"I'm sure we can handle anything we face," Aren said.
Though Kara appreciated Aren's reassuring words, she wished she could feel so sure herself. Whenever she considered her situation here in the Shadowed Land, she felt as if she were drowning.
They traveled through twisting passages. Whenever they reached an intersection, Lena chose a path without hesitation. The party's footsteps echoed in the silence, and their breathing seemed too loud. Aren and Lena had both lit their staffs with flickering orange light, which cast black shadows against the walls.
Something moved in the distance. A shadow, barely visible.
"You see that?" Kara whispered.
Aren and Lena nodded. Kara had her sword ready, but she didn't think she could fight a monster in the dark, not as sore as she felt. The shadow stirred again, closer. Light steps sounded. Kara tensed and peered into the distance, but the shadow had vanished.
They continued through the tunnels, keeping alert as shadows prowled in the corners of their vision. Then, as soon as the shadows appeared, they disappeared again. This felt like Woodsville all over again.
No one spoke. Any sound could alert a monster, and even the trackers had no idea what they'd face. The tunnels continued along, branching like a labyrinth, but Lena knew where she was going.
Kara felt useless. What chance did she stand against the monsters that lurked in this place?
Another shadow flitted at the edge of her vision, then turned and faced them, delivering a frigid blast of air.
Kara recognized the creature immediately. "It's a wraith. Hit it with lightning."
Aren sent a burst of lightning at the wraith. It hissed and then dissolved.
"Guess you've seen those things before," Aren said. "Glad we had you with us."
They continued past where the wraith had been, then took a left. Lena hesitated.
Aren put a hand on her shoulder. "Something wrong?"
"We're supposed to go down this passage." She pointed ahead, where there was nothing but rock. "But the tunnel must have collapsed at some point."
"What do we do, then?" Kara asked.
Lena paced by the blocked passage, muttering under her breath. At last, she said, "There's another path we can take, but it's more dangerous. Even back when we used these tunnels, it was filled with monsters."
"We don't have any choice," Aren said. "Lead on."
Lena started down a passage off to the left, casting her staff's light back and forth. For the next few minutes, the tunnels were silent apart from their echoing steps, but Kara's skin prickled.
They took turn after turn, and Kara felt more lost with every step. At the front of the group, Lena hesitated whenever she had to decide which direction to go.
A high-pitched squeak came from the passage to their right. Kara pivoted in that direction, raising her sword in defense as a giant rat leaped at her from the shadows. The rat knocked her backward, and she strained to keep its teeth away.
It had to be at least five feet long and weighed as much as a person. Bruised and battered, she couldn't hold it off for long. Nor could the others use spells without harming her.
Aren slammed against the rat and knocked it away from her. He and the rat wrestled on the rocky ground. Lena stood off to the side, gripping her staff. Once Kara steadied herself, she charged to Aren's aid. She got a clear shot at the rat and thrust her sword through its side. It let out a hideous squeal, then turned on her.
She pulled her blood-soaked sword out of the rat. It staggered toward her, blood flowing from its side, then launched itself at her again. This time, she threw herself to the side. The rat sailed past her, then skidded on the damp ground. Before it could attack again, she plunged her sword through its side. The rat squealed, then fell still.
Aren got to his feet, brushing dirt from his clothing. "Thank you, Kara."
"I'm just glad I could do something useful."
"Magic isn't the solution to everything," Lena said. "You still have your uses." She gave Kara a smile, and for the first time, Kara felt as if Lena had accepted her.
Perhaps Kara could come to enjoy her time with these people. Yes, the Shadowed Land was a grim and brutal place. Yes, they'd lost a lot of people. But that was no reason to wallow in misery and feel useless all the time. As Aren had said, Kara had brought them hope. It didn't make sense to her, but she needed to live up to his expectations.
Kara smiled at Lena. "Thank you. I know you don't give out praise lightly."
