A dragon’s scales are as magical as she is,Wreylith said, commenting on her grooming for the first time.You should behonored that I’m tending myself in your presence. Usually, a dragon only risks shedding old scales deep in the wilderness where potential enemies aren’t likely to stumble upon them. They can be used to create krendala and other magical idols and tools that a dragon may not wish to have made from a portion of her essence.
I’m always honored when you’re in my presence,Syla replied,especially when you’re helping me thwart enemies.
As you should be. When I finish, you may remove the scales and toss them into the sea or place them in such a place that they cannot be taken and used inappropriately. It is a sign of my trust that I will allow this.
Oh, thank you.
“You’ve got a strange look on your face,” Teyla said.
“Wreylith is letting me know I’ll be honored to pick up her scales. She’s apparently shedding them, not molting them. In case you were wondering about the appropriate term.”
“That makes sense. Dragons are more like lizards than chickens.”
Dragons are likeneitherlowly creature.Wreylith flicked her tail, and a scale flew over the railing. A crewman gaped as it disappeared into the waves.
“Of course,” Teyla said. “My apologies, mighty dragon.”
“She’s been a little temperamental of late,” Syla whispered, the wordmoodyfloating through her mind again. “But what did you want to talk about? More than that there’s gossip, I’m sure.”
“I do actually want to talk about the gossip, the content of it specifically.” Teyla raised frank eyebrows. “There are people wondering if you ordered Lord Ravoran killed.”
“Oh.”
“If his head had been snapped off by a dragon, they would besureyou’d done it, but the throat-slitting has left the event open to debate.”
“Why would I have ordered him killed?” Syla felt defensive, but she remembered that many people had seen Ravoran yelling at her and threatening to throw his power behind Fograth. “Never mind. I can guess.”
Teyla nodded. “He essentially declared himself your enemy in front of witnesses.”
“But I’m a healer, Teyla. I don’t order peoplekilled. Even enemies.”
“I know that, but others aren’t as familiar with your personality and what you might and might not do.”
“You would think they would assume thatanyonewho’s a healer would have a non-murder-ordering personality.” Syla noticed her fists had clenched, and she loosened them, but it was hard to make her frustration go away. It came both from moral grounds and because she worried there would be personal and political ramifications. If her enemies succeeded in convincing others that she had murdered someone who’d gotten in the way, they could claim she ought to be thrown in a dungeon or executed, not returned to the throne.
“I have to apologize because I may have made matters worse,” Teyla said.
“You? How?”
“I’ve spoken to Captain Vonla and Major Hixun and a few others about my father’s death and how it’s upsetting and I don’t know who was responsible. Hixun asked how he’d been killed, and I said what you told me, that his throat was slit. This wasbeforeRavoran’s death. I had no idea another person would be killed in a similar manner and that someone might link the two murders.”
“I don’t see how therecanbe a link between the two,” Syla said, even though the same thought had crossed her mind.
Teyla raised her eyebrows. “They were both supporters of the other side. Your opponents, essentially.”
“So, naturally, I killed them.”
“People don’t thinkthat. Just that you had them killed.”
“That’s so much better.”
Teyla spread her palm toward the sky. “I wanted you to know in case someone in power hears the rumors and tries to cast… aspersions.”
“All right. Thank you for letting me know.”
Teyla gazed toward the city as their ship drew closer to the docks, crewmen readying ropes. “I admit I’m a little concerned for Relvin, that he might be targeted too.”
Syla opened her mouth, but she didn’t know what to say. Since she had no idea who’d killed the others, and if there truly could be a link with them being her opponents, she couldn’t assure Teyla that her brother would be fine.
