Vorik sprang atop the canopy of the weapons platform, risking the thing’s ire to better defend Syla. Lesva lifted her sword, but it was her dragon that delivered the first blow. Its great maw opened, and fire spewed toward the ship.
“Look out!” Vorik called down to Syla.
As he jumped out of the way, flames scorching the air, he threw a gargoyle-bone dagger. It struck the dragon’s cheek instead of the eye he’d targeted, but it lodged between scales and was enough to make the fire cease and the dragon screech. As it flew over the ship, Lesva threw a knife at Vorik. He rolled to the side, barely avoiding it. He might not have but another dragon swooping in from the side made the yellow twitch.
“Agrevlari!” Vorik yelled in relief as he leaped to his feet.
The green dragon crashed into the yellow, knocking it and Lesva away from the ship.
I was already on my way through the hole when you requested my presence.Agrevlari sounded smug.
Because you’re a wonderful dragon.
Yes.
And you wanted to help Wreylith too, I assume.
She is with eggs!
Wreylith must have defeated the gray, because she roared and dove for the neck of the yellow dragon. As she and Agrevlariteamed up on their foe, Lesva twisted and had to leap into the water.
Vorik looked around for Syla to make sure none of the flames had caught her. When he didn’t see her on deck, he swore with concern. Fel was looking for her too. Had she been knocked over the railing?
No, she ran back out on deck with her medical kit clutched in her hands. “I hope I’ve got enough left.”
“Enough what?” Vorik asked as Agrevlari extricated himself from the battle to bank and fly toward the ship. “And for what?”
Without answering, Syla dug into the contents and pulled out an unassuming jar.
You will ride me, yes?Agrevlari asked when Vorik didn’t leap up to catch his leg and swing himself onto his back.We can stay close and defend the ship.
Yes, but I’m trying to figure out what Syla is doing.
She appeared to be applying whatever was in the jar to the stout marble posts. She also smeared some onto the platform and, as if it were oil to be rubbed in, spread it all around.
The ways of females are inscrutable,Agrevlari said.
Wreylith roared as she chased after the now-fleeing yellow dragon. They flew upward into clouds that were descending lower and lower, making the harbor hazy, as if a dark fog had drifted in.
Not usuallythatinscrutable,Vorik replied.
“I don’t know if this will work,” Syla said as she continued to smear the substance around, “but it’s all I can think to try. The last time lightning struck the platform, it didn’t do anything to the reservoir, but maybe if the strike were extended, if something magical could draw on it to continue…”
“Do you need help?” Vorik didn’t know exactly what she was plotting, but he was here for her.
“Try to buy me some time, please.” Syla glanced toward the barrier—the hole above the destroyed lighthouse—though it had grown difficult to see that far in the haze. Lightning continued to flash, but it barely lit the area. It was as if night had come early to Castle Island.
Ozlemar and Jhiton found the hole, and the big dragon flew through. Jhiton looked straight at the ship—at Syla. And were hiseyesglowing? Maybe it was the light. They had a weird glint though. Poor Jhiton. He didn’t deserve this.
Swing by again, Agrevlari.
“Is that your brother?” Syla dug the last of her substance out of the jar and climbed onto the platform to apply it to the top. “And are hiseyesglowing?”
“He’s not himself. Stay under cover.”
This time, when Agrevlari soared low over the deck of the ship, Vorik sprang into the air so he could catch a limb and climb onto the dragon’s back. The crews of theFanged Whaleand surrounding warships had been startled by the unexpected invasion of their harbor and had been slow to react, but cannons boomed now, coming from the vessels as well as the castle and watchtowers. Agrevlari had to dip and dance to avoid friendly fire.
Syla needs us to buy time, Vorik told him.
