Captain Davis and Talia approached the lizard from the sides, slashing at its tough, scaly skin. They didn't do much damage, but they did make it pounce on them instead, hissing loudly. Talia rolled to the side, but the lizard crashed atop the captain.
Berig's heart pounded in his ears as he stood there frozen, watching the scene with horror. What good could he do against a beast so large?
The lizard took Captain Davis in its giant mouth and crunched down, but then it dropped him, recoiling with a violent hiss. It must have found the captain's chainmail impossible to chew through. Captain Davis scrambled to his feet, then staggered toward the twisted trees at the side of the clearing, pursued by the lizard. The other three started hacking at it again, but couldn't pierce its thick skin.
"I've got an idea," Aric said as Talia and Ander continued slashing at the beast.
Aric swung around in front of the creature just as it approached the captain, who lay on the ground, groaning.
The lizard hissed, its giant yellow eyes locking on Aric, who held his sword with grim determination. The lizard lunged, and Aric kept his feet firmly planted in the soft ground.
As the lizard closed its mouth around Aric, he drove his sword upward with tremendous force. A fang sank into his arm, and he screamed, but the lizard let out a shriek far more terrible. It staggered sideways as Aric retracted the sword and hit the ground limply. Soon the lizard fell still.
Berig took tentative steps toward it. "Is that thing dead?"
Ander approached cautiously, then touched it with his sword. "Looks like it."
"What about Aric and the captain?" Berig asked, stomach twisting into knots.
Ander knelt beside Aric, who lay on the ground, blood drenching his right arm. Aric looked up, his face pale in the distant firelight. "Did I kill it?" he asked weakly.
"Yes, you did." Ander squatted low to examine Aric. "Are you going to live?"
"I don't know. I can feel its poison running through me. I'm not hopeful."
Ander turned to Berig. "Get Farah. She might be able to help."
Berig rushed back to the campsite, where Farah and Danica stood by the fire, looking pale and shaken. Danica glanced at Berig. "Did you kill it?"
"Yeah, but we're gonna need some help. Aric's hurt badly."
Farah shot to her feet. "I'm coming. How bad is he?"
"He thinks he's gonna die."
"I might still be able to save him," Farah said.
They rushed back to the edge of the clearing, where Aric had grown paler. More blood now soaked his clothes and the ground. Farah didn't flinch at the sight. She squatted beside him and touched his arm. "Did it get you anywhere else?"
"I-I don't think so."
Farah and Ander got Aric out of his shirt, and then Farah placed her hand against the gaping hole in Aric's flesh. The wound seemed to sizzle, and blood covered Farah's hands. Danica stood beside Berig, ready with bandages, and Berig felt queasy. How could anyone stand to be a doctor or healer?
After a few moments, Farah stood up. "I've done as much as I can."
The skin had healed over the injury, but a lot of blood remained. Aric sat up and examined his wound with a deep frown. "The poison's still in me."
Ander stepped closer, his face pale. "You think you'll live?"
"I can't be sure. We'll know with time, I suppose."
"Has anyone checked on the captain?" Berig asked, peering into the trees where the man had disappeared. The others shook their heads as Aric got to his feet. He walked with them toward where they'd left Captain Davis. The captain was sitting up against a tree.
"Are you okay?" Ander asked.
Captain Davis winced. "Some broken ribs, I think."
"It didn't bite you, then?" Aric said, wavering on his legs.
"No, it didn't get through my chainmail. Got the broken ribs when it landed on me."
Ander turned to Farah. "Can you heal his ribs?"
"I don't know. I've never dealt with broken bones before."
"They're not too badly broken," the captain said. "Probably just cracked."
Farah bent low over him, placing her hands against his chest. She closed her eyes and adopted a look of deep concentration. When she pulled away, she shook her head. "I might have managed a little healing, but I just can't work with this kind of injury."
"You tried," Aric said. "That's what counts."
