Ominous groaning sounds came from the wood. Parts of the deck crumbled away beneath them.
Brandin glanced from side to side, his eyes wide with horror. "We don't have much time before this ship falls apart. When it does, we all need to combine our wind magic into one spell that we'll use to save ourselves."
"What about the crew?" Markus asked. "We can't leave them to die."
"We can try to save them," Brandin said, "but there's only so much magic can do."
Though Nadia understood that argument intellectually, she hated it with all her heart. These people were dying for them. The least they could do was save a few members of the crew.
To Nadia's surprise, Klint stepped forward. "I'll try to round up as many as I can."
He took off, leaving no time for argument. With water from his staff, he extinguished fires as he went. Somehow, he even dodged all the large holes in the deck.
The wood groaned louder and louder as the ship came apart. There were a few sharp cracks, and then a great explosion rocked the boat. The impact sent Berig flying over the edge. He screamed as he fell, and Nadia felt a horrible twinge in her stomach.
Berig wasn't all that powerful by himself. He might not have strong enough Wind magic to slow his fall. Before she could react, Markus vaulted the railing fearlessly. He didn't scream as he plummeted toward the ground far below.
Nadia tried to reach the railing, but another explosion rumbled through the ship. She hit the ground hard, scraping her elbows and knees on the rough wood deck. When she finally reached the railing, she peered over and didn't see Markus or Berig anywhere. Had they already reached the ground? Were they dead?
No, Markus was powerful. He must have found a way to save both of them. She couldn't think of any other outcome without feeling the crushing weight of hopelessness.
A hand yanked Nadia back. It was Warrick.
"Let go of me!" she screamed.
"They're gone. They either survived or they didn't. Nothing you can do about it."
"I don't care." She struggled against his grip. "I have to do something."
"No, you don't. That has always been your problem, Nadia. You always have to do something. Sometimes, inaction is the better path."
She fought against tears. "You're still every bit the monster I've always thought."
"I won't argue that point. But I'm also the only man who can keep you alive."
"You should have saved them!"
"I'm a bit busy with my shield here," he said, his expression tight with anger.
She slapped him hard across the cheek. "Isn't there any humanity in you?"
"If I weren't otherwise occupied, you would regret that."
There was little anger in his words, though, and she sensed that was an empty threat. This picture was at odds with the Warrick she'd always known. The monster was still there, yes, but perhaps he was more human than she'd thought.
The barrage of magic had stopped. In fact, Krinir was nowhere to be seen. All the magic now was coming from the other sorcerers aboard the ship.
None of it was necessary. The ship on which Nadia stood had begun to plummet. Those explosions must have been the wind engines failing. Now the ground grew closer at an alarming rate. The ship spiraled out of control, and soon it would overbalance.
Footsteps approached from behind, and Nadia turned to see Klint with a few of the crew. Travin and Rey were not among them.
"They're dead," Klint said, as if sensing her thoughts.
Two more good men had died. How many more would have to sacrifice themselves in this insane quest to defeat Krinir?
Not as many as will die if Krinir wins, she told herself, but the words felt hollow.
If Markus truly was dead, then nothing else mattered. Not to her.
There was little time to dwell on her thoughts, though. With one more crack, the ship came apart, and the next thing she knew, she was falling through the open air. She was so surprised she didn't even think to scream.
The ground grew larger and larger. She felt no wind beneath her.
Warrick and the others were too far above.
* * * * *
It had happened in an instant. One second, Berig had been standing near the railing. The next, the great explosion had sent him tumbling into the open air. He screamed as he fell, but there was nothing he could do.
Then he saw Markus leaping off the deck after him. Was Markus insane?
They both fell through the sky, the ground looking hard and unforgiving beneath them. Markus curled himself into a ball and fell more quickly than Berig, who had his arms and legs spread out.
Soon Markus was at Berig's side. They exchanged fearful glances. Wind slammed against them, feeling like nothing Berig had ever experienced as it whipped at his face and clothes.
