“It would be safer to enter town via the shadows.” One of her guards grunted from behind her.
Maa didn’t slow her pace. Given the lost time while in the shadows, she didn’t know how long until the first wave of dead reached Ra. Finding Wurn in this overcrowded city was going to be like looking for a needle in a stack of needles.
Now was not the time to become skeptical of their chances. She needed the courage to press forward. “Maybe, except I’m certain the city watch is still looking for me. We both know you are not invincible. Now is a better time for stealth over slaughter. The killing will come soon enough.”
Maa directed the shadows to deliver them outside the city. Far enough from the gate, so their sudden appearance would not arouse suspicion. No matter the prevalence of magic in the world, it was not commonplace for people to just pop into existence. In fact, before her encounter with the Dregs, she had never heard of a similar event.
Given the unexplained nature of the Dregs, her advisors might have culled that information as being too outlandish to be true. I wonder what else they kept from me.
The pair held their thoughts to themselves. Maa didn’t know if she had convinced the twins sent to hold her to the bargain. In the grand scheme of things, it didn’t matter what they thought or believed, as long as they obeyed and followed her directions. Why they obeyed her orders was a question for later.
The origin and the capabilities of the Dregs intrigued Maa. The most dreaded guild of assassins in existence appeared out of their league compared to the fighting men she knew.
These shadows were not indestructible. On the contrary, once in human form, they died like any other man. The ability to shift in and out of the gloom was an extreme advantage. However, in combat they used the ability poorly. If the first strike failed to kill, any follow-up combat could go either way.
Where did these shadows come from? The leader couldn’t have an unending supply of volunteers ready to become the most feared yet hated of the lands. But since they died, they needed some way to replace them. From what Maa could see, the men guarding her had all been similar, if not identical. Constantly hooded—each face remained in shadow. She hadn’t gotten a good enough look at any two of them to compare.
She assumed the shadow master she’d met with in the past was the same person, or creature, but even that was a guess. The guild and their makeup were alien to her thinking.
Unschooled in magic, she assumed there might be all manner of japes, spells, and incantations to summon mystical servants to do a mage’s bidding. That would make the leader of the Dregs more mage than assassin. A true puppet master pulling the strings of these men—if they were men.
For what end? That was the real question. If he could manufacture an endless stream of shadow warriors, why muck about with remaining in the shadows? Why not take over one empire after another until the world was his? What motive might this strange shadow master have?
Her thoughts of the Dregs needed to wait. The approach to Ra had changed. Before reaching the view of the gates, tents lined the path. Scattered about the tents, people cowered, wrapped in what they might find. This part of the outer city has swelled in size.
The wagons carrying food into the city were gone, replaced by seated beggars with hands held high cluttering the road, so only foot traffic was possible. Any farmer stupid enough to bring food into the city by this route would be stripped clean before reaching the gates. Only the threat of violence from her two escorts opened a path through the exiles.
These vagrants must be refugees from Haven. Each face carried the look of shock and pain Maa had seen in the court during the firebug attacks. These people must have fled Haven before the dead rose.
There was no time to stop and offer comfort. These bodies would only add to the feast of flesh waiting for the dead. She needed to get these people inside the gates. A sense of urgency provided the motivation to pick up her pace.
On a familiar section of the road, well before they reached the city wall, Maa cut down an alley way. She wasn’t sure, but it looked like the one she ran down to escape the guards. The path where she eventually found the Draco’s followers.
Around her, the local population went about their daily toil, simply struggling to survive. The vagrants had been kept from wandering down this narrow alley. Shortly, their world would be shattered when the first wave of the dead lurched down the road. Maa could shout a warning to each person she met, and the chances of anyone believing her were zero.
There were still quiet moments when she didn’t believe what had happened to her. Everything since that night with Zac in the garden, the attack and his death, all that might be some horrible nightmare. How could she ever get anyone to believe her ravings of approaching dead?
