Amidst The Rising Shadows (Book 3) (2 page)

“That’s exactly what Aaron said,” Roselyn snickered.

Sarah shook her head and smiled.
Yes, definitely a friend.
 

“We should head to the council chambers where my father and Colind are meeting with the other leaders to coordinate their efforts,” Roselyn said.

Sarah nodded, and they both left the room, rejoining the others outside. They continued through the building and came to a large elevated platform. There were so many Hythariam that Sarah felt out of place. The Hythariam and the others kept glancing toward the far wall as if waiting for something to happen. A few moments later the section of the wall before them shifted quietly to the side, and a large metallic tube came through the impromptu doorway.

“They are called trams, and they will take us to another part of Hathenwood, my Lady,” Verona said.

The tram floated above the glowing points on the track and came to a stop near the platform. She could see other Hythariam through the windows, and after they exited the tram they got on board. The inside of the tram had benches along the walls, but Sarah preferred to stand. The tram began to move, leaving the building, and as it did so she couldn’t feel the movement beneath her feet. If not for the trees and other buildings speeding by she would have thought they were standing still.

“I’m glad you’re feeling better,” Sarik said, coming to her side. “Pretty amazing, isn’t it.”

Sarah smiled at him and nodded, looking at the city that the Hythariam had built. Parts of it reminded her of what Shandara must have been like before it was destroyed. No, destroyed was too strong a word. There was in fact a lot of destruction, but the bones of Shandara were still there. If they could rid the place of Ryakuls, then perhaps people would journey back and rebuild it.

The Hythariam went to great lengths to include the surrounding landscape into the layout of their small city. The walking paths between the buildings included large trees and colorful plants that should not have been in bloom because of the cooler temperatures. The flowering plants of the gardens offered a choreography of color that was pleasing to the eye and gave her a sense of peace. How long would the peace last, Sarah wondered.

The tram came to a stop inside a dome-shaped building, and they got off. They were soon greeted by an older Hythariam with green eyes that contrasted with the sea of golden eyes she had seen thus far. He had the bearing of a seasoned warrior from the way he stood and surveyed the area to the way he moved his arms in precise movements.

“Hello, Sarah, we didn’t have a chance to meet before. I am called Gavril.”

Sarah returned the greeting and knew from her conversations with Verona that Gavril had also helped Aaron in Khamearra. Roselyn whispered something in Gavril’s ear, and he nodded back to her. She could never doubt the sincerity of the people around her, but she could feel a pang of guilt twisting inside her chest at Aaron’s absence. She still found herself looking for him, and even here in the crowded atrium outside the Hythariam council chambers she yearned to see him. She needed to know that he was okay. Sarah’s breath caught in her throat, and she felt as if something had sucked the air out of the room. The voices echoing throughout the atrium pressed in around her, melding together until they sounded like gibberish. The golden eyes of the Hythariam turned to molten yellow with a malicious glint. Sarah spun around, looking for a window. She needed to get back outside. With her breath coming in gasps, she sprinted away. The others called out to her, but their calls trailed in her wake. She burst through the doorway, elbowing her way through a throng of Hythariam. The molten-yellow eyes of the Drake glared at her from the faces of the Hythariam nearby.

No! You won’t take me again!

She burst through the doors and ran out into the gardens beyond.
 

Faster...I must go faster.
 

She drew in the energy around her and put on the speed, blurring through the gardens. She could hear sounds of pursuit behind her. She needed the high ground. Sarah leaped to the tallest branch of a tree nearby and stopped. Slowing her breathing, she squatted down upon the tree branch and closed her eyes for a moment, taking in the sounds around her. After a few moments, she opened her eyes and scanned the way she had come. The white dome building peeked above the tree line. She ignored the shouts of her name that came from a short distance away. There was no sign of the Drake, but she could feel its eyes on her, watching and waiting for a moment to strike.

No, the Drake is gone. Aaron killed the Drake.

Sarah dropped down and sank to the ground, wrapping her arms around her body. She rocked back and forth at the base of the tree, telling herself over and over that the Drake was gone.

