World in Chains- The Complete Series

by Ryan W. Mueller

  He turned to Nadia. "Do you know what happens to normal ghosts? I mean, when people die, do you think they go on in some way?"

  "I don't know everything, Markus."

  The smell of smoke lingered in the air. The atmosphere around the ruined city felt heavy, as if it contained the weight of those released souls. Was there a God out there? If so, why had He let this happen?

  Markus had to stop thinking of things like that. Too much thinking made his head swim.

  Eventually, they reached the city's western side, looking south toward some of the manors that stood mostly intact. A tear trickled down Nadia's cheek. Markus thought to wipe it away, but didn't.

  "We need to remember this," he said. "This is what Warrick does."

  Nadia left the tear alone. "Yes. Whenever we think it's too difficult, whenever we think the world doesn't need us, we should look back on this moment. The world needs to be rid of the monster who did this."

  Rik nodded. "Well said."

  * * * * *

  Berig felt out of place among the party leaving for Mountainside and avoided eye contact. All their talk had only convinced him he didn't deserve to share in their goals.

  Maybe he could go somewhere else, start a new life there. But what if Imperial Guards were waiting for him like they'd been in Crayden? Was Mountainside his only hope?

  He stared up at the canopy above the small clearing as a light wind rustled the leaves. Woodland scents hung in the air, and animals called out in the distance. This was a relaxing place, a place of freedom, but he couldn't stay here forever.

  Nothing good ever lasted.

  "You all right, Berig?"

  He looked up to see Danica, a woman about his age who'd joined their party. She had light blond hair and a certain spirit that allowed her to remain happy despite losing family and friends in the city.

  Berig didn't meet her gaze. "Just thinking."

  "You're considering not coming with us." She settled down on the dirt beside him, brushing aside a few leaves. "I can see it in your eyes, Berig. It's okay if you aren't sure, but I think you should come. Warrick killed your parents. Now he almost killed you. Can you ignore that?"

  Berig turned a twig over in his hands. "Look. I've never been the type for revenge. I don't know why he killed my parents. I just accepted it and moved on. Sometimes you gotta just accept things. But I don't know. Maybe I've been doing it wrong."

  "I can understand that. We've spent too long accepting things as they are. I mean, I wasn't even part of the Order before this happened. I don't know how to handle a sword, or any kind of weapon really. But I'm willing to learn, willing to become a stronger person. Berig, I know you have that same spark in you. You can make a difference."

  Berig let out a low chuckle, leaning back against a giant tree. Its rough bark felt solid, unlike anything in his life. "You know, I don't think anyone's ever told me that before. I've always been told I'm gonna amount to nothing. You start to believe it after a while."

  "Well, you'll just have to change that belief."

  But Berig didn't know how he could do that. The events of the last few days had done nothing to change his expectations. Yet there was that nagging feeling. Twice, he'd been among the few survivors of a tragedy, and that didn't even include his other narrow escapes.

  Some might have said he had luck on his side. He couldn't call it that. If luck had been on his side, he'd have scraped out a better life. Maybe it was fate.

  No. He couldn't bring himself to believe in things like that.

  Danica had returned to the rest of the group, spreading her brighter spirits among them. She had a way of doing that without seeming too happy. There truly was something special about her, a reason he wanted to remain by her side. He made his decision, joining the group.

  If he was going to accompany them to Mountainside, he'd better get to know them.

  A small group had decided to make this journey, led by Aric and Ander. Captain Davis of the Crayden city guard, still wearing his yellow surcoat, was a secondary leader. For some reason, he hadn't taken on a greater role, and he seemed more distant and upset than the others.

  Also among the group were Graig, a former merchant with a neatly-groomed beard, and his wife Talia, both approaching middle-age. The last person in the group, Farah, sat apart from the others. She'd been reluctant to share her story. Her clothes, conspicuously clean, revealed that she was a wealthy young woman.

  So there were eight people in the group, out of more than forty who'd escaped Crayden. Not that Berig blamed anyone for taking the easy way out. He wasn't even sure what he could do for the Order.

