“Sail close to shore, Major Hixun. We need to send a team to plant the shielder.” Syla extended her hand toward Tibby. As theonly person who knew anything about its workings, and who’d been the one to remove the other one, she was the logical choice to head that team.
Tibby didn’t deny that, but she grimaced and asked, “Are you coming?”
“I’d better stay here in case the dragons come back. Assuming…” Syla eyed the weapons platform. “Let me make sure it’s still operable.”
Another rumble came from the clouds around the volcano. They seemed to writhe with malevolence and even anger.
“I don’t think you should stand on that again,” Tibby said.
“Not if it’s attracting lightning strikes,” Fel said.
“It… shouldn’t. Marble doesn’t conduct electricity, right?”
“No, but there’s more to it than marble,” Tibby said. “It’s full of magical energy.”
“Which does conduct electricity?” Fel asked.
Tibby spread her arms.
“I don’t think that was a chance lightning bolt.” Syla summoned her strength and rolled to her side, wanting to rise to her feet and check the weapons platform.
“You think somethingdirectedit?” Tibby asked with skepticism.
“I do.” Syla swayed, the black dots sweeping back into her vision, and was glad Fel continued to support her.
“Like what?” Tibby asked.
“I don’t know.”
After a moment, Syla grew steadier and didn’t feel like she would pass out. She touched the weapons platform before climbing on, half expecting it to spit electricity at her. The smooth marble was cool, the same as it always was. At first, she didn’t sense the power within it that she usually did, and her gut twisted with concern, but then she grew aware of it, almost asif it had gone dormant and was waking from hibernation. Or… unconsciousness? Haditbeen knocked senseless too?
“I know the feeling,” Syla muttered and climbed onto the platform.
When she rested her palms against the marks on the posts, an image of the tank reservoir formed in her mind. She winced, certain it would be empty, but it wasn’t quite. The reservoir held less energy than before, but she’d also fired several shots. She didn’t think the lightning had depleted it further. Unfortunately, she also didn’t know if there was enough energy left to shoot more than a projectile or two. If the dragons returned…
“We’ll be in trouble,” she muttered.
“What is it?” Tibby asked.
She and Fel were sticking close.
“I don’t know if there’s enough magical energy left to fire more projectiles.” Syla lowered her hands and searched the sky for dragons. She didn’t see any, but there could be some lurking inland. The ships had sailed close enough to the towering black cliffs along the north side of the island that they blocked the view in that direction.
Wreylith?Syla asked.Do you sense any dragons remaining in the area?
I do not.
Will you take a quick flight around the island and check? I need to send Tibby in with the shielder, but I don’t want her to walk into a trap.
A shadow blotted out the sun. No, those wereclouds. The fleet had sailed under the influence of the mass of them covering the island, and a cold wind whispered across Syla’s cheeks.
I will, yes. I do not like those clouds though. They reek of magic and malevolence.
Considering one knocked me on my ass, I agree. Be careful. Your wings wouldn’t look good charred black.
Nor would Ilook goodcrumpled on the lava rock after being struck by lightning.
I concur.
