World in Chains- The Complete Series

by Ryan W. Mueller

  What follows here is a lot of conjecture. I have seen in the Webs of Fate a lot of peculiar threads around a passage leading out of this very building. It is located near the Light Temple. I do not know where this passage leads, and I cannot see it in the Webs. These threads cluster around you, however, and around my steward, Marek.

  I have spoken to you before of your abilities as a potential Death Speaker, like your nephew. Somehow, these abilities will serve you well in this passage. Again, I can't see any more than that. Something about that place clouds the Webs.

  You can choose to ignore this information if you wish. I am guessing here, and I don't want to send you down a dangerous path based on only my guesses.

  However, I can't stress this enough. If I can't see this place in the Webs, then I don't think Krinir can see it either. I could be wrong, though. It is difficult to understand the extent of Krinir's powers.

  Theo put down the letter, not sure what to think. He prayed that he'd have a chance to speak with Warrick. This letter didn't feel like enough of an explanation. It was Warrick's handwriting, though. That was perhaps a little comforting.

  After putting the letter in his pocket, Theo returned to his chambers higher up in the Tower of Light. When he entered, he found Dave and Mara sitting in two of the cushioned chairs. They shared these rooms with him, so that wasn't unusual. However, they did look at him expectantly.

  "Is something happening?" he asked.

  "Warrick is gone," Dave said.

  Theo nodded, leaning against the bright stone wall. "I know. I just went to his chambers, and he wasn't there. He left a strange letter for me, telling me of some mysterious passage out of this place."

  "That's odd," Dave said.

  "I know, but this is Warrick we're talking about. I've never understood his ways." Theo fought back a wave of anxiety. He didn't like the thought of Warrick disappearing at a time like this, and he cared even less for the idea of entering some strange passage about which even Warrick didn't know anything.

  "Can't argue with you there," Dave said, bitterness flashing behind his eyes. Theo understood that bitterness. Dave had not left his post as an Imperial Guard on good terms with the emperor. A part of Theo had never blamed Dave for that.

  "Where do you think he is?" Mara asked. "You think he'll be all right?"

  "I'm sure he can take care of himself," Theo said. But he wasn't so certain in truth. What if Krinir had discovered that Warrick had broken free from his control? Perhaps Krinir had decided Warrick was too much trouble and then killed him.

  "I'm hoping he had something important to attend to," Dave said.

  Theo nodded. "He does tend to make his own plans without telling anyone else. If he's still missing after a few days, then maybe it's time to worry."

  Dave laughed softly. "For me, it's always time to worry."

  "You don't know how much I missed you," Theo said. "You were always the one cracking jokes when things got tense. I thought you were dead."

  Dave looked down at his knees, more solemn than Theo had ever seen him. "I still don't know how you can want to see me. I killed your family."

  "You wielded the sword that took her life," Theo said, "but that's the only difference between you and me. If I hated you for that, I'd have to hate myself." He paused. "Well, more than I hate myself already. The point is, the past's the past. We should let it be."

  "Guess that's one way of looking at it."

  The next morning, Theo woke to pounding on his door. He groaned and rolled over, wondering who the hell was disturbing him so early. Dressed in only his undergarments, he answered the door.

  An Imperial Guard he didn't know stood in the doorway. "Emperor Warrick has commanded that all residents of the tower submit to questioning again. Your presence is required immediately."

  "But he already asked us," Theo said. "Why's he asking again?"

  "He wants to know if we all support Krinir."

  Theo's stomach sank. This would not end well. He suspected he may have some ability to lie to Warrick because of the magic that ran in his family. But Dave, Mara, and Wes had no magic on their sides. They would surely fail their questioning.

  Theo had the feeling his worst fears had come true. Krinir had established control over Warrick once again, and this time it was likely much stronger.

  "Do I have time to get dressed first?" Theo asked.

  The young man hesitated. "All right. Just be quick about it."

