Cherval wasn't in evidence the next morning when Serali exited her chamber and headed through the twisting tunnels. Wonder where he is? It seems like he's been underfoot everywhere I go. Not that he hasn't been handy at times, but it makes me feel like I don't have any privacy. I don't really need a translator anymore, and I certainly don't need a baby-sitter! Especially not one that's half my size, even if he is four times my age. Well, he's not here now, so I'll just have to ask Drevass about this.

She'd grown used to navigating in the confused tangle of tunnels and rooms that honeycombed the dragon stone, so it didn't take her long to find Drevass's rooms.

The big amber was sitting on the dais, reading a book. Serali had the Book of Truth tucked under her arm. She took it out and opened it to the page in question. She clapped her wings in the traditional gesture of respect before speaking.

"Drevass, I've been reading the book you gave me, but I had hardly read a single phrase before I reached a word I don't know. What does this mean?" She pointed to the character that had baffled her.

"Ah, that means 'spake.'" He said it in dragon, which is what they were both speaking, then said it again in human. "It's an archaic word. You won't find it used much in modern language. But that book is very old and the language is quite formal. You'll find many such words in it. "

"Thank you, Drevass."

"It's my pleasure to aid in the education of another."

Serali clapped her wings again and left the room. Back in her chambers she continued her reading.

Now before they began in the making of worlds, the Creator spake unto the Bright Ones. He showed unto them the purpose of many things, even the purpose of stars and of planets, and of the many wonders which he wished to come to pass, but he did not speak of all things. And when his speaking, or his song, was done, he sent the Bright Ones out into the unformed void and commanded them that they should make stars and planets, and all things even as he has sung unto them.

Serali read all that day and for many days to come. At first there were many pauses as she puzzled out unfamiliar words or stopped to ask Drevass to clarify things, but eventually the going became easier and she read page after page eagerly.

And they went and made stars and planets and many other wonders, both large and small. And when they had finished making these things, the Creator divided the Bright Ones, and gave each dominion over certain things, so that every star and every world might be watched over.

But when he came to a certain star he found that which was not as he had sung in the beginning. And he spoke to the Bright Ones, saying: "Which of you has done this thing?" And one of them, who was called Aldon, answered and said "I made this star, and the worlds that circle it." And the Creator said "It is not good, for lo, I sang of a world whereon life might live, and thou hast not made such a world." And Aldon said "I did not count myself worthy to reign over such life, so I made no world for life."

But the Creator was displeased and said unto Aldon, "I see that you have feared failure, but by your fear you have failed with a much greater failure. But let it be as you wish. I give you dominion over this star, and over this star only. You shall have no true power upon Earth, nor on any other world. Nevertheless, you shall be worshiped and honored, but it will not bring you joy."

And the Creator went, with others of the Bright Ones, and made a world in the place where a world had been sung. But Aldon only watched, his power to create having been taken from him.