5 Chapter 5

Lyra found Ty lugging a bunch of dusty books to an already large pile.

"Please don't tell me I have to read all of that…" Lyra said.

Ty grinned and shook his head.

"Nope, was just organizing. Grab one of those journals and a stylus so you can take notes. We are going to head to the gardens."

Lyra grabbed a journal and pen and followed Ty to the the Hollow where Tharos was waiting. Ty climbed up onto Tharos's back and helped Lyra up as well. As soon as Lyra wrapped her arms around Ty, Tharos took flight. Lyra smiled as they passed the elevator on the way up. A ton of heads looking up all at once to see who passed them. Tharos landed and allowed Ty and Lyra to jump off.

"I must go hunting, I will see you two soon." Tharos said to both of them.

"Don't get lost!" Ty said with a mocking tone.

Tharos snorted and then took off. Ty look Lyra's hand and led her through the maze of gardens. He chose to sit under the shade of an enormous weeping cherry tree. Once both were comfortable, Ty started to tell the history of the Dragonmen. Lyra jotted down a few things but most of the history was easy enough to remember.

The first was a female elf named Yulia. Lyra recognized this name but couldn't recall from where. The second was a male elf, the mate of Yulia. His name had been lost throughout the years. Yulia had befriended a female dragon named Xiphrra. Xiphrra and Yulia often spent time together and one time Yulia became very ill. Yulia's lover ran to find Xiphrra, who almost killed him for trespassing.

Once Xiphrra found that Yulia was ill, she flew to Yulia as quickly as she could. Xiphrra could not heal her through her magik alone so she borrowed some from one of her eggs, not knowing that this would bind Yulia to the unborn dragon, creating the first Dragonwoman. After a few years, Yulia noticed she was not aging and that she could sense a connection to one of Xiphirra's hatched egg. Yulia's lover worried and begged Xiphirra to duplicate the magik she had preformed on Yulia so that he would be with Yulia forever. Xiphirra did as he asked and the second Dragonman was created.

Yulia and her lover found out their new abilities and connection with their dragons together and they built up a select group of Dragonmen to help protect the North from the South. The original group of Dragonmen contained five men, three who were elves and two who were humans, and five women, all being elves. At that time, the South was fighting the North and with the help of the Dragonmen, the North conquered the South. There were a group of magikians who despised the Dragonmen and especially the Elves. They threatened to curse the Elves and they are suspected to be the cause of the elves disappearance.

Lyra stopped listening to Ty after he talked about the possible cause of the disappearance of their race.

"Ty had said the group of magikians who cursed her people were lead by one powerful individual. He had been an elf at one point but was corrupted by the magik he had been so obsessed with. No one knows what became of him. Whoever this being was, he must have been dead by now. It is strange how two elves suddenly turn up thousands of years later and only a few years apart in age. I wonder if the elves somehow sent us forward in time to save us and our race… or could someone have survived through the curse and all of those lonely years. I must find out." Lyra pondered.

"Lyra? Lyra, are you even listening to me?" Ty asked, sounding slightly offended.

Lyra realized she had completely zoned out.

"I'm sorry, Ty. I got lost in my thoughts."

"Mhm… maybe it's time for a break." Ty said with a thoughtful look on his face.

"Maybe…" Lyra laughed, "Say, is there a pond or a pool up here? I wouldn't object a swim."

"Actually, there is a pool up here. Do you have any swimwear?" Ty said.

"No… I don't… Can I acquire some here?" Lyra asked.

"Uh… I actually don't know. I don't really swim…." Ty said, sounding embarrassed.

"You do know how to swim… right?" Lyra asked, expecting him to say yes.

"I mean…. No, not at all." Ty said, looking down.

"Oh my…. I can teach you! Come on, show me where it is." Lyra laughed.

"But you don't have anything to swim in! And neither do I!" Ty protested.

"Nonsense. We can swim in our undergarments." Lyra said.

She grabbed his arm and started to pull him up. Ty looked mortified.

"I can't see you in just your undergarments. It's like invading your privacy! No, no, that won't do. Lyra no!" Ty resisted.

"Would the swimwear cover anymore than my undergarments do?" Lyra asked, crossing her arms and looking down at him.

"Well… I guess not… but…" Ty protested.

"I'm teaching you how to swim, Ty. Right now. Get your scared little butt up and lead the way." Lyra said, holding her ground.

Ty looked up at her and smiled. He got up and grabbed her in a bear hug.

"Anything you say." He said.

He quickly pecked her on the cheek then took off through the gardens.

Lyra smiled and took off after him. She caught up with him in no time.

"Do you call this sprinting?" Lyra taunted.

Ty looked at her and stuck his tongue out. He turned a corner and stopped a few feet away from a large pool. The pool was crystal clear and completely unoccupied. Lyra pulled off her shirt and started to pull off her pants.

"Lyra…. Do we have to?" Ty asked, face as red as a tomato.

"Take off whatever you don't want to get wet." Lyra said. Once she was only in her undergarments, she jumped in.

"Come on, Ty. Don't tell me you're a coward." Lyra taunted again.