No, her best bet to warn these people was to find Draco and convince him she told the truth. If the wagonload of cowards had returned, there was a good chance he knew something was amiss.
That was highly unlikely. The teamster didn’t seem the type that would confess his cowardice to the religious leader. If they even returned, the man probably lied about Maa and the dead. She’d seen similar spinelessness too many times before. Given a chance, she might need to kill one or several of the men to convince them to tell the truth. Without a weapon, that might prove difficult.
A strange feeling washed over her.
Maa found herself in uncharted territory. Unable to explain the need to warn Draco and his followers of the impeding attack, she went against the shadow master’s directions. If she crossed the leader of the Dregs and he found out, repercussions would be swift and severe. Maa expected nothing less. While in charge, her punishment for disobedience would be the same—swift and severe.
The concerns of her future didn’t matter. Soon the island above would pass over them, turning day into night. More than twelve hours had passed since she escaped the claws of the undead. If they were lucky, Ra had twelve hours, maybe less to prepare for the attack.
<=OO=>
“Why are you doing this?” Morgan asked.
With the help of Kai’s flask, they had crossed over into this strange land of shadows. Various shades of gray, from the darkest black to the brightest white, now colored the world. Strange thing was, despite traveling dimensions, they remained in a shadow version of the mage tower. With no idea how the potion worked, and how this newcomer Zoe managed the transition, Morgan needed to rely on faith. That was a commodity in exceedingly short supply.
“Why are you?” Zoe asked back.
Morgan couldn’t find the right words to express her feelings without giving too much away. “I wish I had an answer, but I don’t know. I’m not the same as when we left Haven. I don’t think anyone in the court would recognize me.”
Zoe slowly approached another door, her fingers spread wide. After the briefest of checks, she shook her head.
Morgan’s stone flashed bright white. There was no telling if that was a yellow or orange indication in this colorless land.
Zoe moved to the next door. “My motive is none of your concern—but I will tell you, the way the shadow master of the Dregs wields power makes Maa and the Genke clan look like civilized and fluffy kittens. There are unwritten rules of society none should cross. The Dregs wish to rewrite those rules in their own image. Right a multitude of perceived wrongs before they happen. Punish the guilty before they have the chance to commit a crime.”
The stranger Zoe had led the group deeper into the tower. Given the mysterious geometry, Morgan had no real sense of direction. Given enough time, she might learn her way around this twisted city built into the mountain, but for now she needed to trust the direction sense of their new guide.
At least her promise was true concerning Tsu. The unconventional treatment she’d given the man made him whole once more. Discussion over the miraculous recovery needed to wait. Morgan had so many questions for her friend. When alone, she needed to forgive him the secrets he’d kept.
Not surprisingly, the others had remained mute on the fresh path and the choice of following Zoe. If Tuck weren’t there to help Gia, she doubted the half-elf would make the journey. At least his ankle stopped bleeding. Kai had given the dragon slayer something for the pain.
They passed door after door, before Zoe finally stopped. “This one will have to do.” She held both hands before the door as if double checking. “Yes, not too bad at all.”
Before any complaints were registered, Zoe pushed the door wide.
Morgan expected another swirling maelstrom of sickening colors. Instead, she gazed inside what looked like any normal tavern a traveler might find in the empire of Zonogon.
Zoe asked, “Look familiar?”
“Aye, it does. If I didn’t know better, I’d say that is the Chubby Water Baby. A tavern just off the docks on the Moon side of Ra. That looks like…” Kai leaned in for a closer look. “That is even Mistress Ela’Ra-Moon. She looks older, but I’d know her anywhere.”
Zoe motioned with her hand for the group to lead the way. Her other hand gripped the air, holding open the portal. “Please, I can’t keep this open forever.”
Kai didn’t hesitate. He walked through the magic portal like any normal door. He scanned his surroundings only briefly, before he turned to face them, a wide smile plastered across his face.
The others waited for him to signal before following him through the portal.
