Page 89 of Red Dragon
Vorik had always considered himself a soldier, defending and feeding his people, and nothing more, but he had a high enough rank that he should have a voice at tribal meetings if he wishedit. Maybe he would have to show up for more of those and argue for a future of honor. Of course, if his feelings for Syla became widely known, his words might be brushed aside. He might even be held in suspicion by his leaders.
Vorik looked toward Wise again, wondering what the lieutenant would have said—would havereported—if Vorik had voiced the words that had come to mind when he’d faced Syla in the ruins. He’d been tempted to ask if there was enough of the powder that they could each take half—if that would be sufficient fortwoshielders to be made. But, according to Wise, only one of the final components grew at a time, so it wouldn’t have mattered if they’d shared the other two. Besides Jhiton didn’twantthe Kingdom to be able to replace its broken shielder.
I believe it likelythat the godsareguiding the princess,Agrevlari added after a few quiet moments.You recall your battle with Captain Lesva.
And that lightning knocked her off that cliff, yes.In that moment, Vorik had been relieved the decision whether or not to push her off had been taken from him, but the thought that it might not have been chance had occurred to him. And disturbed him.
An act of one of the gods, one would think,Agrevlari said.
Or luck.
That is possible.Agrevlari didn’t sound like he believed it.But if shehasbeen chosen by the gods, we should be wary in our interactions with her.
Yes.
I would not care to be hit by lightning.
Unless you’re a cloud striker, it sounds unpleasant.
Even to a dragon, yes. We are powerful but not impervious, especially to the magic of the gods.
Few are impervious to that.
When the dragons reached the foothills of the Everfrost Mountains, they adjusted their course to follow the two-thousand-mile-long chain to the north.
We can camp when you see a good place.Vorik yawned again.I just wanted to get far away with the amphora in case Syla talked Wreylith into attacking us to retrieve it. We’re only guessing that she might be chosen by the gods; she’sdefinitelychosen by that dragon.
Oh, to be chosen by one as magnificent as she,Agrevlari said.Do you think I should compose another song? She wasn’t as wooed by my ballad as I’d hoped.
Based on our encounters with her, I have a hunch she’s more likely to be drawn by a dragon who does great deeds or bests many foes in battle rather than one who has a nice singing voice.Vorik didn’t point out that the screeches he’d heard didn’t suggest Agrevlari fell into that latter category.
I do believe you are correct. She was pleased when I drove Ozlemar away from her, but perhaps it was not a sufficient display of my battle prowess to make her swoon with admiration.
I doubt she’s ever swooned. Do dragons knowhowto swoon?
Sometimes, when we are affected by strong emotions, we dip one wing and fly in a pleased circle. Or we dive and twirl.Agrevlari shared an image of a dragon doing so.
Interesting. I’ve not seen that often.
It is rarely done in the presence of outsiders, but I’ve had a female twirl so for me. And that young dragon with Wreylith gazed with interest at me when we passed.
Did she? I didn’t notice that.
Humans aren’t attentive when it comes to dragon interest.
A proven fact.A hint of daylight was lightening the horizon, and Vorik spotted something flying in the distance above the snow-capped mountains.
Agrevlari picked up his pace, either invigorated by the thought of sleep or of a female twirling for him.
Is that another dragon up there?Vorik asked.
I sense several in the direction we are heading. Scar Peak lies that way. It’s a popular meeting place for dragons desiring to hunt in the desert on the other side of the mountains.
Stormer-allied dragons?Vorik thought of the wing that had been flying up the coast, but they would have reached the Sixteen Talons headquarters by now.Or wild dragons?
Neither.
What other dragons are there?Vorik asked dryly.
