Healer (Brotherhood of the Throne Book 2) (9 page)

“Rory Doyle, this is Brenna Lightfingers and Kane Rowse,” Clift said.

“Rory, nice to meet you,” Brenna stood up and smiled at him. “I believe I met your brother Samuel some weeks ago in Lakeview.”

“You did indeed,” Rory bowed low, “but I fear my brother may have vision problems, for you are far lovelier than he described.”

“And come meet Kane,” Tressa dragged Rory away from Brenna and over to him. “Kane used to be Captain of the Kingsguard,” Tressa said. “He’s had to fight all kinds of criminals and I bet he’s even killed people, haven’t you?”

Kane nodded briefly to Rory. “Killing isn’t something to brag about,” Kane said. “Although at times it is necessary.”

Rory glanced at Brenna before turning back to Kane. With a nod, he seemed to make a decision. “Good to meet you Kane,” he said. “I think you’re a man I’d prefer to have on my side.”

Kane was content to watch Rory for the rest of the evening. The man certainly was charming - he soon had Brenna, Tressa and Russel laughing about his adventures. Every once in a while Rory would look over at Kane, as if to make sure Kane knew he wasn’t singling out Brenna for attention.

“Looks like Russel is trying to learn a few tips from Rory,” Kane said as Clift sat down in the chair beside him. He took the glass of brandy Clift held out to him.

“Yes,” Clift said. “Rory is a nice enough lad. Tressa is absolutely smitten with him, though she knows neither her family nor his would allow a match. Not that Rory would be willing - he’ll do what’s right for his family.”

“Why wouldn’t his family agree to the match?” Kane asked. “I would think they’d be want to align themselves with the Duchess of Aruntun.”

Clift looked at him. “I forget you’re not from Aruntun. I’ll start by asking you a question. Why do you suppose there’s always been a Duchess of Aruntun and not a Duke?”

“You’re saying there’s never been a Duke of Aruntun?”

“Not a one,” Clift replied. “The title is always passed down to the women, which is why Tressa is Avery’s heir and not Russel. Nor do any of the Kerrich women wed.”

Kane looked up, startled. “But what about you and Laurel?”

“Laurel and I may be a family, but we are not husband and wife.” Clift smiled. “I am her consort, which in Aruntian terms means everything from bodyguard, to advisor, to lover to father of her children, but not her husband.”

Kane nodded. He was beginning to understand. “That way the title can never be taken away from the woman.”

“Correct. The laws of Soule have enshrined the notion that anything a woman brings to a marriage, whether it’s a title or land, becomes her husband’s property.”

“As long as Aruntian duchesses never marry there can never be a claim on their property.” It was logical, when you thought it through. “So why has this been a secret?”

“It’s not a secret.” Clift laughed. “The rest of Soule can’t imagine that any man would accept it. I also think there may be some old magic involved that keeps the rest of Soule from looking too closely, but Laurel says no,” he paused. “As to why Rory’s family would disapprove - they are Seers and need them in their family. He’s here for Brenna, not Tressa.”

“Any children Tressa has will be in line to inherit from her not from him,” Kane said. “All Kerrich women have consorts?” Yowan Sellars had been bodyguard to the duchess’ family all those years ago. Had he been Madelay’s consort?

“All of them. It does have its benefits.” He glanced at his family and smile. “And by some charm or magic, we all seem to be military men.”

“Neal Ravershaw,” Kane said.

“Yes, Neal is Laurel’s father as well as Avery’s key advisor and militia leader.” Clift grinned. “Who else would be able to give her advice that would so completely be in her best interest, both politically and personally?”

“And who else would be able to protect her so well?” Kane asked. Having a trained swordsman in her bed would give the duchess an edge when dealing with would-be assassination attempts.

“Exactly.” Clift glanced sideways at him. “But it’s not a position all men are comfortable with. Letting a woman chart the course, I mean, following a woman’s dreams and destiny instead of his own.”

“So why do you?” Kane asked.

“Consorts seem to be a breed apart, again either by charm or magic. Our women are the only love of our life, whether she shares that life or not,” Clift said sadly. “It can be a cruel fate, as happened to the consort of Avery’s older sister, Madelay.”

“What happened to them?” Kane asked. Brenna’s grandmother was Avery’s
older
sister. That meant
she
should have been duchess.

