Chapter 8

Evelyn fought hard to resist her heavy eyelids. After the shark attack, she monitored Lumin for any after effects from nearly drowning. His breathing was labored for some time, but eventually returned to normal. To her relief, there were no other signs of injury. She finally relaxed, nearly succumbing to slumber every few minutes, only to be startled awake after leaning on Lumin’s back spikes. Isak was not joking. Lumin’s spikes are already sharp to the point.

The silence made time move slowly. What was a few minutes felt like hours. The only sound was from the waves splashing against Safir as she tread through the water. Not even seagulls above made noise, as if every being in the gulf was stifled by the tension. The sky grew dark, the only light coming from the light houses, the now distant town and the moon. Lumin was barely visible next to her. Looking up at the stars speckling the night sky, her desire for sleep only increased.

She instinctively reached for her phone every so often, hoping to check the time and use the flashlight only to be reminded of its untimely demise. The habitual panic lessened each time with Evelyn reminding herself why it had to happen.

She developed a cycle of dozing off, being poked and reaching for her phone until they reached the edge of the gulf. Just before entering the open ocean, Safir veered to the right, wadding toward the wooded area below the cliff the lighthouse stood upon. It seemed as though they were going to reenter the forest at the base of the last mountain. As they edged closer, Evelyn could barely make out a small bulge of water pushing into the land just under two low-hanging trees. Vines dangled from them, concealing the area from a distance.

Safir pushed her way through the vines. The water continued into a cave that opened at the crest of the miniature gulf, getting more shallow until Safir was walking on land. She lowered herself, allowing the passengers to slide off her side and onto the wet stone. Evelyn looked up to the Aquafin and forced a smile. “Thank you for transporting us, Safir,” she said, a waiver to her words as the frustration from the attack and Safir’s delayed action was fresh in her mind. The dragon only grunted in response, looking away from the departing party.

“So this is it? Our safe haven is just a small, dank cave?” Benjamin asked. It was small, but everyone, including Safir fit. The waves of the ocean crashing into the rocky terrain beyond the trees echoed against the walls. There was an occasional droplet of water that struck the cave floor in a slow rhythm somewhere. With that and the cold, hard rocks they’d lay upon, Evelyn slowly started to agree with her brother's concern.

“Be patient, boy.” Isak waved him off. He placed his hand on Safir and reversed the process that revealed the Aquafin. Once she was gone, he placed his other hand on the back wall. He focused intently on his hand, as if he was straining to keep it there.

After a moment, a voice emanated from the cave walls. “As we are with dragons of the sky…”

“So us with Ichneumon burrowed below,” Isak responded. There was a brief pause, an uneasy feeling radiating in the air. The trio glanced around to find the source of the voice, to no avail.

What is with voices coming out of nowhere? Evelyn thought.

Everyone but Isak jumped as the wall shook. Where Isak placed his hand, the stone split in half, forming a hole just big enough for a human to pass through. Isak nodded toward the tunnel, seemingly muttering something they could not hear, then walked through. Evelyn and Benjamin exchanged astonished looks before following the old man, Lumin in tow. She scraped her shoulder against sharp edges of hard rock, barely squeezing through. Though that paled in comparison to Lumin tucking his wings in as tightly as possible, still dragging his sides against the wall. The opening behind them sealed itself, the only light now being from the other end, which was fifty meters away.

They reached the light, entering a cave smaller than the one before. The walls around were smoothed into a dome, carefully carved to not have a single ripple in its surface. A single light hummed at the center of the ceiling, shining dim light onto the party. The tunnel closed behind them, leaving no way out. As it did, the light above crescendoed into a loud buzz and flickered out. Evelyn had never experienced this level of darkness. As if no light did, or ever existed. Her heart pounded quickly. Through their bond, she felt Lumin’s surge as well. She reached out and placed her hand on his shoulder, hoping her touch would calm him, but also that his touch would calm her.

