The streets were busy. Travelers came and went and the merchants positioned near the gate enjoyed brisk business. Brandt’s mouth watered as the delicious scents of fresh food filled his nose. Other than a young boy trying to convince them to try a certain inn, though, no one paid them any mind.
Their arrival should mean something. Somebody should notice them. His friends had died here. Had any of it mattered?
Stealing memories was no different than stealing souls, Brandt decided. Without the lessons of the past to shape us, he thought, we are nothing.
Brandt ran his hand through his hair, clearing the melancholy thoughts away. He had hoped for different, but he hadn’t expected much. The emperor himself had told him the memories were gone. Hope was foolish.
They had more important matters to deal with.
While most of the monks headed toward the inn, Brandt and Ana traveled to the town hall. The local governor, Kye, had promised the monks an updated set of maps to aid them on their journey. Secretly Brandt hoped the governor would have some information for him, some guidance regarding the events of seven years ago.
They announced themselves as visiting monks, and not long after a young man came to meet them. He walked with an easy grace and Brandt saw the young man’s martial ability immediately. This was a man who had dedicated himself to his skills. They exchanged bows.
“The governor is honored by your presence. My name is Jace, and I am the governor’s chief aide. We welcome you.”
“Thank you for your kindness.”
Jace led them deeper into the hall to a large receiving room. A man sat there, cross-legged on the floor. He rose with an easy grace, but Brandt swore he saw the man falter as he stepped forward and looked at Brandt for the first time.
“Governor Kye, these are—” Jace didn’t have the opportunity to finish his sentence.
“Sergeant Brandt,” the governor said.
Brandt felt as surprised as Jace looked. “Not sergeant anymore, but yes.”
The governor looked from Brandt to Ana. “And you must be—”
Ana bowed. “Ana, sir.”
The governor took a step back. “Brandt and Ana. I never thought I would see the two of you again.”
The man looked surprised. But if he was the same governor who had known them seven years ago, Brandt supposed he had sufficient reason.
Brandt rushed to explain before the situation became awkward. “I’m sorry, sir. I know that I have been in Landow before, but I have no memory of the incident. If we’ve met before, I have no recollection.”
Brandt thought he saw a flicker of relief pass over the governor’s face. Or perhaps it was surprise. Very few people knew about the existence of mental affinities. Regardless, the governor recovered quickly.
Kye gestured for them all to take a seat. They joined him on a set of cushions, and Jace brought tea for them all. “I’ve prepared the updated maps, as promised. But I suspect you two have another purpose. How may I help?”
Ana glanced at Jace, who stood at loose attention near the entrance to the room. Brandt guessed he was a bodyguard in addition to an aide.
Kye answered her unspoken question. “You may say anything in front of Jace. He’s my most trusted aide, and knows all that I do.”
Brandt caught the pride on the young man’s face before turning to focus on Kye.
“As you know, we are here on the emperor’s request. But before we leave to scout the coast, I need to know if there is anything you can tell me about our last visit here, anything that isn’t in the public record?”
Kye sipped at his tea. “There’s little to tell that you probably haven’t already learned. Your wolfblades fought with Zane Arrowood and a bandit. Three of your friends tragically lost their lives. Not long after, there was a fight in the woods south of town, unleashing incredible affinities no one had seen before. A fireball lit the entire sky. No bodies were found, but it was assumed, given the fire damage in the area, that both you and the bandit perished in the battle. I only heard a year or two ago that you were still alive, and I assumed you had been injured and were receiving care in the monastery.”
Brandt started at that. He hadn’t been injured when he came to the monastery, which meant that Kye had believed a lie. He leaned forward. “My memory was destroyed, which leads me to believe the bandit is still alive.”
Kye gave him an apologetic look. “If he is, I assume he is no longer here. He was never seen again after the fight in the forest.”
Brandt clenched his fist. Again, his hopes were dashed. He had hoped there would be a lead somewhere here in Landow. But it appeared the bandit had vanished.
Kye seemed to read his thoughts. “I’m sorry that I can’t be of more help, but if I may, can I ask you a question?”
Ana nodded for both of them.
“The note I received from the emperor indicated he worries about a foreign invasion from a faraway continent. What more do you know? I confess that I worry. If the invasion comes from the north, Landow needs to be prepared, and I do not think our city guard is sufficient.”
Ana answered. “We know little, except they possess a skill with affinities beyond our understanding. The emperor isn’t sure the empire is at risk, but we must be sure.”
Kye nodded. “The affinities are why he’s relying on the monks instead of the military, isn’t it?”
Brandt tore himself away from his dying hopes to rejoin the conversation. “I believe so.”
Kye shook his head. “I’ve always wished for an affinity. I’m jealous of those of you with the strength to change the world.”
Brandt frowned. “How so?”
Kye looked off in the distance. “When I was young, my family was part of a caravan that was ambushed by the Etari. The Etari, of course,
