"I'm sorry you feel that way," Danica said. This time, she didn't put a hand on his shoulder. "But you've changed as a person. You've become a better person. You have to forgive yourself for the person you used to be."
Klint turned away. "I wish it was that easy."
He fell silent, and no one spoke as they traveled. That afternoon, they reached a settlement that filled the small gap between the mountains and the sea. Here, buildings of wood and stone stood along haphazard streets. People milled about, dressed in the simple working clothes most of the clans wore. To Berig's surprise, the men didn't wear braided beards. Some even walked the streets without noticeable weapons. They looked almost respectable.
When the party reached the edge of town, the Clan Blue Fish guards greeted them. "Welcome, travelers," said the guard on the right, a young man with no beard. "What brings you to Cliffside?"
Berig whispered in Lara's ear. "This isn't the welcome I expected."
"I know," she said. "This is strange."
"We're just passing through," Aric said to the guard. "On our way to Seaside."
"Travelers are welcome here," said the other guard, a slightly older man with a short beard. "Just make sure you stay out of trouble. You should keep your weapons sheathed at all times. Don't want to make anyone nervous."
Aric nodded. "Don't worry. We won't make any trouble."
"There's a new inn toward the center of town," said the same guard. "Can't miss it."
"Is this still Clan Blue Fish?" Lara asked.
"In some ways, yes," said the younger guard. "Many of the people here were originally members of Clan Blue Fish, but we've since decided we'd rather live like the people of Seaside. One day, the clan chief might challenge us, but for now, we've been left in peace, free to find our own way of life."
"Do you still keep the Seaside army out?" Lara asked.
"They haven't been around for a while. I think they've given up."
Lara took in everything with wide eyes. "This isn't what I expected."
"That seems to happen all too often these days," Klint said.
As they made their way toward that inn, Berig wondered what other surprises their adventure had prepared for them.
Chapter 51: A Dangerous New Companion
By the time Kara's party reached Green City, her ribs felt better. They'd encountered a few monsters along the way, but nothing Tobias and Aren couldn't handle. Twice, they'd hidden from the Sunset Army. Once, they'd encountered bandits.
The mist was thinner than usual today, so they caught their first glimpse of Green City from perhaps a mile away. Kara realized how the city had earned its name. Where the rest of the Shadowed Land was barren and rocky, Green City was covered in grass and plants. Trees stood along its cobblestone streets. The city looked beautiful, undamaged.
"How'd they manage this?" she asked.
"Sorcery," Tobias said. "A lot of sorcery."
Kara felt an overwhelming sense of awe. "How powerful are these people?"
"More powerful than me, I’m afraid."
"Let's head into the city," Aren said. He'd been quiet these last few days, and Kara had given him his space. She understood how it felt to mourn loved ones.
Then there were all the people she might lose. Ander, Aric, and Nadia could all be dead by now, victims of the ruins of Woodsville. Kara had no idea how much time had passed since she'd entered the Shadowed Land. With no sun to mark the hour, she could only determine time's passage by how often they ate and slept.
They started down the hill toward the city, following the warded road. At the bottom, they reached the edge of the city, where people walked the cobblestone streets, looking relaxed and happy. Kara hadn't seen much of that here in the Shadowed Land.
"Is the Sunset Empire really so bad?" she asked Tobias. "Look at what they've done here."
Tobias kept his voice low. "Like any people, they have both their good and bad sides. Perhaps their goals are not so evil, but their methods are. Just look at what they did to Millersville. I don't care what your goal is. What they did was unacceptable."
"I still don't understand why they did it," Kara said. "I assume it was on Krinir's orders. But why does he want to rule the Shadowed Land? What does he gain from it?"
"It's part of his nature," Tobias said as they reached the edge of the city. "He's the Destroyer. In order to destroy the world most effectively, he needs to rule the world. Once, he could control his nature and destroy more judiciously. Now I don't think he cares anymore, or perhaps he has other motives. I'm not sure."
