"Did they imprison him for killing that Imperial Guard?"
"No," Nadia said. "There was some kind of deal. He was supposed to become an Imperial Guard on his eighteenth birthday, and he refused. Doesn't that seem to you like an odd reason to imprison somebody? Don't you think we should do something about it?"
"That's the way our world works. What I think doesn't matter. Better not to get involved."
"I don't care how our world works. We owe Markus a great debt."
He massaged his temples. "I agree with you, Nadia. I really do. But we have to be smart. When your mother was executed, Warrick almost ordered my execution too, so it's not only your life you're risking."
Nadia had figured as much, but it was good to hear her father admit his reasons. That didn't make his actions right, but they weren't wrong either.
Just not what she would have done in his place.
"Maybe we don't have to do anything that can be traced to us," she said. "If you let me talk to the Order, I can get them to free him. No one will know we were involved."
Her father's gaze became stern again. "Nice try, Nadia, but it won't work. Yes, I'm grateful for what Markus did, but that doesn't mean I'm going to cut back on your restrictions. You need to learn your lesson, Nadia. There are consequences for your actions."
"How can you be so heartless? Markus saved my life!"
"It's out of my hands, Nadia. I'm sorry."
"At least let me see him again," she said. "I won't try to free him myself. Kara can get help from the Order."
"She does have a point," Kara said from the doorway.
Nadia's father leaned forward in his chair, his expression pensive. In the past, she'd been able to predict his reactions, but not now.
"You may try to see him," he said. "Two guards will accompany you, you will bring no weapons, and if I catch even a hint of you trying to free him, you will lose all the freedoms I've let you keep."
Nadia resented her father's protectiveness, but she understood his reasons. Still, she could take care of herself. How hard could it be to free Markus?
"All right, I won't try anything," she lied, burning with guilt. "I promise."
"I'm placing my trust in you even though you don't deserve it. Don't make my regret my choice." His gaze became icy.
"I understand, Father."
About fifteen minutes later, she left the castle with Kara and two guards, Jasin from her door and David, who had let her leave the castle grounds the other night. She wished Jasin weren't there. He wouldn't let her do anything questionable.
Kara wanted to stop by her family's inn. Jasin resisted, but David overruled him. Kara's inn stood toward the middle of town, just west of the poorer sections in an area with cobblestone streets. They stepped into the well-kept but empty common room. The smell of beef stew hung in the air as they approached Kara's father, who stood behind the counter.
"Why the guards?" he asked.
"My father doesn't trust me," Nadia said.
"Well, he's probably right there."
Kara stepped into a room off to the side, then returned shortly with her sword. Jasin wrinkled his brow "That weapon makes it look like you're planning something."
"I don't like being unarmed and unprepared," Kara said.
A sentiment Nadia shared. She felt naked without her sword and bow.
Aric and Ander showed up a few moments later, coming from another room. Nadia felt a twinge of panic, knowing she wasn't supposed to see Ander anymore. But how could she have known that Ander would be there? To her right, Jasin narrowed his eyes.
"What brings you by, Nadia?" Aric asked. "I'm surprised your father let you out."
"He wasn't happy about it," she said, and told the whole story.
"Getting him out won't be easy," Ander said, afterward. "There's a lot of security there, and chances are they won't even let you see him. They get a little paranoid where Imperial Guards are concerned. With time, though, we might come up with a plan to get him out."
"For all we know, they haven't given him any food or water," Nadia said. "How long can he survive like that?
"Don't worry. He's doing all right." Rik stepped out of the hallway, his axe strapped to his back. "Not great, but he'll live."
"I didn't know you'd be here," Nadia said.
"I've been staying in town the last couple of days, waiting for a chance to get Markus out of there. Still don't know how we're gonna do it. Markus's uncle's been talking to the Imperial Guard commander, trying to work something out."
Jasin glared at them. "You shouldn't be discussing this."
