"Can't you take us to the cave, Kilian?"
"It would be my honor, but I'm expected at a meeting. We'll see each other, little one." He winked at her.
"You'll come visit us, won't you?"
He smirked. "Of course, see you later." He looked once more at Ava, who nodded briefly and turned away. Before the assembled group noticed what effect he had on her, she caught up with Lilly, Allan, and Rob. She felt the gaze of the infamous dragon fighter on her back and would have loved to turn around, but she refrained from doing so since Rob didn't take his eyes off her. His expression was grumpy, his body tense, and his hands clenched into fists.
This was going to be fun.
Chapter 13
The march across the rocky landscape proceeded in silence. The men set a pace that made it difficult to keep up with them. But they didn't complain—and not just because they were short of breath. Rob's words echoed continuously in Ava's mind: they were at the front lines.
She scanned the area watchfully for potential attackers. Yet they didn't see any fighting, nor did they hear the distant sound of cannons or the roar of dragons. She leaned towards Lilly so the men wouldn't hear her. "Are they fighting against the mages here?"
The girl nodded.
"I thought most of them were suppressed and executed."
Allan fell back until he was marching beside her. Apparently, his hearing could rival a bat's. "Why are you asking such strange questions? Do you really come from another world, as the prophecy states?"
"You believe in this prophecy too?"
"Of course. It's been giving us hope for years."
Rob glanced over his shoulder with a look that could kill. "Quiet, or do you want to give us away?"
Ava looked around demonstratively. For miles, there wasn't a soul in sight. "Who could possibly notice us?"
"The mages?"
Ava wanted to laugh, but even Allan fell silent. He scanned the area vigilantly and caught up to Rob in three large strides. "Did you notice something?"
Rob only grunted as he quickened his pace, and Allan stayed with him at the front. Ava looked at Lilly questioningly, but even the girl was looking around attentively. Could these mages make themselves invisible?
They didn't exchange another word for the rest of the walk.
The horizon had already turned lighter when they reached a vast forest with trees that looked gnarled and old. The name probably referred to the age of the forest. Not a single path could be seen leading into the thicket. The bushes grew so densely that not even an adventurous hiker would dare to venture in.
The dragon fighters headed straight for the undergrowth. Rob pushed aside some branches to reveal a path, which they followed. It was so narrow that twigs and leaves brushed against their arms. After a while, they came to a clearing next to a broad hill. Stones of all sizes, some covered with moss, were scattered across the forest meadow.
They had to climb over numerous rocks until they reached a cave. It was so spacious that maybe even Kilian's fire dragon would have fit inside.
Rob entered first and searched for intruders. Allan remained at the entrance and let them go ahead, his gaze watchfully scanning the sky, which was starting tofill with warm sunbeams. In the distance, two dragons appeared, prompting Allan to usher them deeper into the cave.
"They mustn't see us."
When Rob deemed the shelter safe, the warriors nodded to each other. Allan smiled at Ava and Lilly. "Find yourselves a comfortable spot, we'll provide you with the essentials in the meantime."
"Okay!" Lilly couldn't wait and ran in to explore every corner. After all, hidden nooks were her specialty.
Ava watched with mixed feelings as the men left, and then Lilly called her over. "Come away from the entrance. After all, Kilian said we should stay inconspicuous. He should have warned me to keep an eye on you, instead of the other way around."
Smiling, Ava stepped out of the light into the depths of the cave. It was dark, and it was so early in the morning that the daylight hadn't fought its way in yet. So she took the dragon egg out of her bag. The purple glow illuminated the hideout and they both tilted their heads back to marvel at its dimensions.
"Did fire dragons really incubate their eggs here in the past?"
Lilly shrugged. "If Kilian says so, it must be true." Though she had shed her shyness towards him, her infatuation remained unbroken.
