The First thing that Aurora and Storm did after leaving the building was to shift back into their natural forms again.
Human form had it's benefits, but Storm missed his wings, his tail, and the stability that walking on four legs provided.
They both stretched out like cats as they tried to work out the stiffness out of their limbs.
Once they were done, they took off and started the flight home.
When they arrived, Storm called everyone together so that he could discuss what they had learned, as well as get an update on their progress.
As Storm had suspected, several issues demanded his attention.
"Construction of the Greenhouse and basic repair work has been completed!
We have begun excavation of some of the tunnels and chambers that caved-in over the years.
But it's been slow work. We are having difficulty moving some of the bigger pieces of rubble.
A pity we don't have any trolls, orcs or minotaurs in our forces. Their aid would be invaluable. " Explained Grombrim.
Storm nodded his head.
"I'll ask around! Maybe there are some clans nearby that is willing to work with us."
"My messenger has returned from that Dragon Hatching Grounds. It is as you feared.
Several of their clansmen have disappeared over the years. They've sent us a list of names and times that they dissappeared." Said Razor.
This news was especially troubling to Aurora.
"Who has dissappeared, Razor?!!" She asked.
"5 Dragons have been reported missing. You, Lumin, Teranis, Pyrite, and Lapis...." Started Razor.
"No!! No, No!! It can't be!!" Replied Aurora.
Aurora was on the verge of panicking.
Storm was equally troubled.
"What's wrong!!? Who are they!!?" Asked Razor.
"My siblings!!" Answered Storm.
Razor paled.
"How long have they been missing!!?" Asked Aurora.
"Two days, when my messenger first spoke to them. It would be about 2 weeks now." Replied Razor.
"That means they dissappeared after we found that hidden lab!!
They might still be alive, Storm!!" Exclaimed Aurora.
"Aurora... Even if that were the case. Where would we even look?"
"I know!! But we can't just abandon them!! They're kin!!"
Storm tried to think of anything they could do to narrow down the search area.
"Transporting fully grown dragons isn't easy, so wherever they took them must be close to the settlement." Said Storm.
"You can also rule out any caves built high up a mountain range as it would be too hard to reach." Suggested Razor.
The unrolled a map of the surrounding area and Razor marked several points on the map.
"These are the places that I know of that has cave systems large enough to contain dragons." Explained Razor.
She marked the Wyrm Tooth mountains
"This is the location of the Hatching Grounds where the dragons have been disappearing from.
Wherever they're taking the dragons can't be far from here."
She made a large circle around the point.
"It will be somewhere in this radius." She finished.
"Storm!! Wait!! You see this area here?!"
Mimereus directed Storm's eyes to a point on the map that Razor hadn't marked that was northeast of the Wyrm Tooth Mountains of the search area.
"That mountain hides an ancient Fallen One ruin that is built underground. It is only accessible with a secret passage and it was once a research and containment center.
That means the place will already have the facilities the hunters would require. " Explained Mimereus.
"Are you certain of this, Mimereus?" Asked Storm.
"I can't be certain of anything anymore! My soul was imprisoned for centuries after all!
But if I had to pick a spot to do these things from, it would be there!" Replied Mimereus.
Storm pointed a claw at the spot Mimereus indicated.
"They are being kept here!"
Everyone looked at Razor for confirmation.
"There are caves in that mountain range, but they're too high up the mountain to reach with wagons.
The chances that this is the correct place is highly unlikely. " Explained Razor.
"There is a secret passage at the foothills that leads to a hidden ruin. That's where they're being kept. " Explained Storm .
"Careful Storm!! Don't reveal too much about our existence!!
They won't be as accepting of our bond as you have been!!" Warned Mimereus.
"How could you know about this hidden ruin?! I've studied this area all my life, and I've never come across any mention of this!?" Asked Razor
".... I.... can't explain it!
I just know it's there and that this is the correct place!!" Said Storm.
Aurora hesitated.
Torn between her childhood friend's instinct and Razor's logic.
"Storm.... If you're wrong..." said Aurora.
"I'm not wrong, Aurora! I know it's there! Please trust me!"
Storm prayed that it was so.
Aurora and Razor looked at each other before nodding.
"It goes against my better judgement!
But I'll follow your instincts on this! I only pray that it is correct. "
So did Storm.
"So, when do we set off?" Asked Razor.
"We?"
Razor nodded her head.
"You'll need my magical expertise and if it is true and there's some ancient ruin located there, do you really think I'd lose the chance to study it?!" Replied Razor.
"What about Dust'an?" Asked Storm.
"I suppose he can come too? His physical strength could come in handy?"
"That's not what I meant! But I suppose a chance to stretch his wings would do him some good." Said Storm.
"You didn't answer my question!?"
"We set off immediately.
Four dragons and a Griffin against who knows how many humans!
The humans don't stand a chance!" Said Storm.
"Four dragons? There's only 3 of us, Storm?" Said Aurora.
Storm realized his mistake.
"You're right! Forgive me! I'm probably still exhausted from the last trip." Replied Storm.
Aurora approached Storm concerned.
"Are you sure you're all right!?
We can do this without you if you preferred to rest!? Offered Aurora.
"No!! .... I'm fine.... my focus just slipped for a moment!" Replied Storm.
Aurora seemed unconvinced, but chose not to press the matter further.
"You need to be more careful!! You almost gave our position away!!
They're going to be suspicious for a time so you'll need to be mindful of what you say or do!" Mimereus warned.