Thief

by Jane Glatt

staff and advisors. Their smooth manners with the duke had given way to cruelty when dealing with those lower than themselves. And you didn’t get much lower than the bastard child of an indentured servant.

  “Master Fridrick,” Kane said. “Good evening.” Kane’s voice was calm and Brenna relaxed a little. “You’re right - I don’t spend much time in the library. It seems some books from the castle were mistakenly sent here. Books I would rather keep in the hands of the Kingsguard. Some of them detail castle fortifications. The clerk told me the books in this section have just recently arrived from the castle.”

  “He told me the exact same thing but I had no idea some were here in error,” Fridrick said.

  “I’m sure most are fine but there are a few I’m reclaiming. I’ve a student digging around here somewhere helping me pick which ones to take. Pater, where are you boy?”

  “Back here, Captain sir,” Brenna called out. “Just getting a few books down from the top shelf.” She pulled her hat down low over her head and grabbed a couple of books at random. “I thought these two looked likely, Captain,” she mumbled. She kept her head down as she shuffled out into view, books held out to Kane.

  He took a look at the cover of one book and with a light curse, tossed it onto the table. “It’s difficult to find good help on such short notice,” Kane said to Fridrick.

  “That’s so often the case, Captain,” Master Fridrick agreed. “Men of accomplishment must suffer for the lack of good help.”

  “It is a burden,” Kane agreed. “Boy, take these books to Dasid. Quick now.” Brenna scooped up the pile and shuffled out the door.

  “I’m afraid I must be off, Master Fridrick,” Kane said. “Dasid has been checking the rest of the library and I’m late meeting him.”

  “If you see that clerk please send him my way,” Fridrick said.

  As she headed down the library corridor Brenna passed the same guard from last night.

  “That was an old steel sword,” Kane whispered when he caught up with her. “Was that the same man from last night?”

  “Yes.”

  They turned a corner and entered the room where Randell and Dasid were. Brenna stepped behind a shelf, careful to keep herself in the shadows.

  “Randell,” Kane said. “We’ve interrupted you long enough. Master Fridrick is waiting for you in the back of the library. Dasid, I’m afraid you may need to wait until Randell has finished with Master Fridrick. It may mean you’ll be here all night.”

  Dasid nodded. “I’ve spent the night in worse places. Randell, I’ll go with you and let Master Fridrick know I’ll be waiting for you.”

  Brenna could see the relief on Randell’s face as he led the way out of the room. She slipped out from behind the bookshelf.

  “Thank you,” she said and smiled up at Kane. “For having Dasid stay and keep Randell safe.”

  “I promised,” Kane said. “I hope it’s enough. Doing anything more might raise Thorold’s suspicions. Besides, Fridrick and Dasid detest each other. Fridrick will be livid once he understands that Randell is under Dasid’s protection, but he won’t do anything.” He smiled and grabbed her arm. “Come on. Let’s get home so we can see what treasures you’ve turned up.”

  twelve

  Thorold scowled at Fridrick as he bowed low before him. It was late and he’d been enjoying a fine wine before retiring to enjoy a fine wench. If Fridrick had dared to interrupt him later … Thorold disliked any interruptions, but some drew heavier consequences.

  “I trust that this is so important it could not wait until the morning.” Fridrick’s hands twitched and Thorold smiled, satisfied that his scholar understood what he risked.

  “Yes my Lord,” Fridrick said. “I believe it is quite important, but of course, you may disagree with me.” Fridrick raised his eyes to him and Thorold saw resignation and defeat there. Perhaps he’d go gently on the man tonight. If the scholar became too fearful be could become useless. He still had need of him.

  “I went back to the library tonight,” Fridrick said. “As I reported to you earlier the head clerk was cataloguing all references to the Brotherhood.”

  “And,” Thorold leaned forward, “did you find anything of interest?”

  “Yes and no. I still need to double-check the books. There seems to be only vague references in them to a prophecy and an heir to the throne. Something about reuniting the blood of Wolde.” Fridrick paused and licked his lips nervously. “When I arrived at the library Captain Rowse was there. He was looking through the very books I was interested in.”

  “Rowse? Really?” Thorold sank back in his chair and sipped his wine. He’d need to think this through carefully. “And what did the good captain tell you he was doing?”

