“That isnothow our future will be.” Jhiton gripped his shoulder. “We’ve already acquired one island. We will have more. Lord Oyenar, who governs over Bogberry Island, greatly loves his wife, Lady Abrya, who has a moon-mark. Our spies believe that she also loves him and is loyal to her people but may have a soft spot for stormers. Decades ago, her older sister lived with one of the tribes for years, until her stormer lover died, and she brought back many romantic tales that she relayed to the lady. We don’t believe Abrya would openly betray her people, but she may be easier to influence than others. Our spies believe she is the one entrusted with the location of the Bogberry Island shielder.”
“Please tell me you don’t want me to kidnap her and seduce her.” Vorik grimaced.
“Thatwassuggested, since your supposedly devastating smile has occasionally appealed to even elders, but I assured the chiefs that you wouldn’t mate with a sixty-five-year-old married woman.”
“I wouldn’tmatewith a married woman of any age.”
Jhiton acknowledged that with a palm tilted upward.
“I will, however, point out that my devastating smileespeciallyworks on elders. They’re flattered when I flirt with them. But Jhiton, I don’t want to kidnap anyone else.” Technically, he hadn’t kidnapped Syla. He’d pretended to want to protect her and gone along on her mission, but he’dliedto her the whole time, and his intent had been to use her to his own ends. It hadnotappealed to his honor. Or to him. “And,as wondrous as my smile is, I doubt it would prompt a loyal Kingdom subject to betray her island.”
“You only need to retrieve the woman. We’ve a plan for the rest.”
Vorik rubbed his face. “Do you really approve of such tactics? Kidnapping old women?”
“No. That was part of our disagreement.” Jhiton nodded in the direction Shi had gone. “I wanted to have you kidnap the husband.”
“That’s not all that honorable either.”
“Perhaps not, but he is the one who stepped forward to rule the island on behalf of the crown. When you enter into a position of leadership, you must accept that you might be a target of machinations. And he’s reputedly a former military officer and a warrior. I didn’t think it would be as objectionable to you.” His voice softened. “It wouldn’t have been as objectionable to me.”
“I wish we didn’t have to use such tactics at all. I prefer facing my enemies openly in battle, not skulking around andkidnappingthem.”
“I know, but, as you pointed out, even though we are strong warriors, our population is much, much smaller than that of the Kingdom. We must sometimes use equivocal tactics to achieve our goals. In the end, it will be worth it.” Jhiton nodded firmly.
Vorik wished he were that certain, but he had long ago sworn to do his duty as a member of the Sixteen Talons, which meant taking orders from the chiefs and his superior officers.
“I’m not going to torture the lady to get the information out of her,” Vorik said.
“That shouldn’t be necessary. Our people went back to investigate the storm god’s laboratory that you revealed, and Healer Yavaron found a container of rare hydra-scale powder.” Jhiton delved into a pocket and withdrew a small blue jar.
“Hydras are extinct.”
“Hence the rarity of the powder.”
“What does it do?”
“It makes people susceptible to telling the truth. Very susceptible. Especially if they feel camaraderie toward the person applying the drug and asking the questions. If Lady Abrya is already inclined to think favorably of stormers, and she likes your smile…”
Vorik sighed. It would still be an interrogation, just not physically painful. “Are you sure you don’t want me to lead a squadron of riders to attack some nice military ships?”
“You did ask for this mission. Besides, it’s important. We need to act while we can. I don’t know if you heard, but we lost several of our warships two days ago. We had them anchored in the bay protected by the Sunchaser Tribe, but, after a volcano erupted inland, the wyverns, cloud strikers, and other predators in the area were particularly aggressive. They swept in and attacked the camp and destroyed several of our vessels in addition to killing a number of our people and injuring the two dragons on guard there.”
“One might take that as a sign that the gods don’t want us to make war.”
“I did consider that,” Jhiton surprised him by saying. “That volcano hasn’t erupted in centuries. You know I’m not overly religious, but I don’t deny that the gods exist and were heavily involved in our world at one time. Perhaps one or more has returned. I brought the notion up with Shi and Tenilor.”
“And they scoffed?”
“They accused me of being superstitious.”
“You’re about as superstitious as a boot.”
“I’m not sure if I should take that as a compliment or not.”
“Good.” Vorik smiled but only briefly. On their earlier mission, he and Wise had considered if Syla was being assisted by one of the gods. Vorik believed it was possible and didn’t likethe idea that he might be going against the wishes of the deities that the stormers and gardeners shared.
“These are the orders I’ve been given,” Jhiton said, “and I’m sworn to obey our leaders. Just as you are.”
