Shadows of an Empire

By Thomas K. Carpenter

When the Three Relinquishes the One the Void will Conquer All. The wheels of prophecy grind towards the ending of the multiverse, while the gods continue their dance of power. Ben and Kat know the only way to thwart the prophecies is to take the fight to Veles. As the battle unfolds, new revelations put their plans in peril, leaving Kat to make a choice that could tilt the multiverse into the eternal abyss.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thomas Carpenter
• Release date: May 4, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005932022

Thomas K. Carpenter

Thomas K. Carpenter resides in Colorado with his wife Rachel. When he’s not busy writing his next book, he's out hiking or skiing or getting beat by his wife at cards. Visit him online at www.thomaskcarpenter.com, or sign up for his newsletter at https://www.subscribepage.com/trialsofmagic.

Book preview

Chapter One

The Siberian Destiny slid through the predawn air above Moscow, hidden in a cloud that looked black from the ground. The airship circled over the city, patiently scouting.

The onion domes of St. Basil's Cathedral were fat spears against the sky. The horizon was painted in the colors of blood and war over the Kremlin, the grand fortress inside the city. Despite the early hour, steam carriages busied through the streets like ants readying to march. Gas lights flickered on—the eyes of the city awakening.

Captain Iskly tapped on the steering mechanism. Circle again? The sunrise will expose us soon, cloud or no cloud.

We were spread out along the windows in the pilot room: Ben Franklin, Anastasia, Brassy, and I.

Does anyone see it? asked Ben.

It's so dark down there, said Brassy, face pressed against the window on the eastern side.

"The krasnaya ploschard is empty, Mother," said Ana.

It has to be down there. Those soldiers said the portal was four meters tall. It's the only place it would make sense, I said.

The center of Red Square was a great island of darkness.

Maybe those soldiers were lying, or mistaken. Veles could have placed it in a building, said Ben.

Go lower, Captain, I said. Right above that central area, where none of the steam carriages dare to travel.

We shouldn't risk it. They'll know we're an airship by the sound if we go lower, said Ben. Better that Veles doesn't know we're here.

Veles knows we're here. I think he knew we were coming the moment the storm wall fell, I said.

The airship's engines changed pitch as it circled around towards the middle of Red Square. It felt strange returning to Moscow as an enemy of the state. Then again, a lot of odd things had happened recently. With the help of a dragon, my daughter, and Ben Franklin, I'd killed the Jörmungandr—the Serpent That Heralded the End of the World.

Now, we had to sneak through the portal to Veles' realm so we could find a way to destroy it. It was a point of disagreement between Ana and I. She thought we should stay on this side of the portal, for safety and so we wouldn't get trapped when we destroyed it. Because of the prophecies in my head, I knew that wasn't an option. We had to go through it or fail.

Ever since the Jörmungandr had died, the prophecies had been restless. At times, images flashed into my head, giving me glimpses of possible futures. I'd ignored them as much as I could, knowing that they'd come from the Gamayun, whose sole desire was to destroy the multiverse.

Other concerns lurked in our near future. Before she'd sacrificed herself to save Ben Franklin, Rowan Blade, one of the witches of Baba Yaga's hut, told me I was destined to destroy her and her sisters. After hearing what Rowan had done to deserve that fate, I had no doubt that I would not hesitate. Especially if it was Neva, the original witch, who we would have to contend with. For all I knew, Neva was in the repaired hut, actively working to thwart us.

When the engines groaned as if a great weight was bearing down on them, I knew we had found the portal.

Ben spoke right after. I see it. Or rather, I don't see it, but its outline is there on the stones. It must be made of the same stuff that Veles used for his castle.

We all rushed to his side of the pilot's room. Sure enough, there seemed to be a hole in the shadows, where something large lurked.

The airship groaned again, steel tortured by unseen forces.

You can take us up, Captain Iskly, I said.

The captain grunted back, I was already trying. This thing is trying to pull us down.

We were circling lower. Ben leapt to the captain's side. Quickly, give it full power. I should have known there was a reason the steam carriages were avoiding it.

But someone might hear the airship, said Ana.

Better to hear it than crash in the middle of Red Square, said Ben as he grunted.

The captain increased power to the engines and they cavitated, clunking as if the gods were hitting them with a great hammer. For the space of a few heartbeats, I thought we wouldn't escape the portal's pull. Then the ship lifted into the air, putting my stomach into my throat.

Oh dear, said Brassy, sinking to her knees.

The vertigo was horrendous. It seemed to affect everyone, though Ben and Captain Iskly kept to their task through it. Only once we had returned to the clear space above the skies did I finally relax.

It felt like I was going to be sucked into a vortex, said Ana, holding her stomach.

That might have been what was happening. Who knows what forces the portal creates when it's not bridging between two universes, said Ben.

Let's head north. You can leave us there, Captain Iskly. The four of us will head into the city on foot, I said.

It will only be the two of us, said Ben. His blond hair had grown long and had fallen into his eyes. He knocked it out of the way and winked.

What is this? I asked. When I glanced to Ana and Brassy, they gave me succinct nods, indicating they were in on Ben's conspiracy. I only just reunite with my daughter and now you're sending her away?

