The arrow flew from Aric's bow and plunged through the neck of the Imperial Guard, who was too busy preparing his next shot. He fell backward, clutching the spot and writhing. Aric readied another arrow and turned to the other Imperial Guard.
"Aric, don't shoot!" the man said.
Aric kept his shot aimed. "So we meet again, Tylen. Give me one good reason I shouldn't kill you. I don't think any of us feel particularly charitable toward you at the moment."
"You should," Tylen said. "Who do you think convinced the commander to leave you alone back in Varner City? I gave you the chance to escape. Unfortunately, I couldn't do it for free. I had to give him something, so I told him who you were."
Aric narrowed his eyes. "You could have lied."
"Too risky," Tylen said. "Warrick can see through lies."
Berig stepped closer. "Why would you want to help us anyway?"
"I know I'm an Imperial Guard," Tylen said, "but I can't completely support Warrick after Crayden. I'm doing this to survive, to protect myself, but I know I wouldn't have the chance to live now if not for you, Berig. I remember that day in Crayden, when I was frozen in the castle. Without you, the flames would have killed me."
Berig couldn't believe his ears. He'd always thought Tylen completely arrogant, too important to remember that a lowly thief like Berig had saved his life. Had Tylen's recent hardship brought about a change in him?
"So what're we going to do about this situation?" Aric asked.
Tylen ran a hand through his dark hair. "I'll probably regret this, but I'll let you go. Walk away from here. I promise I'll make no effort to follow you or harm you."
"Then let's go," Danica said. "Before he changes his mind."
Berig felt vulnerable when he turned his back on Tylen, but no arrow came plunging through his spine. No hint of movement sounded behind him. He, Aric, and Danica made their way down the hill, to the spot where Klint had recovered his staff.
Klint's eyes were wide. "How're you still alive?"
"It was Tylen again," Aric said. "He decided to spare us."
"We'll see how long that lasts," Klint said.
They raced down the hill, taking care not to tumble. The eastern edge of the mountains was perhaps a mile distant. As they covered that mile, Berig felt no sign of pursuit. Soon they stood at the bottom of the mountains with no one else anywhere near them.
Klint consulted his map. "Let's make sure we're in the right place."
"Well, there's only one way to find out," Danica said. She stepped forward, reaching the spot where the rocky slope gave way abruptly to green grass. Berig and the others followed, and when Berig stepped over that threshold, he felt as though he'd crossed a spot where the air was thicker. The barrier.
They had escaped the Empire.
Berig looked across the vast green plain, realizing for the first time in his life that he was free. Free to start anew. Free to find his purpose in life. Free to change.
His possibilities were like that plain, stretching endlessly toward the horizon.
* * * * *
Darien exhaled with relief as he leaned on the table where he read the Webs of Fate. Berig and his party had escaped the Empire. They were outside his control, so there was no point worrying about their fate anymore. They'd have to manage on their own.
It had been close, though. Before their escape attempt, he had instructed Commander Enders to send fewer men to the cave through the mountains, and to choose Tylen as one of those men. To his credit, the commander hadn't questioned Darien's wishes.
No one ever did.
Chapter 60
Rik sat at the bar in Liam's inn, working on his third glass of whiskey. Liam had refused to give him another.
"I can't believe I let them go alone," Rik said. Three days had passed since the party had left for Imperia, and they'd probably reached the city by now.
Liam leaned on the clean counter. "If you're so worried about them, follow them."
"They wouldn't want to see me anyways. I abandoned them."
"People are more forgiving than you'd expect."
"I still won't make it there in time," Rik said. "There's no point."
"You don't know that. Any number of things might have delayed them." Liam sighed wearily, wiping down the counter for the hundredth time. "Whether or not they're alive when you get there, I think you have to go. You'll hate yourself forever if you don't."
Rik looked down at his empty glass. "I already hate myself."
"No, you don't. You hate the choice you made. There's a difference."
