Many small islands dot the ocean around the large island. Eragon smiles at the sight and proclaims that this place is perfect to raise dragons and Dragon Riders. He points to the volcano at the northern tip of the island, deciding that we should build a fortress there, with a city below it.

Once we land, Sorin and Saphira make a point of flying over the island to look for a good place to land. They also plan to make a mental survey of the species on the island, as well as which ones are appropriate for dragons to eat, and which ones are appropriate for humans, elves, dwarves and urgals to eat.

The elves dock the ship and agree to make reports on the condition of the island, with reports on terrain, fertile ground for agriculture, and where the oldest and strongest trees are. Eragon and I run towards the mountains. We have to take measure of the land and decide where to put each of the buildings. We would need an armory, a library, gardens for flowers, herbs and vegetables, living quarters suited to each of the races, as well as a council chamber, a court, and walls to encircle our new city. Eragon had a vision of a city to rival Doru Araeba. And with thirty extra elves, who have volunteered to be lookouts, ship crews, and assist with the construction of the city, the work begins smoothly.

If we tunnel into the mountain, we could make a chamber to hold dragon eggs until they are ready to hatch, as well as a storehouse for the Eldunari. Eragon notices large white veins of rock in three of the mountains to the east, marble. He smiles and says that we should have no problem gathering building materials for our city, since the island has clearly never been inhabited.

And for the next year and a half, we, the elves, and our dragons build the large white and green city that stands at the base of the volcano. And for good measure, we dig a series of moats around the city, in case the volcano decides to erupt. The city walls are fortified with granite and magic, the buildings inside are as massive as the ones in Vroengard, and because of that, the city spans almost ten miles across.

When the armory and library are built, we put away all of the books and swords, assigning a couple of elves to each building to sort and classify the weapons by hilt type, length, color and combat type. The combat types are the most important, because they have to match up well with how the owner fights. Eragon uses a hand and a half long-sword, which can be used alone or with a shield and is shaped for a lunge or cut. I use two thinner swords with slight curves that are good for slashing, and can be very effective when used in a thrust, but I never use a shield because locking the swords together can block effectively.

And as we come into summer, with the elves preparing for the summer solstice celebrations, I get an unexpected surprise. Eragon comes sprinting into my latest gardening project, an herb garden next to the infirmary.

"Ciara!"

I look up at him, taking in his slightly disheveled appearance. "What? Are they in need of help already?"

Eragon smiles widely. "Nasuada and Orik are asking for us in the scrying hall. So this is either good news or very bad news."

"Retaining optimism are you?" I brush leaves off of my clothes and stand up. "Shall we go see what their Majesties want with the Dragon Riders?"

We run to the scrying hall, which is situated in the middle of our city. There are over a dozen main buildings, all built of white marble, and often towering over fifty feet high. The work is a hybridization of elven and dwarven architecture, which makes it both strong and study, as well as graceful and beautiful.

I walk in through the tall archway and see Thrynya watching over the scrying mirrors. She nods and steps away from the mirrors, taking up a position near the front entrance, giving us privacy with two of the leaders of Alagaesia.

Eragon sits himself in front of the mirrors and I stand behind him, watching carefully. Orik cracks a smile. "It is good to see you Eragon. You and Saphira are sorely missed in Farthen Dur."

"Much the same can be said for the rest of Alagaesia." Nasuada's smile is both warm and sad. "But more importantly, we have news for you."

Orik nods. "Approximately a week ago, a dragon hatched for the niece of grimstborith Iorunn of Durgrimst Vrenshrrgn." He shift in his seat. "She was here yesterday, but is now on her way to Hedarth, along with her dragon."

I touch Eragon's shoulder to keep him quiet. "We can have a boat sent to Hedarth to pick her up. "I look over to Nasuada. "Have you called for a similar reason?"

Nasuada's eyes sparkle. "Yes. A young man from Teirm managed to convince a dragon to hatch. It had taken two weeks to bring him here to Ilirea, but he has also left for Hedarth. He should be at Hedarth in a few days. Arya offered to have Firnen ferry them across the desert."

"We can send replacements for the two eggs that have hatched. We have a crew for a boat who also act as messengers and couriers." Eragon clasps his hands together. "So what kind of students are headed our way?"

Orik speaks first. "Kaevda of Durgrimst Vrenshrrgn. She is thirteen years old, very curious and already gifted with the ability to use magic. And like her aunt, she is very self-assured and confident. That aside, she is also very kind and down to earth."

"How about the boy from Teirm?" Eragon inquires. "Does he have any latent magical ability?"

"Not as far as I've heard." Nasuada explains. "His name is Valon, he is a shopkeeper's son, sixteen years old. His parents run a shop in Teirm that sells herbs and medicines, mostly to sailors. His mother has the ability to use magic, but he and his younger sister couldn't learn. As for his disposition, he seems sullen and withdrawn. But one of my guards witnessed him tending to a child's cuts and bruises after the child fell from a wagon."

"So he acts one way in public, but differently when he believes that no one is looking." It make me laugh a little, since he sounds much like Murtagh. "This should prove to be interesting."

"We will send out a boat immediately." Eragon gets to his feet. "Thank you for the good news. Unless there is anything else, I should go see to the preparations."

Nasuada shakes her head and smiles before disappearing from the mirror. Orik just smiles contentedly and also cuts the connection. Eragon looks at me and I smile. "Finally, our hard work is going to pay off."

"And let's hope that they want to learn, otherwise this is going to be a very difficult few months." Eragon smirks. "I know that I was a difficult student in Ellesmera. And now I get to be the teacher."

"So should we stick to our plan and teach them alternately?" I remind him of our training plan and he nods. "I think that would be best, since we specialize in very different areas."

And with that, Eragon runs off to prepare the boat and crew, as well as debrief them on their specific mission. And I go to the library to start pulling books on rules, regulations and the training requirements for completing an apprenticeship.