Thief (Brotherhood of the Throne Book 1) (6 page)

“Then we should change the cursed laws.” Valden glared at him “I find it unconscionable that a man of the church, a man who has committed his life to helping others, a man who was simply performing his priestly duties, can be victimized to the point of terror and there is no recourse except that shown to any common man.”

“And yesterday the council agreed to look at these laws in the future and not to change the current punishments,” Kane reminded him gently, concerned now that High Bishop Valden’s hostility seemed to be directed at him. If Valden and the church took too great an interest in him, it could lead them to the Brotherhood. Now that the Caller had finally been found, they could not afford to be exposed. Kane would need to be very careful with the High Bishop. He could not put two thousand years of secrecy at risk. 

“Yes, yes,” the High Bishop said. “But I’ve been thinking of nothing else all night and I feel this case must be dealt with. I will not have my priests threatened. I demand that you pick up that girl at once.”

“I’m sorry High Bishop,” Kane said. “I cannot. Her bond has been paid and she has been freed according to the law. As much as we all want to allay the fears of the victim, jailing her again for the same crime would break the laws I’m sworn to uphold. I’m sure you are not suggesting I do that?” Kane didn’t doubt that the priest had been terrified but it likely had more to do with the glowing knife than any threat Brenna posed.

“Of course not,” Valden said. “I’m simply saying that victims should be allowed compensation directly from the person responsible for injuries or losses suffered. Perhaps a few years being indentured to the wronged party would help these criminals reform. We ought to change the law to reflect that.”  Valden smiled smugly at the king.

Kane withheld a sigh of annoyance. The current system was set up precisely to stop that from happening. Indentured servants had it hard enough as it was. It would be many times worse if they were forced to serve those they’d tried to cheat and steal from. And the chance for vengeance could prove too great a temptation for some of the victims. Kane had no wish to push angry or scared citizens that far. Murder was punishable by death, even the murder of someone who’d stolen from you.

“That is of course entirely up to the King and his council.” Kane bowed to King Mattias. “As Your Majesty has already agreed.”

“Yes, that’s correct.” King Mattias sighed and tiredly leaned forward. “High Bishop, please work with my seneschal to set up a meeting of the council to deal with this issue. Captain, I’m sure you have other duties to attend to.” Mattias looked at each of them. Valden opened his mouth to protest but instead rose and bowed to the king.

Kane also bowed and gratefully left the council chamber. He could almost feel the waves of malevolence coming from the High Bishop as he followed him out of the council chamber. How was he going to stop Valden from twisting the laws to suit his own purposes? Kane already had unsettling reports from Comack that the process of indenturing was being used to permanently enslave the common folk, rather than as a punishment with a specific duration. He would not allow that to happen in Kingsreach. 

Once clear of the king’s formal chambers Kane headed directly to the lower part of the castle in search of Dasid. The older man was seated at the desk in what was officially Kane’s office. As the Kingsguards second-in-command most of the daily tasks of managing the guard fell on Dasid’s shoulders. As well, as the king’s illness worsened, Kane found himself spending more time in the council chambers. As a result he was more accustomed to sitting in the chair facing the desk, so he sat there.

“It seems we got our girl out just in time,” Kane said. He dragged a hand across his tired eyes and slumped lower in the chair. He’d have to get some rest, and soon. He couldn’t afford to let his exhaustion cause him to miss something critical.

Dasid looked up with a start, his green eyes worried. “Is there a danger?”

“The High Bishop believes crimes against his priests must be considered crimes against the church and as such require more severe punishments. That would include indenturing the criminal to the church.” Kane frowned as he spoke. “But I’m not sure that’s all of it - we still have no idea why the old steel knife was being delivered to him.” Kane kept his voice low. “Has my uncle been able to come up with anything more on that?”

