Island of Dragons (Unwanteds #7)(50)

“I’ll have a few teams line the Quill shoreline on the western side of the island since that might be where their ships land first. The rest of us and our teams will take our usual stations on the lawn, and if anything unexpected happens, I’ll advise you on what to do via squirrelicorn message.”

He took a breath and let it out, wondering if he’d thought of everything, and then continued. “I want all the fighting statues to be stationed facing the water all along the shore, ready to scare the stink out of anybody who makes it to land. The pirates won’t have seen any living statues before, so have them focus their energies there and use distraction techniques with anyone else to buy the spell casters more time to prepare.”

Alex shoved his hands in his pockets, his mind awhirl. “I think that’s it for now. If you see Haluki, have him find me when he gets here so we can figure out what to do with Quill. I’ll go write up some team instructions and send them to your blackboards. Grab some breakfast, fill your canteens, and I’ll see you back here shortly.”

He pressed his lips together. “This is going to be our most difficult battle yet, by far. And I honestly don’t know how we’re going to get through it. But I won’t quit, and I won’t surrender, and I won’t back down, not for anything or anyone, no matter what they do to me.” He shuffled his feet in the grass. “I guess I just wanted you all to know that. You mean very much to me, all of you. And today I’m fighting for you.”

After the moment of warmth, the team went to carry out their duties. Aaron, who’d been given no special assignment, slipped away with a determined look on his face and headed into Quill.





One by One, the Warriors (Reprise)


When Alex went back into the mansion, he stopped in the hospital ward to check on Yazmin, the brave young woman who had escaped from Warbler. She and her brother Thatcher were awake now, and he was sitting by her bed, talking with her.

“Hi there. Thatcher, right?”

Thatcher’s eyes widened when he saw the head mage was talking to him. “Yes, how’d you know?”

“You’re doing really great with your spells. Are you going to help us fight?”

Thatcher’s eyes narrowed. “You bet I am. I’m going after Queen Eagala.”

“Be careful,” Alex warned. “Maybe start with a slow moving pirate or something.” He looked at Yazmin. “Welcome. I’m Alex,” he said. “We’re grateful to you for the warning.”

Her orange eyes were tired. “Hi,” she whispered, and then she pointed to her neck. “Thank you.”

“No problem. Is there anything you can tell me? We see the ships coming—the attack is imminent. But you should be safe in here.”

“Queen Eagala has been meeting with the pirate captain for months,” Yazmin whispered. “She built him a ship in exchange for help from them to defeat you.” She struggled to sit up. “The pirates alone will make up the first several waves of attacks, but there will be Warblerans hiding on the ships, waiting to fight if the pirates fail.”

“All pirates,” said Alex. “I was afraid of that. Thank you. That helps.”

“I want to help you fight,” said Yazmin.

Alex frowned. “I don’t think that’s wise—Carina says you’re quite sick. But you have helped us tremendously already. You gave us days of warning. That made a huge difference in our preparation, and we’re all very grateful.” He glanced at Thatcher. “I hope you’re pleased with how well your brother is turning out.”

Yazmin smiled and put her hand on Thatcher’s arm. “Our parents will be very happy to know that they made a good decision to send him here. They’ve been very worried.”

“Perhaps you’ll all be reunited soon,” said Alex. He wished he believed it. He nodded briskly. “I’ve got to run now. Thatcher, your instructions will be on your blackboard.” He headed out of the hospital ward into a bustle of activity as Artiméans moved throughout the mansion, preparing for battle or bringing possessions with them to the lounge. He saw Crow with Thisbe and Fifer heading for the tubes and stopped them.

“Stay safe,” Alex said to his sisters. He kissed each of them on the forehead and looked at Crow. “I’m so glad they have you.”

Crow smiled. “I’ll take good care of them,” he said. And with that, he and the girls slipped into the tube and disappeared.

Alex watched them go, then took the stairs two at a time and went to his living quarters. He quickly packed a bag of components for Aaron. “So you sent it,” Alex said, knowing full well Clive was aware of his presence.

“You said you didn’t care,” said Clive.

“Well, thank you. And . . .” Alex thought for a long moment. “And if anybody gets inside the mansion, you and the other blackboards should do what you can to scare them back out.”

Clive’s face pushed out and his eyes flew open. “Like what?” he asked, incredulous. “We don’t even have bodies.”

“You’ll think of something,” Alex said. “Gotta go.” He ran out of the room with Clive screaming “Don’t die!” after him. And as Alex flew down the only-secret-to-intruders hallway past the Museum of Large, he skidded to a stop and stared at the door. He blinked a few times, shook his head, and mumbled something under his breath, followed by “No. Too dangerous.” He continued on to finish up his meetings before it was time to defend their land.