An argument

We were very quiet when we gathered in the cabin of the ‘Ice Wallow’. The encounter with the golden dragon had us all equally shaken and stirred (pardon the pun…). Al’Reeza was still unconscious and all of us had a lot to process.

“Do you know how rare such an incident is?” asked Illyára, breaking the silence, her voice full of awe.

“No, and I don’t care.” huffed Lily. “I don’t need a golden bully, where we’d have hundreds of ordinary ones to choose from.”

I stirred.

“He said he had taken care of them. Nonleathally.”

“And you believe that?”

Lily didn’t want to calm down.

I shrugged.

“Why not? He didn’t give me a particularly hostile vibe.”

“Oh, didn’t he! And what is that?”

Accusingly she pointed at the motionless figure on the mat.

“But the dragon was right, Reeza didn’t suffer any damage.” Illyára added gently. “She was overwhelmed facing such a tremendously powerful spirit, but now she is sleeping deeply and soundly. Believe me, she will be alright.”

“If you say so.” grumbled Lily, but she didn’t sound all too sceptical.

“What I wanted to propose:” Illyára carried on. “What do you think about changing direction and once again heading north?”

“Have you lost your mind?” exploded Lily, her voice booming threateningly in the confines of the cabin. Al’Reeza promptly stirred in her sleep and made a soft sound. But she didn’t wake up. The beast girl promptly dampened her voice - not very successfully I have to admit.

“Do I have to remind you, in what situation we are in? We narrowly escaped one of the biggest threats we’ve ever encountered! We lost nearly everything, foremost all our comrades, most of our supplies and our vehicles and are outrageously lucky to be even here, right on the brink to actually have a chance to escape all …this.”

She made a wide swing that encompassed all our surroundings. It nearly hit me and I only narrowly ducked under it.

Illyára crossed her arms and listened patiently.

“May I explain my reasons?” she asked calmly.

“I really don’t know what there is to explain, but go on.” Lily huffed and crossed the arms herself. It looked much more imposing compared to the ælf.

“Firstly: we haven’t completed the main goal of our mission.” Illyára started. “I’m aware, how much more difficult it got under these circumstances, but I think we owe it not only to our fallen comrades, but also the good people of Tóràbun to at least consider continuing it.”

Lily stayed silent, her expression unreadable. Illyára continued.

“Secondly: The golden dragon stated, the aggression of the sky dragons was magically induced and he freed them. And since it isn’t known that a golden dragon has ever lied, I see no reason to not believe him.”

“There is a first time for everything, and you know that.” interrupted Lily harshly. “But let’s assume for a moment it spoke true. Don’t forget how many dragons you and Reeza had slain! Even if it was in self-defense, I wouldn’t bet on their peacefulness right now. On the contrary, I think they are very emotional right now and would greet the murderers of their kin accordingly.”

Illyára lowered her head.

“True.” she said. “But their emotions will no longer be directed specifically against us. Nevertheless I wouldn’t turn back without heavily cloaking ourselves, like we did on our way here.”

“For Yurá’s sake, there are just two of you for any magical casting, we have to think about supplies and our time frame is limited! We have to avoid the skîbæriean winter at all costs! Even the tóràyean winters are really dangerous! You remember, how we had to take cover last time?”

Illyára nodded.

“Yes. Therefore my proposal wouldn’t extend over more than nine days. If we haven’t found anything ‘till then we absolutely have to leave, I agree.”

Lily shook her head in disbelief.

“I can’t understand why you would risk the one tiny chance we have, given through sheer luck and Viléms unexpected summoning in just the right time and place!” she stated. “Our odds are just now turning slightly in our favor and you would blow it all away - for what? How much do you hope to accomplish in one and a half sidehs?”

I simply admired how Illyára stayed calm, facing the agitated beastess.

“I hope nothing and expect just that our odds, solving the mysteries we came to uncover, are also turning in our favor. Slightly. But I agree, you are right. That is the decision we have to make: Using our better chances to try to complete our mission, or using them to secure our escape back to Tóràbun?”

“I’ve stated my view on that,” replied Lily defiantly, “and my standpoint is clear.”

“Mine is not,” said the ælf, “and I just want us to carefully consider all options. Vilém, what do you think?”

I was completely surprised to be even considered giving an input, but Lily already hotly interjected.

“Leave him out of this! This doesn’t concern him! How dare you drag him into our mess! He’s no adventurer and no warrior, he’s a weak scholar and tinkerer in the worst place imaginable!”

“I don’t want to drag him into anything against his will!”

Illyára slowly started to lose her cool.

“And because of that I just asked him about his opinion. Don’t you think he should have a say in this too?”

Lily seethed, I could see that, but she stayed silent.

I cleared my throat and chose my words very carefully.

“Well, I’m sorry, but I’m with Lily on this one.” I said with as much modesty as I was capable of.

Illyára’s neutral expression didn’t change, but the beast girl cast me a grateful look.

“I have to say that my opinion shouldn’t be weighed too much, because I got entangled into your mission I never really was a part of. I’m also not suited very well for this kind of adventure, so I can easily become a liability. Of course I’ll help where I can, but my abilities in that regard are limited. Still, I think it’s your call, but if you give me a choice, I’d rather continue our journey to the south than turn around and drive back to the north.”

“I think we should make him the diplomat on our next mission.” commented Lily dryly.

“Certainly not!” I protested. “It’s not enough for a diplomat to just weave polite words, but to actually understand people and different societies! And I just lack the necessary people’s skill.”

A fine smile appeared on Illyára’s full lips.

“And he’s modest. You know, he may actually be well suited for such a position.” she mused, completely ignoring my outburst.

I wanted to protest again, but caught the mischievous glint in her eyes that told me she was just messing with me. But she got quickly serious again.

“Before we make a final decision I propose to wait for Reeza to wake up. I think she should be involved in this discussion. ”

Indeed, despite our in part heated discussion the daimon hadn’t woken up. She still blissfully slept on her mat.

Lily shrugged and grumbled something unintelligible into her mane and I yawned.

“Would it be fine if I’d also take a nap in my Munchie?” I asked the two girls.

“It’s fine, I’ll keep watch.” said Illyára, but Lily protested.

“Absolutely not! You are as tired as any of us and we need you later fresh and well rested for the journey. I’ll keep watch for you and will sleep during the trip.”

“Are you sure?”

“Absolutely! I’ll wake you immediately if I spot something suspicious. Go, get your well-earned rest!”

The end of that conversation I only heard muffled from the outside, because I’d already gone to prepare my hammock for a still urgent nap. Again I noticed the cold wasn’t all that hard, but that maybe had to do with the magical cloaking. However, that would cease when Illyára went to sleep! Therefore I packed some extra padding into my cozy sleep nest and turned on the heating.

Exhaustion kicked in and blissful slumber embraced me again.