Free Amidst The Rising Shadows (Book 3) by Ken Lozito Page B

Aaron had used, but they did work just fine. They were limited to a few uses in a given cycle and currently had to brought back to Hathenwood to be recharged. Iranus had assured them that new versions of the accelerators would be able to recharge on their own.
    “Even though the barrier has been down a month there have been reports of animals returning to the surrounding forests,” Vaughn said.
    Colind nodded, “That’s good. I know Cyrus has been getting a lot of requests from people wishing to return here. Resources at Rexel are being spread thin, but it will do them no good to get here and not be able to feed themselves.”
    “There is a long road ahead if Shandara is to be rebuilt,” Garret said.
    Colind nodded, “Yes, but if Shandara is going to protect anybody we need to repair the walls.”
    “They are using the rubble from throughout the city, reshaping it into pieces to fix the damaged sections, but simply put, it’s a big wall,” Vaughn said.
    “We still have some time,” Garret said. “Precious little though there is. Have the others had any luck finding the chamber or the weapons caches?”
    Colind shook his head, “The place that the chamber is believed to be is in one of the most damaged parts of the city. They are still working their way toward it, but they need to be cautious lest they destroy the very place they are most eager to get to. As far as the weapons caches go, they think they might have found one. Sarah and the others are heading there now.”
    Vaughn frowned, glancing where Colind had nodded his head.
    “What is it?” Colind asked.
    “I’m worried about Sarah. Her patience is growing thin with finding the chamber. Each day that passes, her will erodes away that much more,” Vaughn said.
    “I want Aaron back too,” Colind said.
    “Do you think he is alive?” Vaughn asked, and Garret glanced back at them.
    “Yes,” Colind said without hesitation.
    “How can you be so sure? Verona and the others say the same thing. It’s as if they won’t believe for a second that Aaron may, in fact, be dead.”
    “It’s not blind faith, my friend, I can assure you. Think about it,” Colind said. “We know the Hythariam are on the other side. Aaron saw them. So they must be monitoring the portal and would know if someone came through. I believe Aaron is being held captive by the Hythariam on the other side.”
    Garret swallowed, “Being held captive could be worse than death. This is the same race that created the Drake. I can only imagine what they could do to Aaron, especially if they knew who he really was.”
    “They know who he is,” Colind sighed.
    “How?” Garret asked.
    Vaughn's eyes grew wide. “He bears the mark of the Alenzar’seth upon his chest.”
    “Yes, and Halcylon would never forget who is responsible for putting the barrier in place. Given the amount of destruction where the chamber used to be, I have little hope that we will be able to mount any rescue attempt for Aaron. He is on his own.”
    The uneasy silence dragged on.
    “I’m beginning to understand Sarah’s attitude,” Vaughn said quietly.
    “If they know who Aaron is then they will recognize his value. Wouldn’t they keep him alive then?” Garret asked.
    “That’s what I’m hoping for,” Colind said.
    “There has been some good news. Zsensibar’s armies are gathering in the south. King Nasim has been in contact with Cyrus this morning,” Vaughn said.
    “That is good news. At least now we are only slightly outnumbered by the High King’s armies instead of overwhelmingly so,” Garret answered.
    “Have they moved?” Colind asked.
    The Hythariam had set up what they called a command center at their camp in Shandara. Vaughn had spent most of his time in there, meeting with the rest of the Free Nations Army leaders and using the tracking devices of the Hythariam to keep an eye upon the High King’s army.
    “No, they are merely gathering, but it can’t be much longer before they move out.