"Fine," Rik said. "But what can I do? If they killed Warrick, they don't need me. And if Warrick killed them—well, they won't need me then, either."
"And what if neither outcome's occurred?" Liam said. "They could've been caught before carrying out their plan. As cruel as Warrick's regime might be, they usually operate by rule of law. They'll put your friends on trial before they kill them."
Rik's stomach fluttered. "So there might still be something I can do?"
Liam nodded.
"Then I'll set out tomorrow morning," Rik said. He would have liked to leave immediately, but he was probably too drunk to ride a horse at the moment.
"I thought you'd come to your senses."
Rik woke the next morning with a headache, but he didn't let that slow him. He gathered the few things he'd need, stepped into the common room, and froze in alarm. An Imperial Guard was sitting at the bar.
The man turned to face him. "You Rik, by chance?"
"Yes. You need something from me?"
"No, but you need something from me. Sit down."
Rik knew better than to antagonize an Imperial Guard. He sat down on a stool by the bar. "What's this about?"
"I have news for you. Yesterday evening, a young man and woman were placed in the dungeons of the Golden Palace after an attempt on the emperor's life."
Rik shifted on the stool. "Um, thanks, but why're you telling me this? You haven't even told me who you are."
"Sorry, the name's Gram. I believe you've met Berig, a friend of mine."
"How'd you find out?" Rik asked with relief. He'd heard Gram was a decent man.
"News travels fast among Imperial Guards," Gram said. "And since I don't exactly support the emperor, Captain Young told me about your situation. I thought I'd help out."
"Why didn't Warrick kill them?"
"Not sure. He probably thought starvation was a crueler death."
"How do I get into this dungeon?" Rik asked.
Gram leaned against the wooden counter. "It won't be easy, but it can be done. First, you'll have to get through the caves on Mount Imperia. I can't risk getting caught letting you use the teleportation system. But the caves are actually pretty simple." He told Rik which passages to take.
"It'll still take me three days just to get there," Rik said. "Will they make it that long?"
"It's the only choice you have," Gram said. "I'd love to help more, but I can't."
"Don't worry about it. You've already made me feel much better. I was so worried they'd be dead. Thank you."
"You're welcome." Gram rose from the stool. "And good luck."
After three days of little rest, Rik arrived at Imperia. He left his horse at the stables, then marched to the base of Mount Imperia, feeling like his groin was on fire. Only by walking a good portion of the way had he avoided worse soreness.
The cave entrance loomed dark and foreboding.
He made the journey through the caves, following Gram's directions and navigating by magical torchlight. Eventually, he reached the top of the mountain and emerged in the afternoon sunlight. Now all he had to do was steal the dungeon key and free whoever had survived.
Back before this whole adventure, he would've considered that a fun challenge. Now he felt sick at the thought.
The Golden Palace stood ahead of him, a grand structure with two towers, covered entirely in gold. How could Warrick waste so much tax money on all this excess?
As Rik crossed the bridge, someone appeared behind him by teleportation. He jumped in alarm, then remembered that was how most people traveled to the palace. At least the person hadn't seen him coming out of the cave.
Rik stepped through the palace's open gate and into the gilded corridors. A general clamor of voices echoed around him, and people hustled back and forth, intent on their business. Rik tried to blend into the crowd while he determined where to go.
After consulting a map, he followed the correct path toward the dungeon.
He reached the door to the dungeon and stepped into another gilded room that led to a set of stairs spiraling downward. An Imperial Guard sat behind a wooden desk off to the right, watching Rik with narrowed eyes.
"You need something, young man?"
Rik's stomach lurched. "Um, I was hoping to visit some prisoners."
"We don't allow visitors here. I suggest you get on your way before I decide you ought to visit them permanently."
"There's no need to get so angry," Rik said. "I was only asking." He didn't turn to leave, though, glancing around the room. He had to think of something, and fast.
"Aren't you going to leave?"
Rik raised his staff and pointed it at the man. "I'm sorry, but I can't."
