Dragonkin 4 You're my Mate? No thanks.

Part 6 Wandering

A long pause ensues.

Biting and worrying her lip, she answers hesitantly, "Ah...I can..." and changes her tack. "Since you are here, this underground city may seem backward but it is actually not. My city comes fully equipped with technologically advanced hospitals, supermarkets which sell everything we need and a bustling economy for commerce. We even have internet here!"

Sensing my hesitation at capitulation, she presses on, "This is an ancient city established eons ago. We are an old civilization. This is truly indeed an enormous bustling underground city which has survived the test of time. We have well-preserved ancient artefacts and buildings. Why don't you stay here a while to experience what we've got to offer? Surely it will help in your research?"

Her speech is persuasive. I waver, my ambition and sense of familiarity warring.

On one hand, I desire to learn more about their culture and history, along with examining whatever historical artefacts which have been preserved through time by them. It's an archaeologist's dream. It's not every day that you can unearth or discover an untouched ancient city. I can talk to the angels who have seen the rise and fall of nations, and get their first-person point-of-view.

On the other hand, I wish to return to my camp as soon as possible. I have left tons of work back at the campsite. My students and assistants are probably in a panic. The more important thing would be I have no idea how much time has passed since I passed out. Surely news of my disappearance would have reached my Father's court. Though Cassy informs me there's internet here and I probably can get in touch with my family via that, I vanished without a trace from my dig. Police would probably have scoured the entire area, finding no clues as to where I had vanished to. My family would be anxious with worry and would only be appeased if they see me face-to-face.

My thoughts warring, I fix Cassy with a gimlet stare while trying to make up my mind. As if divining my thoughts, Cassy sneaks a glance at her family, who are busy catching up with each other. Putting a finger to her lips, she grins impishly before adroitly pulling me out of the room and onto the hallway without attracting any of her family's attention. "Come with me," she whispers conspiratorially as she tugs my torn sleeve, guiding me after her.

Curious to see where she's leading me to, I follow without protest.

We walk leisurely through a series of hallways and staircases, then stop before a set of big wooden doors. Cracking open the door slightly for a quick peek, she waves her hand and urges me to look through the gap.

My eyes widen in astonishment. This is exactly my kind of heaven. Rows upon rows of thick books stack on each other and arranged neatly from the floor to the high ceiling of the room, which I presume to be a library. Some of the books look exquisitely old. How I would love to get my hands on them!

Seeing my amazement, Cassy grins and comments with pride, "This is our Grand Library. This should be a wonderland for you". Pointing her finger at the deep recess of the library, she warns, "It's guarded by the High Librarian. She's a veritable tigress. I accidentally knocked a book over and got a scathing scolding from her. Since then she's been giving me the evil eye whenever I step into her domain," with a visible shudder. "You should be fine; since you adore books. She's discriminatory that way," she reassures.

A slim figure steps out of the shadows of the shelves and proceeds to shelve the books from a trolley. Cassy hastily retreats a step, bumping into me and she closes the tiny gap in the door quickly. "Whew, that was close. We'd narrowly missed her spotting us. She has very sharp eyes, that one. We'd probably get a tongue lashing for peeping into the library without permission".