"And what will that accomplish?" Mara asked. She'd been silent awhile.
"It will allow this negative magical energy to find more space. The world is much, much larger than the Empire. Once the magic escapes these final barriers, it will spread out so much that it will have very few effects on the rest of the world."
Garet gave Cyrus a stern look. "I feel like there's something you aren't telling us."
"There's one slight problem with this," said Captain Davis. "Remember? I've been to the Underground City. There are no sorcerers there. They're all gone. Or dead."
"That's because they tried to open a permanent gateway between Terra and the Shadowed Land," Cyrus said. "The connection between the worlds became weak and unstable, and they were all taken to the Shadowed Land."
Commander Adams was frowning. "Does that mean we risk being sent there as well?"
"It does," Cyrus said. "If that bothers you, you're welcome to abstain from this mission." He stroked his chin. "To be clear, I don't think the rift they created will be a problem. No, it's the Silver Wisp we have to worry about."
"I'm familiar with the Silver Wisp," said Captain Davis.
Cyrus continued. "I must also warn you that the Silver Wisp is not the worst evil we'll face in that place. Because they opened it up to the Shadowed Land, they let in all kinds of evil entities that were meant to remain hidden. The magical device we're looking for lies deep within the city, where this evil is likely to be its strongest."
To Garet's delight, Commander Adams looked paler by the second. Perhaps he wasn't as tough as he appeared. Then again, Garet imagined he was similarly pale. That darkness shrouding the city was unnerving. He'd ventured deep into Woodsville, almost too deep, and had experienced a similar darkness. After seeing it, he'd never returned to the city.
"Why are you sharing all this with us?" Dave asked. "Can't you go in yourself and do what needs to be done?"
Cyrus chuckled hollowly. "Oh, I'm no doubt a very powerful sorcerer, but I can't do this on my own. I'll need people to protect me."
Dave raised an eyebrow. "And have these Webs of yours told you who is to come with you?"
"They have told me which party would be most advantageous, but I will not force anyone to come with me if they don't want to."
Garet took a deep breath, hoping he wasn't making the worst mistake of his life. "I'll come with you. I've seen every part of the Empire. I ought to be dead by now. I might as well see a little more."
To his surprise, Commander Adams stepped forward. "I will come as well. Someone loyal to Warrick should be part of this."
Gram, the Bradenton Imperial Guard, also stepped forward. He turned to Commander Adams. "With your permission, sir, I would like to join the party."
"Permission granted."
Captain Davis shook his head. "I can't go back to that place. Call me a coward all you want, but I've seen enough of it. Give me an enemy with a sword and I'll fight him. I want no part of magic and monsters."
"I respect your decision," Cyrus said, "and I do not think you're a coward." He turned his piercing gaze to Dave, Mara, and Captain Young of the Bradenton town guard.
"I will stay with my city," said Captain Young. "I want to come. I want to be a part of this, but somebody needs to keep the people calm through these tough times."
"I think we can do more good here," Dave said, putting a hand on Mara's shoulder.
She nodded her agreement. "We've always sought to protect people out on the plains. We can do the same here in Bradenton."
"I understand," Cyrus said, "and I don't fault any of you for staying behind." He smiled. "To tell you the truth, this is the exact party I was hoping for. I can't tell you exactly why that is, because the Webs are never that clear, but the four of us stand the best chance of succeeding."
Four people didn't seem like a lot, but Garet trusted Cyrus's judgment.
"We shouldn't waste any time," Cyrus said.
Chapter 36: The Clan War
Tylen, Will, and Farah made their way to the east, remaining alert for the appearance of other people. Tylen had no idea whether they'd encounter friends or foes, but he did know he was tired of seeing no signs of civilization.
He'd never walked this much in his life, and his feet felt as if they'd fall off, but he didn't grumble about it. Once, he would have complained to no end, but now his life had taken a different turn. A better turn. Perhaps his time as an Imperial Guard had changed him. He barely recognized the spoiled noble he'd once been.
"Why do you think Warrick wanted you to go to Luminia?" Will asked.
Tylen kept putting one foot in front of the author. "I'm not sure. He didn't explain."
"Got any guesses?"
"Is there any point in guessing?" Tylen asked. "I'm just doing what he told me."
Will frowned. "Is it really that simple? Following orders without question?"
"We're Imperial Guards. That's what we're supposed to do."
"I'm not an Imperial Guard," Farah said. "I don't follow Warrick's orders simply because it's my job, my duty. I follow his orders because I believe in his vision."
"I want to believe in his vision," Tylen said, "but I was there in Crayden when it burned. It's hard to support him after seeing him slaughter so many. I know he says it was necessary, all a part of his grand plan to improve the world, but it's still difficult."
Farah looked deep in thought. "All right, I'll grant you that. I wasn't there. I didn't see the destruction firsthand."
Will scratched at his short beard. "What do you think would happen if we ignored Warrick's orders? I mean, he's gone, isn't he? We're free to do whatever we please."
"He'll be back," Tylen said, pushing through some tall grass.