“Madelay was a healer - the best seen in over two hundred years - and she wanted to keep the old tradition of journeying,” Clift sighed. “She never came back and poor Yowan was like a ship lost at sea for many years. Finally he seemed to find some purpose in his life, but he never was the same after that.”

Kane sipped his brandy in silence. He looked at Brenna, who was laughing with Rory and Clift’s children. Rory glanced nervously his way and Kane nodded absently.

“That Rory, he saw the same thing I saw when I met you although you staked your claim stronger with him,” Clift said.

“What was that?” Kane asked.

Clift looked at him, eyes serious. “That whatever Brenna’s background - thief, healer or anything else - you are her consort.”

seven

After seeing Brenna to their room, Kane headed back down to the tavern. He stood in the doorway watching the few groups of men still drinking in the dim room. Warrick Chennel nodded to him from behind the bar but instead of joining the man, Kane turned and headed out the door.

When Clift had pronounced him Brenna’s consort Kane had
known
that it was the truth. But what did that mean for Soule and for the prophecy? She
was
the heir to the prophecy but most of Soule would need more than that before they would be willing to call her their queen.

As he moved down the cobbled streets towards the docks, Kane ducked past closed up shops that could have been in Kingsreach - a butcher, a tailor, a potter - but nestled in amongst them were shops he knew would never be found outside Aruntun. Like the shop that sold charms to ward off illness or a fortune teller, the lamp still shining in the window even at this late hour. He stopped outside the fortune teller’s shop, tempted to go in, wondering if she’d tell him the same thing Clift had said, what he’d known already - that he had found the one woman in his life he would ever love. Kane shook his head and moved on from the fortune teller’s, down the twisting streets to the sea.

He breathed in the salty tang of the air along with the fishy odor of the boats and the nets that were piled up on them. Soon men came down from the town and busied themselves about the boats, shaking out the nets and piling coiled lengths of rope neatly against the sides of the boats. Before long the last fishing boat cast off, men in bulky sweaters rowing out to sea. As the sun began to rise Kane had no more answers to his questions than before. How could he expect to give Brenna sound advice when he couldn’t even follow his own?

He knew he should maintain a distance from her - she had to marry and it could not be to him. Brenna would need a husband who could help validate her right to rule. Something he, an ordinary military man, could not offer - especially since his uncle had been convicted of poisoning the king.

At least there was a name and a tradition for what he was to Brenna - consort. He would end up like Yowan Sellars when Brenna married. Clift had described him as a man lost at sea until he found a purpose. The Brotherhood was what had given Yowan purpose. What would Kane live for when the prophecy was fulfilled and the Brotherhood was no longer needed? With Brenna married and declared Queen, there would be no place for him in her life – at least not a place he could bear to be. Would it be better to know the full extent of his loss but have the memories or would he regret not being brave enough to seize some joy and happiness and take what Brenna had offered?

Did he think Yowan regretted a moment he’d spent with Madelay, despite the heartache when she’d disappeared? No.

Kane squared his shoulders - he was no coward. If she still wanted him, he would have his time with Brenna - a few months, perhaps a few years and then he’d step aside. Was he being selfish? Maybe, but it’s what Brenna said she wanted. He sighed deeply, raking his hands through his hair. What he’d thought about Duchess Avery and Neal Ravershaw was also true - having a trained fighter in her bed might help keep Brenna safe.

Brenna watched from the shadows as Kane sighed. He’d been preoccupied most of the evening and when she’d tried to ask him about it he’d smiled sadly and told her it was nothing. He’d left her at the door to their room and she’d slid into bed, tossing and turning, waiting for him, but he didn’t come. She’d checked for him through his sword and been surprised by the song that thrummed though the old steel. It was deeper, richer, and somehow mournful. She’d donned her black thief’s clothes and then she’d headed out the window, the old steel guiding her to him. Despite this being her first actual look at the sea all Brenna’s attention had been on Kane.

With a deep breath Brenna left the shadows and approached him.

“Kane.”

He turned at the sound of her voice and she was aware of the song of the old steel, as their eyes met. She walked slowly up to him, reached her arms around him and rested her head on his shoulder. With a shuddering breath, his arms encircled her and she was drawn tight against him.

“It’s late, you shouldn’t be here,” he said against her hair.

