The Cycle Reborn

Discovery

The echo of his hurried feet slapping against the hard, frigid blocks of the city sewers filled Rayden's ears as he fled the group of men trying to kill him. As he turned a corner, he heard the leader, a large, brutish man, shout for the group to split up and find him. The years Rayden had spent as a street boy had granted him with an extensive knowledge of the underbelly of the Capital City. As he lowered himself into an alcove, he heard his uncle's men moving away. As the sound of the men faded Rayden let out the breath he had not realised he was holding.

"How?" he wondered, "How could they have found me after three years?" Rayden was the son of a well-loved general in the National Guard, during the time of the Great War they were known as the Varden. Rayden was only a small child when the war ended and the great Shadeslayer and his azure dragon defeated the Tyrant King. As the young child watched his father receive titles and land from Queen Nasuada herself, he failed to see and understand the venomous looks his uncle had been giving his father.

As the boy grew up on the estate awarded to the General as everyone called him, he became wary of his uncle who had followed the family and helped to maintain the accounts of the estate. The young Rayden could see his uncle leaving along the forest path in the dead of night. When the man was questioned, he would tell the young child to be quiet and mind his business.

When the boy's father grew frail from an illness even the elves could not heal, the General named Rayden as the Heir to Wiseaxe line with his uncle as regent who, in the event of illness or death would take over the estate. Now Rayden noticed the greedy gleam in his uncle's eyes, began to question the healers on his father's illness more thoroughly, and was not surprised to discover that it was caused by a poison last used by the Tyrant's Black Hand. When this information was revealed, the uncle was quick to push the 11-year-old Rayden out of the room stating that he did not need to hear such horrors and hardships.

The next day the estate was woken by the scream of his father's nursemaid. As Rayden ran past his seemingly worried uncle, he saw his father's prone form lying across the bed with thick, black lines spread out along his face and torso with a large black oval centring over his heart. It seemed the poison worked by solidifying the blood in the vessels spread throughout his body

.

All this was to much for the young boy to handle and he ran and ran and kept on running until the estate was smaller that a spec of dust on the horizon. As the boy travelled from city to city, he begged for his meals from the locals and working for a small, warm corner to curl up in at night. After four years of running and hiding he ended up in Ilirea working for the local barkeep, Orsin, who had taken him in after he was found begging outside the gates in the torrential rains that swept through the country for two months straight.

Orsin tried to raise the boy as he would his own. Word quickly spread throughout lower part of the city that the old barkeep raising a young boy who grew to become a handsome, young man who was the envy of the local boys as he drew the attention of the girls living in the city. The quiet, reserved manner that the boy, Rayden, moved in confused those as he acted as a though there was danger around each corner.

It was now sitting a dark, rancid, creepy sewer that Rayden realised how ironic it was that on the night of his entrance into manhood the men hired by his uncle happened to wander into the bar. While he may have changed physically, he still retained a scar on his left cheek that he received when he was playing with one of his fathers many knives. The men immediately gave chase.

As Rayden tried to pull himself out of the alcove, his foot caught on a loose brick causing the wall to fall in on itself revealing a tunnel that continued around a bend. Rayden decide that this tunnel must be important otherwise why somebody would bother to hide it. As he walked through the tunnel, a strange odour filled his nose. Finally, he rounded the corner to come face to face with a door as black as the void; the door looked as though it was crafted from pure ebony. Strange symbols and glyphs adorned the edge of the frame. Rayden knew from his studies of the language used by the Riders and Elves that these symbols were older than that of either group.

As he pushed, his weight against the heavy door it swung open more easily than he anticipated and he feel through the doorway into the dark, stuffy room. Spread at even points across the floor where vents, filling the room with steam that stung at Rayden's eyes he could barely make out the silvery glow coming form the far side of the room. As he shuffled his way closer, removing his tunic in order to withstand the humidity of the room he reached out towards the object and at that moment the steam parted allowing him a clear view of the object, he realised instantly what it was, having seen them presented through the city many times. It was and egg.

