"That's why I've always relied on my own skills."
"Until you're faced with a situation like this," Ander said as the sky grew so dark it was almost black—except for the horrible green tint. A sure sign of hail, maybe even a tornado.
The wind began to blow—gently at first, but it grew stronger with time. Ander and Captain Davis crouched low to the ground, shielding themselves from the wind and hoping they could protect themselves from lightning as well.
Ander felt vulnerable. "I'm sorry I got us into this."
"What is there to be sorry about?"
"I should've been a better leader. Look at everyone I've lost."
"Stop it. You've done the best job you could. You can't prepare for every possibility."
Deep down, Ander knew his friend was right. Dwelling on mistakes was useless. As a leader, he had to learn from his mistakes so he wouldn't make them again. If only it weren't so hard.
The storm picked up. Rain lashed at them so hard it was painful. Ander shivered as he huddled low to the ground, getting mud all over his clothing.
The wind became stronger and stronger. Ander was sure they were facing a tornado. The wind roared and thundered, throwing grass and twigs. He covered his head, praying nothing large would strike them.
The storm felt as if it would never end. How were such storms possible? Surely this was Warrick's magic, and if Warrick could do this, how could Ander hope to surprise him?
At last, the storm died down. Ander looked up at the sky, and sure enough, a tornado swirled in the distance, directly west of them.
"Is it coming toward us?" asked the captain, eyes wide.
"I’m not sure." Ander watched the tornado. After perhaps a minute, he exhaled with relief. "I think it's going well north of us."
Captain Davis brushed mud off his clothes. "Guess we should get moving."
Thunder faded into the distance as they traveled. After the storm, the sun came out—a welcome relief, but it was a long time before Ander stopped shivering.
"How many more storms do you think we'll face?" asked Captain Davis.
"I'm not sure. I never spent much time studying this place. I never thought I'd go here." Ander shook his head. "There are so many things I never thought I'd do. You know, before Crayden happened, I was content to stay there and do routine work for the Order. Yes, I took a leadership position, but I feel like I never cared enough. Not like Nadia."
"In all fairness," said the captain, "we all thought Nadia was a little insane."
"I know. I liked her. I might have even felt something more for her. But I thought she was crazy. Crazy for wanting to do what we're doing now. Ironic, isn't it?"
"Maybe a little bit."
Ander's thoughts drifted to Nadia. How was she faring now? Cyrus had been vague on details, and Ander needed to know, needed to see Nadia again. He didn't even know if Markus and Rik were still alive. In retrospect, he found it foolish that they'd gone by themselves.
How could Ander have left three inexperienced young people to fend for themselves? It had felt like the right decision at the time. Ander wished he could have received some advice from Cyrus, wished he could have known about the Webs of Fate. They could have chosen his path for him.
No. The Webs did not determine one's path. They merely showed which directions it was most likely to take. Ander had chosen to follow the Webs, but he knew where his path was leading, knew it with dreadful certainty.
"Are you ready to die?" he asked the captain.
"Every second I have now is a gift. I was supposed to die in the belly of that monster. Most people would've died. Even as strong as I am, it was very difficult cutting my way out. I almost ran out of air." His face grew pale. "It was terrifying."
"I can imagine," Ander said.
"I'm not sure you can."
"You did a great thing," Ander said.
"I know." Captain Davis walked a few steps, staring off into the distance. "I hope Berig's doing all right out there. He's worth a lot more than he thinks."
Ander didn't want to think about the party that had left the Empire. Whenever he thought of Aric, he felt as if something were breaking inside him. He'd known Aric most of his life. They'd been friends ever since they'd started learning swordplay from the same man.
Ander would never see Aric again. He was sure of that. Every step took him closer to his own death.
Chapter 36: Not the Same
Sex was not forbidden among Imperial Guards, but they couldn't look for anything more than that. As Tylen lay in bed beside Farah, he wondered if he should break that rule.
He remembered her from his time in Crayden. He'd spent too much time chasing the high lord's seat to waste his time with a simple noble, but he had always found her attractive. Maybe he would have bedded her after marrying Nadia.
After all, Nadia would not have been willing to go to his bed.
Nadia. Why did he always think about her? Even when he lay beside Farah, his thoughts drifted to what could have been. He didn't know why he liked Nadia so much. She'd been nothing but harsh toward him, and she'd made her wishes clear enough.
But Tylen admired something about her spirit. Very few women had ever resisted Tylen's charms. If Tylen wanted something, or someone, he got it. It was that simple. His persuasive abilities were remarkable, almost magical.
But Nadia was different. At first, he'd seen her as his ticket to power, but now he believed he might have grown to love her, though she never would have shared the same feelings for him.
It was strange. He'd bedded many women, most of them much prettier than Nadia, who was quite plain and too concerned with learning skills better left to men. No proper woman learned swordplay and archery, but perhaps that was why Tylen liked her. She was different, a challenge. He smiled, recalling how she'd felt about that particular phrase.
"Tylen, you look like you're deep in thought," Farah said. "What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing important."
"You're thinking about her, aren't you?"
"I only have eyes for you. You know that."
