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armor.
    Joabis proceeded at a swift pace, saying he was eager to leave this place and return to his island, and Skylan lost sight of him among the thick trees and heavy vegetation. He knew where he was because he could hear the god crashing among the foliage and shouting for him to hurry. After fighting his way through a tangle of vines, Skylan came to a small, sheltered bay surrounded by trees. The seawater was blue green and clear, with barely a wavelet as it flowed over the rippling sand.
    The dragonship was lying on the beach. Skylan expected to find members of the crew waiting for the god or at least someone standing guard on the ship, but no one was around. The beach was empty except for Joabis, who was scratching his head and looking perplexed.
    â€œWhere’s your crew?” Skylan called, slogging through the sand.
    â€œI don’t know,” Joabis replied. “I gave them a full barrel of ale to keep them company. They were just broaching it when I left. Perhaps they grew bored with waiting and wandered off. I’ll go search for them.”
    Joabis began shouting names, calling for his missing crewmen.
    Skylan shook his head in disgust and went over to inspect the ship.
    â€œI know why no one is guarding it,” he muttered. “It’s not worth stealing.”
    The dragonship was old and dilapidated. The paint was peeling, and the sail had so many patches he could not find much of the original canvas. Barnacles covered the hull and might be all that was holding the ship together. He doubted they would make it out of the cove before it sank.
    Skylan continued along across the small strip of beach, keeping his gaze on the ground. He found the ale barrel tipped over on its side; the bunghole wide open. The sand beneath was wet and smelled strongly of ale.
    Skylan straightened. Keeping his hand on the hilt of his sword, he continued to investigate and soon had an idea of what must have happened.
    â€œYou can stop yelling,” he told Joabis. “Your crew didn’t wander off. They ran away.”
    â€œHow do you know?” Joabis demanded.
    â€œThey left behind a full ale barrel, overturning it in their haste,” said Skylan. “The footprints are deep, made by men running off in terror, and they all lead one direction—into the forest.”
    Joabis paled. “Do you know what attacked them?”
    â€œI don’t see any signs of a battle,” said Skylan. “But something scared them. I’ll keep searching—”
    â€œNo, no,” said Joabis. “We should be leaving. Help me haul the ship into the water.”
    â€œWe can’t sail without a crew!” Skylan protested.
    â€œVindrash will send us a dragon,” said Joabis, puffing and panting as he hurried toward the ship.
    â€œDon’t you want to know who attacked your men and what happened to them?” Skylan asked.
    â€œNot particularly,” said Joabis, mopping his face with his sleeve. “Lift the prow. I’ll take the stern.”
    Skylan helped carry the dragonship, taking the prow, which was the heavy end, and between them they managed to haul the ship into the warm, crystalline water. The two hoisted themselves on board.
    The dragonship rocked in the water, moving gently back and forth with the motion of the waves, not going anywhere. Skylan looked around the ship. Sea chests were upended, their contents scattered about the deck. The crew had not stowed the oars properly in the center where they belonged. They had taken the mast down, the patched sail lay in sloppy folds on top, and the hatch to the hold gaped wide open.
    Judging by the mess they had left behind, Skylan decided that Joabis’s crew was no great loss.
    Righting a sea chest, Skylan sat down and waited for Joabis, who was holding a whispered conversation with the Dragon Goddess. Skylan heard her name, “Vindrash!” and, “This is all your fault!” and, “You owe