Vorik could sense her drawing upon her power.
Shi wants her kept here while we get at least one more shielder,Jhiton added,but has agreed to return her alive.
When?
Eventually.
Like after we’ve taken over most of the islands?
Shi wants it to be after we’ve takenallof their islands,Jhiton said dryly, looking toward the chieftess’s camp.
That might not be wise. The Freeborn dragons are out looking for Syla. I assume Ozlemar has kept you apprised.
He has. He’s not concerned about them. They may have agreed to be allies of the Kingdom, but they’re not going to risk their lives to get Syla. Wreylith might, but these dragons don’t have a bond with her.
Vorik thought about Igliana, believing she might be an exception, but didn’t point that out to Jhiton.
Fria sighed softly. In relief?
Syla continued to draw upon her power, but her eyes had opened partway, and she was gazing at the fire—no, at a giant shell of soup meant to feed everyone in the cave. Maybe she sensed Vorik’s attention because her gaze shifted briefly to him, then toward the ceiling, as if she were concentrating and not looking at anything in particular. That was probably true, but as his brother spoke about plans to get the shielder, Vorik’s instincts told him Syla was contemplating something. He turned slightly, as if Jhiton had his full attention, but he kept Syla in his peripheral vision.
Do you want to be involved?Jhiton asked, forcing Vorik to focus on him in truth.In getting the shielder?
If you think I can be of value, take me.
She would have to stay here, of course.Jhiton tilted his head toward Syla without looking at her.
You don’t think she wants to come along to help us steal her people’s precious artifact, huh?
She would be a hindrance if she were on the island.
She and Wreylith would kick our asses.
Jhiton snorted.
Our dragons won’t be able to help us until after it’s destroyed,Vorik reminded him.
Syla’s eyes were open again. She slipped her hand into a pocket and pulled out… What was that? A sack? Something wrapped in cloth? While keeping one hand on her patient, still healing her, Syla worked it open. The sack held some kind of powder.
I’m aware,Jhiton said.I won’t argue that Wreylith is a formidable opponent, but as long as we can use the moon-marked Lady Abrya, we don’t need to take Syla.
Sylais becoming a formidable opponent too,Vorik pointed out before the rest of his brother’s words sank in. Was he implying that Lesva had succeeded in kidnapping Lady Abrya?
Syla looked over at Vorik and Jhiton. She must not have thought they could see her from their positions because, after peeking surreptitiously around the rest of the cave, she scooted closer to the soup.
Vorik froze, not looking directly at her, but watching nonetheless. Were the contents of the sackpoisonous? No, Syla wouldn’t poison the people she was healing. Vorik didn’t believe that. She mightpoisonJhitonif she got the chance but not innocent people.
She has power,Jhiton agreed.
You barely kept her from squeezing your heart into pieces.Vorik debated what to do as Syla sat by the fire with the sack of powder in her lap. Was she going to put it in the soup? That had to be it. What would it do? Make those who ate it sick so she could get away while they were distracted with their discomfort? An understandable plan, but Vorik couldn’t risk letting her do something that would harm his people.
I was able to thwart her,Jhiton said,but I agree that she’s strong and getting stronger. I think she was drawing upon thegods-gift as well as the power from her dragon tattoo. The power from her bond with Wreylith is probably just starting to blossom within her.
Jhiton started to glance toward Syla, and Vorik reacted on instinct rather than doing what was wise. He stepped in the opposite direction and pointed at Shi to pull Jhiton’s attention that way.
If we leave Syla here, will she be safe with our chieftess? Are youcertainthatShi agrees that it would be proper to let Syla live? Or was she saying that to mollify you? You’re honorable, Jhiton, but I’m less certain about the honor of some of our leaders these days.
While he asked the questions, Vorik lifted a hand in Syla’s direction, hoping to catch her eye and silently convince her to stop. Vorik didn’t want Jhiton to catch her sabotaging the soup, because he would react mercilessly, but Vorik also didn’t want her to do anything to his people.
