“Where’s she going?” Fel asked as Wreylith flew inland.
“To scout. When she returns, if she confirms that the dragons have all left, I want you to take Aunt Tibby to the shielder chamber and watch over her while she mounts and activates it.”
Syla braced herself for Fel to object to the idea of leaving her side to guard Tibby instead, but her aunt was the one to protest.
“You’re only giving meoneman to protect me on an island possessed by dragons and lightning-hurling clouds?”
“Wreylith is checking on the dragons. Hopefully, they’re all gone.”
“Thecloudsaren’t. What if that lightning strike had hityouinstead of the weapons platform?”
“Then I wouldn’t be here arguing with you. I’m going to send the two of you with Wreylith, assuming I can convince her to carry you and the shielder. It’s only a couple of miles to that chamber, but… I may have to promise hertwohorn-hog farms. And a sheep ranch.”
“I suppose if the dragon comes with us…” Tibby murmured. “Wedoneed to mount the shielder, and I’m the logical choice for that.”
“Yes. And Wreylith will protect you.”
“I was thinking more that she’s so large that she would be the most likely of us to be struck.”
“You’re going to be the one fiddling with that giant lightning rod of a sphere,” Fel said.
“It’s mostly glass, and glass doesn’t conduct electricity.”
“Tealorewas one of the ingredients. I was there for the quest. I know.”
Tibby sighed and looked at Syla. Earlier, shehadsaid she’d fused some of the metal into the glass. But maybe she wouldn’t admit Fel had a point.
“Have the dragon drop us off right next to the tunnel to the chamber so we can get underground right away,” she said.
“I will.” Syla had been thinking the same. Even burdened, Wreylith could fly them across such a short distance quickly. Hopefully, that would be enough.
Syla was tempted to send troops inland, too, to protect Fel and Tibby, but, assuming Vorikhadn’tblabbed the shielder chamber’s location to his superiors, not many people ought to know it. Maybe the artifact would be safe there for a time. The fewer people who knew its location, the more likely that was.
“I don’t have the tools from the chamber under the castle,” Tibby said, “so it may take some time to set it up.”
“Fel, grab a flare from the ship’s stores,” Syla said. “If you need help, let us know. In the meantime, if any dragons come…” She waved to the weapons platform. “I’ll do my best to take care of them.”
“How much energy is left in the reservoir?” Tibby asked.
“Enough,” Syla said firmly, even if she didn’t know if it would be. “And we havelotsof cannonballs.”
“Which have proven so very effective against dragons,” Tibby murmured.
“They ought to fare even better againstclouds,” Fel said.
“You two are my most obstinate and least optimistic troops.”
“I’m an engineer. We’re rational, not optimistic.” Tibby looked at Fel.
“I’ve been a soldier or a bodyguard for forty years,” he said. “Trust me. I’ve learned not to be optimistic too.”
“You two will get this done. I have faith.” Syla smiled and gripped their shoulders. “This is all we need to win this war for the Kingdom. Once the dragons no longer have access to anyof our islands, there’ll be nothing for them out here. And the stormers won’t continue to harry us if their powerful allies can’t help. More, after sending them all flying away, taking back the throne will be a simple matter. Even if it’s not… we’ll have saved the Kingdom from more carnage and destruction.”
“She’s young and naive,” Tibby said as she and Fel walked off, unimpressed by her little speech.
“Very young and naive,” he agreed.
“And yet we’re following her lead.”
