Island of Dragons (Unwanteds #7)(21)

Henry found a big stick and started paddling too.

The island moved. And it moved. Foot by foot and yard by yard, Karkinos reached deep under the surface and swept his broad claws like enormous oars, his legs like gondoliers’ rèmos, and pulled himself along with the help of his comrades and friends. One minute at a time they fought the current together, almost certain they could never make it, but pressing on all the same, until at last they had gained significant ground. Victory was in sight.

But was it in reach? The creatures were exhausted, and some of them fell away for a long moment to rest. Without the full crew, Karkinos strained and grew still, and the island slowed to a stop. “Come on!” cried Henry. “We can’t stop now! We’re almost there!”

The sea creatures rallied, and Karkinos stirred and began paddling again, and they all pressed on once more until they regained momentum. Finally the crab’s inhabitants found themselves outside the realm of danger. A shout of victory rose up among the trees and from the sea.

Pan slipped away. The water rippled over her head as she sped back to Artimé alone. The remaining creatures continued to help Karkinos journey back to his usual spot in the sea.

When Talon was certain the island was safe, he dropped his rope and flew down to the center of the island to free the creatures he’d tied down for safety. Not long after, the shiny bronze man emerged from the forest looking awfully anxious. He was followed by Lhasa, Bock, and a handful of dropbears. There was also a strange blurry creature Florence had never seen before, bringing a nasty smell along with him, but he immediately dashed behind some brush and disappeared.

But Florence only had eyes for one.

When Talon caught sight of Florence, he faltered.

She dropped her tree oar into the water.

Talon ran to her. He picked her up in the air, or at least he tried to, for she was admittedly very heavy, and he swung her around, which, to be technical, was a bit more like dragging her feet through the sand. And then he dipped her low and leaned in, staggering slightly, and she wrapped her arms around his neck to keep from falling. And with a loud clank, Talon kissed Florence soundly on the lips for all the island and sea creatures to see.





A Night Journey


When Pan arrived on the shore of Artimé that evening, Alex, Simber, and Sky hurried to meet her and hear the news of Karkinos.

“Is everything all right?” Alex asked. “You’re back so soon—are Florence and Henry okay?”

“Henry and Florence are well,” said Pan, “and Karkinos appears to be reacting favorably to the medicine. He was able to help us when we needed him most. If Henry hadn’t acted so quickly, all of us would have gone over the waterfall. It was a very close call.”

“Oh no,” said Sky. “How horrible! I’m so glad that didn’t happen.”

“Is the island back in safe waterrrs?” Simber asked.

“Yes,” said Pan. “The inhabitants and sea creatures will continue to help Karkinos stay in his usual position in the sea over the next few days while Henry monitors the crab’s health. I fear the crab may have strained himself with all the exertion.”

Pan’s tail curled and uncurled in the water behind her. “And I must tell you that we saw unmanned ships anchored in the water on the east side of Warbler Island, and some traveling from the Island of Fire to Warbler as well. On my return, nothing had changed at Warbler, and I saw no ships in transit. Perhaps there is some sort of trade going on between the two islands.” She glanced over her shoulder at the sound of a splash in the water, but it was only a fish jumping. “It seemed odd,” she went on, “but I didn’t see a reason to suspect anything more at this time. I will keep an eye on them the next time I travel that way.”

Alex looked concerned. “Warbler has given us a lot of trouble in the past. Thanks for watching out for us. Perhaps Simber will have to make a trip in that direction soon to have a look.”

“It never hurts to be cautious,” said Pan, but her mind was elsewhere. She glanced anxiously toward the east.

“Thank you, Pan,” said Alex. “You’ve been such a great help.” He paused. “Now that we’ve done what we could for Karkinos, I’d like to help you. Perhaps you could tell me what sort of wings you need? I don’t know if I can make them, but I’d like to try, at least.”

Pan looked at the young man thoughtfully. “Magical wings, you mean?”

“Yes,” said Alex.

Pan regarded Sky and Simber as if she were not quite sure she could trust them with a secret, and then she looked over her shoulder at the sea before leaning in toward Alex. “I must show you,” she said softly. “Come with me. I will return you to this spot by daybreak.”

Alex’s eyes widened. Did he dare go off with the dragon alone without knowing where she was taking him? But why wouldn’t he? She had helped them so generously, he couldn’t say no. Perhaps I should ask Aaron to join me, he thought. But then he frowned—he was the head mage of Artimé. He didn’t need Aaron’s help. Alex looked at Simber, who of course had heard the conversation. The cat narrowed his eyes but nodded once. Sky nodded more vigorously.

“All right,” Alex said to Pan, just as quietly. “How do you want me to, ah . . . climb on, exactly?” he said, looking up at the dragon’s back.