A silver Dragons egg.

The Egg

Rayden stare at the egg set on an emerald cushion surrounded by candles that burned with an intense white flame. As he stepped up to the podium upon which the cushion and egg rested be felt a pull towards the egg and began to panic. Everyone knew that The Dragons and his or her Riders. These thoughts brought the urges to pick up the egg and simply hold it to the forefront of his mind.

As he pondered what would happen when and if he lifted the egg, he noticed that the steam in the room was beginning to clear, passing into vents set within the walls. The walls were covered in the same glyphs as the frame of the door, this time however there were images scattered along sections of the walls. It was by looking at these images, not drawings, as they were different, Rayden realised that the room was pentagonal. As he moved towards the wall to the left of the wall, still deep in thought, he looked at the first image set upon the wall. It depicted a small farming village set in the centre of a vast mountain range.

As he moved on the next image showed a boy, no older than him-self, stalking a young buck. Again, he moved forward this section showed an image of a blue stone similar in shape to that of the egg behind him only smaller. The image was surrounded by the depiction of the boy from the second panel this time set upon a giant sapphire dragon. With a jolt, he realised that he was looking at an image of the great hero, the Elder Rider Eragon Shadeslayer and the great Sky Queen Saphira. As he moved on past the walls, he saw the Battle of Farthen Dûr, as the elf Queen Arya shattered the Star Rose to save the Elder Rider. He saw the journey across the country to the city of the Fair Folk were the rider undertook vigorous training under a colossal golden dragon. The next panel showed the legendary Battle of the Burning Plains where Eragon fought against his half-brother Murtagh and his red dragon Thorn.

The Third wall showed the death of the Ra'zac and their demon parents at the hand of Shadeslayer and his cousin Lord Stronghammer. Next, it showed him once again in the Guarding forest conversing with the Menoa Tree in search of a new weapon. This panel was accompanied by the image of Eragon wielding the fire-sword Brisinger against swarms of Galbatorix army in the city of Feinster.

The fourth wall showed the Varden's battle against the Empire and their victories against in the various holds of the empire. It depicted Eragon's journey to the island of Vroengard and into the Vault of Souls. The final panel showed Eragon battling the Tyrant King surrounded by hundreds of stars.

As Rayden moved on to the final panel he was shocked to find it empty. As he gazed at the blank panel, he wondered who had taken the time to create these fairths, for that is what they were, and to then abandon them before finishing them. With a sigh he realised he could not delay any longer, strode, with purpose to the pedestal, and lifted the egg from its cushion. As he cradled the egg close to his bare chest, he was amazed at the smooth, cool surface of the egg. However, what surprised him was the soft, rhythmic pulse within the egg.

As he wrapped the egg in high threadbare tunic, hoping to hide it from the sight of the curious citizens of Ilirea and it is guard, he decided to beg an audience from High Queen Nasuada in hope she could pass word to the Riders that he found an egg. As he thought of separating himself from the egg he felt a presence push against his conciseness and hurried before anything could happen, wary of the magicians that worked outside the Elders Laws of Magicka.

As the door swung shut of its own accord, Rayden missed the fifth wall shimmer and the form of him clutching a silver egg to his torso filled the first blank panel. As Rayden exited the sewer the glyphs, carved into the door by those older than time itself, glowed with a bright, silver werelight and a figure clothed in a dark gray robe appeared in the chamber. The figure turned to gaze at the newest image adorning the chamber of the Soothsayer.

"It has begun."

"Leave now street rat" the guard ordered as Rayden asked once again for an audience with the Queen and her council. With a sigh he turned to leave wondering if he could contact a rider to ask them about the egg.

"Wait," a new voice called, "You boy, what is it you wish to speak to the High Queen of Alagaësia about?"

Rayden turned to see a young woman, not three years older than himself, with raven coloured hair and deep, purple eyes walking towards him at a hurried pace. At her feet marched a dark, brown cat with a tufted tail staring intently at the bundle of cloth in Rayden's arms.

