Prologue

Three years.

It had been three years since the dragon egg hatched for Raznin. Three years spent under the tutelage of his master, learning the ways of the riders.

Three years spent with his dragon, Jax.

And now, after three years, his training was complete. Or at least, as complete as it could be under the circumstances.

For, Raznin was perhaps the most unique rider to have ever been trained.

He was a mute. Never in his life had he spoken a word aloud. Yes, he could understand words well enough, and speak mentally, but no sound had ever escaped his lips past the soft breeze of breath.

And yet, amazingly, he had proven himself a very capable spell caster, adept at the art of casting without sound, which others found both difficult and extremely dangerous. But Raznin was expert at it, indeed perhaps the best in Alagaesia. His master and the elders had seen this, and thus allowed his tutelage to continue. And now he was a rider.

He had been born into Dras-Leona, his father dead before his birth. His mother had been poor, owning a tiny, two roomed house in the slums of the city. She had spent her days as a maid in the palace, just scrounging up enough money for her and Raznin to survive. Times were hard, but she was a determined woman.

But for all her determination, she could not stop a man slipping a knife between her ribs while she slept one night and stealing the meagre contents of the hovel. The thief had simply left Raznin sleeping, left him to wake to a destroyed life.

At the time, Raznin was eleven.

From then on, he'd spent six years on the streets, as a beggar, a thief, a survivor. He lived, trusted no one, and had no friends or even acquaintances to share the time with. Then came the huge procession of elves bearing large, coloured eggs that everyone wanted to touch. Raznin, having little education of the riders, had no idea what was going on, but felt he might as well give it a go, to see what the big fuss was all about. He inconspicuously joined one of the lines, and waited for what seemed like an eternity. Then, it was his turn.

He laid his hand hesitantly on the dark, blood red egg, and waited for three seconds.

Nothing happened.

The elf dismissed him. He shrugged, and turned to leave. Then came the soft tap- tap sound, coming from the egg. The elf exclaimed in surprise, pulling Raznin back.

"Child, you have been chosen! Tell me, what is your name?"

Raznin sighed, and pointed to his throat, shaking his head. Understanding dawned across the elf's face, followed by shock.

"y-you cannot speak?"

Raznin shook his head.

"Then use your mind"

And with that the elf entered Raznin's mind.

Now, child. Your name? The presence of another inside his head was eerie, especially one so ancient and vast. Hesitantly, he replied,

My name is Raznin…As you've probably gathered I am a mute.

"hmm. This is indeed strange. Nevertheless, you have been chosen. Come over here…"

Then Raznin named his dragon, and was taken directly to ellesmera, for his training.

And now he stood on the edge of the Crags of Tel'naeir, Gazing out over the forest bathed in the light of the full moon, the red mountain that was Jax crouched beside him.

It is time. Shall we go, my friend? He questioned the majestic beast.

There is little point in wasting time here. Let us fly.

And without further ado, he climbed up into Jax's saddle and, with a mighty roar, the dragon erupted into the night sky, setting flight for Vroengard.

Their tale had begun.