Well -the dragon said hesitantly -where demons are concerned - You mean you all lie?she screamed.

Only when dueling riggers!the dragon snapped - and what it did next, she could hardly believe. One moment it was in front of her, and the next it was above her, and then behind; and it curled its wing around her like a net and scooped her toward the mountain. Jael trembled and fluttered, a frightened bird, as they plummeted through the darkness. Abruptly the dragon lurched to a landing on a black outcropping of rock. Holding her loosely, it craned its neck to sniff at her with huge smoldering nostrils, to peer at her with its enormous glowing eyes.

Jael fought to control her fear and rage. Shaking, she puffed up her hawk feathers and stared back up at the creature.You lied, and now you intend to kill me! Is that it?

The dragon c.o.c.ked its monstrous head slowly.I didn't actually lie, you know. I tricked. One is expected to do that with demon-spirits .Didn't they tell you that when they sent you here?

No one sent me!Jael snapped.I just came! And not to duel! And I'm not a demon! Why do you keep calling me that? She choked in the dragon's breath; the air around her was suffocating, trapped by the creature's great wing.Would you mind letting me breathe?

Hissing, the dragon opened its wing.You certainly are different from any rigger I've ever heard of.Not that I've personally met any before, mind you. Until now, I wasn't even sure that your kind really existed. Perhaps you had better show yourself as you really are.

The world remained wreathed in fog, but the cool night air revived her somewhat.All right.

Concentrating, she transformed herself back into the image of Jael LeBrae, human woman, in the nexus of a ghostly neural-sensory net. Haloing the net was a shimmering ethereal s.p.a.ceship.

Impressive,said the dragon.Is that all you, or are you riding some sort of magical beast? What do you call it? A s.p.a.ceship?

She made the s.p.a.ceship disappear, wondering how many like it the dragons in these mountains had destroyed. She stood on the outcropping of rock, lonely and frightened and cold.My name is Jael LeBrae, she said.

She felt a shudder, as though an earthquake were shaking the rock at her feet. The dragon's eyes opened wide. It gazed at her in astonishment, then reared its head back and roared in dismay. Its cry was deafening, reverberating through the mountains and the mist.I did not ask your name! it bellowed.Why have you given me your name! It blew a searing gout of fire up into the night, and scratched at the rock, its talons grating horribly against the stone.

What's the matter?Jael cried, covering her ears.Have you gone mad?

What's the matter?the dragon thundered.What's the matter? What are you? You're no demon!

Demons don't give names! They never give names! Don't you know anything, rigger?

Of course I'm not a demon! Why did you think I was? What kind of insanity is this?The ground continued to tremble at her feet. What was going on here?

The dragon was clearly disturbed by the vibration, too. It tipped its craggy head this way and that, then angled a troubled gaze at her.Rigger, this is strange. Most strange, indeed. It muttered to itself for a moment, as though weighing contradictory thoughts.It is almost as if you were -but no. It shook its head.I'm sure that is impossible. Impossible! Angrily, as though frustrated, it vented flame and sparks from its nostrils.

What are you talking about?Jael demanded.

Never mind,the dragon snarled. It snorted out another blast of flame.Tell me, rigger - don't you know the power of names? You act so innocent! Names are everything! I cannot kill you for a demon, knowing your name. You are - and he growled a guttural word -garkkondoh - and fumed,a person! You are real! Its throat rumbled like a volcano threatening to explode.

Of course I'm real!Jael shouted.You're not making any sense at all! What do you mean, names are everything?

The dragon shook its head unhappily. Finally it settled down enough to speak, its voice quiet in her mind.

Perhaps that was an exaggeration. Nothing is everything. But - and it fixed her with its glowing, glowering gaze, before continuing grudgingly -I perceive, I am afraid, that there is more to you than meets the eye. I had not expected such an action from a dem - from a rigger. It glared in thought for a long moment, then sighed rumblingly, shaking its head.Perhaps, though ... I should have. It would seem that I am obliged now by honor - it sighed again -or perhaps by more than honor - to give you my name in return. And then I will no longer be able to trick you, or to duel without - and he made another guttural sound -hakka, cause.Jael ground her teeth.What are you talking about? Never mind! I don't even want to know your name!

The dragon settled down glumly.And I shall have to learn more about you. Very well. If it must be. I am Windrush-Wingtouch-Highwing - Terror-of-the-Last-Peak.

I don't want to know!she snapped.

I suppose you may call me Highwing. You might as well know that my name is of some note in the realm. And I am the sire of the four fastest young dragons in the whole of - You are a braggart, also,Jael interrupted, startling the dragon into silence. It shifted its position awkwardly; the crag was small, compared to the dragon, and there was hardly any room left over for a frail human. That, Jael thought, was as good a reason as any to take her leave.Look, I only want to be on with my flight, she informed him.You've been ... most enlightening. But this isn't helping me reach my destination. I'm afraid I must leave now.

Leave?Highwing rumbled.That is impossible!

Why?

