Deron nodded, but his expression looked pained. "I only wish I could do something for your other friend, Rik. I wish I could tell you what happened to him."
"You've done all you can."
Deron's expression was distant. "Oh, how I wish that were true."
Nadia didn't know what to say that. She tried an expression that looked like sympathy, but he didn't react. He looked deep in thought, as if remembering something horrible.
"I'll lead you to the teleportation chamber," he said. "From there, you can enter the Prison City. I'm not sure how you'll get out, but that's a worry for another time."
They walked through the library. Nadia feared she would become lost without Deron by her side. Soon they reached a smaller chamber. In the center of it, there was a raised circular platform. Deron gestured for her to ascend the stairs leading up to the platform.
She did so, then stopped in the center of the platform.
"Raise your right hand into the air," he said, "and say 'Prison City.'"
"Is that all?"
"I'm afraid so."
"Do you have any advice for me?"
Deron shook his head. "I'm afraid I don't know much of the world beyond my domain. I gather bits and pieces, but not enough. I wish you luck."
Nadia had the feeling she'd need a lot of luck in the coming days. She raised her right hand into the air. "Prison City."
Chapter 41: The Journey to Taylorville
Ander and the rest of his party stood at the edge of the canyon, staring at the translucent bridge.
"You sure we should cross right now?" asked Captain Davis.
"We need to get to Taylorville as quickly as possible," Ander said. "Besides, we can see the bridge all right, even in the dark."
Captain Davis looked down into the canyon. "I still don't like it."
"Neither do I," Ander said.
"We'll be all right," Dave said. He shot Ander a stern look, as if reprimanding him for showing doubt again. Ander didn't feel like arguing the point. Dave was right.
"Stick close to me," Ander said. "That's the only way you'll see the bridge."
While Ander held the tip of his staff to the bridge, Dave and Mara stepped onto it. They looked down at the bridge with wide eyes. Ander and Captain Davis followed them.
Thankfully, the bridge was straight, but still the canyon looked wider now that it had before. Ander kept the tip of his staff against the bridge as they crossed slowly, looking down to make sure they remained on the bridge. No one spoke. They all looked like they'd vomit if they opened their mouths.
"I don't know if I can do this," said the captain.
"I understand," Ander said, "but we have no choice."
"I know. Just seems too much like that tree bridge in the swamp. I would've died if Berig didn't save me."
"We're about halfway across," Ander said. "You can do it."
The captain mumbled something, but Ander couldn't make it out.
"That was better," Dave said. "That sounded like a leader."
Ander didn't care about Dave's faint praise. All that mattered was getting to the other side of the canyon. The farther they walked from the edge, the more Ander felt as if the world might start spinning around him. He'd never had any great fear of heights, but this canyon had to be at least a thousand feet deep.
Step by step, they crossed. It was slow and terrifying, enough to make a man go insane. The other side never seemed to grow closer. Ander's heart felt ready to burst out of his ribcage. Sweat trickled down his forehead and into his eyes. His legs were about to buckle. A few times, he had to close his eyes, stop, and take a few deep breaths. No one criticized him.
When they reached the other side, Ander felt like kissing the ground. They walked for another couple of minutes before settling down for the rest of the night.
Now that Ander thought about it, crossing the canyon in the middle of the night had probably been a good thing. Though the moonlight was bright, it wasn't bright enough for them to see just how deep the canyon was. A small comfort, he supposed.
The next morning, they set out in brighter spirits. The air quickly warmed, and Ander used water from his staff to cool everyone and stave off dehydration.
On the other side of the canyon, there were massive sand dunes, which became like mountains by that afternoon, but no one complained.
Ander certainly wouldn't complain. He was trying to take Dave's advice. A good leader set an example for his people. He didn't complain, didn't dwell on the negatives. He was always there to support his people through the most difficult parts of a mission.
Ander didn't know if he could keep that up, but he felt confident for the moment.
The air was still. Ander wished they could have a light breeze, anything to cool them down apart from his magic. Sweat drenched their clothing. It felt as if they were walking through an endless blacksmith's forge.
And it was autumn now. How had Nadia, Markus, and Rik survived this place in the summer? Perhaps Ander had underestimated their abilities.
On this side of the canyon, they faced no monsters, just the heat. For days, they walked, growing more tired with every step. The farther west they traveled, the taller the dunes became. Without Ander's magic, they would have succumbed to thirst.
There were no water sources. Ander understood now just how effective the desert was at keeping people from crossing the Empire. Anyone without magic would die out here.
Sometimes you didn't need monsters.
One afternoon, they crested one of the largest dunes yet. At the top, Ander gazed to the west, and his stomach fluttered. Up ahead, perhaps five smaller dunes away, the desert gave way to green land. A river wound through the landscape, and a city stood on the river's other side.
Taylorville.
Emboldened by the sight, they hastened their pace. Though they were exhausted, they made their way across those last few dunes, and soon they stood at the edge of the river. Ander had heard of this river, of its swift and deadly current.
But it looked gentle here. Perhaps the current picked up farther downstream.