  “He said books had mistakenly been sent over from the castle. Books about the castles fortifications. I could not be sure of course, and had no reason to question him further

  “And did our good captain ask what you were doing in the library?”

  “No,” Fridrick’s eyes widened. “He did not. Nor did I offer him a reason. But now that strikes me as odd.”

  “Yes.” Thorold could only think of one reason why Rowse hadn’t asked Fridrick what he was up to- he already knew. “And the library clerk, he knew what you were searching for?”

  Fridrick lowered his head. “Yes, my Lord. I told him I was researching an old tale about the Brotherhood. He didn’t know anything more specific than that, but he must have told Rowse. I’d be more than happy to discipline that clerk, my Lord Duke.” Thorold smiled at the emotion in the scholar’s voice. The man still had a spark. Good - it would be so tiresome to find and train a man with Fridrick’s specialized skills.

  “There’s no need,” Thorold said. “Rowse would know if anything happened to the man and there’s no cause to alert him. It can’t be a coincidence that he was searching through the same books as you. I’m sure now that he and his irritating uncle are connected to this Brotherhood. You’ve done well, Fridrick. ”

  “Thank you my Lord,” Fridrick said. “As soon as I find anything about the Brotherhood in the books I’ll let you know. And I’ll pay particular attention to anything that might relate to the Rowses. If there is a connection, I’ll find it.”

  “See that you do,” Thorold, already deep in thought, waved his hand to dismiss the scholar. The Brotherhood was a tool he could use, he could feel it. They were waiting for some mythical king to take the throne. With his son, Beldyn, he could give them that king. And if the Rowses were connected to this Brotherhood, it could still be useful. He could use that to convince the king that they were traitors and be rid of both Kane Rowse and his uncle. Thorold finished his wine and rose to go to his bed. He was in a much better mood after Fridrick’s little visit. Perhaps he’d be gentle with the wench, as well.

  Her pack slung over her shoulder, Brenna climbed the stairs to her room. She and Kane had arrived back from the library and had immediately gone to Feiren’s office. When she’d handed the wrapped bundle that contained the old steel objects over to Feiren, she’d felt such a deep sense of loss that she’d wanted to snatch them back from him. Those items belonged to her, she’d wanted to tell him - they’d called her. They still did.

  Feiren had decided to wait until Dasid arrived before they opened it - he wanted to have a second council member present so she still didn’t know what the objects were. They were certain that whatever it was would be of great importance to the Brotherhood. All Brenna knew was that they had an extremely powerful hold on her.

  She still didn’t believe she was the heir to the throne but each day she felt herself being drawn deeper into the Brotherhoods plans. But she had her own plans. Plans that would see Thorold fail in his attempt to gain control of the throne. She had to move on him soon though, before she found herself completely indebted to Kane and the Brotherhood.

  Once in her room Brenna changed her student’s disguise for black breeches and shirt. She withdrew the two books from the hidden compart
ment in her pack and opened the top one to the first page. It was a drawing of Feiren’s house. Brenna smiled. She would hand this book over to Dasid when he arrived. She closed the book, put it to the side and picked up the second book. This was the book she’d hoped to find, the one that would help her sneak into Duke Thorold’s estate.

  It was a twin to the book on Feiren’s house and once open, the similarities were even more apparent. If both houses were built by the same hand then many of the secrets could be the same - knowing Feiren’s house would teach her what to look for at Duke Thorold’s estate. But the houses had been built long ago and no doubt alterations had been done over the years - there were no guarantees Duke Thorold’s estate even retained any of its original hidden passageways.

  A soft tap on the door startled Brenna.

  “Excuse me Mistress, but Master Feiren asks that you join them downstairs.” It was the housekeeper, Kayleen.

  “Fine. Please tell him I’ll be there shortly.” Brenna hastily hid the book she’d been reading in her pack’s secret compartment, grabbed the other book and headed to the door.

  In Feiren’s study, Kane, Feiren and Dasid were already seated around the desk. They looked up when she entered and Brenna stopped, the call from the wrapped old steel loud in her head. Distracted, she placed the book in front of Dasid.

  “I believe you’ll be looking for