The jailer's eyes widened, and he rose from his wooden chair. "What're you doing?"
Rik stepped closer. "Do you know what this is?"
"I'm guessing that's not a walking staff."
"No, it isn't." Rik sent a jet of fire at the wall. "So we're going to try this again. I want the key to the cell housing the prisoners who recently tried to kill the emperor. And don't try anything. I'm willing to let you live through this, if you cooperate."
The jailer turned to a rack of keys and grabbed one.
"That better be the right key," Rik said.
"Don't worry. It is. I am no fool." The Imperial Guard stepped toward the stairs, and Rik followed, pointing his staff at the man's back. As they descended, the golden walls gave way to dark stone covered in thick vines. A strong, moldy smell hung in the air. This place felt so bleak and cold and terrible.
They followed dark, twisting passages so confusing they might as well have formed a maze. Rik lost track of the path, but he couldn't worry about that right now. He still had no plan for freeing anyone.
At last, they reached the cell. To Rik's relief, Markus and Nadia stood close to the bars, looking at him with wide eyes.
He nudged the Imperial Guard in the back. "Open the door."
The man inserted the large key into the lock and opened the door. Nadia and Markus raced out of the cell.
Markus hugged Rik. "I can't believe it! You came back for us."
Quick footsteps sounded, accompanied by the jingling of chainmail, and Rik turned to see the Imperial Guard had taken off in the other direction. Rik fired a burst of lightning at him, but it missed. The man had rounded a corner, disappearing into the distance.
"Damn," Rik muttered. "Guess we'll have to escape more quickly than I wanted. Did you have to ruin everything, Markus?"
"Sorry, Rik, I was so excited to get out of there. You don't know what it's been like."
"It doesn't matter," Rik said. "We'll find a way."
Nadia smiled weakly. "That sounds more like the Rik I first met."
"Are you two up to running around like crazy?" Rik said.
"We'll have to be," Nadia said.
They started back through the dungeon's mazelike passages. Rik wished he'd spent more time memorizing the route on the way in. Now they had to rely on luck and instinct.
Just like so many of Rik's insane plans.
Passage after passage. Corner after corner. The dungeon seemed deserted at first, but then a quartet of Imperial Guards appeared in the passage ahead of them.
Markus trembled as he clung to Rik. "What now?"
"We'll have to backtrack," Rik said. "Find another way." He was amazed at the steadiness in his voice.
With the Imperial Guards perhaps thirty feet distant, Rik pulled Markus and Nadia into an adjoining passage. They raced around more and more corners as the dim glow of magical torches grew darker.
The Imperial Guards were gaining, their steps louder, their voices rougher. There would be no mercy for anyone this time.
The trio took a left, into an even darker passage.
"I don't like this," Markus said.
Rik looked back, spotting their pursuers. "Well, we can't change our minds now. They're already into this passage. We'll just have to pray we've made the right choice."
"You haven't," said a voice from behind. "You'll see."
Rik led Marks and Nadia forward, hoping that the Imperial Guards were merely trying to deter them. Unlikely, but Rik had to cling to every shred of hope he had left.
The passage came to a dead end.
"There's some kind of trapdoor here." Nadia touched the floor. "It's really hot, though."
An Imperial Guard stepped toward them. "That leads to the palace's furnace. You're welcome to go down there, but you won't be coming up."
Rik kept his voice low. "I might be able to shield us with my staff."
Nadia opened the trapdoor, and orange light flooded into the passage. Rik dropped through the trapdoor, casting a shield. The air felt brutally hot, but not so hot it burned. Markus and Nadia dropped in behind him and hung close, clinging to the protection of Rik's shield.
Markus coughed. "Is there anywhere to go in here?"
Rik's eyes hadn't adjusted to the brightness. Fire didn't burn everywhere, but it was so widespread he couldn't see anything else. They made their way blindly around the chamber. Even with the shield, the heat made Rik dizzy. He had to stay conscious or the shield would die.