Her breath caught at the sound of rocks shifting all around them. She squeaked out a call to Isak with the last of the air in her lungs. Instead of getting a response, she was blinded by a sharp ray of light beaming directly into her eyes. Shielding her eyes, she tried to adjust to the new floodlights that illuminated the cave. Once she did, her heart dropped. Beyond Isak were three Faiyan people standing at attention, the one on the right shifting ever so slightly with eagerness. Alongside them were two creatures Evelyn had never seen before standing elegantly before them. She turned and noticed one more of the beasts was behind them, rigidly stanced with teeth bared.

Upon closer inspection, Evelyn realized they were vaguely familiar. Thinking back to her medallion, the creatures matched the image. Brown weasel-looking beasts with tall spikes protruding from the base of their head, forming a mane. Ichneumon… Real ichneumon.

After the initial shock wore off, Lumin stepped in front of Evelyn, pressing his wing against her thigh, looking as intimidating as he could. Despite his best attempt to hide it, she could feel him trembling. In turn, Benjamin drew his pistol.

Upon seeing the weapon, the ichneumon in front leaned forward, tensing like the one behind Evelyn. They bared their teeth and crouched, ready to pounce. The humans also tensed, placing their hands on their holstered swords.

With a far too relaxed wave for the situation, Isak called out, “Stand down, everyone. This lot is with me.”

The human in the center of their formation looked to Isak, loosening his posture, but keeping the hilt of his weapon in reach. “You should have given us warning of their arrival, Isak.”

“I apologize, but I was surprised by them as well. I would not have done this if it were not urgent. They have had a long journey and need rest.”

“We’re supposed to repose with them? Aren’t dragons and ichneumon enemies?” Benjamin questioned. The Ichneumon snarled.

“Once upon a time they were, but not now. These are our friends.” Isak turned back to the person in the middle, Evelyn presuming he was in charge. “Please make sure these three get to the pen. I must confer with Fukayna.” Isak placed a hand on his shoulder and whispered something indiscernible.

The man nodded and motioned for the person that seemed uneasy. She stepped forward and stood at attention. “Heba,” the man said with authority. “You and Xire escort them, keep astute observation.”

Without movement, she responded, “Yes, sir.” Resting her hand resting on the hilt of the long blade at her waist, Heba stepped forward. “Follow me,” she commanded, turning away to a solid wall.

Isak turned to Evelyn and said, “I will get you three in the morning.”

The three reluctantly followed with the ichneumon behind them ushering them forward, every one of its steps precisely calculated. As they approached, the stone split like before, forming another tunnel. This one was longer and wider, allowing Evelyn to walk by Lumins’ side. They stayed on the downward slope for a few moments before coming to the end.

They entered the largest cave Evelyn had ever seen. Thirty meters tall and at least a mile to either side. Inside, faintly lit lamp posts were strewn around and one giant light hung from the center of the ceiling. It gave off a dim, blue light as if the moon were shining its light through a hole, giving the cave a nightly tone.

To her right, Evelyn noticed the walls were carved, sharp angles bulging from the stone all along the base, some with lights beaming through windows. It was hard to see from a distance, but there was an ominous feeling of eyes staring at them as they walked along. To the left was obscured by darkness, no lights shining on whatever existed there. In the center of the cave was a statue standing fifteen meters tall. Spotlights around its base illuminated it perfectly. It was a stocky man, leg raised on a boulder with his longsword unsheathed, pointed toward whatever was in front of him. He had a stern and powerful expression on his face. At his side was an ichneumon standing tall, snarling in the direction the man pointed his sword. Compared to the ichneumon Evelyn saw, this one was large, its head reaching above the man's shoulders. It also bore a chest plate with a diamond insignia chiseled in the center.

She caught Lumin gazing at the statue as well, curiosity burning bright in his eyes. “Who are they?” He whispered.

Unfortunately, there were no placards in sight to give information. “I’m not sure,” She responded.

Lumin’s tail dropped. He looked to Heba and muttered, “maybe we ask her?”

Evelyn wanted to encourage Lumin’s curiosity, but with the tension between them and Heba and her companions, small talk like that seemed inappropriate. Before she could deny his request, Lumin sank low; he could feel her reluctance just as Evelyn could feel his disappointment. Guilt ate at her until she finally caved. “Heba was it? Can I ask you a question?”

