They cut it close. The sun was already dipping toward the Hills when they finally finished their meandering path to make it to the ruins. They stopped almost a half mile away, but Pax recognized the area. Incedis had them duck down behind a head-height mound of rocks and keep all of their stealth effects in place.

Thankfully, Eris hadn’t seen another sign of the unknown team in the area, though their tension had continued to grow the longer they crept through the area under the best stealth they could manage.

Incedis deliberately stepped out of cover and stood with his hands folded in a curious manner before going still and just waiting. Pax exchanged a quizzical glance with his friends as the minutes passed and nothing happened.

It'll be dusk soon, Pax asked over his Echo. Think he's going to do anything?

Be patient, child. I know what I'm doing.

Pax’s cheeks flushed hot. He’d forgotten about the Echo he'd given to Incedis. Both Dahni and Rin bit back laughter while Amil aimed a grin in his direction.

Thankfully, a moment later, a warrior appeared a few yards away, bow out with an arrow nocked. Incedis held perfectly still, and a few seconds later the woman relaxed and let her string go loose.

“I am Warrior Adele Prescott. Please use Identify on me to verify my credentials. I assume all the others hiding behind those rocks belong with you too, Mage Incedis?”

He nodded. “Well met, Warrior Prescott.”

“Please have them come out one by one so I can Identify them and make sure they are also bound to Quarrybrook. Don’t worry, I won’t be rifling through your build. That’s way beyond my level. I chose a specific evolution for my Identify so I can see bindings, which is why I’m on greeting duty.” A flash of pain crossed her features. “Being lax with bindings got two of our bases wiped out.”

Pax exchanged a horrified look with his friends. Two bases?

“Of course.” Incedis turned and made a beckoning motion in their direction. “Mage Eldan, come out first, and then the rest of you, one by one, with your companions.”

The woman’s brows rose in surprise.

When Incedis noticed, he chuckled and nodded. “Yes, we are that group. Don't worry, it won't be long before you'll see beast companions everywhere. This crew of kids is going to help double our fighting power.”

Prescott aimed a more interested look at their hiding place as Mage Eldan stepped out.

They followed her out one by one, which turned out to be a good idea, especially with their larger companions. Pax noticed the woman’s bow twitch up when she first saw Talpa. Pax realized his waist-height size was probably pretty intimidating, together with the writhing of his unusual snout.

But she regained her professional demeanor quickly and relaxed. It didn't take long for her to verify each of them had the correct binding. “Follow me and stay close.” She gave the kids a stern look. “No wandering. We don’t want you accidentally encountering any of the base's defenses.”

Pax nodded, despite his instinctive inclination to object that they weren't idiots just because of their age. In the end, it would benefit them if other rebels underestimated them. So, he bit his tongue and stayed quiet.

I'd worry more about her own safety if all of us turned on her. Bryn sounded as disgruntled as Pax felt. I'd expect the leadership here to have more sense than sending a single warrior out like this. What if we were one of the Vanguard strike teams?

Exactly. Rin pursed her lips into a thin line as she stared at the back of the warrior leading them.

I think you'll find the base’s defenses are more than adequate. Incedis injected a droll humor into his mental voice. Why don't you ask your companions what they sense around us?

Pax aimed a suspicious look at Incedis, but couldn’t resist. Talpa? Want to take a look?

Talpa disappeared into the ground after a pulse of excited agreement.

Stay close, Pax hurried to say. Don’t trigger anything dangerous.

Beside him, Rin launched Eris into the air.

Warrior Prescott looked back at the sound, her eyes narrowing.

“I send her up regularly to monitor our surroundings and make sure we're not taken by surprise,” Rin said.

Prescott seemed to consider the point before nodding in acknowledgment and turning forward again.

It didn't take long to find out Incedis was right.

Strong walls go deep. Bits of magic in places that make me itch and want to leave. Talpa sounded both impressed and curious.

Really? Pax wondered exactly what kind of defenses the base would have once they could get it fully functional again. Just the Stone Golems had been formidable. It’s not everywhere, though?

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No. And it comes and goes.

Thanks, Talpa. That's plenty of scouting. Come on back, so we don't mess with anything by accident.

When Talpa appeared by his feet again, the others gave him expectant looks. He gave them a quick summary over the Echoes. A moment later, Eris came in for landing.

She's gotten so big that it took all the strength of both arms for Rin to handle her incoming weight. It wouldn't be long before Eris would be too heavy to travel on Rin's shoulder. Though, if Rin kept upgrading her strength, she might manage longer than expected.

They have a few scouts stashed in an arc to either side of us. Rin sounded both impressed and chagrined. And given that many of them probably have high-level stealth skills, so Eris can’t pick them all out, they’ve got this area pretty well covered.

Much better. Bryn sounded mollified as they followed Prescott into what looked like a simple canyon at the junction of two small hills. The deep shadows, scrubby landscape, and winding path kept the entrance to the base from being easily seen from a distance.

Pax’s excitement grew. They had finally made it back to the ruins with everyone intact. Prescott led them through a smaller door Pax didn’t recognize, instead of the main ones that were large enough to drive two wagons through side by side. She then took care of everything at the security checkpoints, though they had to submit to another round of Identify checks.

