World in Chains- The Complete Series

by Ryan W. Mueller

  Tylen hated to leave the high lord, but his chances of becoming high lord himself only remained intact if he stayed alive. The high lord had already approved him as the next high lord, after the expedition to recover Nadia. He'd deal with the marriage issue when the time came.

  "Stand aside," said one of the Imperial Guards at the gate. "This is your last warning."

  "We will not stand aside."

  "Then you will die."

  Tylen watched in horror as the two guards at the gate burst into flames. It was magic, transferred through the Imperial Guard seal. He felt a new appreciation for Warrick's power, even a fraction of it.

  "Go, Tylen," the high lord whispered.

  Tylen hesitated, then raced across the back of the foyer, using the burning guards as a distraction, listening to their screams. He ducked behind the pillars, praying the Imperial Guards wouldn't see him in their haste to kill the high lord.

  He reached the spiral staircase leading up the tower. At the foot of the stairs was the wooden door to a large closet. Heart pounding, he ducked into that closet, then thrust the door closed. The closet was dark and full of old clothes, sheets, and blankets.

  None of it muffled the conversation in the foyer.

  "High Lord Devin Cray, you have been found complicit in the anti-government activities of your daughter Nadia. The penalty is death. Where is your daughter?"

  Distant screams sounded. Was something happening in the city?

  "I won't tell you that," the high lord said. "You'll kill me anyways."

  "Is she here in the castle?"

  "No, she is not. I will tell you that much."

  "Then where is she?" demanded the Imperial Guard.

  "Do you really think you're going to get that out of me?"

  "Have it your way. We'll make it painful." A short pause. "Cut off his left hand."

  A sword sliced through flesh and bone. The high lord screamed. Both sounds turned Tylen's stomach. How could he sit here and let this happen? This man had given him so much.

  But hiding in the closet was safer for Tylen, and that mattered most.

  The high lord was sobbing loudly. "You bastards!"

  "Tell us where she is, or it's your right hand next."

  "Please, don't! Just kill me."

  "His right hand, cut it off."

  That sickening thud again. That horrible scream. Tylen covered his ears but couldn't drown out the sound. Yes, Imperial Guards operated by different moral standards, but how could they do this?

  "You're gonna bleed to death," said the Imperial Guard. "But it won't be instant. Tell us where she is, and we'll kill you right now. It'll save you a lot of pain."

  "I-I've been a loyal servant," the high lord said. "You can't blame me for what she's done. You can't treat me like this."

  "Actually, we can. We're the ones with magic." A pause. "Which reminds me, I think that could loosen your tongue a bit. Just a few words, that's all we ask."

  "I won't do it. I won't betray my daughter."

  "You've been warned."

  Moments later, the high lord let out the most anguished scream Tylen had ever heard. For nearly a minute, the man kept screaming. Tylen tightened his hand around the hilt of his sword and prepared to step out of the closet.

  No. What was he thinking? There were too many Imperial Guards.

  The screams died down, but the high lord continued whimpering like a wounded animal some careless hunter had left to bleed to death. Horrible. Tylen leaned against the closet's stone wall, trying to calm his panicked breathing.

  "Tell us where she is, or I'll do it again."

  The high lord whimpered.

  "Sir," said another Imperial Guard, "I think you might've gone too far. I'm not sure he can even speak anymore. Look how badly he's burned."

  "Don't question me."

  "Sorry, sir."

  "High Lord Cray, I know you can speak. Tell me where she is."

  The high lord whimpered again, said something incoherent. Why couldn't the Imperial Guards realize he was in no condition to speak?

  "Maybe a little more fire will loosen your tongue."

  The high lord screamed again, the sound pounding against Tylen's ears. He shrank beneath it, feeling powerless, a feeling he never wanted to endure again. He thought he would vomit.

  "Tell me now. Where is she?"

  The high lord moaned. "I-I can't. I won't."

  "I told you he could still speak. A little pain does wonders." A long pause. "I'm giving you one more chance. We promise she won't suffer as you have."

