Adir was truly a magnificent and terrifying sight as he drew himself up and expanded his chest, demonstrating just how strong he was. Gold dragons are known for their strength and their loyalty, and Adir exhibited both qualities in abundance.
‘Second,” Adir said loudly enough that all gathered on the ridge could hear him. “I have discovered the cause of the strange event in the forest. It is a great privilege for me to present to you guardians who have traveled across the boundary to reach us.”
“Guardians?” The white dragon said with a slight hint of surprise in her voice. She was unquestionably older than most of the others which Janney thought may be the reason for the respect that Adir showed her. The way she held herself demonstrated that she noticed everything around her. Her eyes held a wisdom as if with all her years she had seen and experienced things beyond imaginable. Janney could tell that this dragon knew true pain and loss, and yet she had a kindness in her too.
“Yes Second, three guardians. There is no mistake. I have examined them myself.” Adir announced.
The unicorn who was standing next to the white dragon took a step closer to examine the new visitors. She was dripping with grace and beauty. It was the effortless kind that came from within and was not for show. She could no longer stop being graceful as she could stop being herself. Unicorns are very much like horses with the exception that they have a greatly enhanced sense of smell and they are of course magical creatures too. “Remarkable!” she exclaimed.
“Yes, it is Keris.” the white dragon said to her friend. “Something tells me there is more is there not?”
“It may be best if you spoke with them in private.” Adir said softly enough that only those nearby could hear him.
“Really? We don’t keep secrets Adir. What could possibly be more scandalous than guardians from beyond the barrier?” the white dragon asked.
“Aldara,” the unicorn asked the white. “Could you please indulge me for a moment?”
“Of course Keris.” Aldra replied.
Keris began to circle around the three children stopping at each one in turn and sniffing. She made several passes around them until she was satisfied and finally moved to stand before them once more. “Welcome, guardians. Please forgive our curious behavior. We are not used to visitors in the D`uhmora. No one has ever passed through the magic of the barrier before. As you can imagine it is quite a shock that you are here. I am Keris, servant of the Light. I am duty-bound to assist you.” Keris said bowing her head.
The sound of shock and surprise from the crowd could be heard as they watched Keris bow before the humans. “Really Keris, you are only bound by oath to…” Aldara began to say and then stopped with her eyes opening wide.
“Thank you, Keris. It is our pleasure to meet you. You are most kind.” Jonathan said stepping up and taking the lead. As the oldest, it felt natural for him to do so and neither Janney nor George attempted to stop him. “My name is Jonathan Vargas. These are my cousins, Janney and George Cannon.”
“Welcome Jonathan. Welcome Janney. Welcome George.” Keris said. “Guardians are always welcome here.”
“I am afraid there is some mistake.” Jonathan said.
“What mistake would that be?” Keris asked.
“I am not a guardian. Both of my cousins are, but not me. I only just found out about the Light and guardians the other day.” Jonathan admitted.
Keris smiled and answered with a gentle smile in her voice. “You may have just found out of the way of things young man. But that does not change the facts. You are most definitely a guardian Jonathan Vargas.”
“But how? I don’t have any magic. I am just a simple boy.” Jonathan stated
“Magic is not what makes a guardian. Doing what is right. Silencing the ignorance of fools who live in the Darkness. This is what makes a guardian.” Keris said eloquently before turning back to Aldara.
“Please forgive my imprudence.” Aldara said. “Would you be so kind as to take a brief walk with me where we can discuss how you came to be here with more discretion?” the white dragon asked of Jonathan as he stood clearly amid confusion and conflict with the new revelation of his stature.
Janney could see that Jonathan was speechless as he was coming to terms with what Keris had told him about himself. “We would be honored.” Janney said.
“Wonderful, please follow me.” Aldara replied. “Keris, you are of course most welcome to join us too.” she said as she began to lead them away from the crowd that had gathered.
“Like you could stop me from joining you.” Keris said with a playful taunt.
