Chapter 25 #2
Though perhaps after they depart, after we’ve ensured there are no threats to the camp from above or below, we could visit Harvest Island to go hunting.
After all, if Syla gets the shielder for that island repaired, it won’t be accessible to dragons for long.
You’d naturally want to visit the hunting grounds one last time, right?
The most delicious prey has mostly been consumed by all the dragons visiting, but perhaps a small eliok might yet be found.
I’m glad you’re in agreement with me on this. Vorik wouldn’t disobey his brother, but Jhiton hadn’t told him that he couldn’t go hunting, and if something dire happened on Bogberry Island, and his people needed his help, he wouldn’t be far away.
Vorik waited until well after Jhiton and Chieftess Shi left with the main forces before asking Agrevlari to meet him in an open area so they could head out.
He didn’t feel like he was disobeying his brother—besides, it was Chieftess Shi who’d specifically not wanted him along—but…
he also didn’t want to flout that he wasn’t going to stay behind.
He’d checked the depths of the cave for threats, even killing a couple of aggressive crawlers that had moved back into the area, before packing his bag and letting a couple of the elders know that he was going hunting.
We will hunt while we’re there, he told Agrevlari as he walked toward the bluff where he’d attacked Jhiton. I’m not being dishonest.
I do enjoy a good hunt. I’m quite envious of Wreylith for gaining access to the Island of Bogs. I understand the bears that proliferate there, feasting and fattening themselves on all manner of berries, are extremely delicious.
Are you also envious that she was trapped on that island? Vorik assumed that the dragon could leave now that Syla had returned—as long as she left—but imagined Wreylith had been irked.
I can think of many less appealing places to be trapped. There are all those lakes for swimming, and are there not also hot springs on the western end? I do enjoy a mineral soak after a good hunt and feast. Perhaps you can arrange for me to be trapped there later, Vorik.
I think you’d have to bond with someone with a moon-mark for that.
Hm.
I hope you’re not contemplating leaving me for Syla’s aunt.
Oh, not the aunt. Certainly not. She’s not a warrior.
She tried to shoot you when we first met. Vorik stepped out of the trees and found Agrevlari perched on the bluff, waiting for him. All signs of the previous day’s storm had passed, and an inviting blue sky stretched out over the sea.
That is true, but I believe I would prefer to remain with you. If you succeed in destroying the shielder there, I will soon be able to hunt the bears.
And the mineral soaks?
Oh, yes. A dragon’s scales are rejuvenated, with their natural oils restored, by time spent in hot springs. In the aftermath, you will admire my healthy sheen.
As much as I care about the shininess of your scales, I feel compelled to remind you that destroying the shielder isn’t my mission. Vorik jumped up to land astride Agrevlari’s back. I don’t have a mission.
Why am I certain you will find a way to insert yourself into the midst regardless?
Because we’ve been bonded for many years, and I want you to do your hunting on the adjacent island.
Quite.
Agrevlari set off across the sea at a leisurely pace, probably guessing correctly that Vorik had no desire to catch up with the others. Eventually, some of the stormer dragons flying around the islands would sense them, but Vorik didn’t need to invite a challenge.
On the way, they passed over stormer warships sailing toward the Kingdom.
Soldiers on deck among the crews looked up and waved to the green dragon flying overhead.
Of course. They thought Vorik and Agrevlari were joining them for the mission.
Vorik lifted a hand in return though with each ship they passed—had his leaders called for troops from every tribe?
—he grew more worried that Syla wouldn’t escape the confrontation alive.
Even if she stayed in the palace and directed the action from afar, she would be in danger.
Jhiton had already said he would order troops to attack the city again, to provide a diversion.
And, knowing Syla the way he did now, Vorik doubted she would stay behind to direct events from afar.
She might be waiting for the invasion force in the shielder chamber with explosives and other booby-traps placed all around.
He smiled and shook his head. I suppose we can’t kidnap her again.
Your queen? Do you again have the urge to mate with her?
I always have the urge to mate with her, but I’m more concerned about keeping her alive.
So you can mate with her.
Vorik frowned at the back of Agrevlari’s horned head. That’s not all I think about.
