Empire of Chains (World in Chains Book 1)

by Ryan W. Mueller

  A warm breeze drifted in. Outside, a series of ledges spiraled down the tower, meant as an escape route for the direst of emergencies. She supposed someone could also climb the ledges, but the glass was surely too thick for anyone to break in. Now these ledges were her only hope. A dangerous hope.

  But she had to do it. She waited a few hours, until after her father went to bed, then gathered her supplies and stepped out the window.

  The ledge was about four feet wide. The height made her head spin. Her stomach roiled, but she ignored it, making her way carefully along the ledge. The leather sack of supplies threatened to overbalance her, so she let it drop. Nothing inside was breakable.

  She followed the ledge to its end and dropped down to the next ledge, which began about six feet below the one where she'd stood. Her window was probably forty feet in the air, and six ledges were between it and the ground. She relaxed as she descended. It wasn't that hard.

  She looked down from the final ledge. Maybe ten feet to the ground, and the drop looked longer than that. She summoned her courage, got onto her stomach, allowed her feet to dangle, and dropped. She hit the ground with a soft thud, then gathered her supplies from where they'd fallen.

  Now for the tough part. The guards might spot her in the moonlight. Her path went past some hedgerows dotting the castle grounds. She crouched behind one and spotted the patrolling guard.

  She ducked back behind the hedge, waiting for him to pass, her heart pounding a steady drumbeat.

  Once he walked by, she let out a quiet breath and darted over to hide behind the next hedge, crouching low. The other guard was likely patrolling the opposite side of the castle grounds, but she couldn't be sure.

  She crept across the grass, ducking behind hedges whenever possible. Once, she caught sight of the other guard. Her heart leapt, and she ducked, fearing he'd seen her.

  The guard stayed there far too long, approaching the hedge. Would he check on the other side? If he spotted her, she'd lose what little freedom she had left. He ran his sword gently through the hedges. She tried to back away, but stumbled, and the sword touched her back.

  The guard retracted his sword. "Who's there? Show yourself."

  Nadia stood to let the guard see her.

  "Lady Nadia, what are you doing out here?"

  Nadia froze. What could she say? Maybe she could take off running. None of the guards would hurt her. She recognized this guard, though. David. A man a little younger than Varek with a thick brown beard. He was one of the other guards Varek had trusted.

  "I'm leaving," she said.

  "You're running away?"

  "Not exactly. I have plans that require me to leave."

  "Varek told me of your plans," he said.

  "He did?"

  "Don't worry. You can trust me. I've been thinking about joining the Order myself. And while I think your plans are kind of crazy, I can understand your reasons."

  "Then you'll let me go?"

  He smiled. "I'll just pretend this never happened."

  "Thank you."

  "You're welcome. Now get going before anyone else sees you."

  Nadia gave him a quick nod, then continued down the slight hill. After a few minutes, she stood at the edge of Crayden. Where could she go now? She couldn't stay with anyone she knew. Too obvious. She couldn't stay in Crayden at all.

  So she started toward the forest. She'd have to go there anyway if she intended to enter the ruins of Woodsville, and maybe she could brave the place without Ander's help, or simply visit town to gain his assistance.

  Not that it mattered. She didn't feel ready yet. She'd have to find somewhere to stay while she got her plans in order. Markus had mentioned a friend in the forest. Surely any friend of Markus's would help her.

  The streets were empty, the city quiet. She kept an eye out for Imperial Guards. Her supplies felt heavy against her shoulder, her bow conspicuous against her back.

  The bow she'd used to kill.

  She reached the edge of the city in a few minutes and crossed the bridge over the canyon before entering the forest. Leaves rustled, and the air had taken on a sudden chill. She pulled a traveling cloak from her supplies and wrapped it around her shoulders.

  What kind of strange weather phenomenon made it cold in the forest?

  She delved deeper into the trees, shrugging the matter aside as she followed a clearly marked path that snaked through the trees and kept away from the steeper slopes. The chill deepened, and she wrapped herself tighter in her cloak.

