Queen (Brotherhood of the Throne) Read online

  Brotherhood of the Throne

  Book 3

  Queen

  Jane Glatt

  Copyright © 2012 Roberta Jane Glatt

  Jane Glatt Enterprises Inc.

  www.Janeglatt.com

  ISBN 978-0-9880291-2-5

  All Rights Reserved worldwide under the Berne Convention. No part of this document or the related files may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any means (electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the publisher.

  All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

  one

  Queen. Brenna grabbed her pack and patted Blaze before she handed the reins to the boy who stood expectantly in front of her. She didn’t want the title or the responsibilities that went with it. She’d like nothing more than to get back on Blaze and ride as far away from it as she could. Her hand crept into her pack and she caressed the coronet before turning to find Kane’s blue-eyed gaze on her.

  “Ready?” he asked.

  She moved to stand beside him and nodded, her look taking in both Dasid and Gaskain. People were depending on her - Kane was depending on her - and she couldn’t allow Thorold to rule Soule. She knew what he was capable of.

  She led the way and when she reached the third stair from the top, the door swung open. Duke Ewart of Fallad stood there, his eyes darting from her to the church across the square.

  “Please come in.” Ewart stepped aside.

  Brenna entered his Silverdale home followed by Kane, Dasid and then Gaskain. Ewart closed the door and ushered them into a sitting room. Brenna took a seat on a padded bench and leaned her pack against her legs as her companions quietly sat on chairs that ringed a large, low table.

  “I didn’t see any merchants in the square,” Kane said.

  Brenna looked up in surprise. Kane was right. As they rode through she’d seen people in the square – but mostly Duke Ewart’s militia. The last time she’d visited Silverdale the square had been bustling with merchants and their customers, as well as priests of the One-God. The largest church in Fallad stood on the opposite side of the square.

  “Yes,” Duke Ewart replied. “Only priests who are too old or frail to leave are still at the church. My men tell me the rest packed up and left as soon as the news about King Mattias’ death reached Silverdale. That was almost a week ago.” Ewart paced in front of the fireplace. “I’ve sent more troops to the borders.” He stopped beside the mantel and turned to face them. “I doubt Thorold will do anything hostile, at least not until I’ve declared that I’m opposing him, but I thought it better to be prepared. I’ve sent messages advising all Falladian communities to prepare for a hard winter and I’ve been recruiting more men for the militia. I want my people and my duchy ready.”

  “Have your staff left then? Is that why you answered your door yourself?” Brenna asked.

  “I have a cook still and someone to clean, but I told the rest of my household staff to see to their families,” Ewart said. “Some of the men have joined the militia.” He looked from her to Kane. “I’m hoping that you can help train and outfit the new recruits.”

  “Dasid and I can do that,” Kane said. “But you know we cannot pledge to you.”

  “I understand,” Ewart said. His gaze swiveled back to Brenna. “We’ll all be pledging to Brenna soon enough anyway.”

  “Yes,” Kane said.

  Even from where she sat Brenna felt Kane relax and some of the tension in the room evaporated. She’d told Kane that this would be Ewart’s answer, but they all knew what it meant. Duke Ewart of Fallad had just acknowledged that he would rebel against the crown. Thorold would call him a traitor and in the eyes of the law, he was. But they had their safe haven in Fallad, a place where they could begin their campaign to save Soule.

  “Refugees have been crossing into Fallad for weeks,” Ewart said. “Many of them have already enlisted in my militia - I also have a number of volunteers from here in Silverdale so you’ll have a lot to do right away.”

  Brenna’s eyes drooped closes as the conversation hummed around her. She reached down to her pack and her hand slid inside it almost without being aware of it. But she knew the minute she touched the coronet.