"I wish to speak with her, it concerns a matter of great importance, I am sorry I can not tell any but her." He added the last part reluctantly as he knew the chances of an audience were unlikely.

The woman smiled at him and nodded her head, "That it is, follow me please." With a smirk at the spluttering guard, she turned on her heal and strode into the white palace. Rayden eagerly followed ensuring that he did not jostle the precious egg a great deal.

The Queens Choice

As Rayden followed the woman he knew to be the Witch child, Elva the cool air blowing from the depths of the castle sent shiver across his back and he realised that he was about to great the queen naked from the waist up. Although Rayden was, due to years spent running, climbing and fighting, gifted with a well defined physique that included a clear set of abdominal muscles that were defined against his lean body, the idea of meeting the Queen half clothed still brought a blush to his cheeks.

As he was about to mention this to Elva she turned to him and said, "I have sent a messenger to fetch you a set of robes that will allow you to keep the egg safe from watchers. Now wait here for the messenger and when you are changed knock three times upon the door." With that, she walked through the aforementioned doors.

As Rayden stared, slack jawed at the now closed door he failed to notice a palace servant approach him carrying a set of deep, sapphire robes. He ignored her until the cat, which had stayed behind as opposed to following Elva, nudged is leg and let a low-pitched purr to get his attention. As he apologised to the girl who left blushing at the site of his toned body, he set the bundle containing the now vibrating egg carefully on the stone floor and slipped the robes onto his body, tying them with the sash provided by Elva.

Picking up the egg, approached the door anxiously. As he raised his hand to knock on the golden door, the egg gave a violent shudder and almost fell from his hands. The cat, who hissed at the action, looked up suddenly into Rayden's eyes. As he gazed back into the orange eyes, he sensed a deep, wise being within the animal. Blinking twice, he straightened up, secured the egg once more and knocked three times upon the door.

As the doors swung open on hidden hinges, the odd cat darted forward through the growing gap in the doors. When the door finally stopped moving Rayden stepped into the Grand Hall of Ilirea gazing at the height of the room he nervously approached the raised dais, upon which sat the throne of the Queen.

Looking up he saw Elva and an unknown boy, whose eyes looked exactly like the cat from outside, standing of to the side gazing at him with calculating eyes. With a jolt he realised he was looking at a werecat. Finally he turned his eyes on the woman sitting before him. As he looked into the eyes of the Queen, he remembered the tales that Orsin told him about their Warrior Queen. Looking into those eyes he believed every one of those stories.

"What is it that my advisors have cancelled every meeting I have for the day, simply so I can meet you." Queen Nasuada asked staring intently at him.

Swallowing to try moistening his dry throat he replied, "I… I found something underground that I believe is important, my queen. I was hiding from the mercenaries my uncle sent to kill me and I happened upon a strange room which contained this." With that, he uncovered the silver egg and was worried when he saw the surface was now covered in miniscule cracks and was continued to shake more violently than before. "I believe that it is a Dragon's Egg." He stated with as much confidence as he could. Not daring to breath, he lifted his head to lock gazes with the Queen, who was staring at him with an expression of confusion and surprise.

"Where did you find it?"

"In a strange room filled with images of The Great Rider and his Dragon. Ma'am" Rayden replied, feeling slightly better as he saw Elva and the Werecat smile at him as though they knew something.

"My lady," Elva interrupted, "he is not lying, and he is the one the Soothsayer spoke of." Whatever it was she was talking about it seemed to surprise and worry the Queen.

"Is that so, well then Elva first summons Angela, Short-Tail please, contact Aleri and Silgan and tell them to meet me immediately." As she spoke, she rose and muttered to herself as the two left the room in a hurry, Elva only stopping to grasp Rayden's arm gently.

"My Queen, please the egg is cracking, what do I do? Rayden begged worriedly as the silver surface began to shudder and separate. "Please!" he repeated, forgetting that it was the High Queen he just shouted at.

"Already it has decided," She said with a tone of surprise. "So soon after being found?"

