“I can’t tell you that,” the abbot replied, “but I can extend my welcome to you. I know much of your decision will rest on what you learn when Landow replies, but you are more than welcome to join our community. I have little doubt your commander will allow it.”
He supposed he would never have a better opportunity to ask his question. “What is it, exactly, that you do here?”
“We work to extend the empire’s knowledge both of martial arts and affinities. The best come here to study. The more we learn, the more we realize how little we know. The emperor works alongside our ranks to strip away the mysteries surrounding affinities.”
“Why the secrecy?”
The abbot rapped on her desk. “Reality, as we know it, seems to be a thin veneer over much deeper truths. When we discover even a portion of these truths, the implications can be staggering. Imagine, if you will, the public learning that a skill like compulsion even exists.”
Brandt considered such a world. No doubt, people would claim they had been compelled whenever they made mistakes or committed a crime. And if memories could be changed, or altered, the consequences would ripple throughout society.
The abbot nodded, seeing that he understood. “Our secrecy isn’t malicious, nor is it a conspiracy. Many of our discoveries eventually make it out into the world. Some of the masonry techniques used to build this monastery are now being used throughout the empire, as an example. But we must help the emperor guide the empire. You are welcome to be a part of that.”
Brandt sipped at his tea, already cool. He funneled some of his body heat into the cup, finding the task remarkably simple. Whatever had happened in Landow, it had made his affinity stronger.
He sat in silence for some time, and the abbot gave him ample silence to think, which he appreciated. The way he saw it, he only had two options. He could stay here and train, or return to the capital, where the commander of all wolfblades was stationed.
Brandt had been a soldier his entire life, but the thought of returning to his commander grated against him. The abbot had sent a bird that direction as well. If he received new orders, so be it. But some instinct told him he had a better chance finding answers here than he did if he returned to active service.
“If I chose to stay here, what would happen?”
“You would have to take a series of exams. You’re a bit of a special case, so you wouldn’t have to worry about not passing. But the exams will help us understand both your strengths and your weaknesses. Then you may join our community. Our lives are simple, and our days are spent in training. If you join us, you’ll have access to some of the best warriors and strongest affinities in the empire.”
She made a convincing argument.
The monastery, at least for now, seemed the safer option, the path that provided him the most opportunities.
He looked up and met the abbot’s cool gaze. “I’ll take the tests.”
28
When Alena woke from her sleep, the sun already burned high in the sky, the buildings in the street casting short shadows. She yawned and stretched, relaxing the sore muscles that groaned after her weeks on the road.
Her room was nothing special, but after weeks of sleeping on hard ground under a cold sky, it was luxurious. Thanks to the supervisor’s involuntary donation, she had enough coin to remain cozy under blankets for a few days.
Alena rolled out of bed, walking to the window and looking out at Tonno. The inn sat near the edge of Tonno’s main market and the shops and stalls below were busy. Alena watched for anyone who seemed out of place, but she detected nothing to worry about.
She let herself relax. Tonno was far from Landow. Here she could make a new start for herself. Both she and her family were safe. Here she could rebuild and begin her quest against Kye.
For now, life was pleasant. She had enough money for a few days of comfortable living, and in that time she had little doubt she could find more. If possible, she would rather avoid thieving. At worst, she could report as a wage-earner. The work wouldn’t be pleasant, but she would gain access to the city dormitories and be able to save some coin. So long as you were willing and able to work, the empire took care of its citizens.
She changed into different clothes, wrinkling her nose at the smell coming from her travel bag. Perhaps one of her first tasks would be to wash her clothes.
Alena broke her fast while other patrons ate their lunch. She hadn’t intended to sleep as long as she had, but she must have been exhausted.
After a full night of sleep and an even fuller belly, she felt ready to take on the world. Alena stepped from the inn and into the market. The sun warmed her face and hands and she began to wander.
Alena wasn’t looking for anything in particular. She just watched and took notes in her mind. Anything could be important and form the seed of her new life.
She listened to the prices haggled between buyers and sellers, mapping out the rough state of Tonno’s economy. Food was a little cheaper here, it seemed, but iron more expensive. Spices were substantially cheaper, but she supposed that was to be expected. Traders delivered the spices along the Alna River. No one needed to be paid to deliver the spices to towns like Landow, far from the river itself.
Intrigued by thoughts of the river, Alena made her way toward the southern edge of town, where Tonno met the water.
Her first sight of the river up close caused her jaw to drop. Father