  Almost every moment since King Mattias’ death the coronet had been a constant presence in her mind. Usually it was a gentle hum just below every waking thought she had, but at times it changed to a whisper while at other times it turned into a simple song. But when she tried to ignore it, the coronet blared loudly. It only allowed her peace when she actually touched it. When her hand was in contact with the old steel the metal felt warm, almost alive, and the sound it made was like a contented purr. Brenna had taken to sleeping with one hand curled around coronet just to be able to get some rest.

  “Brenna.”

  With a start she opened her eyes and met Kane’s concerned gaze.

  “Are you feeling all right?” Kane asked.

  Somehow she’d slid down until she was lying on the bench, her body curled around her pack and the coronet inside it. Kane took her arm and helped her sit up before he moved back to his own chair.

  “I’m fine. I’m just tired.” She pushed a hand through her hair.

  “Are you sure?” Ewart asked. He frowned. “I’ve been a terrible host. Can get you something to eat or drink? Tea perhaps?”

  “Thank you, no,” Brenna said. “I really am fine. It’s the coronet. It’s been very insistent since King Mattias died.”

  “Insistent about what?”

  “About being worn. By me.” Brenna pulled the coronet out of her pack. The plain silver-colored band shone brightly in the dim room. If touching it made it purr, then bringing it out into full view made it roar - there could be no doubt that it wanted to be out and acknowledged.

  “I can hear it,” Ewart said.

  “Yes, sometimes it gets louder when it’s on display but I always hear it in my head.” Brenna grimaced. “I’m getting better at ignoring it but when I’m tired, like today, it’s more difficult.”

  Ewart edged closer and peered at the coronet. He reached out a hand and tentatively touched it. “It doesn’t react to me. Not enough of the same blood?”

  “It doesn’t react to anyone other than Brenna,” Kane said. “Even though it’s old steel, like the Brotherhood’s weapons.”

  “What will make it stop?” Ewart asked. “

  “I think it will only stop when Brenna declares herself queen and wears the coronet openly.” Kane looked over at her.

  “I’m not ready, not yet.” Brenna stared at the coronet and ran her hand over the smooth old steel. “I need to know more about Beldyn and what role he wants to play.”

  “He’ll be crowned king,” Ewart said. “What else do you need to know? There can only be one ruler and if that’s you then it can’t be Beldyn.” Ewart crossed his arms over his chest and looked at her sternly but then his face softened and he sighed. “I know you still think of him as the little boy who trailed after you when you were younger Brenna, but it must be one or the other of you.”

  “But he’s unwilling to rule,” she said. “We know that from Jemma, a Brother who has befriended him.” Brenna and Kane had discussed this more than once but she would not change her mind. “I need more information before I declare myself queen and openly pit myself against Beldyn.” She didn’t want to do anything before she could talk to Beldyn - he deserved to know what she was planning. He’d trusted her when they were younger and she didn’t want to do anything to change that. “He was family to me, and I to him,” Brenna continued. “I won’t give up on that until I absolutely h
ave to.”

  Jemma had promised to contact her as soon as Beldyn visited her again. If he visited her again. There was no guarantee that he’d get the chance to slip away from his formal duties now that King Mattias was dead. There were three weeks left of the official mourning period - then Beldyn’s coronation would take place. Brenna sighed and stroked the coronet again. She had to talk to Beldyn before then because her coronation would be held the same day.

  “I don’t like it,” Ewart said, frowning. “We have no idea if Beldyn is even telling the truth. For all you know he’s working with his father and telling you what Thorold wants you to know.”

  “It’s a risk,” Kane agreed. “At this point everything we know leads us to believe that Beldyn does not want the crown. Has that changed? That’s one reason Brenna is so tired.” He shook his head and looked over at her. “Since Mattias’ death she’s spent most nights in contact with Brothers in Kingsreach, Aruntun and Fallad trying to find out more.”

  “A few weeks is all I’m asking for,” Brenna said. “I’ll need to declare when Beldyn does. By that time the Brothers from the training facility should be here and the forge should be making progress on creating old steel weapons.”