Farah gave him a tired look. "You don't expect me to believe that? Your amorous exploits were the talk of Crayden. I know how it works with men like you. It's great while it lasts, but eventually you move on."
"I won't move on from you. I love you."
"No, you don't. You love having sex with me."
He grinned. "Well, I have to admit the sex is quite good."
She gave him a light slap on the cheek. "You're a naughty boy, Tylen."
Tylen felt his time with Farah had been enjoyable. A week ago, when he first saw her in the market, he couldn't believe his eyes. He'd thought she'd died in Crayden. She didn't say much about what had happened, only that she'd escaped.
Whatever the reason, Tylen was glad to have her. He spent most of his nights at the manor of her noble aunt and uncle. It was easier than hanging around the garrison. Ever since the episode with William's son, there'd been distance between Tylen and his comrades.
He doubted a forbidden romance would help, but he didn't care. Warrick knew what he was doing and hadn't objected. Tylen wondered if Farah was part of Warrick's master plan. Why else would he allow this romance?
Tylen was tired of being controlled, but there was nothing he could do about it.
Chapter 37: Into the Ruins
By the time Nadia and Rik reached Andersonville, she thought her leg would never stop hurting. Each step was torture, even with Rik's help, but she refused to slow them down. She didn't want to think about Rik going forward on his own.
A guard patrolled near the edge of town. She stopped and stared at them. "It looks like you need a doctor."
Nadia spoke through gritted teeth. "My leg's broken. I'm not sure how bad."
She felt cold all over even though it was a warm evening.
"You look like you're about to pass out," said the guard. She took Nadia under one of her arms and lifted her up. With Rik helping, they held her
above the ground, and the guard said, "There's a doctor two streets away."
The next few minutes passed in delirious agony. Before Nadia knew it, she was lying on a soft bed with white sheets, covered in sweat and shivering.
A middle-aged man frowned as he examined her. "It's a clean break. That's a good thing."
Something about the man made Nadia uneasy. He reminded her of someone she'd met before, but in her delirium, she couldn't place this feeling. All she could think about was the pain.
Rik rested a hand on her shoulder and smiled down at her, but the smile looked forced. He had changed a lot in recent days. No longer was he too carefree, or too sullen. He'd matured a lot. She wanted to tell him these things, but her mouth felt dry.
"Is she going to be all right?" Rik asked. "How soon can she travel?"
The doctor looked away, as if considering something. "She will take at least a few weeks to get on her feet again, and it will take longer than that before she can handle the rigors of travel. Where do you need to go in such a hurry?"
"Taylorville," Rik said.
"The journey's too long."
"You don't understand," Rik said. "She has to come."
The doctor's mouth became a thin line. "Do I look like a sorcerer to you? I'm a mere doctor. I can't work miracles." His expression softened. "I'm sorry. I really am."
"What about Miracle Fruit?" Rik asked. "You got any of that?"
"How do you know about Miracle Fruit?"
Rik grinned. "So you do have some?"
"I never said that."
"If you have some, give it to her. We can pay you."
"It's not that simple," said the doctor. "You have to understand that Warrick controls the distribution and use of Miracle Fruit. If he finds out that I've given it to somebody without his permission, I'll be in trouble." He ran a hand through his short brown hair. "How can I be sure you aren't rebels? Warrick wouldn't be happy if I helped out a pair of rebels."
Rik reached into his pocket and pulled out a small handful of gold coins. "I can pay you well. You can say someone stole it. Just give it to her. We need it. My best friend is dying, and the only means of curing him is in Taylorville. I need her to get it."
Nadia summoned the strength to sit up and speak. "The dying man is also the man I love. Can you truly deny us the chance to cure him?"
The doctor began pacing, then stopped and smiled at them. "All right, you've convinced me. I'll take your money and give you the damned Miracle Fruit."
He left the room, and Rik shuffled to Nadia's side again. "That seemed too easy. Why'd he suddenly change his mind?"
"No idea," Nadia said, grimacing as the ache in her leg became more intense for a moment. "But I don't really care right now."
The doctor returned a few minutes later, carrying a cup of yellow juice that Nadia recognized at once. She sat up straighter and moved to take the cup, but the doctor didn't let her take it.
"I think this needs a steady hand," he said. He put the cup to her lips, and she drank.
To her surprise, the juice was delicious—sweet and tart, like a green apple. As she drank it, she felt her strength returning. A crawling sensation crept up her leg.
When the cup was empty, she sat back against the pillow at the end of the bed.
"You should be ready to go in a few hours," said the doctor. He turned to leave the room, but Rik grabbed his arm.
"Why'd you have one of these Miracle Fruits?" Rik asked. "As you said, Warrick controls them. We heard the same thing from another man who had one of these. I know these aren't common knowledge. What're the chances that you'd just happen to have one?"
The man hesitated. "I'm a doctor. It's only natural."
"But you don't use them all that often, do you?"
"Stop asking questions," said the doctor. "I've healed her. Isn't that enough?"
Nadia realized, then, why the doctor seemed familiar. He had the same brusque manner as Taren back in Riverside. Even their facial features bore some similarities. And they both had these Miracle Fruits. Rik was right. What were the chances that two people would show up with Miracle Fruit just when they needed it most?
