Sensing a dragon—Wreylith—Vorik looked up at the night sky. He frowned, aware that if he could sense her, she would also be able to sense him, thanks to the magic of his bond.
The red dragon alighted on the roof of the main building. Several soldiers jumped, but none drew weapons. By now, they had to know the dragon was Syla’s ally.
But where was Syla? She wasn’t on Wreylith’s back.
Vorik’s shoulders slumped. Had she already gone into the mine?
Vorik stretched his senses downward, trying to detect her. Like him, she didn’t have a magical aura as great as that of a dragon, but he was attuned to her, and he thought…
Yes, he sensed her down there, in the opposite direction from the lake. And was that Lesva that he also sensed? He groaned silently at how close they were. If he didn’t get down there now, it would soon be too late.
Vorik was tempted to surge out of the trees, even if it meant fighting his way past all those soldiers to reach the building. Why weren’t they down there with Syla, anyway?
There probably were some in the mine, he reasoned, but Lesva would cut her way through such men without much trouble. Vorik needed to get down there.
As he crept closer, reaching the edge of the trees, the clip-clop of hooves sounded, another wagon being hauled up the road. Or multiple wagons? If Jhiton’s boat teams attacked them, that might provide the distraction Vorik needed.
Many of your ships have maneuvered into position along the northern shoreline of this island,Agrevlari said from outside the barrier,and others approach the mouth of the river on the southern side with men at the weapons, ready to fire at the city.
Jhiton’s diversion. Have Syla’s people gotten the weapons platform off the bottom of the river yet?
When I flew in that direction, I observed them using large machines with many chains in an attempt to do so, but it was not yet out of the water.
Let’s hope they don’t pull it up in time.Given all the forces Jhiton and the chiefs were bringing to bear, Vorik didn’t think the weapons platform would defeat them, but it coulddestroy ships as easily as dragons.
Or ever. The thing is foul and despicable.
Wreylith’s tail flexed, and Vorik didn’t answer. The dragon’s head turned on her long neck, and glowing golden eyes peered through the trees at Vorik. She’d sensed him.
His first instinct was to run into the woods, but he needed to go down into the mine. Besides, he didn’t want to lure the dragon toward the lake. If she’d sensed him, she would also sense the other stormers with magic. The dragon might then fly around, torching those boats and alerting the Kingdom soldiers to Jhiton’s plan.
What are you doing here, rider?Wreylith’s voice was suspicious, and a trickle of smoke wafted from one of her nostrils.
Meanwhile, two wagons stopped in front of the buildings, and tailgates clanged as they were thrown down.
“Hurry up and get that lumber into the lift,” someone called. “And where’s Teetan, the engineer?”
I came to help Syla.Vorik forced himself to meet Wreylith’s gaze, though he also wondered if he might sneak in and manage to get himself ported down with that lumber, whatever it was for. Building defenses in the mines?She’s in danger,he added.Captain Lesva is down there with her. Can you help me get down into the mine?
Wreylith gazed at him so steadily it was unnerving. Worse, a couple of the soldiers had noticed her look and were peering in Vorik’s direction.
You care for her and serve her needs sexually,Wreylith said,but you remain a part of the enemy nation.
Yeah, it’s an ongoing problem. I don’t love her people, but… I do care about her.Morethan care. Help me before it’s too late. Please.
You are likely here to steal that which protects this island and she seeks to keep hidden.
I’m not. I admit that my people are, but I only came because I care about Syla.
Just visible in the light from the soldiers’ lanterns, another trickle of smoke wafted up from Wreylith’s nostrils. Wrath of the storm god, maybe she meant to roast him.
I also came to warn her!Vorik added quickly.
That she is in danger? She knows.
Does she know that someone replaced her family flag on her castle? And that a huge fleet of Kingdom ships has gathered in the harbor on Castle Island?
The dragon paused, but did she believe him? Her eyes continued to glow balefully, and another tendril of smoke wafted up. She looked like she wanted to setsomethingon fire. Whether he would be the target, he didn’t know.
