As the gloom deepened, Vorik gazed around the rocky slopes and broken top of a volcano that had erupted intermittently over the centuries. He could also hear the roar of the sea and knew they were close to the cliff-filled northwestern shoreline. Once, the island had reputedly extended much farther in that direction, with the volcano that had formed it closer to the middle, but time and rising seas had sunk what had been lower land.
With dozens of square miles around the volcano, Syla could be anywhere out there, but why would she have parted from her allies? To run off and lead someone else astray while they went for the shielder? Could another rider be out here? Sent to capture her and get the location of the shielder?
Vorik recalled that Captain Lesva had been after Syla—and had also fallen into the waters around the island—and he shifted uneasily on his perch. As powerful as he, Lesva might well have made it to shore.
Lost in his thoughts and scouring the terrain, longing to spot Syla, Vorik almost missed the pair entering the cave. He returned his focus to them as they disappeared inside and waited to make sure they wouldn’t come back out. When a lantern flared to life, then dimmed as they carried it deeper into the cave, he knew they were descending into the earth.
He hopped down from his perch and jogged toward the cave.
We may be close to finding the shielder,he spoke telepathically to Agrevlari.
Good. I grow weary of sitting out here on this perch. The fishing is not that wondrous.
I wish you could fly over here and look for Syla while I follow these two.Vorik shared an image of Fel and Tibby with the dragon.
She is not with them?
No. I’m worried… She may be in danger.The next image he shared was of Lesva.I have a hunch.
Her danger will matter little if you’re able to obtain or destroy thisisland’s shielder without her. Then I and other dragons will be able to hunt the delicious elioks.
I see where your priorities are.
Dragons have not held any secrets from their human riders about what they want from this alliance.
Oh, I know. But Syla does matter. She…Vorik sought a way to explain without admitting that he cared… more than he was supposed to.
You still seek to mate with her.
Well, yes, but that’s notwhyshe matters.
Notonlywhy, anyway.
As the daughter of the deceased monarch, she should know where the shielders are located onallthe islands,Vorik continued.Remember, that’s what General Jhiton wants. And I’m sure you and your dragon kin would also enjoy the prey on those other islands.
Oh, yes. A great many soft and succulent animals that are extinct in other parts of the world may be found in the kingdom. Some were gone long before my time, and I yet crave them, longing to experience their fine flesh on my tongue.
You’re making me hungry, Agrevlari. Vorik crept into the cave, not lighting a lantern for himself. Since he’d fled with nothing but his sword, trousers, and boots—not even his shirt—he didn’t have that option, but with his dragon-magic-enhanced vision, he could see in all but the darkest of environments. Reminded of the keenness of dragon vision, he added,Can you use your magic and fine eyes to try to spot Syla from out there while I follow these two?
Certainly. It would be much easier if I could fly over that area, but I will let you know if I detect anything from this distant perch.
Thanks. You’re a good dragon.
One deserving of many elioks.
Clearly.
Vorik padded silently around jumbled boulders, the cave floor angling downward, then turning into a rockfall that sloped to alower level. At that point, the passageway appeared to end at a stone wall with no side tunnels one might take. But Fel, Tibby, and their light had disappeared.
Vorik, sensing a hint of magic, patted around the area, certain they’d gone through a hidden entrance.
Yes, his hand swept through air that onlylookedlike rock. He stepped into a lava tube more than twice his height. It was largely straight, and, right away, he spotted the backs of Fel and Tibby about thirty yards ahead. He pressed himself against a lumpy section of the side of the lava tube, willing himself to blend in in case they sensed a threat and looked back.
And Fel did. More than once. But he was a mundane human, lacking enhanced night vision, and he gave no sign that he spotted Vorik. He and the aunt continued on.
Slight magic emanated from the stone behind Vorik’s back, left by the gods to protect this area, perhaps, in case the volcano erupted again. Letting his fingers trail along it, he followed the others.
After perhaps a quarter of a mile, the ancient lava tube appeared to dead-end at another rockfall. But the wall to the left of it was unnaturally smooth, as if someone had carved it with tools.