"We swimming across?" asked Captain Davis.
"I don't know," Ander said. "I think we have to, but not right now. We all need a chance to rest."
They settled down in a copse of trees. From here, they couldn't see Taylorville, but it was close to the other side of the river. They started a fire with Ander's staff and ate from what remained of their stores. By now, eating had become a routine, nothing more.
"I wish I knew what day it was," Ander said. "How can I know if we've made it there on time? What if I've failed Nadia?"
Mara gave him a sympathetic look. "You're talking about the future. By its very nature, the future is uncertain. I don't know what to think of these Webs of Fate, but I do know that every choice you make is your own."
Captain Davis smiled at her. "Didn't know you were such a philosopher."
"I was once a noblewoman," Mara said. "Down in Tate City. I had a boring life, so it gave me a lot of time to read, a lot of time to think. Until the day the Imperial Guards decided we were disloyal." Her expression became troubled. "I was only thirteen at the time. I think they spared me because of that, but they left me to fend for myself."
"How did you manage?" Ander asked. In all the time they'd traveled together, Mara and Dave had not opened up about their pasts.
"I went north to Marion," she said. "I'd always heard tales of the street gangs there." She smiled. "Though they prefer to be called guilds. It makes them feel like they aren't criminals." She shook her head. "I didn't have much luck at first. I was a sheltered girl with no talents that would benefit them. I almost starved to death on the streets of Marion."
"How did you survive?" Ander asked.
"I didn't. I got so desperate that my begging became too noticeable. The Imperial Guards were going to throw me in prison. I panicked. I had a dagger with me." She drummed her fingers against her thigh. "I stabbed one of them in the neck. After that, t
here was no going back. I ran as fast as I could. I made it to the river and swam across. I almost drowned on the way. On the other side of the river, I wandered around for a few days before Dave and the Hunters found me."
Dave wrapped an arm around her. "And I'm glad we did."
They shared a quick kiss.
Ander couldn't imagine the life she'd endured. He'd lived comfortably his entire life, and even now, as hard as this journey was, he had people to support him. He shuddered to think how easily his life could have become like hers. His family had been disloyal.
"What about you, Dave?" asked Captain Davis as he chewed mechanically on a piece of dried meat.
"I don't like talking about my past."
Ander knew better than to force the issue. If Dave wanted to share, he would do it on his own terms.
They finished their meal with a little conversation, then settled down for the night. One person always stood watch, but there was nothing to worry about here. The night was cool and silent, and sometimes Ander swore he could hear the noise of the city beyond.
In the morning, they prepared to make their way across the river. Though the current wasn't swift, Ander still felt nervous.
He stuck his leg in the water and gasped. It was colder than he'd expected.
"I have an idea," he said, taking his staff from his back. Maybe he could create an ice bridge. Yes, it would be slick, but it would be better than swimming.
He touched his staff to the gently flowing water, and a block of ice formed.
Mara frowned. "Are we going to cross that?"
"Would you rather swim?" Ander asked.
"It's worth a try," Dave said.
Ander held the tip of his staff to the water as the other three filed onto the bridge he'd created. He could freeze the water for perhaps six feet in front of him, so he hung close behind them as they crossed, sliding their feet carefully across the ice bridge.
The river wasn't wide, so it didn't take long to cross. Near the other side, Captain Davis slipped and hit the water with a great splash. He cursed before swimming the rest of the way to shore, where he sat on the muddy bank, shivering.
The rest of the party joined him shortly. Ander created a fire shield around Captain Davis. It wouldn't make the water evaporate, but it would help him feel a little warmer.
After a brief rest, they made their way through the trees at the other side of the river. Beyond those trees was the massive city of Taylorville. Ander had heard stories about this place, most of them concerning the Prison City. It was a place where Warrick sent some of his opponents, those whose crimes didn't merit execution.
Or perhaps those he most wanted to torment.
A few minutes later, they reached the small wooden buildings at the city's edge. Most looked like homes, well-kept but small. The residents were not wealthy. In the Empire, few enjoyed true wealth.
"So how're we supposed to find Nadia?" asked Captain Davis.
Ander thought a moment. "We should check the local inns."
"But how can we know if she's arrived yet?" asked the captain.
"I have no idea," Ander said.
Chapter 42: The Prison City
The world blurred and darkened around Nadia. She felt as if her entire body were being squeezed by some malevolent force. She couldn't breathe, couldn't move. Panic ignited in her chest. She had to stop this. There must have been a mistake.
But then the feeling passed. She opened her eyes to find herself standing on a dirty street of cracked stone. The wooden buildings nearby looked ready to fall apart. She scanned her surroundings for danger, noting people milling about. From a distance, she had no idea if they were threatening, but she didn't want to take any chances.
Trying to appear confident, she began walking. She passed a few people who barely stopped to glance at her. They were dirty, and their clothes were little more than rags. Horrible stenches filled the air, and she held the collar of her shirt over her face.
"You lost?" asked a man nearby. "You don't look like you belong here."
