Wind and the spattering rain and the dark all cloaked him as he approached the silver dragon. That, he took it, was the cryptic location for his meeting with Jess. “Meet me by silver or the secret is out.” That was all the note had said, but it was a threat he could not ignore. The dragon had his front feet braced on something and was tearing chunks of meat loose from it. He knew a wild moment of hope that it was eating Jess. Another two steps and he could see that it had been something with four legs. The hunter had brought the dragon a bribe to keep him occupied while they talked. And it had worked. He watched the silver tear a leg loose from the carcass. The silver’s condition had improved since he had first seen the creature, but he was still smaller and less healthy than the other dragons. His tail had healed, but he seemed to acquire parasites much more often than the other dragons. The dragon became aware of Leftrin and shifted to watch him as he chewed on the hoofed leg.

“Evening, Captain,” Jess greeted him as he walked around the dragon’s shoulder. “Fine night for a stroll.”

“I’m here. What do you want?”

“Not so much. Just a little cooperation, that’s all. I saw an opportunity this afternoon and thought we should take it.”

“An opportunity?”

“That’s right.” Jess patted the dragon on its shoulder. The silver rumbled a growl at the hunter, but his focus was still on the meat. “He growls, but he’s used to me. I’ve been slipping him an extra ration of meat every chance I got. He doesn’t mind me at all now.” As he spoke, he opened his coat, displaying a hatchet, two long knives, and one short-bladed one, all neatly sheathed in pockets concealed inside his vest. He tipped his head slightly toward the silver. “Shall we begin?”

“You’re insane,” Leftrin said quietly.

“Not at all.” The man smiled. “Once he finishes eating that deer, he’s going to want a very long nap. From the start, I planned for this possibility and came prepared. I cut that deer’s belly open and put a large quantity of valerian and poppy in before I offered it to the silver. Enough to drop a dragon, I think. We’ll find out soon enough.” He pulled his coat closed against the wind and rain and stood grinning at Leftrin.

“I’m not doing this. We won’t get away with it, and I’m just not doing it.”

“Of course we’ll get away with it. I’ve thought it all through. Dragon falls asleep, and we make sure it’s forever. We spend a quiet hour or two claiming the most marketable parts. We take them back on board the Tarman and head downriver. Tonight.”

“And the keepers and the other dragons?”