Echoes Of A Gloried Past (Book 2) (7 page)

After a few moments of silence, Aaron spoke. “Is there anything you can tell me that will help us find what we need in Khamearra?" he couldn’t bring himself to think of the Drake as his grandmother. Iranus was right that his grandmother was dead, but part of him wondered if some small part of her were there still. He thought he understood what was at stake for Sarah, before and now … he only had two weeks. Roselyn had implied the longer timeframe was due to her training, which made sense. But he wondered if it was also due in part to the ever-present connection he felt with her. He hadn’t sensed it until after he used the bladesong to heal Sarah from her mortal wounds. 

Desperate measures.
Iranus’s warning echoed in his mind. 

He had no such ties or responsibilities as his grandfather did. No child of his own to protect. He wouldn’t have to make the same sacrifice that Reymius had, but understood Iranus’s fear of events spiraling out of control. Aaron met Colind’s concerned gaze and saw understanding mixed with a twinge of fear.

“They need to prepare themselves for war, Colind,” Aaron said. “There is no way around this. You must make the leaders of these nations understand this, or they will all suffer the same fate as Shandara.”

“I will, Aaron,” Colind answered quietly. “Curious word, ‘nations.’”

“It is how we refer to other countries or kingdoms,” Aaron said, his thoughts drifting back to his life on Earth. He had come to Safanar seeking revenge and to protect his sister, but it had become so much more.

“Verona,” Colind said, “listen up. I assume that you will not be leaving Aaron’s side for the foreseeable future.”

“Your assumption is correct, my Lord,” Verona answered, joining them.

“Excellent. I will tell you what I know about Khamearra,” Colind began. 

Across the grand expanse beneath his thoughts, Aaron could feel his connection to Sarah splinter. They had precious little time, so he focused on which insights he could glean about Khamearra from Colind.

C
HAPTER
5

PARTING WAYS

IT was late afternoon when the two groups were making ready to depart. Aaron was grateful for everything the Hythariam had done, but was anxious to leave. Colind had shared a great deal about Khamearra with him that should prove useful. They gathered in a field near one of the complexes of dome-shaped buildings.

The Raven loomed overhead, dark and majestic. The crew scurried about their tasks, getting ready to leave as Captain Nathaniel Morgan spoke with a group of Hythariam. Aaron could see where some additional equipment had been installed, which he was told would augment the crystal-powered engines already on the wings. Sarik assured him the new equipment would make the engines safer as well as continuously propel the ship, which gave it a decisive advantage over any other airship native to Safanar. 

Captain Morgan possessed the schematics to build and upgrade the remaining ships in the Rexellian Navy. The advantage wouldn’t be long lived, as the Hythariam would share the advances with any other kingdom that would ally with them for the coming war. Aaron was appreciative of the fact that the Hythariam not only provided the proverbial fish, but were now willing to teach the people of Safanar how to fish as well. Colind and Garret assured him that the sharing of knowledge would be reciprocated back to the Hythariam, because as the Hythariam were gifted in science, the native people of Safanar were gifted in tapping directly into energy around them. In Aaron’s opinion, it would one day equal the advantage of the Nanites and perhaps surpass them as he could. Aaron had used the power of the bladesong to finish repairing his body and drive the remaining Ryakul poison from his system.

Captain Morgan descended down the gangplank and strode over. “Aaron, glad to see you looking better. No worse for wear, I take it?” When Aaron nodded and shook his hand, the continued. “I wish you were coming with us, but I understand why you can’t.”

“I’ll miss the Raven. She’s a great ship, but not as great as her captain,” Aaron said.

“That she is,” the captain answered, “and that I am,” he said, grinning. “Your Grace,” he continued, formally addressing Aaron as he would a royal prince or king. “Despite what you say,” he said, holding up his hands, halting Aaron’s protest. “You are the Heir of Shandara. A king in your own right. There are many who would flock to the banner of the Alenzar’seth should you wish to raise it, and I would count myself fortunate to be among the flock.” The crew around them stopped their activities and turned toward them.

