World in Chains- The Complete Series

by Ryan W. Mueller

  "Yes," Nadia said. "What do you know about the Oasis Outpost?"

  "They don't welcome outsiders. Be careful if you go there. Somewhere in that city, you can find the Order, but they're hidden. The ordinary people of the town distrust anyone they don't know."

  "Sounds like a nice place." Rik said.

  "Would you like to return with us to our campsite?" Dave asked.

  Nadia looked to the others. They both frowned at her, probably thinking the same thing she was. That campsite was a few hours away, a few hours of walking on aching feet. If they were so close to the desert, she'd be glad to have a chance to rest. She would deal with the place's attitude toward outsiders later.

  Then again, they could rest at the campsite. It wouldn't take much time.

  "All right, we'll return with you," she said.

  Dave smiled through his thick beard. "We'll be glad to have you."

  As they made the trek back toward their campsite, Nadia filled the Hunters in on what they were doing in crossing the plains. These people seemed trustworthy, and she felt no hesitation in telling them her story, however much Markus frowned at her.

  When Markus introduced himself, Dave's gaze lingered on him for a few moments, as if he wanted to ask something, but then he turned away.

  The Hunters looked a little rough and unkempt. Three of the men, Dave included, wore thick beards. The other two wore a few days' growth of stubble on their faces. The women were a little more attentive to their appearances, but they never would have passed for noblewomen. Everyone introduced themselves, but Nadia struggled to keep the names straight.

  When they reached the campsite, dawn was approaching. They all sat down for a meal. The Hunters shared their food, refusing to accept anything Nadia offered.

  "We require no payment from travelers," Dave said.

  "I still feel like we should give you something," Nadia said.

  Dave held up a hand. "Don't worry about it. We've got plenty."

  And they did. From their stores, they took fresher meat and bread. Nadia, Markus, and Rik enjoyed their first quality meal since Riverside. The Hunters seemed pleased to offer them anything, and Nadia was surprised to see such generosity from strangers, especially strangers with such rough appearances. They looked more likely to rob travelers than feed them.

  The Hunters ate with animal-like enthusiasm, but Nadia could forgive them that. She could forgive a lot when someone had saved her life.

  "Why don't you eat the wolf meat?" Nadia asked.

  "It's poisonous," Dave said with his mouth full. "Eat a little bit and you get violently ill. Eat any more and you might die. That's why we know they're evil, that among other things."

  Nadia swallowed a mouthful of meat and bread. "What do you think of our quest?"

  Dave stroked his beard. "It sounds insane, but you seem like the type of people who can make it work. We've dreamed for years of someone killing Warrick. Yes, we've carved out a life here, but a return to society would be nice. We miss some of the comforts of life in the cities. But we do not miss the Imperial Guards."

  "Can anyone really miss them?" Rik said.

  Dave looked pensive, as if recalling bad memories. "Well, there are those who feel comfortable with the rule of law. They'll support those in power no matter how distasteful they find their rule. Warrick's powerful, but he wouldn't rule so effectively if more people would oppose him."

  "I've always thought the same thing," Nadia said. "No one would listen to me."

  Dave smiled. "Then they're unwise."

  "So you really think we have a chance?" she said.

  "There's always a chance. Never forget that."

  * * * * *

  Darien lay on the stone floor in the room where he read the Webs of Fate, feeling more exhausted than he'd felt in a long time. He'd spent far too much time watching Nadia, Markus, and Rik. Reading the future was exhausting. Watching the present was even worse.

  Keeping them alive was the toughest task of all.

  Twice, he'd needed to intervene to save the party. First, he'd redirected the path of the giant tornado. Since he'd created the Plain of Storms, he had some control over it. However, it took a great deal of energy for him to alter the path of the tornado. Afterward, he'd needed a few days to recover. He'd allowed no one to see him: no visitors, no petitioners, not even his steward.

  He'd needed all his energy to keep track of the two parties. After all, Berig still needed his attention. If Berig died, all would be lost.

  Darien had never experienced such a difficult period.

  Just now, he'd saved Nadia, Markus, and Rik from those wolves. More indirectly, though. He'd created other animals to attract the Hunters' attention so that they would be where they needed to be when those wolves appeared. Darien could create additional animals on the plains, but he struggled to get rid of those already present.

  He hated to admit it, but he'd needed help to save the party this time.

  And he felt sick to his stomach when he thought of the next step of their journey. He could not penetrate the barrier Cyrus had erected around the Oasis Outpost, so he could not save them when danger threatened within. And it would. The Webs were clear about that.

  Again, Darien hated feeling that he wasn't in control.

  Chapter 42: The Red Plateau

  The Red Plateau seemed still and silent around Berig as they walked through a wide canyon, climbing over jagged rocks. The sun beat down on Berig's neck, and sweat drenched his clothing. Already, he missed the mist and shade from the swamp.

  "So what kinda stuff is there gonna be here?" he asked.

  Ander continued forward. "I'm not sure. Few texts describe this place."

  "But haven't people been through here before?" Danica asked.

  "They have," Aric said. "But every person's encountered different monsters, so we really have no idea what to expect. Whatever comes, we'll handle it."

  Berig had grown to like Aric's optimism and wished he could adopt that attitude himself. But how could he after so much suffering?

  As they walked, Berig's feet ached, but he refused to slow the group and become a burden. He still couldn't understand why they'd let him come along, why they treated him as an equal. He was a failure, nothing more.

  Their path was unchanging. The rocks all looked the same. There were no caves, no hills, no valleys. Nothing to provide any clues as to where they were going. At least there was only one path. If the path branched off eventually, they'd have to make a decision, and Berig had a sudden vision of an intricate maze.

  He came up beside Talia. "How're you doing?"

  She kept walking, avoiding his gaze. "I don't want to talk about it."

  "Just trying to help," he said. "People usually find me easy to talk to."

  Still, she didn't turn. "I'm not the kind of person who likes talking through these things. I know you mean well, Berig, but I need my space. Whatever you might think, I don't blame you."

  That didn't comfort him. He'd never fared well when people around him were in bad moods, as he had the unfortunate habit of taking on their moods.

  He fell back to the rear of the party, staring at the ground as he walked.

  "She'll get over it in time," Danica said. "She's strong."

  Berig forced a smile. "Yeah, she is. Wish I could be the same way."

  "Then you should focus on changing that. It doesn't matter what you've been in the past. People can change, and I see the spark of change in you, Berig."

  "Glad someone does."

  "It's that attitude that holds you back. I'm not saying change is easy. You have to work for it." Danica frowned. "Berig, I get the sense that you've always drifted through life. You've never had any goals apart from living to see the next day. You feel so beaten down by everything that's happened to you that you don't want to dream of anything more."

  "Maybe you're right," Berig said, navigating a tricky section of the path.

  Danica held on to him to get through that obstacle, a
nd he liked the feeling of her touch. All his life, he'd never felt love for anyone. He couldn't decide if he felt the way about Danica, but she'd paid attention to him in a way no one ever had before.

  "You took the first step toward change," she said. "You chose to come with us on this journey. The old Berig, the one who drifted through life, would not have made that decision. Whatever you might think about yourself, Crayden changed you. It changed all of us."

  "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."

  "Don't think it matters what I say. That's just superstiti
on."

  "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 what 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?