Syla sensed Wreylith on the move a moment before a shadow flew over them. The enforcers gaped skyward and started to skitter back, but they weren’t quick enough. Wreylith landed on the dock in the middle of them and roared while spreading her wings. She bodily knocked some of them into the water. The others leaped off to avoid her. Soon, other than the large red dragon standing on the dock, talons curled over the edges, the way was clear.
Dragons care neither to be diplomatic nor political,Wreylith said.Grab your assistant, and climb onto my back. I will take you to your lighthouse so that you may confront one of the ignorant fools presuming to plot against you while you are in the midst of defending the very kingdom that they live in.
“Are we… safe?” Oyenar asked, eyeing Wreylith.
“Yes,” Syla said, “she’s offering us a ride to the lighthouse.”
“Us?” Oyenar asked.
Fel lifted a hand, as if he might try to claim the other spot on Wreylith’s back, but he lowered it. “Yes, you should go with the queen to speak with Dolok, my lord. I can take Tibby, Teyla, and the others to the castle. If there are any twerps there, we can deal with them.”
“As I recall from previous visits, there aremanytwerps in that castle,” Oyenar muttered.
“I’ll go along too,” Captain Vonla said, lifting an envelope as she joined Fel. “Major Hixun gave me a report to take to his commander in the castle.”
Syla wondered if that was the officer who’d originally ordered Hixun to step aside if assassins attacked her. A lot had happened since then, and Hixun seemed loyal to her now, but she almost objected to that report being delivered. But maybe if the military officers here learned what she’d accomplished, they, like Hixun, would be less inclined to go along with future assassination attempts.
Less speaking, more climbing,Wreylith boomed.
Using her magic for assistance, Syla hurried to pull herself onto her back. Oyenar sheathed his sword but didn’t look like he knew how to mount a dragon. Wreylith solved the problem by grasping him around the torso with her maw. When her fangs reached for him, Oyenar almost dove off the dock to avoid that fate, but he wasn’t fast enough, and she tossed him into the air. He remained athletic enough to twist and land on her back behind Syla, though his face had turned ashen in the brief time that had taken.
Not apologizing or even waiting for them to settle, Wreylith sprang into the air.
Are you feeling all right?Syla asked.You seem more impatient than usual.
I ache to find a suitable cave so that I might settle myself for the coming month.
For the delivery of your eggs?Syla didn’t know if that was the right term.
Dragon gestation does not take as long as human gestation. Of course, our hatchlings must finish developing in their eggs, which requires an attentive mother with few distractions.
In other words, you’d like to get the business your claimed human is involved with settled as soon as possible so you can focus on maternal things.
I’d like to find my cave.
I see where your priorities are.
Quite.Instead of heading straight to the lighthouse, Wreylith flew above the capital. The eyes of all below tracked her, and when she roared as she glided over the city streets, it reminded Syla of when she’d first arrived with Wreylith.
The human queen has returned to her land,the dragon boomed.With the assistance of the gods, she has slain many stormers and their dragons in order to protect you. She has restored a shielder to your Harvest Island, and she has fought off attempts by your enemies to claim another of your islands. Meanwhile, a puny and conniving usurper has sneaked onto her throne like a rat skulking out of a hole in the middle of the night. This pathetic being has ordered those with moon-marks, blessings bestowed by the gods, captured so that he may slay them. He will be vanquished forthright. The queen has returned to protect her people and to ensure a bounteous future for all who walk in her shadow and swear their allegiance to her and her kingdom.
As Wreylith spoke, the telepathic words carrying far, more and more people came out into the streets. When their faces turned toward her, Syla lifted a hand. As she’d done before, Wreylith circled the city and delivered the message more than once. At first, people gawked in stunned silence, but then cheers went up.
“I should warn you that the last time Wreylith did this,” Syla said over her shoulder, “a sniper fired at me. You may want to be ready to duck.”
Oyenar was gaping. Syla didn’t know if it was because it was his first time flying and everything was amazing—she understood that emotion well—or because he was surprised Wreylith was addressing the entire city.
“She tends to be direct,” Syla said.
“I… yes. I see. Are you instructing her to say those things?”
“Wreylith is nobody’s puppet.” Syla laughed at the idea.
Wreylith roared, and did it have an indignant tinge?
“I’ll admit,” Syla said, “I hadn’t realized she was monitoring my situation that closely. She’s been a little preoccupied of late, and, as she reminds me often, humans are puny and barely worth paying attention to.”
“She must pay attention to you somewhat.”
