prayer, their eyes on the floor in front of them.
Kane bent his head to wait. Brenna would contact him once she’d heard from Martyn and Eryl. A few more worshippers left the church and Kane started to worry. Had Martyn been able to reach Eryl? He slipped his hand to his sword pommel.
“None,” she replied. “Should we be concerned?”
“I’m not sure,” Kane said, but something felt wrong. “I can’t wait any longer. Where’s Gaskain?”
“Gaskain has surrounded the square,” Brenna said. “He’s ready to start the assault on the church.”
“Good,” Kane said, thinking hard. “We’ll have to assume that the Guard have caught up with the mob. Barton can’t have more than one hundred and fifty men on duty. Let’s assume another two hundred and fifty in the barracks.” They had to hope that Thorold and Barton would commit as many men as possible to quelling the “riot”. It would be harder to pull the Guard away once they were embroiled in a conflict.
“Should we give Eryl and Martyn a few more minutes? Brenna asked.
Kane heard the worry in her tone but there was nothing he could say to ease her concern. He bent his head lower in prayer, although he called on Jik rather than the One-God. “No. I have no more time. Gaskain could be discovered at any moment. Give him the signal.”
In a few minutes he heard the sounds of running feet on the cobblestones outside the church. The doors were flung open and Kane saw the gray uniforms of Gaskain’s men as they entered the church. Two priests drew swords and were quickly cut down. Kane left his pew and hurried towards the door that led below to the High Bishop’s rooms. He grabbed at the door just as a priest slipped through it, attempting to shut the door after him.
“You watch the door, I’ll get more help,” Kane said and stepped past the priest. As he’d hoped the man responded to his orders and Kane raced down the stairs.
“The church is under attack!” he called out. A priest stood at the bottom of the stairs and Kane grabbed his robe. “Father, you must help. There’s only one priest holding the door against them. He sent me to get help and warn the High Bishop.”