Empire of Chains (World in Chains Book 1)

by Ryan W. Mueller

  "Maybe it did. Who knows? I sure don't."

  They walked through the rest of the day, until it was too dark to travel safely. After they settled down, they ate a small meal of snake meat they'd saved. So far, they'd seen no signs of life in the canyon.

  Danica had scooted over next to Aric, and Berig felt a stab of jealousy. She looked too happy next to him. Maybe Berig did feel something for her. Of course, Aric would be a better fit. They both had positive attitudes, unlike Berig. Berig and Danica could never have anything together. Too different.

  "How're you feeling?" Danica asked Aric.

  "It's been tough. I can still feel that poison running through me. Just when I think I might be getting over it, another wave of weakness hits me. I'm afraid of what might happen."

  Ander put a hand on Aric's shoulder. "We can't know anything for certain. And if you're really struggling, you can tell us, and we can stop."

  "No, I'll be fine," Aric said, and Berig understood how he must feel. Berig's chest still stung where the swamp cat had scratched him, but he never allowed that to slow the rest of the group.

  Maybe he and Aric weren't so different after all.

  The next day brought sweltering heat and drenched clothing. They would have run out of water without Ander, who could conjure a trickle of water with his staff. Berig had no idea where the water came from, but he didn't care at the moment.

  Eventually, they came to a spot where three paths branched off toward the east.

  Ander turned to the group. "If my maps are accurate, we should take the middle path. That's what some of the smugglers have told me. Hopefully they can be trusted."

  No one objected, so they started down that passage, finding the same unchanging surroundings as before. Berig felt trapped. The farther they walked along these paths, the less chance he stood of surviving if he had to turn back.

  Late that afternoon, they encountered their first monster.

  The canyon was barely wide enough for three people to stand side to side, and the giant boulder-like monster filled the entire space. A head poked out of its rocky shell. It opened its large mouth and hissed through a couple of rows of sharp teeth. The entire party recoiled as its foul breath washed over them.

  The monster made no moves toward them, but it stood its ground, hissing.

  Aric turned to Ander, wobbling on his feet. "Any ideas?"

  "How can we fight that thing?" Ander said. "That shell's made of rock."

  Captain Davis squinted toward the creature. "I'm not sure, but I think its underside might be softer, a lot like a turtle. But how can we get at it?"

  Ander looked back at Farah, who'd been silent as usual. "Do you by chance have any magic that could help us out here?"

  "No. All I know is healing."

  "How'd you discover that in the first place?" Berig asked.

  She turned away. "I don't feel like talking about it. Let's focus on the monster."

  At the front of the group, Ander continued staring at the creature. Berig, standing farther back, felt hesitant to step any closer. With a snap of its enormous jaws, the monster could kill any of them.

  "Someone needs to get closer," Talia said. "We need to see what it will do."

  Ander gave her a stern look. "It's too dangerous. Let's think of something else."

  She returned the look. "No. I'm doing it. You won't stop me."

  Before Ander could hold her back, she strode toward the rock beast. Berig's stomach churned. Was Talia willing to die now that she'd lost her husband? Berig had been worried about that. He'd seen the look in her eyes. He knew how he'd feel in her place.

  The monster continued hissing, and when she stepped within about ten feet, it started to move at a lumbering pace. Talia retreated until it stopped chasing her.

  "There," she said. "Question answered."

  "That was stupid," Ander said. "You could've been killed."

  "But I wasn't. That's what matters. What's our plan now?"

  "I don't think we have one," Captain Davis said, watching the monster. It hadn't made any more moves, but its large eyes watched them with great interest.

  Taking deep breaths, Berig joined the others at the front of the group. "I don't know if this is gonna work, but didn't you notice how slow it is? I'm pretty quick. I might be able to get on its other side. Maybe we'll be able to do something else from there."