Aaron was stuck in mid protest by gratitude. “Thank you,” he said finally.

“This world needs the Alenzar’seth! We need Shandara to rise from the ashes!” Captain Morgan’s voice barked, snapping the attention of all those gathered. “We need you, your Grace.” He finished and sank down to one knee, holding his fist over his heart. The crew around them followed their captain, even those upon the ship. Then his friends followed suit. Even Colind and Vaughn went to their knees.

Aaron’s heart thundered in his chest as he stood alone among a sea of kneeling men and women. A lone chant carried throughout the field. 

Shandara!

The echoes of each syllable permeated through Hathenwood to the rooftops of the world. The Hythariam looked on silently and bowed their heads respectfully toward him. Aaron was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and committed to himself (and silently to all the people gathered) that he would honor their faith in him. The crew of the Raven had traveled with him, had bled at his side to get him to Shandara. They witnessed the daughter of the High King fall in love with this lost son of the Alenzar’seth. They had grown to love them both as comrades in arms, and until this moment he didn’t fully realize that he wasn’t alone beyond his closest friends in this quest to save the woman he loved. 

Aaron raised his hands, and the men stood up once more and waited expectantly for him to say something. How could he not? 

“Thank you. Your support means everything to me. Though our paths take us to different places, we are all joined by this moment in time. Hold onto it, cherish each other, and remember that the crew of the Raven stood with the Alenzar’seth and delivered him safely to Shandara. 

"Go forth and spread the word. Tell them of the dangers we face. Call upon their honor to defend their homes, to welcome the Hythariam with open arms and harbor no ill will toward them. They have sacrificed as much as the people of Shandara to be here and are worthy of our protection. Tell them we are here, and we will fight this enemy with the strength of this world, for we are mighty … We are Safanarions!” Aaron cried and was joined by everyone in the field, including the Hythariam, and perhaps for the first time, to Aaron at least, the Hythariam looked upon Safanar as their home. A home worth defending.

The crowd dispersed. Captain Morgan took his leave, and Aaron noticed that all of them stood a little bit taller, walked with a purpose. He didn’t know where the words came from and noted he now considered Safanar almost as much of a home as Earth had been. The idea of a king still sickened him, however. It was too much power for one man, even himself, and would be something he would rectify going forward. But if having a king gave these men the courage they needed to walk the path laid before them, then so be it. To himself, he was a man and not a king. A leader perhaps, but no king.

“You certainly have a way with words, my friend,” Verona said, coming toward him.

“Funny,” Aaron said, “I always thought of you as having the
way
with words. Perhaps you’re rubbing off on me.”

A small golden craft flew silently into view and landed a short distance from them. The wings, if they could be called such, were small and barely extended beyond a few feet in length. From its smooth side, a Hythariam emerged from a door that appeared as if by magic. The Hythariam was followed by Gavril, who waved in greeting and motioned them over. 

“Do they have machines like this where you come from?” Verona asked.

“Similar yes, but these look better made and more advanced,” Aaron answered. “I wasn’t in the military, so I can’t really comment on how these compare. They are impressive, and it can get us to Khamearra before Sarah is out of time.”

They walked over to the golden craft.

Gavril nodded in greeting to each of them, “I would like to introduce you to Tanneth. He will be joining us, and I’m sure you will find that he is quite resourceful.”

Tanneth was of medium build with the same golden eyes that marked most Hythariam. He firmly shook their hands and began checking the outside of the ship.

Aaron ran his hands along the smooth golden surface, which was slightly warm to the touch.

“It’s a Flyer-class SPT,” Gavril began, “Stealth Personnel Transport. It's fast and silent, with some cloaking abilities. We should be able to make the trip to Khamearra in no time.”

Aaron was impressed. “Were these the ones you used at Shandara?”

“Yes,” Gavril answered.

“How many of them do you have?” Aaron asked.

“We have ten SPTs in working order,” Gavril said. “I know the engineers are working to get some more online.”

Roselyn joined them, carrying several packs. Tanneth helped her load them onto the Flyer, and Gavril indicated that they could leave as soon as they were ready.

