World in Chains- The Complete Series

by Ryan W. Mueller

  Markus set down his glass of ale. "It feels like a dream."

  Nadia looked up from her food, tears in her eyes. "I know what you mean."

  "I keep thinking I'll wake up," Berig said. He'd had more to drink than anyone. With the death of Lara, he looked like he might sink back into old habits.

  Markus met Berig's gaze. "I'm sorry. It's my fault she's dead."

  "You couldn't have known. You were trying to save us all."

  "That doesn't change the fact that I killed her."

  "We all make mistakes." Berig took another drink of his whiskey. "I've made more than a few of my own." His expression became distant, as if he were remembering his many failures. There was no point trying to break him out of that mood.

  At the moment, Markus couldn't have cheered anyone up if he'd tried.

  "I know it's terrible what happened," Nadia said, "but we can't focus on the past. We still have the future to worry about." She paused a moment, as if getting her emotions under control. "We know that Lionar is trapped in the future. We must find the sorcerers who can get us to the future and go there like Marlon told us."

  Before the battle, Marlon had told them many things. First, they'd have to travel north to the cold land where they'd find the Ice Temple. Then they'd head south and east, arriving in the Breezelands, where they'd find the Wind Temple and the sorcerers who could send them forward in time. Markus would have liked to have more magic on their side before going on this insane rescue mission, but Marlon had told them they couldn't wait.

  Once again, Markus wished he could read the Webs of Fate for himself.

  "You're right," he said. "Maybe doing something will help us deal with our losses."

  Berig downed some more whiskey. "Not sure anything will work."

  Nadia gave him a sympathetic smile. "You and Lara loved each other, didn't you?"

  "We did." Berig set his cup of whiskey down. His cheeks were red.

  "I think you've had enough to drink," Markus said.

  Berig shrugged. "Doesn't really matter. Nothing could make me feel better right now. I have to go back in time to save myself. But why? Aric died in that prison, Lara died in the library, and I'm gonna die when I go back in time. Makes no sense."

  "You did help us in the library," Nadia said. "Without your skills with a lockpick, we wouldn't have managed."

  Berig shook his head. "Was that really the whole purpose of it all?"

  "I don't know," Nadia said, "but if I've learned anything in the last few months, it's that life rarely goes as planned. Maybe there's a purpose in all of it that we just can't see yet."

  Berig chuckled without humor. "Wish I had your optimism."

  Markus had the same desire. Once, he might have found a way to frame everything that had happened in a positive light, but now he felt numb. He'd lost Rik so soon after getting him back. War was senseless. He knew that. But that didn't make it feel any better.

  "Here's my question," Nadia said. "Why did Eliza send us here?"

  Berig stroked his beard. "Well, this is where Klint left us when we were headed to Luminia. He's a channeler. We ain't got Rik anymore, so we need a new channeler. Maybe Klint will help us."

  "All right," Markus said. "But how're we gonna find him."

  "Shouldn't be too hard," Berig said. "He's sitting over there in the corner."

  Markus turned his gaze in the direction Berig had pointed. There, in the corner, Klint was sitting alone, focused on his food. The smuggler looked just as Markus remembered him. The three of them rose from their table and walked over to his.

  "What do you want?" he said without looking up.

  "Nice to see you, too," Berig said.

  Now Klint did look up. "Berig? What the hell are you doing back here?"

  "Long story."

  Klint's gaze settled on Markus. "Oh, and one of the young men who got me in so much trouble back in the Empire. Markus, right?" He scanned his surroundings. "Where's your friend?"

  Markus's throat stuck. He tried to speak, but he didn't want to say the words, didn't want to show weakness in front of the smuggler.

  Klint nodded gravely. "I'm sorry. I actually liked him a bit." He turned his gaze to Nadia. "I've never met you, but I think I recognize you. Lady Nadia of Crayden?"

  "How did you know?" she asked.

  "I'm good with faces. It's part of the job."

  Markus looked at Klint's clothing. It was not as well-maintained as the clothes he'd worn back when they'd first met him. His beard was a bit rougher, his expression more downcast.

