Dragon Rigger by Jeffrey A. Carver Page B

though pretending to be soaring—diving and banking and climbing. He was muttering words that Windrush couldn't understand. " . . . Vela Oasis off the port bow . . . let's take her straight on through, and leave the spiral arm behind  . . ."
    Hodakai! Windrush shouted.
    Gaaahhh! cried the demon, jumping and twisting around. Who's there?
    The dragon hesitated. Surely Hodakai should have been able to see him—unless he was not manifesting his kuutekka visibly here. Do you not recognize the presence of a dragon? he inquired.
    Dragon—it's you! Yes—of course I do! Hodakai gulped. I was just—ahhh, testing your honesty!
    Ah , said Windrush. That is a good thing to do . . . Hodakai . He repeated the demon's name deliberately—not that there was any real power in doing so. The demon, after all, had not given his name, and it was the willingness to be known that gave a name actual power. But there was no harm in reminding the spirit of how much he knew.
    Hodakai seemed a little unnerved. If you wish me to judge your honesty favorably, he grumbled, perhaps you wouldn't mind showing yourself.
    Windrush wasn't sure why he was invisible, but he didn't want to say that. He cleared his throat. Considering your treatment of me when we last spoke, wouldn't you say—?
    The spirit twisted in space. You come here interrupting my peace with your sorcery, and now you wish to discuss old grievances? Let me tell you—!
    I did NOT come to discuss old grievances! Windrush snapped, cutting him off.
    There was an uncomfortable silence. Windrush didn't want Hodakai to regard him as a foe, if he could help it. However much the rigger-spirit hated the dragons who had captured him, it was Windrush's impression that Hodakai was not a committed ally of Tar-skel. Perhaps, he rumbled, we can agree that your little trick on me was very clever, if not very hospitable.
    The figure of light danced, bending toward him. So why have you returned to hide in the shadows harassing me ?
    Windrush sighed, allowing his breath to escape in a plume that materialized before him in the underweb. The spirit pulled back, growling, Don't try sorcery on me, dragon!
    I am not using sorcery on you, Windrush said in irritation. He didn't remember the rigger being so jumpy the last time they'd met. But if the plume of steam had become visible with his unconscious thought, then perhaps he could materialize an image of himself, as well. He recalled his own face as it appeared to him in the surface of a still pool. He felt his kuutekka become solid, a craggy, silver-scaled head with faceted green eyes, glowing nostrils, and enormous jaws. There, he said. Is that nonthreatening enough?
    Hodakai twitched and danced wordlessly.
    Can you see me all right now ?
    Is that supposed to be funny ? Hodakai snapped.
    I would not presume to attempt humor with you, one called Hodakai. From your reaction, I will assume that you can see me.
    Okay, I can see you. Why are you here ?
    I have come . . . Windrush paused and thought a moment . . . to ask whether you are in service to the one who is called Nail of Strength.
    Hodakai snorted. It sounded like a flame sputtering in the wind. I am in service to no one.
    But you are held captive by those who are in service to the Nail of Strength .
    I am the captive of dragons! Hodakai screamed. Don't talk to me of the Nail of Strength! I am imprisoned by dragons! It was DRAGONS that took my body from me!
    But— Windrush pointed out— dragons in service to the Enemy, not to the realm.
    It took a moment for Hodakai to calm down enough to reply. So you say. I only know that those who imprison or threaten me are my enemies.
    Including me , I suppose!
    What have you done to make me think otherwise?
    Windrush thought about that for a moment. He supposed what the spirit meant was that he hadn't set it free. But in truth, he doubted that he could break the spell of the spirit jar even if he wanted to—and if he could, it would only end the