“I don’t think they were a mystery,” Vorik said.
“We’ll find out whogavethem.” The major joined the captain, and they drew the archer aside.
“I may have been naive to believe I could make it ashore without being spotted,” Syla said, “and accomplish anything stealthily.”
“I don’t think you have a choice.” Tibby eyed the tops of the bluffs as she joined them. “You can’t retake the throne from another island.”
“Maybe I shouldn’t have sent Wreylith to fly about as a distraction. If people are going to find me anyway, I might as well ride around the island on her back.”
“I think you should,” Vorik said. “Nobody will fire arrows ather.”
“The crew of the ships we encountered fired arrows—and cannons—at her two hours ago,” Syla pointed out.
“Nobody who wants tolivewill fire arrows at her.”
Syla snorted.
“Let me get to the glassworks, ideally without drawing attention, before you call her,” Tibby said. “It may be hard foryouto avoid attracting attention, Syla, but it’ll be better for our plans if your enemies don’t know whatI’mup to. Even though everyone in the Kingdom shouldwant the islands protected again, I have a feeling they won’t wantyou—or an aunt associated with you—to accomplish that.”
Keep an eye out, Vorik,Agrevlari warned from a rock formation beyond the shield.
At first, Vorik thought his comrade had spotted more snipers, but when he saw the dark-gray dragon flying past in the distance, he realized that was the reason for the warning. Unlike the first two times that Tonasketal had cruised along the shoreline, he didn’t have a rider.
Vorik groaned.
“What?” Syla also looked first toward the cliff tops.
Vorik pointed at the dragon beyond the barrier. “Someone may be coming to see me. That’s Lieutenant Wise’s dragon—and he’s not on him.”
“Wise? That’s the stormer who stole the shielder components when you knocked me off the weapons platform, right?”
“Yes.”
“And who wanted you to kidnap me back in the rainforest ruins.”
“Also yes.”
“I don’t like him.”
“Depending on why he’s here, I may also develop a distaste for him.” To Agrevlari, Vorik said,Has Tonasketal spoken to you?
He asked what I knew about Jhiton’s death.
Ah. What did you tell him?
To ask you. He didn’t say anything else to me. Vorik, I suspect we have been ostracized.
I know. I’m sorry. If you leave me to bond with another human, I’ll understand. My actions suggest…Vorik almost said that he wasn’t worthyof a dragon ally, but he didn’t want to admit that. His people might disagree, but it was hard for him to feel that he’d made a mistake. He loved Syla, and he’d chosen to protect her. That wasn’twrong, damn it.I would understand,he repeated to finish the thought.
Wreylith has also been ostracized,Agrevlari said casually. He didn’t sound that distressed, not that much distressed dragons.We have that in common. As she grows lonely from a lack of social interaction with other wild dragons, she may come to treasure my company more.
“Are you talking to Agrevlari?” Syla guessed.
“Yes. He’s less upset to be ostracized than you might imagine.”
Her brow crinkled, but the major returned before she could ask for clarification.
“Our captive is reluctant to identify who gave him orders, saying only that a superior officer did, but we’ll get the information out of him. In the meantime, we’ll take him prisoner on the ship so that he can’t report your whereabouts to his superiors.” The major waved toward two men leading the enforcer, now shackled, to one of the dinghies.