  Theo threw on a light-colored tunic and slightly darker pants. Dave and Mara were nowhere to be seen. Had they already faced their questioning and died for their answers? Just as Theo would die. After all, Warrick had confided too much in him.

  Theo could not submit to questioning.

  When he opened the door, he found the guard still standing there. The young man escorted him down the stairs and toward the tower's entrance chamber. Theo glanced from side to side as they walked, looking for an escape route. But the halls were swarming with Imperial Guards. They all walked in silence. Many of them had to be nervous about their own questioning.

  But they didn't know the truth. If Warrick wanted them to support Krinir, they would. For the most part, they were loyal men. Those who didn't feel much loyalty toward Warrick tended to be exposed early in their careers.

  They reached the main chamber. Many people milled about, and tension hung heavily in the air. Theo looked for Dave, Mara, and Wes but couldn't see them anywhere.

  Warrick stood on an elevated platform at the end of the room. A line of people had formed, and they stepped onto that platform one by one. Already, a few dead bodies littered the stone floor beside the platform. Warrick must have killed them with magic because there was no blood.

  Theo walked past those who waited in line. Some were Imperial Guards, but most were other people who'd taken up residence in the tower. Servants. Sorcerers loyal to Warrick. City nobles from before. They all looked as if they wanted to vomit.

  Taking deep breaths, Theo found a spot at the end of the line, which snaked across the room, proceeding slowly. Many Imperial Guards had ringed the perimeter of the room, accompanied by some sorcerers who must have professed their loyalty already. Could they have lied to Warrick? That seemed like too much to hope for.

  At last, Theo spotted Dave and Mara. They were about halfway through the line. He left his spot, and no one protested.

  He stopped at Dave's side and whispered in his ear. "We have to find a way out of here."

  "I know," Dave said softly. "You got anything?"

  Theo glanced around, sizing up the room's defenses. Every exit was blocked by Imperial Guards. Theo no longer had his commander's uniform, and most of them looked too young to remember him. Or they'd been posted in other parts of the Empire.

  "Nothing," he said.

  The line continued moving. No one kept Theo from joining Dave and Mara where they were. In fact, those around them appeared almost eager to let someone else slow the line a bit. Theo couldn't blame them. Even as slow as the line was moving, they were too close to the front.

  Theo was not in uniform, but he did have a sword strapped to his back. Dave and Mara were armed as well. As an immortal sorcerer, Warrick obviously didn't fear weapons.

  But the other Imperial Guards were vulnerable to ordinary weapons.

  "We need to make a run for it," Theo whispered.

  "And go where?" Mara asked.

  At that moment, a man with curly brown hair passed them. Theo recognized him as Warrick's steward. He'd never learned the man's name, and he had no idea where the man's loyalties lay.

  The steward stopped beside them. "You thinking of running?"

  Theo had only a moment to consider his response. He saw fear in the man's eyes. Genuine fear.

  "You know a way out of here?" Theo asked.

  "I do," said the steward. "Warrick told me to get you three out."

  "I don't understand," Dave said.

  "He told me before he left. I think he knew he was gonna
end up under Krinir's control again." The steward glanced from side to side. "I've got some influence around here. The Imperial Guards will think I'm acting on Warrick's orders."

  "You sure about that?" Theo asked.

  The steward scratched his head. "Not really, but we ain't got no choice."

  "I feel like I recognize you from somewhere," Theo said. "What's your name?"

  "Marek. I think you met my brother Berig."

  "Yes, my nephew introduced him to me."

  The steward's eyes were wide with fear. "I'd love to talk about Berig. Haven't seen him in years. But it ain't the time right now. We've gotta go."

  Theo couldn't argue there. They left the line, earning only a few odd glances. Marek led them across the stone chamber. The brightness of the Tower of Light seemed at odds with the brutal scene in this chamber. More and more bodies were piling up beside the platform. Warrick killed them without emotion, completely under Krinir's merciless control.