Aren's face was a mask of anger. "I don't care what his motives are. I will make him pay."
Kara placed a hand on his shoulder. "I don't like this change in you. You're not supposed to be an angry person. I can tell."
He pulled away from her touch. "Millersville wasn't supposed to be destroyed either. You can't tell me you can ignore what they did."
"No, I can't, but I still don't think you can accomplish anything."
"I'll find a way. I have to."
"But first we're going to get Kara home," Tobias said.
"Yes, of course." But Aren's response sounded distant and forced. Kara worried that he would abandon them, seeking his vengeance. She'd seen that same kind of determination in Nadia. Like her, Aren could only go so long without fulfilling his desire.
They passed countless people, walking beneath the blue magical light of streetlamps. Those lamps even provided some warmth. Though the Shadowed Land wasn't all that cold, the mist always made Kara shiver. To her surprise, there was no mist here in the city.
"What exactly are we doing here?" she asked.
"Looking for an old friend of mine," Tobias said. "His name's Josef. He's also a sorcerer. He knows a lot about Krinir, and he might be able to help us."
"You sure we can trust him?" Kara asked.
Tobias hesitated. "Well, he's more of a supporter of Krinir than I am, but that doesn't make him a bad person. If he can help us, he will."
That wasn't a convincing argument, but if Kara wanted to get home, she needed this sorcerer's help. She had to trust that Tobias had judged his old friend's character accurately.
They traveled toward the center of the city, where the streets were even more crowded. Horse-drawn carts rattled along the cobblestone streets. At the center of the city was an open-air market. Tobias had money, so they acquired food here.
Food in hand, they found a stone bench at the edge of a park. The place had walking trails and stone benches. The magical lamps overhead warmed the air. Here, there were even birds and insects. Kara felt as if she'd returned home.
But she hadn't. This was all the product of evil sorcery.
They ate beneath a towering tree. Dozens of people passed them on the nearby walking path, sparing only a glance or two for them. In a city of so many people, Tobias explained, it was impossible to know everybody. They wouldn't arouse any suspicion, even in their tattered travel clothing. Kara wasn't so sure about that, but she figured Tobias knew what he was doing.
After they finished eating, Tobias led them to a giant building surrounded by a sprawling green lawn. A massive stone fence encircled the property, and two guards flanked the fence's only gate.
"What business do you have at the Academy?" demanded one of the guards.
"We're here to see Josef," Tobias said. "My name's Tobias, and I'm an old friend of his. Could you kindly relay this message to him?"
One of the guards turned and walked toward the building.
"Don't even think of trying anything," said the other guard. He gestured broadly toward the yard. "There are more of us in there. If you do anything suspicious, we'll kill you."
Tobias gave him a smile. "We intend nothing of the sort."
"Good."
They waited for the guard to return. When he did, he was accompanied by a dark-haired man with a neatly trimmed beard. The man looked about forty. As he approached, he offered a wide smile to Tobias. "It's nice to see you again,
old friend."
"Likewise," Tobias said, a little stiffly.
"What brings you here?" Josef asked. "We haven't seen each other in years."
"I'd prefer to discuss that in private."
"Then follow me. Your friends, too."
Though Kara had a few reservations, she followed Tobias and Josef toward the large stone building. Giant blue lamps cast their magical light upon everything, and Kara could almost imagine these lamps were the sky back home. Almost.
Josef led them into the building. The corridor within was bright and welcoming, with polished stone floors and walls. Red runners of carpet stretched along the floor. Inside, the magical lamps provided golden light instead of blue, warming the look of the place.
The corridors were crowded with people, most dressed in robes of varying colors. Josef explained that each color corresponded to a different class level at the Academy.
Kara felt curious despite her reservations. "Do you teach magic here?"
