Queen (Brotherhood of the Throne) by Jane Glatt Page A

It was hot enough outside today, he thought as he wiped his sleeve
across his now sweat-beaded brow, but she had to be in the forge. His eyes
adjusted to the glare of the fire and he saw Brenna leaning over a red hot
length of iron. Master Innis, the smith, pointed a thick-gloved hand at the
metal.
    “Brenna,” he yelled over
the sounds of the bellows and she turned her head. “It’s time.”
    She nodded, touched Master
Innis’ arm, said something he couldn’t hear, then joined him.
    “Master Innis was showing
me how to forge a sword,” she said as they stepped out into the relative
coolness of the mid afternoon sun. “It’s very interesting. He said I could try
it myself later.”
    “If there’s time,” Kane
said.  “You need to get ready.” He looked at her red face and disheveled hair
and shook his head. “I’d suggest a bath but I fear a cold wash is all you’ll
have time for.”  He led the way through the back alley towards Duke Ewart’s
house. “The crowds are gathering.”
    “Already? But there’s
hours yet.” Brenna looked up at the sky and then at him. “Sorry,” she said. “I
lost track of the time.”
    “Yes, well, many people
showed up at first light. I’m surprised you didn’t see them when you left this
morning.” He caught the guilty look on her face and smiled. “Even by roof top
you should have noticed them.”
    “I hoped it was market
day.” Her smile faltered. “I did notice but I didn’t want to think about it.
You know I hate this, being the centre of attention.”
    “Something you must get
used to it.” Kane opened the back gate. He signaled to the four militia guards
that all was well. The men snapped to attention when he and Brenna went past
them. Kane heard her sigh and said. “Something else to get used to.”
    “I know,” Brenna said, her
head drooping. “It’s just not something I ever wanted.”
    “Which is just one reason why
you are a better choice to rule than Thorold.”
    “Yes,” She clutched his
hand as they entered the house. “But I still hate it.”

 
    six
     
     
    Brenna studied her
reflection in the mirror, wishing again that she could wear her black breeches
and tunic. The dress looked well enough, she thought turning to the side. It
was a deep, charcoal gray wool – the same colour she’d chosen for her Guards -
and as finely woven as anything she’d worn. It draped her nicely, even she had
to admit that - but she felt naked in it. Even with her knife belted around her
waist she felt vulnerable. And confined.
    She knew it wasn’t the
dress, not really. It was the ceremony and what it would mean for her life. After
this she worried that she’d be forever on display, her every movement and
statement noted and discussed by others. For someone who had fought for her
freedom, whose mother had died buying that freedom, willingly giving it
up felt like a betrayal. In just a few minutes Kane would come get her, escort
her outside and put her on display in front of a huge crowd. And her life would
never again be her own. Oh, it wasn’t the same as being indentured and no doubt
her mother would have been happy for her, but Brenna knew what her coronation it
meant. 
    And today there were two
coronations - hers in Silverdale and Beldyn’s in Kingsreach. At Beldyn’s, Duke Thorold
would be named regent, no doubt with a great deal of ceremony, and the High
Bishop would likely bless the crown. Brenna shivered at the thought of the High
Bishop touching anything she would wear, let alone the coronet. She pulled the
coronet from her pack just as the door opened and Kane entered.
    “You look beautiful,” Kane
said as he walked around her. “Very much a queen. Are you ready?”
    He held out his arm and
she nervously took it, grateful for the warmth in his eyes. By the time they
got downstairs she felt a little steadier. Neemah stood at the bottom of the
stairs and Brenna handed the coronet to her. Once out of her hands the
coronet’s song