[labprotocol]

1 month and six days later.

Ivan shook Nym awake, pressing a finger to his lips as a sign for silence. Ivan stood up with effort, grunting. He motioned for Nym to follow and led him outside. "I need your help," he whispered after they had were out of hearing distance of the cave. "But I need you to promise not to tell Ky." Ivan looked up into the taller dragon's eyes to show him how serious he was. His eyes were narrowed into slits, his lips pressed firmly together. "Can I trust you?"