  “All right,” Duke Ewart said. “I’d rather not have Thorold know I’m supporting you until then anyway. He won’t really worry about me until closer to the coronation.”

  “And we’ll be a few more weeks nearer to winter,” Kane said. “We’re not ready for a fall campaign, not until the recruits get some training, so the longer we can deceive Thorold the more likely he won’t be able to strike until spring.”

  “Yes,” Ewart agreed. He looked relieved. “If we can postpone the fighting until spring we have some time to prepare properly.”

  “We don’t think Thorold can be ready to mount an offensive before winter,” Kane said. “But if he has a few more weeks without any real opposition it will be even harder for him. By that time his plans will have been made and it will be too late in the season to change course.”

  “Hopefully Thorold’s own forces will stay in Comack for the winter.” Ewart nodded. “Do we know where you want your training camp?”

  “Gaskain and I will be handling that,” Dasid spoke from his seat by the fire. “With your permission we’ll take stock of what’s available and where we can house the men and start getting things set up.”

  “Good,” Ewart said. “Let me know what you need from me.”

  Brenna was surrounded by women in glittering gowns and men in formal attire with family and guild crests displayed prominently on velvet and silk coats and vests. The soft strains of music played in the background, almost drowned out by the hum of conversation and the clink of glasses. There, wasn’t that Carolie Brunger with her father the Guild Master? Standing close to them, holding two punch glasses, was Colm. His blond curls were subdued and he’d grown taller since his days as one of her drill partners.

  Brenna tried to move towards him but the crowd surged around her and she was propelled in the opposite direction - toward a high dais where Duke Thorold sat and overlooked the assembly. He had a small, self-satisfied smile on his face and Brenna balled her fists, her lip curled in disgust. Her grandfather - she would never become anything like him. Then she was moving past him, through a small door and down a long corridor and finally into another room.

  When Brenna entered, the furious activity of several servants stopped and they froze, surrounding the figure who sat hunched into yards of blue silk, the gold thread shimmering in bright patterns. It was Beldyn. He turned to her, misery on his face.

  “Help me Brenna.”

  She heard his whisper, saw the pleading in his eyes and she nodded.

  “Yes,” she answered. “See Jemma. I’ll help.” Beldyn’s image started to fade but before he was gone, Brenna caught a look of relief on his face.

  Kane gently opened the door to enter the room he and Brenna were sharing. He’d insisted she that come up and rest for as long as she could - she needed to be awake later to communicate with the Brotherhood – something she’d been doing every night since Mattias’ death. He stepped over to the bed, his smile turning to a frown when she rolled over and flung her arm out.

  “I’ll help,” Brenna whispered.

  Kane caught her wrist and held it, stroking the back of her hand until she settled and her breathing evened out.

  He should wake her - that was the only way to make sure she remembered a vision - but she needed the sleep. It would be well past midnight before she had a chance to rest again. Kane gently sat on the bed and pulled Brenna’s head onto his lap.

  He’d tried to explain her exhaustion to the others but even Dasid didn’t fully understand. It took energy for Brenna to communicate through old steel. It was easier with people she knew, like Jemma and Yowan, but contacting someone she didn’t know well – was so difficult that she couldn’t do it without Kane’s help.

  Kane urged her to draw energy from him – just as she’d done when she’d been captured by Thorold’s men - but she refused, saying that he had needed his strength to accomplish his own tasks. And he did. But nothing else was as important as ensuring her health and well being. And despite her assurances, he knew that rescuing Neal and Duchess Avery had depleted her more than she would admit and that she still hadn’t fully recovered from that.

  Brenna snuggled closer to him and he gently smoothed a hand over her hair. He would never forget the utter despair he’d felt when he’d seen Duke Thorold’s guards carry her away from him.

  He’d seen a berserker once, while on patrol along the border of Langemore. A bandit had gone wild when they’d tried to capture him. At the time Kane had wondered what could cause a man to lose control so completely. Now he knew.

