Trip met Drivortia’s eyes, yellow reptilian eyes the color of her fire, and clenched his fist and launched another mental attack. Her head whipped back, much as his had earlier, and she screeched like a dying pig.
She’d finally had enough. She hurled one final desperate attack that Trip and Azarwrath deflected, then flew downward, toward the ocean. Drivortia spiraled out of control, and Trip’s first thought was that she was already dead. But he sensed life from her, sensed the pain rolling off her. She struck the surface of the ocean and disappeared, plunging into the dark depths.
Her magic protected her as she sank quickly, reaching the bottom and crawling beneath a rock ledge. She must have tamped down her aura because she seemed to disappear from Trip’s senses.
That dragon is playing possum, Shulina Arya said. Shall we go down and finish her off, Storyteller?
Rysha looked over at Trip. Ahn and Grady flew closer, also looking at him. Hells, maybe he was leading this mission.
“She’s not a proven enemy of Iskandia,” Trip said, “and she’s clearly given up. I think we can leave her. As the colonel pointed out, this isn’t truly our mission.”
He looked around for Bhrava Saruth, expecting him to have an opinion.
Have no fear, Bhrava Saruth said. I have removed the threat of the dastardly bronze.
He was behind Trip’s flier, flapping his wings enough to hover while he gripped the bronze dragon by the throat. Telmandaroo hung limp, his long neck trapped in Bhrava Saruth’s jaws.
At first, Trip thought him dead, with his spine broken, but he sensed life from the dragon.
I did not wish to attack, he told them, his voice meek.
He is cowardly and easily manipulated, Bhrava Saruth said. Shall I slay him?
“You don’t think he’d like to become one of your worshippers?” Ahn asked—apparently, the dragons were sharing their telepathic words with everybody.
Dragons make poor worshippers. They do not know how to be affectionate and appealing.
Let him go, Trip said. He’s no further threat.
Hmmph.
Based on that dubious response, Trip wasn’t sure Bhrava Saruth would actually listen. Trip met the dragon’s green eyes, gazing steadily into them, and tried to convey that this was his mission and he’d been put in charge, at least when it came to dealing with other dragons.
To his surprise, Bhrava Saruth opened his maw. Telmandaroo tumbled out, falling dozens of feet before he recovered, flapping his wings and regaining his altitude. Blood dripped from the crushed scales of his neck, and Trip felt sorry for him, even if he’d been involved in pirating. He hadn’t truly wished to attack this group.
Telmandaroo looked down toward the ocean, perhaps checking on the gold female, then over at Trip.
Human, you have saved my life. Telmandaroo sounded puzzled, either at the idea that his life had been in danger or at the idea that a human had bothered intervening on his behalf.
You’re not going to offer to make me a high-level minion again, are you?
No. You are not a minion. I see this now.
Trip lifted his eyebrows. He wasn’t sure what he had done to deserve such esteem, but he would not object.
We’re going to stop the attack on the airship, Trip said. Will you come?
Telmandaroo hesitated. You wish me to fight against Drivortia’s mate? He is surly, grumpy, and has bad breath.
I had no idea dragons were concerned about such things.
You are a strange human, Captain Trip, Shulina Arya said. You believe dragons don’t bathe, and you also believe we like our breath smelling foul?
Well, I didn’t know. Until a few weeks ago, I didn’t know any dragons at all.
That is odd, given your heritage.
There’s much odd about me. Trip caught Rysha’s gaze and smirked wryly. He almost added his familiar statement, that he was glad Rysha liked odd men, but the dragons probably wouldn’t understand.
I will accompany you, Telmandaroo said. I do not wish to battle Drivortia’s surly mate, but if you slay him, I can return to my islands and rule there again. I could become a great ally to your nation in the future.
Telryn, Azarwrath said. That bronze dragon wishes to use you.
Yes, it’s not the first time. So long as he doesn’t attack us, I’m content.
Hm.
“Let’s go,” Trip said, speaking aloud as well as telepathically, so everyone would be sure to hear. “That airship could be in splinters by now.”
Shulina Arya pumped her wings and took the lead. It is a beautiful day to save lives, she announced. And also to valiantly slay enemies.
Rysha patted her on the neck.
Bhrava Saruth picked up his pace so that he could fly beside Shulina Arya. Telmandaroo flew beside Trip’s flier, with Ahn and Grady on the other side. They were an odd little squadron.
She is sleek, Telmandaroo spoke into his mind.
What? Trip glanced around, wondering if that comment had been sent directly to him or to everyone. Neither the other dragons nor Ahn, Rysha, or Grady reacted.
That female dragon. She is sleek and young. And supple. And she didn’t call me an imbecile. Will you tell me her name?
Shulina Arya.
Is she the mate of Bhrava Saruth? I’ve heard of him.
I don’t believe they’re mates, no.
Excellent. Perhaps I will invite her to my islands when I get them back. I could have my minions rub her and polish her scales.
I’ll wish you luck with that. So far, she hasn’t appeared impressed by dragon wiles.
Bhrava Saruth spun in the air ahead of them as he flew. As far as Trip could tell, Shulina Arya didn’t notice. Or noticed and didn’t care.
That dragon is foolish. Even bronze dragons know him to be so.
It is possible that a different style of courtship would impress her more.
Telmandaroo fell silent after that, contemplating courtship styles perhaps. Trip was glad. He wanted to complete his mission and help his country, not help dragons get dates.
Trip stretched ahead with his senses, looking for the airships, but he needn’t have bothered.
“Smoke ahead,” Ahn said.
Trip nodded, spotting it. The airships were lower than their fliers, only a few hundred feet above the ocean, and one was losing altitude as the squadron approached. The faint booms of cannons reached Trip’s ears, and a gold dragon swooped back and forth above the balloon of the damaged craft.
The smoking airship was painted in the blue and gold colors of Iskandia. Trip had been afraid of that. It wasn’t a military craft, but it had clearly come from their shores.
“Colonel Grady says we’re going in,” Ahn added.
“I’m ready.” Trip hoped they weren’t too late.
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