They didn't go that far outside the cave. Both Richie and Bev were aware of the danger they would be in if they were spotted by a Lucantian, but Bev knew that Richie needed to be away from the mess.
"I don't want to talk about it," Richie said as soon as they were out of earshot from Eddie.
"You don't have to," Bev said, sitting next to a tree. "I just want you to calm down."
Richie nodded, crossing his legs and sitting behind Bev. "I miss my mom, Bev," Richie said quietly after a period of silence.
"I know," Bev whispered, hugging Richie. "You're doing this for her though, aren't you?"
"So what if I am? What if she doesn't forgive me for taking off? I told her I would never join the rebellion but I did and I can't disappoint her Bev."
He had started crying, all of his emotions hitting him at once.
Bev knew this. She had known Richie for his whole life, and she knew he just needed to talk and rant and get everything out.
"Eddie's mad at me, my mom thinks I'm either dead or off doing something stupid, and entire fucking country is after us, and we're probably not going to see our nineteenth birthdays!"
He continued to rant, standing up and pacing, ignoring Bev who wanted him to sit down so he wouldn't be so sore the next day from his injuries. He was stressed, overwhelmed, crying, and clearly didn't give a shit about what anyone else had to say.
After a while, the sun had set and Iris landed in front of the cave carrying Stan and Mike. They were outraged that Bev and Richie weren't in the cave, but calmed down once Bev had explained the situation.
"Let's get inside," Mike said, pulling Richie who refused to move.
"Don't wanna," Richie whined, clearly mentally and physically exhausted. "He hates me."
"He doesn't hate you," Stan said, grabbing Richie's other arm and pulling him inside the cave. "Have you treated any of your cuts?"
"No," Bev said, clearly annoyed with Stan. "Eddie has the first aid kit and I wouldn't let him go back into the cave. He needed time to cool off."
"Fine, but we need to go back in now," Mike insisted, appearing slightly anxious.
Richie shook his head and pulled away, walking over to Iris who was sitting patiently. He ran his hand down her scaly neck before climbing on her back.
"I want to clear my head and it's dark out. I'll be back in an hour," Richie said, urging Iris to take flight.
"Hell no!" Stan yelled, grabbing onto Richie's leg. "That's suicide!"
"They won't see me! Fuck off Stan!" Richie snapped, making Iris growl at the two fighting with each other. "Besides, Iris can protect me."
"I don't think this is a good idea," Bev said. "Come inside, Rich."
"And have all three Lucantians glare at me all night? I'll pass."
Iris took flight, ignoring the other three and their angry yells. They flew overhead, the cool air feeling more comforting than cold. Below, Richie could see the Luceat seal on the ship flags, making him want to destroy their ships, but it wasn't worth the blame that the Ponanians would see.
"Let's get closer," Richie whispered to his dragon. She reluctantly landed, walking closer to the village walls, spotting the king interacting with Klais on the porch of the main building where the king lived. None of his dragons were with him.
"I want to hear them," Richie said, sliding off of Iris and walking away. Before he could, Iris grabbed onto his arm and tried to pull him back. "Stop! I'll be right back! Just stay hidden."
Iris let go, but was clearly displeased. She watched as Richie ran off and hid behind a column on the porch. He was close enough to hear them.
"Enough!" Klais snapped, making the dragon king fall silent. "I know that there are Lucantians and Tenebrians here. The one in your prison told us that much!"
"Trying to save his own neck," the king replied smoothly. "He knows if he's able to throw off your scent that he'll live longer. The boy snuck onto one of our ships."
"How long has he been here?"
"A few days."
Klais laughed darkly. "Did you plan on sending him back? You didn't know we were coming," he said, pleased he'd caught the king in a lie.
"It's my job to know why he's here, in my kingdom. He wouldn't speak with me, so if there's a chance he's here as a threat, I can't just send him back."
Richie thought it was a good cover, but he was also pissed off. Henry had seriously planned on exposing them?! His entire nation's lives were on the line and he was going to be petty and sell out the few people who got him thrown in jail?
"I know my people are here. Three of mine have gone missing, and I'm assuming more than one Tenebrian is here. They may be stupid, but they're not stupid enough to travel alone."
"What will you do if you find them?" the king asked.
Richie could tell he knew he wouldn't convince Klais that there were no Tenebrians on Pona.
"Execute them all. Not only are they breaking their no travel law, they've also kidnapped the children of my council members."
Richie could see the king shrugging. "I guess you'll have to look then. I don't know of any Lucantians here."
Klais glared at him. "I will tear apart your whole island. You serve us, Ponanian."
"I serve my people. If you threaten me, I will ask you to leave."
"You are no match for my army. The last leader was softer on you, but I will not be. Tell me where they are!"
"I don't know where they are."
"Then we will search."
Richie swore under his breath, unfortunately catching the attention of Klais.
"What was that?" Klais asked, his eyes trained on the column that Richie was hiding behind.
"Probably an adolescent Emerald. They like to crawl around at night because it's warmer here. Cold-blooded, dragons are."
Klais scoffed and walked toward the column. He saw Richie, saw the spade, and began to laugh loudly. "There's no Tenebrians here?" he yelled, trying to grab Richie's arm.
"Get the fuck off of me," Richie said, pulling away and backing off of the porch.
"Come here, boy. You haven't got anywhere to run."
Richie pulled out his flute and blew into it, making Klais raise an eyebrow. Iris showed up seconds later, snarling and hissing at Klais, who she easily recognized as an enemy.
Klais drew a sword and pointed it at the king. "Make the dragon stand down or he dies."
"Get out of here, boy," the king said. "His army will be here in seconds. Get the hell out of here."
Richie didn't know what to do. He couldn't surrender, but he couldn't let the king die.
"Where's the others?" Klais asked, pressing the blade against the kings throat.
The king smirked, knowing Richie wouldn't do anything. "Get out of here, Tenebrian," he said before diving forward and letting the blade of the sword slit his throat.
Richie didn't hesitate to scramble onto Iris and have her take flight. He flew toward the cave, running inside as soon as they touched down.
"What's going on?" Stan asked, seeing Richie's sweaty face and heavy breathing.
"Klais killed the king. They're coming for us."
