Page 127 of The Queens and the Kings
“Naturally,” he muttered. “And all of this began because His Glory stopped sending damma?”
“Well, the thousand years would pass no matter what, but His Glory’s refusal to send it created a spark that set it rolling. According to the Teller, there should be ten or so more years before the Wyvern Kings awaken on their own. Without the damma, they have roused early.”
“It still makes no sense why His Glory would stop sending the damma.”
“It makes no sense,” she said gently, “if you think he is working alone.”
Henrik could only stare, stunned by the revelation. “You think he’s working with someone else to make this happen?”
She shrugged. “It’s the only explanation I can imagine. Who that might be? I have no idea. It’s not the Wyvern Kings that heworks for, and I don’t know anyone else that wishes the Siren Queens ill.”
Henrik ran his tongue over his teeth, grimacing through these ugly realizations.
“I fear it’s too late,” she admitted, hands folded in front of her. With her loose linen pants and erect chin, she had a regal, if not weary, profile. “The Wyvern Kings’ agitation is increasing. Their appetite, their irascibility, their obsession with the west is compounding without the damma. A stable amount must be in their blood in order for them to remain wyverns. Once that total amount has decreased . . .”
Her stark observation trailed into the ether.
“You’re sending wyverns to the Westlands, aren’t you?”
“We’re trying.”
“To assist them home?”
“To . . . cooperate.” Her hands spread to the side in a helpless gesture. “We have been suppressing the wyverns for hundreds of years. When they fully awaken, their righteous anger will be downright treacherous. If we haven’t attempted to make some amends, tohelp?”
She sighed, rubbing a hand over her eyes.
“It was the Teller’s suggestion to allay the Wyvern Kings’ inevitable upset with their early rising. But not all wyverns are awake enough. There is one that seems to understand everything, and others that seem to understand something. Most of them appear confused. The damma isn’t out of their system enough for it to have been successful, and with ten years left, we aren’t sure what this might look like.”
Which didn’t speak to the problem of the Siren Queens. Would the Siren Queens retaliate if they learned of the Ladylord’s help to the Wyvern Kings? No matter how Alma managed this situation, the mainland had two supposedly powerful enemies to allay.
Henrik had utterly no grasp on these compounding problems, nor what sort of war the Siren Queens might wage, but he understood the fear in Alma’s eyes.
Ideas kicked to life. Observations. Questions. Strategies to lessen the impact. He forced those to slow so he could focus on the matter at hand. He closed the distance between them with a few steps, speaking to the urgency in her eyes.
“Did you speak directly to His Glory when he stopped sending shipments?”
“Not me.”
“Who?”
“The former Lordlady had different opinions about this issue. One might say that my compounding concern over the mainland motivated my ascent to power.”
He nodded, understanding the undertone a little too readily.
“What if there’s enough damma powder to get you through until we can increase production again?”
With a sad smile, she said, “While I appreciate your fervor and willingness, it’s too late, Henrik. Surely, you know this. The wyverns are growing violent. Insistent to return west. The storm grows.”
They turned to face the broiling western horizon, the farthest reach stained inky black in a thin line. Though it lingered out of touch, the slow expansion promised that it wouldn’t forever.
In a whisper, she concluded, “The Siren Queens know, too.”
Henrik ran a hand over his head, thinking fast. “When they return to their original form, how powerful are the Wyvern Kings?” he asked. “Do you know?”
“No.”
“Does anyone?”
