After a filling breakfast, they made their way toward the palace.
The buildings grew larger the closer they came to the heart of the city. To Brandt’s relief, the streets also quieted. The buildings had space between them, and while the roads were still full of people, it wasn’t nearly as crowded as the outer reaches had been. Here, the wheels of commerce dressed citizens in fine clothes and provided luxuries unknown to most.
Brandt felt tension growing within him. Memories of mistreatment at the hands of such people still echoed faintly in his mind. He cursed Kye for stealing the memories of his friends, but Brandt would have thanked him for stealing those of his childhood.
Their first full view of the palace reassured him. It, at least, hadn’t changed. Built during the reign of Anders I, the palace was a fortress. Perhaps some found it beautiful, but its intent was to protect. Now that Brandt understood that it guarded a gate, the design choice made even more sense.
The guards surrounding the palace paid close attention to all guests entering and leaving. Brandt’s critical eye found few flaws in the emperor’s defenses. He and Ana were interrogated multiple times, and while they made it through with little difficulty, Brandt easily saw how the precautions would have stopped any intruders.
Eventually they found themselves in a small nondescript room in the palace. A few paintings representing the reign of the Anders served as the only decoration. Brandt gave them little attention. They were depictions of stories any school child could recite.
The door behind them opened again and a group of four guards entered. Brandt recognized two of them as guards who had served Hanns back when he’d first visited the monastery all those years ago. The recognition was mutual, and short bows of acknowledgment were exchanged. The guards performed a quick check of the room to ensure its safety.
Then they left and Hanns entered.
He looked older than his years. Only two had passed since Brandt had seen him last, but it looked more like a dozen had. Both Brandt and Ana bowed deeply, a gesture barely returned by the emperor.
A younger man with more than a passing resemblance to Hanns followed. The emperor introduced him, though Brandt had already guessed. “Brandt, Ana, this is my younger son, Regar. He wished to meet you, as the ones who discovered the gate outside Landow.”
Brandt knew little about the young man besides what was common knowledge. Rumor had it that Regar had been a troublesome child, but like any prince, he had gone into military service as soon as he’d come of age. He’d served on the Falari border, dealing with the never-ending incursions. Brandt had never served under the prince. His own tenure as a wolfblade had ended before Regar reached the border.
Brandt had heard stories of Regar’s time, but details differed. All that Brandt knew as fact was that the prince had been captured by the Falari in some skirmish. Some said he escaped and fought his way back to imperial territory. Others claimed a rescue mission had been launched. Still others believed Hanns had bought his youngest son back with promises of gold and alliances.
Whatever had happened, the young man didn’t seem scarred in any noticeable way, and the conflict with the Falari hadn’t changed, either. They still constantly harassed the imperial borders. Brandt saw a proud young man, attentive and strong by his father’s side.
The emperor’s eldest son, Olen, Brandt knew even less about. He was considered more of an academic than a warrior and wasn’t well-regarded among military units. Though Hanns had never made an official announcement, Olen was widely expected to be next in line to the throne.
They all sat. “Tea?” the emperor asked.
For a time they spoke of meaningless topics. The emperor asked them about their journey, and in return Ana inquired as to the emperor’s health. All the while they sipped at tea poured by Regar, a potent green liquid that started with just the slightest hint of bitterness but ended with a pleasant sweetness. It was some of the best tea Brandt had ever tasted.
The formalities surprised him, though he didn’t let the surprise reach his face. In their previous interactions Hanns had never been anything but direct and informal. Brandt wondered how much of this was show for Regar’s sake.
Hanns, as the host of the gathering, was the first to broach the subject that had brought them all together. “I was saddened to hear of the loss of Highkeep.”
Brandt and Ana bowed their heads. “Thank you for your condolences,” Ana replied.
“Kyla’s messenger described the power of the attack,” the emperor said. “It sounded much stronger than the one we endured while I visited.”
“I’ve never felt its like,” Brandt confirmed.
“What aid do you seek?”
“Knowledge,” Brandt answered.
A ghost of a smile played across the emperor’s lips. “I seem to recall that we discussed this two years ago. I know little more now than I did then.”
Brandt noted Regar’s sudden attention, a light in his eyes that hadn’t been there before. He looked close to speaking, but Hanns answered Brandt first. “You are welcome to any knowledge I possess, save only that known to the Anders about the gates. But I fear I will be less help than you hope.”
“You’ve made no progress in understanding her power?”
“None.”
“Father,” Regar interrupted, “perhaps I—”
“No.” Hanns’ reply was that of a parent who has already had a familiar argument with their child too many times.
Regar glowered for a moment, then regained his composure.
Hanns explained. “Prince Regar believes that some of the techniques the line of Anders use to control the gate might be the key to unlocking the queen’s power. I don’t agree, but Anders also decreed the techniques never be passed beyond the emperor and those who might
