“Especially if said roof was knocked down by a dragon flicking its tail at it.” Fel switched the leg he was stretching and sent a baleful look around her cabin.
“He’snotin there,” Syla told him. “And neither is his dragon.”
Fel only grunted.
Hixun scratched his head but didn’t comment on their exchange, other than to say, “If you wait until morning, we could have the city secure and?—”
“No. I’ll heal Lady Abrya and anyone else in the palace that needs it. Gather men to keep me safe as we walk there.”
“Walk? I’ll find menanda carriage.”
“Queens are capable of walking,” Syla said, but Hixun was already jogging off. At least he hadn’t tried to lock her in her cabin to keep her aboard.
“Make it anarmoredcarriage,” Fel called after him. “That general could still be out there with his bow,” he added to Syla.
“Ah, yes. I won’t object to armor.”
“Good.”
I believe,Wreylith spoke into Syla’s mind from afar, her telepathic voice faint,that Queen Erasbella may have spoken aprayer to the gods or made a formal invitation while near the barrier the first time we flew to an island together. After that, it wasn’t necessary, so that is why I’d forgotten, but I had to be welcomed the first time.
How come you didn’t need to be welcomed to Castle Island?Syla packed a bag as they conversed, not sure how long she would end up staying on Bogberry Island. Judging by all the smoke and destroyed buildings they’d seen, many people would need healing.
Perhaps because it is your home and that barrier knows you well.
That’s not the original Castle Island barrier though. We just replaced it.
I am uncertain, then, but perhaps, crafted by the gods, the artifacts are ken to more than a mere human can understand.
Are ken? I’d never thought of the shielder artifacts as having intelligence and awareness,Syla said before recalling that the weapons platform had spoken to her, seemingly using the voice of one of the gods. She’d thought it might have been the moon god himself, but maybe it had been the artifact.
They can determine which enemies to keep out and when something dangerous is being cast through your barriers. They’vesomekind of awareness.
True.Syla knew from the historical texts that, in addition to aerial predators, the barriers had kept out the attempts of enemies to, after the invention of black powder, hurl explosives through them from their dragon mounts. Unfortunately, peoplecarryingexplosives were allowed through. Humans were supposedto belong on the islands. All humans.
If you cannot allow me access, I may need to leave the area completely,Wreylith said.The stormer dragons are attempting to drive me away from the Island of Eliok.
That’s rude.
As I informed them.
If you come back over here, we can experiment,Syla said as someone knocked again.
“Your carriage is ready, Your Majesty,” Fel reported through the door.
Very well,Wreylith said.
Syla secured her pack over her shoulders, but she had to double-check that she had the right one, because it seemed lighter than she expected.
“Because I didn’t pack any books,” she decided after confirming it held her clothing and toiletries.
After also slinging her medical kit over a shoulder, Syla stepped into the corridor. Several Royal Protectors waited to escort her, and she almost winced, feeling guilty about the men who’d died protecting her. If she hadn’t been out in the open, they wouldn’t have had to guard her from such a challenging position, but… what other choice had there been? Someone with a moon-mark had to operate the weapons platform.
“May I carry your bags, Your Majesty?” A corporal pointed to her kit and pack.
“That’s all right. Just be ready to attack enemies if anyone jumps out at me.”
“Oh. Yes, Your Majesty.”