The company of five made up of a dragon, a unicorn and three humans walked for a few minutes in silence as Aldara took them away from the ridgeline and came to a stop near a large cave. The cave looked warm and inviting and was evident that this was where Aldara lived. She had things very organized and tidy both inside and outside of her home. There was a large bed of stray and hay she made up for the three to sit down on.
“Please tell me how you crossed through the barrier?” Aldara asked once everyone was comfortable.
“I think it was because of me.” Janney said. She began to tell of the events of that morning and the fight in the cave. She left out the parts about George using dragon’s fire and focused more on what she did to try and strengthen the gemstone the Ich was attacking. Both Aldara and Keris listened patiently not interrupting to ask questions but waited until Janney finished.
“Has no one taught you that it is very dangerous to manipulate living order?” Aldara asked Janney.
“Well, Pix said something about it, but the gem is not alive is it?” Janney asked.
“Did you say Pix?” Keris asked.
“Grumpy, easily excited pixie?” George answered.
“Oh my.” Keris said to Aldara.
“Is something wrong?” Janney asked.
“No, my dear.” Aldara said reassuredly. “Pix is a dear friend that we have not seen or heard from for a very long time. We did not even know he was alive. It was very chaotic when the barrier came up. We were not all together in one place. It took several weeks until we were able to account for everyone and determine our losses.”
“And you thought Pix was lost too.” Janney asked.
“Yes, but now you are telling us great news. Shai must be told. She will be so excited to hear that her father is alive.” Keris said happily.
“Pix is a dad?” George said surprised.
“Yes, but she has never met him since she was born inside the barrier.” Keris told him.
“However back to your question about the Eye of Light.” Aldara said changing the subject. “The Eye is most certainly alive. We are inside of it are we not. What you did was very foolish, no matter your intentions. I would say that it is only the unusual source of your magic that protected you and caused the barrier to bring you in.”
“What do you know of that?” Janney asked cautiously.
“Child just as we can tell you are a guardian, as strange as it is for the Light to choose a human, so we can tell where your magic comes from. I am the second prime. Everyone who meets me can see the flavor, if you will, of my magic. Your magic is known to us as well. It is from the first prime. Everyone here knows and owes their life to the first prime.” Aldara said reverently.
“Mr. Virago.” Janney said quietly.
“Quite right.” Aldara said. “How do you come by having his magic.? I have never heard of another being able to pass that on unless there was some dire need but the cost is too terrible to think of. That he would have done so.”
“He is our great, great grandfather.” George said proudly. Shock shone on the faces of Aldara and Keris.
“How is that even possible?” Keris asked.
“A lot has changed since you were last in the world.” Janney said.
“Apparently so.” Aldara said.
Janney and George told Adara and Keris about how they met Virago and what he told them about himself. They told them everything from the day they first discovered the truth until they found themselves in the forest.
“Do you know how long ago it was that we left your world?” Aldara asked.
“I don’t know. Grandfather told us he was here a really long time before he met our great-grandmother. That was four generations ago. Don’t you know how long ago it was?” George asked.
“I think time passes differently here. As I told you before, Shai was born here and she is only a mere 110 years old.” Aldara told them.
“You mean we might have been gone for days already?” Jonathan said alarmed.
“Or maybe you only just left. That is the tricky part with magic, especially the magic from the first prime. His is an old and powerful magic. The results are not as predictable as others.” Keris answered.
“You are truly blessed to have a part of his gift, but as I am sure you have been experiencing, it is not always as simple to control it as you wish it to be.” Adara said.
“You’re telling me.” George agreed with her.
“I think now is a good time to let you all rest. You have had a most eventful and, no doubt, troubling day. I would consider it a great honor if you would consider staying here as my guests.” Aldar told them.
“We would love to.” Janney answered.
“Splendid. We can talk more tomorrow. Let me show you to your beds for the night.” the second prime said as she brought them inside. ”We can arrange for better accommodations later.”
