Hello and welcome to As the Sun Sets - new and improved! In this newer and just generally better version, I will make each chapter a minimum of 1000 words, because if I didn't, I'd be a total hypocrite of my own standards when reading a story. XD Anyway, I haven't read the stories for quite a long while, since about 2011 I believe, so I'm very likely to get a heap of stuff wrong. Please bear with me though! On with the story!
Chapter 1 - Secrets of the Heart
"Land ahoy!" One of the elves shouted.
'I hope this is good for training!' Saphira said from the sky, gliding above the fluffy clouds.
'I agree, it means we will be far away from any distractions and temptations of returning to Alagaësia, but someday we will be able to retrace out general way back,' Eragon replied while glancing up at her.
As the boat moved closer to the shore, Saphira surveyed the land and marveled at how perfect it was. There was a large hollowed volcano, much like Farthen Dûr, in the middle of the island and there were many waterfalls and woodlands. There was even a rainforest on the other side. The beautiful island wasn't as large as Alagaësia, but was more than big enough to house dragons of all sizes and ages. As the sun started to set, it cast a beautiful light on the shore and made the water a lovely orange colour. The shadows of the trees stretched out to triple their size and a warm summer breeze beckoned the crew towards the first land they had seen in weeks.
"Tamal, we have land! You can come up now," Blödhgarm called to Tamal, their newest rider. On a small group of islands along the way there were towns inhabited by humans and intelligent beasts. Tamal was a human villager that convinced the town's leader that the small band of elves wouldn't hurt anyone and, because of this, was trusted by Eragon enough to be tested with an egg. Amazingly enough, the black egg hatched and Naydow was bonded to Tamal. He was extremely grateful and accompanied Eragon to be trained. Naydow was now 6 months old and able to breathe fire. He had grow to about a quarter of Spahira's size and had scales like onyx. He had sharp yellow eyes that matched his rider's and a row of blood red spines trailing down his neck to his tail. On the very tip was a sharp spine that resembled the size and shape of a straight dagger.
"Yeah!" Tamal said in his excited voice. He came up above deck and Naydow landed beside him. Tamal had dark skin and black dreadlocks that trailed down to the middle of his back. The sides of his hair was shaved back using a dagger. The pair of dragon and rider seemed to be almost like twins in different forms.
'Eragon, will come flying with me? I need to talk to you about something…' Saphira trailed off, her scales glittering in the dying light.
'Of course, you know I could never say no,' Eragon replied, asking everyone to prepare for Saphira's landing. The ship was only big enough for one dragon, so Naydow took off to let her land. Eragon hopped on Saphira's saddle and she bounded of the side of the boat, unfurling her wings in the process.
'What was it you wanted to talk about?' Eragon asked softly. He could feel Saphira's uneasiness through their link. They soared high and above the clouds again, away from where the ship could see them.
'Well, I know everyone expects Naydow and I to become very close to each other…' Saphira almost winced, but paused to rethink what she was saying. 'You won't tell him will you?'
'You can trust me, and you know that. I know it would be optimal for you two to become more than friends, but never would I want to put pressure on you. You should know that already, Eragon lightly scolded and signaled for her to go on.
'I-I just don't really like Naydow as a mate, I like him as a friend,' she sighed, turning her head away from Eragon.
'Oh Saphira, as wise as you are, you can be so silly sometimes!' Eragon laughed. 'I could already tell that, you can't hide your heart from me! Don't worry about it, if the others care I'll explain to them that you aren't just a beast to be bred, you have more intellect than all of us - most of the time.' They drifted lower as Saphira laughed sheepishly through their link, embarrassed that she had made such a big deal out of nothing. The boat had reached the shore and everyone had already set up camp and a fire. Saphira landed gracefully, her composure stitched back together, and lay down to sleep as Eragon took off her saddle. He couldn't help but feel his heart soar at the confirmation that Saphira didn't love Naydow, but he barely noticed it.
'I know you miss Fírnen, but he is now the past and I know you will find the perfect mate someday,' Eragon said, glancing at Saphira's now sullen expression. She merely rumbled a reply from deep in her throat, and Eragon frowned slightly, but moved away to eat and give her some space.
Naydow looked up restlessly from his spot around the fire and jumped up. 'You guys are finally back! I want to explore with Saphira!" He projected, his deep voice sounding odd with so much excitement in it. "I'd suggest not, Saphira doesn't appreciate being woken," Eragon said to him before he went and woke up a grumpy dragon. Naydow's tail drooped and he folded his wings back, the membrane being the same blood red as his spines. After a saddened 'Okay' from the young dragon, he went and curled up next to Saphira's larger form. Eragon didn't like how close he was getting, but didn't notice the jealousy burning in the pit of his stomache. Saphira shifted a little in her sleep, her tail moving to curl around her.
So, how was the first redone chapter? I left a lot of it mostly the same, only rewording it a bit. I think I might have to add in more chapters in the middle, it moves way too fast for how I'd like it, but I'll keep Chapter 4's cliffy that I left you guys on for years. Mwahaha! I don't know when I'll get to redoing the next chapter, but you won't have to wait as long as last time, rest assured. If you have any questions, suggestions or just want to tell me something random, leave a review and I'll reply to it in my next update! Goodbye for now but not forever! (ahh the memories of rollercoaster 3)
-Graggy