Patterns in the Dark (Dragon Blood Book 4) (36 page)

“He made a fuss, and he’s been relieved of duty.”

Zirkander pushed his hand through his hair several times, as if he might find some answers in there.

“We’ve probably been declared AWOL, too, sir,” Apex went on. “But we had to let you know.”

“Thank you.” Zirkander faced Tolemek. “I don’t suppose there’s any chance your sister would like to bring that dragon back, to fly menacingly into the harbor and show the capital that we’ve been up to important things these last couple of weeks?”

Tolemek spread his hands. “Sorry, Zirkander. I don’t think my sister is aware of or cares about Iskandian politics. Also, I don’t know how to reach her. If I did, I’d tell her she’s not old enough to stay out past midnight, much less fly around the world on a dragon’s back.”

Apex’s mouth descended to his chest at this talk of dragons, but Kaika was the one to ask, “You got a plan, Colonel? Because I didn’t go AWOL because of Apex’s companionship. Nobody in my company was doing enough about finding the king, and I was definitely getting the feeling some conspiracy was afoot.”

“A plan,” Zirkander said. “We’ll work on one. On the way back home.” He waved at the fliers. “Everyone in. Dad, are you coming?”

“In one of those cursed contraptions? No chance.” Moe glowered over at Sardelle, who lifted her hands in innocence. “I’ll catch the next boat. Have some more research to finish up first, but… check in on your mother for me, will you? If there’s any trouble in the city, make sure she’s safe.”

“I will, Dad.”

“Guess this means I’m not getting that nice bath I’ve been dreaming about,” Cas said with a sigh as the others climbed into their fliers.

“I didn’t know you dreamed of such sybaritic luxuries,” Tolemek said.

“I do. And I dream of people hopping in with me and rubbing my shoulders.”

“Random people or specific ones?”

“Scruffy-haired pirates.” Cas hopped up, caught the lip of the cockpit, and pulled herself aboard.

“
Scruffy?
” Tolemek asked. “I thought you found me handsome and alluring.”

She winked at him. “I’ll find you more alluring if you climb in back there and clean those goat droppings off the seat.”

Tolemek looked to the sky again, feeling a little envious of his sister.

THE END