"It might not seem like it, but I actually like you a little bit. I've seen how hard this has been on you, but you haven't complained."
"I've never thought there was much use in complaining."
"Let's get moving," Aren said. "How much farther do you think it is?"
Lena led them down a passage to the right. "It shouldn't be much farther now. We should be close to the main path again."
They walked for a few minutes, reaching another place where the tunnel had collapsed.
"Damn," Lena said. "The exit's right on the other side of that."
Kara felt as if a cold hand had gripped her heart. "Is there another way?"
"I'm not sure. It's been a long time since I've really explored this place." Lena glanced to their left. "And I really don't want to go this direction. Even back during my days on the streets, I knew that horrible creatures lurked in this place. Evil spirits, that kind of thing."
"We have no choice," Kara said.
They started off to the left, making their way by the light of their staffs. After rounding a few turns, Kara caught movement up ahead: a soft glow flitting at the edge of her vision.
A soft, silvery, wispy glow.
It was the same entity that had sent her to the Shadowed Land. Surely it could send her back. She darted forward.
"What're you doing?" Aren shouted. "Don't go near that thing."
Kara stopped perhaps ten feet from the silvery orb. "Why not? This is what sent me here to the Shadowed Land. Maybe it can take me back home."
"It won't," Lena said, rushing toward her. "It will only kill you. Back home, it might transport you to the Shadowed Land. Here, its touch turns you to stone."
Kara's stomach clenched as she scrambled away from the entity. It hovered toward her with horrifying speed. Why had she been so rash? She should have known it wouldn't be that simple. Stumbling over the uneven ground, she made her way back to the others.
"Can you fight these things?" she asked.
"No," Lena said. "Magic doesn't work against them."
Aren glanced around frantically. "We'll have to find another way."
They raced through the tunnels, retracing their path for a while, then took a new turn. At first, it would take them farther from the exit, but perhaps they'd find their way back. Kara prayed they wouldn't run into any more of these silvery beings.
The entity had given up its pursuit, so they slowed their pace. In the shadows up ahead, something stirred. Lena shone her light upon it, but then it seemed to disappear.
"I'm really getting tired of this place," Aren said.
Lena took a hesitant step forward. "It wasn't always like this."
They walked to the spot where they'd seen the movement, but nothing threatened. Still, Kara thought she saw darting motions in the corners of her vision. Then she'd turn and there'd be nothing. The air felt cold and clammy, and she trembled with every step.
Out of nowhere, something slammed against her. She hit the ground hard, unable to breathe, pinned beneath something massive.
Lena turned her light on Kara, and in the glow, Kara made out a giant, crab-like creature at least four feet long. It clicked its pincers, trying to pinch and cut her, but she held it away, pushing with all the strength she had.
The crab hissed madly, and she tried to get her sword free to stab its soft underbelly. Aren and Lena were hacking at the monster with their swords, but they couldn't get through the hard shell on its back. This was up to Kara. Again.
She push
ed with everything she had, and gave herself some room. Then, with her other hand, she plunged her sword into the crab's belly. It recoiled, clicking its pincers, then fell still.
Lena kneeled beside Kara. "You all right?"
Kara rose, brushing dirt from her torn and tattered clothes. "I'm fine."
She felt for injuries but didn't have any. Again, her thoughts drifted to Alia. How many more people would die for Kara's hopeless dream? She knew Aren saw hope in her, but she had trouble finding that hope herself.
The three of them continued through the tunnels, rounding a few more twists and turns. At last, they reached a ladder leading up out of the passages.
"This will take us into the city," Lena said. "Whether that's a good thing, I don't know."
Chapter 27: Creatures of the Forest
Berig, Klint, Danica, and Aric traveled east from the Clan Seagull settlement. In a small patch of woods perhaps a mile away, they found Clan Mountain Eagle.
When Berig's party stepped into view, Darek greeted them with a thin smile. "Good. You've survived. Any difficulties?”
Klint barked a laugh. “Yeah, you could say that.”