Ander looked grim. "Let's get back to the campsite."
They had to move slowly, supporting Aric and the captain, neither of whom could walk unaided. When they reached the campsite, they settled down beside the fire.
"Let's pray that no more of those things show up," Danica said without her usual optimism.
They did pray, though Berig didn't think it would do any good. Why would God punish His faithful like this? Religion had never made sense to Berig, but he still prayed, figuring it couldn't hurt anything.
They started walking as soon as the sun rose the next morning. By Ander's estimation, they'd arrive at the Red Plateau today.
Throughout the day, they took frequent breaks so that Aric and Captain Davis could rest. The captain rarely complained about his ribs. He kept pace with the group, wincing occasionally but showing no other signs of his injuries. Aric, however, had to stop frequently. The poison burned in his veins, and every once in a while, he became suddenly weak. At times, his thoughts seemed scattered, his attention elsewhere.
Shortly after midday, their path widened, and the mist disappeared. Beyond a few rows of gnarled, skeletal trees stood a wall of brilliant red rock probably a thousand feet tall.
"I see why this place got its name," Berig said.
"We need to find the path through the plateau," Ander said. "Our compasses should have kept us close to where we need to be."
After a few hours, they found the passage, and Berig felt no sadness over leaving the swamp behind.
Chapter 40: The Plain of Storms
Early the morning following Warrick's speech, after checking that they had everything, Nadia led the others out of the inn. The previous day, they'd spoken to Miles, and he'd offered them a ride across the river on his boat.
With sacks of supplies slung over their shoulders, they walked to the docks, where Miles waited, squinting up at them from his boat. They clambered into the boat and found barely enough room for their supplies.
"You sure you want to go through with this?" Miles asked.
"We know the dangers," Nadia said.
"Well, you're not the first people I've ferried across."
Nadia gave him a curious look. "You mean others have tried?"
"Well, the Plain of Storms isn't as dangerous as the legends make it out to be. Yeah, you'll probably see some tornadoes, maybe some monsters, but there are people who live on the plains. Not many, but you might run into them. A bit strange if you ask me."
"I didn't know that," Nadia said, trying to find a comfortable position.
"Well, most people have no reason to go to the plains. Some crazy people do, people like you, I guess. A few even return."
"No point in waiting around," Markus said, and they began rowing across the river.
After a while, Miles cleared his throat. "You still haven't told me why you're doing this."
"I'm afraid that will have to stay our secret," Nadia said.
"Okay, I understand. You can't trust anyone too much."
"This is kind of exciting, you know," Rik said with a grin. "I mean, isn't this the stuff they make stories out of—crossing places like the Plain of Storms?"
"I'm glad to see you're back to your usual self," Markus said.
"I'd be lying if I said getting stabbed and all didn't bother me, but I got through it. I can't let things like that linger."
Nadia had the feeling Rik was masking his true feelings. She could see doubt in his eyes. How long before his newfound excitement faded?
By the time they reached the other side of the river, Nadia's arms ached. Rowing did not use the same
muscles as swordplay. Markus and Rik also massaged their arms.
Miles shook hands with them. "I wish you luck, whatever you're doing."
As he got into his boat and rowed away, Nadia felt sad to see him go. He'd been kind to them twice now, expecting nothing in return. She normally saw that type of kindness only in Order members.
Nadia's stomach churned as she thought about the next part of their journey. Up until now, her quest had seemed distant, something she could touch only in her mind.
She turned to Markus. "You know, you could have turned back. Warrick told you himself. He no longer expects you to serve him. You're free."
"None of us are ever free," Markus said. "Not as long as Warrick rules. You gave me the chance to be a part of something great. Nothing could make me turn back now."
She fought back tears. "You don't know how much that means to me."
For a moment, she wanted to kiss him, but she resisted the urge. Markus was much more than she'd thought at first. He'd gone from a man who'd saved her life on a whim to a man who would try to save her life no matter what. Could she allow herself to develop feelings for him? After all, she could see his feelings in the way he looked at her, in the awkwardness he exhibited around her.
