“Or a lordship and lands granted by whoever takes the throne next,” Tibby said. “You already know Relvin is angling for it. I would start there.”
“It’s hard to believe he could entice the Royal Fleet to back him.” Syla thought of General Dolok and how she’d heard rumors of people—officers—proposing military leaderships for the Kingdom. But did he aspire to that? For the past few weeks, she’d believed he merely objected toherleadership, perhaps believing she might fall for a stormer and inadvertently betray their people, as her sister Venia had done.
Vorik’s face floated through Syla’s mind, but she wouldn’tlet her feelings for him get in the way of her duty.
“Maybe, maybe not. Relvin’s father backs him, and he has sway with the aristocrats. Oh, Syla.” Tibby pushed a hand through her damp hair. “This all gives me a headache. I do prefer dealing with machinery rather than people.Machinesdon’t plot against you.”
“Except by breaking down when you need them.”
“If you take good care of them, that doesn’t happen. Unlike with people, some of whom would betray you for an ounce of gold and an opportunity to gain prestige.”
“Fel thinks I should cultivate a spy network.”
“That’s an excellent idea.” Tibby blinked and looked back at the sergeant. “Hecame up with it?”
“He’s not dull, my aunt.”
“One wouldn’t know it from the way he grunts and fondles his weapons.”
“Smart men can like swordsmanship.Macemanship.” Syla waved to indicate Fel’s favored weapon hanging from his belt.
“Hm.”
“It’s too bad you weren’t along on the trip to the storm god’s laboratory. You and Fel could have walked side-by-side together among the cactus flowers.” Syla smiled, thinking that would have been a better match than Fel and Teyla.
Tibby squinted at her. “He’s not the kind of person I would consider walking through a garden with.”
“It was wild and thorny, hardly garden-like. Among such dangerous flora, someone who can protect you with a weapon is a boon.”
“Dragons ahead!” a lookout called.
“Man the cannons!” the fleet commander called through a megaphone, and the order was relayed by the captains on the decks of the other ships.
The fleet was nearing Hazel Harbor, the city built in tiers up the slope around the water before stretching inland. Syla picked out four dragons perched upon rooftops, riders on their backs. All sets of eyes were toward the approaching ships.
“We’d better attack before they come up with a plan to deal with our fleet.” Syla kneaded the hem of a sleeve and wished shehad somewhere dry to wipe her hands. As the moment of battle approached, more than rainwater moistened her palms.
“I wishyoudidn’t have to be the one using that thing.” Tibby glanced at the weapons platform, then turned a sour expression on her book, as if it had betrayed her by not providing an answer to her question. “You’re a healer, not a killer. A soldier should have that job. Worse, you’ll be a target as soon as the stormers figure out what it can do.”
“The whole ship will be a target.” Syla worried about that. If their enemies managed to sink theStormslicer, she would lose the only weapon they had that could effectively slay dragons. “We might lose everything,” she murmured.
Tibby looked at her, but someone yelled that two dragons were flying toward the fleet.
“Guard me,” Syla told Fel and strode toward the weapons platform.
“I always do.” He took up a position beside one of the marble posts.
“I know. Thank you.”
Wind gusted across the ship, and Syla wobbled as she climbed onto the platform. The waves were getting rougher as well. With luck, the dragons would be as hindered as the fleet, the wind battering their wings as they maneuvered in the air.
As Syla stood on the platform, the rest of the Royal Protectors circled it to lend their swords to its defense. Toherdefense, she hoped. She couldn’t help but eye the backs of their heads, aware that an assassin could come from any direction. And, as draining as using the weapon was, she wouldn’t be able to defend herself from enemies nearby.
She looked in the direction that Wreylith and Igliana had flown off, hoping her winged allies would return soon. Instead, a pair of gray dragons with riders approached from the island. Without a doubt,theywere not allies.
Wreylith,Syla called silently,we’re engaging in battle. I could use your help.
Since the red dragon had warned hernotto engage until she returned, Syla wasn’t surprised when she didn’t receive an answer. By now, Wreylith could be at the far end of the hundreds-of-miles-long Garden Kingdom chain of islands. But the battle was coming to Syla, so she had no choice but to engage.