“No, although he tells me he still has some ideas on how to find out more.” Dasid set aside the sheet of paper he had been working on. “I’ve put the word out to the Brotherhood about the Caller. I’ll need a little more time to work out the details and get the coverage balanced right, but until then there’ll be more Brotherhood watchers than thieves in the Quarter. I should have something more permanent to discuss with you later.”

“Good.” Kane nodded thoughtfully. “I think in light of the church’s position I’ll check on Brenna as soon as possible. If I think she’s in danger I’ll contact her.” Kane stood to leave. “I’ll be in the city for the rest of the day. Why don’t we meet at my uncle’s for dinner and we can discuss anything else?”

“Of course, Captain.” Dasid smiled. “Shall I inform your uncle we’ve invited ourselves to dine with him?”

Kane laughed. “Tell him it was my idea - he’s used to it.” With that, he left the office.

It was late afternoon when Kane finally found his way back to the Crooked Dog. The weak daylight that entered through the grimy windows allowed him a good view of the dirt and various stains that covered both the interior and the patrons. Kane wore Arlott’s customary brown cloak and hat. The clothes were worn, but, thank the gods, they were also clean. He’d have a hard time explaining how the Captain of the Kingsguard ended up with fleas.

“Is Eryl Fentin in?” Kane asked the tavern keeper. The man nodded and gestured towards the room Kane had visited last night. Kane knocked on the door using the same pattern as before and was quickly let in.

“Master Arlott,” Eryl said. “I’m surprised to see you again so soon. This visit may not be wise.”

“This will be my last visit to you for some time.” Kane said. He was relatively certain his disguise would hold but the church would know Eryl had paid Brenna’s bond and might be watching him. He couldn’t afford to be recognized by the church. “I need to renegotiate our agreement of last night. I need to personally ensure safety of our mutual friend.”

“Your patron is being unusually considerate.” Eryl leaned forward on the table. “Her bond has been paid and she’s safe.”

“For now,” Kane said. “But I need to know her exact location.”

Eryl’s eyes narrowed and his lips tightened as he slouched lower in his chair. “No, I can’t do that. I’ll not snitch on Brenna unless you give me a good reason.” 

“I need to find out if she’s being watched. And if she’s in danger I want to make sure she understands how much and from whom.” He held out a small purse. “The owners of a certain item my patron hoped to obtain are unhappy - they feel the One-God did not receive justice.” He met Eryl’s gaze and held it until the other man finally gave a single quick nod.

“The church is a ruthless enemy.” Eryl said. “If I’ve put Brenna in their sights she’ll slit my throat. And since she’s the finest healer in the Quarter I’d not likely have anyone to mend me, would I? And that’s all I’m going to say on the subject of Brenna.”

Kane tossed the purse to Eryl, who caught it and quickly hid it in his clothing. With one last tip of his hat, Kane turned and left. In a place like the Thieves Quarter he should have no trouble finding a healer named Brenna. Kane smiled as he exited the tavern. This was much safer than asking for a thief - anyone could have need of a healer.

Kane watched the seamstress shop from a wine seller’s across the street. Slightly better than the Crooked Dog the wine seller had a few benches and tables set up outside. From one, he had a clear view of the seamstress shop.

He checked the sun’s height in the sky. It was late afternoon and there hadn’t been any unusual activity around the seamstress shop. The only watcher was the Brother with the fruit cart on the corner, which was a relief. He had to assume that the church did not know where Brenna lived. Satisfied that all was quiet Kane left a copper for the serving girl and stood. If he left now he could get to his uncle’s on time

Brenna eased back from the window and settled the heavy curtain in place. He’d finally left. She wasn’t certain that the man in the brown cloak and hat had been waiting for her, but she’d had an uneasy feeling. There was something familiar about him - the way he moved or the angle of his head. Both healing and thieving required that she notice small details that others would overlook. She couldn’t quite place him but she’d trusted her instincts and stayed inside while he sat out there.

She’d wait another half hour, just to make sure he’d really left. And she’d keep an eye out for him in the next few days. Because if he
was
looking for her, he knew where she lived. Brenna didn’t like that thought at all.