"We're gonna combine our efforts," Markus shouted over the wind.
"Let's just hope it's enough."
As Berig fell, he decided it was both the most terrifying and most exhilarating experience of his life. If there were a way to do this safely, he'd want to do it over and over again. He felt like a giant, a god, like someone watching over the world below. Feeling as if he could fly, he held his arms out. Despite the danger of the situation, he couldn't help but grin.
As the ground grew nearer, his excitement turned to sheer terror. Would it hurt to die, or would his death be immediate?
"We can do this," Markus shouted. "Combine your magic with mine. Trust me. Trust yourself."
Berig had never learned to trust himself, but now was as good a time as any. He focused on the feeling of Wind magic within him, focused on connecting his magic with Markus's. Together, they generated a massive gust of wind so powerful it surprised Berig. He felt the power thrumming through him and didn't know if he could hold the spell together.
The wind didn't rush from their fingertips. Instead, they formed a large whirlwind beneath them. It didn't seem all that powerful, and Berig prayed it would be enough. Soon they were at the tops of the forest's giant trees. The whirlwind had formed in a small a clearing. When they hit the whirlwind, their momentum carried them downward for a while.
The ground came closer and closer, and Berig closed his eyes waiting for the impact. But then he felt himself slow, felt the wind force him upward. He opened his eyes, amazed that they'd survived. Together, they slowly let the whirlwind die.
When they hit the forest floor, Berig exhaled with relief. The air seemed calm, as if a massive magical battle weren't raging in the skies above.
They got to their feet, brushing dirt and leaves from their clothes.
And turned to see Krinir standing at the edge of the clearing.
Chapter 30: The Winds of Time
Nadia spread her body out as much as she could, noticing that her fall slowed a bit when she did so. It wouldn't do her any good when she hit the ground, though. She was falling far too fast. Closing her eyes, she tried not to think about her death.
She knew instinctively that her own wind magic wasn't powerful enough to save her. Her death loomed closer every second. She opened her eyes and glanced up. To her surprise, Warrick was falling toward her. Curled up in a ball, he dropped more quickly. Next to him was Brandin, who was also gaining on her.
When she looked down, though, the ground had become much closer. Hurry up, she urged silently. It was going to be close. Too close.
There was something strangely exhilarating about this experience, however. If she had to die, she supposed there were worse ways to go. Falling through the open air made her feel more alive in her last moments than she ever had. Surely it would hurt for only a moment.
The treetops were growing dangerously close. Her heart pounded a fierce drumbeat. Wind whipped against her like nothing she'd ever felt, seeming to grow stronger.
Wait. It was becoming more powerful. Her descent was slowing. As she approached the treetops, the whirlwind formed beneath her. Warrick and Brandin were not far above her, and soon they reached her position. The three
of them fell into the giant whirlwind, which let them hit the ground gently.
Nadia got to her feet on wavering legs. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," Brandin said. Warrick simply nodded.
Nadia stared at him, not sure what to think. He'd saved her life multiple times in the last hour, but she couldn't forgive him for all the evil things he'd done.
"I still hate you," she said.
"I'd expect nothing less."
Klint and the rest of the ship's crew had used the massive whirlwind as well. They all stood on the forest floor, glancing around with wide eyes. Most of them sported cuts and bruises, and their clothing had seen better days.
"Life with you certainly is an adventure," Klint said. "Don't know how much I like it."
Nadia glanced back through the thick forest. "We need to see if Markus and Berig made it. Markus is powerful. Maybe he managed to create a strong enough whirlwind."
"If they're alive, they'll catch up to us," Warrick said.
Nadia glared at him. "That is cold and heartless."
"No, it's pragmatic. We have to get you to the future."
"I don't care," she said. "I'm going back for Markus."
"I could stop you by force," Warrick said. "But I won't. I understand that you love him very deeply. In your place, I wouldn't be turned away. But it's still a foolish decision."
