As previously agreed, I stepped forward to speak. We hadn't written anything down on the off chance we were intercepted prior to meeting Aquila, but I'd memorized the vital information without any trouble.
"Yes." I paused, then took a deep breath before continuing, my eyes focused on Aquila's expression. My plan relied on her cooperation. "You were correct. Sera's father has been gathering chimeras in a camp near the heart of the Silva forest." Turning to Augustus, I said, "If the guard caught your brother, that's where he'll be." Faustus, at my side, nodded his support.
Augustus clenched his fists, his claws drawing blood. His voice was steady when he spoke. "Thank you."
"I have two pieces of good news for you." I raised a finger "the first is that Sera has ordered the guard to stop attacking or kidnapping chimeras. Her father can and probably will override the orders, but they are following hers for now." I raised a second finger. "The second is that we are willing to work with you to free the other chimeras from the mage's mind control, for both our sakes. All I need is access to the mage–for you send me to him with the other potential chimeras your people have been finding."
"Why should we trust that you'll destroy it instead of using it yourself or handing it over to the king?" Aquila asked. A valid question.
I expected this and answered with no hesitation. "You shouldn't. I propose you send one of your people to keep an eye on me. They can report back to you if I don't destroy it as promised. They shouldn't have any issues if they stay out of sight until the gem is destroyed."
From what I had figured from my dream and the chimera's actions following Servius' death, the initial orders had to be given within a relatively small range, the orders continuing until new ones overrode the old ones, the owner of the gem died, or the gem was destroyed. It was an assumption I was betting my life on.
Aquila's molten eyes flashed. "And what will happen to us after it is destroyed?"
A bead of sweat dripped down my face. This is where things would get tricky, as the only answer we did have wouldn't be one she wanted. Still, I got the feeling lying would be worse. "Sera hopes to have public meetings with you regarding integrating chimeras into the rest of society. She expressed hope that you'll understand this won't be an instant process."
A fierce eyebrow rose on her face. "The king won't have any problems with that?"
"Even if he does, Sera expects that pressures from the Dragon Kingdom, whose ruler fully supports chimeras' integration into society, will force him to comply." Sera had been confident in that.
Aquila crossed her arms, tapping her fingers. "As you returned to us so quickly, I presume you need an answer soon?"
Subtly wiping my sweaty hands on my pants, I answered. "The sooner, the better for all of us."
She raised a hand, giving Augustus a silent command. "I will think over what you told me and provide an answer in the morning. Augustus will show you where you can stay for the night."
"Thank you."
"I look forward to seeing you in the morning, milady," Faustus said, bowing slightly in her direction.
Some warmth broke through her cold facade, though she didn't smile. "You as well, Faust. Sleep well." Dismissed, we turned to leave. "Oh, and Hayden?"
Baffled, I turned back around. "Yes?"
Her lips pressed tight. "Last time, I told you Hilarious would do anything to get his hands on you once your magic was discovered. Are you so sure you should throw yourself into the flame lion's den?"
My fingers lingered on the cold stone wall near the exit. Faustus and Augustus waited patiently a few feet ahead, obviously trying not to eavesdrop–though no doubt they could hear everything we said. I recalled the scared look on the mage's face and the desperation with which he acted. My fingers traced patterns into the walls as I smiled and said, "I'm counting on it."
I could feel the weight of her gaze tingling between my shoulders as we left.
Augustus brought us to a small barren cave on the other side of the complex. As we made ourselves at home, sitting on the bare floor, he informed us someone would be bringing us our packs–after removing any weapons, of course–and that a guard would be posted outside our door for our safety and the local chimeras'. Heading anywhere without a guard was strictly prohibited.
Finding the rules reasonable, Faustus and I agreed and quickly set up shop. As promised, our weapons had been removed from our packs, including the small knife I'd requested from Sera. Ani twisted around our feet as we unpacked the few items we would use, attacking anything that dangled. Faustus encouraged my cat's bad behavior, using the cloth which held his sleeping bag closed as a cat toy as Ani leapt and flipped to catch it. It quickly gathered claw holes, and I didn't feel the least bit sorry for him.
Ani preened under the praise, shooting me a look that said, "See, this is how I should be treated."
Of course, I ignored the spoiled little kitty and dug out some tasteless dried food to snack on, provided by Sera so we wouldn't impose ourselves on the chimeras' already low resources.
With food in my belly, I ignored Faust's claps and cheers with each flip Ani was landing and rolled over to sleep. The ruckus died down some time later, and Ani dug his way into my sleeping bag to curl up against my stomach. Even with the quiet, my mind worked on overdrive, unwilling to let me just sleep.