She’d always felt safe enough in her rooms. Once in the shop, you had to pass Mistress Dudding in order to reach the back stairs that led up to her rooms. The third step from the top creaked and she’d added a solid lock to the door at the top. She’d lived here for more than two years. Mistress Dudding had been a patient - Brenna had made a salve for the seamstress’s arthritic hands. On her second visit she’d been offered the rooms over the shop.

They were small and plain – the chair she sat in was only a few steps across from the door and close enough to the window that she could peek out from behind the thick white curtain. A large table – strewn with books, scrolls and old parchments - was squeezed in beside the window and the fireplace, a simple hearth that also fed the heat from the kitchen below through the room. Along the back of the table, up against the wall, she’d filled some old wooden crates with her tools - mortar and pestle, dried herbs and leaves, bottles of viscous liquids - as well as a small pack that held her lock picking tools.

A separate sleeping chamber was accessed through the small wooden door opposite the fireplace. A tiny room with a sloped ceiling, it had a single window that was just big enough for her to squeeze through, as she’d proved when planning an escape route.

Brenna pulled the curtain aside and looked out onto the street again. The man was gone - perhaps he really had been having a simple glass of wine? She grabbed her cloak off the wooden peg by the door and pulled it around her shoulders, locked her door and headed down the stairs. After a quick greeting to Mistress Dudding, she went out and headed for the local fruit stand.

“Hello Pater, what’s the best eating today?”

Pater the fruit seller had been a fixture on this street of the Quarter for as long as Brenna had been around. A grizzled man with silvery gray hair and beard, his smile was contagious despite some missing teeth.

“For my best customer I’d suggest a sweet peach, the first of the season from the southern lands in Aruntun.” Pater said. Then he stopped.

Brenna looked up to find him staring at her oddly.

“What’s wrong?” Brenna looked around. Maybe the man from the wine sellers was still around?

“Nothin’ lass,” Pater said and shook his head. “Nothin’ at all. Here, this is for you.” He picked up a plump peach and handed it to her. She fished in her purse for a coin.

“No.” The old man smiled at her and seemed to relax, finally. “You keep your money today. That poultice you gave me for my sister’s youngest sure enough did the trick and the lad’s up and back at work these past two days already. My sister thought for sure he’d need to be off that foot for another seven days.”

“If you’re sure? You paid me for the poultice already.”

“I’m sure. Wouldn’t have no peaches if the boy weren’t back at work. He’s the one who dealt with the Aruntian traders. Besides, that tea you brought me last week helped ward off the chill.” Pater smiled as Brenna put her purse securely under her vest. “Where’re you off to lass?”

“Just going over to the collegium. I came across a new plant that’s supposed to be good for reducing fevers and I want to check for any other properties it might have.” Brenna took a bite of the peach and smiled at the sweetness of it.

“Well I guess that’s why ye be the best healer in town.” Pater shook his head. “Ye’re always off to the library finding things out.”

With a final wave Brenna headed down the street. She grinned - Pater didn’t know the half of it. It was amazing what she could find out in the library, especially with help from her friend Randell. He knew where everything was and tended not to notice when she asked for unusual things - such as the original building plans for inns and fine houses - very useful information for a thief. Brenna certainly did a lot of research on plants but she often wondered why Randell never questioned her choice of research materials. But then he was one of those frightfully scholarly people, always with his head between the pages of a book or his nose to a scroll. Who knew what kinds of things he was interested in? His list of reading materials probably made Brenna’s seem innocent. She finished the peach and licked the sticky juice off her fingers as she made her way towards the center of town and the collegium library.

“The Brotherhood of the Throne.” Randell’s brown eyes got that far away look that meant he’d come across that subject before. “Now where would that be? Ah, of course!” Randell headed out of the room where he’d been reading from a stack of dusty books piled high on a long wooden desk.