Healer (Brotherhood of the Throne Book 2) by Jane Glatt

sheet of paper over to him. “There are more than twenty on this list. My best sources confirm all of these.”
    Thorold scanned the document briefly before dropping it to the table. “Stobert.” Thorold knew that it angered the man when he didn’t use his title so he rarely used it. “I need more than the names of low ranking members. And I need to know where Kane Rowse is - that’s where we’ll find the girl.” He glared across the desk until Stobert drop his gaze. “Have you found a way into Aruntun yet?”
    “No my Lord, I haven’t,” Stobert said. “The Aruntian trading ship my men were to board left port suddenly without informing them. All attempts to cross into Aruntun from Fallad have been unsuccessful due to a magical barrier of some kind.
    “And my Lord Duke,” Stobert continued. “Has not yet given my men permission to test the border between Comack and Aruntun.”
    Thorold narrowed his eyes at the hint of reproach in Stobert’s tone. “I have my own people for that, Stobert. Your usefulness to me is as a Falladian. I urge you not to forget that. Have you had any luck finding Brothers in the north?”
    “Again, no, my Lord, although one of my men heard of youths traveling south to Kingsreach in late winter. There was no single group larger than four, but there were many of these groups. We estimate at least fifty or sixty youths were on the same roads within a short time period. We suspect the Brotherhood has a training facility but we’ve been unable to find out for sure.”
    “Yes.” Thorold fingered his chin. “That makes sense. You must find out where this training camp is. We’ll shut it down and arrest the whole lot of them. We won’t even need to fabricate charges of treason.”
    “I’ll do my best, my Lord,” Stobert said. “But my men haven’t been able to go much farther north than my own lands this winter. Duke Ewart seems to have posted his militia along the borders of my estate.”
    Thorold stared at Stobert before finally saying, “Doing your best is not good enough, Stobert. You must succeed.” If you want to remain useful to me, Thorold finished to himself.
    “Of course, my Lord. I’ll see that we find where they are.”
     
    Thorold stood up and took two steps away from his chair. Was Duke Ewart aligned against him too? Or could the Brotherhood have set up a facility on Falladian soil without Ewart being aware? It couldn’t happen in Comack without his knowledge but Ewart was new, perhaps he had a number of disloyal nobles – like Stobert - to contend with.
    And Stobert, that weak-minded coward, was becoming an irritant. If he wasn’t able to travel in Fallad then his usefulness was limited. His lands, however, were an excellent addition to his own – they had already signed agreements that allowed Thorold’s horses to graze Stobert’s green meadows. There was a small sound behind him and Thorold turned to see Thomas Valden, the High Bishop, step out of the secret panel. Valden edged around Thorold and his desk and took the seat so recently vacated by Stobert.
    “You have a very accommodating home, Duke Thorold,” Valden said. “Very accommodating.”
    Thorold pushed the secret passageway door and it closed with a soft click. He sat down again. “It has its uses, High Bishop. What do you think of our friend?”
    “He’s a blasphemer, I could smell the stink of the old gods on him.” Valden waved a hand dismissively. “I would be happy to convert him to the true faith, if you wish.”
    “No, I think not,” Thorold said. “At least not yet. He may still prove himself useful.” But if Stobert didn’t find the training school he’d let Valden have him.
    “Captain.” He turned to Barton. “I doubt any of the names on the list Stobert supplied will amount to much, but investigate them nonetheless.” Barton nodded and stood to leave. “One more thing Captain. Keep watch on these and any of the other families Stobert has previously identified. See