  "Things haven't been going well, have they?' Markus asked.

  Klint chuckled. "Is it that obvious?"

  The three of them settled down in nearby chairs without asking for permission. Klint didn't wave them away.

  "As it turns out," he said, "there ain't much need for smugglers out here. I've had to take up thieving, but I'm an outsider. Couldn't get in with any of the established guilds. They're very protective about their territory. So, yeah, I guess you could say I haven't been doing well."

  Markus held back a smile, knowing this was good news for them.

  "You've still got your staff?" Berig asked.

  "I'd never give that up. I've got it under the table right now."

  "Well, we could use your help," Nadia said.

  Klint frowned with impatience. "I'm not gonna like this, am I?"

  "Probably not," she said. She explained everything they'd been through, with occasional input from Markus and Berig. To Markus's surprise, Klint listened attentively without interrupting. When they finished, he sat in silence, chewing on his lower lip.

  "Once, I would've thought that was nonsense," he said. "But I've seen too much now." He shook his head, chuckling. "This is insane, but I've grown tired of life here in Seaside. Maybe I could use an adventure with the fate of the world at stake. It would sure be more worthwhile than struggling to survive here."

  "Then you'll help us?" Nadia said.

  "It'll probably get me killed, but I've lived a full life. I'd like to go out a hero." Klint scanned the group, his gaze landing on Berig. "How many people have died? I don't see Danica, Aric, or Lara. Are they . . ."

  Berig nodded, tears welling in his eyes.

  "I never should have left you," Klint said. "Maybe more people would have survived if I'd come along." He stared down at the table. "I'm sorry."

  This Klint was not the smuggler Markus had first met back in Levine. That smuggler hadn't cared at all about people beyond what they could do for him. Now he was almost in tears over failures he couldn't have anticipated. Then again, that man might always have been there, hiding under the surface.

  Hearing of all the people Berig had lost reminded Markus that he wasn't alone in the way he felt. That didn't make it hurt any less, but at least he could sympathize with his friends.

  "I liked Danica," Klint said. "And Lara. And Aric. They were all good people."

  Nadia looked as if she were fighting tears as well. "We need to find a ship that will take us north."

  Berig smiled thinly. "Haven't had much luck with ships before."

  "Neither have we," Markus said.

  They finished their meals, then left the inn and made their way toward the docks. The rhythmic crashing of waves against the shore grew stronger as they neared their destination. It was a strange sound. Markus couldn't decide if it was relaxing or terrifying.

  The docks were busy. Young men hustled back and forth, pushing carts full of cargo. Sailors aboard ships shouted out orders. A few less savory types stood in the nearby alleys, sizing up potential targets. Markus no longer feared thieves skulking in alleys. He'd faced real and terrible threats, and these thieves would regret it if they gave him trouble.

  The thieves must have sensed that because they left the party alone. As they made their way through the docks, they asked sailors if they were going north. They all told Markus and the others that it was too late in the year to head that way.

  It was stil
l mild here in Seaside, but perhaps it was much colder up north. In truth, Markus had never learned much about how weather changed with location. In the Empire, most areas had similar weather—well, as long as you stayed out of Warrick's magical regions.

  Just when they were about to give up looking, a shout came from their right.

  "Berig! Is that you?"

  They all turned toward the voice to see a dark-skinned young man rushing toward them. He met with Berig and wrapped him in a tight hug. Berig returned the hug, but his face held a tired expression. Clearly, Berig knew this young man.

  Berig broke free of the hug. "Glad to see you made it home, Filip. Where's the rest of the crew?"

  "The strangest thing happened," Filip said, looking as if he wanted to hop up and down. "So after those pirates attacked us, the government from the New Earth Empire must have felt bad about it. They sent us money and laborers to help get the boat repaired. We made it back here a few days ago." He grinned broadly. "You wanna see Darius?"

  Berig considered a moment. "He wouldn't by chance be headed to the continent in the north, would he?"