  Maybe he wanted to run toward something for once. All his life, he'd been running from things. Running from his burning village, from guards in Bradenton, from his debt to Amar. Running after killing the man in that alley. Always running.

  Danica was right. He needed to find a new path, a path that could make him proud.

  But this wasn't the first time he'd tried to change. As always, he'd return to his old ways, disappointing so many people, most of all himself.

  "Let's get moving," Ander said loudly, capturing everyone's attention. "We should reach the edge of the Black Swamp by nightfall. We'll spend one last night here in the forest, then begin our journey through the swamp tomorrow morning."

  "We don't have much food," Aric said, "but Ander and I are capable hunters. There's a lot of game to be found here in the forest, and hopefully in the swamp as well."

  "I can also hunt," Talia said, which didn't surprise Berig. She had a bow strapped to her back, along with two knives and a sword. She was more the fighter than her husband, and she'd actually convinced him to join the Order.

  Ander surveyed the group. "Is everyone ready?"

  They murmured their assent, and Berig nodded. With a small dagger Theo had given him, he followed the rest of the group to the east, marching through sweltering heat.

  The party traveled for hours, afternoon fading to evening around them. At the back of the group, Berig remained silent. Danica hadn't dropped back to talk to him. Instead, she spent her time with Aric at the head of the group.

  They caught some rabbits for dinner that night. With the quickness and sneakiness of a thief, Berig captured three, and he felt useful for once. The others offered him glowing compliments, except for Farah, who remained silent, standing apart from everyone else.

  "You know, Berig," Graig said as they cooked their dinner, "it's okay to feel like you're part of the group. You're not the only outsider among us. The past is the past. Let it go."

  They stood around their roaring fire, which Ander had lit with his magical staff. As evening turned to night, the air cooled a little, though it remained muggy. Thunder had rumbled all evening, but no storms had followed

  "I don't know," Berig said. "I just feel weird being part of this."

  Graig checked the cooking meat. "No one cares what you've done. We're all starting fresh here. Crayden is gone."

  "But I didn't come from Crayden," Berig said. "I've never been part of something like the Order. I've always done things for myself. Never cared about anything bigger."

  "People can change. You need to give yourself a chance."

  "Yeah, maybe."

  Berig walked a few steps away and took a seat as far from everyone else as possible. Aric and Ander had gone off to forage for berries and other edible plants, while Captain Davis and Talia stood watch. Danica joined Graig, watching the cooking meat.

  Farah had disappeared, probably somewhere in the forest. Berig had no idea why she'd want to go wandering in the darkness. Who knew what monsters might be lurking unseen?

  By the time dinner was ready, she'd returned. She remained aloof, though, more aloof in fact than Berig, as she ate her meal off to the side, behind a large tree. At least Berig forced himself to join the others, sitting with Graig, Talia, and Danica in the middle of the clearing.

  He tore off some meat with his teeth and chewed with relish. To hi
m, eating anything felt like a delicacy—even when the meat was tough and stringy.

  Graig swallowed a mouthful, then turned to Berig. "You still haven't told us your whole story. How'd you really end up here?"

  No point holding anything back. These people deserved to know him better than they did, so he told his story.

  Once he finished, Danica said, "That's a rough life, Berig, and you have to realize that Warrick's the reason for all your problems."

  "I don't know about that. Some of my problems are my own doing."

  "We could all say the same," Graig replied. "You're no different than anyone else."

  "What about you?" Berig licked the juices of his fingers. "You've probably already told your stories, but I wasn't really around, you know. What made you decide you had to be part of the Order and go on this crazy quest?"

  Graig tossed his remaining rabbit bone to the side. "My family's been merchants for generations. Most merchants around the Empire don't support Warrick. Some do, but they're the odd ones. Warrick's policies don't exactly favor commerce."

  "Yeah, I knew an innkeeper back in Bradenton," Berig said, leaning against a tree trunk, wishing he could feel relaxed for once. "Didn't like Warrick."

