Author's Note:
Hey peeps, this is probably my first LIGIT fanfic. Meaning it acctually has characters from the original story and it won't die out after the first chapter (HOPEFULLY). So, enjoy my Inheritance Cycle parallel about an Empire soldier. REVIEW!
Vernyl looked up from the vegetables he was chopping to see his elder sister, Meslin, and her infant son, Irone, sitting on the kitchen floor and laughing and playing together. It was so strange, how in such dark times there could be such innocent happiness. To his left, Vernyl saw his brother-in-law, Charance, staring at his wife and son in despair. Meslin and Charance had been married last spring and had had their child in the fall. Charance was upset because he had yet to provide a home for his family. They still lived in Vernyl and Meslin's mother's house. Vernyl knew it killed Charance to not be able to provide for his family, but it was indeed dark times, so he was working low wages as a tax collector in their city, Urû'baen. It was either that or go join Galbatorix in the war.
Vernyl's mother sat in a rocking chair in the other room, humming eerily and knitting something. Meslin and Vernyl's father had passed away before Vernyl was born. Meslin says that ever since then, their mother, Irene, had been slightly… disturbed. They had taken care of each other, mostly, while Irene simply sat there and knitted, humming her same old tune. Vernyl was often enraged at their mother for treating her children like this, but he had forgiven her. He did not know what it was like to lose their father, because he had never even known him. Meslin had seemed to turn out fine, though.
Vernyl was about fifteen-years-old. He would go away and try to find a job soon, probably as a tax collector like Charance. But honestly, Vernyl wanted to leave Urû'baen badly. He hated the capitol city, living so close to their tyrant, Galbatorix. It was also always buzzing with abusive soldiers and disturbed-looking creatures, all fighting for Galbatorix in the war. Maybe Vernyl could become a merchant of some sort, traveling the lands selling his goods. But that was unlikely. Once you were in Urû'baen it was hard to leave. You knew too much.
Charance broke Vernyl's thoughts when he spoke. "I've heard rumor among the tax collectors that a Dragon Rider has appeared." The room fell silent. Even Irene stopped humming and looked over at Charance.
"How can this be?" Meslin asked, astonished, "I thought Galbatorix killed them all?"
"I thought so too," Charance replied, "But apparently not. I don't know if any more eggs exist, or any more Riders for that matter. Rumor also has it that this Rider killed thousands of Kull and slew a shade."
Vernyl pondered his brother-in-law's words in awe. A Dragon Rider... He'd never even heard tales of them before. He only knew that Galbatorix was the last Rider with his demon black dragon. Now another Rider existed? It seemed almost impossible. He also obviously apposed Galbatorix. This would explain why Galbatorix had drafted so many soldiers into battle recently.
"But… this is impossible," Vernyl spoke up, utterly confused.
"I believe it to be true. Rumors like that wouldn't spread so far if it weren't true. Galbatorix would have put a stop to such treacherous words long ago if it were false," Charance said confidently.
Another Rider… Did this mean that the Varden actually stood a chance against the Empire? Vernyl didn't know. But he silently hoped it did. He knew such thoughts were treasonous and Galbatorix would kill him without hesitation if he knew what Vernyl was thinking right now. But he hated Galbatorix. He was a horrible ruler who only cared about power and had a lust for blood. He didn't care about the prosperity of his people, like a good leader should. Vernyl hoped that this Rider would have a better heart than him… Otherwise they were all doomed.