  Maybe Danica was right. Maybe he had to force change upon himself. As long as he considered himself worthless, he would be. In truth, he hadn't been completely worthless. He'd saved Captain Davis back on that tree bridge. Hell, he'd even saved Tylen back in Crayden.

  "It's too risky," Ander said. "Besides, are your injuries healed?"

  "They're healed enough. I'll be fine. Just give me the chance."

  "He might have a good idea," Aric said. "Look at the way it's oriented its shell. The shell leans slightly forward, protecting the part of its body closest to us. If we can get someone on the other side, they could attack it from there. Or if it turns to chase them, we could get at it from behind. It's not the best plan, but it's a viable one."

  Ander chewed on his lower lip. "Okay, if you think it's a good idea. I'm not so sure."

  Berig took a deep breath. "Trust me. I can do it."

  And he'd better do it before he had second thoughts. Already, he could feel them creeping in.

  "We don't have any other plan," Ander said. "Go on, Berig."

  Berig darted forward. As soon as he ran within range of the monster, it moved in those slow, ungainly motions. It tried to snap at him, but he hopped out of the way. Then he jumped, kicked off the canyon wall, and landed atop the monster's shell. It wriggled beneath him, but couldn't throw him. Heart pounding, he rushed to the shell's other side.

  The moment he landed, the monster turned. He backed away a few steps.

  It lunged at him, moving faster, as though alarmed by his presence. He turned and ran the other way as rock crunched behind him. Could he outrun this thing on the uneven ground?

  A horrible shriek came from behind him, and he turned. Ander, Aric, Talia, and Captain Davis had all stabbed into the monster from behind, piercing it where its shell didn't protect it.

  Berig had done something worthwhile. A strange feeling.

  The rest of the party joined him, and Aric patted him on the shoulder. "Great job, Berig. I'm not sure any of us would've been quick enough to do that." He smiled, a little weakly. "Guess being small has its advantages."

  Berig scratched his head. "Yeah, maybe it does. Never thought of it that way."

  Danica smiled. "I knew you could do it, Berig."

  "You know, I did it because of you, because you told me to believe in myself."

  "And it worked," Danica said. "You should listen to me more often."

  She had a point there. For the first time since Graig's death, Berig felt happy, if only briefly. Maybe starting a new life wasn't so much about a new location, but rather approaching life with a new attitude. Why not try being more optimistic?

  For now, it seemed a good idea, but that would likely fade with time.

  Such feelings always did.

  That night, after walking through an oppressive day, they settled down in the dark and ate from their dwindling rations.

  "I like this place better than the swamp," Berig said. "I mean, the worst we've seen is that rock monster. Maybe the swamp was the hardest part."

  "Be careful what you say," Aric replied. "The worst might still be yet to come."

  "I don't think it matters what I say. That's just superstition."

  "Well, you never know," Aric said. "Can't hurt to be careful."

  Ander turned to them. "Whether or not that was the worst, we're all truly thankful for what you did, Berig. I can tell you haven't always felt like a part of this group, that you've felt kind of useless at times. Whatever you might think, we do want you here."

  "And we do like you," Danica said.

  Berig shook his head. "Yeah, I know that w
hat I did was good, but I don't see why you had so much faith in me to begin with. I've never amounted to anything."

  Danica gave him a piercing look. "You're already falling into old patterns, Berig."

  "Can't help it, I guess. How does someone change the way they think?"

  "It takes effort," Danica said. "But it'll be worth it in the end."

  "Yeah, I guess I'll just have to keep trying," Berig said, deciding he wasn't in the mood for an argument. In truth, he rarely was.

  He went to bed that night attempting to frame his thoughts more positively. The longer he lay awake thinking, though, the more his thoughts turned negative. Maybe Danica's advice worked for some people, but it didn't work for him.

  When he woke the next morning, he tried not to think about anything, but his mind always ran in circles. One of his shortcomings as a thief. He'd never been as good as his brother.

  Not even close.

  That was Berig's life. Never good enough. Soon he'd fail Ander and the others, like he'd already failed them in the swamp. How many times could they forgive him?

