Not every ship joined them, but none of them fired upon theFanged Whale. Of course, that might have had more to do with Wreylith’s presence than Syla’s words, but seeing the dragon hadn’t kept the earlier ships from blasting cannons in their direction. Syla had a feeling it was more that she was gathering forces as she went, her little fleet swelling from the original few vessels to more than twenty by the time she sailed around the western end of the island and turned south.
Aware that dragons likely remained on Harvest Island and might be flying about between the landmasses as well, the fleetcontinued to hug the coastline of Castle Island until they were in a direct line with their destination. Only then did they venture into unprotected waters.
Doubting they would pass more Kingdom ships after they left the shield, Syla hopped down from the wheelhouse and returned the megaphone to Hixun.
“I don’t know what the history books will say about these events in the end,” the major said, “but nobody will accuse you of lacking verve.”
“You don’t think so? All those books ever said about Queen Erasbella was that she was respected, well-liked, and excellent at needlepoint.” Having readThe Secret Life of Queen Erasbella, Syla knew her ancestor had been good withallpointed objects, especially swords. Sometimes, she wondered if even that hidden text had given her the entire truth.
Hixun blinked. “Is that not correct?”
“Her life was a little more storied thanmostbooks suggest. It seems that historians write down what the influential of the time approve of rather than the complete truth.”
“Huh.”
“Truth is open to interpretation,” Aunt Tibby said, walking up with Fel.
“An undeniable truth,” Fel said, “is that it’s difficult to be a bodyguard for someone who leaps on and off the back of a dragon that’s prone to fly off at any moment.”
“You’re a good and noble man for trying to do so anyway,” Syla told him.
“You wouldn’t think so,” Tibby said, “if you’d been the one left standing next to him and listening to his curses. Syla, we need a plan for when we arrive.”
“Beyond driving off the dragons? And dealing with that, uhm, weather?” Syla pointed toward Harvest Island, now dead-ahead as theFanged Whalesailed through choppy waterstoward it. In most directions, the sky was clear, but ominous clouds loomed over the island, dark gray with a strange green tint. The clouds hung so low over the volcano that its top was lost in their mist. A branch of lightning flashed as she watched, and Syla jumped. “Is that… natural?”
“No,” Fel said. “But it was like that yesterday too. I think the dragons cursed the island or something.”
“Wonderful.” Syla couldn’t see any of their winged adversaries in the sky ahead but had no doubt that some lingered in the area. Before her Freeborn Faction allies had left, they’d reported that the stormer-allied dragons had driven them away from the harbor, leaving the island once again undefended. When lightning flashed again near the volcano, Syla sighed. “I think you’re right. That weather has to be due to a magical influence.”
“Anevilmagical influence,” Fel said.
“These ships and the weapons platform are for dealing with the dragons, I assume.” Tibby didn’t look that concerned by the prospect of evil magic, but maybe it was because she had other concerns on her mind. She pointed to the large canvas-wrapped sphere, now strapped down on the deck next to the weapons platform. “After that’s done, we’ll have to get the shielder onto land and to a safe place where I can set it up.” Tibby lifted her gaze toward Wreylith. “Your dragon didn’t have an easy time carrying it out of town.”
“No, and that reminds me. Did you by chance bring my medical kit?”
“We brought all your gear.” Tibby waved to where Teyla was chatting with Captain Vonla by the railing, bags and packs on the deck between them. Celena had made it on board with everyone but must have gone belowdecks.
“Thank you,” Syla said. “I need to find a salve for someone.”
Tibby arched her eyebrows. “Does that mean thatsomeonewon’t carry the shielder again?”
“She might, but it looked every bit as heavy as I remembered from pushing the other one.”
“That’s because of its sizable outer core. It’s comprised of thick glass woven with magical strands made from the teal ore. That’s what gives it its durability.” Tibby wiggled her fingers to suggest she’d done the magical weaving herself. “We’d better clear the way of dragons and know exactly where we need to put it before asking your red-scaled ally to tote it again.”
You’d better clear the way, know the location,andplace numerous large and meaningful offerings out for me to dine upon,Wreylith said.It takes a great deal of energy to carry something that large.
Did you provide offerings to the four dragons who flew the weapons platform across the sea to Castle Island?Syla asked.
I did not, but perhaps you should volunteer several delicious meals to them once you establish the horn-hog farm.
I’ll keep that suggestion in mind.
“Syla?” Tibby prompted.
“Yes, I’m discussing the transportation situation with Wreylith. As to where to put it, does it need to go into a permanent location right away, or can we activate it as soon as it’s on land?” Again, Syla remembered awkwardly rolling the other shielder across the lava-rock landscape while dragons flew overhead. Last time, those dragons had been distracted by a desire to hunt. This time… they would attack if the weapons platform couldn’t drive them back sufficiently. And who would man that? Syla would have to send Tibby to place the shielder, so that meant she would have to stay behind and do it.
“You remember the mount, right? The magical silver framework that the shielder rests in?” Tibby drew branches in the air spreading downward and upward.