"Oh, shut up already!" Nadia said.
"Your father will hear of this. I can't let you discuss acts bordering on treason without informing someone."
Nadia was about to respond, but then a scream sounded outside.
* * * * *
Theo found the Imperial Guard garrison empty. Strange. What could lead them to abandon their garrison? He hadn't seen them patrolling the city either.
He strode out of the building, onto streets that looked as they always did. People passed by, not even stopping to glance at him. Thieves lurked in alleys, sizing up the people around them, deciding he wasn't an easy target
Anger burned within him. He could understand why Markus didn't like his future, but this wasn't a world for idealists. Idealists ended up dead.
But maybe Markus had made the right choice. Theo could still remember every person he'd ever killed. His commanders had told him not to let the deaths linger on his conscience, but how could any decent person do that?
Maybe that was why he lived with so many regrets. Would it have been better to die on that mountain all those years ago? Should he tell Markus the whole truth? Markus deserved to know what had happened to his parents, but Theo could never bring himself to break Warrick's command.
Lost in thought, Theo barely noticed the first scream. When another sounded, he unsheathed his sword and started toward the sound.
* * * * *
Dressed in a fine red suit, Tylen took a carriage from his manor to the castle. He wanted to make sure the high lord had no second thoughts about the marriage. At Tylen's command, the driver kept the horses at a fast pace. People hastened to get out of the carriage's way.
When they arrived at the castle, he disembarked and stepped through the open gate. The guards greeted him warmly and directed him to the high lord's study. Tylen knocked.
"Come in."
"Good afternoon, my lord," Tylen said as he entered.
The high lord turned, greeting Tylen with a smile. "Ah, Tylen, what brings you by?"
"I was hoping to make arrangements for dinner with you and Lady Nadia, either tonight or another night. I hope to improve her opinion of me."
"I don't think she hates you as much as you think."
"Really? That's surprising." Tylen had seen the hatred in her eyes back in the forest. A haunting look he could never forget. Some part of him did want her to be happy.
"She told me she hadn't given you enough of a chance," the high lord said. "I think she regrets her actions. It was a tough day for her. Don't judge her too harshly."
Had she told her father the truth? That seemed unlikely.
"I hope she's telling the truth," Tylen said. "I would hate to force her into a marriage she hates. Not that I expect everything to be smooth with such a spirited young lady."
The high lord smiled. "Yes, Nadia can be quite stubborn. Why do you think I chose you as the next high lord? Not only are you well-suited to the position itself, but I think you can help shape my daughter into a more suitable high lady. Even better if you grow to love each other."
"I believe I will love her," Tylen said. "It might sound strange, but I like her spirit."
"You will find her worth your love if you're patient with her. After all, I was lucky enough to fall in love with the woman I married."
"So when might I dine with you?" Tylen asked, growing tired of this conversation.
&nb
sp; "Tonight would be perfect. Nadia should be back by then."
"Are you sure it was wise to let her leave? She did just try to run away a couple of days ago."
"She is with some guards. They will keep her under control."
Tylen doubted that, but it was not yet his place to question the high lord. In time, Tylen would rule. Until then, he had to defer to the man.
Raised voices sounded outside the study, and Tylen didn't like the sound of them. The high lord rose from his desk. "What could that possibly be?"
"Let me investigate. It's probably nothing." Tylen stepped out of the study and peered toward the open castle gate, the place from which the voices came. The guards were arguing with some Imperial Guards. Tylen felt a jolt of fear and ducked behind a pillar, where he could watch but not be seen.
"Allow us to pass," said an Imperial Guard. "The high lord must die. For too long, his family has played a dangerous game. It's time he paid with his life."
Tylen's stomach twisted into knots. When he turned, he saw the high lord behind him.
"Did you hear that?" Tylen whispered.
The high lord nodded. "You should hide yourself, Tylen."
"What about you?" You're my ticket to power, Tylen added silently.