  "Your promises mean nothing to me," the high lord said. Tylen could barely hear his voice.

  "Where is she? I can make you hurt worse."

  "Then do it. But you'll kill me at the same time."

  Tylen prayed that they would indeed kill the high lord. To leave the man in such a state seemed far crueler than death. Why did they want Nadia so badly? They did not usually go to such extreme measures for members of the Order

  "One more chance, High Lord Cray. You haven't felt real pain yet. That's the thing about this fire. Yes, it will kill you eventually, but the pain of the burning is far worse than real fire. The rest of those who die today will not know such pain as you have."

  "I don't care. I'm not letting you have her."

  "Very well."

  This time, the high lord's screams were quieter, but Tylen could hear the man's pain. The sound grated like nothing he'd ever heard, until the screams died down a few seconds later.

  "I think you've killed him, sir."

  A few moments of silence. Then, "Damn, I did. Warrick ain't gonna be happy."

  "What now, sir?"

  "We go with the plan. Warrick wanted us to find her as an extra precaution. Most likely, things will work out as he intends. At least I hope so. I've seen Warrick when he's angry. It ain't a pleasant sight."

  Nausea swirled in Tylen's stomach. He wasn't a man to react emotionally, but even he had to feel something for a man who'd been unwilling to betray his daughter, especially a daughter who'd disobeyed him so many times. Tylen would have given up in the same situation, probably before the torture even began.

  "What are your orders, sir?" asked another Imperial Guard.

  "We kill everyone in the castle. Most of the city's buildings should burn easily, so we have to make sure those in the castle don't survive. Get to it, men."

  "Yes, sir," said maybe a dozen Imperial Guards in unison.

  Footsteps sounded against the stone floors as the men walked into the tower, only a few feet from the closet door. Tylen's heart pounded. Would they check inside?

  "I think I should check this closet, make sure no one's hiding."

  "Why would anyone be hiding in there?"

  "It'll only take a few seconds."

  "Don't take too long. Warrick's already started the circle of fire."

  "Don't worry. I'll be quick."

  A woman's bloodcurdling scream came from upstairs, but Tylen paid it no attention, for his own situation looked bleak. He couldn't escape this many Imperial Guards.

  Pulse racing, he ducked beneath the pile of blankets. The door opened.

  Chapter 25: The Inferno

  Nadia looked out the window but couldn't see anything.

  "What was that?" Ander darted toward the door, unsheathing his sword. Nadia watched, feeling acutely her lack of weapons.

  She turned to Kara. "Do you have an extra sword, and maybe a bow?"

  "Of course." Kara dashed into her room. Screams rang out, and the smell of burning wood came in through the inn's windows. Ander and Aric had already run out to investigate, leaving Nadia with Rik and the guards. Behind the counter, Kara's father looked on anxiously.

  More screams sounded, and the smell intensified. Not a simple fire.

  When Kara returned, she had a sword, bow, and quiver of arrows—all of which she handed to Nadia. Nadia took them before Jasin could stop her and strapped them all to her light traveling clothes.


  "We need to stay in here," Jasin said.

  Nadia glared at him. "Do we really want to stay inside a wooden building?"

  "She has a point," David said.

  Nadia looked out the window and could see the glow of many fires. The smell of smoke assaulted her, and she coughed. "I'm getting out of here. Stop me if you want."

  "I'm going with you," Kara said.

  "What about Aric and Ander?" Nadia asked.

  Kara looked uncomfortable. "They can handle themselves."

  Nadia felt a twinge in her stomach. If Kara lost Aric, that would be devastating. They were cousins but had a relationship more like siblings.

  "Be careful," said Kara's father.

  Kara turned to him. "Aren't you coming?"

  "Don't worry about me. I've got a few things to do here, then I'll go. Got some priceless things I wouldn't want to lose." He shuffled off into another room. Kara looked pale as she watched him go, and Nadia could understand her fears.

