Maybe activating the shielder willdo something to help,Syla said hopefully, though she was more worried about Tibby and Fel at the moment.
When she started toward Wreylith’s perch, Teyla lifted a hand. “Where are you going?”
Captain Vonla stepped into Syla’s path. Though she didn’t ask it aloud, Vonla had the same question in her eyes.
“To join Fel and Tibby and make sure they can finish setting up the shielder. Itmayhelp with that problem.” Syla waved toward the clouds, though she had nothing but hope at this point, no evidence to support the idea.
“You can’t go alone, Your Majesty,” Vonla said. “Wejustsaw how dangerous it is over there.”
“She’s crazy towantto go over there,” a nearby crewman whispered, making the moon gesture over his chest.
“Orbrave,” another whispered.
“A dragon can carry two, right?” Teyla asked. “I’ll grab my sword and go with you, Syla.”
“Iam better trained to protect her,” Vonla said.
“But I’ve read a lot of books on the gods and learned from historical accountings and messages left in ancient ruins of past civilizations. I’m the logical choice.” Teyla jogged to the door leading belowdecks. “I’ll be right back.”
“Your Majesty,” Vonla said. “Take me. I’ll protect you. Your bodyguard may be injured.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.”
Vonla gazed expectantly at her.
Syla hesitated, not wanting to delay but also torn between whom to take. “I think… you’re a wonderful officer, Vonla, and I appreciate your support, but whatever I need over there, I doubt swords and fighting will be involved. Teyla’s knowledge may be helpful. And here…” She remembered her confrontation with Ravoran that so many had witnessed. She also remembered that many of the ships that had accompanied her fleet had only decided to join her a few hours earlier. “Someone might decide to cause trouble while I’m gone—or decide I should belefthere so they can go support Fograth. Will you stay here and help Major Hixun make sure there’s not anarchy while I’m gone?”
Judging by the set of her jaw, which reminded Syla of the way Fel so often mulishly sethisjaw, Vonla didn’t want to stayandhelpHixun. She wanted to make sure Syla survived the approaching night.
“I’ll have Celena bring you cookies as a reward,” Syla added.
Vonla snorted. “I don’t wantcookies, Your Majesty. I want you to survive and retake the throne so that assholes aren’t in charge of the Kingdom.”
“I want that too. I plan to survive.”
Teyla returned with her sword and a pack stuffed with books. She’d also grabbed Syla’s medical kit. After tossing everything up, Teyla climbed onto the wheelhouse, already certain she was going along.
“Very well, Your Majesty.” Vonla sighed.
“They’re really good cookies.” Syla lifted a hand in thanks and also climbed onto the wheelhouse.
“I didn’t disagree with that,” Vonla called after her.
As soon as Syla and Teyla maneuvered onto Wreylith’s back, the dragon took off, flying into the rain and wind. Lightning flashed within the dark clouds.
“Are we going to survive this?” Syla murmured.
“We’d better,” Teyla said. “I’d like more cookies too.”
17
Cold rain fell,and wind gusted across the slope of the volcano. Full darkness smothered the island when they landed, but Syla could make out the clouds roiling above, and every time lightning flashed, it brightened the terrain enough to see in detail. Even though Syla had previously visited the tunnel that led back to the shielder chamber, the landscape had changed drastically. It had probablyjustchanged during that extended lightning strike.
Nearby, a chasm had opened, stretching from the rim of the volcano to the cliffs overlooking the sea two miles away. Upheaval in the ground had thrust up piles of rock in some places while, elsewhere, sinkholes cratered the earth, making walking treacherous. It took Syla a long moment—and numerous lightning flashes—before she was certain where the tunnel entrance was. No, where it hadbeen.
Her gut clenched, and she tightened her grip on her medical kit. The entrance had collapsed. If it had collapsed all the way back, was there any hope that Fel and Tibby had survived?
“Yes,” she told herself. “As long as they were in the shielder chamber, that would have been protected.”
