"Because," Kira explained patiently, "the world isn't real, either. It's just illusions interacting with other illusions. And people. We're all real, but the world isn't."

Jason looked at her, looked at the bird, then back at Kira. "I'm sorry. I'm really having trouble understanding this."

"Mother is the same way," Kira said. "No matter how Father and I try to explain it, her eyes always glaze over."

"That's surprising," Jason said, "since it's such a simple concept."

"I know! Right? Wait. Are you making fun of me?"

"No."

"Yes, you are!" Kira said. "I could tell that you lied when you said no!"

Jason scratched his head. "Oh, yeah. I guess having a friend who's a girl who can tell every time I lie can be a little complicated."

"No," Kira insisted, "that's simple, too. This is the first time you've lied to me. Don't ever lie to me again. Now, the search line of riders and those drone things are heading this way. Are we going to wait here for them or are we going to ride this bird?"

"Ride the bird," Jason said immediately. "Do we just imagine that we're on it?"

"How could that work?" Kira asked. "We climb up."

"But if it's an illusion—"

"It's a strong illusion, Jason! Didn't we just go over this last night?"

Jason seemed oddly concerned about approaching Swift, who eyed him calmly as the boy from Urth got closer. "That's a really, really big beak."

"Yeah," Kira said. "Isn't it cool?"

"Not exactly the word I was thinking of."

Swift lowered and slightly extended one wing so that Jason and Kira could climb up onto Swift's back, Jason staring at the huge feathers under his hands. "How can this bird fly? It's impossible."

"Jason, I told you. It's not going to fly. It's going to create the illusion of flying."

"Oh, that's all right, then."

Kira helped Jason lie flat and fasten himself to the leather straps on Swift's back, pausing to stroke the feathers before she strapped herself in next to him. "Hi, Swift! I love you! Mage Alera is so proud of you and so am I!"

This time Jason stared at her. "It's a huge raptor. Why are you talking like it's a pet?"

"Swift is Mage Alera's Roc!" Why did some people have trouble figuring that out?

Alera took her place seated just behind Swift's neck.

"Is there a preflight safety briefing?" Jason asked nervously.

"A what?" Kira asked.

Swift ran a short distance, vaulting into the air, the immense wings on either side pumping to lift the Roc and its riders higher and higher. Kira felt the wind rush past, felt the movement of Swift's muscles under her, saw the land falling away beneath her, and laughed for the sheer joy of it.

She looked over at Jason to share the moment. He was lying stiffly, looking terrified.