  Nadia thought suddenly of her own family, who could be in danger. She looked toward the door. "Let's get going."

  Kara followed while Rik pulled his axe from his back. David and Jasin both took position behind Nadia. Flames danced before Nadia's eyes, and her breathing felt constricted. Her guards stepped out the door first. She, Kara, and Rik followed, peering toward the dancing flames.

  Nadia coughed in the thick smoke but kept moving, panic rising in her chest. Scream after scream sounded. People shouted for family members. In the distance, someone was issuing commands amidst the growing flames.

  Kara looked toward the fires. "How is this possible?"

  Nadia edged closer to her. "I don't know. We need to check on my family."

  Kara frowned, pointing south toward the castle. "The fire's biggest that way. Are you sure that's a good direction to go? Your father has guards. They'll protect him."

  "I wish I could believe that," Nadia said, fear twisting her stomach into knots as she raced through the thick smoke, coughing. People ran along the streets and did not stop to speak.

  Two Imperial Guards emerged from a nearby alley, looking remarkably calm. They had to be causing this chaos. The Imperial Guards saw them, and one shouted, "Get them!"

  Nadia's heart leapt, and she readied an arrow. She let it fly as one of the Imperial Guards approached. He didn't raise his sword in time to deflect it, and it pierced his forehead. Nadia expected the other Imperial Guard to back off, but instead the man made a quick motion with his hand, and flames erupted in front of her.

  She screamed and fell backwards as the flames danced closer. Through the fire, she watched Kara charge toward the Imperial Guard, but a wall of flame stopped her. At the same time, the fire in front of Nadia died. She scrambled to her feet and readied another arrow while the Imperial Guard was focused on Kara.

  But Nadia didn't need to shoot him. When Rik and David both charged toward the man, he turned and fled, disappearing into a nearby alley.

  Nadia rushed over to Kara. "Are you all right?"

  "A little singed, but I'll be fine."

  The group of five came together, glancing at the rising smoke. Nadia could make no sense of this attack. Why were the Imperial Guards trying to kill everyone in Crayden? Warrick didn't like to kill too many of his subjects.

  Rik held his axe ready. "We need to get Markus out of prison."

  "Of course," Nadia said. "He could die in there, and this is our best chance."

  A heavy layer of smoke drifted over from the next street, and with it came muffled screams. Nadia wished she could help everyone, but she lacked the ability. Surely Imperial Guards couldn't destroy an entire city, even with Warrick's powers.

  "We should get back to the castle," Jasin said.

  Nadia glared at him. "I'm saving Markus. You're welcome to come, but you're not stopping me."

  Jasin glanced back and forth, chewing on his lower lip, then took off toward the castle. Good riddance.

  "I'll come with you," David said. "I swore to protect you."

  "Thank you," Nadia said, but her stomach churned. The deaths of Varek and Len were a horrible weight upon her chest, a weight she could never lift.

  They took off to the north, toward the prison, which sat close to the mountains overlooking the city. When they reached the next street, they came across a crowd of fleeing people, including some small children screaming and huddled close to their parents. Five Imperial Guards emerged from a nearby alley, and flames erupted around the parents and their children.

  Nadia started to rush forward, but Kara pulled her back behind a building, just out of view of the Imperial Guards.

  "You can't help everyone," Kara said.

  Nadia strained against her grip. "They're killing children!"

  "She's right," Rik said, restraining her as well. At last, she calmed down, though her heart still ached. How could Warrick do something so evil?

  Nadia peered around the corner of the building, watching with wide-eyed horror as Imperial Guards marched along the street, setting fire to everything and everyone in sight.

  Rik's voice was thick with emotion. "Let's get to Markus. Now's our chance."

  Distantly, a small girl shrieked. Nadia's stomach lurched. Another child dead. Another murder in cold blood.

  "Come on," Kara said.

