Chapter 6

The Expanse, The Gullington, Scotland, United Kingdom

"Yeah, I can't help you," Wilder said after a solid hour of studying Bellumferrum.

Gen's mouth fell open with utter despair as she took the small, obsidian cube back from the weapon expert. "What do you mean, you can't help me? What's wrong with Bellumferrum?"

Wilder sighed, looking as confused as she felt. They'd watched the Weapon of War transform haphazardly into half a dozen objects before Gen tossed it on the grounds of the Expanse. Then it finally settled down since she wasn't directing any intentions to it. That's when Wilder attempted to examine the strange and powerful magical object.

"That's the thing," he began, staring at the cube in her hand. "I really don't know. I can read everything about what it's been through but that does little good to help me understand why it's shifting so much. It's definitely bonded to you and only you, which had been my first guess as to the problem."

"You thought that it was still channeling its last wielder, Porthos Galopin?" Sophia asked, looking concerned.

Wilder nodded. "Which would explain why it was confused and didn't know what object to become. I was thinking that it was reading both your intentions and needs, and remnants of things from the past. But it's fully moved on and is only bonded to you, Gen."

"So, why is it…broken?" Gen asked, studying the seemingly inconspicuous device in her hand.

"I can't say," Wilder admitted hesitantly. "But, don't worry because there's still places you can look for answers. Subner knows a lot more about these things than me. If you take it to him, he might be able to tell you what's going on or repair it."

"But I'll have to talk to that man," Gen stated dully.

Wilder nodded. "I get it. He's my boss and never pleasant. But he's definitely the foremost expert on weapons. If anyone knows what's going on with Bellumferrum, then it will be that grumpy man."

Sophia patted Gen on the shoulder, consolingly. "Maybe Mama Jamba will have some cookies for you, knowing that you'll need a pick me up."

Gen nodded, offering her friend and relative from the future a commiserating expression. Sophia had listened thoughtfully to her about the problems with Dwayne while Wilder inspected Bellumferrum.

And although talking to Sophia made Gen feel better, being able to vent, the previous leader of the Rogue Riders didn't have any advice for how to deal with Dwayne. She did suggest that Hiker might have some insights. Sophia stated that men had a certain brazen way of leading that was very different from the feminine style. Dwayne's tactics were foreign to Sophia, but she thought that Hiker might have some insights into the leader of the Rogue Rider's strategy.

"Yeah, that would be nice," Gen said, plastering a hopeful smile on her face. "And at least I still have a place to look for answers." She slipped Bellumferrum into her pocket, thinking that she should head up to the Castle to meet with Hiker while she was here. It was a good option that Sophia had suggested. Her reasoning was to understand Dwayne and his perspective, rather than just battle him. However, Gen really didn't trust the man, so her instinct was to fight him. Still, she respected the advice Sophia had given her.

Gen made to wave over her shoulder at Wilder and Sophia, trying to hide her disappointment about the lack of answers. "Well, thanks for your help. I'll let you know what I find out."

"Before you leave," Mahkah called at Gen's back, making her pause.

She turned to find the expert in dragons hurrying to catch up with her. In the distance, Emperor was also striding over across the Expanse, although not as quickly as Mahkah.

"What is it?" Gen asked, seeing the excited look in the man's eyes as he rushed up to meet her. His long black ponytail swayed as he progressed until he halted in front of her.

"I've made a discovery about Emperor," Mahkah said, indicating over his shoulder at the large purple dragon.

"Oh?" Gen asked, curious. "What is it?"

"Well, we all know that his powers are telepathy, mind control and psychic premonitions," Mahkah began, glancing back at the dragon who had come to a full stop a few yards away, giving Gen a speculative stare. "But you're also aware that his powers aren't consistent, right?"

"Right," Gen affirmed. "Sometimes he can read people's thoughts or control their minds, but sometimes Emperor can't. It's the same with his psychic abilities. Sometimes he sees things, but it varies and we haven't determined what the factors at play are."

"Exactly," Mahkah stated, a smile unfurling on his tan face. "But I've determined how to know that his skills are progressing and growing stronger."

"Oh?" Gen asked, looking between the man and the dragon. "What is it?"

"Well, you know that his color is purple but you must have noticed a bit of gold, right?" Mahkah asked.

Gen cut her eyes to Emperor, studying him. "Yeah, I just figured those few scales were the gray hairs I was giving him."

Sophia and Wilder laughed, enjoying the joke.

"You're not far off," Mahkah replied, nodding. "If you think of gray hairs as resembling wisdom and growth, then that's accurate. You see, the gold shows the growth and increase in Emperor's power."

Gen blinked at her dragon. "Are you telling me that as he gets more powerful that he'll become more gold?"

Mahkah and Emperor both nodded in reply.

"Yes, when I'm at full power, I'll be all gold," the purple dragon answered.

"Wow, that will be beautiful," Gen stated. "And it will be wonderful to watch you evolve."

"Definitely!" Sophia cheered. "That's amazing. You, Emperor are full of surprises."

He nodded. "I'm full of potential and look forward to unlocking that with time."

Gen was simply astounded that one day, her dragon would have full telepathy, able to read anyone's thoughts. He'd have the ability to control anyone's mind. And he'd see the future with precision. And if that wasn't impressive enough, he'd look spectacular in all gold scales. Emperor wouldn't just have the title, he'd look like and have the powers of the ruler of dragons.