The Shadowed Land

by Ryan W. Mueller

  Kara felt an upwelling of tears. "You don't know that."

  "I think I've always known it would come to this at some point."

  The sounds of battle continued below. The clinking and clanking of swords. The crackling and roaring of fire. The sizzling of lightning in the air. Even the low rumble of massive rocks shifting. It was wondrous. Terrible but wondrous.

  Over time, the Sunset Army forced the Sierran army to retreat. They grew closer to the inn and eventually passed it. However, the fighting remained in the streets below.

  "They'll worry about civilians later," Aren said. "Once they conquer us."

  As the battle moved farther into the city, the flow of soldiers became thinner. Hundreds and hundreds of bodies lay upon the cobblestone streets, blood staining the ground near them. One of those bodies had to be Lena's.

  "Why are they winning this time?" Kara asked.

  "They've never attacked with numbers like this before. I don't know why, but they decided to put everything behind this war effort. What changed?"

  "I don't know," Kara said, "but it seems like a strange coincidence to me. I show up in the Shadowed Land, and I'm immediately involved in the biggest war you've seen in a while. I mean, what are the chances of that?"

  "It is a bit strange, I'll admit, but it can't have anything to do with you."

  She leaned against him, feeling unsteady on her legs. "I just want this to end."

  He wrapped an arm around her. "It will, in time."

  "And then what happens?"

  He ran a hand through his dark beard. "Then we see what they do with a city full of prisoners. Can't say I'm looking forward to it."

  Chapter 30: The Sorcerer

  Kara stood among the assembled patrons from the inn, Aren a grim presence at her side. Sunset soldiers had surrounded them, ordering everyone around.

  The Sunset Army had surrounded the castle, while other soldiers patrolled the streets with swords, bows, and magical staffs. A few civilians had challenged the soldiers' authority. The lucky ones had received beatings.

  "How can we find Tobias with all the soldiers around?" Kara asked.

  "I don't know," Aren said. "Don’t know if he's even alive."

  "We can't just stand here. We have to do something. Anything." Kara hated the desperation that had crept into her voice, but there was no fighting it.

  They broke free from the group around the inn. Everyone seemed too stunned to note their departure. A few of the soldiers gave them sharp looks but didn't accost them. Still, Kara felt their eyes on her as she walked past them.

  At least these soldiers seemed like professionals. For now.

  As Kara and Aren walked through the streets, they passed the bodies of those who'd died defending their city. Blood had stained the cobblestone streets. Some of the bodies were missing limbs. Others had no heads. Kara and Aren examined the face of each fallen defender, expecting to see Lena. When they found her, Kara fell to her knees.

  Lena had taken a sword through the chest. Blood had soaked her clothing, and her face looked pale and lifeless. Aren placed a hand on her forehead.

  Her eyelids fluttered. "Aren, is that you?"

  "Yes, Lena, I’m here."

  "I feel so cold," Lena said. "We failed, didn't we?"

  Aren stroked her forehead. "It wasn't for lack of trying."

  "I love you, Aren. I always have."

  "I know, and I'm sorry I could never return your feelings."

  Lena’s eyes, glazed and unfocused, turned toward Kara. "Get her home, Aren. Promise me."

  "I promise," Aren said. He cupped his hands around her face as her eyes closed and she fell still. He was silent at first, but then he began to sob. Kara understood his pain. He may not have loved Lena in the way she'd wanted, but he'd loved her as a friend.

  Kara put a hand on Aren's shoulder. "You shouldn't make promises you can't keep."

  He stared off into space as if he hadn't heard Kara. "She didn't deserve this."

  "No one ever does." Kara thought of her mother and father, who'd died in Crayden, thought of Tomas, of all the people she'd known in the Order. It didn't matter what world you lived in. Humans found ways to kill one another for the worst reasons.

  Aren wiped the tears from his face. "There's no reason to linger here."

  "If you want to abandon me now, I'll understand."