Rik crawled along the ground, keeping below the worst of the heat. There had to be another door. Something. Anything. With every passing second, he felt dizzier. The heat closed in around them. Rik's energy was draining, his vision blurring. He coughed again and again, the scorching heat stabbing into his lungs.
Then, at last, he felt a strange patch on the hot stone floor. A slight lip, something he could grab and pull. A door perhaps?
"I think I found something," he said. "Let's see if we can pull this open."
Rik pried at the lip, feeling like he'd pass out any second. The stone didn't budge. Dread twisted his stomach, but then the door moved. Together, they pried it open, then dropped through the opening.
Rik's stomach lurched as he fell. Too far, he realized, but then he landed in water so mercifully cool he wanted to stay there forever. With a few quick arm strokes, he reached the surface. Markus and Nadia joined him there a few moments later.
"Thank God we're out of that place!" Markus said.
Nadia glanced around. "But where are we now?"
"Looks like the palace's water supply," Rik said. They floated in a narrow canal between two walls of light stone in a chamber lit by magical torchlight. Rik pointed at a ladder on one side of the canal.
They made the short swim to the ladder, exhausted and coughing. Rik struggled to climb, his wet shoes slipping. Behind him, Markus and Nadia fared even worse.
But they did reach the top.
"Where now?" Nadia said breathlessly.
The chamber they'd entered wasn't particularly long, with heavy grates blocking both ends. Rik doubted they could get past those grates.
On the wall, a massive pipe led directly upward. It looked impossible to climb, especially considering how weak Markus and Nadia must be. Also along the wall was a large wheel that looked like they could turn it.
Rik pointed to the wheel. "What do you think that does?"
"I don't think we should turn it," Nadia said. "It will probably release water, and then it might flood the chamber, trapping us."
"Not necessarily," Rik said, smiling like he had in the days before this adventure. "Look at that pipe. It's so large we could all fit through it side by side. If we get the water to fill up this chamber, it co
uld carry us through that pipe and hopefully out into the palace."
Markus shook his head slowly. "Rik, you've come up with a lot of crazy ideas in the past, but this might be the craziest yet. Unfortunately, it's all we have."
"We should at least check those grates first," Nadia said.
"There's no point," Rik said. "Look how small they are. You might fit, but Markus and I won't. Trust me. My plan will work."
"Let's pray you're right," Nadia said.
Rik turned the wheel to the left, and the sound of rushing water came from all around. He couldn't see the source, but the water was beginning to rise. Slowly, so slowly.
Once it reached their position, they swam to a spot beneath the giant pipe and waited until the water forced them into the opening. Rik felt suddenly sick. What if there was another grate at the top of the pipe?
After rounding a couple of bends in the pipe, Rik looked up to see just what he'd feared.
"Damn," he muttered. "What're we gonna do now?"
"Maybe you can melt it with your staff," Nadia said.
"Of course."
Rik lifted his staff up and sent a jet of fire at the grate. He couldn't tell if he was making progress. The grate was still at least ten feet away. He kept the spell going, ignoring his magical fatigue. The grate still hadn't melted enough, but maybe Rik had weakened it. Praying silently, he launched a jet of pressurized water at the grate, and it split open.
"Good work, Rik," Markus said.
About a minute later, they reached the grate. Rik pushed aside what remained of it, then waited as the water forced them out of the pipe and flooded the palace. They stood in a golden room that contained many pipes and other machinery Rik didn't recognize. Off to their right was a large wooden door.
Rik took a deep breath, then opened the door. Outside it was one of the many corridors that all looked the same. Distant voices sounded.
"No one's in the hallway right now," Rik said.
They stepped out into the corridor as the water flooded in around their feet. Rik had no idea where they were going, but he led the party. Soon they rounded a corner and reached a place where other people were milling around, looking at the walls in confusion as the rushing sound continued.
Empire of Chains (World in Chains Book 1) Page 51