Eragon. Eragon opened his eyes and smoothly climbed to his feet. He was still amazed by how quickly time passed when he meditated. Four hours ago, he asked Saphira to rouse him when Arya's ship came into flying range. It had been two years since he'd left Alagaësia, and created the home of the next generation of Riders. Eragon hoped that in that time, at least one of the two eggs he'd left in Alagaesia had hatched. He could feel the hope that radiated from Saphira, and knew that she felt the same way. He also knew that she was excited to see Fírnen.
Eragon raced through the small grove of trees where he meditated, and leapt over the river that ran through the island, encircling the place upon which he had begun construction of the main Citadel that would house future Riders. He skidded to a halt at the edge of the cliffs that overlooked the ocean and searched for Arya's ship. He quickly located it. The sleek elven craft sped through the ocean, breaking waves with its bow. A glittery green mass pushed itself off the deck of the ship, and raced towards him.
Eragon cast out with his mind, touching consciousness with Fírnen and Arya. Then he leapt off the cliffs edge and sped towards the water. Saphira dropped out of the clouds and dived towards him, spiraling beneath so that he landed on her saddle. With a whoomph, Eragon immediately regretted his decision. Saphira snorted in laughter at his discomfort but did not slow down even for a moment. She pulled up, flapping her wings once, then twice, then she shot forward to meet Fírnen.
She let out a roar of joy, both mentally and vocally, and Fírnen roared back. Eragon threw his head back and laughed loudly, excitement coursing through him. The two dragons wheeled about and flew back towards the island, the exuberance of the encounter washing over all four of them.
Eragon felt a tendril of thought touch his consciousness, and immediately dropped his barriers. Arya! He cried. Eragon! Her mind had the same musical note as when he first dared contact her, and Eragon felt the familiar urge to lose himself in the music of her thoughts. How are you? Have you talked to Roran? Is Orik okay? Hows the new government fairing? Has Nasuada faced any trouble? Has an egg hatched? Eragon was caught between his excitement to see Arya, and his thirst for knowledge in Alagaesia.
Orik has began opening trade routes between the dwarves and the the rest of Alagaesia. Roran has helped to rebuild Carvahall. It's now one of the key locations along the Spine, serving as a trade-center between Humans and Urgals. Nasuada and the government are getting along fine, although Orrin hasn't made things easy for her. With the exception of the occasional out of control Urgal, things have been quiet.
Eragon bit back a thousand more questions, knowing that Arya would tell him all in due time. Instead, he focused on one question. And what of you? Are you well, Arya? She hesitated, and Eragon could sense a thought forming. But then she pushed it aside, and Eragon felt only her joy at seeing him. Yes, Eragon, I am well. It was not easy settling in as Queen of the Elves, but things are starting to fall into place. However, you didn't wait two years to hear me talk about politics. It is good to see you, Eragon.
Before Eragon could respond, Saphira and Fírnen landed abruptly. If all you two are going to do is talk, then get off and let Firnen and I great each other properly. Eragon bit back a laugh as Saphiras intentions became clear, and he promptly slid off her back. Arya leapt lightly off Fírnen and landed beside her.
"He's grown." Eragon said. And it was true. Fírnen had nearly doubled in length in the two years since they'd seen each other. Saphira and Fírnen leapt off the cliff, and disappeared from view, although the sound of their exuberance filled the air. Arya smiled happily at the two dragons. "He has indeed. The dwarves have had to reshape his armor three times this year alone." Eragon was alarmed at her words. "So he's needed armor, then? Has something come up? Has there been fighting?" Instead of answering, Arya turned to Eragon and looked deep into his eyes. Eragon again felt a pang as he saw the years of experience that he still lacked. She smiled a smile that started in her eyes and ended in her lips, then she stepped forward and kissed him.
Eragon felt every question, emotion, and concern leave his mind to be replaced by wonder. Then even that left, and all that was left was the kiss. The kiss lasted for an eternity, before it was broken by Saphira. Well its about time. Arya broke off the contact with a laugh, clear and loud. Arya looked at Eragon again, and turned to examine their surroundings. "So this is where you plan to train the new Riders, then?"