“No,” Heba abruptly interrupted, startling Evelyn. “I am to escort you to the pen and that is all.”

Lumin pouted, Evelyn placing a hand on his head for reassurance.

They continued in silence until they came upon a fenced area of the cave. The shabby fence guarded a small area, at the edge along the wall was a wooden shack adjacent to a large canopy with hay strewn around the ground. Under the canopy was a large, dark figure lazily sprawled on a wide pile of hay: another dragon. The metal sheets that formed the roof blocked out most light, so the dragon's details were indiscernible. The only detail Evelyn could make out was that whoever it was, they were just as big as Safir.

Heba opened the gate and stood aside. The ichneumon behind them prevented them from lingering outside, ushering them through the gate quickly. Benjamin looked around, a mix of confusion and frustration fixed upon his face. “So we’re sleeping with dragons?” He asked.

Heba nodded. “The dragon riders take refuge in there while their dragon rests out here.”

“I am not a rider, neither is she. Surely you won’t stick us with those things?” Benjamin’s words cut deep. Evelyn’s doubt creeping back to her mind. She may be bonded with Lumin and he wants her, but would she be capable of being a rider? Whether or not she was the right person for Lumin scared her.

“It is what we have. Deal with it,” Heba replied. Benjamin scoffed and turned to the shelter. Heba rolled her eyes and turned to leave, the ichneumon close at her side.

Lumin nudged Evelyn’s palm, urging her to try again to inquire about the statue. It broke Evelyn out of her state of self pity and she called out bluntly, “Who does that statue depict?”

Heba paused. For a moment, she glanced at the statue in the distance. The ichneumon lowered its head. “The late Qayid, Aamun Hamiatun and his faithful companion, Animsu.” Before Evelyn could respond, Heba and the ichneumon continued walking away. There was a tinge of pain in her voice, so Evelyn decided not to press further and let them go.

“You heard of them?” Lumin asked.

Evelyn shook her head. “Those names were never in any history books. I don’t even know what a Qayid is.”

When they caught up to Benjamin, Evelyn asked him about them. “Those names don’t ring a bell,” he said after pondering for a moment. “I guess they weren’t relevant enough to mention.”

“Obviously to these people they are.”

“Relevant to the empire, Evy. I don’t believe the opinions of these people matter much to them. The ichneumon should be extinct. And Faiyans should not be this far north.”

“Obviously they were wrong. Unless they intentionally excluded them from the curriculum,” Evelyn suggested

Benjamin scoffed. “Why would they do that? The emperor has done nothing but bring peace and prosperity to Aonach.”

“Something is going on. You can’t deny that, Ben.”

He thought about it for a moment, then shook his head and reached for the door to the shelter. “We can question Isak in the morning. Right now, we need sleep, especially you, Evy.” He opened the door and walked in, Evelyn close behind. Inside was barren barring a few beds arranged evenly along the backside of the room, a lamp sitting on a nightstand next to each bed. Piles of hay sat at the foot of each bed. Once she walked through the door frame, Benjamin kicked his leg out behind her, blocking a stunned Lumin from following. The dragon looked to Evelyn pleadingly. “Absolutely not. That thing sleeps out there where it belongs.”

“Come on, Ben. He won’t bother you.,” Evelyn said.

“It’s alright,” Lumin finally said. “I can sleep alone. I will have to at some point.”

Evelyn sighed and leaned down to be eye level with Lumin. “Are you sure?” Lumin nodded. She caressed his cheek and forced a smile. “Alright, goodnight sweetie.”

“Goodnight, Evelyn. Goodnight Benjamin.” Lumin yawned as he padded toward the large shelter neighboring the rider shelter.

Benjamin was already in the bed furthest from the door, sleeping soundly. Evelyn laid in the bed adjacent to the wall separating the rider's shelter and the dragons, hoping to keep her connection with Lumin strong. Despite his assurance, Evelyn could sense Lumin’s loneliness. She could tell he tried to suppress it, but Evelyn felt her own loneliness combining with his. Having slept next to Lumin since she found his egg, it felt weird to Evelyn to by herself. She closed her eyes, but sleep came slowly.

