“Your honor and your duty will compel you to,” she added.
“It’s interesting how well you’ve come to know me.”
“You’ve come to know me well too.”
“We’re in… almost the same situation. Except that you’resupposedto rule your people. I’m supposed to ride a dragon, hunt, and follow orders like an obedient soldier.”
“Those are the things you’re comfortable doing, not necessarily that you were meant to do.”
“Meant to do?” Vorik took a bite from the apple and cocked his head. “Like by the gods?”
“I feel them guiding me from time to time.”
“Yes, but you’re special. I’m…” He took another bite, and apple juice dribbled down his chin to land on his pectoral, following its curve before he wiped it clean.
“Sexy and desirable?”
“Well, of course, but the legends don’t mention thegodscaring much for such things.”
“You’ll do what’s best for your people, regardless of how the gods feel about it, and I… I feel compelled to try to do the best for mine. And also to bop Relvin in the nose and knee Fograth in the groin. I barely know him, but he took my throne, had Teyla imprisoned, and is hunting down my moon-marked relatives.”
“His groin deserves the attention of your knee.”
“No doubt.”
“The gods will approve.”
“Ithink so.” Syla took a piece of salami and sat on the edge of the bed with Vorik, her shoulder leaning against his. “I think they’d approve of you becoming chief too.”
“Jhiton and I wondered if… Well, there have been signs to suggest that you reallyareblessed, if not being actively helped,by the gods. It’s crossed my mind that they might not be pleased with our people for attacking yours.”
“Since the gods made the shielders to protect humanity, if they still monitor our lowly world, they might be displeased about someone destroying their artifacts.”
“That makes sense. Maybe they’d like it if we could all figure out a way to live in peace and enjoy the protection of the shields.”
“History tells us that was their original intent,” Syla said. “Before some rebellious sorts got squirrelly and left.”
“Therebellious sortscraved freedom from an oppressive regime and departed to find it. Or were exiled because they failed to obey laws.”
Syla bit into one of the crisp, tart apples. “Should I succeed in my goals, I want the regime tonotbe oppressive.”
“If the current lord remains in charge, oppression seems guaranteed. Especially if he’s hunting down hisownpeople.” Vorik rested his hand on hers, his thumb brushing her moon-mark.
“That’s why I plan to get rid of him and take charge again.”
“Via the knee-groin method?”
“Absolutely. Do you doubt that I can succeed?” Syla asked it lightly, in the same joking tone as the rest of the conversation, but when she met Vorik’s eyes, she realized it was a serious question. She wanted, maybe even needed, him to say he believed in her.
“Not in the least,” he said without hesitation.
“Thank you, Vorik.”
The fisher humans have laid out an entire buffet of stormy-sea-turtle eggs for me! Delicious! Oh, one is bringing up fresh sturgeon too. And fast-fanged shark. Their flesh has an appealing pungent tang to it. It’s one of my favorite foods.
You’re not scaring them into flinging their entire week’s catch at you, are you?Syla asked.
I merely arrived and perched on their wheelhouse while informing them on the appropriateness of making offerings to dragons.
