Chapter 25
An hour before the Sixteen Talons would fly to Bogberry Island for the invasion, in a small clearing near the cave, Vorik sparred with a couple of riders in his squadron. He needed to burn off nervous energy and also wanted to make sure his skills were at their sharpest.
When Jhiton walked over, having finished a run and exercise routine of his own, Vorik thought little of it, assuming his brother also wanted to spar.
And Jhiton saluted him with his swords, an invitation to practice, but only a few minutes into their match—a less heated battle than they’d shared on the top of the bluff—Jhiton spoke telepathically to him.
We need to discuss something.
Vorik paused and lowered his sword and dagger. Unless it’s about blueberries, blackberries, or cobblers made from the fruit, I doubt I want to partake.
It is about your role in the upcoming battle.
So, no berries.
Once we’ve claimed Bogberry Island, they will be aplenty.
I look forward to it.
Jhiton sheathed his weapons and gazed at him. Do you?
Look forward to eating fruit and desserts made from fruit? Always.
You know what I mean. You’ve expressed concerns about the chiefs’ intent and whenever the queen is involved…
Their intents are questionable.
And the rest? Jhiton raised his eyebrows.
Vorik shrugged. You know I have feelings for her. It’s not my fault she keeps involving herself in our war.
Jhiton gazed toward the sea, the roar of the waves audible through the trees. Bracing himself for something he wouldn’t like, Vorik waited, though he also sensed Agrevlari approaching, and was that Ozlemar and Chieftess Shi’s blue dragon, Uxtar, with him?
Where have you been? Vorik asked Agrevlari. Those aren’t your usual hunting companions.
Ozlemar ordered me to accompany him to scout the Island of Bogs from above the shield and locate with certainty the entrance to the human salt mine. Your leaders also hoped to find that there might be other older entrances that are less well known and would allow stealthy access by your people.
Were there?
Not that we were able to determine. Even the main entrance is not obvious from high above. Only rail tracks leading away from a building suggest its locale. Mining activities ceased while we were in the area, and Wreylith came to glare up at us.
From under the shield? Is she still trapped there? Vorik wondered if the dragon and Syla had figured that out yet.
She did not answer my questions, saying only that she would mercilessly remove my every scale and roast me alive if I partook in an invasion.
So, her love for you continues to deepen.
We exchanged some spirited insults. I believe she has grown to appreciate me.
Undoubtedly. Will you compose another ballad for her? Vorik watched Jhiton, still waiting for whatever he intended to say, but his steady gaze toward the sea suggested he was communicating telepathically with Ozlemar.
I believe I may challenge her to a rigorous but nonlethal duel instead. She’s not proven as enraptured by my singing as I would have believed based on my success with other females.
She’s a special dragon.
Most assuredly. Let me share what I saw from above as Ozlemar is doing with Jhiton. We were supposed to take careful note of terrain features that might allow you to approach stealthily, something that will be difficult when the enemy anticipates your arrival.
Definitely.
Imagery of the sprawling Bogberry Island, as seen from high above, filled Vorik’s mind. He’d flown over it before and was familiar with its many lakes, meandering waterways, and shallow bogs with greenery between.
That’s the lake near the mine entrance, Vorik said when Agrevlari’s attention focused on a wide body of water with numerous fishing boats and barges trolling about.
Freshwater fish tended to be less challenging to acquire than the dangerous and often razor-fanged, tentacled, electrified, or venomous creatures that survived and thrived in the Sea of Storms. And the mine entrance?
Vorik added as Agrevlari shared a couple of unassuming wooden buildings a half mile from the end of the lake.
The tracks Agrevlari had mentioned were the only thing suggesting their purpose.
We believe so, yes.
“Those boats and barges are interesting,” Jhiton murmured.
“They are?” Vorik asked. “I thought they looked remarkably uninteresting.”
“The only road leading up to the mine passes that lake. If we could get people there first and perhaps station them on the boats, we could use range weapons to attack Kingdom troops being transported to the mine. That would give our parties more time to search without interruption.”
“Syla has to be telling them all about our plans. They’ll get people there before we arrive.”
“She doesn’t know about our plans.” Jhiton raised frank eyebrows. “Correct?”
“I didn’t tell her anything, but she knows our destination and can figure out where to put troops.”
“We’ll see. Armies don’t move swiftly, and I’ve also ordered that the city be attacked again as a diversion.