Ty's face grew serious and he pulled off his shirt, and his pants, leaving him in only his undershorts. He walked up to the edge of the pool, determined to not look scared. He looked at Lyra who gave him a, "Are you going to get in?" look, and looked back to the water and then jumped in. He came back up and grasped for the side. Lyra calmly swam over and led him to the edge. She smiled at him once he wiped the water out of his face.

Lyra kissed him on the cheek and laughed "You look so cute with your hair flat against your head."

Ty frowned and shook the water out of his hair with his hand.

Lyra smiled and laughed again. "Alright, are you ready to learn how to swim?"

Ty smiled a little and nodded.

Lyra taught him how to cup his hands and kick with his legs to tread water. Once he had that down, she showed him some forms of swimming which he succeeded at mastering.

"Now, we will need to swim at least once a day so that you can keep up your skill and become more comfortable. It is also a very good exercise." Lyra said, "Are you ready to get out?"

Ty smiled and nodded, "Are you ready to be lectured about the history of the Dragonmen again?"

Lyra smiled, "As ready as I'll ever be."

They got out and dried off as best as they could.

Lyra frowned when she put her clothes back on and her undergarments left wet marks on her clothes.

"Do you think we could change before getting back into lecturing?" Lyra asked.

"Yeah, definitely, it's a little uncomfortable. We can have lunch too. I'm starving." Ty said.

They rode down the elevator and decided to meet outside each other's door once they were changed. Lyra put on fresh undergarments and a moss green shirt and some pants on. Once she combed and braided her hair again she walked out her door. Ty came out seconds later and they walked to the mess hall together.

After a quick lunch, Ty and Lyra headed back up to the gardens and Ty continued teaching.

"I'm sorry, Ty, but how long must we do this?" Lyra asked, clearly bored.

"Well I'm sorry, but you're just going to have to try not to fall asleep for another hour." Ty laughed.

Lyra groaned and tried to take notes to keep her awake. An hour later, Lyra was fast asleep. Ty finished his rant and then looked at Lyra to confirm they were done.

"Alrighty, we are done…. Lyra? You fell asleep… didn't you…" Ty said.

Lyra shifted position but otherwise did not stir. Ty sighed and leaned back against the trunk of the weeping cherry and closed his eyes.

Lyra opened her eyes and found she was laying on grass. A soft breeze brushed her face, making her smile. She sat up and looked around. She was still under the weeping cherry. Ty was still asleep, sitting up with his back to the tree. Lyra got up the rest of the way and stretched as best she could.

"Who knew how stiff you can get from sleeping on the ground for a few hours…." Lyra thought.

Lyra looked up at the sky to try to guess what time it might be. The sun was just above the trees in the garden meaning dinner was in about two hours. Lyra looked at Ty again and then decided to explore the gardens for a little. Lyra took in her surroundings again. She was still under the weeping cherry tree. She left him a note saying she went exploring and not to worry. All around her, a large hedge circled her, only breaking for a few arches. Three arches lead further into the gardens, one right in front of her and two behind her.

The one behind her to the right was the way they took when they were going to the pool. The one right in front of her was where they entered and she hadn't been through the one behind her to the left. She decided to explore through that arch.

Lyra walked past Ty and entered the arch. The arch led to a path walled in by the same hedge. Lyra continued to make her way down the path. The hedge opened to her right, revealing another courtyard. This courtyard had no trees but a fountain in the middle, overgrown with vines. Somehow, the fountain still worked. Roses grew all over the rest of the yard, making a clear path to the fountain and around it but to no where else. Lyra then left the yard and continued to walk up the path between the hedges. Lyra encountered a few more courtyards as she went down the path. It turned a few times but most of the time it was straight. Eventually, Lyra found herself at the edge of the tower. The hedges broke away, allowing any who kept walking, to see out over the plains that surrounded the tower. The view even better than from Drakereach.

"Wow…" Lyra said, as she tried to take it all in.

"I thought the same thing when I first found this place." A voice said, startling Lyra.

She turned to see a man, laying on a stone bench. His eyes were closed and he had his hands clasped over his chest and he was barefoot. He turned his head a little and opened one eye. They were a stunning blue.

"I am sorry, I did not see you there. I hope I did not disturb you." Lyra said, backing up a little.

"No, you did not. Not at all actually." The man sat up and rubbed his eyes. "I like to come up here and nap sometimes. The most peaceful place I've found on this tower. It's time I get up though."

Lyra smiled and studied him as he stretched. He had messy wavy brown hair with a white streak in it. He had serious brows and slight scruff along his jaw and above his lip. Lyra bowed her head a little. "I probably should go. Ty is most likely awake by now and he must be wondering where I am. Also, I'm not sure I could find my way back to the Hollow from where we were anyway."

The man turned his head at a slight angle. "Ty. Rash man, he is. You left him where? And asleep?"

"Ha, that he is." Lyra paused, "He was teaching me the history of the Dragonmen under a weeping cherry, and we both ended up falling asleep… Anyhow, I should be heading back." Lyra finished, and started to turn around.

