“We may need to hide you under sacks of potatoes,” she whispered to Vorik.
“You could tie my hands and claim I’m a prisoner,” he said.
“Nobodybelieves that.”
Vorik snorted softly and lay down so he wouldn’t be visible from the distance. Hopefully, the guards wouldn’t bring lanterns and search the wagon. “Your major had some delusions.”
“He must not have come by your prison cell when we were chatting without shackles.”
“Chatting.” Vorik took her hand and pulled her down beside him. “That’s not what we were doing.”
“Words were spoken.” Syla let Vorik draw her down, agreeing that the guards might be less likely to stop the wagon if the driver didn’t appear to have passengers, but it wouldn’t take much of a search to reveal them all.
“Words were cried out in the throes of passion,” Vorik murmured, wrapping an arm around her.
“We may have to retrieve Teyla.” Syla snuggled into his warmth. Fel and Tibby had also lowered themselves below the sides of the wagon. “I wouldn’tthinkshe would be in danger from her father—Relvin may be more doubtful—but I’m not as positive as I’d like to be. Even if she’s safe, as I was saying to Vonla earlier, it would be a good idea to speak with her. Teyla was probably in the capital when Fograth made his move and will know as much or more than the healers and prostitutes I sent Vonla to visit.”
“How far is her estate from here?” Vorik asked.
Syla pictured a map of the island in her head. “About ten miles. Maybe twelve.”
“A short flight by dragon. Maybe you could have Wreylith take you over there while your aunt works.”
“I like that idea, especially if you’ll come with me.” Syla realized she’d been burbling her thoughts and plans to him asif he’d been her confidant for years. Maybe it was that she’dneededa confidant like him, if not for years, then since this had all started, since her life had been uprooted and so many of her family and friends had been slain. She still wrestled with knowing he’d been part of the initial invasion, but… that didn’t change her feelings for him. And that he was easy to talk to.
“Wreylith does adore having me on her back,” Vorik said, “but she may be unwilling to carrythree, should you succeed in retrieving your cousin.”
“True, but I would only need to unlock Teyla’s door, not fly her away by dragon. If she’s on her own property, she can grab a horse if she needs to flee.”
“A horse is far inferior to a dragon.”
“I don’t disagree with that, but I seem to recall that her father races some of his. They’re from good stock.”
“Dragons occasionally eat horses.”
“Are you telling me that to emphasize their superiority? Or as a warning that Wreylith might eat one of my uncle’s thoroughbreds?”
“If he locked up your cousin, he may deserve having his horses eaten.”
“Thehorseswouldn’t deserve that,” Syla said. “Remind me to instruct Wreylith on which livestock are and are not raised for eating.”
The wagon was slowing, and Vorik didn’t answer. A call of, “Halt!” promised the guards were on duty.
Syla shifted lower among the potato sacks. Vorik extricated his arm so that he could wrap a hand around the hilt of his sword. She gripped his wrist, not wanting him to attack the town guards unless they had no choice.
“I’m protecting you from anyone withrounding upin mind,” Vorik murmured.
“Your potato deliveries are getting later and later, Jibbs,” a guard who’d come out said, and Syla didn’t answer.
“Days are starting to get shorter. I’m just hoping we can get the cargo shipped before things start to spoil. You know how uppity Island Lord Absok gets about potatoes with eyes.”
“His people just turn them into vodka anyway.” The guard lowered his voice. “The enforcer agents are in town. If that’s why you came in late, you’re wise. Take Dog Butte Drive. They’ve got the Baker Fountain intersection staked out regularly, and someone came by earlier, specifically asking about you.”
“Thanks, Doffmor. I’ll leave a sack of potatoes with your wife.”
“See if you can arrange some vodka to come our way too.”
The wagon trundled into motion, and Syla let out a sigh when nobody leaned over the side to peer in.
