Well, here we go. Im diving into the deep end with this one. Im planning on this story going on for a while, quite a while...wish me luck. Inheritance belongs to Christopher Paolini. OCs are mine I suppose. Magic. Poof.

Chapter I

A small flutter in the distance did nothing to disturb the pristine calm of a damp morning some time in April. Birds continued to chirp, and insects buzzed about. However, one particularly learned and intelligent squirrel headed the subtle call to danger and dove to the forest floor as quickly as possible. He was smart, an instant later two giant winged beasts swooped down over head, moving in a complicated series of twists and dives beautiful, yet ferociously terrifying. Both dragons had Riders on them, wearing similar equipment. On the larger turquoise, sat a man garbed in a dark brown cloak and matching leather armor and a dark steel helm. Above his head he held a dazzling curved sword the color of his dragon's wings.

The other rider was similarly outfitted on his slightly smaller maroon dragon, with a tan cloak and a simple unadorned steel blade. The two beasts flew past each other at a dazzling speed, both unleashing a torrent of colored fire that passed harmlessly by each other's wards. The dark robed rider leaned forward and shouted something towards his mount, taken away by the wind swiftly, he had to strain his voice to be heard. Nonetheless, he couldn't speak mentally, all combatants had their minds shut tight in the violence, fearing a lapse in concentration even for a moment could end the fight in an instant.

The sea foam dragon understood however, and immediately threw it's wings up, powering upwards through the air, with the blood red dragon in easy persuit as it lost precious speed. The larger dragon turned upon reaching the apex of it's climb however, and as the two connected, it took the blow with it's hind legs, smashing through the red's wards and gripping onto his flanks. Immediately both riders tore their arms out of their straps and unleashed a flurry of blows as their mounts plummeted towards the earth. Both were evenly matched, however, their dragons weren't. The turquoise dragon gave the maroon a particularly hard shake, breaking it's rider's concentration, allowing the other to easily knock his blade out of his hand and swoop down in the saddle and grab it. The weaponless rider uttered a loud curse, swiped away by the cold metal helm in the wind.

The dragons separated, and by unspoken consent, masters and apprentices landed in a small clearing a hundred feet below. The tan rider let out a loud growl ov anger and tossed his helm to the side as he began healing the shallow cuts and wounds his dragon had suffered. He had a youthful face, looking into his early twenties, with dark black hair and a slightly rugged unkempt face. The other rider took off his as well and slowly walked over to his apprentice. He had a strange mix of features, he was clearly of the north based on his dirty blond hair and beard, looking perhaps thirty. Yet strange pointed tips were poking out of his messy hair. Putting his gloved hand on the other man's shoulder he spoke with a hoarse voice.

" You're too hard on yourself Nevan," he said with a pat on the back, "that was some good swordplay, dumb luck is what got you." He grinned, brushing some hair out of his eyes.

"But...Aedin, you defeated me so quickly...I was sloppy." gasped the youth, still breathing hard from the long battle as he breathlessly worded a spell to unblock the blade of his sword.

"Well that's to be expected, we were fighting inverted falling hundreds of leagues an hour towards the ground, you did well." Besides, the older man continued, sitting down on a stump. "I've fifty years on you, I should hope I can hold a man sticker better than you." He said with a smirk.

Aye, that was a good fight, both of you, hummed the turquoise dragoness for the first time. Both apprentice and dragon inclined their heads and were quick in thanks to their other master. Her congratulations were often small, and they knew from experience this was high praise.

Thank you Elenya-elda, said Karrik, We will do better the next time we spar.

"That's to be expected, you're learning fast, and you're already good, keep this up and I'll make a good swordsman out of you yet," grinned Aedin as he leaned on his sword and stood up, walking over to Elenya.

"So does that mean I'll be as good as you? Aedin-elda?" teased Nevan as he climbed onto Karrik.

"Keep that up and I'll thrash you again boy!" he called as he mirrored Nevan, tightening the leg straps on his saddle and tighting his sword belt. "See you tomorrow, bright and early."

With that, both dragons took off , spinning in different directions, Karrik turned west, entering a small valley where the apprentices' barracks were, along with some of the elven housing. Elenya turned north towards a sheer cliff and powered upwards through a downdraft to reach a small cave carved into the rock.

I like it when they call you Elda, it makes you more regal somehow... Elenya teased as Aedin dismounted and began unstrapping her large saddle.

Well I suppose, but I don't like it...makes me feel old. He sighed as he finished the front straps.

Well you are almost one hundred you know. She smiled.

"Don't remind me, just one problem with immortality. Roran, Katrina, Horst, Nasuada, even good King Orrin are all gone dead and buried, I should be an old man, or dead. he stated matter-of-factly as he finished removing the saddle.

Oh, so you wouldn't want to spend eternity with me? Elenya quipped.

Aiden only answered by walking over and hugging her snout tightly. The dragoness returning her love with a nuzzle. The half-breed was too tired to care about decency or toiletries, and his dragon was just warm. Instead of entering a recessed door to his warm furnished home carved into the rock, he just unlaced his boots and curled up against the side of his life partner. They had spent many a night like this, in some field in the southern Empire, or on some mountain in the Beors. The Rider knew he would always sleep more comfortably on a stone floor beside his dragon than in any bed.

Responding to him, Elenya dropped a large velvet wing over her Rider and they both drifted off to sleep, holding each other in a mental embrace.