Eragon searched her voice for any hint of disapproval, but found only curiosity. Eager to show her what he'd created, he took Arya's hand and led her towards the Citadel. "I'm nowhere close to finished. So far, I've only created half of the main building. Even with magic, its been difficult. I've had the Eldunari to help guide me, but have had to come up with a lot of ideas on my own. Many of them are still recovering from the battle with Galbatorix. Others have succumb to grief now that they've had their revenge. Coming up with ideas for Urgal and Dwarvish accommodations hasn't been easy. I've had to build rooms large enough to make a Kull comfortable, and rooms small enough to comfortably house a dwarf. The old Riders had it easy, with elves and humans being close to the same height."
"The hardest part was digging. I originally picked this island because of the caves in the cliffside, but those aren't ideal. So far I've used magic to dig out a cave system that will not only provide a familiar comfort to dwarves, but will also house the eggs and Eldunari. I'm still not finished with the entire system, but I moved on to the building itself."
Arya listened with rapt attention as Eragon described all that he'd done. She examined his creations intently, showing surprise at all he'd done in the two years since they'd last spoken. Upon examining the final floor, she stopped and looked at Eragon with a trace of a smile on her lips.
"So it appears you're ready to train one or two new Riders, then?" She asked. Eragon quickly shook his head and began to list all that he still needed to accomplish, then stopped as he understood what she'd just told him.
"So, does that mean.." He could hardly bring himself to finish the sentence. Arya let the smile once again take hold of her lips, and she nodded. "Yes, Eragon. The eggs hatched. The first to the son of Nar Garzvog, and the second to a distant cousin of Orik's. The Riders now truly represent all races."
Eragon was overwhelmed with exhilaration, and apprehension. Through the ever present link between he and Saphira, he felt her shared excitement. Eragon! More dragons! My race is growing once again! Saphira's pure joy at the news exceeded even Eragons, and the two reveled in the news. Worry gnawed at him as he began to wonder how he would train the two Riders, but the worry was dispelled as an enormous consciousness touched his mind.
"Am I correct in assuming that the eggs have hatched? Glaedr asked, in his deep rumbling voice. Eragon and Saphira both began talking at once, telling him everything Arya had said. "Enough!" Glaedr growled. "How about Arya tells me?" He suggested. Arya greeted Glaedr happily, and told him of the new Riders.
"Nar Vogner was the first to bond. He and his dragon, Landran, traveled to Ellesmera to begin training with our spellcasters. Before he arrived however, Dorik bonded with Ragnorn. They arrived a few days after, and we began training. That was at the start of last winter. Rhunon reforged two of the blades liberated from Galbatorix's lair to match their fighting style, two days before the trip. Dorik was lucky enough to have been trained in swordsplay, although it raised an issue. We will have to find some way to accommodate future Riders who are used to fighting with axe or club."
Before Arya continued, Eragon flashed a quick grin. "Not to worry about that. We found a deposit of the brightsteel here on the island. It seemed the star that Rhunon saw was not the only one. I'll send it back with you, along with a plea to Rhunon to reconsider her vow never to forge a weapon again."
"That is indeed good news, although I fear that what I have to tell you now will counter it." Arya looked at Eragon seriously, and motioned for him to sit down. As the two sat, Arya began to fill Eragon in on the details that had begun to arise around Alagaesia.
"Numerous sorcerers have begun to appear in various locations, each one coming dangerously close to unleashing yet another Shade upon Alagaesia. At first, we thought they were isolated incidents. Then, a human sorcerer named Sendra rose near Teirm. She led a small army of renegades and magic users, and set out to ambush Nasuada." Alarmed, Eragon started to interrupt but Arya held up a hand.
"She is well, do not worry. Fírnen and I arrived with plenty of time to spare, and supported by the Nighthawks we assaulted Sendra's compound. Before Sendra died, however, she told us of a new threat rising outside of Alagaesia." Eragon felt his heart drop. Only two years after the downfall of Galbatorix, and already trouble was rising.
