Page 88 of Red Dragon
I doubtheis the one carrying a ceramic pot.
No, but he’s carrying the person who has it. Or the other dragon is. Does that gray one feel adoration and devotion to you?
Not that he’s mentioned. I am sleeping, human, and I am not here to fulfill your every whim. You will have to acquire your own pot.
Syla frowned. She couldn’t truly expect Wreylith to do everything for her, but her failure left her frustrated. And unwise. Before she could stop herself, she asked,Is the problem that you’re sleeping or that you fear battling those two? With Igliana’s help, wouldn’t you be a match for them?
I fear nothing!Despite the distance muting their communications, Wreylith still managed to boom the words into Syla’s mind.
Then is it that the singing worked, and you’ve developed feelings for him?
Vex me no further, human.
The krendala heated in Syla’s hand, almost shocking her into dropping it. She set it down, lest it burn her, and immediately regretted snipping at the dragon.
“Everything all right?” Teyla eyed the figurine.
“I may have pissed off our dragon allies.”
“Does that mean they’re not coming back and we’re stuck out here?”
Fel glowered at the suggestion.
“I… hope not.”
19
Vorik yawned,the darkness of night deep around them as Agrevlari flew toward the mountains. On Tonasketal’s back, Wise’s chin was drooped to his chest. He might have been sleeping. Vorik would keep an eye on the urn—theamphora, Syla had called it—wrapped in his arms.
When will we stop to sleep?Agrevlari asked, his wingbeats languid—tired.
I feel like an ass,Vorik said.
Since dragons lack that human anatomical feature, I am uncertain how to interpret your emotion.
I feel like a cloaca, then. One afflicted with vent gleet.
That’s dreadful.
Yes.
A camp of nocturnal fang bats flew up from the trees, disturbed by the dragons’ passing. Vorik reached for his sword, aware that the creatures were territorial and usually attacked intruders that passed through their area, but they took off instead of confronting Agrevlari and Tonasketal. Being aligned with a dragon made life easier.
You were victorious in acquiring the component for the shielder, as required by your orders,Agrevlari said.Why do you feel as if your elimination vent is infected with fungi or bacteria?
Vorik didn’t point out that the dragon was taking his simile too literally.Because Syla was right. It wasn’t honorable.
Your lieutenant located the component first, and you rightfully took it.
We only located it because Syla led us to those ruins. I’ve hunted in this area before, and I had no idea they were there. I wonder howsheknew.
Her magic was a gift from the gods. The shielders were also gifts from the gods. They may guide her in this endeavor.
If the gods were guiding Syla, that wouldn’t bother Vorik, but the idea that he was working against their wishes would. Long ago, his people had started calling themselves stormers because they dared live among the storm god’s creations, but few claimed any allegiance to him. He was the one who’d made the world so difficult for humans to survive in. Vorik had always felt affinity to the sun god, even if he rarely attended religious ceremonies or prayed on his own. What if he was, in obeying his brother’s orders, going against the wishes of the deities his people shared with those from the Garden Kingdom?
Not only his brother’s wishes, Vorik told himself. Those lush islands were also what the tribal leaders wanted. No, he amended, reminded of Wise’s words. Some of them wanted more. They wanted to enslave the Kingdom subjects.
That didn’t sit well with him, and he resolved to talk to Jhiton when he got back. Maybe Chief Tenilor too. It had sounded like he’d been a part of that discussion.
