Dreams of Imahken

History known only to the dead.

"A specter to test, then to you the rest." The fox's eyes leaked blue haze for a blink, then Sator and Tyza heard Illus and Anilee remark at something.

Illus had been silently waiting at the ledge, too caught up in his own worries to analyze the ruins. Anilee was expeditiously sketching the bridge they saw. Precise pencil drawings littered the pages of her notebook, but she never let him look at any of them.

"Do you remember how tall the bridge was exactly?"

Illus didn't respond, staring pensively into the distance.

"Illus?"

"Hm?" He glanced at her sketchbook.

"Did you see how tall the bridge was?"

"I was hardly paying attention to it, the scene and whatnot. I reckon it was ten feet high."

"Of course you weren't." Anilee sighed dismissively.

Just then, Illus thought he heard something beneath them, but when he glanced over the edge, the foliage was too thick to see through.

Illus found his gaze returning to Anilee again, washing away all of the ire in his heart for a moment. "How does it feel, finally being here? It's been a long dream in the making, no?"

She lifted her eyes from the sketchbook. They fluttered to Illus, then the bridge, then the mountain above as a snide smile grew. "Amazing. I hope Carmonia is rolling in his grave thinking that a girl like me will get the credit for finding this place..." she glanced at Illus and added as an afterthought, "with you, of course."

"Your father will be proud to see what you bring back. I know it. So many people will."

Anilee half smirked, half sneered. "My father will be more proud of you. He thinks you've done it all because you organized this expedition."

"Ani," Illus shook his head, softening his voice, "this is your expedition, your work. He sees that."

Her eyes fell. "But this would not have been possible without you and the resources you acquired from the military archives. I can hardly take credit."

"What can I say, Anilee, you inspired me..." Illus approached her.

Anilee froze, face redding and eyes widening.

"... to see where this research might go. It has been a pleasure helping you realize your dream." He held out his hand.

Anilee hesitated, then shook it awkwardly. "Yes, likewise."

"And I want to apologize for earlier. I should have never been so presumptuous and selfish, expecting a response from somebody who never felt such a way. It's good that the air is clear now and we can both move on."

"It's fine, really, but..." Anilee lowered her head, "you're always the one cheering me up when I'm down, helping me like you did yesterday. Why do you even bother with somebody as awful as me?"

Illus chuckled. "You were so frightened, but I want you to see this through. Almost there has never been quite enough for me."

Her voice fell. "Why do you care about me so much?"

He chuckled and gazed toward the mountain, having played this game a thousand times, affirming her until he was back in the palm of her hand, restarting the vicious cycle. "I would do it for anyone. Is your sketch finished? We may have time to investigate around the base of the mountain before nightfall."

Anilee pursed her lips, her face concealed beneath the brim of her hat. "Yes, this is sufficient." She slipped the journal in a pocket of the bag Illus was carrying.