Jamey jolted awake, an intensely cold something pressing against his upper arm. He instantly scrambled away from the thing before realizing it was a komir offering him a plate of food, pancakes with a side of fruit and Gaienda leftovers. He smiled awkwardly before taking the plate. He then noticed Shigeo attempting to hold back a laugh, once making minor eye-contact bursting out into laughter. It has been an uneventful few days since our previous chapter’s date. Some songbirds were heard from outside, greeting the newly awoken cadet.

“If I knew Infernal I would have told the komir to get one of the bigger ones to hunt you down,” Jamey snapped semi-playfully.

“Then good thing you don’t,” Shigeo replied, still smiling broadly from the previous event. They, soon after, walked up to the mouth of the cave through the route they’ve officially memorized over the few days of idleness. Abruptly, Jamey collided with something, a small yelp upon collision. Jamey jump-stepped back then realized that Gale was who accidentally slammed into him.

“Oh sorry, I didn't see you, my bad,” he apologized shyly.

“No, it’s fine,” she rubbed her dog nose. “What was I going to say… Oh! I found something about the necrospawn, we might be able to find where they came from.” She said, the glitter of dog-like pride shining in her eyes.

Jamey could sense Shigeo internally swoon next to him, having Jamey release a small sigh before he said, “That’s great, once we finish eating we can head over to where you found the lead.” He smiled serenely. The two cadets sat near the entrance of the cave and consumed their first meal of the day at a pace just faster than casual. Once they finished telling Athol where they were going, which she already knew because of Gale. The three headed towards Losdon, once they arrived at the library Gale increased her pace slightly; looking every other moment to see if the two were still following. Which they were, Shigeo fighting to be right behind her, Jamey being his current opponent.

He tried, but to no avail, as they came to a stop Gale chirped with pride in her voice, “I think this is where the book was, hold on,” she looked around before she realized the desired opus was above her. Gale reached up for a minute before doing so on her tip-toes. Jamey analyzed the problem, proceeding to step closer to the shelf and grabbed the book Gale was grasping for. Handing it to her with a nod and a death stare from a certain man behind him.

“Thanks, anyway,” Gale took the book from his hands gingerly, “I was looking around this area for personal reasons and I saw the spell we translated in here but in common instead of Fey. And look,” she flipped to the front page where a small pocket was holding a piece of paper Jamey knew as those check-out slips people used before electronics were normalized. Gale pushed the paper out just enough to see, in fine print the name Yeax on the slot just below some scribble of a signature.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

“See? When I first saw it I thought that whoever Yeax is might be a part of the necrospawn stuff,” Gale animated, looking up at the two afterwards.

“Why would they have copied them in Elvish if he could have taken the book with them?” Shigeo whispered loudly.

“Because they was afraid someone might get suspicious, I dunno,” Gale shrugged.

“How did he get the translation anyway?” The cadet blinked.

“They can translate it on the copier,” she answered.

“Makes sense,” Shigeo shrugged, content with his reply.

“So what now?” Jamey piped in.

“I say, we inspect the library’s outside,” Gale looked at the two cadets for approval.

“I don’t see why not,” Shigeo shrugged, his mind simply after time with Gale.

“If he’s coming then imma be afraid y’all will get lost or something,” Jamey joked. Shigeo instantly giving him a cold stare.

“Alright, could you put this back?” Gale started to hand Jamey the book before Shigeo snatched it and put the book up instead. Gale hid a smile before starting to walk away, the two cadets following suit. They left the library and Gale attempted to inconspicuously inspect the stairs and front wall of the building. Jamey watched as Shigeo pitifully attempted to scope out the area for semi-abnormal things like a five-year-old pretending to be a ninja while humming the Mission Impossible theme song in the background. After analyzing Gale’s method, he sat down in a chair and started to feel its pattern that was carved into it.

“What are you doing? We should be inspecting, not lounging around,” Shigeo walked up, eyeing the decorative plant next to Jamey’s chair.

“I would think someone would put a secret base entrance behind a building, not in front of one,” Jamey commented.

“... Fair point,” Shigeo lowered his hands down to his sides, realizing how idiotic he looked beforehand. Gale walked closer into Jamey’s view, motioning the two to change positions to one side of the library. The three then continued to search, slowly going farther away from the entrance. Their endeavor unfruitful until Gale yelped, startling the other two.

“Did you find something?” Shigeo attempted to look casual and calm as he speedwalked over, Jamey trotting after him.

“Look,” Gale eyed a crack in the wall perfectly aligned with the bricks, her fingers wrapped around what seemed to be a piece of the cement that was lifted up to be used as a handle, her ears perked up at the wall curiously.

“It looks like it could be a door to somewhere,” Jamey inspected the crack carefully, barely skimming his fingers across the crevice, his hand hovering a hair above it. Gale slowly wrapped her hands around the camouflage handle half-curiously half-nervously. Shigeo jumped back as a soft purple-green glow started to emanate from the now thumb-wide fissure, returning to his original position after a few minutes passed. Sticking his finger where Jamey’s hand once was before he yanked it back instinctually. He tilted his head ever so slightly, curiosity washing over him as Jamey, not knowing where to put his hands, crossed his arms.

“I’m going to open the door, you two slip in as fast as possible, ‘kay?” Gale commanded, eyes locked on the camouflage handle.

The two nodded in compliance before she gave the door a firm pull, gliding in with the average open-close-door fashion, the two students following the motion. Gale swiftly closed the door behind them and gyrated on her heel to check her surroundings.