Page 83 of Of Steel and Scale

This was Katter Reed—Garran’s uncle—and if he was in control, then Garran, his family, and his parents were either safe on another island or dead.

“Administrator Reed?—”

“There’s no need for formality here, Bryn,” he cut in, his gaze sweeping my length then moving past, obviously looking for the rest of my detachment. Surprise, disappointment, and perhaps even a touch of anger swept through his expression before he got it under control. “You came alone?”

“I did?—”

“Then how in Vahree’s name did you get here? And why alone?”

“I came on drakkon back and?—”

“Youwhat?” His voice and expression were both incredulous.

Behind him, a soft wave of disbelief filled the air then fell silent again.

I couldn’t say I blamed any of them. I still found it hard to believe myself, and I’d been astride her back. “Long story, but we’ve gained the help of a queen because our foes killed one of her drakklings.”

“But how—” He stopped, obviously remembering what I was, and shook his head. “Strange times indeed. Tell me, why send you rather than ships or aid? What’s happened?”

“Cutters were sent the night we received the first reports of the attack. It was thought their speed and maneuverability would allow them to escape the notice of the winged riders; we were wrong. The harbor was then attacked and blocked by their magic.”

Katter scraped a hand across his worn, bristly features. “This just gets better and better, doesn’t it?”

“Well, there issomegood news—I scribed Esan before I came into the tunnel system here and got an update. The earth witches have managed to partially clear the harbor, but the remaining ships can’t be sent out until first light. It appears—at least to date—that their birds are unable to fly during the day.” I paused, my gaze once again searching the shadows and the unfamiliar faces. “Where’s Garran?”

Grief briefly twisted his expression, and my heart clenched.

“Missing, presumed dead, along with all those who defended the town while the rest of us evacuated.”

“And his family? His parents?” I whispered, blinking desperately against the tears that stung my eyes. While it was rare these days for Garran and me to meet outside official engagements or family get-togethers, as kids and teenagers we spent long months together; he in Esan over summer learning the trade of kingship, and me the winter here, learning bow craft from Mom’s teachers and the art of hunting and tracking from Elric, Garran’s dad, who hailed from one of the smaller islands.

“Elric was with his son, and we are unsure as to Glenda’s whereabouts, but we are still in the process of registering everyone who made it up here.”

For Mom’s sake, I really hoped her sister was here somewhere rather than missing or dead. She’d always been closer to Glenda than her other siblings. “And Hanna?”

He smiled. “Here with their son.”

“Theirson?”

“She went into labor on the way up here, but the boy was delivered safely, and she’s okay.” He glanced at my shorter guard. “Ursek, please return the captain’s packs and weapons to her, then you and Oscar head back to your post.”

The short man did so, then stepped back and saluted. As the two men left, I handed the two larger packs to Katter. “Medical supplies—nowhere near enough, I know, but all I could carry.”

“And certainly better than nothing.” He glanced around and motioned to one of the men. “Get these across to medical. Captain, follow me.”

He spun and walked back into the cave, stopping at a table holding the topography map. “We sent scouts out this morning to get some idea where the enemy lines are, but as yet they have not returned. I don’t suppose you saw anything from your drakkon’s back?”

Another buzz of soft incredulousness went through the room, but quickly fell away.

“Their force is gathered here.” I pointed to the area above Illistin. “We saw twelve gilded birds and riders positioned there, but given the destruction of the port and the town, there has to be at least a number of blood witches amongst their number.”

“Why do you believe they are capable of blood magic?” the stony-faced gentleman standing opposite me said. “We saw no evidence of it.”

“Nor did our earth witches until it was entirely too late, and there’s only the one stationed in Jakarra, isn’t there?”

“Aye,” a second, much younger man said. He had brown hair and eyes, and a rather “earthy” air that said he was the witch in question. “But there was no blood magic used here to raise the earth or destroy the pier and the boats. It wasn’t necessary, not for the latter at least. They simply sank the lot with what appeared to be acidic manure bombs.”

“Yeah, we’ve come across those things. Our earth witches are working on a means of strengthening stone and wood against it.” I glanced at Katter again. “Why haven’t you scribed for help? I know the pens don’t work this deep underground, but surely you could have sent a team?—”

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