They explained everything that had happened in the settlement. The warriors of Clan Mountain Eagle muttered curses.
“That is not the proper way of the clans,” Darek said. “Clan Seagull will pay for this.” His tone softened, but there was grief in it. “At least you four made it out.”
“We’re sorry we couldn’t save anyone else,” Aric said. He looked paler than usual, as though the battle had made his condition worse.
“And we’d love to get our revenge,” Klint said, “but we've got other things to do.”
Darek nodded. “Don’t worry. I understand.”
“You’ve been very kind to us,” Aric said. “Thank you. But now we must reach Luminia. The longer we delay, the worse my condition will get.”
“The path east will be dangerous,” Darek said. “There'll be the usual monsters, but you’ll also face creatures in the forest unlike anything you’ve ever seen. We call them goblins 'cause they look like a mythical creature from the Old World. They're cunning and vicious. Monsters ain't too smart, but these goblins can outthink you."
“We’ll be ready,” Aric said.
Berig always wondered how Aric could stay so positive. Again, it seemed that Aric and Danica were perfect for each other. Berig would have to make it through life alone, which hardly surprised him by now.
“You'll also run across Clan Forest Snake,” Darek said, leaning against the trunk of an enormous tree. “They're one of the better clans. They don’t wage war very often, but they're also quite . . . mystical in their beliefs. A strange people, if you ask me.”
“As long as they’re hospitable,” Aric said, “I don’t really care.”
Darek stepped away from the trees. “I’m sure you’ll fare just fine. If you can survive the brutality of Clan Seagull, you can make it through anything.”
Berig wished he could feel so confident. How many more times could he face death and escape unscathed? He looked across the clearing to Danica. She stood by herself, her expression downcast, as if she'd finally lost her relentless positivity. He hoped that wasn’t true, but how could anyone remain positive through everything they’d experienced?
He put a hand on her shoulder. “You feeling all right?”
“I’ll be fine." She avoided his gaze. “Just need some time.”
Klint was standing nearby. “We could all use a little of that.”
“We don’t have that luxury,” Aric said. “We have to get going now.”
Darek and the rest of Clan Mountain Eagle provided them with a few supplies for the road, then wished them a safe journey. They were welcome to return to Clan Mountain Eagle whenever they wished. Though Berig liked Darek and the other clansmen, he hoped he’d never see this part of the world again.
They started to the east, leaving the small patch of woods behind. For the first evening, they traveled through the plains, encountering only a few small monsters.
The next morning, they entered a thick forest. Parts of the path were so overgrown that they had to cut their way through. Berig and Danica still carried their swords, but Berig hated using it, even to cut low-hanging vines out of the way. It felt stiff and unnatural in his hand.
“How'd you get so comfortable with a sword?” he asked Aric.
“It takes a lot of training. No one feels like they can handle it at first.”
“How much training?”
“Years and years,” Aric said. “Don’t expect to master anything overnight.”
Berig kicked a few rocks out of his path. “I just hope I can use it against some of these monsters.”
“Don’t worry about that,” Aric said. “Klint and I will protect us.”
“Yeah, and that makes me and Danica useless.”
“You’re not useless." Aric hacked at a thick vine. “How many times have you saved us on this journey? Maybe you aren’t skilled with a sword like I am, or with magic like Klint. But you have your uses. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
Danica put a hand on Berig’s shoulder. “He’s right. You might not think so, Berig, but you’re quite possibly the bravest person I’ve ever seen. The way you fought against that snake was amazing. You knew you were in over your head, but you did it anyways.”
“Maybe I’m just an idiot, and I don’t know any better.”
At the front of the group, Klint let out a low laugh. “In my experience, there’s a fine line between bravery and stupidity. Not sure which side you’re on just yet.”
“Thanks,” Berig said. “That’s reassuring.”
Klint flashed him a crooked smile. “I try my best.”
