Chapter Forty-Four: Investigation

Howard and Bridget observe from high altitude as Alexander's forces launch a coordinated raid on the Hunter and its villages. After witnessing the brutal attack, they land and investigate the aftermath, discovering that the occupying Alexandrians are surprisingly restrained and the Hunter is now sailing toward what appears to be Alexander's main fleet.

Howard and Bridget climb to five kilometers altitude on a thermal updraft near the Hunter to survey the area. From above, Bridget spots numerous hotspots indicating volcanic activity and identifies scattered floaters across the landscape, plus a concentrated group in the distance that Howard suspects belongs to Alexander. As they observe, a raiding party of roughly two hundred dragons approaches the Hunter in a low, coordinated assault. Howard and Bridget watch from a distance as the attackers strike all three villages simultaneously with spears against pike-wielding defenders. The fighting is brutal and lasts about ten minutes; many dragons die or are crippled, though the raiders do not appear to be conducting a systematic pogrom. After the violence subsides, Howard and Bridget land at the village where they stayed the previous night. Alexandrian soldiers, identifiable by blue and white armbands, briefly intercept them but allow them to proceed when Bridget explains they are simply passing through. The village quickly returns to normal commercial activity despite the occupation. Howard speaks with a kiosk proprietor who expresses surprise at the Alexandrians' restraint, noting that he has heard stories of them burning entire floaters and slaughtering populations in retaliation elsewhere. Howard observes that the Hunter has changed course and is sailing toward the knot of floaters visible from their earlier vantage point, suggesting the occupied floater is joining Alexander's fleet.