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time. The dragonrider community are not yet aware of their partnership. Until the dragon takes her rider to her dragon enclave,
we can continue to hunt her without worrying about other dragons or riders.’
    ‘But what about the rider?’ Husam asked pointedly. ‘Are you suggesting we should kill him too?’
    ‘It might be kind to do so, but it won’t be necessary,’ Kasau replied, his soft voice cold and clinical. ‘Upon the death of his dragon, the rider will lose his mind. No
one takes the word of a jabbering lunatic seriously.’
    A wave of muttering swept through the party. Kasau broke eye contact with Husam and looked around the group. Husam felt suddenly groggy. He staggered slightly, but Tembo’s arm was quick to
steady him. He rubbed his eyes and pain started to pound in his forehead with the steady rhythm of a drumbeat.
    He looked around to see how the rest of the party was receiving Kasau’s suggestion. He could see that the quiet hunter was likely to split their group. Heated debate gripped them. It was a
larger hunting party than was typical: nineteen strong, including Kasau. Even so, they had prospered under his leadership.
    Maybe a split is what he intends, Husam mused, noting the gradual increase in volume of the muttering, as tones turned angry. Maybe he feels the group has grown too big. If the group does split,
I could try for leadership of the second party. A leader’s share of the spoils is always greater. This is not the only dragon. There will be other hunts.
    A third time Kasau raised his hand for silence. It took a little longer this time, but gradually the muttering subsided.
    ‘The tracks show the dragon is a mature, female dawn dragon. She is at the height of her powers. This is a dragon the like of which you will probably never see again in your lifetime.
I’m not giving up the hunt. Now she has joined with her rider, she will fly to see the Dragon Spirit in Orupee. Anticipating her track is straightforward. We can set a trap for her. The
Overlords will never know. Who amongst you will follow me?’
    Some called
Aye
instantly. Others followed more reluctantly in dribs and drabs. Eventually the only two who had not responded were Tembo and Husam. Husam looked up at his friend. The big
man looked back, his expression clear – whatever Husam did, Tembo would follow.
    For a moment Husam was tempted to turn and walk away. This was wrong. He felt it in every fibre of his being, yet he could also feel the draw of the gold. A dawn dragon’s bones, scales,
hide, eyes and horns would be worth a fortune. Assuming they were successful, even with such a big party every one of them could retire a rich man.
    ‘Aye,’ he said through gritted teeth. ‘And may the Creator have mercy on our souls.’

Chapter Four
Saying Farewell
    Aurora landed in the fallow field next to the cottage where Elian and his parents lived. It was well that he lived on the edge of the village, for Ra would have had problems
negotiating the narrow lanes without causing unwelcome damage to property.
    ‘
I think you had better get down quickly and talk with your people,’
she suggested, watching with a wary eye towards the edge of the village.
‘Some of them look as
though they might have the wrong idea.’
    She was right. Despite the silent, gliding approach, their arrival had not gone unnoticed. A crowd of villagers was already congregating, with more running to join them by the heartbeat. The
women gathered excited children close about their legs and some of the men were armed with crude weapons. As if they would be of any use against Ra, Elian thought, dismayed that anyone would
consider harming his dragon.
    Easing his right leg gingerly between Ra’s ridges, he slid down her side with care to avoid a repeat of his embarrassing collapse earlier. He walked forwards, gritting his teeth against
the renewed pain in his upper legs and groin.
    ‘It’s all right, everyone. You can relax,’ he called out,