Well - that is to say - you must make up your mind!The dragon scrutinized her with large, luminous eyes.You really didn't come here to duel?

I told you. No.

Highwing vented smoke, squinting.In that case, it must be that you have come here for ...another reason. I am troubled by this, rigger. Jael LeBrae. I am ... troubled ... by the meaning of this. And by you.

By me?she murmured. And she realized, but with only a dizzy half-awareness, that his eyes were shining hypnotically into hers. She wanted to turn away, but could not; there was a terrible magnetism in his gaze.

She became aware of a strange sensation in herself, as though she had turned transparent, as though the dragon were seeing much more of her than the surface manifestation she intended to show.What are you doing to me? she whispered.

There seemed to be a rush and a hiss around her, a flurry of activity that she could not see.

She may well be the one,said a voice - not the dragon's.

She tried to focus, to see who was speaking. She could not move her gaze.

That is easy for you to say.That was Highwing's voice, barely audible.Do you know the trouble it would cause? Who am I to make such a claim?

You must judge that yourself,whispered the other.But remember the words. Remember Skytouch.

There was a long pause. Then Highwing:I remember Skytouch very well. There was renewed anger in the dragon's voice.

Do you? It would not always seem so, from your actions.

Iffling, speak to me not of things that are not your affair!hissed the dragon.Begone! And with those words, he blinked, releasing Jael from his gaze.She drew a deep breath and shook her head, trying to refocus her eyes. Something small and luminous and ghostly, hardly more than a flicker of light, floated in the air beside the dragon.As you wish, spoke the voice that she had heard moments ago. And the flicker of light vanished. Jael stared, dumbfounded, into the dark air where it had been. She looked slowly back at Highwing.

Aahhhhhh ...the dragon sighed, steam trailing from his nostrils.There will be unhappiness about this, that is certain. Great unhappiness. He stared at her for a long moment.

What was that?she asked.

What was what?

That thing I just saw.

Oh. The iffling.The dragon sharpened a foreclaw on the rock. Meddlingcreature. Still, I may have erred in sending it away so soon. But its words ... Highwing hesitated.

Troubled you,Jael said sarcastically.

Highwing blinked.Indeed. And you - I must learn, now, what to make of you.

You don't have to make anything of me. Just let me go.

The dragon c.o.c.ked his head.Oh? And if I did? Do you think you would leave this realm alive? You have already been noticed, you know, and not just by me. Did you not feel that shudder in the underrealm? You have placed yourself in great danger by coming here. Do you think they would let you leave? His eyes shifted to her left.You would not be the first outsider to die in their flame ...

if their boasts are to be believed.

Jael followed the direction of his gaze. The other dragons were still wheeling in the night air against the moon. She had forgotten about them. She could see tiny billows of flame; the dragons were not too close now, yet close enough to attack, if they wished to.Do you mean ... that riggers are ... always killed?

she asked, swallowing.

Highwing answered in a mutter.Who knows, really? There is little enough that is certain, these days.

He paused in thought.Though there is one, or I should say, rumor of one who ... walks in the realm as a free demon. More than that, I don't know. But - He was interrupted by voices grumbling in the distance:Highwing ... Highwing ... why do you wait?

Highwing's voice rumbled to full power.THIS ONE IS MINE! he thundered, blasting the air with fire.

YOU MAY LEAVE US ALONE!.

He was answered by distant, haughty laughter. But the other dragons seemed to move farther off. Jael watched them uneasily. She turned to Highwing.I am yours? Is that what you think?

Steam curled into the air from the dragon's great nostrils.LetUS say that I fearthat you are mine, the dragon said with evident reluctance.Something is greatly amiss here, one known as Jael. You have come innocently, it would seem. As the words say.

The words?

The Words. The speaking. The prophecy. As the iffling has reminded me. If you are the one ...He sighed again, then raised his head, as though cutting off his train of thought.I have already done theunthinkable, in sparing you. And yet, it seems I must. To refuse would be to concede to those ... to allow those who do evil to the realm ... to prevail. Jael tried to interrupt; but he continued speaking, as though following disconnected thoughts, his voice growing deeper.Ahhh, and yet even so, I feel ... I sense ... still another force, another evil at work. Something that has nothing to do with me, or this realm. Something within ... you! How strange! His eyelids closed and opened again. He seemed surprised.Perhaps several somethings. I cannot say precisely. He drew a long, rumbling breath and seemed to debate something in his thoughts.I almost fear to ask this, but ... do you wish to tell me of it?

Jael felt a growing sense of unreality. The dragon was making no sense to her.Tell you - ?

What is troubling you.

I have nothing to tell you,she said, a little dizzily,except to mind your own affairs. His insistence was wearing at her. And every time he looked at her she felt naked, as though he were looking right through her, finding every one of her faults.

I have received your name, and given you mine,the dragon said in an injured tone, as if that explained everything.You proposed the bonding, and I accepted, in honor. I trust you will not abuse the privilege .You may trust me, as well.