  As they approached the far end of the chamber, the Imperial Guards watched them warily.

  "Where're you taking them?" demanded the man on the right.

  "Warrick's orders," Marek said. "They've already been questioned."

  Theo expected the guards to offer resistance, but they stepped to the side. The small party passed through the gap, which closed quickly behind them. Now they followed a corridor, making their way toward a set of stairs leading downward.

  "Where're we going?" Dave asked.

  "There's a passage outta this place," Marek said. "Warrick told me about it. He can't see where it leads in the Webs of Fate, but he saw a strand showing us taking it. When it comes to the Webs, I've learned to trust his judgment."

  "Does no one know where this passage goes?" Theo asked.

  "Most people can't get through it," Marek said. "You need a Death Speaker. At least that's what Warrick told me. Not sure what it means."

  "I've heard the term," Theo said. "My nephew's one."

  "Then you must be one too," Marek said. "If not, we're in deep trouble."

  Dave chuckled without humor. "I think we passed that point long ago."

  Mara nodded her agreement but remained silent, scanning the room for danger.

  As they made their way down the stairs and through the darker corridors beneath the Tower of Light, Theo wondered if he was truly a Death Speaker. Warrick had never revealed that to him. Perhaps Warrick had figured Marek would tell him.

  Theo had given up trying to understand Warrick.

  When they reached the passage, Marek stopped and stared into the corridor beyond. His face was pale in the greenish light of the dimmer corridor. Theo felt a strange chill in the air, and every hair on his body stood on end.

  "Let's go," he said. "There's no other choice."

  The farther they walked into the corridor, the colder the air become. Theo thought he saw shapes darting around the edges of vision, but when he looked more closely, nothing was there. His stomach churned, and his legs felt as if they'd grown heavier.

  They rounded a couple of corners. Nothing had threatened them, but Theo's unease grew with every step they took. Dave and Mara looked wary, but this place clearly was not affecting them as it affected him. To his right, Marek looked as pale as a ghost.

  Ghosts. Was that what they would find here? And if they did find a ghost, how would they handle the situation? Perhaps Theo was a Death Speaker, but he'd never used that ability. Would he know how to use it when the time came?

  After they rounded another corner, they spotted a man standing in the corridor. Theo tensed as they stepped closer. Once he saw who stood there, he relaxed.

  "Wes?" he said. "What're you doing here?"

  Wes took a tentative step closer. "Had to run. After what you told me yesterday, there was no way I could fool Warrick." He shook his head slowly. "I feel like a coward."

  Theo put a hand on his shoulder. "There's nothing wrong with running in a situation like this. There's nothing you could've done for anyone. You are not a coward."

  "Doesn't change how I feel."

  "At least you're safe," Theo said. "For now."

  "Yeah, I wish I could believe that. This place terrifies me."

  "It scares all of us," Theo said. "But it's the only chance we've got." He started walking, motioning for Wes to join their group. Together, they made their way deeper into the corridor, navigating by eerie greenish light.

  A sudden blast of cold slammed against Theo. He and Marek both recoiled, but the others remained where they were, glancing about warily.

  "Something's coming," Theo whispered, his breath misting in the air.

  The evil creature came from in front of them, turning the air colder as it approached. It was tall and black and misty. Its eyes glowed a deep red.

  Theo directed his thoughts toward the creature. Leave us alone.

  It continued approaching.

  I'm a Death Speaker. I command you to leave us alone.

  It didn't stop. Theo had to be doing something wrong. He backed away a few steps, his heart pounding in his ears as the creature's evil cold seeped into his bones. The others retreated alongside him, their faces paler than ever in the green light.

  They all had physical weapons, but none of them had true magic on their side. How could they have ever thought they'd make it through this place?

  "I'll deal with this creature," Theo said. "The rest of you need to run."

  "What about you?" Wes asked. "We can't leave you behind."

  "We don't have any choice," Theo said.