"Yeah," another said. "Never seen you around here before."
"Look at her clothes," said the first man. "They look pretty nice to me."
Nadia glared at him. "They're not for sale."
Both men broke out in laughter. They were rough-looking men, bearded and middle-aged. Something about their laughter put her on edge. She wasn't quite sure if they were sane. If they'd spent a long time in this place, then surely they had suffered.
The second man shook his head. "We're not looking to buy your clothes, lady."
Nadia unsheathed her sword. "You're not taking them from me either."
"I don't know," said the first man. "I think you'd look pretty good without them."
Nadia maintained a fierce mask, hoping her fear wasn't showing. "I think you'd look pretty good without your heads. Certainly better than you look now."
The second man laughed. "You know, I think she just insulted us."
Both men had daggers. Her sword had much better reach, but she didn't know if she could take them both. They might have friends nearby.
"We can't stand for insults," said the first man.
"If you're going to attack me," Nadia said, "just go ahead and do it."
"All right," said the first man. He moved with sudden speed, catching her by surprise. She tried to raise her sword in defense, but he wrenched her arm in such a way that she lost the grip on her sword. It clattered against the cracked cobblestones. She tried to break free from his grip, but he held strong.
"Clearly not suited to survive in this place," said the second man. "Let's end her misery now." He brandished his dagger, an evil grin on his face.
The first man flashed the same kind of grin. "I bet she tastes great."
"You're disgusting!" Nadia said, struggling against his grip. Panic coursed through her. She couldn't fail now, not when she was so close to finding the cure. Her voice came out weak and pitiful. "Please, don't kill me. I’m trying to save the man I love."
The second man chuckled. "Guess we'll have to spare her now. She's got true love on her side. Can't interfere with that."
"Well, I'd still like a taste," said the first man. He yanked at Nadia's arm and brought it to his mouth. His grip was so strong she couldn't fight it, not with the second man also holding her.
The first man closed his teeth around her arm and made chewing motions, but not with enough force to break her skin.
He pulled away. "Yeah, she tastes clean. Don't get clean meat around here too often."
"Please, let me go," Nadia said. She hated the pleading tone in her voice. "What has happened to you people? You're like animals."
The second man laughed heartily. "If you think we're bad, you're not ready for this place. I don't know how you ended up in here, but if I was you, I'd find a way out as quickly as I can. You obviously don't belong here. Talk to one of the Imperial Guards."
Nadia's heart was pounding. "Does this mean you aren't going to kill me and then eat me?"
"No," said the first man. "We were just messing with you, having a bit of fun."
"If you think this was fun, there is something very wrong with you."
"This place does that to you," said the second man.
The first man finally released her.
"I'll keep that in mind," she said.
"Just remember this," said the first man. "Some people around here aren't too fussy about what they eat, or whether it's dead or alive when they eat it."
Nadia took a few steps away from them, not quite sure if they truly meant to let her leave. She grabbed her sword but didn't sheathe it. "I'll do fine. I can take care of myself."
"How long you think she'll last?" asked the second man.
"Three hours. Maybe."
Nadia strode away, passing countless other prisoners. Men who looked at her with hollow eyes. Others who leered at her. Some who stared at the walls, muttering under their breath.
There were women, too.
They were so covered in dirt that she couldn't tell how old they were. One woman watched her with an unsettling gaze. Another stumbled along, talking to thin air. No one paid any attention to Nadia
As she walked, she reached what appeared to be the Prison City's market district. Even the merchants here were covered in dirt, their appearances ragged and unnerving. They called out to her, hoping she'd buy something, but she didn't pay attention to them. Each makeshift wooden stall was flanked by large men, probably guards for the merchants. They eyed her warily.
The farther she walked into this place, the more it felt wrong. This was awful. She'd read about the Prison City, but she'd never understood its reality. Now she did, and she knew, more than ever, that Warrick was a monster. Only a monster could do this to his people.
People he was supposed to protect.
For the first time since beginning her quest to heal Markus, she felt the sting of her failure. She still needed to find a way to kill Warrick. His crimes could not go unpunished. But first she had to heal Markus, had to escape this place.
She wandered away from the market district, finding narrow alleys where her skin prickled. Some of these allies were occupied, the occupants staring off into space, probably lost to their isolation and madness. She felt sorry for them, but she couldn't help them.
The farther she walked, the more lost she felt. She knew she should ask somebody for help, knew that she'd never find the potion maker on her own, but she was terrified.
She stepped onto another street. One man stood farther down the street, watching her approach. He had a long, unruly beard, and his gaze made her feel sick. She thought about turning around, but she didn't want to show fear. Most of the people here simply watched her. They didn't do anything. Maybe this man would be the same.
Her pace quickened as she passed him. As if sensing her fear, he blocked her path. "Now what is a young woman like you doing here?"
Nadia decided to take a chance. "I'm looking for a man. A potion maker."
"That crazy old man? No one ever goes looking for him anymore." He stepped closer, towering over her with his large frame. "Besides, I'd make much better company."
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