Misaki stirred a little from their drowsing, and nodded, it caught Asahi by surprise, though Katsuo seemed to have been expecting the little movement.  He had thought that Misaki was asleep between them again, but no-- they were sitting up into a more upright position, shifting their bruised leg under the water.  

"I will tell you about the cave."  They said, lifting their leg to examine it.  It was bruised, but the water had set the bone.  "But, I want to get dressed."

"You should continue to rest, little love."  Katsuo said-- Misaki was a head shorter than Katsuo, which did make them 'little' at least in the context of normal Ameryu sizes. "The bone may be set, but your spirit was drained when they found you.

Misaki tilted their head and blinked, owlishly, but then settled back in the water, surrendering to the voice of reason.  "Alright."

"Tell us what happened."  Asahi murmured, one arm wrapped behind them and onto Katsuo's shoulder, the other hand finding one of Misaki's tattooed hands under the water and lifting it up to squeeze it.

"The cave is in the canyons, South of here.  It's a dry canyon, narrow, barely more than a crack in the stone--"

"Sweet Ameiaa, why did you climb down into that?" Katsuo sighed, though he knew the answer.

"The Council of Governors wanted the area surveyed."  Misaki said, not protesting, just stating the obvious.

"I know that, I just wish it wasn't you doing it."  He held up a finger, "And I already know you're the only one who can, I just wish you didn't have to. Anyway, go on, this awful canyon..."

Misaki blinked, and nodded, for all the years they had been together, Misaki had a habit of restating what was already well known.  They had a hard time not answering, and Asahi and Katsuo knew that little foible of theirs, and knew it was just an odd habit.

"I climbed through the canyon from the outlet, it is very tight to get through, and at the end of it, found a wider crack in the stone.  It was the source of the power that they reported in the aerial sweep.  The cave is strange, it is cut by water that followed a crack in the sandstone, but I am not sure where the water lets out, I did not follow it.  I, however, found, after a few hours descending, a manufactured wall."

"What?"  Asahi felt his blood turn cold.  "Hours down and you found a wall?"

Misaki nodded, "I was following the source of the power and it was strongest there, so, I explored around the wall until I found an opening.  It is an old ruin, pre-Devouring. The inside is coated with a crust of Spiritstone."

"And you went in?" Katsuo looked more pale than usual.  Asahi wasn't as educated on the matter, but he knew enough to know that Spiritstone was dangerous.  Fragile, full of magical potential and valuable beyond measure.  All of the technology used West of the Peacemakers relied on Spiritstone, but normally it was found in small veins--not crusted visibly over the walls of a ruin.  

"Of course I did.  The energy was stronger than Spiritstone alone." Misaki stated, as if it was as simple as going to the market. "Once inside, I explored until I found the source-- the ruins are still active, running automation down there.  The defenses detected me and that's how my leg was broken.  I fought my way out, but it was difficult to sustain that level of energy, and by the time I reached the surface, and climbed out of the canyon, I could only signal for the Cynri when I made it outside."

"Wait... back up."  Asahi found himself saying, "The 'automation'?  What are you talking about?"

Katsuo looked at him curiously, as did Misaki.  "The ancient Gaileans-- the ancient culture that lived in this area, and harvested magic for their technology.  The basis for all the technologies used in the Northwestern kingdoms and in Independent Lands.  They put their spirits in steel bodies, but they were destroyed in some cataclysm, and their cities were buried under stone."

"I've never heard of one still active..." Katsuo frowned, "And, you went into one!  Sweet Ameiaa, Misaki, you could have died."

"I am aware, but I did make it out." Misaki said, though that much was obvious.  "But, I am concerned.  It did not look to have been active for long, or else the aerial sweeps would have found it before."

"I'm going to need more information, Misaki.  This is a lot to take in."  Asahi ran a hand down his face.  "A ruin full of Spiritstone, full of active automation, buried under the cliffs...  The Governors are going to want this information."

"I will be writing a full report."  Misaki shrugged.

"This isn't going to be safe..." Katsuo sighed, "I don't want either of you back in that cave."

"I understand.  My work there is done."  Misaki stated.  Asahi felt a frown tugging at his lips, this was dangerous.

"You're not going in there either-- there's no need for you to go into an old ruin, Asahi." Katsuo chided, and Asahi nodded.

"It is dangerous--"

"And it's not our problem.  Our problem now is to get Misaki home, and reassure our children that everything is fine. Normal things, please."  Katsuo said.  Asahi could feel Katsuo's noble upbringing bleeding through as he spoke.  "We will be going home as soon as Misaki can travel."

"I can travel now."  Misaki stated, plainly.

"Sweet Ameiaa... No-- rest for a day, at least.  You just broke your leg and you want to ride back to Nirase?  No!" Katsuo said, and that was that.  "I will let the healers here know that you can be moved to a bed, but you--and you--"  He eyed Asahi, "Will rest for a day, at least."

"Yes, my love."  Asahi agreed, and he wasn't going to complain.  He'd been traveling from town to town over the last few weeks, and was, admittedly exhausted. But, Misaki always seemed to ever struggle to rest, but perhaps having their husbands here to remind them to rest would be enough.

"Good.  I'm going to go check on the boys and ask Val where we can stay while you two rest."  Katsuo climbed out of the water, his ivory skin glittering with the steaming water. Asahi let out a loud sigh, and was rewarded with a swat from Katsuo's thin tail. 

"Alright, resting, resting..."  He murmured, pulling Misaki's body against his, despite the searing tingly across his scales their magic caused.