"I agree," Farah said. "He knows what he's doing. He'll come back, and when he does, he'll punish us if we didn't follow his commands." She walked a few steps, frowning in thought. Even on the road, she looked beautiful—much more beautiful than Nadia, in fact. "I also think that, when he comes back, he won't be confined to the Empire."
"What makes you think that?" Will asked.
"It just makes sense."
Tylen couldn't argue with that. Though Warrick hadn't shared everything with him, he knew Warrick was in control. He always was. Even outside the Empire, Tylen remained subject to Warrick's orders. To disobey the emperor was a dangerous game, and however much Tylen had changed, he still believed in self-preservation above all else.
"There are riders up ahead," Farah said, pointing toward a nearby hill. Atop that hill, more than a dozen people rode upon horses. "And I think they've seen us."
Tylen's party stopped and watched the riders approach. His stomach twisted into a knot, and his legs felt suddenly weak. As the riders neared them, Tylen inspected their appearance. They were all men, and they looked a bit wild, covered in dirt with long, braided birds.
One of the riders led his horse toward them. "I am Darek, chief of Clan Mountain Eagle. You are the third group of people I've encountered around here in the last few days. You from the Empire too?"
"Yes, we are," Tylen said. "Is that a problem?"
"Not for us, but it might be for you. Some of the other clans don't take too kindly to strangers wandering in their lands. We're at war right now with two clans: Clan Seagull and Clan Black Wolf. Both of them would kill you with little hesitation."
"Then I guess it's a good thing you found us," Tylen said.
"Come with us to our nearest settlement," Darek said. "I'm afraid we can't spare too much, but we can probably find you something to eat."
"Thank you for your hospitality," Farah said.
The settlement was about thirty minutes away. When they reached it, Tylen was astonished to see the way people lived out there. There were no walls, no defenses apart from a short wooden fence. Each of the buildings was a hut made of dirt and covered with a straw roof. It looked as if a good wind gust could destroy most of the settlement.
"This is why Warrick is good for
the world," Farah said. "We don't live like this in the Empire, and we never have to worry about war."
Tylen couldn't argue with that.
Darek and the others clansmen led the party to a small campfire, where they'd been cooking deer meat. After so long on dried rations, eating fresh meat was a welcome change. It wasn't the quality of food Tylen had once enjoyed, but those comforts belonged to a life Tylen had left behind.
At times, he was surprised to realize how well he'd adjusted to a much rougher life. He'd always enjoyed his comforts, his wealth, his prestige. Now he was just another person struggling to survive in a harsh world.
"We're trying to reach the eastern shore," Tylen said as they ate around the fire.
Darek spoke with his mouth full. "You've got a long journey ahead of you."
"And a dangerous one," said a clanswoman whose name Tylen had already forgotten.
"You'll have to be careful," Darek said. "The most direct route to the east passes through Clan Black Wolf territory. As I told you before, they don't take kindly to strangers in their lands. But it's better than heading south through the lands of Clan Seagull."
Tylen felt lost and overwhelmed. Clan Mountain Eagle had been kind to them, but it sounded like that was a rarity out here. How could Tylen and his party hope to survive when they knew so little about the world they'd entered? Why hadn't Warrick given them more information? Did the emperor always have to be so damned secretive?
"How can we get through Clan Black Wolf's territory?" Tylen asked.
"Their territory stretches all the way from here to the mountains," Darek said. "Your best bet is to head straight east from here. There aren't too many settlements along that path. When you reach the mountains, you should turn south. There's only one pass through the mountains. I've heard rumors that it's guarded by some kind of monster, but I've never been there myself."
"Is that the only way through?" Tylen asked.
Darek nodded gravely. "As far as I know, yes."
Tylen was about to ask another question, but then two young clansmen came running toward the fire. When one of them spoke, he sounded short on breath. "Clan Black Wolf has sent a raiding party. They should be here in minutes."
Chapter 37: Clan Black Wolf
Tylen felt petrified as he waited for Clan Black Wolf to reach the settlement. He and Will had been trained to fight as Imperial Guards, but Tylen wasn't wearing his chain mail. He felt vulnerable without it.
"You should get outta here," Darek said. "We'll take care of the battle. You should use it is a distraction. We can handle things ourselves."
Tylen had already been planning something like that. He didn't want to be part of this battle. It wasn't his war. Yes, Clan Mountain Eagle had helped them and given them food, but that wasn't worth dying for. In Tylen's experience, very few things were worth one's life.
The riders approached from atop a nearby hill, dozens and dozens of them. Clan Mountain Eagle had similar numbers of warriors, so Tylen had no idea who'd win the battle. All he knew was he had to get out of here. Now.
But they couldn't escape until the battle started. Some of the riders carried bows. If Tylen's party tried to escape too soon, they'd be easy targets.
The riders rushed forward, screaming their war cries. Tylen's legs felt as if they couldn't support his weight. His chest seized with panic, the type of panic he hadn't felt since Crayden, or perhaps since his duel with Sam, his commander.
"We might have to fight anyways," Will said.
Tylen groaned softly, the sound lost amidst the activity surrounding them. "Not if I have anything to say about it."