In an instant, Morgan felt herself cocooned in the warm confines of the smoke-filled tavern. The feeling in stark comparison to the lifeless world they just left. She’d never been in such a modest business before, but somehow this felt right. Like a home she never knew. A cheerful fire knocked off the chill.
Kai grabbed her arm. His grip helped to steady her weak knees. In an instant, she crossed the barrier and entered a world she never knew existed. From the wizard’s tower, she stepped into the surreal. This tavern was out of place in both the tower and shadows—here among the living she felt alive.
It was dark, the wavy glass-covered windows proved that her first glance outside.
“Why are we back here?” Kai asked.
Zoe moved toward the exit. “This was the nearest portal to the book. The emperor Leo is protected not far from here.”
Tuck asked, “How will we ever reach him?”
“Is the book with Leo?” Morgan asked.
Zoe opened the door. A cool breeze caused the candles inside to flicker wildly. “I believe so, yes.”
Morgan stepped into the street. “I have an idea.”
“Should I ask?” Tsu fell in behind her.
“Which way?” Morgan asked. “We have no choice. I will turn myself in.”
Gia limped after them. “Princess, if the Genke are still in charge, they will kill you.”
She looked at her companions. They all looked displaced, wearing the off-white hooded robes. They looked more like the desert peoples who wandered the vast wastelands between the fertile islands. “And if we don’t get that book, many more will die. I can’t have that on my conscience. Please lead the way.” There was so much of the world she wanted to see.
Kai squeezed her hand. “I’ll go with you.”
“If the Moon clan is protecting Leo, I know the place.” Tsu set off along the wharf. “I will join you as well. I might still have some pull with my people. Let’s hope they will listen to reason.”
Morgan stopped. “No, none of you can join me. If they move to arrest me, they will take you into custody as well.”
“That’s mighty large of you princess, but please don’t forget, I must gain entrance. I will do anything to find the book,” Zoe reminded her.
Tuck asked, “Why are you doing this?”
“I’m not really sure why. I only know things must change. I can’t go back to the way things were.” Morgan resumed her march.
Tsu marched on. “My place is at your side.”
Zoe pledged, “Succeed or die trying.”
“I never thought I would return to this place… this former life. There are so many bad memories.” Morgan had walked these streets once before, back when she and Tsu first fled Haven, searching for Doctor Seeme. She was an altogether different person back then.
In the distance, she spotted the bridge that separated the two halves of the city. By the way Tsu behaved, they had arrived on the Moon side of the river.
Kai whispered, “Life is all about holding on to the good memories over the bad.” His words pulled her off old memories.
“I’ll try.” Her time with him had been some of the better memories she wished to hang on to.
“Something is wrong,” Kai whispered.
“Why?” Morgan glanced over her shoulders. Despite her decision to go alone, the others still followed.
He motioned to the river. “All the boats are gone.”
“Out fishing?” She asked. The bridge was well lit with torches, their light danced on the smooth surface. She spotted no boats on the far side either. Something was off.
“The river is too dangerous to be on after nightfall. No, these boats have left. I assume, fled the city. Look at the far side. Notice how full those docks are? Too many people.”
“That isn’t normal?” she asked. The wharf they walked down was empty.
Kai shook his head. “No, it shouldn’t be this full. Something is wrong.”
“Forgive me, but I will more than likely be dead soon. If you need to stay and investigate this… these people. You must. I told you, I don’t expect anyone to join me on this crazy venture.”
Kai glanced her way. “I’m sorry. I’m struggling to not think of it.”
“You have any jape that can save us? I mean, if the worst happens…” Morgan let her voice trail off. The worst would be either being filled with arrows at the gate or being beheaded while the court watched. Neither death was the way she planned on leaving this world for the land of the dead.
“I will do what I can to protect you. If we are to fail, I’ll make sure we go down in a blaze of glory.” He intertwined his fingers and cracked all his knuckles at once.
She shook her head. “No… if this must happen. Do not fight it. I want you to promise me, do what you must to survive.”
“I don’t know if I can.” The mage took her hand.