Nadia started walking in the direction from which the ship had come. "Well, it's my decision to make."
Warrick nodded grimly. "Let's hope it doesn't get you killed."
* * * * *
"Run!" Berig shouted. It was the only thing he could think to do. He and Markus took off through the trees. At first, it seemed Krinir wouldn't chase them, but then a great wall of darkness appeared in front of them. They skidded to a stop, sliding and hitting the forest floor.
"What're we gonna do now?" Markus asked as the darkness closed in on them.
Berig shuddered when he looked at the magic. Whatever Krinir was doing, it would surely kill them if it touched them. For the moment, the wall of black magic remained where it was. Footsteps came from behind them, and Berig turned.
Krinir was shaking his head. "Did you really think you could run from me?"
Berig and Markus were silent. They had their own magic, but it was nothing compared to Krinir's. They were at his mercy.
Krinir stepped closer, his expression calm, his stance confident. "If I wanted you dead, you'd be dead already. You've only survived this long because I have decided it is necessary. You can't read the Webs of Fate, so you wouldn't understand."
"I will never help you," Berig said. Probably a foolish statement, but he didn't care.
"Perhaps not willingly," Krinir said. "But you will help me. All of you will." He pointed a finger at Markus. "But I think we've spoken long enough. I can't reveal all my secrets." Ice burst from Krinir's fingertips, and when it struck Markus, it encased him in a crystalline structure of ice. His eyes were wide, and he'd held out his arms as if that could stop the spell.
"What have you done to him?" Berig demanded, amazed his voice wasn't trembling. Maybe he really had grown stronger and braver in recent days.
"He's alive," Krinir said. "I need him alive." He wrapped an arm around the ice prison. "I'll see you again, Berig."
Berig stepped forward, though he knew he could do nothing to stop this. A moment later, Krinir and Markus vanished together. Berig stumbled forward, falling into the spot where they'd been. The ground was a little cold and wet, but no other signs of their presence remained.
Feeling shaky, Berig got to his feet. He should have done something, should have stopped this somehow. But even as the thoughts crossed his mind, he knew there was nothing he could have done, nothing they could do against Krinir at all.
How the hell could they defeat him?
Berig staggered through the forest, overwhelmed by fear and the deep sting of loss. He had the feeling he'd never see Markus again. After all, Berig was going to go back in time to save himself. The others were going to the future, where they'd try to free Lionar.
Their quest seemed much more heroic, and he wished he could be part of it. But whenever he thought of making that choice, he felt like something invisible was tugging on him, drawing him toward the path he had to follow.
Soon he heard footsteps coming from up ahead. He moved a hand to his dagger, but when he heard Nadia's voice, he relaxed.
"Nadia!" he shouted.
"Berig, is that you?'
He took a few steps closer, emerging in a small clearing. "Yeah, it's me."
"Where is Markus?" she asked.
"He survived the fall, but now Krinir has him."
"What do you mean by that?" she asked. Her tone was surprisingly level.
"Krinir put him in some kind of prison made of ice, and then I guess he went to the future, taking Markus with him. I don't know what he wants from Markus, but it can't be good."
"It doesn't matter," Nadia said. "I'll find a way to get him back."
Warrick gazed at her sternly. "That may not be the wisest idea. For some reason, Krinir wants you to come after Markus. He's made too many strands dark for me to see his ultimate goals, but you are only doing him a favor by going after Markus blindly."
"I don't care," Nadia said, her cheeks turning red with anger. "If we don't know what Krinir wants, we can't play this guessing game. We have to take action."
Warrick shook his head slowly. "That, Nadia, has always been your biggest weakness. You let your emotions rule your behavior. First it was your foolish quest to kill me. Now you're going to take on an even more foolish mission. The fate of the world is at stake. Markus is one man. Perhaps he's important in the events to play out, but we can achieve victory without him."
"You really are heartless," she said. "So it's a good thing you can't control me."