  As morning turned to afternoon, the canyon walls gave way to rocky slopes. They thought about climbing up but decided their current path served them well.

  Until Berig heard a distant flapping of wings. "Does anyone else hear that?"

  They all gave him strange looks.

  "Listen more closely."

  The flapping grew louder, closer, and the rest of the party heard it. Would this monster consider them easy prey? And how could they possibly escape something that flew?

  "We should find cover," Ander said.

  Berig scanned his surroundings. "I don't mean to be negative, but we're kind of out in the open."

  Ander nodded, his face lined with worry.

  "Maybe it won't notice us," Danica said.

  "Let's hope so," Ander said. "We should stop moving. That gives it less of a chance of seeing us. We'll wait until it's far enough away, then start walking again."

  They froze, looking up toward the sky. Some of the others prayed, but Berig didn't. Why bother? Soon a creature appeared, larger than any Berig had ever seen. With long, leathery wings and scaled skin, it looked a lot like he'd imagined a dragon.

  But dragons were just myths, weren't they?

  It had long talons at the end of its feet, talons large enough to grab a person. Then there was its mouth. Filled with teeth like long swords, it was large enough to swallow a man whole.

  The flapping grew louder as the monster descended. It didn't breathe fire, so maybe it wasn't a dragon.

  The beast swooped lower, approaching with blinding speed. They all ducked low to the ground and covered their heads as though that could stop the monster. Despite his panic, Berig looked up.

  It flew toward him, its talons skimming the rocky hill. Those talons opened up, and Berig's stomach lurched. Seconds later, the talons closed around him, digging gouges into his skin. He screamed as it lifted him into the air, but he didn't expect any help.

  The beast flew swiftly above the dazzling red plateau. Berig watched with dismay as the party faded into the distance. He'd never expected it to end this way.

  Of course, this was how Graig had died. It had only taken Berig a few more days.

  The monster flew lower, toward an area where the rocks rose in jumbled towers. In the center of this area was a ring of large stones, just visible through the grip of the talons. The monster dropped Berig into the spot between these stones.

  He hit the ground with a heavy thud that knocked the wind out of him. Though everything hurt, it didn't feel like he'd broken any bones. Gingerly, slowly recovering his breath, he clambered to his feet and took a good look at where he'd landed.

  Around him stood oval stones at least a foot taller than Berig. They had an odd texture, surprisingly smooth, like no rock Berig had ever touched. From inside the stone came a faint scuttling sound and small movements. His stomach sank. These weren't stones.

  They were eggs. And Berig would be the babies' first meal.

  Chapter 43

  Ander watched the monster fade into the distance, his chest so tight he could barely breathe. He would not let another person die on this journey. Losing Graig had been bad enough. Not to mention, he'd come to like Berig, for he saw a good man beneath the rough exterior.

  "We need to go after him," Danica said. "He could still be alive."

  Captain Davis frowned. "What makes you think that?"

  "Well, it didn't eat him right away," Danica said. "Maybe it has other plans."

  Aric put a hand on Danica's shoulder. "I agree. Berig deserves our help, even if it's an extreme long shot."

  "Then there's no point waiting around," Ander said.

  Aric looked at Ander with wide eyes. "I wasn't expecting you to agree that easily. I was sure you'd say something about how the journey to Mountainside is most important."

  Ander hesitated. His logical side did say just that, but he'd taken on the leadership of this journey. Every person here was his responsibility. "Aric, you'll remain behind with Danica and Farah," he said. "Talia and the captain will come with me."

  Aric opened his mouth to protest.

  "The poison is weakening you," Ander said. "You need to conserve your energy."

  "I can help," Aric said. "I still have that much strength."

  "You will help," Ander said. "Someone needs to protect Danica and Farah. Neither one of them is particularly skilled at defending themselves just yet. Please, Aric, obey me this once."

  "All right, I understand."