"Among other things," Josef said. "Magic is a big part of what we teach, but we believe in educating people in a variety of subjects. Unfortunately, we can't teach true sorcery. Only those of us who were exiled have any talent for sorcery." He pushed through a door, and they all followed as he took a seat behind a desk and motioned for them to settle down in chairs across from him. "All right. What did you want to talk to me about?"
"We need to find Krinir," Tobias said.
Josef's eyes widened. "Now that's an interesting request."
"He's my only chance of getting home," Kara said. "I'm not from the Shadowed Land."
Josef leaned against his polished wooden desk. "Well, it isn't the only way, but it is the most reliable."
"Are you talking about the Nexus?" Kara asked.
"Yes, but I imagine Tobias has told you the dangers of using the Nexus. It might take you back to your world, but it might also send you to another world, or simply to another part of the Shadowed Land. There are many worlds and just as many parts of the Shadowed Land, so you have a nearly zero chance of getting home."
"Are you sure our odds would be any better with Krinir?" Kara asked. "I mean, if he can send us back, why doesn't he leave the Shadowed Land himself?"
Josef stroked his dark beard. "It's the nature of the Shadowed Land. It is meant as a prison for Krinir. He can't escape himself, but he might be able to send others back."
"I don't like the word might," Kara said. "I want some certainty."
Josef fixed her with a stern look. "Well, this is real life. There's no such thing as complete certainty. Do you want to go home or not?"
As much as she feared seeing Krinir, as much as she didn't trust Josef, she had to conclude that finding Krinir was her best option. "I do want to go home," she said. "I’m just worried that this journey to Krinir might be for nothing."
"That's possible," Josef said, "but if it doesn't work out, there's always the Nexus."
For the first time, Aren spoke. "Can you give us some kind of map that will lead us to Krinir?"
Kara saw the look in Aren's eyes, and knew what it meant. Revenge.
"I can give you something better than a map," Josef said. "I'm coming with you."
Kara felt as if a hand had twisted her insides. She didn't trust Josef at all.
"But don't you have responsibilities here?" Tobias asked.
Josef laughed. "I'm one of the most powerful sorcerers in the world. I can do whatever I want."
"But why do you want to come with us?" Kara asked.
"I've tired of my stable life here. There was once a time when I was very close to Krinir. I'd like to see what I can do for him now."
That answer didn't satisfy Kara. She could see suspicion in Aren's eyes, too. Tobias, on the other hand, looked as if he'd accepted his old friend's words without question. Did Tobias know Josef better, or was Tobias blinded by his old friendship?
"How do we know you aren't leading us into a trap?" Kara asked.
Josef was about to answer, but Tobias spoke first. "I trust him, and so should you."
"That's not a good enough answer," Aren said. "All we have is your word. I've heard you're a good man, Tobias, but that doesn't mean you're right about everything."
"Look at it this way," Josef said. "Some of the places you have to go are very dangerous. I'm a very powerful sorcerer. You want me as your ally." He leaned on his desk. "Besides, I'm not just going to give you a map to Krinir. He doesn't like to have his whereabouts known by too many. No, it's better if I lead you there.
Better for you, maybe, Kara thought. But will it be better for us?
"It's settled, then," Tobias said. "We should leave as soon as possible."
To Kara, the matter felt anything but settled.
Chapter 52: Where the Road Leads
Kara, Aren, Tobias, and Josef spent one night at the Academy before setting out. She was tired, but she didn't complain. The sooner she returned home, the better. She thought of all her friends who had to think she was lost forever. How hard was Nadia taking it?
At least Kara could pretend that Nadia was alive and well, that she had succeeded in her quest to kill Warrick. A hollow hope, but it kept Kara going.
Josef paid for supplies in Green City, and then they started east on the warded road. "When we reach the mountains east of here, the roads end," he said. "There will be no wards to protect us. You'll need my help." He smiled as if he'd enjoyed this last comment too much.
"And mine," Tobias said, though he looked terrified at the thought.