Clan Mountain Eagle's warriors rushed forward, some on horseback, some on foot. They unleashed their own war cries, and soon volleys of arrows flew back and forth. One arrow whizzed by Tylen's ear, and his heart climbed into his throat.
"This is our best chance!" he shouted over the chaos. "We need to run."
He, Will, and Farah took off running as arrows flew through the air. The clinking and clanking of swords rang out as the riders met one another with savage fury. Already, Tylen could smell blood in the air. A few warriors on each side had fallen.
Tylen's party reached the edge of the settlement, but two riders from Clan Black Wolf were pursuing them. He turned to face them, nocking an arrow on his bow. Though he wasn't a great archer, he was good enough to hit a man heading straight toward him.
The rider urged his mount to the side just as Tylen released the arrow. It flew past the man, missing him by less than a foot. Damn. Now the rider was too close. Tylen dropped his bow and unsheathed his sword.
The horse raced toward him, preparing to trample him. As he ducked to the side, narrowly avoiding its charge, he slashed at one of its legs. The horse lost its balance as the leg collapsed beneath it, sending the rider flying forward. The man hit the ground hard, letting out a soft groan, but then he got to his feet immediately, facing Tylen with a drawn sword.
Tylen engaged the man, driving him back with a quick series of swings and thrusts. When Tylen had a sword in his hands, he felt as if he could conquer any challenge. Tylen parried one blow, then darted past his opponent's defenses and plunged his sword through the man's chest. The warrior's face twitched in pain and surprise, and then he fell.
Tylen turned away from the dying man, looking for Will and Farah. To his horror, he saw Will chasing after one of the riders. The rider held Farah atop his horse. She struggled against him, but he was too strong. The horse and rider raced away.
Will collapsed where he was, staring at the receding horse.
"What happened?" Tylen demanded. "How did that man grab her?"
"I wasn't fast enough. I'm sorry."
"You idiot! Don't you realize what they're going to do to her?"
"I tried to protect her," Will said. "I'm sorry."
Tylen tried to catch his breath. "Sorry. I know you tried."
"We'll just have to get her back."
"And we will," Tylen said. For the first time, he realized that his relationship with Farah was about more than sex. He did care for her. A part of him still longed for Nadia's company, but he'd come to understand that that would never happen. Farah was also a smart and spirited young woman, and she was more beautiful than Nadia.
Tylen would find a way to save her.
He was surprised by his own determination.
Chapter 38: Many Paths
Garet, Cyrus, Gram and Commander Adams all teleported to Varner City, then made their way north toward the entrance to the tunnels. They couldn't teleport directly to the Underground City because of the magical barriers around the place. When they reached the entrance to the tunnels, Cyrus touched a hand to a rock formation, and the cave passage shifted open in front of them.
"Now I know how the smugglers do it," said Commander Adams. "I'll have to remember this."
"Very few smugglers used these tunnels," Cyrus said. "They're too dangerous."
"Well, it's still worth remembering either way."
They stepped into the tunnels, and Cyrus used a short pulse of magic to close the entrance behind them. Garet and Gram both carried torches in their left hands while Cyrus and Commander Adams conjured flames in their hands to illuminate their path.
"You can use magic?" Garet said to the commander.
"A little bit. Warrick granted me a few abilities." He shook his head. "But I can feel them weakening. The sooner we get through this place, the better."
Garet was surprised that he and the commander could communicate civilly. Beneath that more pleasant exterior, though, Garet could sense the commander's hatred toward him and Cyrus. As soon as this was done, the commander would turn against them.
They walked for hours and hours, navigating the twisting passages. At every junction, Garet wondered if they were making the right decision. Cyrus told them it didn't matter. The paths were random, impossible to decipher. They could wander in here a long time and still not find the Underground City.
"How c
an we choose the right path?" Garet asked, feeling as if all the rock above were pressing down on him. He shoved the feeling aside, though. He didn't need it.
"We really can't tell. I'm trying to feel my way with magic, looking at the Webs to see if they give us any clues. I think we're going the right way, but I can't be certain."
In the dark, there was no sense of day or night. They rested whenever they got tired and ate from the rations they'd brought with them. Cyrus had told them to bring a lot of food, for there was no telling how long they'd wander in the dark. It could be hours, days, or even weeks.
They encountered a few monsters in the tunnels, but Cyrus made quick work of them. He did caution them, however, that these were small monsters, easily handled. The closer they got to the Underground City, the more fearsome the monsters would become. Once they entered the city, they would find much more dangerous monsters.
The walking never ended. Garet placed one foot in front of the author in an automatic, lifeless motion. With every step, he felt more trapped. It seemed as if he could wander in this place forever. Why would anyone choose to go through these caves as a smuggler?
"You trying to get us lost?" asked Commander Adams. He hadn't talked much with anyone so far.
"As I've told you before," Cyrus said, "I do not know the way."
"How do I know you aren't lying to me?"
Cyrus turned to him with an icy glare. "I may be immortal, but I still feel the pain of hunger. Walking for days on end still makes my body ache. I want to find the Underground City as soon as possible. It just isn't possible to predict with any certainty where these paths are going to lead us. As I've said about a hundred times, I'm reading the Webs, but they aren't much use."
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