  "So my family's been Order supporters for generations. Not exactly members, but we'd give special deals to people who were. That's how I met Talia. Her family did a lot of things for the Order and occasionally needed a good deal here or there. And so I grew to love her. She wouldn't marry me if I didn't join the Order." He shrugged. "Pretty easy choice if you ask me."

  Talia smiled in the flickering light. "And I wouldn't have it any other way."

  Berig was surprised at the tenderness in her voice. It was hard to reconcile the image of Talia and all her weapons with a woman who seemed gentle. Adventuring types normally had a lot of rough edges.

  Of course, people often said the same about Berig. But he'd never liked hurting people. Better to run away. Again, he remembered the man he'd killed in that alley.

  "I wish we could all find such love," Danica said, smiling as she leaned against a tree trunk. She looked at Berig, and it felt as if something were squirming in his stomach.

  "How do you stay so happy?" he asked.

  "Will being upset make your problems go away? No. It only makes your problems bigger and makes other people feel worse. Do you think I'm truly happy right now? I've lost everyone important to me. But they're dead. I can't change that."

  Berig could see why she thought that way. When had crying ever solved anything? It hadn't brought his parents back, hadn't told him what happened to his brother, hadn't gotten him out of debt.

  Still, sadness seemed part of his personality, and how could he change that?

  "Anyone know about Farah?" he asked to distract himself.

  They all shook their heads. Farah sat far across the campsite, so far away she was barely visible.

  "I know about her," Ander said as he approached.

  "Who is she?" Berig asked.

  Ander settled down beside them in the dirt. Though he was a noble, he didn't seem full of himself like so many nobles Berig had encountered. Berig couldn't help but like Ander.

  "She was a noble back in Crayden," Ander said. "Her family supported Warrick before it happened. Now she says she's had a change of heart. Honestly, I'm not sure if she's telling the truth, but I've given her the benefit of the doubt. Many people have changed their beliefs these last few days. How could she still support Warrick after that?"

  Captain Davis joined them, trudging about as gloomily as ever. "I don't believe her. Her clothes weren't covered in smoke stains. I don't think she was even in Crayden. Or if she was, she got out of the city before it got bad."

  "I understand your suspicions," Ander said. "We'll keep an eye on her for sure. But if she were a Warrick supporter, why would she take such a hard road to get to Mountainside? She could just ask the Imperial Guards to let her through the Varner City gate."

  "To gain our trust," Captain Davis said.

  Ander looked troubled. "That's possible. I suppose we'll find out soon enough. For the time being, though, I think we should all get some rest. Only God knows what will happen once we reach the Black Swamp."

  Chapter 33: On the Road

  By early afternoon the next day, Markus, Nadia, and Rik had left Crayden far behind. The images of the ruined city slowly faded from Markus's vision, but they'd never leave him. Now they marched along the dirt road, skirting the edges of the forest to the south. To the north were rolling hills dotted with only a few trees. They had left the mountains behind.

  Markus turned to Nadia. "You doing okay? You haven't said anything for a while."

  "I'm just thinking. There's been a lot to think about lately."

  As they walked, he maintained a good distance from her. The closer he was to her, the more tempted he'd feel to hold her in his arms, and she wasn't ready for that kind of attention.

  "Well, a little less thinking might be good right now," he said.

  "He's right," Rik said, walking with a bounce to his step. "I know it's horrible what happened, but we can't think about it forever. If we're gonna have any chance of killing Warrick, we need to focus on the future."

  Nadia sighed wearily. "I know, but it's rather difficult after losing so many."

  "I understand," Rik said. "But would they want you to feel so upset?"

  Nadia looked away. "I know that, and I'm trying. I'm not exactly good at letting things go."

  "I was just hoping we could make things a little lighter. I mean, dwelling on the past ain't gonna do us any good. Focus on the past where it helps you plan the future. Let go of those things that make life harder." He shrugged. "That's what I think."

  Nadia fell silent while Markus and Rik shared a long, awkward look. Markus liked Rik's ideas, but didn't want to press Nadia after she'd lost so many people.