“You must. I’m here, we are here, because of mistakes I’ve made. I thought it was my right to lead this land, when in reality I’m no more qualified than you. I will not let more people die chasing after my futile dream. I started this rebellion. Tonight, it ends.”
“I will try.” He squeezed her hand.
“Make it so. You control the changes in your life. Please lead a life of goodness. I fear the power magic offers corrupts everything it touches.” She lowered her voice to a mere whisper, “Everyone has a dark side they rather people didn’t know about.”
Kai whispered back, “I don’t agree. Evil is made not born.”
The tears welled in Morgan’s eyes. “But you see… the problem isn’t in me, it is me.”
“Don’t beat yourself up. In this time I’ve spent with you, I’ve come to understand your heart is pure. You have done what you thought was good. Forgive yourself. I’m sure you made the best decisions with the information you had at the time.”
“What if I’d done better? Made a different choice?”
“Let your mind be free to reconcile with the person you’ve become.”
“I feel lost. Like I need to atone for my mistakes.”
“Nothing of value is ever lost.”
“Maybe I’ll become a healer.” Morgan called out to the group.
Tuck shouted her reply, “And perhaps I’ll travel to the floating islands.”
“You can’t live looking backward,” Kai whispered.
She squeezed his hand back. “Tell me, if we survive, what do you want to do?”
Kai kept his eyes focused forward. “My goal remains the same. I want to learn all I can about magic, and how to control it.”
Morgan wanted him to look her way, but she was certain by the far-away gaze, his mind wandered elsewhere. He might be thinking of a jape to save them, or how to turn the court to stone. She couldn’t comprehend the thoughts hidden by his icy stare. “Most people want to use magic to control the world around them. What do you want?”
He whispered, “Simple, I want the bad people of the world to stop getting away with the harm they do for sport. That is no way to live. Someone needs to do something.”
Morgan tried again, “I find I’m no longer connected—I have no past. I don’t want to die. I genuinely want a future.”
For the longest time, her guard had remained silent. “Never be ashamed to protect yourself or the ones you love.” His words didn’t surprise her at all.
Kai asked, “Do you know what you are doing?”
Morgan struggled to smile back at him. “I haven’t a clue.”
“Me either, but I hope…” Tsu’s words trailed off. “Not far now, time to make sure this is what we want.”
Morgan closed her eyes, searching for a reason to run the other way. She whispered, “Some things are better off left alone. Let them wither on the vine. They will only cause more harm. Please, everyone, you don’t need to do this. It will be better if you wait outside.”
Gia chuckled from behind her. “Not everyone wants to be saved.”
Morgan took Ed’s blade from her back and wrapped it in a cloth, then added some padding where she could. It was heavy, but at least no longer looked like a weapon. If this weapon were recognized by the men guarding the Moon compound, Morgan and the others would quickly die.
“Let’s go on then. Thank you all for your help and trust. I hope it isn’t misplaced.” Morgan stepped forward on weak knees. Only Kai’s grip gave her the strength to continue.
Down a narrow, unimpressive street, Tsu stopped before the unremarkable gates of a walled compound. With not a single guard stationed in the street, she assumed a company of crossbows waited to fill them with bolts when the order was given. Morgan knew her fate lay somewhere beyond—out of her control. She smiled at the thought. As if I ever controlled my life.
“I am Tsu’Ra-Moon, guard of the royal family in Haven. Open the gates. I escort an important visitor.” Thank the ancestors he didn’t shout out her name.
Morgan counted the beats of her heart as they sounded like a bass drum in her ears.
After what seemed like an eternity, the bolts scraped as they slid back, the only indication the warriors beyond the gate knew who Tsu was, and the meaning of his title. Given Tsu was a member of this clan, they might survive long enough to be granted an audience before being put to death.
The glow of blazing torches blinded Morgan from behind the gate. Rather than run like her soul wanted to do, she followed her bodyguard into the enemy’s compound. Kai still by her side. His touch gave her all the strength she needed to continue.