  Marek's eyes grew wider and wider as the black creature approached. "Maybe someone else should do it. After all, you're supposed to be the Death Speaker. We'll need you."

  Theo took a deep breath. "Maybe that's exactly why I should do it."

  Before anyone else could argue, Theo approached the creature. He sucked in deep breath after deep breath, willing himself to relax. In his time as an Imperial Guard, he'd faced opposition. This was no different. The opposition had simply taken a more sinister form.

  He stood within ten feet of the creature. Five feet. Three.

  A hand appeared, sprouting from the creature's misty body. Theo felt as if that cold hand gripped his heart, squeezing so hard it might explode. Instead, the hand closed around his arm. He expected to feel bitter cold, but instead it burned like nothing he'd felt before.

  He didn't scream, though. He didn't want to alarm the others.

  The burning grew more intense, and he feared he might pass out. Then the creature released him. He collapsed, his arm still burning, and watched the creature fade into mist.

  Marek stepped closer. "What the hell just happened?"

  Theo pushed himself to his feet, trying to ignore his burning arm. "I think it just marked me in some way. Markus mentioned this kind of thing happening to him when he became a Death Speaker. I don't know how exactly the ability works, but I think I can do something now."

  "Let's hope you can," Dave said. "I've faced a lot of monsters in my time on the Plain of Storms, but I've never seen anything like that creature." He shuddered as he exchanged a dark look with Mara, perhaps acknowledging a recollection of some horrible beast they'd faced.

  Theo peered ahead, spotting nothing in the corridor. "Let's get moving."

  No one was eager to continue through the passage, but they followed his lead. The dim corridor seemed to stretch forever, but the cold did not return. Every time they rounded a corner, Theo expected to see another wraith or some other evil creature.

  There was nothing, and that was almost more terrifying.

  At last, the corridor ended, and they came to a more open chamber. Dozens of statues filled the chamber, frozen for the moment, but they looked remarkably lifelike. Theo was reminded of the stories Markus had told him about Woodsville. If these were the same kind of statues, perhaps Theo could speak to them.

  The statues carried swords and wore armor. Their gazes did not move, though. Theo figured he might be able to control the
m, but he didn't want it to be necessary.

  When they took a few steps into the chamber, the statues came to life. They held their swords ready and marched toward the party. For a moment, Theo froze, his heart pounding.

  Then he remembered that he was a Death Speaker.

  Or at least he prayed he was.

  Stop, he commanded. The undead soldiers halted their movements immediately.

  Well, that was easier than I expected, he thought to himself. Taking deep breaths, he led the party past the frozen soldiers. This time, they did not move.

  At the far end of the chamber, they followed a set of wide stone steps up to a higher platform. Atop the platform was another statue, larger than all the others. It carried two swords crossed over its chest. For the moment, it did not move.

  The room had no exits apart from the path through which they'd entered it. However, Theo had the feeling this statue was blocking the path.

  Move aside, he told it. We wish to pass.

  You are not worthy, it replied. Not yet.

  Theo fought against his rising anxiety. How can we prove that we are worthy?

  There is a great evil beneath this place. You must destroy it.

  How can we do that? Theo asked.

  That is for you to determine.

  Theo was about to ask another question, but then a great rumble shook the chamber. The floor beneath him fell away.

  Chapter 46: The Evil Beneath

  Theo hit the ground with a heavy thud that knocked the wind out of him. Panic gripped him as he struggled for air. After a few moments of terror, he recovered and staggered to his feet, brushing dirt from his clothes. Around him were Wes, Dave, Mara, and Marek. They all looked flustered but unharmed.

  "Guess we should explore this place," Mara said.

  Theo stepped forward. "We're not just exploring. I spoke to those statues. They told me there's a great evil beneath this place and we've gotta destroy it."

  Marek rolled his eyes. "Oh, that sounds great."

  "It's the only way to prove ourselves worthy in their eyes," Theo said.

  "Worthy for what?" Dave asked.

  "Wish I knew," Theo said.