Page 125 of Sky Shielder
“That’s not possible with a dragon.”
“If you say so. Either way… let’s go see General Dolok.”
Syla followed him. She didn’t know about the methodology he suggested, but Fel was correct. If she intended to return order to the kingdom and save its people from stormers and dragons, she needed allies.
In a hurry to hunt, Agrevlari only flew Vorikpartwayup the volcano before banking sharply and tilting his back to suggest his rider depart. Though it would have only taken the dragon another twenty seconds to reach the top, where General Jhiton was waiting, Vorik didn’t complain as he hopped off. He wasn’t in a hurryfor this private meeting, the first since his dragon had ignobly attacked Jhiton’s dragon, spoiling the attack on the whaling vessel and their plans to acquire the shielder. Of course, their plans had been derailed before then, as soon as Wreylith had shown up with her unexpected allies, but his people might yet have pulled out a victory if not for Agrevlari attacking Ozlemar to protect the female for whom he pined.
Are you sure you should be hunting in the same area as Wreylith and her allies?Vorik asked as Agrevlari flew toward the forested southwest corner of the island.We did just engage in battle with them.
Dragons do not hold grudges. Besides, she should be quite pleased with me.
Ozlemar isn’t pleased with you.
Ozlemar is an ancient, grumpy broken horn of a dragon with a walrus tusk permanently lodged in his anal sphincter.
He’s one of your commanding officers, you know.
Wingleader Saleetha is my direct superior.
Ozlemar ishersuperior.
Our ranks negate nothing I said.Agrevlari tilted his wings insouciantly, then disappeared from view as he descended toward the forest.
As he climbed, Vorik spotted the black dragon they’d been speaking of sunning himself on a ledge, his dark scales like shadows that absorbed the surrounding brightness. One of his yellow eyes opened to watch Vorik. Ozlemar’s expression was baleful, and was that a growl that reached Vorik’s ears over the distant roar of the sea?
Vorik gave Ozlemar a wide berth, suspecting that more than eagerness for hunting had kept Agrevlari from flying close.
“Dragons,” Vorik murmured.
Jhiton glanced down at his approach.
Though he wanted to drag his feet, certain his brother feltirritated—if not vengeful—after that disgraceful end to the battle, Vorik made himself jog up so he wouldn’t be late. He didn’t need to give the general any more reasons to be vexed with him this week.
When he arrived, Jhiton stood on the rim of the crater that marked the apex of the volcano, its peak having blown off long ago. His twin swords were sheathed at his hips, and the wind ruffled his short black hair as he gazed into the distance. His hands were clasped behind his back, one fist curled around something.
Not a dagger that he would thrust into Vorik’s chest. Whatever it was, the hidden item was too small for that.
When Jhiton did not speak right away, Vorik stood at his side, joining him in gazing out over the landscape and the ocean beyond. From the elevated perch, they could see the entire island, though it spanned thirty miles at its widest, and the far ends were indistinct, even to a rider’s keen vision. He had, however, no trouble making out the lush croplands that started up beyond the foothills of the volcano, thousands and thousands of acres of cultivated orchards and farms with harvest season underway. There would be plenty of time before winter to gather, preserve, and store food.
Maybe that was what Jhiton was thinking about when he slanted a long look at Vorik. It wasn’t that decipherable, but it wasn’t obviously hostile. That was a relief.
“Sorry about the mishap with Agrevlari,” Vorik said. “I should have anticipated something like that as soon as Wreylith showed up. I’ve known about that infatuation for a while.”
“When you ally with creatures as mercurial as dragons, you must expect that occasional chaos will be thrown into your battle plans.”
“Yes,” Vorik said.
Jhiton, who’d been openly irkedasthat kerfuffle was happening,must have had time to cool off. He even appeared… content? A slight smile curved his lips as he held out his hand. Several hazelnuts lay on his palm, not yet shelled.
“With the shielder gone, Harvest Island will soon be ours.” Yes, thatwasa content expression on Jhiton’s face.
“This is what you wanted from the beginning?”
It probably should have occurred to Vorik sooner. Castle Island had crops, too, but it wasn’t as devoted to farming as this place, and the gardeners would defend their capital and more populated island assiduously. Maybe that was why Jhiton had never spoken of occupying it after they’d invaded.
“It’s notallI want, but if it is all we can acquire and hold for the long-term… it alone could change the lives of our people.”
“The gardeners will try to get it back.”