"You're right," he said. "Where you're going, I will have no control." His expression became distant. "I've seen enough in the Webs to know that Krinir will place me under his control again. This time, I fear it will be permanent."
Nadia glared at him, resting her hand against a nearby tree. "If you expect me to feel sympathy for you, you'll have to wait forever."
"I expect no such thing."
"Good."
"I hate to interrupt this argument," Brandin said, "but we need to reach the Fortress of Time. That's where my time magic works best. It's an unusual place. I don't quite understand it myself, though I've used its magic for most of my life."
"But Krinir traveled through time without being there," Berig said. "How'd he do that?"
"It's because he's Krinir," Brandin said. "He doesn't play by the same rules." He stroked his chin. "We are close to the fortress, however. That could have made it easier for him."
They started walking, awkward silence hanging over them. As they passed tree after tree, no one spoke. Occasional vines hung across their path, and they hacked at them with their swords. Berig wished someone would talk. The silence was getting to him.
"Where's the rest of the airship's crew?" he asked.
"They decided to see what they could salvage of their ship," Klint said.
Berig turned to Brandin. "What do you know about traveling to the past?"
"I know what you're going to ask," Brandin said. "You want to know if there's some way to survive what you're about to do." He walked a few steps, his expression thoughtful. "In truth, I don't know if you die. All I know is no one has ever returned."
Berig fought against a sudden upwelling of tears. "I don't wanna die."
"As I said, you may not die. I don't know."
Walking off to the side of the group, Warrick cleared his throat. "Whether or not you'll actually die, I think it's time for me to reveal something to you."
"Reveal what?" Berig asked, fighting back his anger.
"Your brother isn't dead."
Berig felt as if someone had punched him in the gut. "Really? Where is he?"
"He is in Luminia
," Warrick said. "On the day he disappeared from your life, he came to me. He was sick of seeing you struggling. He said he would do anything for me as long as I'd help you out in life. I had my eye on you to begin with, so it didn't take much convincing. I made him my steward. That way, he could serve me and never have to do anything he truly hated."
Berig felt as if his emotions were tearing him apart. Relief that his brother was alive. Sadness that he'd still never see him again. Anger at what Warrick had done.
"But you didn't protect me," Berig said. "You didn't help me at all."
Warrick looked into Berig's eyes, unfazed. "Who do you think told Gram to protect you? Gram then spoke to people like the innkeeper and the guard captain. They all took care of you as much as they could. You didn't make things easy on them."
Despite his anger, Berig had to admit Warrick was right. Berig had always refused extra help when they'd offered it. He'd always thought he could make in on his own, always felt he deserved whatever horrors life threw at him. And then there'd been his thieving, his gambling, his generally reckless behavior. Most people would have died living that kind of life.
But not Berig. Maybe Warrick had been protecting him.
Berig struggled against tears, trying to make sense of his emotions. At last, he said, "Why'd you kill my parents then? Why'd you burn our entire village?"
"Because the Webs of Fate required it," Warrick said. His expression sank. "Or at least that's what I thought at the time. Now I can't be sure which thoughts were my own and which were planted in my head by Krinir." He held up a hand, stopping Nadia, who had opened her mouth to speak. "I'm not looking for anyone's sympathy. In all honesty, I don't deserve it."
Strangely, Berig did feel a little sorry for Warrick. Now, when Berig looked at the formidable man, he could see the weakness lurking beneath that strong exterior. This was a man who'd spent so long being strong, so long manipulating the future, that he'd almost forgotten what it meant to be a normal human being.
"Why didn't my brother ever tell me?" Berig asked.
Warrick walked a few steps in silence, then said, "He didn't want you to know what he'd done. He knew how you'd feel about him serving me. In his mind, it was better if you thought he was dead. He made me promise never to tell you. I'm breaking that promise now because I feel you deserve to know before you die—or before whatever is going to happen to you."
World in Chains- The Complete Series Page 153