  She walked through the night with no destination in mind, settling down eventually in a small clearing. The ground felt hard, but she'd have to get used to it. She couldn't expect a comfortable inn every night on her journey.

  Cold air swirled, and every sound seemed amplified in the silence. She'd never feared ghosts, but she was heading toward Woodsville.

  The cold faded after a while. Exhausted, she drifted off to sleep. When she woke, the sun had risen, and sweat drenched her. She thrust her cloak back into the leather sack, feeling lost and utterly alone. Could she leave behind everyone and everything she'd ever known? Maybe Kara was right. Maybe she should give up her dreams. It would be easier.

  You've never taken the easy way out, Nadia, and you won't start now.

  She rose and began walking, realizing with dismay that she had no idea where Markus or his friend might live. Maybe she'd been close when she'd killed the Imperial Guard, but she couldn't remember now which paths she'd taken.

  Every tree looked the same. During the night, she had left the marked path, and now she wandered with no destination in mind, which bothered her. She preferred control and well-constructed plans. Not only that, but she hadn't packed much food in her limited space.

  Bushes with red and green berries stood all around. Red were usually safe, but green were a risk. These green berries looked like the ones their servants often included in meals, but she couldn't be sure. She would surely know by taste, right? Then she could spit it out. Not the smartest course of action, but she was starving.

  First, she grabbed all the red berries she could find. They were sweet and delicious. Afterward, her stomach still rumbled, so she grabbed some green berries. She put one in her mouth hesitantly and chewed. It was a perfect combination of sweet and tart, but there was something different in the taste, something she didn't remember. She ate until she felt full, hoping she wasn't making a mistake.

  Then she shouldered her leather sack and began walking. Maybe she'd find Markus's friend, but not Markus. Had he escaped the deal his uncle made? She hated to think he might be an Imperial Guard. Or dead.

  Early that afternoon, she heard the dull thwack of an axe against wood, and hungered for the company of anyone. She felt betrayed by her father, detached from everyone else important in her life.

  She pushed through some dense vegetation. On the other side stood a well-muscled young man with vibrant red hair. He split a log in two, then looked up at her with raised eyebrows. "You lost? I've never seen you around here before."

  "I—well, maybe a little." She felt awkward now and wished she hadn't emerged from the trees. How could she explain her situation?

  "What brings you to the forest?" he asked.

  "I-I'm looking for a young man named Markus. Or maybe a friend of his—Rik, if I remember correctly."

  He stepped toward her, setting the axe down. "No need to be nervous. Why are you looking for Markus? Have you seen him any time in the last day or so?"

  The last day. So much had happened that it felt more like a week.

  "Are you Rik?" she asked, hoping she was right.

  "Yeah. You haven't told me your name, though. Or if you've seen Markus." He frowned, studying her with brown eyes. "You know, you look really familiar."

  "All right, my name is Nadia."

  Rik smiled. "I knew it! That's why you looked familiar."

  "Apparently, that's a common occurrence around here. Markus said the same thing. Don't you woodsmen have b
etter things to do than look at young noble ladies?"

  "Not really. It's kind of a boring life, you know. Besides, all the best-looking girls are nobles, it seems." He smiled again. "You still haven't told me how you met Markus or where he might be."

  "Well, it's a long story," she said, and launched into the tale.

  Afterward, Rik leaned against a tree, his face a mask of concern. "Now I'm worried that the Imperial Guards got to him a day early. He would've come back otherwise."

  "You were going to go to Mountainside, weren't you?"

  "Yeah, but I'm not going without Markus." He frowned, an expression that didn't look natural on him. "You still haven't told me why you're here in the forest. Shouldn't you have about twenty armed guards with you?"

  Her face burned. "Well, to be honest, I ran away. My father is forcing me to marry a man who will control me for the rest of my life, and I decided long ago that I would make it my mission in life to kill Emperor Warrick. I can't do that with a horrible man controlling me."

