Chapter 21 #2
As Syla knelt again, cutting away Fria’s torn trousers to examine deep bites along her leg, Jhiton left the meeting. He picked his way past their resting kin and gestured for Vorik to step back a few paces from Syla. For a private word? They had telepathy for that.
Vorik almost objected to leaving Syla’s side, but nobody had threatened her, and she would probably prefer not to have Jhiton looming over her while she worked.
She hadn’t even given any indication that she appreciated having Vorik close.
If she remembered the answers she’d given under the influence of the drug—and he had a feeling she had—she might not want to speak with him again. Ever.
As soon as we’ve rested and recovered, Chieftess Shi wants us to return to Bogberry Island, Jhiton said telepathically.
I’ll bet. Vorik couldn’t help but feel sour.
Syla was here, helping their people, and the stormer leaders were still plotting to overthrow hers. Couldn’t they take a break from their war?
As if Jhiton could guess Vorik’s thoughts, he said, We need to strike before the Kingdom queen returns to tell them that we know the shielder’s location.
Returns? Vorik arched his eyebrows. Are you planning to let our prisoner go?
In the morning, we’ll question her again and learn the locations of the other shielders.
Syla wouldn’t like that, but did Jhiton intend to take her home after that? Or have Vorik do it?
That didn’t make a lot of sense since they needed someone with a moon-mark to open the shielder chambers. Syla would be the logical choice.
And then? Vorik asked.
Chieftess Shi agrees that it wouldn’t be right to kill her after this. Jhiton extended a hand toward Syla, who’d settled between one of the fires and Fria, eyes closed as she rested a hand on the woman’s leg.
Vorik could sense her drawing upon her power.
Shi wants her kept here while we get at least one more shielder, Jhiton added, but has agreed to return her alive.
When?
Eventually.
Like after we’ve taken over most of the islands?
Shi wants it to be after we’ve taken all of their islands, Jhiton said dryly, looking toward the chieftess’s camp.
That might not be wise. The Freeborn dragons are out looking for Syla. I assume Ozlemar has kept you apprised.
He has. He’s not concerned about them. They may have agreed to be allies of the Kingdom, but they’re not going to risk their lives to get Syla. Wreylith might, but these dragons don’t have a bond with her.
Vorik thought about Igliana, believing she might be an exception, but didn’t point that out to Jhiton.
Fria sighed softly. In relief?
Syla continued to draw upon her power, but her eyes had opened partway, and she was gazing at the fire—no, at a giant shell of soup meant to feed everyone in the cave.
Maybe she sensed Vorik’s attention because her gaze shifted briefly to him, then toward the ceiling, as if she were concentrating and not looking at anything in particular.
That was probably true, but as his brother spoke about plans to get the shielder, Vorik’s instincts told him Syla was contemplating something.
He turned slightly, as if Jhiton had his full attention, but he kept Syla in his peripheral vision.
Do you want to be involved? Jhiton asked, forcing Vorik to focus on him in truth. In getting the shielder?
If you think I can be of value, take me.
She would have to stay here, of course. Jhiton tilted his head toward Syla without looking at her.
You don’t think she wants to come along to help us steal her people’s precious artifact, huh?
She would be a hindrance if she were on the island.
She and Wreylith would kick our asses.
Jhiton snorted.
Our dragons won’t be able to help us until after it’s destroyed, Vorik reminded him.
Syla’s eyes were open again. She slipped her hand into a pocket and pulled out… What was that? A sack? Something wrapped in cloth? While keeping one hand on her patient, still healing her, Syla worked it open. The sack held some kind of powder.
I’m aware, Jhiton said. I won’t argue that Wreylith is a formidable opponent, but as long as we can use the moon-marked Lady Abrya, we don’t need to take Syla.
Syla is becoming a formidable opponent too, Vorik pointed out before the rest of his brother’s words sank in. Was he implying that Lesva had succeeded in kidnapping Lady Abrya?
Syla looked over at Vorik and Jhiton. She must not have thought they could see her from their positions because, after peeking surreptitiously around the rest of the cave, she scooted closer to the soup.
Vorik froze, not looking directly at her, but watching nonetheless. Were the contents of the sack poisonous? No, Syla wouldn’t poison the people she was healing. Vorik didn’t believe that. She might poison Jhiton if she got the chance but not innocent people.
She has power, Jhiton agreed.
You barely kept her from squeezing your heart into pieces.
Vorik debated what to do as Syla sat by the fire with the sack of powder in her lap.
Was she going to put it in the soup? That had to be it.
What would it do? Make those who ate it sick so she could get away while they were distracted with their discomfort?
An understandable plan, but Vorik couldn’t risk letting her do something that would harm his people.
I was able to thwart her, Jhiton said, but I agree that she’s strong and getting stronger. I think she was drawing upon the gods-gift as well as the power from her dragon tattoo. The power from her bond with Wreylith is probably just starting to blossom within her.
Jhiton started to glance toward Syla, and Vorik reacted on instinct rather than doing what was wise. He stepped in the opposite direction and pointed at Shi to pull Jhiton’s attention that way.
If we leave Syla here, will she be safe with our chieftess? Are you certain that Shi agrees that it would be proper to let Syla live? Or was she saying that to mollify you? You’re honorable, Jhiton, but I’m less certain about the honor of some of our leaders these days.
While he asked the questions, Vorik lifted a hand in Syla’s direction, hoping to catch her eye and silently convince her to stop. Vorik didn’t want Jhiton to catch her sabotaging the soup, because he would react mercilessly, but Vorik also didn’t want her to do anything to his people.
Jhiton surprised Vorik by gripping his arm. I know you care about her, and I’ve been lenient about that, but you can’t let your feelings for her be a distraction. Our victory is within reach. We must focus on getting the shielder and nothing more.
Forgetting the powder, Vorik scowled at Jhiton. Does that mean Shi hasn’t promised that Syla would be safe here as a captive? Without me to keep an eye on things?
She did not threaten the queen in any way.
So, no promise. Vorik extricated his arm from Jhiton’s grip. Let’s take her with us. We can get the shielder and then drop her off with her people.
You think she’s going to let us get the shielder while she’s with us? With her dragon back in reach and our dragons stuck beyond the barrier?
Our dragons will only be stuck until we accomplish our mission.
That’ll take time, Vorik. And she has power beyond what the dragon lends her. As you pointed out, I felt it myself.
Vorik took a step back. I’m not leaving her here.
You will leave her here, and you will obey your orders, or you can walk out of this camp and not return. Back stiff, Jhiton strode toward the cave exit.
Jhiton… don’t make me choose between you and her.
This is not about me. You are choosing between her and your loyalty to our people. Jhiton disappeared into the storm.
Vorik glanced at Syla, but her eyes were closed, her hand on Fria’s leg, her chin drooped to her chest, as she’d been before. He almost wondered if he’d imagined her opening a sack. There was no sign of it.
He thought about confronting her and checking her pockets to see if the sack was in one—in one and empty. But he didn’t want to pick another fight. And if she was effecting an escape… he wasn’t that sure he wanted to stop her.