Aaron noted Verona’s almost pained expression looking in Roselyn’s direction. “She’s extremely beautiful, but are you going to be able to focus?” Aaron asked.

Verona tore his eyes away and looked toward Aaron, but he could tell that Verona fought to keep his eyes from drifting back. “I don’t know what has come over me, my friend. I’ve been bitten, I’m afraid.”

Aaron smirked. “I could tell, and so could anyone else. You know you could try talking to her.”

“I would if the function of my tongue didn’t go awry every time she came near me,” Verona answered. 

Aaron could remember feeling the same thing when Sarah first came into his life and hoped that his friend would get control of himself soon. Roselyn didn’t strike him as a type of woman who looked kindly upon a man who behaved with a boyish crush. 

Colind approached quietly. “It’s almost time,” he said.

 
“Yes and not a moment too soon,” Aaron replied.

“I need to ask what your intentions are regarding the barrier,” Colind began. “Just so I’m aware.”

Aaron calmly returned Colind’s gaze.
That’s what they were all worried about.
“I don’t know. It’s hard to say right now, mainly because we know so little. I’m going to do everything I can to save Sarah though.” 

Colind nodded slowly in understanding. “Just remember that the people of Khamearra are not the enemy.”

“I know,” Aaron answered. “But I would think that most people from Khamearra would believe that I am the enemy.”

“Some,” Colind acknowledged. “There are many factions, but remember they are also a people who live in fear. That is how the High King rules with the Elitesmen working as his right arm. Things were not always as they are now. Remember you may be able to find help in Khamearra.” Colind paused, considering his next words. “I wish that I could go with you.”

“You are needed elsewhere,” said Aaron. “Besides, we’ll catch up to you within two weeks,” Aaron continued, not voicing what would happen if he failed.

“It seems there is never enough time. May the Goddess’s blessings be upon you,” Colind said with a slight bow, then pulled Aaron into a quick embrace. “One more thing,” Colind began after letting him go. “Remember stealth is the goal. Avoid the High King if you can. He’ll be focused on you now, and unlike before they won’t underestimate you.”

Aaron understood all too well. “I’ve killed two of his sons, but it’s about time they have something else to think about instead of just hunting me. Where will they stand when the barrier between worlds fails?”

“I suspected that somehow they had been in contact with General Halcylon on Hytharia, but it was never proven,” Colind said and went silent as Iranus approached.

“I wanted you to know that we were able to see something heading for this planet,” Iranus said. “It’s not clear what exactly, but we’ll work on it. I can’t believe we’ve been so blind to this threat. We will do everything in our power to help, but, Aaron, I must ask something of you.”

“What do you need?” Aaron asked.

“That you return to Shandara,” Iranus answered.

“Why? What’s there?”

“Up until Shandara fell, we had been working to create a stockpile of weapons to use in the event that the barrier fell. We feared they had been lost when the city was all but destroyed. I will send people to search, but I suspect we’ll need you in order to find them,” Iranus said.

“I’ll return to Hathenwood, and together we can search,” Aaron said. “I’m just a little surprised that you would need my help with this.”

“We’re limited by our technology. We, along with your ancestors, decided on this course of action, and it was left to them to hide the weapons as only they knew how,” Iranus answered.

Aaron nodded, finally understanding. “They hid it, guarding against an invasion from Hytharia.”

“Precisely,” Iranus said. “I wish you a quick return, and may fortune smile upon you.” Iranus walked away and headed toward his daughter, whom he pulled into a long hug.

“It’s time for us to be going, my friend,” Verona said quietly by his side.

Aaron nodded and waved goodbye to the others, joining Sarik on the Flyer. Eric and Braden were already on board. He was quickly followed by Roselyn and Verona.
I’m coming, Sarah,
Aaron thought and turned his attention to the display in the front. The display showed a panoramic view of everything around them. Gavril and Tanneth occupied the pilot's and co-pilot’s seats while the rest of them sat on the benches along the sides. Aaron barely felt the craft lift into the air. Gavril punched in the coordinates that would take them to Khamearra then turned his chair so it faced them.