The Plain of Storms stretched ahead of them, a field of green and gold as far as she could see. The knee-length grasses swayed in a gentle breeze. However, there was a twisting trail through the grass. The path of a tornado?
Rik grinned. "You know, this place doesn't look so bad."
"Let's hope it stays that way," Markus said.
They started across the plains, the coolness of the morning fading around them. Small rodents scurried away from them, hiding among the tall grass. This seemed a beautiful place. Beautiful but empty. Did people really live here?
After a few hours, the tall grasses came to an end. Shorter grass now stretched ahead of them, and the rough path continued to meander through the plains. Towering clouds were building on the western horizon, but that was a worry for later. Right now, she could be happy.
The Plain of Storms eventually proved less flat than she'd expected. In fact, there were short rocky hills, even a few trees. Shortly after midday, they came upon a stone farmhouse sitting just off their path. Fields of wheat surrounded the farmhouse.
"Should we go there?" Markus asked.
Nadia shook her head. "We don't need anything right now. Let's keep going."
Rik looked up at the sky, where dark clouds had begun to gather. "Actually, I think we should take shelter here. I have the feeling there's a storm coming."
"Maybe you're right," Nadia said. "Hopefully the people are friendly."
They walked down a path leading to the front door, then knocked. A middle-aged woman answered the door, looking at them with narrowed eyes. "Need something? We don't get many visitors here."
"We'd like some shelter from the coming storm," Nadia said.
The woman looked up at the sky. "Looks like it might be a bad one. I suppose you can come in. But don't expect too much from us. We barely get by around here."
Nadia smiled in what she hoped was a disarming manner. "Don't worry. We have plenty of food, certainly enough to make it across the plains."
The woman's husband approached from within the stone farmhouse. He had a thick, messy beard. "You're planning on going to the desert? What could drive someone to that insanity?"
"What drives someone to live here on the Plain of Storms?" Rik said.
Nadia gave Rik a harsh look. This wasn't the time to antagonize these people.
"It's a place where outlaws go," the man said. "Oh, we used to live in Riverside, but we got into some trouble with the Imperial Guards. They don't come here to the plains. Place has a bad reputation, I guess. It's really not that bad, though. Not here anyways."
"How often do you see tornadoes?" Markus asked as the people ushered them inside. The small farmhouse contained only a couple of chairs, a table, and a small kitchen. Hardly the type of place people could live comfortably.
"A few a month during the spring and summer," the man said.
The woman gestured toward their meager surroundings. "It's not much, but it's better than imperial justice."
"I can agree with that," Nadia said.
They took seats on the ground, as the man and woman seemed reluctant to let them sit on the rickety furniture. Outside, thunder rumbled, and the sky had darkened further.
The woman settled down on one of the chairs. "What brings you here?"
Nadia hesitated. "No offense, but we don't even know your names."
"Understandable," the man said. "Nor do we know yours."
The people on the Plain of Storms did seem a strange sort. Not exactly hospitable.
"A word of warning," the man said. "If you're going to the Oasis Outpost, don't expect much. They ain't too kind to outsiders."
"I'm sure we'll be fine," Nadia said, though she felt sick to her stomach. She didn't need to think about any complications right now. If she thought too far ahead, if she considered what she had to do, she would go insane.
The thunder grew louder, and a strong wind began to blow. Nadia looked out the window, at the scattered trees nearly buckling in the wind. Those trees had to be strong to survive in this environment. The same went for the house. Wind roared, and rain soon came down in blinding sheets. Nadia stepped away from the open window.
"This storm is horrible," Rik said, pacing.
The man laughed. "This storm's nothing. Not compared to what we get all spring."
"Then I don't want to be here during the spring," Rik said.
"That you don't," the man said with a twisted grin. Nadia could not bring herself to trust these people.