"If you hold on for one second, I shall accompany you." The man said, as he stood up.

"Sure." Lyra said.

The man sat down again and grabbed a pair of boots from behind the bench. He looked up at Lyra as he started to unlace them.

"You are the elf, right? Lyra?" He asked.

Lyra nodded.

"My name is Jenson. I was the third rider that arrived at your town. My dragon is Jura. She would love to meet you. She is gold and is one of the females that was able to give eggs for tomorrow's dragon ceremony." Jenson said, as he finished putting his shoes on.

"Really? That is very kind of her. I believe I would like to meet her as well. When did you become a dragonman?" Lyra asked.

"Ah…" Jenson said, as he stood up, "I became a rider at 18, 10 years ago. So, I am 28. Your Ty has been a rider the same amount of time as me. He often does not act like it though."

Lyra and Jenson started to walk down the path to where Ty was.

"You are right, he often acts immaturely sometimes." Lyra said, "You sound as if you do not like him… Have you a problem with him?"

"I just think he needs to grow up a bit. He is spoiled by Cedric, and thinks that because he is an elf, he is royalty." Jenson said, crossing his arms.

"I have not seen him act like he is royalty. Elves are nearly extinct Jenson, Ty and I could be the last. He may be foolish at sometimes, but he is all I got." Lyra said, looking troubled.

"I did not mean to upset you. He mainly just irritates me." Jenson stopped and stepped in front of Lyra, looking her right in the eyes, "Actually, I believe that you and Ty are not the last of the elves. I mean. How could two elf children how up after thousands of years when the elf cities went dark. All of them disappearing without a trace. They left no bodies, no graves, nothing. I believe they went somewhere. Yulia, the first Dragonwoman. She was a grand magikian. She had her lover as well. He was great at working magik too. Together, with their dragons. I believe they either moved their people somewhere or put them all into a deep sleep in a safe place to protect them from the curse that the dark elf was preparing for them. I also believe that they sent you and Ty forward to wake them."

Lyra looked at him in awe, "Where are you getting this from? How… what?"

Jenson smiled and continued to walk down the path. "I may have read most of those dusty books in the library. I too was left to the Dragonmen by some unknown person when I was an infant. I've spent too much time here. I also traveled to many of the cities the elves left behind. You would find them beautiful, I know it."

Lyra remained silent for a while.

"I believe I would like to hear more of your theory sometime. Maybe after the Dragon choosing ceremony." Lyra said.

"Indeed, you can meet Jura then too! You will soon find out, I am a bit of a nerd when it comes to elves and their disappearance." Jenson said with a smile.

"What is a nerd?" Lyra asked, confused.

"Oh sorry, overly obsessed with something…. Uh… know it all. Yeah…" Jenson said.

"Oh, alright…" Lyra smiled.

"There you are!.... You have fun exploring? Why are you with him?" Ty said.

"I was just roaming the gardens and I bumped into him. Why does it matter?" Lyra asked defensively.

"We will talk about it later. Let's go to dinner." Ty said while glaring at Jenson.

"I'll see you around, Lyra" Jenson said as he waved goodbye and headed towards the hollow.

Lyra turned towards Ty.

"I'm allowed to have friends Ty. Jenson seems like a nice person. He also thinks that the elves didn't die. I think I believe him." Lyra said, looking down with a smile.

"Jenson spends too much time with his head in dusty books." Ty said, clearly irritated.

"There is nothing wrong with reading. Don't you want hope, Ty? Our people could be alive! Why do you not want that?" Lyra said, starting to raise her voice.

"I do want our people to be alive! It is just seems impossible! I am going to dinner, are you coming or not?" Ty said angrily.

Lyra stopped herself from getting even more mad. Taking a breath, she looked at Ty.

"Listen, I'm sorry. I do not want to fight. It's not impossible they are alive. Ty, we are alive! It has to be possible! I will come to dinner with you. Please don't be mad." Lyra said.

Ty sighed, "You're right. I am sorry too. I over reacted. Jenson is just such an odd guy and tries to act all experienced and he just irritates me. Plus, I was jealous you were talking to him… I hope they're all alive too."

Lyra smiled and hugged Ty. They then decided to head to dinner.

After finishing dinner, Ty walked Lyra back to her room.

"How do you feel about tomorrow?" Ty asked as they walked to her room.

Lyra smiled a little, "I have to admit I am pretty nervous…"

Ty smiled and laughed, "I know I was at the Choosing, you'll do great. You saw how good you were at sword fighting then the others and I believe you learned enough about our history. In the end, all that stuff isn't that important. Cedric sees inside you and will know if you are worthy, the fact that is dragon recommended you is pretty much a guarantee."

Lyra nodded but still fiddled with the bottom of her shirt, clearly still anxious.

Ty walked her to her door and took her hand.

"You have nothing to be worried about." He kissed her hand. "Goodnight, I will see you tomorrow. Be up by 7, I'll be here at 8:30. The Choosing is at 9."

Lyra smiled sleepily and entered her room. After changing into some night clothes, she fell into bed and had a dreamless night.