Before either could say anymore, the great doors opened with a loud boom and a woman of short height and wild curly hair.

"Sooo, what is it that my… shall we say delicate experiments were rudely interrupted by that ill mannered, if sweet girl?" the woman addressed Nasuada.

"This dragon egg and who appears to be its bonded." The queen answered, not stirred at the least by the odd nature of the woman. "It, according to Elva, concerns the Soothsayer Prophesy."

"Really, well I didn't expect this to happen, so soon after Eragon." Angela stated in return. "Well all we can do is to get him to Hvitr-Kverst and Eragon soon. The boy needs training, fast."

Rayden could not believe what he was hearing. This woman expected him to train with the Riders. And what did the Queen mean by 'bonded.'

"Are you insane woman?" he shouted still confused over the situation and the growing violence of the tremors running over the egg.

At his announcement the women lifted her hand and held her forefinger and thumb roughly and inch apart.

"Little bit, just great, can you help with the egg or not I'm worried about it." he stated before laying the egg on a table and pushing away any dishes and scrolls near it.

"Ah don't worry my boy, it's hatching for you, all you need to do is keep it warm and safe." The curly haired woman stated calmly.

With that, Rayden turned his back on Nasuada, Elva and Angela to focus on the almost hatched egg.

Dragons and Riders

As time passed Rayden became more and more restless as the dragon within the egg refused to hatch. It confused him to why he cared so much about the egg, only that it hurt even thinking of abandoning it. The only ones who were not bothered were Angela who was content knitting using what looked like a crystal needle set. When asked about the pattern she said it was the ward of Ilimbar Sheepbiter. Rayden, who was not yet used to the odd witch, laughed and asked her what it really meant. In response Angela proceeds to throw a piece of fruit at his head, stating were all men dumb, or was it just the important Dragon Riders.

Another calm presence was Elva, who sat on a cushion set at the feet of Nasuada and Angela and was engrossed in completing a sketch of the werecat, Short-Tail. She had only left once to check on the progress of the two Riders assigned to protect Ilirea. From her prediction, it would be forty minutes before they landed.

At last, as Rayden's eyelids began to fall, a loud crack sounded through the room. As everyone in the room turned their eyes to the egg lain in Rayden's lap, they simultaneously moved forward and crowded around the boy and egg. The centrepiece of the egg had become completely separated from the egg and was balanced on top of something.

As they moved, closer still the shell fragment fell to the side revealing a small, silver head, with a set of bright, white eyes looking up at Rayden. As he gazed at the dragon, he felt a sense of kinship, the likes of which he never had. With a high pitched yowl the dragon broke free of the remaining shell and spread its long, thin wings, flapping them thrice to remove the remaining fluid.

Rayden examined the dragon as it continued to stretch and then crawled up his right arm to rest upon his shoulder. The scales were sliver, ranging from the brightest being on his back, tail, neck and head while those upon its belly, and paws were stark white, as though bleached by the sun. As it moved to make itself more comfortable its claws, sharp as a sword scratched against the fabric of Rayden's robe. He laughed when it yawned and sneezed at once, losing a blast of super heated air. At this, Angela pushed Nasuada and Elva aside and moved closer to study the hatchling.

"Rayden, how hot was that blast of air? Did it burn?" she asked taking out one of her crystal needles and holding it in front of the tiny dragon, waiting for it to release another gust of the heated air. Rayden moved his hand to push the witch away from the tiny dragon's snout. As his hand passed in front of the dragon, its head shot forward and bumped its snout against the palm of his hand.

As soon Rayden's palm made contact with the diamond hard scales, he felt a blast of fiery energy spread up his arm through the rest of his body. As the fire spread though his body, it intensified causing him to stiffen in pain. All he wanted to do was roar at the world for the pain and then, it was over. As quickly as it began it left him, only a dull throbbing sensation remained in the palm of his right hand and a pulsing on the edge of his conscience. A Gedwëy Ignasia. As he stared at the silvery oval on his palm, Angela's loud voice, repeating her question, broke through his stupor.

