The Shadowed Land by Ryan W Mueller

Author:Ryan W Mueller [Mueller, Ryan W]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-10-22T23:00:00+00:00

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.

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