Just as slumber was beginning to take over, it was snatched away by a low rumble from the other side of the wall. She bolted upright and looked around. Benjamin was still out cold. There was no way Lumin made that noise, so she assumed it was the other dragon snoring.

Despite knowing the likely source of the sound, she became overwhelmed by extreme anxiety and terror. Autophobia had never been a problem for her, but it was consuming her. Looking down, her hands were shaking, tears welling up, making her vision blurry. Focusing on sleep was impossible. She tried focusing her thoughts away from the fear to no avail. Then she came to the realization that, just like when she felt his burning desire to fly, this was not her own fear, but Lumin’s.

Evelyn leaped out of bed and ran to the dragon's shelter. With no light breaching the canopy, she struggled to find Lumin. She could still make out the large figure of the other dragon, but Lumin’s small stature made him hard to find. Eyes darting back and forth, she searched desperately until she finally spotted a small shadow tucked away in the corner next to the riders shelter.

Not wanting to wake the other dragon, she carefully made her way to Lumin. Once she was close enough she could see he was shaking. His head was tucked under his tail, facing the wall. She gently laid her hand on his side and he jumped, opening his mouth to scream. His voice caught in his throat once he saw Evelyn. Tears streamed down his cheeks.

Evelyn pressed her finger to her lips and sat down against the wall. She ushered the dragon to her. Without hesitation, Lumin crawled to her and placed his tail between her back and the wall and laid his head on her lap. She thought laying in a proper bed again would be better, but this felt oddly comfortable. It felt right.

“Sorry,” Lumin whispered.

“Don’t be,” Evelyn responded. “I like this better anyways.”

Evelyn’s eyes fluttered open at the sound of someone calling out her name. She rubbed her eyes and gently shook the sleeping dragon on her lap. Lumin yawned and lifted his head, allowing Evelyn to stand up and stretch. For sleeping against a hard wall, she felt well rested. Lumin stretched his legs then his wings which seemed to have doubled in length since he hatched.

As she looked around for the voice, she noticed the other dragon was already gone. It seemed they did not notice the two newcomers to the shelter. Probably for the best, she thought.

They walked to the front of the shelter to see Benjamin cupping his mouth shouting for Evelyn. She called out to him. Upon seeing them, Benjamin stormed over and began berating her. “Where in the gods' names were you?”

“Not that it’s your business, but I decided to stay with Lumin. There’s no need to freak out,” she responded, crossing her arms.

“It is my business when I’m trying to protect you! I wake up and you’re not in your bed. Of course I’m going to freak out. What if you were taken while I was asleep?”

“That’s not going to happen. We’re safe here, remember?”

“Just don’t disappear like that again.”

“You’re not in charge of me, Ben. Where I go is my choice.”

Benjamin pinched the bridge of his nose. “Listen to me, Evy. This whole situation is extremely dangerous and I don’t think you’re taking it as seriously as you should. We’re on the run from the Dragon Corp going through the forest with contraband, asking for aid from some sort of resistance, and now we’re holed up in a random cave with outlaws, dragons and creatures that shouldn’t still exist.” His voice raised with every sentence, leaving Evelyn stammering for a response. None came, so Benjamin continued with a softer voice. “Dad asked me to protect you with his last act. To do that, I would appreciate it if you didn’t put yourself in potentially dangerous situations, alright?”

“I think he has a point,” Lumin said. Evelyn looked down to the dragon then back to her brother. Both of them think I’m too passive?

She thought deeply about everything. They should be safe from the riders pursuing them here, but was it actually safe? Isak seemed trustworthy enough, especially if their father sent them to the man. On the other hand, everyone else was unknown. The people seemed reluctant to let them in. Beyond that, all Evelyn knew about the ichneumon was that they were vicious enemies to the dragons and empire. Even before Aonach became the empire it is today, many wars were fought between dragons, humans and ichneumon. The greatest of them ending many years before Evelyn was born. The conclusion being the ichneumon and the Faiyan nation were exterminated. A fact clearly fabricated by the empire, or at the very least incorrect. So why were the dragons and ichneumon here not fighting? Were they lulling them into a false sense of security?

