'Tomas ...'
He heard the big man's voice and saw him clinging to the side of the dinghy.
'Get in boat like princess say. I come too.'
Morgon tried to say more but a javelin cut him short. The point struck him between the shoulder blades and passed right through him. Tom watched as the former commander of the thirteenth legion was hoisted into the dragon boat like a chicken on a spit.
'Sky Warrior.'
He looked up and saw Thunder. The little man had one hand on his sword and the other raised in a warrior's salute.
Tom returned the salute.
'Tomas.'
Adrina leant forward. A torch lit her face and there were tears in her eyes.
'We shall never forget you ...'
Tom returned her wave and pulled himself into the dinghy. The mooring rope was cast off and the outgoing tide carried the small craft into open water.