Bright and early the next morning, she awoke and headed downstairs. She found Janus already there, cooking again. She usually made breakfast herself, but today, the mage apparently decided to give her a day off. She sat down and helped herself to a few slices of bacon.

"So, have you come to a decision?"

"Yes, to two decisions, actually."

Janus looked puzzled. "You want to study two areas at once?"

"No, I've picked just one, but before I start to learn, there's something I think you ought to know about me. That was my other decision, I decided to tell you."

"Now you've aroused my curiosity. What could you have to tell me that I don't already know? I've been visiting you since you were two."

"Not even my parents know this one, Janus. I only found out myself by a rather incredible accident. You see, I'm not entirely human. To be frank, I don't think I'm human at all." She paused briefly, then said, "I'm a dragon"

Janus blinked in surprise, unable to think of anything to say. Then he shook his head, as if to clear it. "A dragon." He sounded disbelieving. "I suppose it would explain your magical affinities, but... a dragon? I'm not sure I can believe it."

"I could give you a demonstration," she said. "Though I don't think I should do it here. I'm too big for any of the rooms inside, I think, and I'm tall enough now I'd show over the walls if we were in the courtyard. I don't want to cause a panic."

Janus nodded. "Wise of you, I suppose. In that case, since I had no intention of keeping our regular schedule anyway, shall we go for a country outing?"

"That sounds great. I've been feeling confined, just a bit. I'm used to wide open spaces, and flying."

He shook his head at that, and smiled. "I imagine you are."

Having finished breakfast, they set off away from the city at a brisk walk. After traveling for a bit more than an hour, Janus judged that they were far enough away from the city for Serali to change. They located a meadow that looked as if it had been a farmer's field not long ago, but it was currently lying fallow and, tucked between two low hills, it was perfect for their purposes.

Serali walked out into the center of the field and stopped. She closed her eyes and concentrated, calling up the by now familiar images and feelings. She felt again that odd shifting lurch, and that flash of pain, though she hardly noticed it any more, and when she again opened her eyes, she was looking down at Janus.

"By all the gods," he breathed softly. "I still hadn't really believed it, but it's true."

Serali sat down, sitting like a cat with her hind legs folded up and her hands resting on the ground. She curled her tail around her feet and folded her wings. She was something like twice the size she'd been when she first changed and even when she was seated Janus didn't even come up to her chest. He walked around her, his eyes wide as he examined her, as if he couldn't quite believe what he was seeing. He murmured something under his breath that she couldn't quite hear. She lowered her head down to his level, and he jumped.

"Sorry."

"It's all right. I'm just not used to being around somebody who's big enough to swallow me whole. It's a little disconcerting."

Serali giggled. "I couldn't possibly swallow you whole. I'm not that big!"

"I suppose not, but you're still a good bit larger than I am." He looked her over again. "You're still wearing your bracelet, I see."

"Yes, I've been unable to remove it by any means I can think of. It seems to be permanently attached, whatever form I wear."

"And you can shift back and forth... how? Just by thinking about it?"

"More or less, yes. It has to do with feeling as much as thinking, but I don't need any spells to do it."

"And here I wasn't planning to go into shape-shifting for several years yet. Amazing." He shook his head.

Serali grinned. "I suppose that neither of us got what we planned for. I certainly hadn't counted on cleaning your tower every day, and you didn't plan on having a dragon."

"No, I didn't plan on a dragon." He still seemed a little dazed. "As for the cleaning though, as soon as I can make the arrangements, you're going to be spending a little less time there than you have been. Magic is all well and good, and cleanliness well worth having, but there are other things that you ought to know as well."

He looked around the field and added, "And now I think you ought to change back, and we'll should go home. There's no telling when some inquisitive farmer is going to come along and get the shock of his life."

Serali giggled and shifted back into her human form. Then the two of the set off back to the city, discussing magic and dragons as they went.