Where is Aaron?
she kept asking herself, and the silence was her only answer.

“My Lady,” a voice called to her softly.

Sarah looked up to see Verona squatting before her.

“Are you all right, my Lady?” he asked.

Sarah could feel her heart thundering in her chest and her arms clutching her sides. She took a deep breath and suppressed the urge to keep running until she collapsed from sheer exhaustion.

“It’s okay, you’re safe now, I promise, my Lady,” Verona said, and sat down across from her. “Take as much time as you need. We can head back whenever you are ready or not at all, if that is what you wish.”

Sarah nodded and took another deep breath that shook in her throat, “I’m sorry. I kept seeing...
it.
Verona, I can’t get those eyes out of my mind. It’s as if there were thousands of Drakes pressing in all around me. Even now at this moment, I feel it will come out of nowhere and drag me back into its clutches, while I claw helplessly to escape.”

Verona watched her for a moment. “The Drake is gone, my Lady. Aaron saw to that before he came for you. The Nanites that made the Drake possible are inside Aaron, who is now on Hytharia.”

Sarah leveled her gaze upon Verona, “And that means they will turn Aaron into the Drake. Don’t you see we have to go after him,” she said rising. “I have to find him,” she said, and started to head back toward the dome-shaped building.

“Sarah,” Verona called, halting her in her tracks. “We will do this together, you and I, but we can’t do this alone and certainly not without the help of the Hythariam.”

“What if they won’t help?”

“I believe that if they can help, then they will, and if not then we’ll find another way. I have the utmost faith that if anyone can find their way back to Safanar, then Aaron could, my Lady.”

“You don’t understand, the Nanites are too strong,” Sarah said.

Verona reach out and put his hand gently upon her arm, “You haven’t seen what I have seen, my Lady. Please don’t lose faith. Aaron will find a way back.”

Sarah searched Verona’s eyes, but his faith in Aaron was absolute and would not falter. They didn’t know what the Nanites could do. Aaron needed help, but like Verona, she believed in Aaron, she just didn’t know how he was going to get back. She slowly nodded, and together they headed back to the Hythariam council building.

On their way back, Sarik and Braden joined them. She could sense them all drawing upon the energy, and each gave her a knowing look. They had come so far since the decks of the Raven. As they approached the building they saw Roselyn and Gavril standing together.

“Are you all right?” Roselyn asked.

Sarah nodded. “I think so,” she said, glancing at the Hythariam around her, and failed to suppress a shutter.

Roselyn followed her line of sight, “Is it the eyes?”

“They are just so similar to the Drake.”

“You just need some time,” Gavril said.

Sarah nodded, forcing her angst aside; she needed to do this.

“Please, if you will follow me,” Gavril said and led them inside the building.

Gavril led them through the atrium and continued down a long hallway. The echoes of voices in a heated discussion could be heard coming from the room at the end of the hallway. There were two Hythariam in brown uniforms standing guard.

“They’ve already been in session for a while,” Verona said.

“Doesn’t sound like much of a discussion if people are shouting,” Roselyn said.

They entered a grand oval chamber that had thirty-foot windows stretching to the ceiling. The center was open with two platforms where a few men and a Hythariam had gathered. The smooth white benches curved with the room and were filled with occupants. Sarah recognized Colind with his long white hair and eyes of silver. His jaw was set, and he appeared to be only staring at the space in front of him.

“We have evidence of armies gathering near Khamearra,” said a dark-haired Hythariam. His maroon shirt was set off by the green cord tied above his elbows.

“There is little doubt that the High King has learned of the Free Nations Army gathering near Rexel, with similar forces massing at the smaller kingdoms, but I remind you that is but one of the threats we face,” another Hythariam said. His long, silky-white hair moved in a wave as he addressed the room full of people.

“The one speaking is Iranus. He is one of the leaders of the Hythariam,” Verona whispered.

As they entered the room a slow murmur gained in intensity as many turned in their direction. Colind glanced up, and as his eyes found hers he stood up.

