Page 97 of Red Dragon
“I can prove my capability as a leader as necessary,” Atilya said coolly.
“I don’t doubt it.” Vorik recalled that she’d had a lot of prowess and been bonded with her dragon. Despite her gray hair, she didn’t appear to have lost her fitness.
“No? Captains Lormark and Negg had snide comments the last time we spoke.”
“I am not either of them.”
“No.” Her hackles seemed to lower slightly. “Your only fault that I remember was being your brother’s puppy.”
“Heismy superior officer.”
The grunt she made didn’t suggest approval, but she waved to the archers to lower their bows. “We’ll invite Captain Vorik to have the evening meal with us and, if he wants our ore, tell us his brother’s plans.”
“I don’t know them, Chieftess,” Vorik said.
“Perhaps after a few glasses of wine, you’ll remember hearing him mention them.” Atilya smiled at him, then turned away, calling for the preparation of a meal.
Vorik scratched his jaw.Agrevlari, do you think you can dig out some of that ore? Unless Atilya is more successful in getting me drunk than I think she’ll be, we’re going to have to find a way to take it without their help. I can’t tell them the mission, lest they blather to the Kingdom.
Doesn’t theKingdomalready know what you’re up to?Agrevlari shared an image of Syla with him.
That is true, I suppose, though she’s not sending back reports to her military leaders. At least, I assume not, given that they chased her away from their island. Even if I could divulge Jhiton’s intent, telling the truth wouldn’t get me Atilya’s help. She doesn’t approve of our people’s plans.
It does seem that way. I’ll ask these dragons about the ore, but it may behoove you to see if there are other deposits around the mountain.
Can you sense any?
Only the ones in here. Others would be difficult to detect if they’re deep within the rock.
In other words, it would be much easier to take a chunk from here.
There are dragons roosting on it. It might not bethatmuch easier.
What is its appeal?Vorik asked.
I understand it’s warm and tingles. The dragons especially enjoy this hideout in the winter.
I didn’t realize dragons were like the lions sunning themselves on flat rocks.
Tingling magical ore sounds even better than sunny lion perches,Agrevlari said.
“Come, Vorik.” Atilya waved for him and Wise to follow her. “We will treat you to a meal in the hope that youwillsend savik-berry pemmican this way during the holiday season.”
Why don’t I trust her, Agrevlari?
She’s immune to your charm?
That must be it.
After her poor night’s sleep, Syla dozed as Wreylith flew over the rainforest and toward the mountains. Her subconscious remained aware enough to keep the magical tendril in place that anchored her to the dragon’s back, and, unlike their younger companion, Wreylith did not sashay or tilt alarmingly, threatening to dislodge Syla.
When she wasn’t dozing, she read the book on her great-great grandmother, the wind of dragon flight tugging at the corners of the pages.
“After sailing off to avoid an arranged marriage with Lord Gerringtor and being captured by pirates, Queen Erasbella had to find a way to cleverly escape while worrying about a further threat: dragons attacking the ship.Dragons, Wreylith. Andpirates.” Syla looked at the back of the red dragon’s head. “These things werenotmentioned in any of the other books. They all said Erasbella went dutifully to her arranged marriage without complaint.”
History is recorded in such a way that it pleases the sensibilities of those doing the recording, and unpleasingaccountings are sometimes made to disappear. It is so with dragons as well. I’ve lived long enough to observe supposedly accurate historical tales changing over time with the passing generations.
“I can’t believe she was trying to avoid her marriage. The other texts all suggest she was very proper.”
