Chapter 15 #3
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 were clouds. 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 I look good crumpled on the lava rock after being struck by lightning.
I concur.
“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 me one man to protect me on an island possessed by dragons and lightning-hurling clouds?”
“Wreylith is checking on the dragons. Hopefully, they’re all gone.”
“The clouds aren’t. What if that lightning strike had hit you instead 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 her two horn-hog farms. And a sheep ranch.”
“I suppose if the dragon comes with us…” Tibby murmured. “We do need 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.”
“Teal ore was one of the ingredients. I was there for the quest. I know.”
Tibby sighed and looked at Syla. Earlier, she had said 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 Vorik hadn’t blabbed 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 have lots of cannonballs.”
“Which have proven so very effective against dragons,” Tibby murmured.
“They ought to fare even better against clouds,” 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 any of 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.”
“She is our queen, and I’m sworn to be her bodyguard.”
“I’m not sworn to be her anything,” Tibby said. “I was there when the maid sprinkled baby powder on her butt.”
Syla slumped and looked around, hoping nobody had heard that comment. But both Captain Vonla and Teyla were nearby.
“You’re doing fine, Syla,” Teyla made a circle in the air with her thumb and fingers, the moon-shining-bright gesture. It was encouraging until Teyla smirked and added, “And your butt must be fine too after such assiduous care during your formative years.”
“You’re a dreadful cousin.” Syla looked warily at Vonla, though she didn’t think the captain had known her long enough that she would tease her.
“You are doing fine, Your Majesty.” Vonla nodded firmly at her. “You drove off dragons and survived an evil lightning bolt. All in the same hour.”
“Let’s hope we can survive whatever happens next.”