Chapter 107: Safe Space

The underground safe space was not far from Post 6. It was basically an hour’s ride away through the Post 6.

Most of the times, the officers went there to relax, drink, and do whatever they liked away from the harsh eyes of the senior superiors.

Soon, the sound of dragon wings flapping together sounded in the sky.

Reynold and Evan’s dragons landed heavily on the ground outside the entrance, with their large claws kicking up dust.

They slowly climbed down from the dragons’ backs.

On Aurion’s large black back, Reynold was sitting at the front and was riding the dragon through the dark sky.

Then, directly behind him was the unconscious body of Nymeria, her head was resting weakly against his back.

Sitting right behind her was Nyx. She was holding Nymeria firmly around her waist with both arms so she wouldn’t slide off during the ride.

The rest of the group had packed themselves together on Evan’s dragon, and was squeezing tightly against each other.

Their heavy luggage and supply bags were strapped tightly to the backs of Thornox and Pyreus, who landed right beside them with low and rumbling growls.

The moment the dragons touched the ground, Gideon jumped down first. West rushed down right after him, as he rushed over to hold Nymeria’s legs and back while Nyx carefully unclasped her arms to get off.

Nyx let out a small breath with her voice low. "Thanks..."

West just grinned back at her, as he wiped sweat from his forehead. "No thanks, just pleased to help."

Together, West and Nyx gently helped Nymeria down from the dragon’s back.

Reynold came down right after them. His face was pale and exhausted as he climbed down.

Reynold looked at Nyx and West, his voice quiet. "Are you two good with carrying her?"

Both of them let out a firm nod.

Seeing they had her safe, Reynold turned around and walked over to the other two dragons to start offloading the heavy bags. The rest of the group quickly moved in to help. Evan strapped one heavy bag across his back and carried two more under his front arms.

Gideon hefted four large bags all at once.

Reynold grabbed three bags, while Niya picked up the remaining two bags.

Lyra did not carry anything; she was still too weak and unsteady on her feet after spending all her energy to heal Nymeria.

"This way! Follow me!" Gideon called out, quickly rushing ahead to lead the way down the steps since he was the one familiar with this secret place.

As they stepped inside the dark stone tunnel, Gideon turned back. "West! Use your fire magic to light the sticks!"

Along the dark walls were old torch sticks placed in rusted iron holders.

Hearing Gideon’s call, Nyx quickly stopped in her tracks and adjusted her grip, supporting Nymeria firmly with both hands so she wouldn’t drop her.

With his hands free for a second, West raised his fingers and channel a quick spark of fire.

The flame jumped from his fingertips, and lighting the torch sticks one by one along the wall one by one.

The glow immediately spread down the passage. Once he was done, West quickly moved back to Nymeria’s side, and held her tightly alongside Nyx again.

As they walked down the long hall, the firelight revealed the mess there. Empty glass bottles of dry gin and liquor were scattered all over the stone floor, some were at the dark corners. Used smoking pipes, dried tobacco leaves, half-eaten wooden plates, and dusty playing cards were lying on small wooden tables along the corridor.

Gideon reached the end of the hallway and pushed open a heavy wooden door.

Inside, the room was big and simple.

It held just two narrow beds, two small wooden stools, a few stacked stone blocks in the corner, and a tall, brown wooden cupboard was at the corner wall.

Nyx and West walked over to the first bed and gently laid Nymeria down, and making sure her head was comfortable.

Gideon turned to Lyra, who was leaning against Niya. "Lyra, take the other bed."

The group dropped all the bags on the floor.

Everyone was breathing out a tired sighs of relief.

Suddenly, Lyra bent forward. She started coughing and her body shaking.

"Lyra!" Niya shouted, her eyes wide with deep worry as she rushed to hold her shoulder.

Lyra brought her hand to her mouth as another cough left her throat. When she pulled her hand away, red blood was smeared on her palm.

Niya’s voice shook. "Lyra! You are coughing out blood!"

Lyra quickly waved her hand weakly in the air. "I... I am fine..."

"No, you are not fine!" Niya said.

Nyx turned around from Nymeria’s bed and quickly walked over to them. Her brows pinched together in concern. "Is there anything we can do to stop it?"

Lyra pointed a finger toward her bag, which was sitting on the floor near West’s feet. "West... please... help me with my bag. There is a purple medicine leaf inside... it will help..."

West immediately dropped to his knees, opening the bag quickly. He pulled out a dried purple leaf and handed it over.

Lyra snatched the leaf, and throwing it straight into her mouth and chewing it quickly.

Watching her eat the strange, raw plant, West squeezed his face up in disgust. He was squirming as if he was the one eating the bitter leaf himself.

Gideon walked over to the tall cupboard.

"This is where we will be staying for a while," he said, looking at everyone. "At least until everyone is good enough to ride the long journey to the camp."

As he spoke, Gideon bent down beside the cupboard. He grabbed a thick, woven sleeping mat beside the cupboard and dragged it out. He threw it across the floor for the rest of them to use for sleep.

Location: Dorlath City

Lord Damon pulled his thick belt tight around his waist.

He grabbed his sword, and fixed the sheath so it was firm and solid on his hip.

Once he was fully dressed, he walked out of the house.

His wife had long gone to stay with her parents in the upper district, so the entire house was left completely to him.

He stepped outside, pulled the thick front doors shut, and locked them with his key.

He walked over to his dragon, and climbed onto the leather saddle. With a powerful leap, the dragon’s wings beat together and then flew off straight into the sky.

In his mind, there was no other way. It was best he killed the Starweaver boy himself.