“Ladies and gentlemen, as you’ve no doubt have surmised we have been joined by Lady Sarah of the House Faergrace. Please, my Lady, would you join me up here?” Colind asked.

The invitation was clearly for her alone, but the others took the liberty of staying at her side as she walked to the head of the chamber. Braden gave a low growl as one of the Hythariam attempted to block their access to the floor after Sarah had passed. She smiled inwardly and appreciated the support.

“Your Grace, I am Iranus, one of three elected leaders of the Hythariam people, and I bid you welcome to Hathenwood,” Iranus said with a slight bow.

“Thank you, but as we are not in my father’s court or any other on Safanar, then as a show of respect to the Hythariam, I would propose that you address me by my name, and I shall do the same with you,” Sarah said.

She glanced around and calmed herself down as so many golden-eyed Hythariam stared back at her. She had no fear of crowds; being a princess she often had to endure the scrutiny of her father's court, even when she was cast aside after her father married another. The mixed expressions around the room were as she had feared. Some blamed her for their current predicament while others appeared to have no judgment at all.

Colind approached and took her hand in his, “I am relieved to see you looking so well, my Lady.”

Sarah could see the strain behind Colind’s eyes, “I think we can both agree that we hoped it would be under different circumstances, my Lord.”

Colind nodded and squeezed her hand gently.

The dark-haired Hythariam cleared his throat, “I am a bit concerned by the presence of one who has been infected with the foreign Nanites. Are we sure she is not still under their influence?”

Roselyn stepped up next to her and addressed the room, “I’m happy to report that there is no trace of the rogue Nanites left in Sarah’s system. She is healthy and free from the influence of the Drake.”

Iranus nodded, “That should allay any fears for the risk of having Sarah at this meeting. Wouldn’t you agree Zyven?"

“It does indeed,” Zyven answered. “Who better to advise us as to the strategy of the High King than his daughter? If you wouldn’t mind, we would like to ask you a few questions.”

Sarah studied the Hythariam and knew that if she didn’t put a stop to this she would be bombarded by endless questions. It’s not that she didn’t want to help, it’s just that she had questions of her own, and given the circumstances she had a right to ask first.

“I will be happy to answer your questions, but first you will need to answer some of mine.”

Iranus motioned for Zyven to be seated, “Under the circumstances, it’s the least that we can do.”

“Has there been any attempt to reach Aaron?”

“No, there has not,” Iranus said, looking as if he regretted the words he had just spoken.

“Are you able to open the portal back to your home world?” Sarah asked.

Iranus swallowed, “It’s not that simple.”

“Then help me understand.”

“On the other side of the portal is an army that for the past eighty years has been poised to invade this world. If we were to open a portal back to Hytharia to rescue one man, then we would put thousands more at risk,” Iranus said.

Sarah glanced around the room, taking its measure. With the exception of their little group, most had the look of approval to what Iranus had just said.

“This is not just one man. Aaron Jace is on the other side. The only surviving member of the House Alenzar’seth. The rulers of Shandara. The people who opened their doors to you and gave you refuge from your dying world and civil war. Are you all saying that one such as Aaron is not worthy of a rescue attempt?” Sarah asked, her gaze narrowing as it swept the room. Despite what had occurred in her life, she had the blood of kings and queens inside her, and this group was in danger of incurring her wrath.

“I don’t think you are aware of what is currently happening here. These lands are upon the brink of war. It’s not that we don’t want to help, but it’s a matter of resources of which we are running dangerously thin. Our foes are many. Even Aaron urged us to prepare for the war with the faction of our race left on Hytharia. He knew the risks and wouldn’t want us to spend countless lives and risk everything to bring him back. It pains me to say this, but he may already be dead,” Iranus said.

Sarah felt her body go rigid. “He is not dead,” she hissed, glaring at Iranus.

Murmuring began to spread throughout the room like a rising wave of doubt that she would give no quarter to.

“He is not dead!”

The others closest to her nodded in agreement and echoed their assertions of the same.

“If you’re able to open the portal to Hytharia, then I will go and take anyone who volunteers to go with me,” Sarah said.