I think someone is taking advantage of her being gone,Vorik continued. Theyalreadytookadvantage. She may be in danger from more than my people. Can you assist me in getting down there to speak with her—to help her?
When the dragon sprang into the air, wings flapping, Vorik expected her to send a gout of fire at him. He drew his swords and backed away. But Wreylith flew in the other direction, crossing a bog and streaming flames into the forest. Men shouted, some backing up, but others drew weapons and ran in that direction.
“It must be the stormers!” someone shouted.
Vorik stared, certain it was exactly that. Wreylith must have sensed a rider approaching. Maybe an entire squadron, and she was?—
Why do you stand still, human?Wreylith asked into his mind as she flew a circle over the trees, pouring more flames into the forest.Do you not know a distraction when you see it?
Oh!Vorik left his hiding spot to find a way to slip past the troops. Many remained, including the newcomers with thewagons, but those who hadn’t run to check were looking toward Wreylith and the flames. Moving silently, Vorik managed to reach the building and dart through the doorway unnoticed.Thank you,he thought to Wreylith as he ran through the shadows to a square hole in the wooden floor.
You will protect Syla from the dangerous female.
Yes, I will.
She is worthy of a dragon bond, but she is not yet a great fighter.
She’s a great healer and smart and loyal.Vorik peered into the hole. He’d expected a lift for descending, but it must have been at the bottom because only chains dangled down into the depths.
She has great potential,the dragon said.Later, you will serve her as she wishes.
Smiling, Vorik grabbed one of the chains and started climbing down.I look forward to it.
Booms came from the direction of the road, and Vorik lost his smile and paused in his descent. Had Wreylith inadvertently blown up kegs of black powder or something else explosive? No, she hadn’t been sending her fire toward the road, only into the forest.
Your people have taken over the fishing boats and are attacking wagons bringing troops,Wreylith coolly informed him.
I’m… not with them.
I will help the queen by slaying all those who seek access to the mine and that which is within.
I wish you wouldn’t,Vorik said,but I understand.
And so did Jhiton. He’d known what he was getting into.
As another boom sounded, this time answered by a dragon’s roar, Vorik continued his descent. The one who needed his help most was down there.
27
As large asthe mine was, it didn’t take much time to travel through it on the fast-moving magical wagon. Twice, Syla sensed a rider or glimpsed movement in the shadows, but the stormers must not have known what to make of them. They didn’t put themselves in front of the wagon, and they didn’t attack, save for an arrow that shot out of the dark, glancing off the roof of the cab. Fel promptly fired back, but they couldn’t see into the shadows to know if his quarrel struck. They’d passed out of the area where lanterns were lit, probably because this level wasn’t being mined anymore.
A scrape on the roof of the cab made Syla jump. As they’d traveled deeper into the original mine that had been carved out with nothing more than chisels and pickaxes, the ceiling had become significantly lower. Ahead lay the last of the pillars before a maze of tunnels stretched, the walls carved with elaborate pictures of the gods as well as of favored livestock and stalks of wheat and other grains that had been paramount in the early days of agriculture.
“We’re not going to be able to drive all the way back to the shielder chamber in this.” Syla slowed the wagon down.
“The early miners must have had a lot of time on their hands,” Fel grumbled, eyeing the carvings. “And a lenient foreman.”
“I think some of these were commissioned. The mine was treasured in the early days of the Kingdom since salt was vital and something non-perishable that our ancestors could trade all over the world.” Syla peered into the gloom around them. A single magic-powered lamp on the front of the wagon allowed them to see in the direction they’d been driving, but darkness obscured everything to the sides—and behind.
The corner of the wagon bumped against a salt pillar, and she stopped it, doubting they could make it deeper into the mine. It wouldn’t have been a good idea to drive straight up to the hidden chamber door regardless. If Lesvahadn’tlearned exactly where it was, Syla didn’t want to show her.
Faint thuds started up behind them, from the direction of the lift cage and beyond. Since they echoed from the pillars, Syla would have struggled to guess the exact origins if she hadn’t known. Clanks and rumbles also reverberated through the floor.
“People are going to hear that,” Fel said. “Maybe up above as well as down here.”
“Yes.” When Syla had envisioned her plan, she’d thought they could do the drillingbeforethe stormer army arrived. She’d had no idea that some were already lurking in the area. Some or a lot.
Enemies have arrived, and the battle is engaged,Wreylith spoke into her mind.