Last time you kidnapped her, scant hours passed before you were stimulating her sex orifices.
I had no idea you were keeping track of the time or our activities so assiduously.
It was a long flight.
Vorik sighed as they passed over another stormer ship. This is just about saving her life, Agrevlari. She wouldn’t appreciate me swooping in and stealing her from her troops while they’re engaged in battle, but… I’m afraid she’s in danger again.
So, you wouldn’t mate until the next day?
I’m not talking to you anymore.
Very well.
They didn’t remain silent for long. Dragons on the horizon made Agrevlari bank and fly farther east instead of more directly southeast toward Harvest Island.
Was that the wing from Icecarver Tribe? Vorik hadn’t realized they’d been called from the far north.
Yes.
Jhiton is going to make damn sure he doesn’t fail, isn’t he?
Your brother is a determined human. To avoid notice, I will fly over to Castle Island before swinging south toward the Island of Eliok.
Good idea, Vorik said, though they would inevitably be spotted, regardless. If he did want to kidnap Syla, how would he get close without his people seeing?
Vorik shook his head. There was no way. He would have to prevaricate and hope Jhiton and Shi hadn’t told many people that they’d ordered Vorik to stay home, and he would have to hope he didn’t run into them specifically.
His stomach twisted at the idea of defying his brother openly, but he’d attacked Jhiton the day before.
Maybe… maybe Vorik had already made his choice to leave his people, and he hadn’t yet realized it. Maybe neither of them had.
Agrevlari, why don’t you just fly straight toward… Vorik trailed off as a fleet of warships below drew his attention. They were Kingdom ships, which would have made sense, but they weren’t sailing toward Bogberry Island. That’s strange.
They weren’t sailing toward Harvest Island either. They looked like they’d come from islands farther south and were heading toward Castle Island.
But the Kingdom capital was shielded and not, as far as Vorik knew, being targeted by any of Jhiton’s troops. It was coming into view now, and there weren’t any dragons in the sky around it. Nor did any stormer ships lurk off its shores.
Do you sense any dragons around Castle Island, Agrevlari?
I do not.
Then why are all those ships heading there?
I do not know, but it appears that vessels that should be loyal to the queen are not sailing to assist her on the Island of Bogs.
It was silly, since Vorik shouldn’t have wanted more warships to challenge his people’s forces, but he felt affronted on Syla’s behalf.
Fly as close to Castle Island as you can, Vorik said. I want to see… if there’s anything to see.
As Agrevlari soared closer, Vorik didn’t know what he expected to find, especially since they wouldn’t be able to see much detail from beyond the barrier, but he leaned to the side and looked intently down.
There are many warships already in the harbor, Agrevlari observed. More than there were the day of our invasion, and we destroyed a great number of the island’s craft then.
Meaning these are from elsewhere in the Kingdom. The Castle Island locals haven’t had time to rebuild a fleet.
I have little knowledge of shipbuilding but would assume not.
It takes a while. Vorik pointed at the vessels in the harbor, so many that there wasn’t room at the docks for them all.
The islands are far enough apart, especially those in the southern half of the chain, that those ships had to start sailing a while ago to reach this port.
Whatever this is about, it was set in motion before Syla returned with word that we’d learned the location of the Bogberry shielder.
That seems likely.
They might have set sail before we even kidnapped her.
Did she summon them for some reason? Before she left?
And she hasn’t been able to get a message out to change where she wanted them to go?
That seemed possible since so many stormer dragons had been in the area these past days.
His people might have intercepted messages.
Even as he started to believe that reasonable, his sharp eyes picked up on something below.
Agrevlari was flying above the castle, and the royal blue flag that usually hung on the wall, that which signified the Moonmark royal family was in control, had changed.
He had no idea what gardener family or faction was represented by a yellow flag, but the meaning sank in right away.
Someone else has taken power while Syla has been away. Urgency filling him, Vorik flattened a hand to Agrevlari’s scales. Take me straight to Bogberry Island.
You will attempt to kidnap her immediately?
I… don’t know what I’ll do, but I’ll bet she doesn’t know about this yet. She may be in danger from even more than our people. I have to warn her.
Your queen has many enemies. Agrevlari banked to fly toward Bogberry Island.