"Eragon, we need the new Riders to be trained as quickly as possible. We don't know what exactly this new threat is, for Sendra succumbed to her wounds shortly after telling us. All we know is that Fírnen and I will be hard pressed to continue flying around Alagaesia to fight these sorcerers, while keeping up with our duties as Queen. Many back home were pushing to have Nar Vogner and Dorik stay, and skip this crucial part of their training. But I convinced them that Fírnen and I simply cannot teach them everything they need to know."
Eragon doubted that he himself was capable of teaching the two young Riders, but belayed any comment. The already complex task of training two Riders would now be even more difficult, for he would be forced to teach them in a shortened amount of time.
"Eragon, as soon as the supplies we brought from Alagaesia are offloaded, Fírnen and I must leave. It was unwise of me to come in the first place, but I wanted to continue the Riders training in the time they travelled here."
She flashed a look at Eragon, and he knew that that wasn't the only reason she'd come. He smiled back, then began to mentally prepare lessons for the new Riders.
"When we leave, you will have six months before we return. I'm sorry to rush their training, but it must be done." Arya said, with a sense of finality.
Six months! Eragon thought. He worried about how competent these new Riders would be. They wouldn't have their bodies reworked by magic, the way Eragon had been healed during the Elven celebration. He would have to use those six months to train them to be effective on their own in a fraction of the time he would have preferred. Arya and Glaedr continued speaking of events back in Alagaesia, and Eragon began sifting through the training exercises that he'd done with Brom and Oromis, as well as ones he'd come up with himself. He would have to choose those which were most effective, and hope they would help these new Riders the way they helped him.
Dorik was more than ready to be off the elf ship. While he had nothing but respect for the tall magic infused species, he hated water. Even flying had been difficult for him, but at least then he knew he could trust that which bore him. His dragon, Ragnorn, was truly a sight to behold. He was of smaller stature than Landran, Fírnen, or even Saphira, but Dorik was confident that he was the fastest dragon currently hatched. Ragnorn was of a similar belief, although he still found it difficult to admit that he was the smallest of the lot.
Dorik thought back to the fateful day that he first laid eyes upon Eragon and Saphira. He had been a child, but had lied about his age to join Hrothgar, and aid the Varden on the Burning Plains. Seeing Hrothgar fall had set his blood boiling, and he lost control in what Nar Vogden referred too as a Bloodrage. Later accounts would have Dorik believe that he killed dozens of the Empires soldiers, but Dorik didn't believe it.
Before Ragnorn hatched, that battle was Dorik's greatest accomplishment. A spear from one of the Empire's soldiers put Dorik in the infirmary, where a friend of his mothers recognized him. Dorik swore to this day that he would have had an easier time facing Galbatorix himself than he had facing his mother after running away to fight.
Dorik was put on guard duty for Ragnorn's egg, and stolidly watched dozens of dwarves come and go, touching the egg in hopes it would hatch. Then one day, it did hatch. But not to anyone in line. Dorik and the other guard eyed each other cautiously, wondering for who the egg had hatched. Dorik knew that the other guard did not want to become a Rider. But Dorik was still undecided. When Ragnorn touched Dorik's palm, Dorik made up his mind.
The icefire that burned through his veins as Ragnorn forged the bond of Rider and Dragon between Dorik did nothing to change his mind. He wanted to be a Rider. His mother had cried at first, knowing that he would not be able to stay in Farthen Dur. Dorik and Ragnorn were close friends from the first word the dragon spoke. Dorik remembered the day well.
Dorik. Ragnorn had said, and Dorik remembered the chill that shot through him. He'd known dragons were intelligent, but the feeling of the massive alien consciousness touching his own was overwhelming. It was many days before Dorik was able to think of a name that Ragnorn would accept.
