The Gates of Memory, стр. 91
Brandt leaned over. “Are you certain about this?”
The plan left Hanns completely at the mercy of the Falari. Brandt trusted the mountain warriors, but the opportunity to betray Hanns was a temptation he’d rather not offer anyone.
“There’s no choice,” Hanns whispered. “I’d rather they trust me, but this does have the advantage of keeping more imperial soldiers out of harm’s way. Regar can’t be allowed to maintain control of that gate.”
The discussion ended suddenly. Weylen spoke to Hanns. “Your offer is accepted. You may join us on our march to Faldun.”
Hanns bowed. “Thank you.”
They said their farewells, and then the two imperials left the room.
They marched to battle.
48
That anyone would knock on her door surprised Alena. That the person who did so was Ana surprised her even more.
Alena let her friend in. A cold evening breeze gusted from the peaks as the town bustled to prepare for the march ahead.
Runners had gone throughout town not long ago, informing the village’s inhabitants of the decision of the warleaders. Their choice didn’t surprise Alena, because she didn’t think Regar had left them one. The warleaders could fight and die quickly, or they could hide in the mountains and die slowly.
Ana paused when she saw the preparations among Alena’s small group of warriors. It only took her a heartbeat to guess Alena’s purpose. She met Alena’s gaze, and for the first time, Alena noticed Ana had been crying. “You’re joining them, aren’t you?”
Alena nodded. “I can’t return to the empire, but regardless, my task has always been in Faldun. We plan on following the rest of the war parties.”
“The emperor is traveling with them.”
“Really?” The runners hadn’t shared that piece of news.
“The warleaders refused to permit the army to cross the border. Hanns offered his strength, not as an emperor, but as the man who controls two gates.”
Alena wanted to hate Hanns. He’d exiled her, a decision whose full weight Alena still hadn’t felt. With a word, he’d torn apart her family again. She knew he was wrong, but it was hard to rage against a man who would fight against his own son, alone, to save the empire.
Hanns’ choice also complicated her life. Between her and Sheren, they’d already decided it would be wiser to follow behind the war parties than to join them, but if the emperor was present, she’d need to stay well behind. She didn’t dare risk his anger.
She turned to her guest. Ana hadn’t taken more than a couple of steps into their place, as though she wasn’t certain this was where she belonged. Alena, recognizing a need Ana wouldn’t voice, stepped toward her friend and embraced her.
Ana returned the gesture, wrapping Alena up tight in her strong arms. Alena felt the woman’s determination, even in her distress.
When they separated, Ana wiped a tear from her eye. “I’m sorry for coming here, but I wasn’t sure where else to go.”
“You’re always welcome, wherever I am,” Alena replied. She studied the former wolfblade. “Brandt?”
Ana nodded. “This path he walks, I’m not sure I can follow him on it much longer. He hides it well, and I think even he believes he only does it out of love, but I don’t believe him anymore. If he continues, I fear his desire to grow stronger will consume him.”
Ana paused. “Perhaps it is already too late. The Brandt I know never would have let the emperor exile you. He would have fought on your side, even if he disagreed with you. When he remained silent against the emperor, I realized just how much he’s already lost.”
Alena put her hand on the woman’s back, strangely relieved Brandt’s actions had cut Ana as deeply as they had her. When she made contact, though, she dropped halfway into a soulwalk. Lately, it had been happening more often. Some instinct within her connected with others without conscious direction. It was the same ability that had first made her realize her gift. It didn’t happen every time she touched others, but it was more common now than in the past.
When she dropped into a soulwalk, Alena understood the other part of Ana’s distress. She took a step back, as though Ana had burned her. “Oh.”
Ana guessed Alena’s reaction well enough. “You felt it?”
“Yes.” Alena paused, digesting the information. “Congratulations. Does he know?”
“Not yet,” Ana said. “I only learned myself a few days ago, just before the attack on the village. It didn’t seem an appropriate time.”
No, Alena agreed, it wasn’t. “Do you know what you’ll do?”
Ana’s laugh was bitter. “I haven’t the slightest idea.”
Alena didn’t have any ideas, either. Her heart ached for the other woman, but she couldn’t think of a single way to help, outside of offering her support. “Whatever happens,” she said, “you’re always welcome here.”
Ana took several deep breaths. “Thank you.” She glanced over their preparations. “And what, exactly, do you hope to accomplish at Faldun?”
“I intend to separate Regar from the gate.”
“You can do that?” She didn’t believe her.
“I hope so.”
“And if you are successful, then what?”
Alena chuckled. “I haven’t the slightest idea.”
Ana smiled at the echo. “You intend to prevent Hanns from controlling the third gate, don’t you?”
Alena grimaced. She supposed it would have been too much to slip that past Ana, and there was no point attempting to lie. “I do.”
Ana smiled at her own private joke.
“What?”
Ana shook her head. “It’s just that everyone else is fighting to control the gates, and you’re here, trying to prevent them. You’ve taken on the most challenging task of all, and you aren’t even hesitating to confront a traitorous prince, an emperor, and an invading queen.”
“You make it sound hopeless.”
Ana laughed out loud at that. “The fact that you don’t