  "Actually, he is," Filip said. "He always makes one last trip to bring supplies to them up there. There are a lot of things they can't get once winter sets in."

  Markus shook his head. "What are the chances?"

  Was that the nature of being Weavers? Everything worked out in these strange ways. Of course, not every event played out in their favor. The Webs of Fate didn't care about fairness or justice. That much was clear.

  Filip grinned. "It does seem oddly coincidental, doesn't it?"

  "Nothing surprises me anymore," Markus said.

  Filip led them through the docks, looking so happy he might start skipping. Markus had never seen anyone so excitable. Even Rik, back when he'd been so adventurous, had been more serious than Filip.

  A stab of sorrow hit Markus. He needed to stop thinking about Rik.

  But how could he? Rik had been taken from him so suddenly. They'd been in Seaside for three days now, but the pain hadn't passed. If anything, it had grown stronger. Markus expected to see Rik at the table in the common room, but Rik wasn't there.

  And he never would be again.

  Filip led them to a boat at the northern side of the docks, then across a plank to board the ship. Markus felt uncertain about stepping onto the ship. He remembered how their last voyage across the sea had gone.

  "Who're these people?" asked a muscular, dark-skinned man.

  "Darius, they're people who need passage to the Continent of Ice," Filip said.

  Darius's gaze settled on them. "Berig? What're you doing back here?"

  "Long story. Hate to bother you again, but we need your help."

  Darius's mouth became a thin line. "I'm not gonna like this."

  Berig explained what they needed. As he spoke, it was impossible for Markus to determine Darius's reaction.

  "And how do I know I won't get attacked again?" Darius asked.

  "Can't make any guarantees," Berig said. "But what're the chances?"

  Nadia stepped forward. "Have you heard of what's happened in Luminia?"

  "Yes, sorcerers have been spreading the news. Is it really true that Krinir has returned?"

  "Yes, it is," Nadia said, assuming a commanding pose. "We're the best hope of stopping him. I assume you want that, don't you?"

  "I do." Darius leaned against the railing of the ship. "But how do you know you can stop him?"

  "We don't," Nadia said. "But as I said, we're the best chance. We're what sorcerers call Weavers, people who have extraordinary control over the fate of the world. It has to be us. We're the only people who found this stone that keeps Krinir from seeing what we're doing." She brushed a hand through her curly brown hair. "Have you heard of the Webs of Fate?"

  Darius nodded. "I've read about them."

  "Then you know that many sorcerers can read them and see what may happen in the future. However, when Krinir looks into the Webs, he will not see us. That's the only way we can hope to defeat him: surprise. He's too powerful for a direct confrontation."

  It was a strong speech, but Markus didn't believe every word she was saying. No one had told them how they were going to defeat Krinir, only that they should go to the future and free Lionar. Perhaps Lionar would be the one to defeat Krinir.

  That thought made Markus feel a little better. Maybe, once they freed Lionar, they could give up all this adventure, and he could settle down somewhere with Nadia.

  It would be nice to share a peaceful life with her, to have children who would grow up in a free and fair world. But then he felt another wave of sadness. That life would not be as good as he hoped because Rik would not be part of it.

  It always came back to Rik. Always.

  "You really think you can kill a god?" Darius asked.

  Nadia couldn't quite meet his gaze. "We have to try."

  Chapter 3: Healers of the Jungle

  Everything was dark and blurry. When he tried to move, fierce pain coursed through his chest. Where was he? It felt as if a soft bed were beneath him. Dimly, he was aware of voices, of shuffling feet. But still his vision didn't quite clear. His head felt heavy.

  He tried to force his eyes open. It took a lot of effort, too much effort.

  Through a haze of pain, he slept.

  The next time he became aware, the pain was not as bad. The heaviness of his body seemed to have faded. Even the pain in his chest was a dull ache. This time, he forced his eyes open, and the world slowly came into focus.

  "Good, you're awake," said a dark-skinned woman who stood over his bed. "We weren't sure you'd make it. Whoever did this to you was very powerful."

  "Where am I?" he asked.