Ragnorn denied all of the names that Dorik presented from tales of old dragons, long dead. It wasn't until Dorik considered names of dwarf heroes that Ragnorn showed any interest. When Dorik began listing the Dwarf Kings in backwards order, Ragnorn stopped him when he mentioned Ragnorn. Dorik sensed the question before Ragnorn asked, and he told him about the dead King. Most notably, the story of how Ragnorn defended his village from an Urgal attack. Before the clan leader was bestowed with the title of King, he was visiting his home in a small dwarf village on the outskirts of the Beor Mountains. An Urgal raiding party attempted to ransack the village, but Ragnorn stood up to them. With only a small entourage of guards, the dwarf king slew a score of Urgals before a detachment of the army came to chase the remainder out.
Dorik had feared that the origin of Ragnorn's name might cause trouble with Nar Vogden, but in fact it seemed to have the opposite effect. The young Urgal saw the story as a badge of honor for Ragnorn. Dorik was unsure how Vogden bonded with Landran, but knew that the Urgal was immensely proud of the accomplishment.
As the ship they'd sailed on neared the coast of the island, Dorik climbed onto Ragnorn. He looked around for the Captain of the ship, then saw the tall dark haired elf. "No need for boats, Captain. Ragnorn and I will fly in with Vogden and Landran. Are there any supplies we can lift?" The elf captain quickly shook his head, insisting that his crew could handle the offloading on their own. Dorik nodded, and signaled to Vogden. Ragnorn and Landran both pushed off with their hind legs, and the ship rocked beneath them. Then he was in the air, and Dorik rejoiced at the feel of the wind and the tensing of Ragnorns muscles beneath his legs.
Are you nervous? Dorik asked Ragnorn. He could sense a pause as Ragnorn thought about the question. Yes, I am. Eragon Shadeslayer, Son of Brom is a great and powerful Rider. Saphira is the oldest dragon alive, and is known for being devious in aerial combat. I only hope that we will live up to their expectations. Dorik shared his fears. But we have no other choice. There are only five Riders left in existence, and we are the most junior of them all. Even if Vogden has only been a Rider for a few more days than us, he still is several years our senior. Ragnorn gave a short growl at his words. They brought the conversation to a close as they landed in a clearing where Eragon and Saphira waited for them, with Arya and Fírnen at their side.
Ragnorn landed roughly, and Dorik slid out of his saddle landing hard. He was still a little awkward at dismounting from Ragnorn, for the dragon was much larger. Vogden jumped off Landran, and the two of them completed the circle of Riders.
It was a few moments before Eragon spoke, and when he did his voice was low and resonated throughout the clearing.
"Look around you. We are the next order of Dragon Riders, our mission to traverse Alagaesia and fight tyranny. Every race we fight to protect has a representative on this island, an event that has never before been seen. From here on out, everything we do will make history. When you leave this island, it is my hope that you will be true Riders. Riders that would make the dragonborne heroes of old proud."
A chill raced through Dorik's body at Eragon's words. He had yet to find a way to handle that as a Dwarf Rider, he would already be remembered long after death. He didn't dwell on the thought however, for Eragon was not finished speaking.
"I will teach you to fight with magic, to communicate with all that lives. I will teach you to care for each other. Saphira will teach you to breath fire, and to evade combatants in the sky. But there are some things that you will need to learn, that we can not teach you."
Dorik's mind raced as he thought of the training he would take part in. The prospect of what was to come. Eragon looked at Dorik, Ragnorn, Vogden, and Landran. His eyes piercing.
"You will need honor. Integrity. Respect. Humility. And most importantly, judgment. You must be capable of making the right decision, no matter how tired you may feel. Those seeking advice will ask you questions that will influence their lives. It does not matter if you just fought off a Shade, you must give their requests due consideration. One word from you will change an entire family, and you must never fall to ill temper."
"These things you must learn for yourselves. Saphira and I will try to set you on the right track, but history has shown that even the wisest teachers can be incapable of saving those on the wrong path."
At this, Eragon stopped and looked down, the sadness on his face as plain as words on a page. Saphira sniffed a puff of smoke, and spoke in his stead. Dorik could detect a twinge of sadness in her own voice.