Haww, yes! cried the parrot in the ship's net.
He said he'd fly us right up to the singularity and fling us through, if that was what we wanted, Ar said. Not exactly in those words, I guess. But yes—he'll see us off. Here he is now. Ar pointed off into the shimmering, glassy distance of the underrealm.
The dragon was approaching, his kuutekka glowing silver. Windrush! Jael called. How is the new garden coming?
The dragon emitted a happy tongue of fire that shone like a dancing ghost in the underweb of the Mountain. I've found a spot, and Starchime is almost ready to sing it into being with me. It will be a good place to raise . . . younglings, I think. I may have to ask the ifflings to ask the sweepers if they would come create some sculptures for me.
Highwing's spot? Jael asked softly.
The dragon's eyes glowed brightly. Just downstream from it. I wanted to leave his old garden alone for now—the spot where it was, I mean. I don't want to intrude. After all, it wouldn't surprise me if his spirit still visited there from time to time. Windrush paused thoughtfully. Even now, I often feel as though he is still with me, somehow.
Perhaps it was Jael's imagination, or perhaps it was just the fluttering of Ed in her thoughts, but she could have sworn she felt a silent whispering presence pass by her, like a breeze stirring a curtain in a window. And a moment later, she was absolutely certain she heard a voice say, very softly, (Of course I am with you—all of you. I have never left, and never will.) And she felt the presence moving again, and realized that Ed—her Ed—had cocked his head at her, as though listening for something.
Well, she said to Windrush, and saw a similar expression on his face. His eyes, even in their kuutekka form, glowed bright and emerald and deep as a clear-crystal sea, and she knew that he had heard the same voice.
Somehow I don't think you have to worry about intruding, she said to Windrush. With a wink at Ar, she added, Why don't you go sing that garden into being, and take Ar with you to see it happen?
Windrush nodded and puffed another bright flame. I would be pleased if you would come join us, he said. And—Ed! squawked Ar's parrot. Don't forget Ed!
Not in an age! the dragon chuckled. And we'll see that the draconae don't forget you, either. Would you like to be remembered in a song, my rigger-friend?
The parrot cocked his head, but before he could speak, the question seemed to be answered for him by a soft, distant choir of draconae voices, chiming in the heart of the Dream Mountain.
About The Author
Jeffrey A. Carver was a Nebula Award finalist for his novel Eternity's End; he also authored Battlestar Galactica, a novelization of the critically acclaimed television miniseries. His novels combine thought-provoking characters with engaging storytelling and range from the adventures of the Star Rigger universe (Star Rigger's Way, Dragons in the Stars, and others) to the character-driven hard SF of The Chaos Chronicles. Sunborn, published in 2008, is the fourth novel in the Chaos series, which began with Neptune Crossing and continued with Strange Attractors and The Infinite Sea.
A native of Huron, Ohio, Carver lives with his family in the Boston area. He has taught writing in a variety of settings, from educational television to conferences for young writers. He has created a free web site for aspiring authors of all ages at http://www.writesf.com. Learn more about the author and his work at http://www.starrigger.net.
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Dragon Rigger
Table of Contents
PART ONE:
THE DRAGONS
Prologue
Chapter 1: Dragons in The Realm
Chapter 2: Windrush
Chapter 3: Demon in a Cave
Chapter 4: Rent
Chapter 5: The Valley of Fallen Light
Chapter 6: Battle And Betrayal
Chapter 7: Tracks in the Underrealm
Chapter 8: Children of the Iffling
PART TWO:
THE RIGGERS
Prologue
Chapter 9: Tales Retold
Chapter 10: Iffling Dreams
Chapter 11: "Windrush Needs You . . ."
Chapter 12: Riggers Without a Ship
Chapter 13: A Partnership Forged
Chapter 14: Into the Streams of the Flux
PART THREE:
Prologue
Chapter 15: Treason and Treachery
Chapter 16: Dragons in Flight
Chapter 17: The Vale of Tar-Skel
Chapter 18: Secrets in the Dark
Chapter 19: Traitor Search
Chapter 20: Words in the Underrealm
Chapter 21: Awakening
Chapter 22: A Battle in the Dark
Chapter 23: Voices in the Wilderness
Chapter 24: Free in the Underrealm
Chapter 25: Readiness for Battle
Chapter 26: Fist of Tar-Skel
Chapter 27: The Pool of Visions
Chapter 28: The Draconae
Chapter 29: Battle for the Deep Caverns
PART FOUR:
THE BATTLE
Prologue
Chapter 30: The Voice Stone
Chapter 31: A Final Regrouping
Chapter 32: In the Cavern of Spirits
Chapter 33: Prisoner of Magic
Chapter 34: Gathering Storm
Chapter 35: Friend or Foe?
Chapter 36: Battle and Hope
Chapter 37: A Choice of Death
Chapter 38: Death and Freedom
Chapter 39: To the Dream Mountain
Chapter 40: Window in the Battle
Chapter 41: A Tear in the Dark Web
Chapter 42: Dragon Rigger
Chapter 43: The Words Made Real
Chapter 44: Riggers in the Realm
Chapter 45: The Realm Returns
Epilogue: New Beginnings