"They've come for me, not you. You're safer away from me."
"Why are they doing this?" Tylen asked quietly, tuning out the conversation at the gate. "It's Nadia's fault, isn't it."
The high lord looked forlorn. "Most likely, yes. They must have discovered her involvement in the Order. They gave me a second chance, and I failed." He shook his head wearily, as though he'd always expected this. "Please, Tylen, hide yourself."
Tylen hated to leave the high lord, but his chances of becoming high lord himself only remained intact if he stayed alive. The high lord had already approved him as the next high lord, after the expedition to recover Nadia. He'd deal with the marriage issue when the time came.
"Stand aside," said one of the Imperial Guards at the gate. "This is your last warning."
"We will not stand aside."
"Then you will die."
Tylen watched in horror as the two guards at the gate burst into flames. It was magic, transferred through the Imperial Guard seal. He felt a new appreciation for Warrick's power, even a fraction of it.
"Go, Tylen," the high lord whispered.
Tylen hesitated, then raced across the back of the foyer, using the burning guards as a distraction, listening to their screams. He ducked behind the pillars, praying the Imperial Guards wouldn't see him in their haste to kill the high lord.
He reached the spiral staircase leading up the tower. At the foot of their stairs was the wooden door to a large closet. Heart pounding, he ducked into that closet, then thrust the door closed. The closet was dark and full of old clothes, sheets, and blankets.
None of it muffled the conversation in the foyer.
"High Lord Devin Cray, you have been found complicit in the anti-government activities of your daughter Nadia. For this, the penalty is death. Where is your daughter?"
Distant screams sounded. Was something happening in the city?
"I won't tell you that," the high lord said. "You'll kill me anyways."
"Is she here in the castle?"
"No, she is not. I will tell you that much."
"Then where is she?" demanded the Imperial Guard.
"Do you really think you're going to get that out of me?"
"Have it your way. We'll make it painful." A short pause. "Cut off his left hand."
A sword sliced through flesh and bone. The high lord screamed. Both sounds turned Tylen's stomach. How could he sit here and let this happen? This man had given him so much.
But hiding in the closet was safer for Tylen, and that mattered most.
The high lord was sobbing loudly. "You bastards!"
"Tell us where she is, or it's your right hand next."
"Please, don't! Just kill me."
"His right hand, cut it off."
That sickening thud again. That horrible scream. Tylen covered his ears but couldn't drown out the sound. Yes, Imperial Guards operated by different moral standards, but how could they do this?
"You're going to bleed to death," said the Imperial Guard. "But it won't be instant. Tell us where she is, and we'll kill you right now. It'll save you a lot of pain."
"I-I've been a loyal servant," the high lord said. "You can't blame me for what she's done. You can't treat me like this."
"Actually, we can. We're the ones with magic." A pause. "Which reminds me, I think that could loosen your tongue a bit. Just a few words, that's all we ask."
"I won't do it. I won't betray my daughter."
"You've been warned."
Moments later, the high lord let out the most anguished scream Tylen had ever heard. For nearly a minute, the man kept screaming. Tylen tightened his hand around the hilt of his sword and prepared to step out of the closet.
No. What was he thinking? There were too many Imperial Guards.
The screams died down, but the high lord continued whimpering like a wounded animal some careless hunter had left to bleed to death. Horrible. Tylen leaned against the closet's stone wall, trying to calm his panicked breathing.
"Tell us where she is, or I'll do it again."
The high lord whimpered.
"Sir," said another Imperial Guard, "I think you might have gone too far. I'm not sure he can even speak anymore. Look how badly he's burned."
"Don't question me."
"Sorry, sir."
"High Lord Cray, I know you can speak. Tell me where she is."
The high lord whimpered again, said something incoherent. Why couldn't the Imperial Guards realize he was in no condition to speak?
"Maybe a little more fire will loosen your tongue."