Nadia sat up. "You have a brother named Taren, don't you?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about," said the doctor, too quickly. "My name's Jared. I am a simple doctor, and I have no brother." He stepped to the door. "You've already paid me more than enough, so I'd appreciate it if you get going as soon as you're ready."
The moment Nadia felt she could walk, they left the building. They stopped at an inn for a quick meal, restocked their supplies at a local store, then made their way north toward the ruins of Sandersburg.
"What should we expect in this place?" Rik asked.
"I have no idea. We need to be prepared for anything. This place was meant to safeguard knowledge like what we're seeking. It won't be easy."
"Nothing ever is."
They arrived at the ruins the next morning. The city was larger than any Nadia had ever seen, including Imperia. When they stepped into the outskirts of the city, Nadia felt the resistance of an invisible barrier. She tensed and scanned her surroundings.
Nothing threatened, but how long would that last?
They walked through the deserted streets, passing years of dust and decay. These stone buildings had once been grand, but most had succumbed to the fury of time, or perhaps they'd fallen in Warrick's attack on the city. The place felt eerie, as if ghosts were lurking unseen, reminding Nadia of Woodsville.
Rik chuckled. "You know, there was once a time when I would've loved to see a place like this. Now it's just something I have to do. Strange how that happens."
"Maybe you never were the adventurer you thought you were."
"Yeah, maybe."
Nadia stared across the desolate landscape. A few small animals scurried through the sparse vegetation covering the ground. This wasn't like Woodsville. There, the forest had grown over everything. Here, the plain surrounding the ruins seemed almost as if it had never intruded, as if the place's latent magic kept nature out.
Rik scanned their surroundings. "So where do we go now?"
"I don't know." Nadia closed her eyes, remembering the map the Spirit of Malavia had given her. Perhaps it had also left her hidden knowledge of this place. Soon she felt a strange sense of certainty, and started forward without speaking, crossing ruined cobblestone streets.
Rik followed. "You know something?"
"I'm not sure. I'm just following my instincts."
Rik grinned. "The best kind of plan."
Nadia led the way, keeping the mysterious map in the back of her mind. She shouldn't trust what the Spirit of Malavia had given her, but it had helped them through the volcanic caves.
Her instincts led her to a large building in the center of the enormous city.
Rik swayed on his feet. "Is this the building?"
"I-I think so." Nadia pushed against the large stone door. At first, it didn't budge, but once Rik lent his help, they pushed it aside. The chamber within looked as if Warrick's attack had never touched it. The polished stone floors still gleamed. The shelves on the walls were full of books untouched by hundreds of years of dust.
Magical torches cast bluish light upon everything. Nadia felt as if she'd traveled back to a moment that belonged to the past.
Rik stared at everything in awe. "How does this place look like this?"
"Magic." It was the only explanation Nadia had.
"And we're supposed to face whatever challenges this place has in store for us?"
"I know. I don't like our chances either." She trusted her instincts, stepping to the far corner of the chamber, where she found a set of stairs spiraling downward. They followed these stairs until they reached a dimmer chamber.
Dust and spider webs covered everything, and massive cracks split the walls. Some of the stones from the ceiling had fallen onto the ground. Nadia took a deep breath and moved farther into this chamber. The place smelled of
dust and age. A rat scurried between her legs, and she yelped in surprise.
Rik grinned again. "A bit jumpy, are we?"
"This is not a place to joke about."
At the far end of the chamber was a large stone door. It showed no cracks, no dust, no signs of age. She stepped closer to the door and read a small inscription in Luminian.
Only those with magic can enter.
"This is where we need to go," she said, but she didn't see a lever or any other way to open the door. She placed her hand against the cool stone. A low rumble filled the chamber, and the door shifted out of the way.
As soon as they both stepped through the door, it slammed behind them with a resounding crash. Nadia placed her hand against it, but it didn't budge.
"Guess we're stuck in here," Rik said.
"At least until we pass whatever challenges this place requires."
"Let's hope those challenges are easy," Rik said.
"I highly doubt that."
Chapter 38: The Great Challenge
The corridor that Nadia and Rik followed was lit by bluish magical torchlight, which cast an eerie glow. Nadia kept an eye out for danger, but the dusty corridors seemed deserted.
"Stop!" Rik shouted.
Nadia froze. "What is it?"
"Look at those tiles just ahead. They're a slightly darker color than the others. I think it's a trap."
Nadia stepped up to the edge of the discolored tiles but didn't put any weight on them. She noted small holes in the walls. "I bet something will come out of those holes if we step on the tile."
"But how're we gonna get past it?" Rik asked. "We can't jump that far."
"I know." She examined the challenge. The leap across the tiles was at least ten feet. "Rik, is there any magic you can use? After all, this place specifically said that those without magic couldn't enter. That has to be the answer."
Rik turned his staff over in his hands. "I have one idea. Not sure if it'll work."
"What is it?"
He pointed his staff at the floor up ahead, narrowing his eyes. A low rumble began, but the spell didn't work. After a few tries, he gave up and wiped sweat from his forehead. "Why isn't this working?"
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