Saelina stared in fascination at the cluster of glowing cerulean crystals, sprouting from the cavern floor.

“These are growing all over Islasa?” she asked.

“Mining is our second biggest industry and one of the two main reasons Falos is thinking of invading,” Ezeas explained, from his seat atop a rock outcrop.

“We harvest and export crystals for magical use, precious metals, gem stones, even coal and oil. We're not the only ones but our reserves are bigger, by far, than any of our contenders.”

The keeper's boasts are becoming tiresome.

You call Ezeas 'keeper'? Why?

Is he not yours?

Rather than answering, Saelina focused her attention on the crystallized clusters. She thought she could see the light pulsate, almost as if the crystals were alive with power. She resisted the temptation to touch, having been warned that not every type of crystal was safe to touch without gloves.

I assume dragons don't need crystals for their magic?

We sometimes ingest them when lacking a proper method for recharging, Dhíanvhúr responded.

What kind of proper method?

An erupting volcano would be the most effective.

For a moment, Saelina was not sure she had understood, correctly.

Could you elaborate?

Certain natural phenomena are epicenters for energy: lightning storm, tsunamis, hurricanes.

You're not going to ask me to jump into burning lava, are you?

Despite intending for the question to be lighthearted, the silence which followed was making her nervous. Eventually, she turned her attention to Ezeas, rather than give her dragon the satisfaction of knowing his hesitance made her nervous.

“What's the other reason Falos wants to invade Islasa, so badly?”

“We're a nation who's main business takes place in the shadows. Consider all the secrets our professions get a hold of, all from other countries. It's the main deterrent for others to start a war with us.”

Saelina nodded, in understanding.

“Of course, Falos played it smart,” he continued, “They stopped making use of our Houses, about a decade ago, and barred any nyx from being in the country. Those who didn't leave were executed. Most information we have on them, comes from human spies and is far from reliable.”

“What about that glamour thing you can do?”

“They worked out how to dispel it. Some type of device which cancels out magic. It's hard to gather any substantial information on the subject.”

His voice carried the same apathetic inflection she was accustomed to hear, but the words stuck out.

“So, essentially they could incapacitate your army's greatest advantage?”

“That's probably their plan, yes.”

A shudder ran through Saelina.

“And dragon magic?”

“There's evidence to suggest a dragon's power, even when borrowed, is not affected.”

His emotionless statements of the facts was starting to unnerve her.

“I can't wait,” she mumbled, acerbically.

“I believe the general idea is only to use you when absolutely necessary. Given your uneven track record, putting a whelp front and center would be foolish.”

She shot him a sharp glare.

“You're so comforting when I need it most.”

“Are you two done? The Phu'rias have been watered and fed but we still need to start a fire for the food,” Laelith called from the nearby water hole.

“I'll take care of it,” Ezeas told her, nonchalantly.

“Sorry, Laelith, I'll come help,” Saelina was quick to offer.

The cavern in which they were setting up camp was spacious with a high ceiling; there was a hole at the highest point, which supposedly led to the surface, though it was not a straight shot. One end of the space was occupied by a sizable body of water, the other had several clusters of colorful crystals dotting the floor and walls, providing a soft glow by which to see one's surroundings.

She went to her friend, who was busy cleaning some roots off in the pot, which was filled with water; she quickly grabbed a root and joined the nyx.

“When we're done, remember to empty the pot away from the water, so we don't contaminate it,” Laelith reminded her.

She nodded and put her energy into scrubbing dirt off the roots. They had been bought in Gaerwhynn, so they had already been through a preliminary cleaning; even so, it paid to be vigilant.

“Of all the bastards to be traveling with, it had to be him,” Laelith complained.

“I'm right here, Laelith,” he noted, preparing coal in a nearby hole in the floor.

“That's the problem, Essy,” she snapped back.

“You didn't have to come. I would have been fine, alone with him.”

Laelith looked at her.

“The last time I left you two alone, you were impaled on an ice spike. Speaking of which,” the nyx said, giving her a searching glance.

“With Tiyala's healing and two weeks' rest? Still sore and stiff but improving. However, you know that was self-inflicted. I don't want you to be miserable the entire trip.”

