“Oh, yes.”
Do not worry about special salves for dragons. We are a mighty species and not in need of such things.
I’ll start work on the project as soon as we’re able to settle down.
Good.
Wreylith lifted another boulder but paused and cocked her head. Her eyes flared golden as she tossed it out of the way, then peered to the south, toward the forested lands stretching away from the base of the volcano, the area where the dragons had been hunting eliok. Was she looking even farther away than that? Toward the distant shoreline and the sea beyond the island? In the dark, it was hard to tell. When the lightning wasn’t flashing, her golden eyes were the only illumination.
Two dragons approach,Wreylith said.
Stormer dragons?Syla squinted into the night but couldn’t see anything but darkness.I was hoping we’d scared them all away.
Maybescaredwasn’t the right word. Even though she’d killed three dragons with the weapons platform, they’d seen the lightning strike it, which should have bolstered them. The way they’d taken off made her think they might have been summoned. To plot new attacks on the Kingdom? Syla hoped they’d only been called to that big tribal meeting Vorik had mentioned.
They are wild dragons,Wreylith said. Sisters that I have encountered before. I would not consider them allies.
Does that mean they’re enemies?
In the past, they have been rivals for males that were more attracted to me than to them.
Definitely enemies.
They are flying straight toward us.
I don’t suppose they could be convinced to help you dig.
Wreylith turned her golden eyes toward Syla.Would you assist one who was a rival for your mate’s attention?
I’d like to think I’m mature and gracious and would.
You are not a dragon.
Puny humans,a powerful female voice boomed into Syla’s mind.
“Is that us?” Teyla asked, hearing it too.
Puny humans, we have learned that you seek to replace the odious magical barrier that keeps dragons from hunting on this island, this island where the delicious and sumptuous elioks live. Further, it is a restful spot for a dragon to relax upon during a flight across the Sea of Storms from one great land to another. You shall not take it from us. We will not permit it.
Lightning flashed, slamming down near the top of the volcano. Boulders tumbled down the slope, and Syla grimaced, not reassured by Teyla’s belief that the strikes were random. Even if they were,randomnesscould get them killed as easily as divine intent.
“If the dragons don’t get us first,” she murmured.
I will attempt to deter the sisters.Wreylith sprang into the air.
“How’s she going to detertwodragons when there’s only one of her?” Teyla asked.
“She’s powerful and fearsome,” Syla said.
A branch of lightning streaked down from the clouds, passing just scant yards in front of Wreylith. She shrieked and banked hard. Fortunately, the lightning didn’t hit her and wasn’t like the continuous strike from earlier. Regardless, Wreylith roared her vexed defiance at the clouds.
Syla rocked back, realizing that if Teyla’s hypothesis was correct, and magic could draw the lightning, the earlier extended strike might have been a result of Tibby activating the shielder artifact. Syla couldn’t sense its power now, but maybe Tibby had deactivated it when they’d been buried under rocks? Or…
Syla bent over and gripped her knees. What if the lightning had managed to destroy the shielder? And if Fel and Tibby had been nearby, it could have gotten them too…
No, Syla reminded herself. Wreylith had sensed that Tibby lived.
Roars and shrieks came from the trees to the south. Syla straightened, reminded of the immediate threat.
