Chapter 22 “Plan”

“Okay then, spit it out,” Akira told Dominique, hoping that this idea of his did not involve falling hundreds of feet towards a building with only a small hope of actually making it alive.

“Well, you said that we need to have an idea of how Steeson is controlling riders before we can proceed,” Dominique began.

“Yes,” Akira narrowed her eyes, wondering what he was getting at.

“That means we need information, and I know someone who may know someone who has that kind of information for us,” Dominique grinned.

“Yeah, and you still haven't told us who this person is,” Will muttered.

“He can only be talking about one person,” Liam spoke up, sounding bored.

Tresus and Kirk nodded in agreement while Savannah and Anita nodded in understanding.

“Okay, just in case you forgot,” Gina began, “We are not from the future and therefore have no idea who in the Lands you could be talking about.”

“His name is Anibal,” Dominique helped out.

“Anibal?” Drake asked.

“How do we know we can trust him?” Seth spoke up, getting right to the safety issue as usual.

“We can't,” Dominique replied calmly making Seth shoot him a look.

“Anibal may be a liar and a thief,” Kirk spoke up, “But he does know who would have the kind of information we need. He might just be able to help us out in this particular situation”

“But if you can’t trust him then how...?” Will began.

“Don't worry about it,” Dominique grinned, “The guy is terrified of me.”

“He won’t be if a dragon chose him in the mean time,” Liam replied, still looking bored.

Dominique frowned, realizing that Liam was right. If Anibal had a dragon by his side then things would be a lot more difficult. “We could buy him out,” he suggested, “he'll sing like a bird if we offer him a few Dracos.”

“We’ll need more than just a few Dracos,” Jeremiah warned, “Probably gold ones to.”

“Dracos?” Gina asked.

“The currency of our time,” Savannah explained.

“There’s no way we have the amount we need to buy someone out,” Isaac spoke up. “Not to mention that once Anibal lets us know where to go next, we'll probably need an even bigger stack to buy the information from the next guy.”

“Isaac's right,” Kirk nodded. “That's a lot of Dracos and face it, none of us have that amount.”

“What about Lindsy?” Savannah asked, “She has a large stack of Dracos available, surely she wouldn't mind lending us a few?”

“No,” Liam shook his head, “We are not going to get her involved by asking her to do that!”

“Liam's right,” Seth murmured, “If anyone found out we would only receive unnecessary attention, not to mention the unnecessary danger Lindsy could be put in. If Dominique's guy really could give us the information we need, then we want to do the whole thing quietly and discreetly, we wouldn't want Steeson finding out.”

“That’s it then,” Tresus shrugged, “We can forget Dominique's idea then. The fact is, we don't have the amount of Dracos we need, and it would take ages to even make that amount!”

“Not necessarily,” Dominique replied slowly.

Every eye turned on him.

“Don’t kid yourself Dominique,” Liam snorted, “There is no way you would have a stash of Dracos stashed somewhere large enough for this purpose.”

“Actually,” Dominique grinned as his eyes lit up, “I think I just may have.”

“Really?” Akira asked, wondering what Dominique was talking about.

“Yes really,” Dominique nodded. “It'll require at least two days to get them and get back to Academy City, but I'm sure it'll be worth it. Anibal will know something, trust me, unless any of you have a better idea?” he stared around at the others challengingly.

“No,” Tresus shook his head and the others followed suit.

“I guess we're going with Dominique's plan then,” Gina sighed. “So, where exactly do we have to go to get these Dracos of yours?”

“Oh,” Dominique grinned, “Just this place we used as our third hideout when the Resistance still existed.”

Akira's eye narrowed as she remembered the place Dominique was talking about. It was an area surrounded by mountains, the place she had been when Night Riders had come and taken her and the others captive and killed Ray. Yet why in the Lands would Dominique go there to search for Dracos? Yet she knew that if Dominique was certain that the Dracos were there then they were bound to be.

Confidently she turned and mounted Redemption while the others watched, looking slightly confused.

“Akira, what are you doing?” Seth asked her.

“Every moment we wait Steeson gets further with whatever it is he is planning,” Akira replied, “We don't have time to waste and it’s not like any of us are doing anything, so let’s go!”

“You’re in a hurry,” Redemption commented.

“I just want to get this over with,” Akira replied. “Are you coming?” she asked the other riders who looked uncertainly at each other.

“What about Brandon, shouldn't we let him know?” Will asked nervously.

“He's still with the council,” Akira replied, “He could take a while until he gets back. We'll just let some of the students know; they can tell him where we are when he gets here.”

Seth frowned and looked like he was about to say something, yet instead he just shook his head, making Akira wonder what he was thinking.

“Well then,” Gina spoke up enthusiastically. “Grab what supplies we need guys, we've got to get going!”

“This ought to be good,” Drake murmured.

“Yes, it ought to. Only you won’t be there to see it because you're not coming Drakie,” Gina told him sweetly.

Drake stared at her. “What are you talking about?”

“The Academy needs someone to look after the place while we're gone,” Gina replied calmly as she beamed at Drake, as if giving him the greatest honor.

“Gina,” Drake scowled, “I'm not staying.”

“Yes you are,” Gina chirped happily as she walked over to where a bunch of saddle gear lay and picked up a saddle pack.

Akira watched, understanding filling her. Gina had still not quite gotten over nearly loosing Drake a few days before. She wanted Drake to stay behind just so that she knew that he was safe. She was scared, scared that something would happen to him if he came along.

“Gina...!” Drake began to protest, yet when Gina turned to glare at him, the saddle pack slung over her shoulder, he shut his mouth.

“You're staying here,” Gina told him firmly making Akira hide a grin. It still amused her to see how Gina tended to boss Drake about.