It’s unfortunate that we don’t have a map of the mine.
Since we’ve never thought to target it before, our spies didn’t attempt to obtain information on the facility.
I’ve sent word to Captain Lesva to try to find a map. ”
Vorik snorted. “She’ll probably tote the kidnapped lady over her shoulder and go to the mine herself ahead of time to complete the mission without us.”
“That isn’t what I ordered, but it would be acceptable. Once the shielder is down and our dragons can access the island, it’ll be much easier to capture.”
Vorik bristled at the idea of Lesva assigning herself yet another mission, and he worried about Syla perhaps being in the area, maybe asking her engineer aunt to make booby traps to place. But with Jhiton watching him again, all Vorik said was, “True.”
He sensed more dragons approaching, flying up the coastline from the south. At first, he thought the Freeborn Faction allies were returning, but Jhiton nodded, as if he’d expected visitors.
“Swordhawk Tribe,” he said, “and Chiefs Lyzart and Velesh are also on the way with wings of dragons. They should have ships heading to Bogberry Island too.”
“Ah. Maybe you should send word for Lesva to wait for our arrival. There’s little reason for her to risk her life when backup is on the way.”
Jhiton gazed blandly at him. “Are you worried for her or worried your queen will cross her path?”
“I don’t think that confrontation would go well for either of them. Syla is likely to be with Wreylith, who may be perched right atop one of those mine buildings. After all, she knows we’re coming.”
“Lesva would sneak past them.”
“You don’t think Wreylith would sense her? Or spot her? With a kidnapped woman slung kicking and screaming over her shoulder?”
Jhiton conceded that with a hand tilted upward. “We’ll plan to divert Wreylith and the queen, if she’s with her dragon. As I said, unless Lesva handles everything before we arrive, we’ll need time to search the mine.”
“Do you want me to lead one of the parties that will do that?” Vorik asked.
Jhiton didn’t answer right away, instead giving him the thoughtful gaze that had become frequent. He glanced toward people walking in and out of the cave and switched to telepathy. Chieftess Shi has suggested that I assign you to stay here while we invade the island and claim the shielder.
Vorik rocked back on his heels. You don’t want me to come?
She mentioned that another lake kraken might find its way into the pool below and threaten the non-combatants that remain here. The dire vultures have been lurking in the area as well. We can’t leave our people in danger while we take all our fighters on this venture.
Vorik folded his arms over his chest. Vultures aren’t the reason Shi doesn’t want me to come.
No. She doesn’t want you involved because you are conflicted when it comes to Queen Syla.
Vorik opened his mouth to protest, but how could he? He’d admitted as much himself.
Many people don’t want you involved for that reason, Jhiton continued.
Even those who didn’t have an opinion before or weren’t aware of your relationship previously noted that you stood protectively close to her when you brought her here, that you seemed more like her bodyguard than kidnapper.
Many people see the way you look at her, Vorik.
Again, Vorik wanted to protest but didn’t have a believable argument to issue.
You will stay here and protect the camp, Jhiton said.
From vultures.
And krakens.
You know full well that krakens are rare. If we’d expected even one to visit that lake, we wouldn’t have camped here. It’ll probably be a decade before another one enters the water down there, especially since they can smell the stink of death of their own kind long after the corpse decomposes.
Yes, but you’ll stay here regardless. Jhiton inclined his head toward him and walked into the cave.
You may regret not taking me along. I’m a good warrior, and you know it. And Syla… You can’t underestimate her. She has that power, but she won’t use it on me. I want to be there.
To ensure she’s not killed?
To watch your back, Jhiton. She’ll go after you. She hates you. If I’m there, I can…
What? What could he do except be conflicted? Vorik closed his eyes and sighed. As much as he hated that the tribe didn’t trust him, did he really want to destroy Syla’s shielder? And doubtless kill a bunch of her people in the process? No, he’d already had his fill of this war.
Stay here, Vorik. It’ll be for the best.
Vorik sighed again, something telling him that it wouldn’t be for the best.
Vorik sensed Agrevlari fly inland until the dragon found an outcropping on which to perch. Did you catch our conversation?
We are to be denied the glory of battle and given the modest duty of sky watchers.
Yeah.
You will obey your brother’s wishes?
He’s my superior officer, and I’m honor bound to do so.
Hm.