Her friend sighed.

“I won't be. It's been a long day and I just need something to grumble about.”

She smiled, winking in her usual manner.

“Besides, I couldn't pass up the chance of spending some more time with my favorite human.”

Saelina returned the smile. She had been relieved when her friend had insisted on coming along; her nerves were frayed at the thought of reaching their destination.

“I don't think I'm ready for this,” she admitted, her voice trembling.

“I'm not going to lie and tell you it'll be easy, you're in for some rough days,” Laelith said, “but we will keep them in check. The officers are strict but they're not monsters.”

“To nyxis,” Saelina added.

“I suppose that's fair.”

“The head councilor's getting impatient with your progress, or rather your lack thereof.”

Ezeas had gotten a fire going and was setting up a tripod to hang the pot from.

“The idea is that you might advance a bit if you receive some proper 'encouragement'.”

Saelina swallowed, nervously.

“Why do I suddenly feel I'd be lucky to leave there, alive?”

You're lucky to have lived this long, in general.

He did not answer and Laelith scoffed.

“Ignore him. At worst, you'll get a bit banged up, but you'll be fine.”

“I see.”

Laelith did not miss her hesitation.

“Are you alright? It's not just nerves, is it?”

Saelina shook her head and breathed, deeply.

“I haven't slept well, lately. I'm guessing it's affecting me more than I thought.”

“Bad dreams?”

“Weird dreams. I think we're done?”

They put the pot over the fire and sat down, waiting for the food.

“So, you both attended training where we're going?”

The nyxis pair nodded.

“Ezeas went on to do special officer training and I joined the seafarer school.”

“Anything I should know?”

“They won't make things easy for you, just because you're human,” Ezeas replied.

“At the end of your stay, they'll report to the high councilor about whether they consider you ready or not.”

Saelina shuddered.

“The war hasn't started, has it?”

“Skirmishes on the outer borders are increasing, and raids have started happening in the remote caves if Islasa. We're talking months before it all escalates, maybe only weeks,” came the cold answer.

“Supply routes are being compromised and even Gaerwhynn is starting to feel the scarcity,” Laelith added.

“And if they find me...lacking?”

“The council will convene to decide what to do with you. At worst, they might decide it's too big a risk to leave you alive.”

“But most likely they'll just insist on confining you, so you don't end up on the enemy's side,” Laelith quickly said, shooting a sharp glare at Ezeas.

Saelina looked at the flames in quiet contemplation. She missed the smell of burning wood but the sight of the glowing coals filled her with a sense of warmth from within herself.

“I'm not new to people wishing me dead. The impact lessens with repetition. However, no matter what I do, I am at their mercy; that's starting to become a nuisance.”

“Was your life that much better, before?”

Laelith rolled her eyes.

“Essy, how has no one throttled you, yet? Just because her current captivity is more pleasant than the last one, doesn't mean it's not captivity, all the same.”

“He's right, though, Laelith,” Saelina told her, turning her attention to Ezeas.

“If you're genuinely curious, the truth is, I have never been free. My entire childhood, I was molded into a prize, something to be handed over to the highest bidder. When I lost my value, I was broken and discarded.”

Her voice was dispassionate, the sting having long since left her memories.

“You're right, that my current situation is honestly the best it has ever been. Even so, I am human, and we often dream of something better, even when it's unattainable.”

She shrugged and smirked.

“It's not like I would ever get a say in my own destiny.”

Laelith rose and came to sit next to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. The warmth was comforting and Saelina leaned against her friend, grateful for the contact. Whatever Ezeas was thinking he kept it to himself, but he did not seem exasperated or annoyed. She took what little victories she could get.

The food soon finished cooking and the trio set about eating, mostly in silence. Afterward, they cleaned up the camp and got sleeping skins ready; Saelina admired the silver sheen of the fur and Laelith explained they were carved from cave felixes.

Despite the warmth and relative comfort, sleep kept itself at bay; Saelina found herself dreading the next few days among soldiers who probably were none to keen to share their space with a human, especially not a human whom they believed has stolen something important from their people.