  "Do you actually think you can kill Warrick?" Rik asked. To her surprise, he looked on without skepticism.

  "Yes, there is a way. It won't be easy, but I have to try."

  "Hmm, maybe I'll have to join with you then. I mean, killing Warrick—that's probably the greatest adventure of all time." He shook his head. "Still, I need to find out what's happened to Markus. I'm really worried about him."

  "You should probably head to Crayden. Maybe you'll find out something."

  "Will you be okay here by yourself?" he asked. "You seem kind of lost."

  Her stomach began to feel strange. Was it just her nerves? "Well, I could use some help finding a place to stay. I feel kind of foolish now."

  "Don't worry about it. My parents have a place about five minutes that way." He pointed toward a path off to her right. "They're good people. They'll help you out."

  "Thank you. I hope you find Markus." Her stomach gave an odd twinge.

  "And I hope you manage to kill Warrick. It's about time someone did."

  He nodded farewell, then grabbed his axe and marched off into the trees. A sudden wave of nausea hit Nadia. Maybe those green berries hadn't been such a good idea. She gritted her teeth against the pain in her stomach and started down the path.

  The pain intensified with every step. Soon she could barely stay on her feet. Sweat had drenched her from head to toe, a cold sweat that seemed at odds with the sweltering air. Her legs felt weaker and weaker, her entire body ready to collapse.

  She fell to her knees and vomited. Tried to move. Vomited again. Why couldn't this have happened a minute or two sooner, when Rik could have done something for her?

  She tried to stand, but her body refused. Her arms felt like wet noodles. She vomited again and again, emptying her stomach before darkness overtook her.

  Chapter 21

  Rik had started out heading toward Crayden, but then he decided he might need Markus's uncle to deal with the Imperial Guards.

  While Rik walked, he thought of the strange encounter with Nadia. Something had seemed off about her. The anxiety was expected, but there was something else, almost like she was sick, but it was probably nothing. Markus liked to joke that Rik's imagination was too vivid.

  Rik normally would have whistled a cheerful tune, but he couldn't get his spirits high enough. He reached Markus's cabin in a few minutes and knocked on the door.

  Theo answered it a few moments later. "What're you doing here, Rik?"

  "Looking for Markus. Any idea where he might be?"

  Theo scratched at his thick brown beard. "He left nearly a day ago. I expected him to be with you. I don't know. Maybe he made the right decision and presented himself to the Imperial Guards in Crayden."

  Rik held back a laugh. "You know he wouldn't do that."

  "Unfortunately, I do. I know him too well. Stubborn to a fault."

  "I figured he might be somewhere in Crayden," Rik said. "Maybe you could ask some of your old friends. He was supposed to join them today. Maybe they forced him."

  "And you want me to find out," Theo said. "I know how you think, Rik."

  "Well, yes."

  "And then you probably want me to save him from whatever has happened to him because of his foolishness."

  "Yeah, that too."

  "No point arguing. You'll just pester me all day." Theo went into the cabin and returned shortly with his sword.

  As they started walking, Rik said, "What would you do if you found out Markus was dead? Would you be mad?"

  "Why should I be mad? I made a horrible deal, I know, but Markus has to abide by that deal whether he likes it or not. They have the right to kill him."

  "How can you say that?" Rik demanded. "Markus is like a son to you."

  "I wouldn't like it. But what can I do? Besides, you know they wouldn't kill Markus, at least if what Markus heard was right." Theo shook his head. "I still have no idea why Warrick would want you and Markus alive. His ways make no sense to me."

  "And yet you served him?" Rik said.

  "Not by choice. I did what I had to do."

  Theo fell silent, and Rik knew better than to bother him.

  Soon they crossed the bridge into Crayden, then marched toward the Imperial Guard garrison in the center of town. They passed from clean cobblestone streets to narrow dirt paths marked with deep runnels. This seemed the kind of place Rik would end up if he moved to the city. He didn't have the patience to learn a trade like Tomas, and adventures didn't pay well.

