“A problem,” Vorik said with a sigh.
Kidnap her, Vorik,Jhiton said firmly.I want her away from the weapons platform, and I want what you suggested yesterday, her drugged and questioned until she draws us a map to each shielder.
Does this mean you don’t need me to kidnap Lady Abrya anymore?Why did Vorik keep getting orders to capture women? He felt like the villain he so often teased his brother of being. Why couldn’t they come up with another morehonorableway to win this war?
We yet have plans to take Bogberry Island while the majority of the Kingdom forces are occupied with Harvest.
Did that mean Jhiton had already sent troops in that direction? Would someone else kayak in and try to capture the lady?
If you’re not available to kidnap the lord’s wife,Jhiton added,I will.
Be careful. Between your nefariously flapping cloak and scarred face, you might not be able to win her favor.Vorik doubted his brother would try any such thing, but Jhiton had pointed out that the lady supposedly had a soft spot for stormers—or had before all this had begun.
The hydra-scale powder should ensure I don’tneedher favor to get what I want, but if you retrieve the queen and join us at Bogberry Island, I’ll let you attempt to smile at Lady Abrya and charm her.
The way you entice me, General.
I’ll also give you whatever fruits and berries we’re able to find in the lord’s palace.
That’s more likely to tempt me.
I’m aware. Get the queen, Vorik.Jhiton’s telepathic voice sounded more distant, like he was flying away as they conversed. Maybe he was already on his way to Bogberry Island, leaving behind only part of his forces to take back the harbor if Vorik succeeded in getting Syla away from the weapons platform.
I’ll capture her, but I need your word on something.Vorik didn’t feel right extracting promises from his brother, but Lesva might now be flying at Jhiton’s side, maybe even astride Ozlemar with him, and able to influence him. Against his wishes, the memory of Lesva resting her hand on Jhiton’s chest and flirting with him came to Vorik’s mind.If I bring Syla to join you and the others…
She won’t be harmed.
Vorik trusted his brother would do what he said, but Jhitonwasn’t the only obstacle.
If you give that order,Vorik said,Lesva might disobey it.
I will see to it that she doesn’t. As long as the queen knows the locations of all the shielders, she has value to us.
She has value to me for more reasons than that.
I’m aware. As are others.
Like Chieftess Shi?
Yes.
Vorik bristled, but he had made choices that could call his loyalty into question. After he’d openly defended Syla from Lesva on the deck of a Kingdom warship, even more people than the chieftess would question his motivations. The riders in his own squadron, men and women he’d worked with for years, might doubt him. The notion stung almost as much as the thought of losing his brother’s respect.
If you can also sabotage or destroy that weapons platform while you’re aboard their ship,Jhiton said,that might still some wagging tongues.
I sense Wreylith near the device,Vorik said,but if I get an opportunity to take a closer look, I will.
Take that look while holding explosives. Perhaps your queen can supply you with the ones they booby-trapped their shielder with during our last incursion.
Oh, yes. I believe captors regularly give explosives to captives. It’s sound war policy.
Use your smile on her. She likes you.
Not enough to give me explosives. She might bake me a blackberry cobbler.Vorik smiled wistfully.
Maybe you can stuff it in one of the column-barrels to gum up the works.
A solid military tactic.Vorik imagined blackberries flying out of the weapons platform instead of deadly projectiles.I’ll at least get Syla. As to the rest, I acknowledge that destroying that device would be a boon to our people, and if I get an opportunity, I will.
