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many strange things had happened in the last day. The knife and sword lighting up – and then there were her eyes. She quickly muttered her prayer of concealment.  If folk could see her witch eyes she’d have a hard time going back to her old life.
    At least from Kane’s comments it sounded like this Brotherhood was going to get her released. As long as they didn’t try to buy her bond and indenture her, she’d let them. She’d do anything to keep from being indentured - her mother had died buying her freedom and she would never betray her sacrifice by submitting to another’s will … ever. 
    The rest of the afternoon Brenna puzzled over the knife, sword and verses but she didn’t get any closer to understanding what it all meant. Every so often she’d look up and catch the guard watching her with a look of awe, which set her to scowling. She could not afford to be some sort of pet of the Kingsguard.
    She leaned back against the wall and once again said the prayer for her eyes. She’d been faithfully saying it every day for as long as she could remember. She didn’t know why it had failed now. Could it have something to do with his sword? But Kane Rowse had noted her eyes before she touched his sword. When she was caught last night no one had mentioned them so why could Kane Rowse see her eyes? If it was only him she could go back to her life in Thieves’ Quarter.
     
    Duke Thorold leaned back. When the High Bishop settled into the chair across from him, his black silk robed whispered as it swept the stone floor. The two most powerful advisors to King Mattias often met here in Thorold’s study. It was a small, square room well furnished with heirlooms from his ducal ancestors as well as expensive gifts from nobles from across Soule, and Langemore to the north. Duke Thorold appreciated his comforts but he also felt it useful to display his wealth, connections, and family history.
    “Lord High Bishop.” Thorold poured a glass of red wine and offered it across the table to Valden. “I am glad that you sought me out.”
    The High Bishop nodded and took the glass. He took a small sip and a blood red drop of wine clung to the corner of his mouth.
    “I fear I must remind you,” Thorold’s voice hardened, “of the need to be discreet. There was no reason to make so much of the thief in front of both the king and the captain.”
    “But it’s an outrage.” High Bishop Valden’s voice rose in anger. “The church and her clerics do the One-God’s work and the law needs to recognize that. The fact that a commoner, a thief , is allowed to defile the holy work being done is intolerable. That girl should be handed over to me so I can ensure she gets the salvation she so obviously needs.”
    Duke Thorold could imagine what kind of ‘salvation’ the thief could expect at the hands of the High Bishop. The man had no desire to spare the bodies of those whose souls he saved and Thorold knew of more than one subject who had been tortured to death while undergoing salvation. No matter, he found the High Bishop’s inclinations very useful. His knowledge of them ensured the High Bishop would remain his staunch ally.
    “I agree that the church and nobility should be above commoners when it comes to the law,” Thorold said. “But we must tread carefully. I hate to admit it but Captain Rowse made some valid points. If the consequences are too severe criminals may decide that it’s better to leave no live witnesses. We must think carefully before we change the laws. In the meantime we have the knife.” Thorold paused and twisted his ducal ring on his finger. The High Bishop had handed the knife in question over to him as soon as the Kingsguard had released it and it was now safe and secure in the study of his Kingsreach estate.
    “As for the thief,” Thorold continued. “There are other ways to ensure she does not go unpunished. Now, I want to review the statement from your priest. He claims he could see the girl as