Page 77 of Of Blood and Fire
Because we both knew, even if we never acknowledged it, that these precious moments together might be our last for days to come....
Or perhaps even a lifetime.
The feeder bins were smaller than I remembered, but the three of them nevertheless dominated the courtyard. I stopped beside Garran and Franklyn and examined the bins critically. They were all mounted on low-to-the-ground flat carts so they could be moved about, and were all newish looking, not having much in the way of the rust or dents that came with regular usage in the fields. The long chains that had been attached to either end of the bins were looped at the free end, which would allow the drakkons to get a better grip. There was another, smallerchain attached to the lever on the left side of the bin—the one that would release the liquid—that was also looped, and tied to this was a long rope I suspected would be tossed up once we were mounted so we could haul up the release chain. The feeding funnel had been folded back toward the bin’s bulk rather than sealed with fire—a necessity, given the flammability of the contents.
“Nice work, Franklyn,” I said, glancing at the older man.
“I would have preferred more time to ensure everything is secure,” he said, his voice even raspier than usual. Tiredness, no doubt. “But I’m aware that is a luxury we don’t have in wartime situations such as this.”
“But the chains will hold up to the stress of being carried aloft by drakkons?”
“I believe so, yes. And we tested the flow on a separate bin using water. The feeder slots are a good inch in width, so you’ll likely only have one pass over with each bin. I also recommend flying into the wind rather than with it, just to ensure no backwash.”
One pass would be more than enough. It wasn’t like any riders who survived the first flyover were going to allow a second. I glanced up, studying the smoke rapidly forming over the secondary wall. Damon had promised it would take no more than half an hour for the full length of the mountain behind us to be curtained, but at the speed he and the Prioress were creating it, it would be completed in half that time.
“We’ve also oiled the entire length of the release chain except the gripping loop,” he added. “I have no idea how tough a drakkon’s wing membrane is, but we’re thinking their flight speed should push the bins back at a far enough angle that the oiled chain will slide across rather than cut into their wings.”
“That’s brilliant—thanks, Franklyn.” I glanced at Garran. “Have we got any more information about what forces remain on Jakarra?”
“Most of the birds and riders that were initially encamped there have moved on, and last night there were only two riders doing the flyover checks.”
Two riders was definitely better than two dozen. Two we could easily cope with. Unless, of course, there were more and the Jakarran scouts just couldn’t get out to a suitable position to see them. “And foot soldiers?”
“An estimated two hundred or more are currently bunking down in Illistin’s remains, and six boats are anchored in the harbor. There were eight, but two left yesterday.”
If they were heading for the barges we’d seen, it made sense they’d only send a couple at a time. With the birds already using them as a waystation, there wouldn’t be a lot of room left for a massive influx. “Did they mention men being shipped out in baskets at all?”
“No, just that there’s a steady stream of men coming and going.”
“Suggesting they’re using Jakarra as a holding for the regular soldiery in much the same manner as they’re using Ezu for the riders, rather than a jumping-off point.”
“That’s what Katter believed.”
Katter being Garran’s uncle on his father’s side and the current administrator. “Did he have any idea where the ships go after leaving Jakarra?”
“They sailed through the Zergon channel.”
Meaning they were heading north, likely for either K’Anor or the barges. The fact they were using the channel—which was angled toward the Sheer—also gave us a very good pointer as to the latter’s possible location. I couldn’t imagine them risking thechannel, with its often wild seas, unless it saved them a good amount of sailing time.
“I still can’t see the point of lifting men onto the Sheer,” I replied. “The birds I understand, but whichever way you look at it, it wouldn’t be an easy task to move regiments of men quickly enough down from that point to be of any practical use.”
“It could be they were planning a pincer movement, with the Mareritt being the distraction fodder, the encampment you destroyed near the Blue Steel Mountains being one arm, and the men on the Sheer being the other.”
“Which would make tactical sense if there was an easier way to get down from the Sheer if you don’t possess wings. Even if they do intend to use the baskets to get those men here, it’s not like they can do it all at once and that we won’t see them coming.”
“It’s also not like they’ve been playing by any regular military rule book we understand,” Garran replied flatly. “And it could well be that some of the men up there are mages who have found a way of using the lava tubes to get here.”
Possibly. The whole range was riddled with them, after all, and it wasn’t like I’d explored every one of them. Just because I believed there were none near the Sheer didn’t mean I was right. I wrinkled my nose. “Maybe we should do a flyover check when we get back, just to ensure they’re not still building their numbers up there.”
“Let’s get through this mission before we start worrying about others.”
“I can worry about multiple things all at once. I’m versatile like that.” I glanced up again. The smoke barrier was almost ready. “We should roll one bin into place so it’s ready for drakkon pickup and move the others to the sides.”
We come now?Kaia immediately asked.
The smoke wall isn’t entirely covering the cliff face yet.
We fly near. Come in when is.
