Chapter 5
Rain fell as the warship Stormslicer sailed out of Sky Torn Harbor, accompanied by eight more warships and loaded with the weapons platform. The marble structure was strapped down so that it wouldn’t slide across the deck.
It was three hours past dawn, but Syla didn’t complain about the late start.
The ships had needed to be loaded with weapons, supplies, and dozens and dozens of uniformed men to crew the cannons and harpoon launchers.
It must have taken a great feat of organization to get everything together so quickly. But would it be enough?
Before the stormer invasion had delivered so much destruction, Castle Island could have sent thirty warships on a mission.
Syla worried this wouldn’t be enough firepower, not to battle dragons.
She was counting on the weapons platform to tilt the odds in their favor, but since it had a limited range, she had doubts.
She had also ordered small fast-sailing ships to head to Bogberry, Frost, Orchard, and Vineyard Islands to request the governing lords send ships to help.
Fortunately, Wreylith was in the area, and whenever she flew past, her presence bolstered Syla. She would be an invaluable ally during this endeavor.
In a cabin that had hastily been converted to suitable royal quarters, Fel waited for Syla to instruct soldiers on where to put the trunks she’d brought along.
They mostly carried medical supplies, but, not knowing how long this would take, she’d packed several changes of clothing and a few books too.
“You shouldn’t have brought her along,” Fel said as they returned to the open deck. He glowered at Aunt Tibby sitting on the weapons platform as if it were a park bench. Protected from the rain by the marble canopy, a book lay open in her lap, and others nestled in a pack next to her.
Cloak wrapped around her shoulders, Syla stopped near the structure, and a man in a blue uniform with gold piping nodded at her.
He was one of six Royal Protectors that were also following her about the ship.
The castle steward had sent them along as further protection beyond Fel’s mace.
She recognized him as someone who’d held the position for many years and had often been in her mother’s wake.
Hopefully, he was content transferring his loyalty to her.
The Royal Protectors also seemed to be keeping an eye on Tibby.
Syla hadn’t asked for that, but she appreciated it.
“Tibby is still studying the weapons platform and trying to figure out how someone besides me can activate it and launch the projectiles. In case…” Syla tilted her palm toward the cloudy sky, not wanting to bring up the possibility that she could die, either in combat or because an assassin got to her. “In case.”
Fel grumbled under his breath.
Syla looked toward the capital before it disappeared from view, to a few red-tile-roofed temples around the city, those that hadn’t been destroyed during the invasion.
That morning, in addition to sending messages to a few healer colleagues, asking them to keep an eye—and an ear—out for her, she’d sent bags of coins from the castle coffers.
As she’d shared in letters to the temple leaders, the money was to pay for the healing of anyone who came in wounded or injured and would struggle to pay.
Syla genuinely wanted to help her people, but she also wanted to give them a reason to think kindly of her.
Thus far, the general populace hadn’t opposed her coronation—they’d even cheered for it when she’d arrived riding Wreylith’s back—but she wanted to make sure she had their support while she figured out how to gain the regard of the military and the various minor lords and ladies with land and influential positions around Castle and other islands.
At some point, she would have to visit each of the island lords and assure them she would be a reasonable and capable ruler that they should support.
But first… Harvest Island. Surely, kicking out the stormers was the most significant thing she could accomplish right now to win the regard of the Kingdom subjects.
“Is that an enemy?” Fel pointed toward the east.
An orange dragon had flown into view, scales gleaming with dampness from the rain. Syla’s first reaction was to grimace, but it—she—lacked a rider and had a distinctly youthful sashay to her flight.
“No,” Fel said, answering his own question. “That’s the little orange one that helped us, isn’t it?”
“Igliana.”
Syla looked toward the wheelhouse where Wreylith now perched, the crew often glancing toward her. They must have heard that the red dragon was associated with their new queen because nobody lifted a weapon.
Wreylith? Syla asked silently. Did you invite Igliana to join us? And help us battle the stormer dragons?
I did not.
So, she’s here because she misses your jovial personality?
Wreylith regarded Syla with her golden eyes, irises slitted like those of a lizard, a faint glow emanating from them. Is my new rider being snarky with me?
