PARTNER, IF THEY ARE SKILLED LIKE MARY. SPECIFIC ADVANTAGES WILL ONLY BECOME CLEAR TO US OVER TIME. I JUDGE MARY’S SKILLS AND CHARACTER TO BE ADEQUATE, AND I AM PLEASED WITH WHAT SHE HAS ALREADY DONE.”
“It’s alright, George,” assured Mary.
“But you’re in danger!” George protested.
“SO ARE WE ALL, IN THIS OR ANY WORLD," said the dragon. "THROUGH YOUR HELP, THE DANGER MAY BE MADE YET LESS. I HAVE CHOSEN YOU MARY, BUT YOU MUST IN TURN CHOSE ME. THE FINAL CHOICE MUST BE MADE BY YOU.”
“I always wanted a big sister,” Mary said, without pause. “And I want to do something with my life that matters. I choose you in return, Jewel.”
“THEN IT IS SO,” said Jewel.
Mary felt a sudden dizziness, followed by the realization that she was now energized by a force that though dragon-like was hers to control.
“Did your sister dragons kill my parents?” George asked.
“THIS IS ALSO WHY I WANTED TO SPEAK TO YOU, YOUNG ONE. NO, IT WAS NOT A DRAGON. YOUR PARENTS’ BODIES SMELLED OF NARMA WITCH. A WITCH KILLED THEM; THAT MUCH I HAD ALREADY TOLD HARRY. BUT IT IS ALSO CLEAR THAT THE WITCH LEARNED EITHER OF ME OR OF THE EGG, AND RETURNED TO NARMA TO FETCH MY SISTERS. THAT CAN BE THE ONLY EXPLANATION FOR THEM COMING TO EARTH.”
“A witch? An evil human or elf with powers?”
“NO. SOME OTHER RACE, OR A ONE-OF-A-KIND
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