  In the silence, he heard a faint rustling from the trees to the south. He held up a hand. "Anyone else hear that?"

  Rik looked around. "Hear what?"

  Markus peered toward the edge of the forest, seeing more movement. "Look closely. You see anything?"

  Nadia and Rik stared toward the trees.

  "Yeah, I think there might be someone or something there," Rik said.

  "Let's keep walking," Nadia said. "See if they follow."

  Markus felt nauseous as they started walking. His uncle had warned him of bandits on the road. Imperial Guards often left smaller settlements and roads unprotected. Every few steps, Markus glanced to his left and saw more movement. Four figures emerged from the trees, wearing rough clothing, unkempt hair, and messy beards.

  "Get ready," Markus said, putting one hand on Rik's shoulder and unsheathing his sword with the other. Rik pulled his axe from his back, and Nadia readied her bow. The four men had drawn their swords, and one of them carried a bow, which he'd aimed at the party.

  Four on three. Markus didn't like those odds.

  One man stepped forward from the group. "Let's not have any bloodshed here. Hand over everything you have, and we'll leave you in peace."

  "Or you could walk away," Nadia said, aiming at his chest. He wore light, tattered clothing that would not block an arrow.

  "Do you really think I fear you, a woman?"

  "I'm a woman with a bow, and I know how to use it. Would you like proof?"

  The man narrowed his eyes. "I don't have time for games. By all means, put an arrow in my chest, but my man here will do the same to you. He used to be an Imperial Guard, you know. Got kicked out for being too vicious."

  Rik glared at the man. "Why don't you leave us alone? I'm sure you can find easier targets—I mean, with all the refugees from Crayden."

  Another bandit laughed. "There's one big problem with refugees. They ain't got nothing." He spat on the ground. "Worthless if you ask me."

  "I'm sure you can find something in Crayden," Markus said.

  "You seen that place?" said the bandit leader. "It's b
een cleaned out already, what little was left after the fire." He stepped closer. "Let's stop this game."

  Markus exchanged anxious glances with the others. They couldn't afford to give up their weapons, or their gold. That gold could buy them everything they'd need for their quest.

  Nadia narrowed her eyes. "Don't step any closer."

  But the bandit leader did move toward her, his sword at the ready.

  "I'm warning you," Nadia said. "One more step and I'll shoot."

  The bandit leader continued forward. Nadia turned and sent an arrow through the archer's chest. He grunted, clutching the spot, and hit the ground.

  "You've made a grave mistake," the leader said. He moved with amazing speed for a large man as he charged toward Nadia. She turned and darted up a nearby hill. Markus didn't have time to watch her. Instead, he engaged the leftmost bandit, using sword techniques he'd learned from his uncle.

  Heart pounding, Markus sidestepped the bandit's lunge and turned. Then he plunged his sword through the man's chest. The blade caught at first, but he put more weight behind it, and it sank wetly through flesh. The bandit fell to the ground, moaning and writhing in pain as Markus removed the bloody sword.

  "I'm sorry I had to do this," Markus said, "but you had your chance."

  He charged toward where Rik was dancing back and forth, using his axe to deflect every attack his opponent sent at him. That was no way to fight. In a battle, you had to be quick, decisive.

  Markus approached the bandit from behind while he was focused on Rik. To his credit, Rik didn't act like he'd seen Markus. Markus took a moment to judge the bandit's movements, but just as he was about to attack, the man turned.

  He swung his sword in a wide arc that Markus barely ducked, but that gave Rik the moment he needed. Rik swung his axe, aiming for the man's neck. The axe hit the bandit with a dull thwack, nearly severing the man's head. Blood flowed from the spot.

  Rik's face had turned pale. A thin layer of blood lined the edge of the axe.

  "Nadia!" Markus said. "We have to find her!"

  They raced up the hill, toward where Markus had last seen Nadia. On the downward slope, Nadia was running from the bandit. She'd drawn her sword but looked hesitant to use it.