"I figured she must have done something like that," Kara said. "Back home, that's what happens to people who grow up on the streets."
Aren started walking. “I know where we can find them, these thieves. They might know something.”
Kara followed, wishing she could feel more certain. Her mind swam with images of Lena, of all the other people who’d died recently.
They walked along the mostly deserted streets, passing stone buildings and countless Sunset soldiers. The soldiers eyed them suspiciously but didn't stop them. Sometimes the soldiers would gesture for them to take another path. Aren and Kara obeyed without hesitation. Better not to attract extra attention.
They traveled from a wealthier district with wide and clean streets to a place where the stone buildings looked cracked and worn with age, where the paved streets gave way to rocky paths. Here, there were fewer soldiers. A lot of people stood against the walls of buildings, staring off into space as if they had no idea what to do.
Kara hung close to Aren. Neither of them spoke as they kept their eyes on the people around them. This kind of situation, with all its chaos, was a perfect opportunity for thieves to steal a purse or two, but no one accosted them.
Aren led Kara to a rundown building in the center of this poorer district. A few people stood around this building, watching them with suspicion. The building looked ordinary, but that didn’t surprise Kara. Thieves wouldn’t want to attract too much attention. Chest tight, she followed Aren toward a nearby door.
A sentry stood by the door, frowning at them, a sword strapped across his back. “What business do you have here?”
“I’m a friend of Lena’s,” Aren said.
“And where is she?” asked the sentry. His frown softened.
Aren hesitated, as if he couldn’t voice the words. “She died in the battle.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, but I’d still like to know what business you have here. Lena used to be a member, yes, but she decided years ago to leave us. Why do you think we’d help you with anything?” He scratched his lightly bearded chin. “You looking for a job with us?”
“No,” Aren said. “We’re looking for information.”
“And what do you have to offer us?”
Aren chuckled without humor. “Not a whole lot.”
“Then why should we help you?”
“You’re right,” Aren said. "You have no reason to help us. Sorry for bothering you.”
He turned to leave, but Kara gripped his arm, yanking him back toward the sentry. Yes, Lena’s death was tragic, but it was no reason to give up. However foolish his promise might have been, he had made it, and these thieves were the only ones who could help Kara get home.
“All we want to know,” she said, “is the location of Tobias the sorcerer.”
The sentry’s frown deepened. “And why should we give you this information?”
Kara’s chest felt suddenly lighter. “So you do know where he is?”
“I never said that. Now move along before we decide you’re annoying us too much.”
Kara felt on the verge of tears. She couldn't fail like this. “I’m trying to get home. I was taken to the Shadowed Land against my will. Tobias is the only person who can help me get home.” Now her tears did flow, and she let the sentry see them. “Can you really deny me that chance? Don’t you have people you care about? How would you feel if you were separated from them and someone denied you the only chance you might have to see them again?”
“Look.” The sentry scratched at his beard again. “I’m just guarding the place. I don’t want to get in trouble by letting you in.”
“Where’s your leader?” Kara asked. “Maybe he’ll be more receptive to our plight.”
The sentry chewed on his lower lip. “All right, you can come in, but I’m keeping an eye on you.”
“Thank you,” Kara said, following the sentry through the open doorway. The room inside was dark, and only a few people milled about. No one paid them much attention as they crossed the stone floor, heading toward a closed door at the room’s far end.
The sentry hesitated at the door, then knocked. A voice from within said, “Come in.”
The sentry opened the door. The man on the other side—middle-aged and bald with a few days’ growth of beard—watched them with narrowed eyes and a tight frown.
“Who’re you?” he demanded. The sentry shuffled out of the room as if he wished to avoid his leader’s wrath.
“We’re friends of Lena’s,” Aren said.
The man’s expression softened. “Where is she? Is she all right?”
“I’m afraid not,” Aren said, his expression distant and haunted. “She died in the battle.”
“Damned Sunset Army,” said the man. His mouth thinned in anger, but this time the anger wasn't directed at Kara and Lena. “She was a good thief, one of my best. I wish she hadn’t left us.” He shook his head slowly. “But I know she never truly enjoyed this life.”
“She was happy as a tracker,” Aren said. “But she still had kind words for your organization. You helped her when everyone else turned their backs on her.”
The man laughed. “Now don’t start acting like I did it out of the goodness of my heart. I helped her because she could help us. I’m in this to make money.”
“Of course,” Aren said.
“Now you must be Aren,” the man said. “She told you about me when she visited a while back.” He turned his gaze to Kara. “But who’re you?”
“My name is Kara. I was taken here from Terra.”
The man’s expression twitched in what looked like genuine sympathy. “I’m sorry to hear that.” He held out a hand for her to shake. “I’m Willem, leader of the Shadows.” He released Kara’s hand and paced a few steps. “Now, why’re you here?”
“We need to find the sorcerer Tobias,” Aren said.
“He might know how I can get home," Kara said.
“Well, I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” Willem said. “But you are lucky in one way. He’s here with us. After the battle, he went into hiding here. As thieves, we’re very good at hiding people when they don’t want to be found.”