Ben asked us to do something for him, said Ana, who smiled at Brassy.

The former bawdy girl looked embarrassed, which confused me.

Let me guess, I said. You're not going to tell me because of the prophecies.

In case we are captured. The less that know, the better, said Ben.

Can I at least know the general intent of this secret mission? I asked.

Even if we destroy the portal, we have to prepare for a world filled with the supernatural. One that has pitted the Russian Empire against the world. Assuming the shield goes down once we are successful at our task, there will be many repercussions of their conquests. And besides, it's fun to keep secrets from you, Kat, because I know it makes you a little mad, said Ben.

I will remember that, Benjamin Franklin, and I will get you back for it, I said, pointing at him. I'm not sure how, but you will regret it.

Life would be rather boring without the possibility of regrets, he said. Though my preference is regrets from action, rather than inaction.

I looked to my daughter. She looked tired. The scar on her face made one eye droop. Her hair had more gray in it than when we'd first met in Siberia.

I guess this is for the best then, I said, hoping their task was less dangerous than ours. We should gather our things. Captain Iskly won't be able to land long without drawing attention.

Speaking of that, said Ben with a smirk, I have a disguise for our journey to the portal.

Am I going to regret this? I asked.

Ben raised one eyebrow. It depends on how well you remember how to curse.

Chapter Two

The jacket fit tightly across my chest. The bindings made breathing difficult but I could move enough to flick the reins and convince my mount to amble forward.

You look like a proper merchant's son, said Ana, leaning against the fence post.

She'd tied my hair back and applied smudges of dirt to my face. The pants had fit loosely and had to be cinched with a horse hair rope.

No one will believe this ruse up close. My mount is clearly a plow horse. It barely responds to my directions, I said.

Ben rode around the stables. We'd found an abandoned farm on the outside of the city. If it weren't for his face, I wouldn't have recognized him. He wore a long gray coat that covered his legs and a conical fur hat. The scabbard of a saber stuck out from his coat, bouncing against his black boots.

How do I look? he asked, though it was clear he knew that he presented a striking figure.

Too noticeable, I said. You have the arrogance of a noble, not a merchant.

Ben turned his mount so he faced me. He spoke in Russian, using the gift Rowan had given him. I am a man on the move. I may be a merchant today, but tomorrow I will be a noble.

I suppose it would be an impossibility for you to be subtle, I said.

More importantly, I want them to look at me, rather than you, in case Veles has spies on the lookout, he said.

Ana spoke. Stop making that face, Mother. You're as bad as he is. Eyes downcast. Think about how many times you've been beaten for your insolence.

After a heavy sigh, I followed my daughter's advice, ambling the horse in a slow circle.

Better, she said, but I can still see that noble pride in your stiff back. Hunch like a commoner, Mother.

Leaning over was difficult. It was antithesis to my years of upbringing. Once I mastered my disguise, or at least made myself passable as a member of the lower class, Ana pronounced us ready for our journey.

Thank you, Mother, said Ana as we prepared our goodbyes.

For what? I asked.

Trusting me again, she said. "I know it was hard for you to accept that Brassy and I would be away at a different purpose. Just as it was difficult for you to let me be the one that brought the pillar down on the Jörmungandr's head."

I held back my desire to inform her that going on Ben's secret mission would be less dangerous than Veles' realm.

It is one of the hardest parts of being a parent. Realizing that your children eventually get to make decisions without your consent. I'm sorry it's taken me so long to acknowledge that. I wish I would have realized it sooner, before I caused you so much pain, I said.

Ana flinched when I mentioned being a parent, but then she gave me a hesitant smile, one that told me she hadn't completely forgiven me yet.

It worked out in the end, she said.

When this is over, I want to take you to America. Show you my new home, I said.

She nodded. When this is over.

Ben's horse gave a trumpeting whinny. We should get going before someone comes to investigate the airship.

Ana lifted the hem of her dress and hurried across the frozen mud to the ramp. She gave a terse wave before disappearing inside. The airship lifted, quickly gained its protective cloud, and disappeared into the afternoon sky.

Ben led the way into the heart of Moscow. My muscles were unused to riding a horse after years of steam carriages. The inside of my thighs ached after an hour.

A few serfs passed us, headed the opposite direction. They had confused looks on their faces.

I get the feeling that heading into the city is not the preferred direction, said Ben under his breath.

We crossed a covered bridge over the Moskva River an hour later. On the southern side, a pair of guards in livery called out to us as we approached.

You're going the wrong way, laughed the first soldier, with his hand resting comfortably on his rifle.

We have business in the city, said Ben, infusing his tone with the proper arrogance.

The soldiers watched us go, leaning lazily at their posts. Their boots were muddy and their winter coverings weren't regulation. The lack of discipline disturbed me. I said as much to Ben.

There must not be as much administration on this side of the portal, he said.

We rode a while further. We would reach Red Square by dusk and planned to find an inn to shelter for the night. A few steam carriages rumbled past us, but the area we traveled seemed less populated than I'd thought from above.

