Chapter 1: Many arrivals.

A sound made me look around. What was that sound? I hadn't heard it in a long time. When had I heard it before? In Ceunon. At the palace of my… No! You left this part of your life behind you. Do not think about what has happened! Anyway, what sound was that? An elven horn. It blew again, a longer blast this time. I should warn my uncle and village that they were approaching. Finally, they have come. We had expected them two days ago. But that does not matter too much. I have to get to the village. But the sound of the horn had awoken many things in me.

I know where they are going. They will set up camp on the eastern forest clearing. That is the only place where you have enough space for such a group. And with all the royalties and the two dragons, it will still be crowded. Two dragons have arrived, and hopefully they will leave with a third. For that is why they have come. The last chance for us, Urgralgra, to get a Rider. The dragon inside it's egg has not hatched for nearly two years. Could it be then that this time we will get a Rider? For the last time they all gathered I was not there. I was still at… NO! You have to not think about your past! All of the Urgal younglings have gathered here to see if there is anyone who could be a Rider. But might I be the one to hatch the egg? There are better candidates than me. There is sure to be someone who is worthy. One who has defeated more rams than me, and one who is more respected by our people because he has not magic abilities. I have, and that's why I am almost on my own here. I am one of the few Urgralgra who can work with magic. And I am looked down upon by that. Here, battle prowess is what counts, not many else.

While all these things are going through my head, I head to the camp that is being built. Not only the two dragon Riders are here, but also the nobles of every race: queen Nausuda of the Empire, king Orrin of Surda, lord Risthart of Teirm, as well as queen Arya of the elves, a Rider and protector of the last egg, and her dragon Fírnen, and king Orik of the thirteen dwarven clans, with their Rider and dragon, Ozuna and Nazada. All are here to witness the coming of the next dragon Rider, first of the Urgals in the New Rider Order.

As I stand in front of the camp, someone speaks to me: 'Kull, are you of the village of Rigbat-Ûr? Could you warn your leaders that we have arrived?'

I look around me to see who asked that of me.

'Atra ersterni ono thelduin, Arya Drottïng.' I say, as I bowed before the elven queen.

A smile went up her face, when she said: 'Atra du everinya ono varda.'

'Un atra mor'ranr lifu unn hjarta onr.'

'May I ask, Kull, when you have learned our greeting rituals?'

'Of course, my lady. My uncle has learned me the proper ways to greet other races. Besides, I am one of the few of us who can use magic. I am just a beginner though. The ways of magic are harsh sometimes, but my uncle knows that a study of the ancient language is a great way of learning more about magic.'

A deep but young voice came into my head. I tried to set up my barriers, but realised that he had already passed them. 'You are still a youngling with magic, as I am still young in this world. Never forget to have some barriers up, otherwise a more experienced spell caster will use your power to harm those who you love.'

'May the sun and winds be always at your back, Fírnen-elda. I will not forget this lesson. I will always remember the lessons of the elves.'

'Why do you say that Kull, what has happened? By the way, tell me your name and that of your uncle.'

'My name is Utumros, Fírnen-elda, and my uncle is Nar Gahrzvog. But I will always be grateful to the elves because they rescued me out of Ceunon.' I felt bad to say this, because I never told anyone about my past. Fírnen went out of my head when he realised this, and I put up my barriers quickly. 'I will be part of the new Rider ceremony. In my uncle's name, welcome to Rigbat-Ûr, dragon and Rider.'

'Sé onr sverda nitja hvass, Utumros-finiarel.' Arya said, and she walked to Fírnen, who had just landed.

The ancient language:

Atra ersterni ono thelduin, Arya Drottïng.: May good fortune rule over you, queen Arya.

Atra du everinya ono varda. : And may the stars watch over you.

Un atra mor'ranr lifu unn hjarta onr. : May peace live in your heart.

-elda : gender-neutral honorific of great praise.

Sé onr sverda nitja hvass, Utumros-finiarel. : May your sword stay sharp, Utumros.

-finiarel : an honorific phrase for a young man of great promise.