Queen (Brotherhood of the Throne) Read Free

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 s till no reports that he’s building an
army ?”
    “ Our contacts in the
Kingsguard report no unusual orders or training ,” Brunger said.
    “ Good. Let me know if
that changes. We hope to postpone any battles until spring. Is there anything
else ?”
    “ News for Brenna ,”
Marcus said. “ From Eryl. The seamstress’ shop has been ransacked by the Thorold’s men. The seamstress has been taken .”
    “ Mistress Dudding ?”
Brenna asked. “ Is she all right ?”
    “ Eryl thinks not. He’s
had his gang out looking for her but there’s no news. He assumes she’s dead .”
    “ Dead ,” Brenna said.
“ Because of me? ” Brenna’s heart sank and she frowned.“ I haven’t even seen her
since the night the church killed Sabine Werrett instead of me .”
    “ Thorold found out you
used to live there ,” Marcus replied. “ At least that’s what Eryl’s
hearing from the Quarter. The men who took the seamstress were asking about
you. They were also asking about Eryl .”
    “ But he’s safe ?”
Kane asked.
    “ Yes. ”
    “ Why now ?” Brenna
asked.
    “ Because Mattias is
gone ,” Kane said. “ Thorold can do what he wants without
opposition .”
    “ Yes ,” Marcus
agreed. “ I’d say he’s flaunting his power .”
    “ But Mistress Dudding
was no threat ,” Brenna said.
    “ No but she can be a
lesson ,” Kane replied. “ A warning to the rest of the Quarter that
helping you is dangerous .”
    Brenna clutched her knife
and Kane’s grip tightened around her hand. Mistress Dudding was dead because of
her. Someone she’d barely thought about in all the months since she’d been
taken in by the Brotherhood was dead because she’d known Brenna, had been kind
to Brenna.
    “ Tell Eryl to stay safe ,”
Kane said. Gently he peeled her hand from her knife and folded her into his
arms, gently resting his head on top of hers.
    “It’s my fault,” Brenna
said. Her voice caught in her throat and she leaned into Kane.
    “No,” he said firmly.
“It’s Thorold’s fault.”
    Kane’s head lifted off of
hers. “Someone who helped Brenna before the prophecy started has been taken by Thorold’s men,” Kane explained to the others in the room. “Now they’re looking for