Chapter 1
Riko stood, hidden by the leaves of the bush she was in, watching the young rider drinking from the river. The wind caught her black hair, sweeping it off her face. A dragon roared overhead as the rider turned around towards Riko's hiding spot.
If she ran now she could get away quickly, she knew the forests of Du Weldenvarden well as she'd lived here long enough. She turned to run, only to come face-to-face with a magnificent blue dragon. The rider stepped forward and grabbed her arm. He was young, only in his first year of manhood. His grip was strong and it hurt.
"Why are you watching me?" his voice was harsh, yet at the same time, soft underneath. Riko winced, "I was passing when I saw you. Human's don't usually venture into our forests!" The boy noticed a pendant around her neck; it bore the mark of the Elven Queen. He loosened his grip and she yanked her hand back, rubbing her red arm. "You have a strong grip", she said, placing a hand on her hip. He took her in. The dark, brown leather trousers, the lighter brown tunic and the boots. Her black hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail; the strands that hung down were being blown about in the wind. He finally met the elves bright green eyes and nodded.
Riko looked, warily at the hand he stuck out, "I am Eragon", and she took it, "Riko". He smiled, inwardly nodding, "And that is Saphira". She turned to face the dragon and bowed, "Well met Saphira", the dragon nodded, "You are, I must say, a fabulous creature". Saphira nudged Riko's hand, welcoming a new friend. A rustle came behind them. Riko spun around, a hand on the hilt of her sword, which hung over her lower back. A figure appeared, "Riko! Where have you been?" The Elven guard demanded. The younger elf shrugged, "Here and there, why?" "The Queen and your father wish your presence".
Riko sighed; shaking her head, "If they still wish me to join the court then they have another thing co…" she trailed off, her eyes resting on a beautiful jade coloured stone lying on the forest floor. She picked it up and pocketed it swiftly. She reluctantly followed the guard, "Wait!" she ran back to the rider, and "I would be honoured if you would accompany me?" Eragon looked at Saphira, "Yes, we would be happy to".
The Elven city was magnificent in Eragon's eyes; Riko was being led, like a prisoner, towards the castle. The huge, beautifully carved oak doors swung open as if by magic. They were led into the main hall where Riko was thrown in front of a panel; she straightened with a determined look on her face.
"My daughter", a male elf spoke. His auburn hair hung over the collar of his forest green and silver robes, "Your running tires me, why don't you join us?" Riko did not speak. It was, Eragon thought, as if this had happened before. "You're of noble blood, your place is here not fighting for the Varden". Murmurs swept through the hall, yet still, the young elf stayed silent. The elder elf was clearly loosing his patience, "Riko!" he'd snapped at last, Riko smiled. "You will do as you're told, you unthankful parasite!" Riko laughed, "Thank you father, but you mistake me for an Urgal!" she felt her pocket shake, "I will return in a moment", and with that she ran out the door.
Her boots padded against the marble floor as she reached her chamber. She withdrew the stone and placed it on her bed. It began to shake and crack. A bright light caused her to cover her eyes and, when at last it had subsided, there, where the stone once lay, sat a baby dragon!
"Wow…" Riko was in awe, she'd been chosen. She bowed to the dragon, stroking its head. A pain shot through her arm, it was great but she ignored it as best she could. Hello little one, came a voice in her head. Hello, what to call you…? The elf thought for a moment, "I know, I'll call you Zidane!", she said finally. A small smile crept onto Zidane's face. A knock at the door tore their eyes apart. Riko pulled the curtains around her bed and spun around just as the door opened. The elf sighed in relief, it was only Eragon. Riko absent-mindedly raised her hand, "Hey…" she stopped at the look on Eragon's face. She turned her hand and saw what he was looking at. The silver gedwey ignasia was on the palm of her hand. "You're a…rider?" Riko looked down, "If my father ever found out…" Eragon nodded, "Send your dragon to Saphira, she will train her and make her strong", Riko disappeared behind the curtain reappearing holding Zidane. "Meet Zidane…this is Eragon".
So Zidane went with Saphira and Riko pulled on a pair of brown leather gloves to hide the mark. They entered the court and Riko was, once again, thrown onto the stands by a guard. "Have you decided your fate?" Riko thought for a moment, then looked at Eragon, "Yes father, I shall stay for a month, then travel to Ceris to seek out the warrior Milane". More mutters. "Very well my child", her father turned to Eragon, "As for you human…" Riko cut in, "He will stay by my side helping me", Rosh looked at his daughter, "Why him? That's what you have guards for!" Riko realised she'd have to face the Queen. "Your highness, this boy is Eragon, he is", she sighed, "the only rider left!"
A month passed and both Riko and Zidane grew. The Elven rider would ride her dragon and she trained harder with her sword. The girl was unbeatable. Zidane was larger, more powerful in both her strength and attacks. The relationship between dragon and rider also grew, Zidane becoming more protective of Riko.
The time to leave came and Riko faced Rosh. He was a couple of heads taller than her. "Must you leave?" he questioned. His youngest daughter nodded, "Yes father, yet I have something to tell you". She removed her glove, "I'm a dragon rider father!" Rosh almost exploded in anger, "Girl's cannot be riders! You're lying to me girl!" Riko sighed, Bit of help Zidane? She thought, Yes little one, came the reply. There was a bellow and the green dragon landed next to her, swishing her tail over Rosh's head, causing him to duck. Eragon landed Saphira nearby, "Father meet Zidane". Rosh blinked, unbelieving, "In all my time, I have never seen a female Elven rider!" He turned to Eragon, "Take care of her ok?"
It felt good to once again be in the sky yet Riko sensed sadness from Eragon. She flew beside him, "You miss your travelling partner don't you?" He looked at her, "How did you…?" a smile came to her lips, "I'm an elf, I can tell these things". Eragon told her all about Brom and Murtagh. Riko nodded, "Yes, but why were you in Du Weldenvarden though?" Eragon sighed, "I was looking for Arya". Riko straightened, narrowing her eyes, "Really…?" there was malice in her voice, anger. Eragon noticed this, "What?" Riko shook her head, "Nothing, just don't mention that name in front of me again!" You haven't forgiven her, have you? Zidane asked, Riko absent-mindedly ran a finger over the scar on her throat where it had been slit, How can I Zidane? She tried to kill me! Eragon looked, "Why?" he searched her, "Why do you hate her?" Riko growled, "See this scar? She gave me it! She tried to kill me! My own sister!" And with that, she flew Zidane ahead of the shocked, yet amazed rider.
Night fell and Eragon grew tired, Riko could see this in his heavy eyes. She landed Zidane, muttered a spell, creating a fire as Eragon leapt off Saphira, landing heavily on his feet. He would have toppled over had Riko not grabbed his collar to stop him impaling himself on the spikes on Zidane's tail. Saphira curled up and Riko laid the human against her belly before turning to Zidane and lying against her, using her wing as a blanket.