After about fifteen minutes, the storm died down, and Nadia led the others out the door. The sky remained dark, and there was a distant rumble that didn't sound like thunder.
"Would you look at that?" the man said. "You got lucky."
"Lucky?" Nadia said.
"Look down there to the south. A tornado."
In the distance, maybe a mile or two to the south, a thin tornado tore across the plains. It became apparent that it would remain south of them, but would they always be so lucky?
"Well, the storm should be over," the man said. "Good luck in whatever you're doing."
"Thank you," Nadia said, though she wasn't upset to leave the strange couple. She, Markus, and Rik shouldered their supplies and marched back to the path they'd been following.
"I wasn't expecting people like that," Markus said. "Really strange."
"I have the feeling we'll see a lot stranger," Nadia said.
That night, they found a clearing where they could settle down. No more storms had threatened. Nor had any wildlife, though they'd seen small animals like rabbits and squirrels. Unfortunately, those animals had proven too hard to catch, so they relied instead on dried meat.
They'd also purchased some compasses made of a stone that glowed in the dark. Nadia had insisted they might need those in the Forest of Darkness. Much to her dismay, she'd discovered that she had to do all the planning. Markus and Rik rarely thought ahead.
"Maybe we'll actually make it through this place," Markus said.
Rik gave him a look. "Come on. Don't say things like that. You never know who or what might be listening. Some of us are superstitious, you know."
"I don't think it matters," Markus said, silvery moonlight shining on his face.
"Even Warrick can't watch everything," Nadia said. "He's a human being like anyone else, just a lot more powerful."
"I wonder why no one crosses the Plain of Storms," Rik said.
Nadia considered that. "You heard Miles. Some people have. Maybe they settle down in the Oasis Outpost. I can't see any reason people would go farther. I've heard the desert is very hard to cross, and the forest damn near impossible."
"Guess that makes sense," Rik said.
"So do you know how these places were really created?" Markus a
sked.
Nadia wished she did, but few accounts remained of the Empire's creation. "I'm not sure. What Warrick said in Riverside may be true, at least in part. I don't believe him when he says these places were meant to protect us, but I do believe that he created them."
"How can anyone be so powerful?" Rik said.
"I don't know," Nadia said. "There's a lot I don't know about magic."
"Do you really think the rest of the world's as bad as Warrick claimed?" Markus asked.
"I have no idea, even with all the time I spent in the library." She looked down at her knees. "Kara always told me I spent too much time there. I guess I didn't spend enough."
A heavy silence fell, and she thought then of Kara. Somewhere, Kara was alive. Did she need Nadia? Would Nadia ever find her? Then again, Nadia would probably die when she killed Warrick. She'd grown to accept that, or at least tolerate it. But were Markus and Rik ready to die too? Could she let them?
"You can still turn back," she said quietly.
"We're not turning back," Markus said. "I want to see Warrick dead. After Crayden, we all have a reason to kill him. And I care about you, Nadia. I won't let you go alone."
"You do realize we could very well die?"
"I know. I've accepted it."
But Nadia saw someone who enjoyed life, who was in no way ready to die. She cared about him too, like she'd cared about few others. Ander. Maybe Len. She'd sworn not to allow love into her life, but she had the nagging suspicion it was forcing its way in.
Maybe she should let it. Why not make the last weeks of her life better? Her thoughts turned again to Kara. "She should have been here with us."
Markus frowned. "Who? Kara?"
"Yes, I keep thinking how much I wish she were here."
"Well, you still have us," Markus said, putting an arm around her shoulder. His touch felt warm and comforting, and she leaned in toward him. She leaned up to kiss him, worried she was making a mistake, but she didn't care.
A bone-chilling howl sounded in the distance.
Markus shot to his feet, staring toward the sound and unsheathing his sword. Nadia got her bow ready as the howl rang out again. Closer. Louder. Her legs trembled.
World in Chains- The Complete Series Page 33
