Page 62 of Of Scale and Blood

I laughed again and, with a grin, she pulled the rations out of her pack and began to eat. By the time an hour had ticked by, the commander had disappeared into whatever hole he’d appeared from, Teagin had perched halfway down the hill on a freakishly undamaged chair she’d found from goodness knows where, and the soldiers guarding us had widened the circle by several yards.

Rua and Hannity appeared on the horizon just as the first stain of sunset was creeping across the sky, her scales gleaming with red fire in the day’s dying light. There were audible gasps from several men encircling us, and one reached for his sword. I barked at him to stand down, and the soldier instinctively obeyed, even though I was not his captain.

As they drew closer, I reached out to Rua and said,Sweep over us and land in the upper area close to the wall so Hannity can dismount. Did you find any boats?

Some. Not like ones we destroyed.

Good.I paused, checking the images she sent.How did Hannity go?

She good. I approve.

I smiled.Hannity will be pleased to hear that.

Rua swept over us, low enough that her claws were only yards above the soldiers’ heads, which had most of them instinctively ducking. I glanced at Kele. “Can you go tell Hannity she needs to grab all her gear and dismount?”

She nodded, thrust upright, and jogged up the hill to the landing drakkon.

Where queens?came Rua’s thought.

I sent them to a safe place to feed and roost for the night.I gave her the mental directions then added,Tell Kaia I said not to come back until I contact her.

I still hear,came her immediate comment.Hunting good here. Will come more often once gilded ones killed.

There’s other islands in the area with a similar abundance.

Must stop gilded fast, then.

I laughed.Wish it was that easy.

Is. I trust.

And the weight of that was getting heavier.

As Rua took off, heading west to join her queens, Teagin reappeared with two men carrying a stretcher between them. By the time I was lashed on, Kele and Hannity were beside me, the latter grinning fiercely.

“I take it the experience was an awesome one?” I said with a wry smile.

“You have no idea.” She paused. “Well, actually, you do. Wish I could talk to them like you, though. It would make things far easier.”

“It seemed to me you did work out a means of communication.”

“A very crude one, and not ideal under most circumstances.” She wrinkled her nose. “It’s a shame the drakkons can’t flame.”

“We’re working on that.” My grip tightened briefly as the stretcher was lifted and we headed down the hill. “Did you see anything unusual out there?”

“We spotted a number of trading vessels, but they were heading away from Hopetown rather than toward. No galleons resembling those we destroyed here, though.”

“Any sign of gilded riders?”

“No, but there’s not many places for birds like them to perch in deeper seas.”

“Captain,” Teagin said, “we’re about to head down steep stairs, and, in a stretcher, it’s going to be unpleasant. I’ll knock you out?—”

“That’s not necessary?—”

“I believe it is, and in medical matters, my opinion is law. When we wake you, you’ll be in the hospital, all patched up, which is far better for all concerned.”

I glanced at Kele. “Grab the quill and tablet from my pack and make a quick report to the commander once we’re underground and safe. Hannity, add your report.”

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