  Ander nodded, then motioned for Talia and Captain Davis to follow him. They started up the uneven slope to the left of their path, moving carefully but quickly.

  "How far do you think it went?" the captain asked.

  Ander continued up the slope. "No idea. Not too far, I hope."

  "How are we going to fight that thing?" Talia asked.

  Ander couldn't look her in the eye. "I wish I knew. Maybe it won't be there. Who knows? This could get us all killed, but it's my duty to protect everyone."

  "My duty as well," Captain Davis said.

  The slope gradually flattened, but the climb remained arduous. And slow. Too slow.

  When they reached the top of the slope, they stood atop the flat plateau, looking down to their former path hundreds of feet below. They could no longer see the others. Ander's stomach lurched. What if the monster came back for them?

  Doubt clung to him like a spider to its web. Wouldn't it be easier to leave Berig for dead? After all, Berig offered little to the Order—no skills apart from those of a thief. And did the Order need people like that?

  In this case, though, emotion achieved a rare win over logic. He hadn't even thrown logic aside for Nadia, whom he still thought about every day. Her determination. Her strength.

  She would rescue Berig. It was the right thing to do.

  "How will we know where the monster went?" Talia asked.

  "Well, we know which way it was going," Ander said. "Beyond that, we'll have to guess."

  "We'll find him," the captain said.

  Ander wished he could believe that, wished they could find something other than their own deaths in the monster's lair, but he continued forward with grim determination. If he kept a strong front, maybe he could convince the others that he was confident.

  They walked through the afternoon, crossing the desolate plateau. All around them stood formations of rock carved out by countless years of dry wind. The red rocks, which had once looked beautiful to Ander, now made him think of blood. Berig's blood. Blood on his hands. Maybe he could have told the party to run, or even fight back, instead of being easy prey.

  Early that evening, they came across the monster's nest. Here, the rocks were taller than anywhere else, and the giant monster lay among these rocks, apparently asleep.

  Captain Davis kept his voice low. "I don't see Berig anywhere."

  "We're not close enough yet," Talia said. "We can't give up
on him."

  Ander fixed his eyes on the creature. "It's asleep. This is our best chance."

  "I really don't like this," said the captain.

  "We're going to do this," Ander said, motioning them forward. They followed slowly. Silently. With every step, Ander feared the beast would wake up. They reached the first set of rocks at the edge of the nest, perhaps a hundred feet from the beast.

  Off to their right, the tallest rocks of all formed an almost perfect circle. Unnatural. They approached these rocks in silence, and Ander touched the rough surface.

  "I don't see Berig anywhere," Captain Davis whispered. "It ate him already."

  Ander kept his voice low. "We have no proof of that."

  "If he was still alive, we'd have seen him," the captain said, a little more loudly.

  A soft voice came from within the rocks. "Hey, is that you?"

  Ander's heart leapt. "Berig, you're alive."

  "Not sure how long I'll be that way."

  "Keep your voice down," Ander said. "The monster's sleeping nearby."

  "It's not the monster I'm worried about," Berig said, more quietly. "Its eggs are in here, and I think they're about to hatch. You gotta get me outta here."

  Ander stopped to consider. There were a few gaps in the rocks, but the rocks were far too large to move. Maybe he could use his staff to blast the rocks apart. A good jet of water perhaps? He had refrained from using his staff in the battles in the swamp, fearing that he might accidentally strike his friends.

  "I'll try using my staff," he said, feeling sick. "You need to step back, Berig."

  A few moments later, Berig said, "Okay, I think I'm outta the way."

  Ander took a deep breath, worried that using the staff would wake the monster, then launched a jet of water that struck the rocks with a loud roar. Bits of rock flaked off, but slowly, so slowly. Please, God, let this work.

  Gradually, the rocks crumbled, revealing a larger and larger hole. Ander's strength had begun to wane, but he gritted his teeth against the coming weakness.

  A deafening roar sounded behind him, and his stomach churned.