After you lied and tried to kill me?

That was when we were dueling. And before I knew that you were - or might be - He paused, then grumbled something under his breath which she didn't catch.Well, in any case, it was expected.

Not by me, it wasn't.

The dragon stared at her without answering. In the silence, she knew that she should be on her way. But something in her did not quite want to go, something apart from her fear of the other dragons. Something in her wanted to learn more from this Highwing. He spoke of things she did not understand. But he almost sounded as if he had ... expected her, somehow. The dragon cleared his throat steamily. Some of the clouds broke and stars appeared over the mountains, Jael stared at them longingly, thinking of her dream: flying among the stars. That was what she was doing now. Wasn't she?

A voice broke the silence, neither hers nor Highwing's.What's going on?

The dragon peered around in confusion, but Jael recognized the voice with a shiver.I'm flying, Mogurn, she answered, her voice tightening.

Jael, come out of the net at once,ordered Mogurn's bodiless, furious voice.

I can't,she said, with a glance at Highwing.There are dragons close by. Very close. Please don't argue with me, she thought fervently. Our lives could depend on it.

Mogurn's answer was harsh, but tinged with fear.Can you get us out of it? Out of trouble?

I'm trying. If you let me.

Do so. When we're out of trouble, you come and see me, Jael. I'm very disappointed in you.

Mogurn broke the connection abruptly.

Jael shuddered and gazed off into the night, not meeting the dragon's eyes. Still, she was aware of his eyes glowing at her, through the thin curls of smoke that rose from his snout. I think I begin to perceive,Highwing murmured.You must answer to someone ... in your realm. Your s.p.a.ceship. And that disturbs you. Am I right?

Jael didn't answer, but something made her turn her head and look into those enormous eyes. The intensity of his gaze caused her to shiver. He seemed to be thinking deeply about something.Without friend, will come one, he murmured to himself.Giving her name, will come one. Ah, Skytouch! He shook his great head in dismay.Jael, he said finally, and his voice became so soft that it was almost inaudible.You present me with a dilemma. What I am about to suggest is ... not done ... in this realm. And yet, it seems required by honor, by my obligation not to abuse what you have given me - in your name, and your ... garkkondoh ... real self.

She squinted in puzzlement.What do you mean?

The dragon cleared his throat, noisily and at length.Perhaps it would be better if you came with me for a little while. It might be that I can help you. Almost wistfully, he continued,A dragon helping a rigger. Imagine! Let us hope that I am right.

She shook her head.I don't understand you.

The dragon's eyes glinted. Then she thought she heard something like a rumble of laughter, or perhaps a darker kind of sound, very soft, very deep in the earth. As the sound died away, Highwing said,It appears that I am your servant and friend now, Jael - and you mine, if you will. It has been made our duty to help each other if we can. So the Words would seem to say. And so, you really should - must! - come with me.

But I don't see why,she persisted.How can you ask me to trust you?

The dragon answered softly.Because you have come to me. And because I seem to be all you have at the moment.

Jael stared at him, wide-eyed with amazement. But for no reason she could understand, she felt her suspicions fading. A host of fears streamed through her mind: about Mogurn, and the pallisp, and the safety of her ship. And then they seemed to drain away. For some reason, a part of her wanted to go with this dragon - where, she didn't know. Never mind that he had tried to kill her. She squinted at his huge steady eyes, set within that great k.n.o.bbed and finely scaled head. Strange as it seemed, she felt no threat. Certainly the dragon had nothing to fear from her, and if he meant to harm her, there was no need for him to resort to trickery.I suppose, she said,you're going to promise not to hurt me. And you'll expect me to believe that.

The dragon looked at her thoughtfully.No one can promise not to hurt another - can one, Jael?

Jael half closed her eyes, feeling a pain well up inside her. She tried to shut it away, but couldn't.

A moment later Highwing added softly, as though to himself,There may be great hurt, before it is all over. But perhaps that need not concern us now.

She scarcely heard him, thinking suddenly of her ship and her flight. Never in her rigging experience had she heard of anything like this. But what were her choices, really? She was in a dragon place now, and subject to attack on sight. It seemed better to be with a dragon who, perhaps, intended no harm to her.

What exactly, she said finally,did you have in mind ?

The dragon blinked, dimming his eyes momentarily, like a ship's signal lights at sea.Climb onto my back.

He turned around carefully on the crag and crouched low.After a long hesitation, Jael climbed up and perched astride the base of his neck, just in front of his wing joints. She took a deep breath and clutched his neck.

Hold tight,he said, and sprang into the night air.

Ten.

A Dragon's Truth.

The wind whispered in her ears, sighed through her hair. She clung, dizzy with confusion, with relief and fear and uncertainty. The power in the dragon's wings was unnerving at first, but after a time the stroking movements began to feel soothing. Instinctively, she stroked his silken-hard scales.

That feels good, right behind the ears,Highwing remarked, as he flew.

Abruptly she stopped.Too bad, she muttered.