  "Right." Nadia took off running with the rest of the group. They couldn't move too fast, though, for they often had to check for Imperial Guards

  The smoke thickened, and Nadia coughed more and more. The others tried to cover their mouths to no avail. How much longer could they deal with the suffocating air? How long until the city was destroyed, everyone in it dead?

  A fiery glow surrounded them, though none of the buildings around them were on fire. Odd. When they passed a row of tall buildings, she discovered the source of the glow, and her heart dropped into her stomach.

  "Oh my god!" she shouted. "What the hell is that?"

  * * * * *

  Tylen huddled beneath the musty blankets, his heart pounding in his ears. His breathing seemed so loud that the Imperial Guard could surely hear it.

  Steel boots thudded against the stone floor, coming closer and closer. Tylen held his breath, praying that the Imperial Guard wouldn't check under the blankets. A moment later, the blankets shifted. Something long and sharp hit Tylen's arm.

  The guardsman's sword.

  Tylen flinched away, worried the man might have seen the movement—or that he might have noticed a change in the consistency of the pile of blankets. Again and again, the Imperial Guard stabbed his sword into the blankets, seemingly at random. Tylen got hit again and felt a sharp sting on his back.

  "Come on, let's get going," said a different Imperial Guard. "Nothing there."

  "Thought I felt something."

  "Just your imagination. We need to get outta here before the fire comes."

  Their steel-booted steps faded into the distance, but Tylen waited a couple minutes before moving. After he threw the blankets aside, he stepped into the room at the base of the tower.

  Imperial Guards still stood in the foyer. Before they could see him, he raced up the spiraling staircase. At the top, he ducked into the first room, where an older woman with graying hair lay dead on the stone floor, blood forming a pool around her. He felt a little sick, so he went into the next room instead.

  This one looked like Nadia's room. She had done her best to strip the room of anything lavish. Everything looked as though it served some functional purpose.

  Tylen started to relax, but then he looked out the window.

  * * * * *

  Theo watched the chaos unfold from a second-floor balcony attached to the Imperial Guard garrison. Even during his time as an Imperial Guard, he had never been asked to do anything like this. Now Theo understood Markus's refusal to serve Warrick. The man truly was evil, though he'd never struck Theo that way on the occasions Theo had seen him.

  From his high vantage point, Theo was the first to see the giant wal
l of flame encircling the entire city. The fire was the brightest Theo had ever seen, a creation of powerful magic.

  Warrick himself had made an appearance.

  The fire moved closer, menacing and beautiful as it cast its orange glow upon the mountains surrounding the city. Theo caught a hint of motion below. He peered over the railing to see Imperial Guards converging on the building. Of course. The Imperial Guards would use the teleportation chamber to leave the city before the flames converged on them.

  Everyone else in Crayden would die.

  But Theo had a plan of his own. He could save those still alive by using the Imperial Guard seal to access the teleportation chamber.

  * * * * *

  Nadia stared at the towering wall of flame as it inched closer to the city. The other three gaped at it with open mouths.

  "How the hell are we gonna get around that?" Rik asked.

  "I-I have no idea," Nadia said.

  Kara kept her voice calm. "First things first. Let's free Markus."

  "Right," Rik said.

  Heart pounding, Nadia took off with the rest of the group. She glanced up at the wall of flames every few seconds, judging its progress. The smoke had grown thicker than ever.

  "The prison's close to the edge of the city," David said. "We won't have much time."

  They increased their pace, nearly sprinting. Clouds of smoke drifted across the city, thickening and thinning at random. Even when the smoke was thin, Nadia couldn't stop from coughing. Sheer determination kept her going.

  The prison came into view, and Nadia felt a jolt of fear. Flames soared from the building's roof, which looked as if it were about to collapse.

  They stopped a few feet from the burning building.

  "This is not good," David said. "You sure about going in there?"

  Nadia stared at the prison. "We have to. Once it burns down, it will collapse. It might take a very long time to dig down to where Markus is. It might not even be possible. We have to save him now."

  "I'm going in with you," Kara said, her expression grim.

  Rik tightened his grip on his axe. "Me, too."