Page 6 of The Timeless Vigilante

“It’s…not…right.” Gen finally got out the words, not sure exactly what she was trying to say or why they came out that way.

Sophia actually nodded to this. “You’re very intuitive and see that which most don’t. The Castle, like the Gullington, is not a place as much as it is a person. It’s created and run by a man, who is hardly that—more a demi-god. The Castle is his heart.” She nodded at the loch in the distance. “The Pond is his blood. The Expanse is his mind. And every fleeting part of him affects the way the Gullington behaves. The winds change by this man’s breath.”

“That’s magical,” Gen said in awe.

Sophia winked at her. “It was a gift from Mama Jamba. She wanted the Dragon Elite to have a home that took care of us the same way that the noblest and most loyal soldier would. Quiet is that man. His intentions mind the flock.” She motioned to the sheep in the distance. “And his moods, well, they make things ever changing. The Gullington is now your home, since you’re a dragonrider, so get ready for some crazy antics. If Quiet likes you, then your room in the Castle will be exactly to your liking. If he doesn’t, which I couldn’t see being the case, then you’ll probably get tossed out of bed by an invisible force regularly.”

Gen chuckled, again astounded by this world. “I can’t wait to meet this god-like man named Quiet.”

“You won’t have to wait long,” Sophia said, pointing her head to the front of the Castle. “He and our dragon expert are already waiting to greet us.” She glanced up to the rock formation and grinned as the head of the first dragon Gen had ever set eyes upon peeked out of the cave opening. “Oh, and Lunis, my dragon, is here and excited to meet you.”

Gen held up the egg. “And my dragon too.”

Sophia shook her head, continuing forward. “The dragons all know each other, having been connected through the chi of the dragon from the very beginning. They’ve never met since they’ve always been one.”

CHAPTER SIX

THE DRAGON’S NOBLE SALUTE

The Expanse, The Gullington, Scotland, United Kingdom

Gen’s gaze lifted to the mouth of the towering caves set high upon the craggy face of the mountain. There, against the stark contrast of the weathered stone, was the head and neck of a creature so magnificent, so utterly beyond the realm of her understanding, that for a moment, she forgot to breathe. The giant blue dragon was covered in shimmering scales like sapphires in the sunlight. Lunis surveyed the world below with eyes that sparkled with the wisdom of the ages.

Then, with a grace that contradicted its immense size, the dragon dove forward, like doing a free fall. Quickly after clearing the cave, he unfurled his wings—a breathtaking span that caught the morning light and splintered it into a thousand dazzling hues. The air thrummed with power as the dragon flapped his wings. The sheer force of the movements sent a gust that whipped through Gen’s hair and tugged at her clothes, a physical testament to the creature’s might.

As Lunis sailed through the sky, his flight was a dance of elegance and strength, each beat of his wings propelling him closer to where the two women stood on the Expanse. The land itself seemed to hold its breath, the usual whispers of the wind and calls of distant birds falling silent in awe of the spectacle unfolding.

The dragon’s approach was heralded by the shadow it cast, a moving darkness that played across the green tapestry of the hills. Lunis landed in a masterful display of power and control, the ground beneath his feet barely whispering a protest despite the dragon’s colossal weight.

Then, in a gesture that was as unexpected as it was breathtaking, the dragon bowed before Gen, his great head lowered in a noble salute. The moment was surreal, a blend of fear, wonder and an unspoken bond that tugged at the core of her being. Here, in this wild corner of the world, Gen stood face-to-face with a creature of legend, a being of majesty and mystery that had stepped right out of the pages of the fairy tales.

The experience was exhilarating, a vivid splash of magic against the canvas of reality, making Gen’s heart race with a mix of excitement and a touch of whimsy. In this encounter, the impossible became possible, and Gen knew that her journey in this new world had taken a turn into the realms of the extraordinary.

When Lunis lifted his head, Gen was surprised to see the blue dragon smiling. It was such a strange, unexpected gesture on his face and yet, he looked about like a pirate, thinking of the punch line to a joke. His wise eyes danced with amusement, looking between her and the large purple egg in her arms.

“He’s heavy, isn’t he?” the dragon asked, winking at Gen.

Not at all expecting this after that greeting, Gen cut her eyes to Sophia, giving her a look of confusion.

The dragonrider sighed heavily. “Could you have started with hello instead of calling her dragon fat?”

“I’m not calling him fat,” Lunis replied, folding his large wings into his body neatly. “I’m simply implying that her arms are probably quite tired. That egg is about as big as her.” Shaking this off, Lunis glanced back at Gen. “And I’m sorry. I meant to say, hello, dear majesty, first warrior and Founder for the House of Fourteen, time traveler and ancient ancestor of the Beaufonts.” He then cut his gaze back at Sophia and stuck out his tongue. “How was that?”

Sophia laughed, shaking her head and looking at Gen. “If you were expecting the sage-like dragon experience, you’re not getting it with Lunis. He tells dad jokes and makes insults. It’s his thing as the first dragon of the new generation. He likes to be as ridiculous as possible.”

“You’re ridiculous,” Lunis fired back.

“Well, nice to meet you,” Gen said, lifting the egg that was quite heavy in her arms. “And he’s okay, but I look forward to setting him down.”

“Go ahead,” Sophia encouraged, motioning to the two figures striding over from the Castle. “Mahkah and Quiet are joining us.”

“Okay.” Gen slid the large purple egg onto the grass in front of Lunis, who eyed it with intrigue.

He then bowed his head slightly. “And hello to you, Old Man.”

Gen laughed. “So you can talk to him? You two know each other?”

“We all know each other,” Lunis said. “But you have to know his name instinctively to fully bond with him, so I can’t give you any spoilers. Each rider must get to know their dragon on their own.”

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