“Neither should you.” She leaned back to look at him. She reached a hand up to smooth the worried look from his face and he caught it, bringing their joined hands down between them. He stared at their hands before looking away.

“I don’t know what happened tonight, what Clift or maybe Laurel said to you, but you can’t just shut me out, Kane,” she said. “Unless it was Rory? Oh Kane, if I said anything or acted in way that hurt you, I’m sorry.”

“It wasn’t Rory.” He met her eyes. “At least, not in the way you think. He did something, or I did something and he reacted to it. Clift commented on it.” He turned and looked out to sea. “Did you know that Laurel and Clift are not husband and wife?”

“Yes,” Brenna said. “We talked a lot about her family. She missed them terribly when she was teaching me. She calls him her consort but that doesn’t mean they don’t love each other.” Brenna smiled. “And believe me, there are plenty of married couples who don’t care that much about each other.” She thought about Thorold and the way he treated his duchess.

“And I don’t think their children think of themselves as illegitimate,” Brenna continued. “After all, not only have they been acknowledged by both parents, but it’s a tradition for the Duchess of Aruntun’s family.”

“Yes, so Clift said.” He smiled sadly. “And Yowan, he was your grandmother’s consort. Clift said consorts are combination advisor, bodyguard and lover. Yowan was a bodyguard for the Kerrich’s and he’s your grandfather. Madelay was Avery’s older sister.”

Brenna sucked in her breath. “Kane, is that what this is about? You’re worried that I’m more closely related to the duchess than we both thought?”

“No. Clift said something else, something that he saw when I met Rory.” Kane swallowed and looked at her. “He said that I’m your consort, whatever your background. And it’s true.”

“Of course you are,” Brenna said. It made sense. She was a Kerrich after all, why wouldn’t she have a consort? “So what has you all in knots?”

“You’re going to be queen. You’ll need more than a consort.” He stroked her hair with one hand. “You’ll need a union that can help you consolidate your power and you’ll need children that are legitimate in the eyes of all of Soule.”

“Hmph.” Brenna snorted. “You’re looking too far in the future. Besides, don’t I get a choice? You know me well enough to know that I don’t do things just because others expect it of me.” She gently held his head and forced him to meet her eyes. “Do you think I’ll ever give you up?” she asked solemnly. “Kane, you are the best man I’ve ever met. Besides, if I have to be queen I need someone I trust at my side.” Then she rose on her toes and kissed him. A long, slow, soft kiss that made her blood sing when he returned it, his arms tightening around her as she melted into him. The old steel between them, his sword and her knife, began to thrum, until she was sure the whole dock, the whole city could feel it.

“What did you do?” Kane asked. “I felt the old steel more strongly than ever.”

“I didn’t do anything,” she said. “I think they approve.” She hugged him again. “Did I ever tell you I don’t really want to be queen?”

“Yes, more than once. I believe.” Kane looped an arm over her shoulder and pointed them to where the sun was rising over the water.

“So if no one wants me as queen, I’ll be fine.” She looked sideways at him as he watched the sun rise. “I have other skills, you know.”

Kane laughed and she relaxed. He seemed to have made a decision about them, finally. She reached up and took hold of the hand he’d rested on her shoulder.

“I really think we should head back. It’s a shame to pay for a room and not use it, don’t you think?” She smiled up at him. “And really, now that I know I have my very own consort, I feel I haven’t been getting the full value. What was it Clift said? Advisor, bodyguard, and what was the third one? Oh yes, lover.”

As he and Brenna made their way back to the Red Anchor, Kane felt content, settled even, for the first time in a very long time. Brenna was right, in a way, about him looking too far into the future. Oh, it was his role to think about the future - you had to have a goal and a plan in order to make things happen - but he also had to make sure that she made it through today and that she lived to become queen. As her consort he would be better able to do that.

As they reached the Red Anchor, Kevan ran out to greet them, a bun clenched tight in one hand.

“Beggin’ yer pardons, but Master Chennel asks that ye meet him in the kitchen straight away.” The boy looked at them curiously. “That’s a right unusual get up ye got on there healer.”

Kane ignored his comment. “Did Master Chennel say what this was about?”

“No sir,” Kevan stuffed the end of the bun in his mouth and took a bite. “But a runner come from Mistress Laurel’s house early. I heard him say the duchess’ ship was expected to reach port today.”

