Brandt appreciated the compliment. It eased, a little, the helplessness he’d felt over the past few weeks.
Ren took no offense at being bested. Instead, he worked with Brandt to teach the children. Brandt only understood parts of the lesson, but Ren explained why he had been beaten.
The students were nearly ideal. They listened intently, asking questions and practicing on their own as Ren instructed. Brandt and Ana ended up teaching for most of the afternoon.
Two thoughts dominated Brandt’s mind as he taught. The first was that combat knew no language barriers. Without words, he could correct a student’s form, and many of Ren’s students were quick studies. The second was that the Falari continued to surprise him. That they were dedicated to the pursuit of war came as no surprise. The empire had known that since it had been founded. What surprised him was how welcoming they could be.
Part of him worried that he might someday be training those who would fight against the empire. But the emperor had sent them here to make peace and find an agreement. This, at least, felt like a step in the right direction.
They left the training hall in time for the evening meal. Again Brandt found himself seated in front of a plate of wonderful food. Ren hadn’t left his side since their training, and he seemed as fascinated by Brandt’s life and world as Brandt was with his.
As they spoke, Brandt realized Ren had never crossed the border. “You’ve never been to the empire, have you?”
Ren hesitated for a moment, but Brandt didn’t think his uncertainty had to do with Brandt’s impolite manners. Brandt had stumbled upon something, a truth he hadn’t understood yet. Finally, Ren shook his head. “Warriors from this town patrol the border, but we never cross. We never raid.”
“Never?”
“Not even Weylen.”
Brandt frowned. This village wasn’t more than a week from the border, and he was certain the imperial outpost they’d left from had experienced nearby raids in the past few years. At least some of them had to have come from here.
Ren must have seen the unspoken question on his face, because he continued, his voice lower now. “Regar hasn’t informed you?”
Brandt shook his head.
Ren let out a long breath. “I suppose you’ll learn soon enough. You come at a time when much is in doubt. Our elders argue constantly, and the Falari are nearly split evenly into two groups.”
Beside him, Ana leaned in closer to hear what Ren said.
Ren continued. “There are many who believe we must wage endless war against your land. Others, like those who live in this village, have chosen a different path. We do not attack the empire. Our goal is to improve through training and the development of our martial arts.”
Some part of a larger plan unfolded in Brandt’s imagination. “That’s why you allowed Regar to win.”
Ren nodded. “Our trials were mostly for show. They are required for one who isn’t a warleader to speak to an elder, but we only sought to challenge, not to defeat.”
“You hope for peace, don’t you?” Ana asked.
“Not an imperial peace, no.”
Brandt frowned, confused again. “Why not?”
Ren gestured around the table. “Everyone here is willing and able to take up a sword when needed. Most would defeat the average imperial soldier.”
Brandt conceded the point.
“Peace is only possible when one is prepared for war. Your empire is not prepared. It rots at the core. We do not want your ways polluting ours.”
“So why let us in?”
“Being prepared for war doesn’t mean that war must be waged. We hope that Regar will help the other warleaders and elders see that. A larger threat looms on the horizon, and it’s there we must focus our attention.”
“You know about the Lolani?” Brandt asked.
“We do. Some among us hope the Lolani will cleanse the land of the empire. But in this town, we recognize the danger for what it is. The will of the people rests on the edge of a knife, though. That is why I’ll be among your escort tomorrow.”
“You expect trouble?”
Ren nodded. “Once those who oppose us realize Regar is here and journeying toward the elders, I believe they will attack.”
Brandt ate in silence for some time. He’d never thought the Falari would be so divided. Though he knew they acted as war parties, it had never occurred to him some of those war parties might wish for peace.
That night, they returned to the same home they’d had the night before. The family welcomed them in, although this night there was no music. That suited Brandt just fine. His head still spun with new thoughts.
He fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. Between the higher altitude and the afternoon full of training, he was exhausted.
That night, he woke to the sound of a single bell pealing in the darkness. He came to his feet in a heartbeat, and his sword was in hand a moment later. Was this the trap part of him had always expected?
He went to the door as he heard footsteps approaching. Brandt swung it open, sword ready.
The whole family stood in the hallway. The father and mother were armed with the short, curved swords common among the Falari. The children all held knives, and they looked ready to use them.
Brandt took in the family in a moment. They were uncertain.
They thought Brandt meant to attack.
And he didn’t speak their language.
A memory of the training hall returned to him.
Warriors didn’t need words.
The safe approach was to keep the family at bay.
But they’d welcomed him into their home.
In a single smooth motion he sheathed his sword and stepped away from them.
He remained ready to draw again if it was necessary, but his action confused the parents. They had expected him to attack.
Behind him, Ana called for him. He turned to look at her. She was pointing out their window at something he couldn’t see. She seemed worried.
“It’s fire. The town is
