“She threw explosives at us,” Jhiton reminded him.
“Atyou.”
“Thus making the behavior acceptable.”
“She was trying to defend her people’s shielders,” Vorik said.
“The shielders thatwemust destroy so that our people have a better future.” Jhiton gestured around the cave at the fires burning, families happily eating their fill for the first time in a long time.
“I know.” Vorik lowered his arms. “I don’t oppose that, and you know I’ll do whatever you ask, General. I just don’t think we need to worry about Princess Syla.”
Long seconds passed as Jhiton regarded him. Vorik willed him to send the lurking Devron and Lesva away so they could speak privately. Jhiton would be annoyed by him questioning him in front of others, but alone, he would be more reasonable. Or so Vorik hoped.
“She’s more than a healer,” Lesva said.
Devron nodded vigorously.
“Getting rid of her would be wise,” Lesva added. “Sir, if you want, while I’m on Harvest Island, it would be a simple matter to have my dragon fly me close to Castle Island. I could swim through the barrier with my weapons and end the princess as a threat to our conquest.”
“Just focus on securing Harvest Island,” Jhiton told her. “Send a report back to me when their capital is ours.”
Lesva looked like she wanted to object further, but she managed a respectful, “Yes, sir,” and bowed and walked away.
“You’re also dismissed, Devron,” Jhiton said.
“Yes, sir.” Rubbing his throat again, Devron headed for the fire where his wife and children camped.
“What mission do you have for me involving the scrolls, General?” Vorik pointed at them, hoping Jhiton would explain their significance—and forget all about this new determination that Syla was some kind of threat.
“You’re going to gather the components that are apparently necessary for repairing a sky shielder.” Jhiton opened a scroll filled with writing. “This is in an older tongue, and Devron and I can’t translate everything, but the first component is believed to be found in the rainforests of Froha and Droha, the second in the mountains of Droha, and the third in its great Dire Desert. Lieutenant Wise might be able to ascertain more details. He can take a look while you’re flying down the coast to the rainforest on Droha.”
“I… All right. Will you humor me and tell mewhyyou want to repair a shielder? We don’t even have a broken one.”
“No, but the gardeners do.”
“I’m assuming you don’t want me to gather the components and give them to the Kingdom.”
“I do not. From what this says, the components are rare, one specifically appearing only once every ten years. Ifwecollect theitems, they won’t be available for the gardeners.” Jhiton handed the scroll to Vorik. “Take Wise, find the components, and bring them to me.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I trust you’ll know what to do if you cross paths with Princess Syla.”
Vorik started to say that was unlikely—it wasn’t as ifshewould be sent to collect components from around the world—but hadn’t she been the one to go to Harvest Island? With only her aged bodyguard for protection? What if she went on this quest too?
“Invite her to my furs in the hope that she’ll divulge kingdom secrets while in the throes of passion?” Vorik didn’t grin, though the idea pleased him. More the part where they would share his furs than the divulging of secrets. He thought they’d both enjoyed themselves more when they’d been discussingsafetopics.
“Do you think it likely that will work at this point?” Jhiton raised a skeptical eyebrow.
Vorik wanted to sayabsolutelyand that he would do his best. A stirring in his groin suggested his penis wanted that too, and he almost rolled his eyes at himself. Letting his lower extremities in on decision making was never a good plan.
“Probably not,” he admitted. “I don’t think I ever fooled her by claiming to be a part of the Freeborn Faction.”
“I’m also skeptical of that.”
“Ididtry.”
“I have no doubt.” Jhiton glanced down.
