Read Online Thief (Brotherhood of the Throne Book 1) by Jane Glatt - Free Book Online Page A

Thanks again. You know where to find me.” She quickly left his room and the Dog, heading back out into the streets of Thieves Quarter.
    She planned on keeping her head down for a good while. She’d concentrate on her respectable business, healing teas and poultices and such. It didn’t bring in a lot of coin so she’d need to dip into her savings but she needed to keep off the streets for at least the next few weeks. Most importantly she needed to find out more about this Brotherhood and their weapons. And how Duke Thorold fit into this. Everyone seemed to want the same old weapons, but why?
                                                           
    Kane tensed his legs and then relaxed them. He’d been standing for over an hour while the High Bishop’s complained about the lack of justice for the church. After he’d seen to Brenna’s release he’d sent word to his uncle. Then he’d had to attend the king in his council chambers.
    Despite the early hour he’d found King Mattias at the mercy of High Bishop Thomas Valden. The High Bishop seemed to have forgotten yesterday’s agreement that the matter of the thief was to be left with Kane and was trying to get the king’s assent to have Brenna turned over to the church. With heartfelt thanks to the old gods that he’d already seen her safely freed Kane, had stepped in to remind the two of their previous agreement. When he’d mentioned that the thief had already had her bond paid in full and been released the High Bishop had been almost apoplectic.
    As he stood in front of King Matthias and High Bishop Valden, who were seated at the round council table, Kane silently cursed his uncle. When he’d been Captain of the Kingsguard, Feiren Rowse had begun the practice of standing during council sessions. He claimed it reminded the other council members of his position as an active soldier, responsible for the safety and security of king and country. As well, he’d told Kane, it was his own reminder to never relax.
                  “And so I insist we deal with this thief forcefully.” High Bishop Valden said. He looked expectantly across the table at King Mattias.
    “My Lord High Bishop,” Kane said. “I’m aware you feel the church has been mistreated but once again I assure you that the letter of the law has been followed. The maximum bond price was demanded and the maximum was paid in full. There was no lawful reason to keep the thief.”
    “Then we should change the cursed laws.” Valden glared at him “I find it unconscionable that a man of the church, a man who has committed his life to helping others, a man who was simply performing his priestly duties, can be victimized to the point of terror and there is no recourse except that shown to any common man.”
    “And yesterday the council agreed to look at these laws in the future and not to change the current punishments,” Kane reminded him gently, concerned now that High Bishop Valden’s hostility seemed to be directed at him. If Valden and the church took too great an interest in him, it could lead them to the Brotherhood. Now that the Caller had finally been found, they could not afford to be exposed. Kane would need to be very careful with the High Bishop. He could not put two thousand years of secrecy at risk. 
    “Yes, yes,” the High Bishop said. “But I’ve been thinking of nothing else all night and I feel this case must be dealt with. I will not have my priests threatened. I demand that you pick up that girl at once.”
    “I’m sorry High Bishop,” Kane said. “I cannot. Her bond has been paid and she has been freed according to the law. As much as we all want to allay the fears of the victim, jailing her again for the same crime would break the laws I’m sworn to uphold. I’m sure you are not suggesting I do that?” Kane didn’t doubt that the priest had been terrified but it likely had more to do with the glowing