So the next day they went west, and the dragon was just barely glimpsed in the distance to the east. Serali wasn't going to go that close to town twice in a row. But she was certainly going to be seen nearly every day, and she was delighted at how well her plan was playing out. Every night she heard what they would do, and every day she did just the opposite. And when they split into smaller groups to try and cover all directions, why then she was nowhere to be seen. And on the one day when they ranged very far afield indeed, still trying to find the furthest extent of the dragon's territory, she flew directly over the village, though high enough to be out of arrow's reach.

After several weeks of this game of hide-and-seek, the townsmen were puzzled and Donovan was frustrated. He was beginning to think that his particular dragon must be some great dragon-mage to keep fooling them so.

"It's not possible!" he complained, venting his frustration. "All the sightings agree it's a small dragon, a young one. How could it be so powerful as to know what we do before we do it?" He got up and began pacing across the length of the commons room. "And its range! If I didn't know better I'd say that it had to be centered on the village itself, either that or it's got such a huge range that we'll never find its lair! I am almost ready to give up!" He sat back down in his chair, slumping wearily.

Serali looked over at him and felt a bit sorry for him. Over the weeks that she had played the game during days and listened to his plans in the evenings, she had come to see that he was a good man. Breck had even joined in the hunt for a brief period and he had agreed with her assessment of him. "I've never thought much of dragon hunters, they seldom care for anything but getting rich and earning a reputation, but Donovan seems a fine fellow." Serali thought that over in her mind. I wonder, what would he do if he knew? Her musings were interrupted by Donovan's continuing complaint. "I don't know why you people are even worried about this phantom. So far the only thing it's done is to put some scratches in a few trees and scorch a couple of rocks." He sighed. "If I don't find any evidence that it's going to be a danger, then I'll just leave it be. People have learned to get along with dragons before."

The villagers looked at him with some incredulity, and Getrel spoke up. "What is that supposed to mean? Are we then to make sacrifices to this monster?"

Donovan looked at him wearily. "No. I mean only that not all dragons are as fearsome as folk like to think they are. A very few are kind and will help humans living near by, and most will at least leave them alone. The largest reason that I had for hunting down this one, was that it was showing itself so close to the town, which dragons seldom do save when they intend to damage things. Generally dragons dislike humans and avoid them. And since they don't like humans, if they're not avoiding them it means trouble. But as I said, there are a few exceptions, and I'm starting to think that your dragon is one of them."

The villagers were murmuring disbelievingly, but Serali felt a sudden upsurge of hope. If she could talk to him, perhaps he would listen and leave her alone. Now, how to go about it? she mused. Perhaps I can pretend to know the dragon? That would be a fine joke! With ideas swirling in her brain, she went back to the kitchen area, absentmindedly putting the drinks she had gone to serve back on the counter. Her mother looked up from the stew she was making, but seeing Serali's expression of concentration, she made no comment.

"Can I go early today Mama?"

"Of course dear."

Without a further word, she headed back home. She had plans to make.