"I don't know, as hot as a flame. It felt different though." He snapped at her, annoyed that she interrupted.

"Well get him to do it again boy and think of a name, he needs one."

"What how?" Rayden asked confused, now more than ever.

"Think it, feel his mind and yours beginning to merge." The witch replied in a knowing tone.

On hear command Rayden closed his eyes searching for the connection between him and the dragon no, his dragon. As he pushed his mind out, he felt his consciences brush against something. Knowing this was the silver dragons mind, it felt both powerful and calm.

"Hello. Who are you?" he thought feeling stupid, as the dragon had just hatched.

"Do not feel foolish my Rider, I am Taalion, cub of Embrien and Bíradium. I remained within my egg for nigh over one thousand and five hundred years." A powerful, yet young voice echoed through his mind.

"Taalion, what do you mean your Rider?" Rayden asked slightly worried that the young hatchling had made a mistake.

"I have made no mistake, little one. You. Are. My. Rider. I chose you." Taalion answered with a forceful tone. "I have waited over one thousand years for you to find my egg. I am sure of my choice."

Rayden was surprised with the force that the little dragon spoke. As he, thought about what Taalion had said a page ran into the hall and spoke to the High Queen.

"The Riders are here milady, Aleri and Silgan are approaching and their dragons will fly through the access way." The small boy relayed this in one breath all the while looking Taalion with a curious gleam in his eyes.

"Thank you Erik, that's all." Nasuada replied trying to hide her smile as the boy backed out of the room, almost tripping over the scarf that Angela was knitting, as he never took his gaze away from the little dragon wrapped around Rayden's shoulders. Before he left, Taalion stretched his wings and flew to the boy, who on seeing the dragons intended pathway froze. As the silver dragon hovered before the boy, he arched his neck and touched the boy upon his brow. With that, Taalion simply turned in the air and glided back to land on Rayden's shoulder.

"What was that?" Rayden queried when the boy left.

"I was simply ensuring that he is safe until we leave." Taalion replied in his mind.

"Why, why until we leave?"

"Because, he is coming with us." The dragon replied in a matter or fact tone.

Before the confused Rider could question the dragon further, the giant doors opened once again, admitting two figures. The first was clearly an elf as her face was more beautiful than anything Rayden had seen before, a blade at her side, sheathed in a deep purple colour, this was Aleri of the Fair Folk.

The second figure could only be described as the polar opposite of Aleri. The seven foot tall, Kull cut a striking image with a large broadsword upon his back sheathed within a dark, almost black scabbard. Silgan one of the two Urgal Dragon Riders in Alagaësia was the rider of a dragon so strong it was rumoured that when it first hatched it needed to be subdued by several Kull including Silgan with whom he then bonded.

"High Queen Nasuada, we bring news from the Elder Rider." Aleri announced as the pair approached the group.

"Eragon? What does he want?" the Queen asked with a look of shock on her face. The Great Rider had not been seen in Alagaësia since he left at the end of the Tyrants reign.

"He said, 'I will come' that is all," the Elvin Rider stated while glancing at Taalion and Rayden. "We know however that he and Lady Arya intend to be here before tomorrow. He wishes to know more about the boy and requests that Angela stays, as she knows the contents of the Soothsayers Prophesy."

"The Great Rider wishes to meet me?" Rayden spoke up, interrupting Nasuada for the fifth time that day. "Don't new Dragon Riders train with the Elves for two years?"

"Yes boy, normal Riders do, you however, you and that dragon of yours are special, do not ask me why. I am only repeating what the Elder said to us when we learned of the silver ones hatching." Silgan stated in a low, guttural voice.

This was something Rayden could not understand, and when Ilron, Silgan's Dragon, announced that the 'Azure and Emerald ones' were approaching caused Rayden to turn and tune out everything except Taalion and simply stare at the giant, resting forms of Ilron and Biumth laying behind Nasuada's throne.