A few blocks west of our destination, we found an inn. A red handkerchief was wrapped around the door's brass handle. Ben raised an eyebrow at it before pushing his way inside.

Grubby faces turned towards us, squinting as they appraised us. A fireplace crackled with warmth. Ben knocked the snow off his boots and unbuttoned his overcoat. I kept my scarf around my jaw and my fur hat pulled almost over my eyes.

After a few seconds of staring, the dozen people in the room went back to their mugs and plates.

What was that about? I mumbled.

Ben shook his head tightly and moved towards the counter. I felt people still watching us covertly.

The innkeeper greeted us with a frown. He was a larger man who'd lost weight recently. His gaze was weary.

We'd like a room for the night, said Ben.

The innkeeper seemed to notice his accent but said nothing about it. That depends on your business.

Our business is our own, he said.

Then no room, said the innkeeper.

Ben mulled his words. "We have business with them."

A chair slid across the floor. A man in a gray coat hurried out of the inn. I felt the attention drill into my back.

The innkeeper looked over our shoulders. He seemed to nod with his eyes. We have a room. Upstairs.

Ben agreed to the man's price, paid him with coins we'd acquired at the abandoned farm, and went upstairs clutching a brass key.

Once we were inside the room, Ben slid the dresser in front of the door.

I think that red handkerchief means they don't like the invaders, I said.

I see that now, said Ben. It was a fifty-fifty gamble.

We Russians are notoriously prideful. We'll kill each other if the Motherland demands it, but distrust outsiders, I explained.

That might be useful someday, said Ben.

Probably not today. You saw that man hurry out of the inn. I expect we'll have visitors tonight, I said.

Ben sighed heavily, fingering the button on his coat. "I'd envisioned a night in a real bed for once. The bed on the Siberian Destiny was once a torture device for the Mongol horde."

Our window faced an alleyway. I opened it and stuck my head out. Right as I did so, a group of men with pistols and rifles went running past, headed to the front of the inn.

We have to go now, I said, opening the window wider so I could climb out. I put one leg out, and judged the distance to the snowy street.

Ben lingered at the bed, running his fingers over the ratty cover.

Hurry up, I said, then dropped onto the street. The impact went right through my heels, rattling my teeth. Ben dropped down right after. A moment later, we heard the door being kicked in.

We took off at a run, heading the other way down the alley. We heard shouts when we were a few blocks away, but by then we had a decent lead.

We've lost our mounts, said Ben sullenly.

The setting of the sun had brought bitter cold. I pulled my scarf around my face and hugged my coat to my body through my pockets.

We walked the streets, staying to the side, ducking into alleyways when steam carriages went past. I thought I saw the furry face of a Hrevanti driving one, but it was hard to tell in the darkness.

Having no other plans in mind, we decided to find Red Square. The onion domes of St. Basil's Catherdral were lit up, and they led us right to it. Across from us, gas lamps flickered along the walkway in front of the Kremlin. As we looked across the expanse, I noticed a hole in the lamps.

The portal, I said.

Shall we?

No one stopped us as we walked across Red Square. As we neared the portal, my teeth began to hurt.

Do you feel that? I asked.

A bit like having your teeth and gums gnawed on by metal mice, said Ben.

You're a strange man, I said through my scarf.

As we approached the huge object, I realized that I had seen its like before in the empty city with Nasrine. It was a vertical ring, like a circus hoop made of silvery metal, with intricate designs across the surface. The material was the same as the silvery gauntlet that we'd taken from the Uthlaylaa. At the center of the ring, a hazy darkness formed like mist at midnight. The space swirled and shifted by unseen winds. It was too dark to see the symbols, but I knew they were there.

Can we go through that? asked Ben, squinting against the chill wind.

There's only one way to find out, I said, walking up the ramp, towards the bottom of the ring.

I stepped into the swirling mist. Ripples of electricity passed across my flesh, even through my layers of clothing.

We'd left Moscow in darkness and the other side was as bright as noon during a partial eclipse. I held my arm over my eyes, adjusting to the light. Besides not being able to see, my other impression of the other side was comforting warmth. I heard Ben stumble through the portal beside me. I had the awareness that someone else was standing nearby. I started to call my magic, when I felt something hard press against my head.

Try anything, Princess, and Ben will get a face full of your brains.

Chapter Three

The voice put an arrow through my heart. I staggered, and caught myself. We stood on a hilltop surrounded by crimson flowers. The sky had an orangish quality.

Catherine? I asked as the pistol bumped against my temple.

It was Catherine all right. Except she looked as young as I, with milky smooth skin and a spark in her eye. She wore an aquamarine dress with a plunging neckline. The nearness of her made me flush.

Two men grabbed Ben by the arms while a third held a pistol to his back. Ben gave a well-what-do-you-do shrug with one shoulder.

No, said the woman. But we've met.

In that other place, I said, the heat in my cheeks going cold. You're the Queen of Dreams.

She was amused. No one calls me that. But yes, from the In Between Lands. I would prefer if our discussions from that day remain private.

That day she'd offered an alliance against Veles, so that she might stop the multiverse from being destroyed. But her offer