Dragon Rider

“‘Those things that sometimes fly across the sky […] those things are machines built by humans for traveling through the air. And human beings can talk to one another when they aren’t even in the same country. They can conjure up moving, talking pictures, and they have cups made of ice that never melts, and their houses shine at night as if they’d trapped the sunlight, and, and…’ Sorrel shook her head. ‘And they can do wonderful things—terrible things, too. If they want to flood this valley with water then they will. You’ll have to leave whether you like it or not.’”

Sorrel’s description of human technology highlights their inventiveness and the power they possess to do whatever they put their mind to, even though they are much smaller and weaker than dragons. This description also helps to establish the setting within the contemporary world.

“‘He’s helped us, Sorrel. He’s a friend. So I don’t mind whether he’s a human being, a brownie, or a rat. What’s more,’ he added, looking at Ben, who was standing there hardly daring to breathe, ‘what’s more, he doesn’t have a home now any more than we do. Isn’t that true?’ He looked inquiringly at the boy.

‘I never did have a home,’ muttered Ben, looking at Sorrel.”

Sorrel remains distrustful of humans for good reason and objects to bringing Ben along. However, Ben has helped them twice already and thus proving his trustworthiness. This moment brings the three protagonists together, highlights the power of friendship in altering the course of the plot, and demonstrates the value of small people in effecting change.

“‘Dragons don’t eat anything that breathes,’ said the fattest dwarf, taking cover behind a rock. ‘They live on moonlight. All their strength comes from the moon. They can’t even fly when it isn’t shining.’”

In this conversation, the motif of moonlight is first introduced as an important aspect of Firedrake’s character. It is the silver dragons’ only source of sustenance and power. By calling attention to it here, the narrative foreshadows its significance to the plot later in the novel.