Island of Dragons (Unwanteds #7)(54)

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Moments later in Artimé, a shout rang out from behind the mansion, and the ground began shuddering.

From the shore, Simber reared around with a growl in his throat, until he realized who was coming toward them at breakneck speed.

It was Florence. And she was dripping wet.





The Return of Florence


Florence!” exclaimed Alex, relief washing over him. “Thank goodness! What happened to you?” he asked as the lead warrior reached him and Simber at the shore.

“Pan and I got caught behind the line of ships,” said Florence. “The only way to get past them without them seeing us was to go under them and stay underwater until we rounded the north side of Quill. Even then we weren’t out of sight. I slipped off her back when we got close, walked ashore, and came through Quill. She stayed hidden under the water and continued home—she said she had things to take care of.”

“Good grief,” said Alex. “I’m so glad you made it. We were getting worried. But what about Spike and Henry? Where are they?”

“I don’t know,” said Florence. “I left with Pan immediately when she arrived on the Island of Legends. Henry and Spike went to do one last check on Karkinos—they were planning to follow us, but they never caught up. I’m worried they’re stuck behind the ships just as we were, but unable to go underwater for that large amount of time because of Henry.”

“Did you see any eels?” asked Simber.

“We fought one on the way to the Island of Legends several days ago. Luckily, after a major fight, we were okay—though we nearly lost the medicine. Pan bit the eel’s head off. We haven’t seen any since.”

“That’s great news,” Alex said, but he was preoccupied. He’d forgotten about the potential for eels, and now Henry and Spike were possibly stranded. “Let’s hope that was the last of them.” He signaled to a squirrelicorn on the roof of the mansion.

The creature swooped down to Alex’s side.

“Let our ship’s team know that there could be eels prowling about,” Alex instructed, “and then tell Claire the same thing in the white boat.”

“Yes, sir!” said the squirrelicorn, and she darted off to deliver the message.

“What did I miss here?” asked Florence, adjusting her quiver on her back and making sure she had all of her arrows after the ride underwater. “What’s the plan?”

Alex pulled out the official battle chart that Ms. Octavia had sketched, showing the placement of all the teams in Artimé and part of Quill. He filled Florence in on all that had happened and the strategies in place.

“Basically,” he explained, “I’ve got several teams stationed here on the south shore and all the way around to the west side of the island, facing the oncoming ships,” he explained. “Mr. Appleblossom’s team and mine are covering the lawn from the edge of the jungle to the mansion. Simber’s team is on the west side of the mansion. Also with us in the mansion area are Sky, Kaylee, Matilda, Kitten, and now you. Our teams are small, some with as few as thirty fighters, but every team has a few statues and some squirrelicorns as messengers.”

“Okay,” said Florence. “Where’s everybody else?”

Alex pointed to the chart. “Heading west along the shore in Quill you can see Lani’s and Samheed’s teams. I gave them a few extra members each because they have the most ground to cover. Then, rounding the curve near the lighthouse is Aaron’s team—he recruited some Necessaries and I gave him some strong spell casters, as well as Jim the winged tortoise and the ostrich statue.”

“So far so good,” said Florence, glancing up to check the positions of the approaching ships before looking back at the charts. “Keep going.”

“Beyond Aaron, stationed on the top of the hill at the west point, is Liam and his team. Rounding the island in the northwest curve is Gunnar Haluki and his team.”

“That’s it? No one on the north side?” asked Florence.

“No—I didn’t see a need.”

“And where are Sean and Carina?”

“They’re on the ship with Ms. Octavia, Ahab, Fox, and a team of twenty or so,” said Alex. “I’ve instructed them to stay closer inland than where I expect the ships to anchor. I want our ship to act as a barrier to the mansion. They’ll attack anyone coming in straight on, or force the enemy to go around them.

“And Claire—is that her in the white boat roaming in the shallow water?” asked Florence.

“Yes, with a team of six, plus Charlie. She’s covering the shoreline and will help out wherever needed.”

“Good idea to have a mobile team,” Florence said. “What about the Warbler children—are they fighting against their own people?”

“Many of them are,” said Alex. “I’ve split them up evenly, just a few in each group so their teams can help protect them in case the attackers come ashore and try to capture them.”

Florence nodded thoughtfully as she looked over the chart. “Hmm,” she said. “Not bad work for a kid. You don’t even need old Florence anymore.”

Alex grinned. “Oh, yes we do. I’m extremely glad you’re back,” he said. “I did my best with the assignments, but if you want to change strategies, please do. You’re the expert.”