If she were, that would be a foolish choice.
Undoubtedly.
Greetings, humans! Igliana’s gleeful voice sounded in Syla’s mind. No, in everyone’s minds, if the dozens of sets of wide eyes that swung in her direction were an indicator.
Wreylith exhaled slowly, a trickle of smoke wafting from one nostril. Was that a dragon sigh?
Greetings, Igliana. For the most part, Syla didn’t yet know what kind of power she might develop as a result of her new bond with Wreylith, but she had learned that she could communicate telepathically not only with her but with other dragons in the area. What brings you for a visit?
The sheep was delicious!
And you want more? Syla recalled that Wreylith had grudgingly parted with one of the herbivores that she’d earned for toting Syla and her allies around on the mainland.
Naturally! But I came to give you a warning.
From the Freeborn Faction?
From Chieftess Atilya, yes. Igliana alighted on a cannon, startling the two-man crew poised to use it when enemies appeared, and they skittered back.
Even though she was a younger and smaller dragon, she dwarfed the weapon—and the men.
Her tail dangled over the side of the ship, skimming the surface of water that was growing more turbulent as they left the sheltered harbor.
She has people and dragons keeping an eye on the stormers, both because they may seek to attack us again and because she desires to assist you.
I appreciate any and all assistance.
You should know that dragon ships and also stormer-aligned dragons are departing the mainland and heading toward your kingdom. I did not see them on my way here, so they may intend to visit—or attack—an island farther south.
I see. Syla had worried Vorik’s people would send reinforcements to Harvest Island, but it wouldn’t surprise her if they meant to attack on another front while the Royal Fleet was occupied there.
Each island had its own defenses but perhaps not enough to drive off so many, especially if…
Do the stormers have a plan to bring down another shielder?
She groaned at the thought. What if Vorik or another handsome rider was being sent to seduce one of the island lords’ moon-marked daughters?
The thought of him playing the same game he’d tried to play on her with another woman made her clench her fists, imagining him kissing one of her distant relatives as he sought to extract information on a shielder location.
I do not have that information, Igliana said. We are only observing their movements from afar. Chieftess Atilya has lost the spies she had placed among the tribes.
Yes, I remember. That’s unfortunate for all.
Syla unclenched her fists, recognizing that her indignation was more at the idea of Vorik spending time with another woman than because of a genuine belief that he had such a plan.
Few of the island lords even knew the locations of their own shielders.
The royal family had always guarded that information closely.
It is. If you wish, I can fly along your chain and see if I can spot the ships and dragons myself.
Would that endanger you?
No, Igliana said at the same time as Wreylith said, Yes.
I am young and fast. Even if they saw me, they would not catch me.
Even a fast dragon might be surprised and surrounded. Wreylith looked toward the sky above the eastern end of Castle Island—the spot where the yellow and blue dragons had waylaid them.
Since they’d gotten away, and Wreylith hadn’t been that threatened, Syla didn’t blame her for the incident. If anything, she’d kept Syla alive with her rapid maneuvers.
I will go with you, Wreylith told Igliana, then swung her big head down to the deck to gaze into Syla’s eyes. Do not attack the island until we return. You will require the assistance of a powerful ally.
Probably true, but Syla intended to attack as soon as she arrived. With luck, she could catch the stormers before they had time to ponder the weapons platform, learn its limits and capabilities, and come up with a plan.
It’ll take us several hours to sail over there. You can probably scout the entire Garden Kingdom island chain in that time and be back.
The glow of Wreylith’s eyes intensified. A dragon cannot be rushed when it comes to scouting. There may be enemies to fly around.
And hunting to do?
Perhaps fishing. But we will not dally.
Thank you. I’m sure I will need the assistance of a powerful ally. Many of them.
Wreylith sprang into the air, and Igliana followed her.
“Where are they going?” Fel asked.
Igliana must not have shared her words after the greeting. Syla summed up the conversation.
“Do you want to delay the attack on Harvest Island?” he asked.
“Not unless or until we know where the rest of the stormer forces are heading. And if they have a way to get through another island’s shield. They may simply seek to pull us away from this mission.”