Mr. and Mrs. Shadeslayer

The Great Hall of Ilirea was abuzz with activity, servants and nobles alike rushed about following the orders of the High Queen in order to prepare the palace for the arrival of Eragon and Arya. Rayden however, was still sitting at the same table, with Angela, Silgan and Aleri. The hatchling Taalion was sleeping now, wrapped inside Rayden's old tunic, seemingly oblivious to the panic occurring around him and his new Rider.

Rayden watched the Sun's descent through the giant window that dominated the wall behind the Queens throne. As the circle of light descended, he wondered what game the Fates were playing when his life had been set out. He was not anyone important, he had no true family, and his father's servants believed that Rayden killed his father out of greed. He had not done anything to be honoured with the title of Dragon Rider. He did not voice these thoughts out of fear of Taalion's reaction.

A load bang sounded though the hall causing Taalion to awaken and Rayden to turn to see the source. It was the young page, Erik, who had been knocked over by one of the ambassadors from Surda. The boy had been carrying a pitcher of wine and when the nobleman had knocked the boy aside while trying to catch the attention of a maid who was attending to the High Queen.

"I… I'm sorry milord, it was an accident." Erik stuttered as he hurried to wipe the wine of the soaked man.

"You little piece of shit, I'll have you put in a cell. Elvin silk, this robe has been in my House for two hundred years!" the man roared at the cowering child, who now was cowering at the feet of the man. Taalion began to snarl and spit at the man. As the nearby servants saw this, they backed away from the area. As Nasuada moved to stop the man, Angela and the two Riders stepped in her way halting her movement. Whatever she asked Rayden could not hear, nor did he care right then. Unknown to the inhabitants of the Chamber, two hooded figures entered through a side door, watching the commotion. The Surdan had raised his hand to strike the now sobbing child.

Faster than most could see Rayden leapt forward and the man's hand struck him on his chest. The ambassador was now even more furious and in his rage failed to see the silver Dragon hatchling now lying in the boy's waist.

"Who are you boy to challenge my authority, you are nothing but a lazy servant. I watched you sitting at the table, ignoring the commands of the High Queen." The Surdan sneered at him.

"Tell him who you are, use your new title." A strange voice spoke in Rayden's head.

Following the advice of the voice, Rayden stood to his full height and spoke in a loud voice, while raising his hand and presenting the silver Gedwëy Ignasia.

"I am Rayden, Rider of Taalion, I order you to stop your attempt on punishing the child, and he is under my protection." The latter part of the announcement came to Rayden when he remembered Taalion stating the boy would follow them to the Riders Island.

The Surdan was stunned and began to stutter and stumble over half formed apologies. As Rayden turned his back on the man he bent down swiftly and picked up the quiet child, Taalion moving to the floor and following at his feet. As Rayden brought the young boy to the table the sat at earlier, he noticed that the marks on the boys uniform indicated that he was an orphan. This knowledge gave Rayden a sense of kinship with the boy and he silently promised to help him in anyway.

As Rayden fed the young boy with bread and milk, the two hooded figures approached the Queen as they walked a roar of thunder filled the Chamber. The noise stirred Erik from his stupor and he jolted at the sight of Taalion resting in his lap.

"What happened? I remember spilling the wine and then the man about to hit me. And then nothing." The child asked, once again entranced by Taalion's form.

"Nothing you need to worry about. It over, now how would you like to stay with me and Taalion, my Dragon, while we wait for the Riders?" Rayden asked the boy.

"Yes please!" the boy cried eagerly, bouncing with excitement in Rayden's lap. "Please, I promise I'll behave."

"Of course you can." Rayden replied laughing at the nine year olds antics.

Before he could say anything else the High Queen called for all to leave the Great Hall save a few, as Erik made to leave Rayden held him down, whispering in his ear to remind him of the promise he had made to the boy.

As the Queen moved to her throne, she announced, "Presenting Elder Rider Eragon Shadeslayer and Master Rider Arya Shadeslayer."