  "You're in Waterside, the closest city to the Water Temple."

  "That doesn't really help me much." He sat up in the bed, resting his back against an ample wooden bedrest. "Who're you?"

  "I am Jana. I'm a healer. Your friends tell me your name is Rik."

  "My friends? They're alive?"

  "Yes. Garet and Lara are up and about. Their injuries healed more quickly than yours. They had only burn wounds and some broken bones. But you were the victim of a powerful spell. Your friends tell me it was Krinir, the god of Destruction."

  Rik wasn't sure they should have trusted some stranger with that knowledge. Then again, if Jana was a healer, she probably didn't support Krinir.

  "Can I see my friends?" Rik asked.

  "Let's see if you can stand first."

  With Jana's help, Rik placed his feet on the floor and stood slowly. At first, his knees wanted to buckle, but then he began to feel steady. Still, he clung to Jana for support. She led him through a long room containing many beds, a few of which were occupied by patients in varying states of health. The entire room was fashioned of wood.

  Bright tapestries hung on the walls. The windows were all glass-paned, but through the glass, Rik could glimpse a world unlike anything he'd ever seen. The trees clustered thickly together, vines crisscrossing the air between them. Plants of every color imaginable dotted the muddy ground. A cacophony of animal sounds reached Rik's ears.

  He leaned on the windowsill, mesmerized. "This place is extraordinary."

  "Didn't you want to see your friends?"

  "Of course." Rik left the window behind, clinging to Jana for support. "Are there only two of them?"

  "No, there are three, but Eliza has not yet woken. She is in a strange state unlike anything we've ever seen before."

  At least she was alive. But where were Markus, Nadia, and Berig? He hadn't fought that hard to get out of the Shadowed Land just to lose Markus again. But maybe Markus wasn't dead. Maybe he'd escaped and ended up somewhere else.

  Rik still had no idea how they were in this jungle land.

  "Where exactly is this place?" he asked as Jana led him out of the room and into a narrowed corridor fashioned of the same rich wood. "The last I knew, I was in Luminia."

  "We are far fro
m Luminia. The continent you're on now is located far to the southwest of the continent you used to call home." She held up a hand. "Yes, your friends have told me a great deal about where you came from."

  She pushed open a nearby door, and on the other side was a smaller room with one bed and a few chairs scattered about. Garet and Lara occupied two of these chairs, but Rik's gaze drifted past them, to Eliza, who lay still and pale on the bed.

  Garet turned. "Rik! It's great to see you up and about."

  "Likewise." Rik staggered into the room with Jana's help. "Eliza looks awful."

  Lara nodded gravely. "No one knows what's wrong with her."

  Jana helped Rik into one of the chairs. His legs were glad to get a chance to rest.

  "You'll need another couple of treatments of Miracle Fruit," Jana said.

  "I'm familiar with it." Rik almost felt like laughing. Though it had been only a few months since Crayden, his first adventure with Markus and Nadia felt as if it belonged to a different life. He was not the same person. He was harder, less optimistic, less prone to laughter—but he was also stronger, more resilient, more of a leader.

  Jana left the room. "You know where to find me if you need me."

  "So what exactly happened?" Rik asked. "The last thing I remember was stopping Krinir from killing Eliza. I was sure he'd killed me."

  "I think he would have if he hadn't been chasing the rest of us," Garet said. "But he was in a hurry, and he didn't finish the spell he used on you. As it was, you nearly died. For a few days there, we weren't sure you'd make it."

  "How'd we get here?" Rik asked. "I'm glad for the help they've given us, but this seems a strange place to end up."

  Garet leaned forward in his elegant wooden chair. "Well, when I was crushed under the rubble of the building, I heard Eliza talking to Markus, Nadia, and Berig. Something about Krinir attacking her gave her some of his powers because she's his daughter. She used those powers to send Markus, Nadia, and Berig one place. She must have done something similar with us."

  Rik scratched at his scraggly beard. He'd shaved back in Luminia, but days in recovery had let his beard grow out again. "But why would she send us to different places?"