“Can you take us to him?” Kara asked.
“I can. But what’s in it for me?”
“The knowledge that you helped someone in need,” Kara said, knowing the words sounded stupid as soon as they escaped her mouth.
Willem laughed. “I think you have me confused for a good person.”
“Then you aren’t going to help us?” Kara asked.
“I can’t help everybody who comes in here with a tragic story.” He stepped toward the door. “But as it so happens, there’s not a lot going on right now. We’re playing a waiting game with the Sunset Army. We've gotta see what their occupation's like before we get things back to normal. So I guess I’ll help you 'cause there’s nothing better to do.”
“Thank you,” Kara said. She had the feeling he truly did want to help them. He was only coming up with an excuse to make it sound like he didn’t.
He stepped through the doorway. “Follow me.”
They trailed after him through the stone building’s main chamber, then into a narrow corridor. After a few twists and turns, they reached a dead end.
Willem turned to Aren. “Touch the wall here with your staff.”
Aren did so, and a low rumble began. Soon the wall slid out of the way, revealing a well-lit chamber beyond. A man sat in a cushioned chair, watching them approach. The man had dark hair and was clean-shaven.
He rose as they reached him. “Willem, who are these people?”
“We're friends of Lena’s,” Aren said. “You do remember her, don’t you?”
Tobias nodded. “Yes. Is she all right?”
“She died here in the battle,” Aren said. Every time he said those words, his expression became more pained.
“A lot of people died today,” Tobias said. “So senseless. So tragic.” He studied them with a frown. “Why are y
ou here?”
Aren put a hand on Kara’s shoulder. “Because I made a promise to Kara here. I’m going to get her home. I’m going to find a way to get her out of the Shadowed Land.” He hesitated a moment. “You’re the only person who can help us.”
Tobias had the appearance of a forty-year-old man, but his eyes betrayed the weariness of someone much older. “I only know of two ways to escape the Shadowed Land.”
“What are they?” Kara asked.
“It is said that Krinir has the power to send a person out of the Shadowed Land. There’s also a place called the Nexus, but it’s deep within a dangerous network of underground tunnels that we call the Labyrinth. If you can find it, the Nexus is a path to the many worlds connected to each other by the Shadowed Land.” He stroked his chin. “However, I should warn you that both paths are very dangerous and will require long journeys. Even if we do reach the Nexus, it's much more likely to send you to one of the other worlds, and once you reach another world, you’re trapped there.”
Kara's stomach roiled. “So you’re saying that Krinir is our best option? Based on what I’ve heard about him, he sounds evil.”
“Evil is such a subjective term. No doubt he thinks he’s doing the right thing. Most people do. I have no idea if he’ll help you, but he is the best option. Unfortunately.”
“Then all we have to do is find him?” Kara asked.
“If it only it were that easy,” Tobias said. “The Shadowed Land is a very dangerous place, and the journey will require us to go through some of the worst areas. It would be easier to accept that you’re stuck here.”
“I will never accept that,” Kara said.
Tobias nodded. “I had the feeling you wouldn’t.”
“How do we get there?” Kara asked.
“There’s no need to tell you.” Tobias stepped over and stood next to them. “I’m coming with you.”
Chapter 31: An Attempted Rescue
Berig walked to the edge of Clan Forest Snake, accompanied by Zak and Lara. When they reached the forest bordering the settlement, Zak held up a hand to halt their progress.
"I'm afraid I can't go with you," he said. "The clan needs me."
Lara put a hand on Berig's shoulder. "But I will come with you."
"You sure that's a good idea?" Berig asked. "You good with weapons?
"These are the Clanlands." Lara gestured to the sword on her hip and the bow strapped across her back. "Everybody learns how to use weapons. Besides, if any of your friends are injured, you'll need me to heal them."
Berig scratched his head. "Yeah, I guess that makes sense."
"Be careful." Zak pulled his daughter into a tight hug.
"I'm always careful, Father."
Zak chuckled softly. "That's not the word I'd use."
They parted, and Berig and Lara began their march into the forest. Berig had strapped a sword to his back, but it still felt like it didn't belong there. If they needed to use it, he had no idea what he'd do.
"You're worried," Lara said as she pushed aside a low-hanging branch.
"How could I not be worried? We're gonna die out here."
"We'll have the search party with us," Lara said. "Our goal is to find them."
"But even if we find them, we've still gotta save my friends."
"One step at a time, Berig. You told me you don't like to think ahead, but that's exactly what you're doing now."
He chuckled without humor. "Maybe that's why I don't like looking ahead. All I can see is the worst possibilities. Feels like I'm cursed.
"You're not cursed. You simply have a great destiny ahead of you."
"Sounds like the same thing to me."
"I've noticed something about you," Lara said as they followed a narrow path snaking between the trees. "You always dwell on the negative. I understand that it's difficult to remain positive at a time like this, but we need all the hope we can get."
Berig let out a long breath. "Look. I ain't trying to be like that. It's just the way I am. You know what it's like to grow up on the streets in a big city? I'll tell you this. It ain't fun."