The two hooded figures dropped their hoods revealing the faces of a man and a woman. Both appeared to be of Elfish descent, although the man looked more rugged than the other male Elves Rayden had occasionally seen around the city. The man was garbed in a travelling cloak with a set of deep, dark blue armour that was almost black unless the light was shining on it. Strapped to his waste was the blade Brisinger. Eragon Shadeslayer, a man who had not been seen in the country since the Great War.

The woman was even more beautiful than Aleri, she to be wearing a travelling cloak and under it wore a set of emerald of armour as dark as the man she accompanied, at her hip was Támerlein. Arya, Queen of the Elves.

As the remaining inhabitants of the hall dropped to one knee, so did Rayden who pulled Erik down as well. As the crowd rose the two dragons behind the throne parted as the opening in the wall was cleared to admit the massive forms of two more Dragons, Rayden was sure that there had never been five Dragons in one room since the fall of the First Riders.

The first Dragon was Fírnen, who was larger than both Ilron and Biumth. His massive green form carved a path through the crowd. As he passed Rayden compared him to Taalion, the larger Dragon's limbs were much stockier than those of Taalion were, when compared on a scale, though Rayden assumed that was due to the age difference. Although he may already be slightly biased but Rayden thought that Taalion's scales were slightly brighter than the emerald dragon.

As soon as he thought this Taalion gave an audible snort and loosed another stream of heated air, Rayden blushed and realised he had not closed his mind to Taalion since he hatched. As he passed, Fírnen lowered his head to Taalion's level and observed him with a huge, emerald eye. Taalion stretched his shoulders, stood to his full two foot height, and looked the larger male in the eye. The older dragon snorted at the antics of the younger dragon.

Rayden, who was still holding Erik in place by the shoulders, felt the little child stiffen as Fírnen pass. In response, he squeezed the boy's shoulders and looked down to reassure him with a small smile. As he looked at the small boy smiling back he realised he had found the first step to getting the family he had wanted since his father died. He had a brother.

As these thoughts were running through Rayden's head, the opening the Dragons passed through was blacked out by the enormous size of the approaching sapphire Dragon. As Saphira entered the hall, the remaining inhabitants of the hall marvelled at the sight of the oldest dragon in existence, although she was only thirty and three years old, the great azure dragon Saphira was over thirty foot tall. Holding her head high the great Dragon passed by Rayden and Taalion, pausing only to glance at the young boy and silver Dragon hatchling she moved on to stand tall behind that Elder and Master Riders and beside her mate Fírnen.

"So my Queen," began Eragon "will you introduce me to my new Rider?"

"Yes, yes of course Rayden, Taalion step forward, this is Eragon Shadeslayer, Elder Rider of the Second Dragon Rider Order."

"My master I am honoured, May I present my Dragon, Taalion, I am Rayden Wiseaxe." Rayden spoke, taking the words that Elva had drilled into his head before the arrival of their guests. At the mention of his last name the Queen stiffened and stepped back to whisper in Elva's ear, the purple-eyed woman only nodded, staring at the wall behind Rayden.

The Queen nodded and on some hidden signal, the guards moved forward to seize Rayden, forgetting the young Dragon hatchling that, after only five hours of being bonded would protect his Rider with his life.

The New Apprentice

As the heavily armed men moved to grab Rayden, Taalion stretched his wings and moved in front of him. As the guards continued to approach the silver Dragonling spread his jaw and released a spray of super heated air, spreading the heated air over the guards. The heat was so intense that the guards were forced to stop and then retreat. Before Taalion stopped the spread of heated air, a small sliver of silver flame escaped his maw.

At the sight of the attacking guards both Fírnen and Saphira bellowed roars that reverberated of the chamber walls and moved to stand by Taalion, Rayden and Erik, who when the guards moved forward had moved to crouch behind Rayden in fear. As Rayden started to push Erik back and moved towards the alcove the Dragons entered through, the four Riders and two remaining Dragons watched without moving as the scene unfolded. Elva moved to stand defiantly in front of the retreating pair while Angela stepped up to Eragon and began to whisper hurriedly in his ear.

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