"We have lost much of what we once were." A new alliance... After escaping the dwarvish prison in Brekken Dahl, Aaron, Lorik, and two dwarves continue their quest to recover the Book of Aleth, now fallen into enemy hands. To avoid Therion's forces, the band forges deep under the shattered hills into long-forgotten passages, where foul creatures wait in the darkness. An ancient prophecy... Although each step is fraught with danger and betrayal, the mission must succeed. The travelers encounter beings, both friend and foe, straight from myth and legend. And when a member of the group falls, a new ally of a race thought extinct joins the quest. In the ruins of Kellen Dahl, a discovery is made...to restore hope and a future a new protector must rise. Michael Duncan is a Christian author and pastor and has served the Lord and the church for nearly 25 years preaching and teaching God's Word. He has shared God's message across the U.S. and beyond and is currently the senior pastor of his church and a co-host on the Alive In Christ Radio Network. He is also on the executive board of the Northwest Baptist Convention and a board member of the Northwest Christian Writer's Association. When Michael is not preaching or teaching God's word, he spends time writing. He is an apprentice-level alumnus of the Christian Writer's Guild. Michael is also a member of the Northwest Christian Writers Association and serves as a board member. Given the opportunity, he also enjoys time on the golf course. Revelation: Book of Aleth, Part Two By Michael Duncan Pelican Ventures, LLC Copyright © 2012 Michael Duncan All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-61116-184-7 CHAPTER 1 A New Direction Rayn was gone. Aaron sat with his companions in the bitter chill of the day, shivering in the cold, biting air, grieving the loss of the young soldier. High overhead the sun kept its relentless march to the west, providing little comfort or warmth to the four who remained. When their little watercraft shattered in the torrent, most of their supplies were lost down the raging river. Only a soggy bag of rations and two flasks of the dwarf's restorative draught remained from the wreck. They had their weapons, but the cold steel offered little comfort in the bitter chill of winter. All around them the forest glistened in the frost and snow, reflecting the light of the passing sun like the sparkle of a million cast-off diamonds. Evergreen trees, heavy with snow, provided some protection beneath their canopy. Under the trees the ground was dry and crisp, littered with pine needles and branches. Aaron's muscles ached with the cold, and he was sure the others suffered the same as each one shivered uncontrollably from their plunge in the river. He looked to his companions. "If we are going to survive this night, we will need a fire. Garam, Braden, I want the two of you to gather as many fallen branches and dry tinder as you can find. Lorik and I will try to make a shelter." The two dwarves stood, bodies shaking, and went in search of firewood. Aaron and Lorik quickly attacked some nearby trees, hacking at the branches with their swords in order to use the limbs to frame the shelter. It wasn't long before they had erected a sizable lean-to that could house the four companions. By the time Lorik and Aaron were done, Braden and Garam had gathered a considerable amount of dried branches, piling them in the center of their little clearing. The activity helped stave off the sense of cold, but now it returned and bit Aaron's limbs with renewed strength. He suffered a violent headache and could barely keep his attention on his tasks. Waves of pain seared Aaron's already tired muscles. All of his companions shivered, and he watched Lorik's hands tremble as the sergeant tried to weave the branches tighter. Braden surveyed the pile of sticks and branches in the center of their camp. "Well, now," he said through chattering teeth, "we've built quite a monument." Rubbing his arms, he continued, "Anyone know how we're going to set this pile on fire?" Glances went from one to the other, each man looking rather despondent, almost comical in their soaked garments as they stared again at the large mound of wood. Without a word, Garam shook his head at the others and then stepped up to the pile of firewood. Rubbing his hands together he knelt down and touched the base of the mound, palms outward. Then, in a whisper, the dwarf spoke some unintelligible words in a language that Aaron had never heard. Immediately he felt something like a warm breath of air cross his cheek as the words Garam spoke conveyed a sensation of heat. Then, with a flash of blue flame from the palms of his hands, the pile of fuel rushed into a blazing fire. "For the love of the King!" exclaimed Braden. "How did you do that?" Both Aaron and Lorik were speechless. The two soldiers stood staring first at the fire then back at Garam, wondering what powers he possessed to allow him to call fire from t