A sharp and loud knock woke me from my short slumber. I cracked my eyes open, nearly having to pry them as grit had sealed them shut. Time was difficult to tell here as there was no natural light, but I assumed it was morning.
Faustus was already awake and answered the door as I woke myself up the rest of the way. Their conversation sounded muffled to my sleep-deprived ears, and I tuned them out to get ready, feeling like death warmed over.
Ani gave a grumpy meow from where he was sleeping but begrudgingly stood and stretched. I shifted out of view of the door to change in the shadows and combed my fingers through my disheveled hair as best I could. The door shut with a light thud, and I walked across the cold stone of the cave floor and yanked on my boots, sitting by the door. As dressed and ready as I ever would be, I pulled the door open to where Augustus and Faustus were waiting. Ani slipped out behind me, and I closed the door.
Augustus yawned, not bothering to cover his sharp teeth, which glinted in the torchlight. "C'mon."
Faustus gave a grateful little nod to the guard who had been hovering outside our door and I followed his example before following Augustus back down the twisted cave paths to Aquila's. Though there were more chimeras out than last night, it must have been relatively early in the morning as all but a select few cursed morning people dragged their feet, looking as zombie-like as I felt, though their cheeks were more hallowed and their human skin looked paler than they'd been nearly half a month ago. I swallowed, still able to taste my rations from last night. I tore my eyes away, reminding myself Sera was already sending some food supplies.
I moved past Faustus to walk next to Augustus, who eyed me out of the corner of his eye. "How's Mariana?" I asked.
His eyes widened minutely, and he turned to look at me thoroughly. "She's doing well." He caught me sending a questioning look towards the state of the chimeras and elaborated, "We take health into account when distributing rations. Her mother and father are still telling every chimera they encounter the story of how the Prince and Princess of the Dragon and Phoenix kingdoms blessed their child."
I breathed a sigh of relief and gave a relieved smile. "Good."
He studied me, then asked roughly, "Why do you care?"
"Excuse me?"
I had to wave Faustus back to keep from interfering as Augustus got in my face and continued speaking in a rough, nearly aggressive manner, "None of you humans have cared before, so why do you? Why are you going so far?"
I was curious, I didn't really care. I was never one for putting myself on the line for other people. I ignored the homeless who lingered on the streets, the beggars at street corners. I never paid attention or cared about anyone who wasn't myself.
"I'm going so far because I do have something to gain. The mage is the only one who might know something about my magic, meaning this might be my only way to get home." I told him the part he'd believe the most first, then continued, "And," I admitted, the weight of long distant memories dropping my pitch to a near whisper, "because I'm a coward who is more terrified of the guilt I might face later if I don't do this than anything else."
I was just a selfish person who didn't wish to bear the weight of that terrible dream. Nothing more, nothing less.
He studied me more, then relaxed and said, "You're weird."
I frowned, and he hastily corrected himself, showing some of the first bit of embarrassment I'd seen from him. Panicked, he rubbed the back of his neck and clarified, "I don't mean that in a bad way. I'm not sure most humans will feel the same way."
Unsure of how to reply, I shrugged. We were inherently selfish creatures.
We made good time to Aquila's meeting place, and soon enough, we were turning down her lighted corridor. Today she was standing in the middle of the room, waiting. Upon our arrival, she greeted us and motioned us to settle in the seats. Faustus and I sat, Ani jumping on my lap, as Augustus took his place by the door. Aquila moved to the head of the table, sitting on a stool that let her wings drift inches from the ground. Although I still felt exhausted, I did my utmost not to slump like I wanted. Next to me, Faustus looked as pristine and well-kept as always. Aquila, across the table, had deep bags under her eyes, and I wondered if she'd gotten any sleep last night or if I just hadn't noticed their presence earlier.
"Before we begin, I want you to know two things. First, your safety is not our priority. Our priority is the destruction of the mind control gem. The second is that my agent will not be able to help you until you have the gem in hand. I'm not willing to risk losing them."
"Agreed."
Aquila nodded, then motioned towards the door. "Very well. As my second in command, Augustus will observe the destruction of the gem in my place. For obvious reasons, he will follow you from afar with Faust."
Faustus took the news with grace. "It will be a pleasure working with you, Augustus."
Scratching his cheek and avoiding our eyes, Augustus answered, "...You can call me August."
Pleased, Faustus smiled. "If you call me Faust."
Augustus didn't smile, but his voice was lighter as he agreed. "Sounds good, Faust."
Aquila tapped her fingers lightly on the table, discreetly drawing the attention back to herself. Once she had it, she said, "From what Nero and Drusus have stated, there are voluntary chimeras who are paid for the deliverance of potential chimera subjects. These potential chimeras are delivered to an island in the Sea Serpent kingdom, and locked in a room until Hilarius begins the process. That said, do you have a cover story? I'm not quite sure anyone will believe you're a commoner."
Hands clasped in my lap, I said, "A merchant's bastard son who was diagnosed with a terminal illness. My father has been desperately searching for a cure, and we've attempted every cure all on the market. Once he heard about the chimera process, he hired a guard and used his contacts to locate you."
"Then that is what I shall tell Nero and Drusus. They will smuggle you over the border and into the Sea Serpent kingdom. We shall keep the real story quiet for now as they're in frequent contact with the mage. Faust and August will then sneak onto your ship and follow you from a distance. What is your plan for obtaining the gem?"
"Wait until we reach castle Mare then snatch it as soon as possible."
Aquila moved to rest her chin on her hand. "And how do you plan to get it off of him?"
I shifted in my chair. "I brought a dagger small enough to conceal on me to cut it off with." And defend myself with. Also, it's not like they had metal detectors.
"And what if they do basic weapons check?"
I shifted uncomfortably, remembering tales of weapons checks back on Earth.
"Ummm…" I racked my brain for answers, scanning the room absently. My eyes rested on Ani, and I recalled his ability. "Ani," I said, turning back to face Aquila with newfound confidence. "Attach it to him, and he can sneak it in."
Everyone turned to look at Ani, who was bathing himself. At the attention, Ani stopped licking himself, flicking his tail around his legs and tilting his head questioningly.
"And if that fails," I continued, "There should be something in his office I can use." Though it was sacrilegious to harm a book in such a way, I'd do anything to return home.
Aquila gave me a vicious grin, dropping her hands from her face. "I suppose that's the best we can do. Until the gem is destroyed, Faust is the only one you can rely on if you have any issues. Augustus will hang back and observe until then. After that, his actions are his own, and if he wishes to help you or separate from you it will be up to him. Is there anything else you wish to add?"
I shook my head. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet."
She motioned for Augustus to stand, and he did so. "Go fetch Nero and Drusus. Tell them I have a chimera candidate for them."
Augustus gave a slight bow. "Yes, milady."
I swallowed past the lump in my throat. Though I'd wanted to get this over with as soon as possible, I didn't think we'd start now. I twiddled my thumbs as we waited for the two chimeras to arrive.