  He frowned. "Why would I do that? I have nothing to return to. There’s no one left from my former life. I promised to get you home because it's all that's left for me."

  "I feel like I'm bad luck. This all happened since I arrived."

  Aren struggled to speak through his tears. "It's not your fault. Atrocities like this are only the fault of those who commit them. I will make them regret this." He began to sob again, looking at the ground. "What kind of fool am I? What can I hope to do against them?"

  Kara didn't know what to say or do. Aren had always seemed so strong and capable, like a more rugged version of Ander. The strong leader. The man who could push his emotions aside and focus on the task at hand.

  Everyone has their breaking point, she decided.

  Kara leaned against him. "Maybe you can't make them regret this, but you can help me. I'm still here, and I care about you. You're a good man, Aren, and I'd hate to see you die in a foolish quest for vengeance."

  Just like Nadia, she added silently. She hated being stuck in this place, hated feeling so far away from Nadia when Nadia needed her most. Would Kara ever know Nadia's fate?

  "You won't see me die," Aren said, composing himself. "I'll get you home, and then I'll make these bastards pay."

  "What's the point? You said it yourself. You have nothing left here. If you can get me home, then surely you can come with me. Don't you want to feel sunlight on your skin? Don't you want to see a world of vast, grassy plains and seemingly endless forests? Before coming to this place, I never realized how beautiful my world is."

  Aren got to his feet. "You're right. Vengeance is a foolish path." His voice was flat, however, and he didn’t meet Kara’s gaze.

  Kara looked down at Lena's body, conflicting emotions running through her. She'd never liked Lena all that much, but Lena had been a strong woman, a fierce protector. However much her vengeance had blinded her, she'd been a good person deep down.

  And now she was gone. Another casualty in a meaningless war.

  Kara was sick of fighting, sick of people dying around her. When she closed her eyes, she could still see the fires in Crayden. She could still imagine her mother and father, their smiling faces, their steadfast support of her dreams and the Order's goals.

  Now more faces flashed through her mind. Alia. Lena. Devin. How many more would die around her? What if Aren was next? Though she hated to admit it, she felt an attachment to him that she’d never felt in her life. She loved him.

  It was strange how this thought had come to her just now. She'd never given much thought to her feelings about Aren, but as she watched his tears, his struggles, she knew her instincts were right. He was the kind of man she could love. In truth, she'd always wished she could have a life with Ander back home.

  But he was a noble, and she was a commoner. Besides, she'd always thought Ander and Nadia would end up together. Now she had no idea about anything. The last few weeks had destroyed every vision she'd ever had of her life.

  "I think I'm ready to go now," Aren said.

  "But where are we going? We have no idea where Tobias might be, or if he's even alive." Kara felt a sudden rush of tears. "I have no idea how we're going to do anything. I feel like giving up."

  Aren squeezed her shoulder. "We can't give up."

  "You're right." Kara took a few deep breaths, holding back tears. "Maybe Lena has something written down about where we might find Tobias."

  "Lena never learned to write. Even if she had, the kind of people she grew up with discouraged writing things down. She never told you, but she was quite a good thief before she decided to take her talents to Mille
rsville."

  "I figured she must have done something like that," Kara said. "Back home, that's what happens to people who grow up on the streets."

  Aren started walking. “I know where we can find them, these thieves. They might know something.”

  Kara followed, wishing she could feel more certain. Her mind swam with images of Lena, of all the other people who’d died recently.

  They walked along the mostly deserted streets, passing stone buildings and countless Sunset soldiers. The soldiers eyed them suspiciously but didn't stop them. Sometimes the soldiers would gesture for them to take another path. Aren and Kara obeyed without hesitation. Better not to attract extra attention.

  They traveled from a wealthier district with wide and clean streets to a place where the stone buildings looked cracked and worn with age, where the paved streets gave way to rocky paths. Here, there were fewer soldiers. A lot of people stood against the walls of buildings, staring off into space as if they had no idea what to do.