As they traveled through the forest, Berig joined in with their conversations, trying to feel more like he was part of the group. He had no idea why he was resistant to the idea. They were good people, and they'd accepted him, yet there was still that lingering doubt. All his life, he'd learned to live without depending on others.
And no one had ever depended on him.
Darek had warned them about the dangers of the forest, but they encountered nothing dangerous through their first day of travel. Still, every sound made Berig tense and peer into the distance. Again, he heard faint sounds the others couldn't.
That night, they settled down around a campfire, eating some wild rabbit they'd caught. Animals called out in the distance, but none were close enough to threaten.
Klint threw aside a bone. "Is the whole world outside the mountains gonna be like this?"
"Why?" Aric asked.
"Let's see. We've fought all these monsters. We've been in the middle of a clan war. We've been taken prisoner. Honestly, we're lucky to be alive. What's the point?" He shook his head. "Look, Aric. I like you. I know you need to be healed. But after that?"
Aric chewed thoughtfully, then swallowed. "I have no idea. I don't even know if these sorcerers will help me. But those are concerns for later."
How could people think like that? Berig had always tried to live in the present, but his mind didn't listen. There were always future worries. Would he have enough food? Would he survive another winter on the streets? Would he stay out of prison?
"Klint, I know how you must feel," Danica said, "but at least you're a leader here. I feel like I have no reason to be here other than some cryptic words from Cyrus about how I might be important." She shook her head. "It's hard to stay positive through all this. It's hard to believe."
"Faith is rarely easy," Aric said.
Klint took a bite of his rabbit and spoke with his mouth full. "But who, or what, am I supposed to have faith in? Cyrus? God? These ridiculous Webs of Fate? In the end, the only thing I believe in is myself. It's always been that way."
Klint's philosophy felt achingly familiar. Berig had lived his life the same way, struggling to survive on the streets, putting faith in no one else.
Not even his brother. H
e still felt hollow when he thought of Marek's disappearance. Was it time to declare Marek dead?
"You do wonder," Danica said. "What are we going to do in Luminia?"
Aric leaned back against a nearby tree, weariness settling over his features. "I don't know. I'm sure we can start new lives there. The whole world can't be like these Clanlands."
"I don't know," Berig said. "Maybe Warrick was always telling the truth. Maybe he really was protecting us from things much worse."
Klint threw aside the last remnants of his dinner. "Maybe. I've never liked Warrick, but I've never hated him like some of you do. I worked for Warrick supporters, not just the Order. I worked for whoever would pay me the most money. I saw more of the nastiness in the Empire than just about anyone, but I also saw a great deal of stability and prosperity."
"None of these damned monsters," Berig said. "That's something, ain't it?"
"No war," Klint said.
Aric shook his head in disgust. "Warrick's still a tyrant."
"No one's denying that," Klint said, "but I have to think a tyrant's better than life out here. In the Empire, most people get by as long as they obey the law."
"The unjust law," Aric said, his features tightening. Berig had always known that Aric was a member of the Order, but had never truly seen the man's anger toward Warrick. Aric had always been calm, hiding his emotions much better than Berig ever could.
A twig snapped in the distance. Berig jerked upright, peering into the darkness.
Klint kept his voice low. "What is it?"
"Think I heard something."
Another twig snapped. Leaves rustled. Berig squinted into the darkness—was that a shadow? Something moving? A person? A monster?
"Put out the fire," he whispered, trembling.
Aric and Klint kicked some dirt atop the fire. Beneath a sudden blanket of darkness, Berig could barely see the others, and they probably couldn't see him at all. That darkness felt suffocating as Berig inched toward the distant sounds.
More twigs snapping. More rustling. Soft but menacing steps.
A light flared in the distance, and cold dread gripped at Berig's insides. Goosebumps crawled across his flesh. He got to his feet, worried he was making the wrong decision, and crept silently toward the sound, picking his way through the underbrush.
World in Chains- The Complete Series Page 72