Kane pulled out a half copper and tossed it to the lad, who grinned and darted back into the inn. “Shall we see what our host wants with us?” He held to door for Brenna to precede him into the inn.

Kane refilled all three cups with steaming tea and sat back down. Warrick had insisted that they eat first and though Kane had been irritated at the delay, now, with a full stomach and a second cup of tea, he realized that lack of sleep and the emotional turmoil of the previous night had taken its toll on him. He didn’t exactly feel rested, but at least he was ready to tackle the day. He could tell that Brenna also felt better for the short break.

“Kane, Brenna, I am sorry to disturb you so early but a message came from Laurel Kerrich,” Warrick said. “Duchess Avery will be arriving this morning and you’re asked to attend her in the afternoon at Laurel’s home.”

“But we just saw Laurel last night,” Brenna said. “There was no mention of the duchess arriving today.” She leaned forward in her chair. “How did they find out exactly when to expect her?”

“Why, magic, of course.” Warrick seemed surprised. “The duchess and her daughter can communicate over long distances. It’s a well-known Kerrich ability.” He paused. “Well known by Aruntians, anyway. If it’s important enough they’ll pass on messages from and to ordinary folk. I have a neighbour who got word to his uncle in Kingsreach through the Kerrich’s when his ma died.”

“Avery and Laurel can converse over long distances,” Kane said. “Did you know that?” he asked Brenna. The more he understood about her family, the more it seemed that her magical skills with old steel were related to family traits.

“No, but I should have,” Brenna said. “When we were in Lakeview Laurel would often make comments about letting her mother know this or that, but I assumed she was sending messages by courier, even though I never saw one in town. Instead she must have been contacting her by magic.”

“She must have assumed you knew,” Kane said. “It doesn’t sound like they keep it a secret.”

“I think you’re right,” Brenna agreed. “I don’t think she tried to hide it from me. If we’re to meet with Duchess Avery later today I need to rest.” She stood up and Kane felt his heart squeeze when she looked at him.

“Warrick,” Kane said. “Is there anything else you need from us?”

“No, just thought you’d want to know…” Warrick started, then Kevan burst into the room.

“It’s Sneath, mistress healer,” Kevan said. “He’s in the kitchen and says he’ll stay there until you have time to see him. Cook asks if you can see him now. Can’t stand the smell, though I told her he’s less ripe than yesterday.”

“I’ll take a look,” Brenna said. “Let me grab my pack.”

“I’ll get it,” Kane said. “You go see to your patient.”

By the time he got back downstairs there was line of people waiting to see Brenna. Kane dropped her pack on a table.

“Thanks,” she said. She was already rooting around in the pack.

“Kevan.” Kane called the boy over. “There’s a copper in it for you if you don’t let anyone else wait for healing. Brenna needs some rest today.”

The boy nodded and went to stand behind the last person in line, a scowl on his face. Satisfied that Brenna wouldn’t be overwhelmed, Kane headed back to their room. He needed sleep too.

Brenna wearily cleaned her knife and packed up the last of her tools and herbs. Thankfully she only had five patients to deal with, besides poor Sneath. The stable hand had been so excited to be relatively pain free that he’d begged for more of the paste. He was terrified he’d run out and Brenna wouldn’t be available to give him more. Sighing, she grabbed her pack and opened the door.

“Hey Kevan,” she called. The red-haired lad had stood outside the room the whole time. “Do you know Yowan Sellars? Good. Find him and ask him to meet Kane and I here late this afternoon.” Kevan nodded and then raced down the hall to the door.

At least that was one thing out of the way. Yowan had wanted to be the one to tell Duchess Avery about her and Madelay, and Brenna was more than happy to let him.

Brenna gently opened the door to the room she shared with Kane and slipped inside, quickly sliding the bolt on the door. The room was dim but she could see a Kane-sized lump on the bed and when she moved closer she saw that he was lying on his stomach, head facing away from her. She dropped her pack and quickly stripped her shirt and breeches off, throwing them at the chair by the window. Lifting the cover, she slipped in beside him. He hadn’t left much room for her, so she took it as an invitation to press up against him, facing his shoulder and lengthening her body along his side. She reached a hand out and touched his smooth back, enjoying the silky feel of his skin beneath her hand. Sighing, she dropped her head to the bed and with Kane’s warmth guiding her, she fell asleep.