The large entrance hall wasn't much different from how they had left it, though a lot cleaner and better lit. Four stone golems stood guard, two on either side of the entrance hallway. They stood frozen and still. Had the rebels repaired and powered them or were they just statues with potential for the moment?

They would make for powerful guardians against intruders once they were functional again. Pax wondered what abilities they’d have when the deteriorating condition of the ruins didn’t force them to operate with minimal power.

Pax noticed Tyrodon’s eyes were traveling over the golems with a hungry curiosity. Pax smiled. Tyrodon would find out the answers. He could be relentless when pursuing a puzzle.

Then they reached the enormous set of doors that opened into the central hall of the headquarters. Pax stepped through, expecting to see some improvements to what they’d left behind.

It was so much more. He stared in shock, his friends doing the same next to him. Rebels not only filled the hall but they’d transformed it. If not for the familiar shape and size, it could have been an entirely different place.

Pax still recognized some things. The walls shot up high into a space that was taller than four or five stories. But now, Pax could see lined walkways up where there’d only been shadows before. He could also see the ceiling clearly for the first time. Workers had scoured everything clean. The layers of dust and debris that had been everywhere were gone. Every light fixture was powered and active, revealing the vast beauty of the space.

Columns made from glistening white stone supported the ceiling above, where ancient artists had painted images of light mages in various pursuits. Time had leached the brightness from the colors, but Pax could recognize a variety of scenes.

Light mages stood on the back lines of battles or hunched over heavy tomes in extensive libraries. Pax really wanted to stop and study the ancient murals. There had to be valuable clues to the roles light mages had filled in the past. Later.

Now that the rebels had cleaned the floor of all debris and dust, they could see a beautiful and complex mosaic made from the patterned stone tiles. It swirled in a pattern that directed the eye toward the center where the large fountain stood. Instead of ignoring the broken structure Pax and his friends left behind, the rebels had repaired the impressive fountain and got it working again. Clear water flowed smoothly, creating a soothing backdrop for all the activity going on.

And that wasn’t the biggest change. Instead of the gloomy and deserted hall they'd left, the place bustled with life. People hurried through the space, threading past tables and supplies set up for purposes Pax couldn't make out yet. A thrum of various voices and conversation filled the air, much like the organized chaos of a busy outdoor marketplace.

At least Prescott knew exactly where she was going. She threaded through various people and stations. Heads turned their way, whispers erupting as people noticed the companions accompanying them. Pax even saw a few hands drift to weapons, which made his crew tense in reaction.

“No worries, everyone,” Prescott projected her words out over the noise as she made a reassuring gesture with her hands. “These are new recruits joining us, including their Tamed beasts who fight by their side. It's part of a new program that we plan to roll out to everyone in time. Please let them get settled before you harass them with questions.”

The surrounding mood quieted immediately. The worried looks turned into curious ones, though a few scowls were still present. It didn't take long for everyone to return to their own business.

“See? Nothing to worry about.” Prescott gave them a reassuring nod. “We rebels are quick to adapt and happy to find advantages wherever we can. Hopefully, they’ll leave you alone long enough to get your room and some food.”

Incedis gave her a grateful look. “Thank you. We really appreciate all your help.”

Pax and the rest of his friends nodded in agreement.

Prescott gave them a cheerful smile before leading them to a section with three long tables set end to end and clerks sitting behind them, busy with paperwork.

“Edith, got a new batch of recruits for you with their two chaperones.” Prescott waved for them to step up to the tables. “Take good care of them. As you probably heard, they’re the ones with the beast companions, so I’m sure you’ve got plans on where to put them.”

Pax was glad to hear that someone expected them. He hadn't been looking forward to being shuffled off to a student wing. And he wanted a chance to explore the entire ruin before they decided on which quarters to choose as the permanent ones they’d negotiated for part of their rewards.

Edith, a cheerful-looking matron, waved them forward while she searched through the paperwork in front of her. “Thanks, Prescott. Come on up, kids. Let me speak to your chaperones so we can get you set up with rooms. I’m sure you’re impatient to get cleaned up and have a warm meal before bed.”

Incedis and Eldan stepped forward and began speaking quietly to the woman.

Prescott smiled at them. “Good luck, kids. I'm curious to hear more about what you do to beasts so they want to help you instead of kill you, so I'm sure we will run into each other soon. See you later.” She gave them a cheerful wave and disappeared into the crowd.

After returning her wave, Pax looked at his friends and saw that they seemed just as overwhelmed as he felt. On some level, he’d known the rebels were retrofitting the base, but he’d expected them to have a small section or two up and running, not this. Remembering Mage Warwick’s dismissive statements about the rebels not having cities, he wondered what she’d think of this.

He looked around again at the bustling central hall full of mages, warriors, and workers of all kinds. Every one of them had dedicated their lives to toppling the corruption in the empire so they could do a better job saving their country from the beast hordes.

A surge of determination and pride filled him. He hadn't realized how much it had drained him to keep up the pretenses of being a loyalist for so long in the capital. A heavy weight fell from his shoulders as he accepted he was finally among his own people.

He and his crew could openly join the battle now. It was about time.