The Gates of Memory, стр. 99
Beside her, Sheren pointed out several mechanisms. “I think these were used to move supplies. They came in through the tunnel, then were dropped to the city below.”
Sheren might have found the proof for her theory about the tunnels, but Alena couldn’t find it in her to be pleased for her friend. Her attention was focused elsewhere. Far below, the Falari were arranged in loose formations, preparing for their diversion.
The others joined her.
Alena had seen Faldun from a distance, and she had some sense of its scale, but she didn’t truly understand until she stood near the top of it. To build something so high defied everything she believed possible. From up here, the war below seemed puny and insignificant. She wondered if this was how Hanns felt, so high above everything.
As spectacular as the view was, it wasn’t complete. From on high she couldn’t feel the nervous tension running through the ranks, the visceral fear of death clawing for purchase in the hearts of the soldiers. From so high, one gained perspective but lost the meaning of it all.
Faldun was built so that lower levels extended out beyond higher ones, matching the slope of the mountain. This high, the drop felt vertical, but it wasn’t quite. Alena could look down and see dozens of levels below, and she could see the enormous square where the defenders of Faldun gathered. They were packed tightly together, except for a small space near the center.
Though she couldn’t make out individuals, she suspected that was where they would find the queen and Prince Regar.
Despite the threat of violence, the scenes below looked peaceful. Weylen’s war parties didn’t advance, nor would they, if the plan held. All that was needed was for them to attract attention, which it appeared they’d done. Alena didn’t see a single Falari within several levels.
A glowing ball of fire interrupted her consideration of the scene. The ball hovered over the hole in the center of the defenders. Either the prince or the queen had just surrendered their location. It grew rapidly, almost too bright to look at. Then it arced into the sky, toward Weylen and their allies.
The Falari might have remained well out of bow range, but the fireball knew no such limits. Alena watched, unable to respond, as it dropped out of the sky toward a discolored patch of warriors.
Hanns’ palace guards.
Someone wanted the emperor dead.
The ball of flame paused briefly in the sky, no doubt resisted by Hanns’ guards. But it was a one-sided battle. The fire crashed among the guards, sending people running in all directions.
“Well,” said the emperor grimly, “there goes our ruse. Brandt, you’re with me. The rest of you, go with Alena.”
Hanns tore up some of the rock around them with his affinity, fashioning two platforms.
“Alena, go to the gate. Ren can guide you. Break my son’s connection.”
Alena nodded, her attention distracted by whatever Hanns planned.
Hanns, satisfied with his project, pulled her aside. “Do you want the power of the gate for yourself? If you know how to break a bond, then you certainly know how to form one.”
Alena shook her head. She might be filled with questions and doubts, but that answer she knew for sure. Never did she want the responsibility of such power.
“Good. If you do separate Regar, don’t let anyone else have control. Not even Brandt.” The emperor reached out and grabbed her arm. His grip was firm, but his hand felt warm. Too late, she realized he performed a soulwork on her. She dropped into the waking trance, seeing the threads he tied between them.
At first glance, she thought they were little different than the connections she’d woven between her and her loved ones. But as she focused, she saw the weave was more complex than hers. This almost appeared to be an intricate chain. Some of the power of the gates flowed through it. She felt stronger.
“What did you do?” she asked.
“You’ll be able to draw on some of my strength if you need it,” Hanns said. “And you can let me know the moment you free Regar from the gate.”
They rejoined the rest of the group. Ana and Brandt stood apart, wishing each other well.
“Hurry now,” the emperor said. “You won’t have much time.”
“Aren’t you going to descend with us?” Alena asked.
Hanns looked at the stone platforms he’d made, a smile on his face.
“No. We have a quicker way down.”
53
The others disappeared down the stairs, leaving Brandt and Hanns alone. Hanns looked over the edge one more time. Now that the others had gone, he didn’t seem to be in such a rush.
“She’s a remarkable woman,” the emperor said.
Brandt joined the emperor at the edge of the balcony. The scene below had been quiet after the fireball. To their credit, Weylen and the others didn’t break, and no more devastation was launched from Faldun’s walls.
“Alena?”
“Yes, but I was referring to your wife. She follows you into battle, but leaves when ordered to without complaint. Loyalty and discipline are a rare combination.”
“We were wolfblades together, before,” Brandt explained.
“Ahh, you’ve told me that before. I’m sorry I forgot. But a companion worth a great deal of suffering, I think.”
Brandt thought of their last few weeks together. “I agree.”
“Would you give up your strength for her?”
Brandt paused. “I want to think so. But how does one choose between duty to the empire and their love?”
The emperor chuckled softly. He seemed somehow… lighter, than before. Brandt worried the stress of the upcoming battle was affecting him, but that wasn’t it. Hanns’ gaze was sharp, missing nothing down below. He seemed more aware than before. More alive. “If you figure out the answer to that, Brandt, please let me know.”
Brandt nodded. “What are we waiting for?”
“The others to get closer to the gate. I imagine they’ve got the harder journey in front of them. No doubt, Regar and the