  They passed dirty people in frayed clothing, many of whom cast them curious glances. At the door to the garrison, Theo said, "Stay out here. I'll see what they know."

  Rik took a spot far enough away from the garrison that he didn't look suspicious. He kept his hand ready to reach for his axe. Thieves in this part of town could often steal from commoners without facing stiff penalties. Not from nobles, though.

  Of course, Rik didn't have anything worth stealing. Even his axe had seen better days. How would he ever make a living? There were few things he wanted to do.

  The wait stretched endlessly. People were giving him strange looks, making him feel exposed and vulnerable.

  At last, Theo emerged from the garrison, looking troubled.

  Rik grabbed Theo's arm. "What did you find out?"

  "They came for Markus early. He refused to become an Imperial Guard, so now he's in prison. I'm going to try to talk some sense into him."

  "You don't think that's actually gonna work?"

  "I have to try. I've done him wrong, I know." Theo cast a stern glare at Rik. "You can come, but don't even think of trying to break him out. Yes, I know that was your first thought."

  "Well, it did cross my mind, but there's no chance."

  They walked to the prison at the north end of town. When they entered the building, Rik felt the suffocating closeness of the walls. He couldn't imagine being stuck in a prison cell with nothing but his thoughts for company.

  Behind the warden's desk was a rack containing a number of large keys. The bottom level of the rack held one key, while the others contained at least three or four. Off to their right was a display case with some swords.

  "I'm here to see a prisoner on the lowest level," Theo said to the warden, handing the man a small slip of paper. "This contains Commander Glenn's seal of approval."

  The warden frowned as he examined it. "This seems in order."

  Theo took the paper back, then led Rik toward the stairs far at the other end of the prison's main level. They went down the spiraling stone steps, arriving at the lowest level, a place lit by a solitary torch.

  They stepped around to the cell.

  Markus came to the bars. "Rik? Uncle Theo? What're you doing here?"

  Theo cleared his throat. "In my case, I'm going to try to talk some sense into you. Rik's just here because he wants to see you."

  "You're not going to make me change my mind," Markus said. "Warrick wants me alive for some reason. He's not going to let me
die in here. I'm just biding my time."

  Rik looked toward the back of the cell, where another man sat in the shadows. "Who's that with you? I didn't think there'd be anyone else."

  "That's Berig. He's okay." Markus's tone sounded more defeated than Rik had ever heard. While Markus had never shared Rik's enthusiasm, he'd never been the kind of person to dwell on negative thoughts either.

  Rik had to do something.

  "So are you going to get me out of here?" Markus asked.

  "I can't do that," Theo said. "You know I can't."

  "Then I guess I'll just spend the rest of my life in here. Maybe life will throw something unexpected at me. Who knows?"

  Theo glared at Markus. "Why can't you just accept their offer?"

  "I can't serve Warrick. He doesn't deserve to rule. I don't care what excuses you make. It's just not who I am. I can see it in your eyes. You can't live with yourself after some of the things you were forced to do. I wouldn't be able to live with myself either. I'd rather die. I'm sorry, Uncle Theo."

  "Well, you're making a big mistake," Theo said. "I hope you like it." He turned to Rik. "We're leaving now, and I don't want you thinking up any insane plans."

  Rik couldn't think of anything at the moment. There was too much security, too much risk. Even for him. He followed Theo up the steps, afraid he was giving up on his best friend.

  * * * * *

  Tylen returned to the castle to find High Lord Cray in a terrible mood. The man was sitting in a chair at the side of the large foyer, looking down at the floor and drinking from a glass of what looked like whiskey, his face already red. Not his first drink.

  Tylen forced his face into a sympathetic expression, though in truth he was disgusted by the man. "What is wrong, my lord?"

  The high lord hiccupped. "She's gone, Tylen."

  "Who's gone?"

  "Nadia. She went out through her window sometime last night. None of the guards saw her, and now she's gone." He spilled some of his drink but ignored the mess. "I'm never going to see her again. What did I do to deserve this, Tylen?"