Queen (Brotherhood of the Throne) Read Free Page B

now
she was grateful for each short respite. Especially tonight. She couldn’t stop
thinking about poor Mistress Dudding and it was sapping her energy. She kept
picturing the seamstress confused and shaken, wondering why the church or
Kingsguard or whoever had taken her kept asking about a tenant who had died a
year ago.
    Brenna shrugged her
shoulders, trying to work out the kinks. Kane’s fingers massaged her tight
muscles and she leaned back into him.
    “Ready for Yowan?” he
asked.
    She nodded. She usually
left her grandfather for last. Not only was he the easiest for her to contact,
being both a Brother and her close relative, but somehow he projected love and
care across the old steel. Tonight she needed to feel that more than ever.
    Kane sat down beside her
and again they both reached for the knives.    
    “ Yowan, grandfather, ”
she sent outward.
    “ Brenna love. Good to
hear from you .” The response was immediate and Brenna smiled at the warmth
in her grandfather’s tone.
    “ We made it to Silverdale
and Duke Ewart’s safely. The Brotherhood training facility will be moved here
as soon as possible. Dasid thinks in the next few weeks .”
    “ That’s good news ,”
Yowan paused. “ What’s wrong? You’re upset about something. Are you all right ?”
    “ I’m fine ,” Brenna
said. “ It’s just …” Brenna squeezed her eyes against the tears that
threatened to spill. She felt Kane’s hand on her shoulder and she sighed.
    “ We’ve had bad news
from Kingsreach ,” she said. “ An old friend was taken by Thorold’s men. Someone who was kind to me a long time ago .”
    “ Ah, so he’s trying to
hurt you through those you care about .”
    “ We think so ,”
Brenna said.
    “ You can’t let him
weaken you, ” Yowan said. “ You’re at war now - casualties are going to
happen .”
    “ But she died because
of me! ”
    “ And you’re trying to
put things right for everyone, including her family ,” Yowan said firmly. “ You’re
almost queen now. People will die for you - you’ll need to accept that .”
    “ I don’t want to accept
it ,” Brenna said. “ I don’t want people to die for me .”
    “ That’s not your choice ,”
Yowan said. “ And it’s not about you; it’s about what you represent. People
have a right to decide what they believe is worth dying for. Your part in this
is to not let their deaths be wasted .”
    “ But I’m a healer. I’m
should be able to help ,” Brenna said. “ I don’t like that people are dead
because of me .”
    “ And that’s a good
thing ,” Yowan said. “ Others might not be so concerned. My guess is Thorold wouldn’t be. Now you make sure you get some enough sleep. Tell Kane I said so .”
    “ I heard. I’ve already
made her miss one meal for sleep ,” Kane replied.
    Her grandfather chuckled. “ Good
lad.  She’ll argue but you know what she needs. Just make sure she does what
you say .”
    “ And that works with
Madelay does it ?” Brenna asked.
    “ At times ,” Yowan drawled
and Brenna smiled. “ Sometimes she just needs me to remind her she that shouldn’t
feel guilty for taking care of herself .”
     “ And how is my
grandmother ?”
    “ She’s holding her own.
After we crossed the border we met up with others fleeing Kingsreach. Now we’ve
found Laurel and Clift at an encampment of some sort .” Yowan paused briefly
and Brenna knew he was talking to someone else. “ Laurel says you’ll know the
place, Brenna. On your say so Avery had lowered the magical barrier and posted
healers with supplies and wagons to help move people further into Aruntun. ”
    Brenna’s closed her eyes
and her shoulders sagged. She’d been able to change her vision from the spring.
It was a relief to know it was possible. “ And Neal and the Brothers who were
hurt during the rescue ?” she asked. “ Are they still doing well ?”
    “ Madelay says Neal is still
mending as well as can be expected and those who were