Page 106 of Red Dragon
Syla stared, alarmed by the triumphant gleam in the woman’s eyes. Was Atilya implying that she’d killed Vorik?
Atilya spread her arm, pointing to one of the rooms created by hides, the flaps on all sides down so that they couldn’t see inside.
“He’s not tied up back there.” It wasn’t a question. Syla was certainropescouldn’t bind Vorik. She’d seen him break metal shackles before. And rip iron bars out of windows.
“He’s bound and unconscious.”
“Unconscious?” Syla thought of Candles of Serenity but hadn’t caught the scents of eucalyptus and dragonquell in the air along with the woodsmoke and meat smells. Of course, there were many substances that could act as a sedative on a human.
Or, might he have been knocked out in battle with a greater warrior? Or—more likely—a dragon? She hadn’t seen many men or women who could best Vorik in battle.
“Yes, and he should remain so throughout the night. Dayvak buds are very potent.”
“Oh, you fed him a drug.” Familiar with the powder made from the dried flowers, Syla looked toward the platters of meat. Had they invited him to share the dinner but tainted it?
Poor Vorik. People kept knocking him unconscious. Understandably, since he was exceedingly dangerous when alert.
“Normally, we prefer honorable means over treachery,” Atilya said, “but I’ve seen him fight. It wouldn’t have gone well if I’d pitted even my best warrior against him. I was also hoping he’d divulge more about what his people are up to if we pretended amiability and gave him food.” Her shrug suggested that hadn’t happened.
No, Vorik was good at keeping secrets.
“What about the rider who was with him?” Syla asked. “And their dragons?”
“We sent them back to their headquarters to let their general know we have Vorik as a hostage. The Sixteen Talons captured some of ourpeople last month—the ones who were attempting to spy and would have, as it happens, learned about the attack on your kingdom ahead of time if they’d been successful. One of them was killed outright.” Anger and fury flashed in Atilya’s eyes. “Others yet live, or so we’re told. Ihopewe can trust Vorik’s word. If they’re alive, we’ve proposed a trade. And, from what I gather, you wouldn’t mind if Vorik were stuck here for a time while you complete your mission.”
“I wouldn’t mind that at all.”
If they wanted to trade Vorik in a prisoner exchange, they shouldn’t hurt him. Syla had no qualms about leaving him behind, though she would have to find that amphora. If she could get it and the ore and take off for the storm god’s laboratory… By the gods’ blessings, was it possible somethingwas finally going her way? All she had to do was get the last component. If only she were sure that she and her allies had the power necessary to infiltrate that laboratory.
“It takes magic to extract the ore from the surrounding rock,” Atilya said, “but it looks like your dragon might handle that.”
Wreylith was stalking toward one of the males. His head came up, and he appeared more interested in her approach than threatened by it. Syla had no idea what allure Wreylith had, beyond the power that even she could sense, but she undeniably had a quality that intrigued the opposite sex.
“She’s notmydragon, I assure you,” Syla said. “She’s deigning to work with me in exchange for a somewhat ridiculous amount of livestock that I’ve agreed to acquire for her.”
“That’s not why she verbally—telepathically—defended you and said you have potential.” Atilya gazed thoughtfully at Syla.
Lightning flashed outside the cavern, brightening the interior for an instant, as Syla considered the words. “I think she’s hoping I’ll increase the horn-hog allotment.”
“Dragons do work up a big appetite when they’re flying riders around the world.” Atilya extended a hand toward the campfires. “Will you have a meal with us? And rest here tonight? The weather is turning dark, and it takes time for even a dragon to cut teal ore away from its rock bed. What’s exposed was like that when we arrived. We think human miners long ago excavated the stone around it, only to find that they lacked the magic necessary to remove it. The rock around it is hardened by the ore’s magical presence, so it’s not as easy as simply chiseling it out.”
“A meal sounds wonderful as long as it’s not drugged.” Syla smiled at Atilya to make it a joke, but she wondered if it was one. She’dnever wronged the woman, but she doubted Vorik had either. And Atilya had as much as admitted she’d held a grudge against Syla’s mother.
“We’ll give you a portion treated only with spices. Though we won’t go to war with the Kingdom on your behalf to help you claim the throne, we also won’t hinder you on your quest. We’dpreferthat someone who will think kindly of our faction gain power there.” Atilya nodded firmly to her.
Syla found herself wanting to believe the woman, especially after Captain Radmarik had helped her, but vowed to take only dainty portions from the platters—and only after she’d witnessed others eating from the same dishes.
More than eating, she wanted to figure out where the amphora had been stashed, and she looked around the camp. Her eye snagged on something familiar. A gargoyle-bone sword. Was that Vorik’s weapon? It leaned against the rusty mining equipment, as if tossed aside as garbage—or something nobody would need in the future.
“Chieftess Atilya?” Syla asked. “What will you do with Captain Vorik if his peoplewon’tagree to a prisoner exchange?”
“Don’t worry. We won’t let him go to harry you on your quest.”
“That’s a relief,” Syla said, though it wasn’t why she’d asked.
“One way or another, we’ll make sure he doesn’t trouble you again.” Face grim, Atilya walked away.
Dread sank into Syla’s stomach. Would they kill him? Simply because he’d dared fly into their cave looking for ore? Or, more likely, because he was General Jhiton’s brother and, as many others had said, his right-hand man?
