The Gates of Memory, стр. 74

The stars twinkled overhead when they left the tunnels. Eventually they settled the emperor on a bed and Ana covered him up. The process unsettled Brandt. He knew Hanns better than many, but even though no formality existed between them, Hanns was still his emperor. Seeing him this vulnerable, an old man resting in a bed, made Brandt’s chest tighten.

Regar addressed both Brandt and Ana. “Do you two feel safe protecting him with the assistance of my guards? I must speak with the elders.”

Brandt nodded. He could only imagine the questions that would be circulating among the elders tonight. Hopefully Regar could quell any unease. Otherwise Hanns might have suffered through this journey for no good reason.

Regar left, leaving Brandt and Ana alone with Hanns. Brandt checked on the emperor one more time before taking a seat in the corner of the room. Ana sat down next to him.

He fought the exhaustion that suddenly overwhelmed him. His body ached in a dozen places, reminding him once again that even being close to the gates could be dangerous.

“Do they make you feel small?” Ana asked, her voice soft.

“Hmm?”

“The gates.”

Brandt rubbed his upper arm, where he’d landed when the power from the gate had tossed him about like a child’s toy. “They do.”

“Do you really believe you can harness that power?” She paused, focused on her intertwined hands. “Do you think you should?”

She didn’t sound like she was trying to win the argument. She was genuinely curious. “I don’t know,” he said slowly. “I only think of what is necessary. ‘Should’ doesn’t come in much.”

“That scares me,” Ana said.

Brandt worried she would resume their fight, but she left their discussion at that.

He didn’t deserve Ana. She possessed a nearly supernatural sense to know exactly how hard to push him. Tonight, her words had their desired effect.

Was he in the wrong?

He didn’t know. He knew he would fight for Ana, but beyond that, all he had was questions.

Now that he was still, he felt a tug, the feeling he’d come to learn was Alena reaching out to him. How long had she been waiting?

Brandt’s eyes traveled over the room. Ana looked as exhausted as he felt. They were probably safe, but leaving wasn’t a risk he wanted to take at that moment. He let Alena’s summons go unanswered.

In time, the sensation faded. Brandt allowed himself to close his eyes then. He wouldn’t sleep, but even resting his eyes felt wonderful. “You should sleep,” Ana said. “Then we’ll switch.”

“Deal.” Brandt relaxed his body. If his years as a soldier and wolfblade had taught him anything, it was the ability to sleep anywhere. Within moments of releasing the tension, he was asleep.

He woke to the sun shining through the window. Brandt blinked rapidly, surprised Ana let him sleep so long. A glance her way revealed the reason, though.

She was asleep, too.

Worried, Brandt looked to the emperor. He was fine, his breathing stronger and more even than the night before. Brandt released a deep sigh of relief. He was still disappointed in Ana for falling asleep on watch, but no harm had been done.

Brandt sat in the sun of the new day, letting his thoughts wander as the others slept. The rooms they’d been given were almost halfway up the side of the mountain, and it was quiet this high.

Hanns was the first to wake. He came to awareness in an instant, sitting up and taking in the room with a glance. He focused on Brandt, who made a calming gesture. “You’re safe. You’re in Faldun.”

Hanns grimaced, bringing his hands to his head. “What happened?”

Brandt stood up, then walked over to the emperor’s bed. “We’re not sure. Before you came through the gate, the gate was acting strangely. The energy almost crushed us.”

Hanns’ eyes narrowed at that. “Describe it.”

Brandt tried, retelling the experience as he remembered it. “It felt like waves of energy coming from the gate, incredibly powerful.”

“And it stopped when I came through?”

“As far as I’m aware, yes. We left the area soon after, though, so if the gate is still acting that way, I wouldn’t know.”

Hanns closed his eyes. “Give me a moment.”

Brandt did, then heard the sound of soft footsteps behind him. Ana was awake. “Sorry,” she mouthed. She kept her eyes down and her cheeks were flushed with shame.

He nodded. She understood the severity of her failure. A wolfblade never falls asleep on watch. There was nothing to be gained by him saying anything further.

Hanns grunted, focusing the attention in the room on him. He shook his head. “Something is wrong. I don’t feel my connection with the gates the same way that I usually do.”

He closed his eyes again, wandering through another world. Then he shook his head and opened his eyes. “I can feel the connection, but everything is fuzzy. Something happened when I came through the gate.”

“Did the queen attack you?” Brandt asked.

Hanns shook his head again, the confusion plain on his face. “I don’t know. All I remember is stepping through the gate, a tremendous pain, and then seeing you.” The emperor looked up. “Where’s Regar? He might have more answers.”

“He left last night after ensuring you were safe,” Brandt said. “He sought to ease tensions with the Falari elders after your entrance.”

“Summon him, please,” Hanns said. “Perhaps my connections will return in time, but I fear the consequences if I don’t have full control over the gates. He might be able to help.”

Behind them, Ana left to pass the order on to the guards. Brandt helped Hanns to his feet.

Alena chose that moment to tug on their bond again. Brandt must have made some expression, because Hanns took note. “What’s wrong?”

“Alena is summoning me.”

“She might be useful now.”

Brandt waited until Ana returned, then explained he needed to meet with Alena. She nodded, taking guard while Brandt settled into a seated position in the corner of the room. He closed his eyes and waited for Alena.

It didn’t take long. No more than a few moments passed before