She asked her brother his opinion. “I don’t trust any of them. Unfortunately we at least have to trust Isak. We need him to explain what’s going on. Then we can figure out what to do next,” he said. Evelyn and Lumin nodded in agreement.

To pass the time, Evelyn taught Lumin more about the language and proper grammar. Despite her best efforts to include him, Benjamin still refused to help and was exasperated by her “toddler” education. Lumin was learning quickly, having almost no mistakes in his speech. Evelyn realized she would soon have nothing left to teach him on her own.

An idea struck her. She told Lumin about books and how they have more information than anyone could store in their mind. His eyes shone brightly and requested to be taught to read. Being an avid reader herself, Evelyn delighted in the prospect of her dragon being her reading buddy. Hopefully they have a library here.

A half hour passed before Isak showed up at the shelter, greeting them at the gate. “I hope you lot slept well.”

“Given the circumstances, it could’ve been worse,” Benjamin said, cracking his neck.

“I’m glad the hatchling nest made for pleasant accommodations,” Isak said with a smirk.

“The what?”

Isak chuckled and pointed to the shelter where Benjamin slept. “That there is where we intend to raise dragons in their first few weeks. The beds are for new riders to sleep close to their dragons to strengthen their bond early on.” Evelyn shot a sharp glare at Benjamin, who furrowed his brow. “Proper accommodations are being arranged for you, Benjamin.”

“What about Evy?” Benjamin asked.

“She should stay with Lumin. Like I said, being together helps their bond strengthen.”

“That is not a problem,” Evelyn said. “Lumin and I actually slept in the larger shelter because someone didn’t want to sleep near a dragon.”

Isak raised an eyebrow. “If you want my advice, sleep in the shelter. Foto is not a morning dragon, he may have mistaken you for breakfast.”

Evelyn twitched. She did not wish for Benjamin to be even more correct than he already was as she feared his gloating after they were actually safe. Isak’s hardy laugh relaxed her nerves. “I kid about breakfast, but he is cranky in the morning. He is also not a fan of hatchlings, and would raise a fuss about finding one sleeping in the same quarter as him if he saw you.”

Evelyn made a mental note in case they came across Foto while he was awake.

“Now then, follow me. There is someone who wants to meet you,” Isak said.

Benjamin held up his palm to Isak. “Before we go anywhere with you, we need some answers,” he said bitterly. “What is this place and why are there ichneumon here? They’re supposed to be extinct.”

Isak stroked his beard. “Another lie the empire fooled you with. Obviously there are some ichneumons left, though in much fewer numbers. The ichneumon and their companions built this place during the last war. They used it as a secret military base for Faiy. Now we use it as a base for the resistance.”

“A resistance to the empire?” Benjamin asked.

“That is correct. I can appreciate your concern and want to give you every answer you need. However, some of these questions may be inappropriate for me to answer. The person I am bringing you to can provide more details.” He turned and gestured for them to follow.

Benjamin opened his mouth to protest, but Evelyn shook her head, speaking first. “Remember, we should at least trust him.”

They followed the old dragon rider through the cave. The lights shined brighter than the night before, illuminating the cave as if the sun were breaking through the mountain above. It became clear that the area she saw carved windows in was a residential area. The houses stacked upon each other, forming a staircase of buildings to the top of the cave. People of Faiyan descent with a small number of Aonachans walked about doing various chores. As they walked, some people looked away from the group, trying to avert eye contact. Most of them, primarily the Faiyans, glared discontentedly at them. Their disapproval was directed mostly at Lumin who, to Evelyn's relief, seemed oblivious.

They walked to the opposite side of the cave from the housing. Carved from the cave wall was a stone tower, to the right a large tunnel that curved out of sight. To the left of the tower was an open field with barracks crudely built in the distance. There were troops mixed with humans and ichneumon training in the field, doing various exercises that looked similar to what Benjamin described doing in training for the Guard Corp. When the group drew closer, the people training along with the ichneumon shot similar looks as the residents at them. Lumin being the primary target again. Not wanting to read further into it, Evelyn focused on the tower.

