“Keep a team up here to guard this.” Syla believed the weapons platform nearly indestructible, but she had seen the stormer gargoyle-bone blades damage magical and supposedly indestructible things, including the shielder on Castle Island. “Then get every available man together, and search the ship. We’ve only got a few hours until we reach Bogberry Island, and we’d better find him before then.”
“Noteveryavailable man.” Fel pointed at Syla. “Leave a team to guard the queen.”
“We will.” Judging by the relieved nod the man gave to Fel, he’d wanted to do exactly that.
Syla didn’t object, but she did add, “When you find Vorik, get me.I’lldeal with him.”
She didn’t know how, and expected the man to scoff, but he looked from the weapons platform to her and nodded, as if he believed she could handle a powerful dragon rider. Then he added, “It’s too bad the Candles of Serenity didn’t keep him knocked out for longer.”
Syla managed not to wince, though her cheeks did flush red at the reminder that she’d been dishonest with her people, leading them to believe she’d been questioning Vorik, not havingsexwith him.
“I have more of them,” she said.
If they caught Vorik again, she would use the candles and drugs this time.
11
Belowdecks,Vorik crouched in a dark nook near the armory, his forearms still burning after spending the first couple hours of his escape hiding by clinging to the outside of the ship, well below the railing and anyone’s view. Once the search had grown more half-hearted, he’d slipped back aboard, finding a spot where the Kingdom men had already looked.
A guard stood outside the stout wooden door of the armory, and Vorik was contemplating overpowering and subduing him so he could help himself to the contents within. Too bad that would clue the crew in on where Vorik was—and what he intended. Earlier, he’d managed to find his sword and pluck it up without anyone noticing. His plans would be easier to implement if he could remain hidden until the last moment.
He didn’t sense Wreylith, which was why he’d dared escape, but if she returned, he would have to reconsider those plans. Unlike the soldiers poking around the ship, a dragon would have no trouble sensing him and locating him. He wasn’t positive that Syla, who ought to have gained power from her new link to the red dragon, wouldn’t be able to sense him, but he didn’t worry as much about her snapping him in half.
What is your status?Jhiton spoke into his mind from a distance. Bogberry Island, most likely.
I’m free and on the ship, dodging search parties.
Our dragons have spotted the Kingdom fleet on its way here. We will soon keep that vessel too busy for its crew to search for you.
Oh, good. It’s always a joy to beonthe ship that our forces are attacking.
I trust you can find a way overboard at any time,Jhiton said.
Having to get Syla will make that more complicated, but, yes. I’m waiting until we’re not in the middle of the sea and Agrevlari can pluck us up.
He could retrieve you any time if you destroyed that weapons platform.
That’s… been on my mind.Vorik eyed the door of the armory. He’d been wondering if it contained explosives similar to those Syla had used to booby-trap the shielder chamber under the castle. They had detonated on impact.
Whether you destroy it or not, bring the queen and join us,Jhiton said.
I will.
We’ll soon have the Lady Abrya as well. We will extract the information on the Bogberry Island shielder fromoneof them. I don’t care which.
Vorik cared, but he didn’t say so.You should like Syla and want to treat her well. She agrees with you that I should challenge Shi for leadership of the tribe.
I didn’t say you should do that, only that it would be the appropriate way to have an impact on decisions being made on a tribal level.Jhiton managed to convey dryness through their telepathic link.But I have no doubt that your queen would prefer to negotiate withyouthan Chieftess Shi.
I don’t think she was impressed with Shi’s suggestion that they engage in girl chat over their menses.
Chieftess Shi was being sarcastic about that. I doubt she’s ever engaged in girl chat with anyone in her life.
I suppose that’s true. And I know Syla wasn’t merely thinking of my goals and aspirations when she suggested I have the ability to lead.
Certainly not.
But I also don’t think she was being deliberately manipulative. Just… supportive.
