“That is something that I cannot answer. Each person likes things differently and I am a dragon, we don’t court our mates the way you would.”

“Who is your mate?”

A sadness came over Garthlac’s face and Rossin finally spoke in a solemn tone, “Dragon’s mate for life and if their mate dies, they very rarely ever mate again.”

“I am sorry Garthlac. I did not mean to sadden you.”

Garthlac tilted his head a bit, “She was a good mate. I miss her very much. My memories of her are such good ones. They make me sad and happy. And yes it is hard for me since I am the son of Gynyorra the leader of the dragons. I will be expected to take his place someday and that will mean that I must find another mate, so that I can also have a child to grow up and take my place.”

Anash stood there before Garthlac and took on a manner of a man with many years, “I believe you will have a son and you will be very proud of him.” He paused a moment, looked at his mother, “My father liked to take us up on the hill to look at the stars. When he did, he told us that something greater than us put those stars up there to guide us.” Anash then looked up into the sky. The sun was just about to touch the mountains in the west. “It will be dark soon and the sky is clear. We should be able to see many stars tonight. Do you like to look at the stars, Garthlac?”

“Yes I do very much. They are even more inspiring when I can look at them while flying high above the clouds.”

“I would like to see that. Have you ever flown high enough to see who put them there?” Marchalla asked.

“There are dragons that have flown far beyond the moon to other worlds and none have seen who or what put them there.”

Anash looked disappointed for a moment then looked up at the darkening sky, “What does he want of us?”

“I do not know if the being is a creature or a he or a she, but I do believe this being wants us to always strive to be better.”

“If He wants us to strive to be better, then why does he allow so much evil in the world?”

“You ask such deep questions for one so young?” Rossin said.

Anash looked at Garthlac with a look that let the dragon know that the young boy needed an answer.

Garthlac rubbed his chin, “I do not know all that I need to know. But I believe that looking for answers is very important in becoming wiser. I cannot answer what you have asked, but it is possible that someday we can know about that. The answer may be just what we need in dealing with the evil in the world or maybe the search for the answer is our best defense in fighting for good.”