So …

TAHARIEL:

Hey uncle, you’re pretty good.

QUINN:

Thanks. Yer ma told me you’re datin’ Jesse now. Is that true?

TAHARIEL: 

Uh-huh.

QUINN:

You sure about him?

TAHARIEL: 

Look, I know all about him. He told me himself.  We’re just 

having fun till my residency begins. After that - we’ll see

what happens. But really, he’s been … surprisingly great.

QUINN:

Gr-date - eh? I’m gonna keep my eye on him, just the same.

TAHARIEL: 

You and everyone else. What are all those books for? 

QUINN:

Yer Aunt Lu gave ‘em to me so I could learn about dragon riders.
They read like wikipedia. I can feel my eyes closin’ just looking at ’em. 

TAHARIEL: 

Uncle Quinn, if you want to know about your gift
- why not go directly to the source and ask Xyla? 

QUINN:

Ya mean - summon her here?

TAHARIEL: 

Why not?

QUINN:

For one - she won’t like it. And two  - she’s so … so …

TAHARIEL: 

Intimidating.

QUINN:

Ya know her then?

TAHARIEL: 

No, mama won’t introduce us. She said if Xyla thinks I’d 

be useful to her, she’d never leave me alone. 

QUINN:

I hafta agree with yer mama.

TAHARIEL: 

But I feel like I know her. Mama and Aunt Lu talk about 

her enough. She’s an ancient dragon, so of course she’s
intimidating, and probably arrogant too …  

QUINN:

Aye, very.

TAHARIEL: 

But you’re her rider - so screw her. She can’t hurt you.

QUINN:

I’m not so sure of that.

TAHARIEL: 

I am. It’s an honor thing. You’re magically 

bonded to her. You’re her warrior.

QUINN:

Eh?

TAHARIEL: 

What do you think dragon riders do? They go into battle with their dragons. 

This means a big battle’s coming, somewhere, sometime. She needs you.

QUINN:

Ya really think that?

TAHARIEL: 

Based on all the dragon mythology I’ve read - I sure do. 

Summon her. What’s the worst that can happen?

QUINN:

Aye, there’s the question.

Later …

QUINN:
Me niece is right so, why not?
… Xyla! Hey Xyla?

XYLA:
You summon me here! Out in the open. What if someone 

were to see me materialize?

QUINN:
Not ta worry, around here they all know ‘bout magic.

XYLA:
Not my magic. 

XYLA:
… Is Grace here?

QUINN:
Ya know Gr-dace?

XYA:
Would I be asking if I didn’t know her?  Is she here?

QUINN:
No. I haven’t seen her.

XYLA:
Good. What do you want?

QUINN:
Lu gave me these books to explain what it is I am - but  …

XYLA:
She should not have told you about our bond. When the time was 

right, you would’ve known on your own. Now you’re  drawn to me and

cannot make sense of it. So, I will answer three of your questions.

QUINN:
Right. Why didja run from me when we first met?

XYLA:
To protect you.

QUINN:
How’s that?

XYLA:
The longer you are in my presence the more powerful the bond 

becomes. It should have been a slow growth, which is easier on

the rider. It would’ve saved you this confusion. Next question. 

QUINN:
Why me?

XYLA:
I have been asking myself that very question ever since I met you. 

I don’t recall a rider ever being human. I’ve come to the 

conclusion that it must have something to do with Trey. 

QUINN:
Me dad?

XYLA:
Yes. Do you know our history?

QUINN:
Lu said you saved him from a whirlpool 

and then put him under a youth spell. 

XYLA
Hahahaha. Ah Lu - leave it to her to edit my story. 

I created the maelstrom to save him from his captors.

QUINN:
Eh?

XYLA:
Your father was a slave to pirates who had kidnapped him. I sensed 

his inquisitive mind and felt his magic. I knew he could assist me 

in finding my kind - who had vanished long ago. 

XYLA:

… So I created a storm, took him, and punished his captors by sinking

their ship. Once he proved his worth, I slowed down his aging process

with my spell. A human lifespan is too short to be of any use to me. 

 

XYLA:
… Anything more on this, you will discuss with him.  Last question.

QUINN:
Uh, right. Is there gonna be a great battle?

XYLA:
Yes. You are my knight. Your weapon is the lance. You will not be

alone in battle. You and I will find the rest of my kind and more riders will be
revealed. Of this - I am certain of. Fear not, this will be way into the future.

XYLA:
… We are done. Those books are useless. I will have Trey
send you more informative ones. We will meet again this summer. 

XYLA:
… Do not call me again.

QUINN:
Me - her knight?  Right. 

Ma head’s been utterly blown, again.