  Kara hung close to Aren. Neither of them spoke as they kept their eyes on the people around them. This kind of situation, with all its chaos, was a perfect opportunity for thieves to steal a purse or two, but no one accosted them.

  Aren led Kara to a rundown building in the center of this poorer district. A few people stood around this building, watching them with suspicion. The building looked ordinary, but that didn’t surprise Kara. Thieves wouldn’t want to attract too much attention. Chest tight, she followed Aren toward a nearby door.

  A sentry stood by the door, frowning at them, a sword strapped across his back. “What business do you have here?”

  “I’m a friend of Lena’s,” Aren said.

  “And where is she?” asked the sentry. His frown softened.

  Aren hesitated, as if he couldn’t voice the words. “She died in the battle.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that, but I’d still like to know what business you have here. Lena used to be a member, yes, but she decided years ago to leave us. Why do you think we’d help you with anything?” He scratched his lightly bearded chin. “You looking for a job with us?”

  “No,” Aren said. “We’re looking for information.”

  “And what do you have to offer us?”

  Aren chuckled without humor. “Not a whole lot.”

  “Then why should we help you?”

  “You’re right,” Aren said. "You have no reason to help us. Sorry for bothering you.”

  He turned to leave, but Kara gripped his arm, yanking him back toward the sentry. Yes, Lena’s death was tragic, but it was no reason to give up. However foolish his promise might have been, he had made it, and these thieves were the only ones who could help Kara get home.

  “All we want to know,” she said, “is the location of Tobias the sorcerer.”

  The sentry’s frown deepened. “And why should we give you this information?”

  Kara’s chest felt suddenly lighter. “So you do know where he is?”

  “I never said that. Now move along before we decide you’re annoying us too much.”

  Kara felt on the verge of tears. She couldn't fail like this. “I’m trying to get home. I was taken to the Shadowed Land against my will. Tobias is the only person who can help me get home.” Now her tears did flow, and she let the sentry see them. “Can you really deny me that chance? Don’t you have people you care about? How would you feel if you were separated from them and someone denied you the only chance you might have to see them again?”

  “Look.” The sentry scratched at his beard again. “I’m just guarding the place. I don’t want to get in trouble by letting you in.”

  “Where’s your leader?” Kara asked. “Maybe he’ll be more receptive to our plight.”

  The sentry chewed on his lower lip. “All right, you can come in, but I’m keeping an eye on you.”

  “Thank you,” Kara said, following the sentry through the open doorway. The room inside was dark, and only a few people milled about. No one paid them much attention as they crossed the stone floor, heading toward a closed door at the room’s far end.

  The sentry hesitated at the door, then knocked. A voice from within said, “Come in.”

  The sentry opened the door. The man on the other side—middle-aged and bald with a few days’ growth of beard—watched them with narrowed eyes and a tight frown.

  “Who’re you?” he demanded. The sentry shuffled out of the room as if he wished to avoid his leader’s wrath.

  “We’re friends of Lena’s,” Aren said.

  The man’s expression softened. “Where is she? Is she all right?”

  “I’m afraid not,” Aren said, his expression distant and haunted. “She died in the battle.”

  “Damned Sunset Army,” said the man. His mouth thinned in anger, but this time the anger wasn't directed at Kara and Lena. “She was a good thief, one of my best. I wish she hadn’t left us.” He shook his head slowly. “But I know she never truly enjoyed this life.”

  “She was happy as a tracker,” Aren said. “But she still had kind words for your organization. You helped her when everyone else turned their backs on her.”

  The man laughed. “Now don’t start acting like I did it out of the goodness of my heart. I helped her because she could help us. I’m in this to make money.”

  “Of course,” Aren said.

  “Now you must be Aren,” the man said. “She told you about me when she visited a while back.” He turned his gaze to Kara. “But who’re you?”

  “My name is Kara. I was taken here from Terra.”

