Tipping the Scale

Road of the Dragon (Part 2)

They both were silent as they found their way down, passing buildings in which civilians and soldiers had set up camp. Before the shelter had felt deserted, but in one night it had transformed into a small village. Seeing people help each other clean up houses or find lost belongings, made him remember just how resilient the human race was.

He would have to speak to Roland soon to compile a list of everyone who was here before another emergency struck and they didn't know who to search for. Just another thing to add to his list of things to do.

Arriving at the pale green house, he could see no light coming from inside. Perhaps she was still asleep, considering the long day they had before. He paused to suggest to Crystal that they should turn back, but the half-demoness passed him by and entered the home. The door creaked loudly as it opened, offending his sensitive hearing. Warchief had mentioned to Lidea that she should lubricate its hinges, but she didn't seem to mind it. One of these days he would bring the oil and do it himself.

"Lidea?"

The loudness of Crystal's voice in the silence made him cringe. If Lidea had been asleep, she wouldn't be any longer. The lack of response from within the house made him start to worry until a muffled voice sounded from somewhere down below. Crystal and him shared a look as they started to follow the sound of a door under the stairs. Once open, it led down a spiraling staircase carved out of the stone of the cavern wall. Its existence puzzled Warchief as he had been convinced that they had found no basements when they first inspected all the houses after his arrival. Had they missed it?

"Lidea? Are you down here?"

"Yes! What is wrong?"

Lidea's response to Crystal's question sounded clearer and they started descending the stairs. Darkness eventually gave way to a faint green glow coming from down below. He wondered what could be down there. It didn't surprise him that she was already awake, maybe she hadn't even slept, but he had predicted her to be peering over maps of the cavern in her office. Knowing she wouldn't be able to let go unless she found a solution to the danger they found themselves in.

"Warchief mentioned you passing out. I just wanted to make sure you are fine."

Glancing at the demoness, her face didn't reveal any guilt at making up a lie. Although it was probably a partial truth. Knowing Crystal's fondness for her, she must be worried.

"I will come up in a minute."

He could hear Lidea coming their way just as they reached the bottom step. The stairs gave way to a cellar and his eyes were immediately drawn to the central pillar holding a column of green fire which illuminated the room with a sickly glow. Sets of human armor lined one wall, all wearing the distinctive insignia of the dragon riders. The other wall was lined with boxes, some neatly piled while others had been opened and its contents were spilled onto the ground. However, it was the dragon statue clad in gold-plated armor standing at the back that made his breath hitch.

"What is all this?"

He couldn't contain his wonder and only noticed Lidea when he almost stumbled over her. She was sitting on the ground, between books and papers as she was looking over a map of the shelter.

She didn't look as tired as she had been the day before and she smiled sheepishly before answering the question he had unwittingly posed out loud.

"I told you my family were dragon riders. These are the belongings my great uncle left behind."

"Why didn't you tell us about this?"

How could she have been mad at him for keeping secrets, when she was holding some of her own?