“Even though. But I do have a hint of a doubt. I wish I didn’t.” Syla let herself lean fully against him, but she also took a resolute breath and said, “All right. Here’s what I’m thinking in regard to your people. As I told you—and your chiefs—there’s no way I can give up one of our islands. Further, I’m going to be blunt and say I don’t think they’re in a position to assume they cantakeany of them at this point. You’ve lost your general, a lot of dragons, a lot of riders, and between the shielder and the weapons platform, we’re on the verge of reclaiming Harvest Island.”
She looked at his face. To see if he would argue against her?
“I do believe we’re in a less strong position than we were the first time our chiefs visited you and were confident.”
“They were confident, condescending, andscheming.”
“Yes, such activities are recommended in war. Should my people be willing to admit that they’ve lost some of their advantages… what would you propose? We endure hard lives. We don’t give up easily.”
“If food and respite from the climate and all the storm god’s minions is truly what you want, then you don’t need to take over the entire Kingdom, right?”
“That’s right. Jhiton wanted it all because he’s… Well, he liked a challenge. But he agreed that if we could get perhaps your three northernmost islands and claim them… that would change the course of history for our people. It would be enough to keep our children from starving.”
“Well, like I said, I’m not giving up any islands, but what if the Kingdom agreed to allow stormers to create camps or even towns, if you wanted something permanent, within Kingdom borders? Within the protection of the shields, more specifically. Perhaps on some of the less populated but still fertile islands, we could find places where you could have independence and continue to live and rule by your laws. You would, of course, have to agree not to break anyKingdomlaws if you traveled out of whatever borders we established for you, but I understand that your people have no interest in being under the rule of mine and that was one of the reasons so many left.”
“Are there such places where the land isn’t already claimed and used by Kingdom subjects?”
“There’s land on all the islands that is owned by the crown.”
“Hospitable lands that one could farm, forage, and hunt on?”
“If we don’t allow dragons in, there might be enough land for hunting, but… we raise livestock for a reason. There are some wild animals, yes, but I think if you wanted to live here, your people would have to do some animal husbandry. You’d still have your dragon allies, presumably, and they could take you to the mainlands to hunt.”
“I… actually don’t know if wewouldstill have our dragon allies. All along, they’ve been willing to work with us because we always told them… Well, gaining access to the protected Kingdom islands has long been a goal of our people. If we said hello to your proposition, we might be saying goodbye to our dragon allies and a huge part of our culture.” Vorik didn’t release Syla, but he looked grimly out at the land, the cloudy sky growing darker with the approach of twilight. Even though this was a far better offer than any ruler of the Garden Kingdom had ever made to his people, Vorik felt bleak at the thought of losing so much of what it meant to be a stormer. Without Agrevlari’s bond, his magical power would dwindle to nothing. That would be true for all of the bonded dragon riders. And beyond that admittedly selfish interest, Vorik would miss Agrevlari terribly. He would missallof the dragons, even the crusty ones like Ozlemar. Well, maybe not Ozlemar.
“The Freeborn Faction riders aren’t after our islands, and their dragons have stuck with them,” Syla pointed out.
“Someof them have. Some have left.”
“But not all left. In my brief time with a dragon, I’ve learned that what they say they want and will endure doesn’t always match up with what theydo.It’s possible Agrevlari likes you for you.”
“I do sing to him and give him smoked salmon. Though I haven’t done that for a while. I’d better see if I can find some delicacies from Castle Island to take back to him.”
“I’ll help you look in the farmhouse stores, though I’m afraid this isn’t the place to find sturgeon caviar.” Syla shifted in his arms to face Vorik more fully and rested a hand on his chest. “I wouldn’t expectallof your people to agree to live in camps on our islands. What if we just made it an option? Of course, I would want there to be a formal treaty so that we didn’t allow some of your people in and leave others out to schemeand plan another invasion that the next generation would have to deal with.” She winced. “Am I naive to consider this at all? When nobody in history has suggested it before? You don’t seem enthused by the idea. Will your people reject it?”
“I thinksomeof themwould be interested. And the Freeborn Faction would love a spot under a shield. I could foresee problems though. Our cultures have deviated a lot over the generations.”
“You’ve allowed yourself to be infected with dragonness.”
“Says the person wearing a bright new red tattoo on one hand.”
“I accepted Wreylith’s bond for the good of my people.”
“Oh, I have no doubt. Did she warn you about the clothing incineration during the ceremony and that it’s wise to disrobe beforehand?”
“She didn’t warn me, no. Fortunately, that dress was already damaged from the road—the gargoyle-littered road.”
Vorik brushed hair back from her face, feeling warmth for her. For her humor and also her willingness to try to find a solution that would benefit his people. “You’re not naive, I don’t believe, but you’re more gentle and accommodating than those who’ve ruled before you. I would say it’s possiblethatsomeone—or a group of people—would try to take advantage of that, but Wreylith is neither gentle nor accommodating, so I think anyone who challenges you would run up against that. And you… you certainly have the wherewithal and determination to act for the good of your people if necessary.” He winced as he remembered the mess at the mine.
“It was only my idea to use the water to cut off access to the shielder,” she said, as if she could read his thoughts. With the event so recent, maybe it was obvious what he was wincing about. “Lord Oyenar was the one who wanted to drown every stormer who would walk into that trap.”
Vorik winced again.
“Sorry, that was blunt. I know you lost friends and your brother, but the stormers have taken so much from me that I couldn’t bring myself to detest Oyenar for desiring that outcome. After Lesva destroyed part of his city and kidnapped his wife, he probably felt justified.”
“War is difficult. We all make choices that we wouldn’t otherwise. If I get an opportunity, I will mention to the tribal leaders that you might be open to allowing stormer camps on some of the islands. Assuming they can offer something in exchange. You’d wantthat,wouldn’t you?”
She started to shake her head, but he held up a finger.
