I'm back with yet another story. I don't think that there's another story similar to this, I haven't really looked for one.
Summary: How would the Inheritance Cycle have played out if Eragon had had a best friend back home? A best friend who just so happened to be a girl his age. She knows him better than anyone and has known him since they were just kids. But she's not your typical girl in the least. So what happens when she insists on accompanying him when he leaves Carvahal? Well, it'll be interesting to say the least.
Oh, my OC's name is pronounced like Dana, just so you know.
My Best Friend's A Dragon Rider
Prologue
My name is Zana. I'm your average fifteen-year-old girl. Ok, maybe not average in the sense of being a typical girl, but I still look average. I have dark brown hair that falls in waves to just past my shoulder blades and I'm around average height, if not a little taller. My eyes are probably my most unique feature; they're a rich, dark brown that is just short of being black, but still holds a chocolaty essence and they're a wide, almond shape.
I live in a small village called Carvahal. I say it's small because the population's around 300 people. Actually, we're probably bigger than other villages because we actually appear on certified maps of the Empire and I know that there are other villages that aren't. Other than the fact that people know who we are, Carvahal goes basically unnoticed. I have a feeling that it's because of our close proximity to the Spine Mountains. Most people tend to fear the Spine; as to why, I'm not sure. People, even as close as Therinsford, consider us brave for living here. They'd be so disappointed to see that most of the village still refuses to go close to the mountains. It's pretty pathetic.
My father is Horst, the village blacksmith. The only blacksmith in town, actually. It's a pretty good business, really. We have people coming from Therinsford for repairs, even though they have their own blacksmith. My mother, Elaine, is the only one not in the business. Yeah, that's right; I work in the smithy too, along with my brothers, Baldor and Albriech. I told you that I wasn't a typical girl. Where most girls my age are working in their homes, helping in the kitchen, and trying to find a suitor that they and their fathers can agree on, I'm out slaving over a hot piece of metal with a hammer. Or hunting with my brothers or my best friend.
Oh, yeah, I almost forgot to mention my best friend. His name is Eragon. We've known each other for longer than either of us can remember. It's been harder for both of us to try to get together since we've grown older. I've had more responsibilities in Daddy's shop and he's had more work to do on his uncle's farm. Unfortunately, we also happen to live on opposite sides of the village; me closer to the Spine and him 10 miles outside of the village towards Therinsford. But we make it work, and that's all that matters to me.
And remember when I said that I'm not a typical girl? Well, it goes beyond the fact that I'm a tomboy. First off, my family, no matter how much I love them, isn't my real family. Mama found me when I was just a baby on the doormat with a letter explaining that my birth parents couldn't keep me and wanted me to have a good home. I've grown up most of my life knowing that and sometimes I can't help wondering who I would have been if I hadn't been left here that night. In the last few years, I've come to realize that it doesn't matter who I would have been. I am who I am and I'm surrounded by my family and friends who love me no matter what, and I wouldn't trade them for anything. What's funny is that Eragon's in a similar situation; he was raised by his mother's brother after she left him here. Sometimes I'm slightly envious of him because at least he knows something about his family and I know nothing.
But there's something else; something that very few people know. It's my deepest darkest secret and outside of my family only two people know what it is. If the Empire ever found out, I'd be a goner, as would my family and anyone else who knows my secret. You see, I'm a magician and a talented one at that. Unfortunately for me, right before I was born, the Empire passed a law saying that all magicians, whether they're good or not, are to be handed over to be trained and enlisted to serve the Empire. It's not good to be a magician living in the Empire in this day and age. It's even worse for those who, like me, are living in secrecy. According to the law, any magician over the age of ten found to be living outside of the service of the king will be taken immediately to Uru'baen to be trained, no goodbyes, no choice in the matter. Their families and anyone else who helped to hide them are considered traitors and are executed. Like I said, it's not a good situation at all. That's why we're so secretive about it. That's why only my family, my trainer, and Eragon know what I am; if anyone else found out, we could all be in big trouble and, to be perfectly honest, I don't think I can trust anyone else with my secret.
This is just a little introduction to my OC. The other chapters will be better, I promise. Let me know what you think of my little idea, preferably in a review, please.