"You do have a point there. All I've ever known is clan life. I've had people who care about me and the protection of a strong community. I've heard tales from travelers about the poverty in big cities. It sounds terrible. Maybe I shouldn't blame you for your outlook on life."
Berig was surprised to hear that. Most people criticized him for the way he looked at things without ever trying to understand why. He looked at Lara and felt as if a hand had twisted around his heart. She was beautiful and appeared to care about Berig.
He'd given up on Danica. She'd made it clear that she was interested in Aric. Maybe it was time for Berig to put his hopes in someone new.
But how could someone so beautiful and kind and intelligent ever love Berig? And why was Berig even thinking about this? He had a mission to accomplish.
Lara held up a hand, halting their progress. "I see fresh tracks here. They seem to be heading this direction, and they're human in shape. This has to be the search party."
Berig glanced off to the right, where she'd pointed. "You sure?"
"Yes. That's also the direction of the goblins' caves."
Berig's mouth felt dry. "So I guess we've gotta follow 'em."
Lara nodded, and they walked in silence, tracking the search party. With every step they took, Berig felt it was harder to breathe. They were going to die. He was sure of it.
It wasn't that he thought his life was worth much. He just didn't want to die. Despite everything he'd been through, everything people like Cyrus had told him, he still had trouble believing in a God or an afterlife. As far as he knew, this life was all he had. He couldn't throw it away needlessly.
"So what're we gonna do when we get to the goblins?" he asked.
"We'll have to remain outside their view and see if we can devise a plan. There's no hope of negotiating with them. They don't know our language, and we don't know theirs."
"But I understood 'em earlier," Berig said.
Lara's eyes were wide. "That's not possible. No one's ever learned their language."
"This is kinda tough to explain, but I don't think I actually know their language. No, it's more like I heard their grunting language and ours at the same time. After a while, I barely heard the grunting anymore. I understood 'em perfectly."
"Interesting," Lara said distantly. "Maybe you truly are special."
Special. Berig wasn't so sure about that. But then he thought of how he could see in the dark and pick up sounds other people didn't. He'd always figured his senses were just better, but was there something more to it? Something magical? Understanding a different language had to come from magic.
Lara broke a long silence. "There are still a few problems. We don't know if you can speak their language. It's possible that you can only understand them."
Berig hadn't thought of that.
"And even if they can understand you, there's no guarantee we can negotiate with them. They are a violent species. For the most part, we've learned to leave each other alone. If we stray into their territory, they are not welcoming at all. They think we make good meals."
"Sound like real great people to live around," Berig said. "Or creatures, I guess. Why haven't you wiped 'em out?"
"Because we respect all intelligent life. Even those whose practices we might find distasteful. As I said, we've learned to leave each other alone. It works."
"Then why'd they attack us?" Berig asked.
"Because you must have entered their territory."
"Yeah, I think I heard 'em say something like that."
"They're very protective about their territory." Lara pushed through underbrush that blocked their path. Berig followed, scratching his arms against thorny bushes. He ignored the pain, though. After so much time on the road, he'd learned to shove aside minor discomfort. His feet didn't even bother him anymore.
"And we're about to enter their territory," Berig said.
"I'm afraid so."
They walked for perhaps another hour, pushing through tighter and tighter paths. Soon night fell, and moonlight cast eerie shadows upon everything. Berig could see easily, thanks to his magically-enhanced senses, but he still wished it was brighter.
Whenever a shadow moved in the corner of his vision, he tensed, expecting to see a goblin. But the forest remained quiet, so quiet Berig felt he couldn't breathe.
"How much farther?" he whispered, feeling like something was watching them.
"I'm not entirely sure. I've never been this close to their territory."
In the dark, they couldn't follow the search party's tracks as easily, so they had to move at a slower pace, squinting at the ground. They lost the tracks at least half a dozen times. Twice, they had to backtrack a good five minutes, scanning the ground.
The forest became denser, vines draped across everything. The air felt sticky, and sweat drenched Berig's forehead. He would've given anything for a cool autumn breeze, but it was one of those autumn nights when summer wasn't willing to go away quietly.
Up ahead, a large, rocky hill blocked their path. Trees and scattered bushes had grown out of parts of the hill. They were the only chance anyone had of climbing a hill so steep.
"We gotta climb that?" Berig asked. Even though he was a great climber, he didn't relish the thought. His entire body felt slippery with sweat.
"No, their cave is down here," Lara said. "Or at least I think it is. We should be close."
They skirted the edge of the hill as it turned into a sheer cliff, and they scanned the rocky wall for cave entrances. Of course, there'd be no doubt when they found the entrance. It would be guarded, and the goblins would capture them.
And then eat them.
Berig felt a sudden urge to turn and run in the other direction. That was what he'd done his entire life. Who was he to think he could become a hero? It didn't matter what the Webs of Fate said. This was Berig's decision to make, and he was terrified.
He clutched at Lara's arm. "I-I can't do this."
"Yes, you can, Berig. You spent all that time trying to convince my father to let you do this. This is about saving your friends. Can you turn your back on them now? I might not know you all that well, but I know you couldn't live with that."
World in Chains- The Complete Series Page 75