Quinn laughed with delight as they took to the air. Amalek flew up a few hundred feet, then leveled off to let Quinn take in his surroundings. Wind blew Quinn’s blond hair about his face.
"This," said Quinn, "is everything I hoped it would be!"
It is delightful, is it not? whispered Amalek.
"So delightful!" said Quinn. "I would think you’d be used to it by now, though. Does it ever get old?"
You might think it would, said Amalek, after hundreds of years. But, the truth is…no. Flying never gets old.
"I knew it!" said Quinn.
I didn’t get to fly much, when I was emperor. I was always too busy. I would only be able to get out for a hunt on rare occasions. Since I left, however, I’ve flown every day. I’ve enjoyed a hunt every week. I’ve wrestled with the giant animals in those mountains.
"We saw a giant hawk!" said Quinn. "Davion had to teach it some respect."
In time, said Amalek, I found that I enjoyed the flying and the hunting and the wrestling far more than I had enjoyed being emperor of the world. Being on top satisfies nothing but vanity; the visceral fight for survival satisfies something far greater: instinct.
They flew in silence for a moment as Quinn contemplated Amalek’s words.
"Can we go higher?" asked Quinn.
Sure, said Amalek, within limits. The air gets thin and cold, the higher you go.
"It did seem awfully chilly on top of that mountain."
Here we go. Let me know if you become cold or breathless.
Amalek soared upward on a rising column of warm air. He circled within the column until they were two miles above the ground.
"Wow," said Quinn. "This is just like being on top of Mount Amalek! I can see everything from up here."
Ha! I never gave my mountain a name, but I suppose it fits.
"I can’t even see Zeb and Davion, anymore."
I can see them. They’re riding along.
Quinn sat quietly for a while, taking it all in.
"You know," said Quinn, "I should have brought a blanket. It’s freezing up here."
How are you breathing? asked Amalek.
"I’m fine," said Quinn "I have good lungs."
Amalek focused his mind. A cushion of warmth surrounded them.
"That’s great!" said Quinn. "You and Davion have the same skills."
We have, said Amalek. Not many men can do that. Most dragons can’t even manage magery.
"Really? I thought you could all breathe fire."
None of us can, said Amalek, but those of us inclined towards mathematics can learn magery and use it to start fires. Other dragons have to use sorcery to fake it. It’s primarily military dragons and high-ranking lords and princes who learn magery. Others rely on their natural telepathy.
"You can read minds?"
No, we can’t see what’s in your head, but we can project our thoughts and images into yours.
"And that’s how you do sorcery."
Precisely. It comes naturally to us.
"Can you teach me?"
You want to learn sorcery?
"You know those visions we had, back in the forest, where Zeb met Ur? In mine, I met a dragon who told me I should ask the next dragon I meet to teach me sorcery. I asked the one we killed just before we killed him, but he didn’t think it was funny. I never got a chance to ask Zan."
I suppose I could. I suspect you’ll be a natural at it.
"Yay! I love learning new things. Not math, but most other things."
Sorcery requires no math. It is all about performance. One need not be telepathic or a dragon to do it — one needs only the ability to manipulate the perceptions and emotions of others.
"Like I do with music?"
Exactly! Music, art, oratory: all of these things can be used for sorcery.
"I can’t wait!"
I’m afraid you’ll have to wait til we’ve landed.
"I can wait that long."
They flew in silence for a time.
"Hey, Amalek."
Yes?
"Can dragons swim?"
Yes. We are strong swimmers. We’ve been known to hunt sharks and crocodiles, when they aren’t too large to swallow.
Quinn sat quiet for a while.
"Can I ask you something about dragons?"
Be my guest.
"Why do dragons horde their wealth? I know you guys are solitary predators and all, but you’re also smart. You have so much gold and silver that you could easily spare some, make people’s lives so much better, probably make your own lives easier in the process, and still be rich. So what gives?"
Imagine a wealthy rancher — a freeholder, lets say, unburdened by rent to any lord or prince. He has a large herd of cattle which makes him a good living. Would you ask him why he doesn’t share his gold and silver with the cattle? Or why he doesn’t build them more comfortable quarters, or give them gourmet fodder?
"I guess not."
No, you wouldn’t, because you already know the answer. The rancher does not keep the cattle for their benefit. He keeps them for his.
Quinn decided to lighten the mood. "I watched you, yesterday. You were doing all kinds of acrobatics in the air. Could we do some of that?"
Amalek’s pupils dilated in mild amusement. Hold on to your rope.
Amalek rolled over, putting his belly to the sky, and went into free-fall. Quinn, now upside down, shouted in delight as they fell. After a few seconds, the dragon dove and looped, bringing them upright.
"That was amazing!"
Amalek performed more aerobatics: loops, dives, barrel rolls. Quinn held on tight, laughing all the way until it was time to land for lunch.