Page 124 of Sky Shielder
They’d reached the intersection where a lantern burned in a sconce, and she stopped to stare at him. “You of all people can’t possibly be recommending that. I mean, if they wish my magical healing and understand what feelings it might inspire, I’m always willing to use all the power I have on the injured, but?—”
“You’re going to need loyal officers. Given your predicament, you can’t be particular about how you earn their loyalty.”
“I…” Syla couldn’t believe he was recommending this. He who had groused numerous times on their mission about feelingboundto obey her.
“General Dolok—the colonel’s superior—has numerous broken bones and burns that have kept him in the infirmary since this started. I suggest visiting him first.”
“So he’ll resent me as he does my bidding?”
“He might resent you less than you’d think.” Fel headed up the passageway toward the stairs, only limping a little after his various stretches.
“Doyouresent me less than I’d think?”
Less than he’d indicated when he’d gone off to protect Aunt Tibby instead of her?
“Less than I should,” he called back, then waved for her to follow.
She did.
Fel hadn’t left her side, other than for biological necessities, since they’d stepped off the whaling ship. By now, his retirement date had to be close, but he hadn’t mentioned it lately. Maybe he realized she needed him. Thekingdomneeded him.
“Which way to the general?” Syla asked when they reached the courtyard.
Little rubble had been removed in the days since they’d last walked these grounds. The bodies, at least, had been cleared, a great funeral pyre burned in addition to the one dedicated for the royal family. It bothered Syla that she hadn’t been present to say goodbye to all those she’d lost. When there was time, she vowed, she would hold a private ceremony. She needed that closure. She needed much more than that, but, unfortunately, the world wouldn’t grant it.
“I’ll take you,” Fel said but stopped in the middle of the courtyard to look up.
Remembering the wyvern attack, Syla followed his gaze, her heart starting to pound before she detected a threat.
When she did spot something, it was so far overhead that she wasn’t sure what it was. A red… dot? She removed her spectacles and wiped them before looking again. Fel was eyeing her, as if she should already know what that was.
“A dragon?” she guessed.
Since the barrier was back in place, they could only fly high above the island.
“Yourdragon,” Fel said.
“Wreylith? She’s hardly that. She took back her figurine.”
“She could have roasted the entire ship,” he reminded her.
“Clearly, it was her adoration for me that kept her from giving in to that impulse.”
“It was… something.” Fel’s eyebrow twitched. “Maybe you bound her with your healing.”
“I don’t think so. There’s some kind of link between her and that figurine, but…” Syla shrugged. “She took it back.”
Once more, Fel looked upward, something catching his eye. “Look out.”
He gripped Syla’s arm and pulled her back a step. Something hit the flagstones and bounced higher than their heads before striking down, bouncing up again, then finally settling with a clatter. Syla stared.
“That thing is a lot sturdier than it looks.” Fel waved to the red glass—no, it most certainly wasn’tglass—dragon figurine.
The elioks were magnificent!Wreylith boomed into Syla’s mind, but she kept flying, not staying for a chat.
Syla picked up the figurine. Did its return mean that Wreylith would answer and, maybe even help, if Syla called to her again?
“Are yousureyou didn’t bind her?” Fel asked dryly.