It was a triangular shape, the peak reaching the cave ceiling and flattening. There were three levels: one at the bottom where the entrance was flanked by carvings of opposing ichneumon on either side of the door, the middle with four darkened windows halfway up the cave, and the top with one window with light flickering in and out, as if someone were pacing around in front of the light.

The detail of the tower was extraordinary. There were fine lines engraved into the stone creating beautiful imagery of mountains and stars. At the entrance, three dimensional carvings displayed two ichneumon on either side of the intricately designed arch door holding it upright. The ichneumon were so detailed, it was as if two real ichneumon were petrified and placed in the wall.

As they got closer, she noticed the corners of the building were not straight edged, but jagged and coarse. It seemed random at first, as if erosion from time ate away at the building. However, upon closer inspection, the imperfections were symmetrical, each corner having the same chips and cracks. Evelyn couldn’t fathom how long it took to perfect the tower.

Upon going through the door, they entered a lounge area that put every common room in Aonach to shame. Elaborate imagery carved into the sandy colored walls rising ten meters high. Stalactites hung from the ceiling in patterns, making the ceiling look like a rainforest of stone. The two in the center of the room were the largest, woven together to form a diamond with the empty space between them. Red and Green gems were encrusted into them, lights shined directly on them to tint the room in their beautiful colors.

Two guards stood around a doorway in the back. Isak walked up to them and gave them a nod. “We’re here to see Fukayna at her request.” One of the guards nodded and sharply turned into the doorway, walking up the stairs that inclined perpendicular to the cave wall. “It will be a moment, feel free to sit while we wait.”

Evelyn sat on one of the few couches spread evenly in the room. Lumin leaped next to her, the couch buckling under his weight. The remaining guard winced at the sound of wood creaking.

A table was placed in the center of the room surrounded by the couches where the tip of the diamond shaped stalactites pointed. A small figure was placed on the table: an ichneumon on its hind legs, offering a flower to whoever looked at it. It bore the same chest plate as the statue outside.

Animsu, Evelyn reminded herself of the name Heba mentioned the night before. Repeating it in her head, the familiarity with the name started to grow, as if she had heard it before. There was no way she read the name anywhere, yet there was a lingering memory of the name hidden away in her mind, desperately trying to break free.

The guard returned before she could figure out why the name was familiar. He muttered something to Isak, who nodded in return. “Let’s go, kids.”

“Kid? I’m twenty two,” Benjamin mumbled.

They followed Isak up the stairs. They passed the second floor which was dark, but enough light breached the windows from the cave so Evelyn could see it was home to two separated conference rooms neatly organized. At the top, They came upon a lone door. Isak knocked three times, paused for a second, then knocked again twice.

The door swung open. Inside was an office, a fancy desk with complex symbols and images carved into its side. Sat at the desk was a Faiyan woman looking down at documents sprawled across the desk. Her long, dark hair curled around her head, tunneling her vision to the paper directly under her. Her fingers were laced together, pressed against her chin. She seemed intently focused on whatever was written.

When the door closed, seemingly on its own, she brushed her hair back and looked up. With a soft smile, she greeted them. “Isak, it is good to see you again.”

“The pleasure is always mine. Here are our guests as you requested.” Isak nodded his head at the three.

Benjamin spoke first, standing at parade rest. “My name is Benjamin, and this is my sister, Evelyn. We are grateful to you for allowing us to take shelter in your base.”

The woman analyzed Benjamin for a long second before wordlessly looking at Evelyn. Her voice caught in her throat. After what felt like minutes, she managed to stammer out, “As he said, I’m Evelyn. And this is Lumin.” She laid her hand on his head for comfort. Lumin bowed his head in greeting.

Her glare was cold and calculating, a contrast to her friendly smile. She narrowed her eyes, scanning Evelyn, analyzing every detail of her posture. After a moment, she leaned back in her chair and eased her gaze. She stood up and bowed her head. “It is a pleasure to make all your acquaintances. I am Fukayna, general of Base Cove of the Unified Resistance.”