The high lord screamed again, the sound pounding against Tylen's ears. He shrank beneath it, feeling powerless, a feeling he never wanted to endure again. He thought he would vomit.
"Tell me now. Where is she?"
The high lord moaned. "I-I can't. I won't."
"I told you he could still speak. A little pain does wonders." A long pause. "I'm giving you one more chance. We promise she won't suffer as you have."
"Your promises mean nothing to me," the high lord said. Tylen could barely hear his voice.
"Where is she? I can make you hurt worse."
"Then do it. But you'll kill me in the process."
Tylen prayed that they would indeed kill the high lord. To leave the man in such a state seemed far crueler than death. Why did they want Nadia so badly? They did not usually go to such extreme measures for members of the Order
"One more chance, High Lord Cray. You haven't felt real pain yet. That's the thing about this fire. Yes, it will kill you eventually, but the pain of the burning is far worse than real fire. The rest of those who die today will not know such pain as you have already."
"I don't care. I'm not letting you have her."
"Very well."
This time, the high lord's screams were quieter, but Tylen could hear the man's pain. The sound grated like nothing he'd ever heard, until the screams died down a few seconds later.
"I think you've killed him, sir."
A few moments of silence. Then, "Damn, I did. Warrick ain't gonna be happy."
"What now, sir?"
"We go with the plan. Warrick wanted us to find her as an extra precaution. Most likely, things will work out as he intends. At least I hope so. I've seen Warrick when he's angry. It's not a pleasant sight."
Nausea swirled in Tylen's stomach. He wasn't a man to react emotionally, but even he had to feel something for a man who'd been unwilling to betray his daughter, especially a daughter who'd disobeyed him so many times. Tylen would have given up in the same situation, probably before the torture even began.
"What are your orders, sir?" asked another Imperial Guard.
"We kill everyone in the castle. Most of the city's buildings
should burn easily, so we have to make sure those in the castle don't survive. Get to it, men."
"Yes, sir," said maybe a dozen Imperial Guards in unison.
Footsteps sounded against the stone floors as the men walked into the tower, only a few feet from the closet door. Tylen's heart pounded. Would they check inside?
"I think I should check this closet, make sure no one's hiding."
"Why would anyone be hiding in there?"
"It'll only take a few seconds."
"Don't take too long. Warrick's already started the circle of fire."
"Don't worry. I'll be quick."
A woman's bloodcurdling scream came from upstairs, but Tylen paid it no attention, for his own situation looked bleak. He couldn't escape this many Imperial Guards.
Pulse racing, he ducked beneath the pile of blankets. The door opened.
Chapter 25
Nadia looked out the window but couldn't see anything.
"What was that?" Ander darted toward the door, unsheathing his sword. Nadia watched, feeling acutely her lack of weapons.
She turned to Kara. "Do you have an extra sword, and maybe a bow?"
"Of course." Kara dashed into her room. Screams rang out, and the smell of burning wood came in through the inn's windows. Ander and Aric had already run out to investigate, leaving Nadia with Rik and the guards. Behind the counter, Kara's father looked on anxiously.
More screams sounded, and the smell intensified. Not a simple fire.
When Kara returned, she had a sword, bow, and quiver of arrows—all of which she handed to Nadia. Nadia took them before Jasin could stop her and strapped them all to her light traveling clothes.
"We need to stay in here," Jasin said.
Nadia glared at him. "Do we really want to stay inside a wooden building?"
"She has a point," David said.
Nadia looked out the window and could see the glow of many fires. The smell of smoke assaulted her, and she coughed. "I'm getting out of here. Stop me if you want."
"I'm going with you," Kara said.
"What about Aric and Ander?" Nadia asked.
Kara looked uncomfortable. "They can handle themselves."
Nadia felt a twinge in her stomach. If Kara lost Aric, that would be devastating. They were cousins but had a relationship more like siblings.
Empire of Chains (World in Chains Book 1) Page 19