They passed the occasional traveler headed in the other direction. The Sunset Army also patrolled the road, but took little notice of the party. After all, they looked like any other travelers, and as Kara had determined before, these Sunset soldiers were disciplined professionals. They would face harsh penalties if they accosted travelers.
Kara and her party passed through a few cities, but they didn't stay longer than one day anywhere. The longer they walked, the more Kara lost track of time. The mist felt suffocating at times, and she longed more and more to see blue skies again.
When Kara asked why they hadn't purchased horses, Josef explained that horses were very expensive. He was a wealthy man, but he couldn't buy anything he wanted, not when the Sunset Army had such dire need of horses. Once they left the warded road, the horses would be vulnerable as well. No horse was strong enough to fight the monsters of the Shadowed Land.
The journey continued for weeks, tiring and uneventful. Josef remained aloof most of the time, giving Kara few chances to know him better, and even fewer chances to trust him. Tobias often spent time with his old friend and fellow sorcerer, leaving Kara alone with Aren.
At night, Kara fell asleep nestled against Aren, feeling secure against his strong body. She wondered if she wanted more from him. He seemed the kind of man she could love, but it was difficult to allow herself such feelings.
It was even more difficult for him. He tried to hide his struggles, but she could tell he had not recovered from losing everyone and everything he'd ever known.
A few days remained before they'd reach the mountains. They had stopped in a small city, where they stayed at a rundown inn. The common room was empty apart from them and a tired-looking innkeeper. They all sat at a table, eating in silence.
"We're not much of a traveling party," Kara said. "We talk so rarely."
Josef leaned on the table. "What is there to talk about that we haven't said a thousand times already? We have our goals."
"What about your past?" she asked.
"I don't want to talk about that."
This was how it had been their entire journey. Whenever she tried to engage Josef and Tobias in anything more than inane conversation, they became evasive. There had to be a history there that neither of them had revealed. How could Kara trust them when they were so secretive?
"All right," Kara said. "Then tell me more about this Nexus, about all the worlds it connects to."
Josef stroked his beard. "Now
there's something I can talk about, though I'm afraid it won't do you any good. The Nexus stands no chance of sending you home, and once you go through it, I don't believe you can return."
Kara had hoped Josef might tell her something new, something that could help her. "But I still wonder if it might work out better than asking Krinir to send me home. After all, why would he have any interest in my fate?"
Josef didn't meet her gaze.
"Is there something you aren't telling me?" she demanded.
"Look. I don't know what might go through Krinir's mind. It's been a long time since I've been closely associated with him. The Great War was centuries ago. Since then, most of his old supporters have drifted apart."
"I still want to know why anyone would support Krinir," Kara said.
Irritation flashed across Josef's face. "Do we have to discuss this?"
"I'd like to know if I can trust you," Kara said. "You've done nothing these last few weeks to make me think you have my best interests in mind."
Josef ran a hand through his beard, which he had kept meticulously trimmed despite all their traveling. "Shouldn't it be enough that I'm helping you?"
"But you're doing it for your own reasons."
"Isn't that why anyone does anything?"
Kara was growing frustrated. She'd accepted that they needed Josef's help, but did he have to be so distant? Did he have to appear as if he would betray them the moment it suited his interests? What were his real reasons for this mission?
"I only asked you a question," Kara said. "Why did you support Krinir? To me, it looks like he's doing evil deeds through the Sunset Army. Or do you support an army set on conquering the entire Shadowed Land, killing innocent people in the process?"
Josef's mouth twitched. "Sometimes innocent people have to die so that everyone can have a better future."
Kara narrowed her eyes at him. "That sounds like something Warrick would say."
"I'm not all that familiar with this Warrick you've told me about, but if he's anything like most of the sorcerers I've known in my long life, he understands that necessity sometimes leads us to make choices some people might find cruel or evil."
World in Chains- The Complete Series Page 89