  Later, after they’d rescued Brenna, he’d seen the nervous looks some of the men sent his way. Even Gaskain and Dasid had been wary of him for a few days. Kane couldn’t blame them - Dasid had told him he’d been responsible for the deaths of over a dozen of Thorold’s guards. All Kane could remember was his overwhelming need to reach Brenna.

  He settled back against the wall and closed his eyes. He never wanted to feel that way ever again.

  Brenna sighed, feeling rough fabric against her cheek. For a moment she thought they were still on the road and her cloak was under her head, then she moved and she felt the warm solidness of a body beneath the fabric. Kane. She smiled and opened her eyes, tilting her head and squinting up at him in the dim room. His chin was tucked onto his chest and his mouth was relaxed in sleep. She sat up a little and his eyes opened.

  “Were you sent to wake me?” Brenna asked.

  Kane’s smile answered her own and he shrugged.

  “It was only dinner. They’ll keep something warm for us.”

  “You hope. If not I expect you to cook.” Brenna rolled off the bed, stood up and stretched. Her stomach rumbled and she yawned. “On second thought, I’m not sure I’m desperate enough to eat anything you cook.”

  When Kane stood he pulled her in his arms. She leaned into him and took a deep breath, enjoying his scent.

  “You won’t have to,” Kane said. “You’re going to be queen. They’ll have saved some dinner for you.”

  “Finally, something good about being queen,” Brenna said.

  Kane drew back enough to look down at her. “You’ll be able to do a lot of good.”

  “I know. But I’d rather someone else did it.” She reached up and kissed him, savouring the warmth of his lips, of him, before stepping away with another sigh.

  “Let’s go. It must almost be time to start contacting the others.” Brenna picked up her knife belt and strapped the weapon around her waist before leaning down to clutch her pack.

  Feeling pleasantly full, Brenna placed her knife beside her pack on the low table in front of her. Kane had been right and a warm meal had been waiting for them when they came downstairs. Before retiring for the evening the cook had left a pot of soup and a fresh loaf of brea
d warming by the fire. It hadn’t taken either of them long to polish off their late meal.

  “Is it time?” Kane asked. He pulled a chair up beside her.

  They were in Ewart’s sitting room – Ewart, Dasid, Gaskain, Kane and Brenna all sat around the low table that held Brenna’s pack and knife.

  “I think so,” Brenna said. She picked up her knife and fingered it. Kane placed his knife – the knife that had once belonged to his uncle - on the table and she reached a hand out and touched that as well. They would try to contact Guild Master Brunger first. Brenna always had trouble contacting the Guild Master but for some reason Kane’s presence made it possible. Nor did Brenna get as tired and drained when he joined with her.

  She gripped her knife more tightly and Kane reached over and wrapped his hand over hers before leaning over to touch his own knife.

  “Guild Master,” Kane said through the old steel. “It’s Kane and Brenna. We’ve reached Duke Ewart in Silverdale.”

  The response was weak and Brenna focused on it, trying to strengthen the connection.

  “I’m here.”

  The enthusiasm in Marcus Brunger’s voice made Brenna smile. The Guild Master had taken to spying with wit, determination and glee. Marcus Brunger and Eryl Fentin - Brenna wasn’t sure who had the best network or who was having more fun but between them they had most of Kingsreach under surveillance.

  “Your report, please,” Kane said.

  “The church of the One-God has been appropriating quarters for many priests. It seems they are bringing them in from all over the country.”

  “According to Ewart they left Silverdale as soon as word came that King Mattias was dead. Do you know what they’re doing?” Kane asked.

  “I hear that they’re here to witness the coronation,” Marcus Brunger said. “Thorold is determined to use the church to impart divine approval on Beldyn’s ascension to the throne.”

  “We are glad that they’re not here,” Kane said. “I’m sure Thorold would know our every move if they were. And there are still no reports that he’s building an army?”