  The man’s expression twitched in what looked like genuine sympathy. “I’m sorry to hear that.” He held out a hand for her to shake. “I’m Willem, leader of the Shadows.” He released Kara’s hand and paced a few steps. “Now, why’re you here?”

  “We need to find the sorcerer Tobias,” Aren said.

  “He might know how I can get home," Kara said.

  “Well, I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” Willem said. “But you are lucky in one way. He’s here with us. After the battle, he went into hiding here. As thieves, we’re very good at hiding people when they don’t want to be found.”

  “Can you take us to him?” Kara asked.

  “I can. But what’s in it for me?”

  “The knowledge that you helped someone in need,” Kara said, knowing the words sounded stupid as soon as they escaped her mouth.

  Willem laughed. “I think you have me confused for a good person.”

  “Then you aren’t going to help us?” Kara asked.

  “I can’t help everybody who comes in here with a tragic story.” He stepped toward the door. “But as it so happens, there’s not a lot going on right now. We’re playing a waiting game with the Sunset Army. We've gotta see what their occupation's like before we get things back to normal. So I guess I’ll help you 'cause there’s nothing better to do.”

  “Thank you,” Kara said. She had the feeling he truly did want to help them. He was only coming up with an excuse to make it sound like he didn’t.

  He stepped through the doorway. “Follow me.”

  They trailed after him through the stone building’s main chamber, then into a narrow corridor. After a few twists and turns, they reached a dead end.

  Willem turned to Aren. “Touch the wall here with your staff.”

  Aren did so, and a low rumble began. Soon the wall slid out of the way, revealing a well-lit chamber beyond. A man sat in a cushioned chair, watching them approach. The man had dark hair and was clean-shaven.

  He rose as they reached him. “Willem, who are these people?”

  “We're friends of Lena’s,” Aren said. “You do remember her, don’t you?”

  Tobias nodded. “Yes. Is she all right?”

  “She died here in the battle,” Aren said. Every time he said those words, his expression became more pained.

  “A lot of people died today,” Tobias said. “So senseless. So tragic.” He studied them with a frown. “
Why are you here?”

  Aren put a hand on Kara’s shoulder. “Because I made a promise to Kara here. I’m going to get her home. I’m going to find a way to get her out of the Shadowed Land.” He hesitated a moment. “You’re the only person who can help us.”

  Tobias had the appearance of a forty-year-old man, but his eyes betrayed the weariness of someone much older. “I only know of two ways to escape the Shadowed Land.”

  “What are they?” Kara asked.

  “It is said that Krinir has the power to send a person out of the Shadowed Land. There’s also a place called the Nexus, but it’s deep within a dangerous network of underground tunnels that we call the Labyrinth. If you can find it, the Nexus is a path to the many worlds connected to each other by the Shadowed Land.” He stroked his chin. “However, I should warn you that both paths are very dangerous and will require long journeys. Even if we do reach the Nexus, it's much more likely to send you to one of the other worlds, and once you reach another world, you’re trapped there.”

  Kara's stomach roiled. “So you’re saying that Krinir is our best option? Based on what I’ve heard about him, he sounds evil.”

  “Evil is such a subjective term. No doubt he thinks he’s doing the right thing. Most people do. I have no idea if he’ll help you, but he is the best option. Unfortunately.”

  “Then all we have to do is find him?” Kara asked.

  “If it only it were that easy,” Tobias said. “The Shadowed Land is a very dangerous place, and the journey will require us to go through some of the worst areas. It would be easier to accept that you’re stuck here.”

  “I will never accept that,” Kara said.

  Tobias nodded. “I had the feeling you wouldn’t.”

  “How do we get there?” Kara asked.

  “There’s no need to tell you.” Tobias stepped over and stood next to them. “I’m coming with you.”

  Chapter 31: An Attempted Rescue

  Berig walked to the edge of Clan Forest Snake, accompanied by Zak and Lara. When they reached the forest bordering the settlement, Zak held up a hand to halt their progress.

  "I'm afraid I can't go with you," he said. "The clan needs me."