The clack of talons approaching sounded. Tonasketal coming to pick up Wise?
Human hands shifted Vorik away from his lieutenant. The warmth of dragon breath whispered past his cheek as Tonasketal grasped Wise and picked him up.
We go,Agrevlari stated.
Vorik heard the beating of wings and sensed the dragons departing. Unease settled into him, the knowledge that he was by himself among enemies.
A faint scrape sounded. Someone picking up his sword and moving it elsewhere? They would take the amphora too.
“Tie him up, and put him in one of the sleeping areas for now,” Atilya said. “Keep his sword elsewhere so he can’t grab it if he wakes up. Holok, see what’s in that urn.”
“How long will he be unconscious?” The male speaker sounded wary. “He’s… formidable. I wouldn’t want to fight with him, not even with our dragons present.”
“I know he is, but that’s a potent drug, and he hadn’t eaten yet, so it will have hit on an empty stomach. He should be out until dawn. We’ll check him later though and force some more into him.”
“This is just a musty powder,” came a puzzled voice from nearby. The man investigating the amphora. What if he dumped it out? Not only Jhiton butSylawould probably punch Vorik if he allowed that to happen.
“I sense… something magical about it.” Was that the old man with the dragon tattoo? He might have some lingering power from his bond, especially if it hadn’t been dissolved that far in the past.
“Yes.” That was Atilya.Herbond was fine. One of the dragons roosting on the ore was her ally. “The powder is magical. Just like the ore. Who knows what they’re doing with it. I wish he’d told us. Maybe I should have added that to the message, let the general know we’ll also trade the items Vorik is hunting in exchange for our people back.”
“You offered enough. Vorik is Jhiton’s brother. He’s valuable. Besides, we may notwantthe warmongers to have these things.”
“True. Put that urn out of sight with him. And bind himstrongly. I wish we had shackles made from that ore.”
“I will.”
Two men picked up Vorik, and he made his every muscle go limp.Stay near, Agrevlari,he called to his dragon.I may need you when it’s time to escape.
I have no doubt that you will.
I have to figure out how to get a chunk of that ore first.His best bet would be in the middle of the night, while most slept, but chiseling ore from rocks wasn’t a quiet endeavor.
That may prove difficult with two dragons roosting on it.
I’ll be resourceful.
Will you seduce someone?Agrevlari asked.
Probably not unless one of the female dragons would be amenable.
Neither they nor the available females in their fertile time were interested in Tonasketal.
I’m a lot more charismatic than he is.
True, but you are not anatomically formed to satisfy a dragon.
Alas. I’ll find another way.
As he was toted behind a hanging hide to a sleeping area, his wrists and ankles tugged together for binding, Vorik wondered how.
22
As the dragonsflew above the forested foothills and angled upward, leaving a brilliant blue sky to soar under gray clouds that grew darker as they neared the Everfrost peaks, Igliana took the lead.
That surprised Syla, and she blinked and put away her book, sensing they had to be getting close to something. Until now, Wreylith had been in the lead and clearly in charge.
“You’re letting someone young and perky fly ahead of you?” Syla looked at Teyla and Fel. His face had grown less green so Igliana must have calmed her early-morning exuberance.