“She's right Drake,” Seth spoke up as he left the wall he was leaning against. “It would be best if we left at least one or two more experienced people from our group behind...just in case.”

Drake shot him a look of disbelief.

“I'll stay with him,” Will volunteered, quickly jumping in as he realized what Seth was doing. Isaac and Jeremiah also raised hands, volunteering to stay as well.

Akira knew that while Seth did have a point that someone with experience should stay behind, there were already some other students out and about that had been involved in the final battle with Haiden that could look out for the Academy. Yet Seth's real reason for supporting Gina was that he was not sure if Drake had fully recovered yet, and Will, ridden with guilt at having stabbed Drake, wanted to help make it up by staying behind with Drake and making sure he stayed safe for now. Jeremiah and Isaac she was sure just wanted to help out.

“Okay then,” Seth nodded, “Drake and Will shall stay here along with Isaac and Jeremiah and keep an eye out for the place.”

Gina shot Drake a look that dared him to argue yet Drake only let out a defeated sigh.

“I think it would also be a good idea if some of us went on ahead to Academy City,” Tresus spoke up. “It will take two days after all to get the Dracos, in the mean time those of us ahead could scout out the city and find a place where we can meet safely as well as scout out the security. It will also attract less attention if a few of us arrive two days earlier than if we all were to arrive at the same time in a large group.”

“Now that’s a boy who thinks things through,” Redemption thought admiringly.

Seth nodded in agreement to what Tresus had said. “You're right. In that case thought its best that some of you that actually know the city go on ahead.”

“I'll go,” Savannah volunteered, looking happy about being able to help out.

“How about we split in half?” Tresus suggested. “Kirk, Liam, Savannah and I will go on ahead and the rest of you go to get the Dracos and then follow?”

Seth nodded in agreement.

“What about me?” Anita asked frowning.

Akira shot Seth a look. “Well, it would be a great help if you came along with us. Being a healer and all we could really use your help if something happened,” her eyes turned on to Anita, “But if you want to stay to learn more about what you can do, we understand.”

Anita's eyes darted in Dominique's direction. “I think, I'm coming with you,” she said.

Akira smiled. She had thought that would be the case.

“We'll then. Now that we have that sorted,” Dominique began, “How about I give the guys going directly to Academy City a lift there while the rest of you go ahead and pack what we need?”

“Sounds good to me,” Akira nodded.

“Looks like we are finally getting somewhere,” Redemption added, seeming somewhat relived at the thought of being able to do something other than sitting around.

While Dominique took Savannah, Kirk, Tresus and Liam some distance away from the Academy, the others began to grab the supplies they would need for a two day trip. Seth disappeared to the armory to grab some extra weapons while Gina took Drake and Anita along to help her get some supplies in food and full water skins.

Akira in the mean time, slipped off Redemption's back and saddled up the other's dragons for them. She considered not taking any blankets, as not only the nights were warm of late, but also as they were planning to spend most of their two days on their dragons' backs without stopping got rest.Yet in the end she grabbed one just for emergencies sake.

Isaac and Jeremiah watched for a while before announcing that they were supposed to go to a lesson and disappeared back into the Academy.

Seth appeared soon after and thrust Akira an extra knife which she promptly caught and slipped in to her boot. She then stood and watched as Seth strapped two swords to his back.

“Those will attract attention you know,” Akira told him.

“I'll hide them when we go to Academy City,” Seth replied, “But I'm taking them along. There is no point in taking any chances.” He looked up at Akira, his eyes somewhat worried, “It’s already bad enough that we aren't wearing our Academy uniforms, they could provide a lot of protection just by themselves.”

“They would give us away,” Akira sighed as she stared down at the loose clothes she wore, realizing just how little protection they provided.

“Akira. I just don't know if...” Seth began.

“I'm here!” Gina interrupted him as she cheerfully bounded in to the courtyard. “I've got enough Splodge here to last us three days!” she announced as she held up her saddle pack which had bulging pockets.

“Not to mention water,” Drake added as he appeared behind Gina carrying water skins. He looked miserable and Akira was sure it had to do with him having to stay behind. Behind him Anita appeared, carrying some more water skins.

“You know,” Redemption thought as he stared at the packs Gina held, “I don't see why you never consider taking something to eat along for us dragons.”

“Hey, of you want Splodge, you're welcome to it,” Akira replied with a shrug.

“That’s okay, I'll find a rabbit or deer to snack on on the way,” Redemption replied hastily making Akira chuckle.

“Well,” Gina announced and Akira turned her head to see that Gina had already slung her saddle packs over the back of her dragon. “I think that’s all,” she turned around to face Drake. “I'll see you later,” she told him.

Drake stepped forward and threw his arms around Gina in a hug, he whispered something in her ear and Gina only smiled. Akira turned to look at Seth who was frowning, yet when she gave him a questioning look he just shook his head.

“Right,” Akira walked up to Redemption and slung herself on to his back. Once up she turned to see that the other three had already mounted and Drake was staring at Gina, misery written on his face.

“See you later Drakie,” Gina blew him a kiss before her dragon spread his wings and jumped in to the air.

“Let’s hope Dominique is already back,” Seth muttered as his dragon followed with Anita's close on his tail.

Redemption, realizing that Akira first wanted to do something, paused and walked over to Drake who was staring after Gina's dragon.

“Don't worry,” Akira told Drake softly. “I'll look out for her, she'll be fine.”

Drake nodded, looking somewhat more assured, and yet worry was still written in his eyes.

“If Brandon asks,” Akira continued as Redemption spread his wings, “Tell him I want to end this sooner than later.” With that Redemption sprung in to the air and after the others.