A/N: Hey guys! i edited the chapter, so u might wanna reread it through, because i realized (with help from a certain dragonslayer xD) that the events looked too unnatural.
all those who reviewed, id like to thank u *bows*
and one before finishing ill take about my style of and, comma, and , comma, and and etc. its a bad habit iv fallen into. i know the writing style i use is considered pretty much archaic by now. i usually write in the style that i read, which is mostly tolkien xD which u guys may have noticed by some character names (silvar = sindar+silvan (two elvish cultures in middle earth) and eldur, which is islandic, and tolkien gets many dwarvish names from that language, are two examples) but anyway i hope to drop this habit in time. so thats pretty much it , see u with the updates :D
i tried to lessen my use of comma, and. i havent perfected it by i hope theres progress. so guys review again, tell me what u think
-Blood
Chapter 2
The next day dawned bright, with the sun shining brightly on the majestic island of New Vroengard. There were not many buildings on the island yet, save for Vroengard castle and the riders' armory.
The island was not much bigger than the old Vroengard. It was a mountainous area with lush forests. In the center of the island was a valley about twice the size of the one where Eragon grew up (Palancar Valley). It was there that the Riders established their stronghold. Upon his arrival (and it was after a few months after leaving Alagaësia that Eragon decided to use this island) Eragon and the elves had placed numerous wards around the island, which Eragon eventually named New Vroengard, being unable to come up with anything more creative.
On New Vroengard the sun shone brightly that day, and the dark rainclouds gathering in the east seemed not to disturb it. Its light threw the entire valley into enlightenment, bringing every detail to sight. It looked magnificent, but Vroengard Castle looked the most majestic of all the buildings. Its watchtowers were lined with gold, and diamonds were embedded into the walls. A great castle it was and beautiful, putting Nasuada's castle in Ilirea to shame. Behind the castle were huge grounds were the Riders trained, beyond which was the mouth to a huge cave where all the dragons, save Saphira, slept.
It was just after dawn that Eragon's spells roused him from sleep. He opened his eyes slowly and rolled out from under Saphira's wing. He stood up and stretched, yawning widely. He walked over to the washbasin next to the door and washed his face, shivering as the cold water trickled down his neck.
It was as he was putting an elven tunic on that Saphira, too, woke.
Good morning, little one, she said, yawning wider than he.
Good morning, Saphira, he replied. Walking over to the window, he moved the curtain away, letting the sunlight stream in.
It's a beautiful day, she commented as the sunlight fell upon her scales, making them gleam. Eragon though he had never seen a sight quite so splendid. With much to do.
When is it that we are free? he wondered.
Saphira chuckled. Have patience Eragon. Something great will come of our efforts.
That is all well, he said, but do you not think I should scry Arya before we begin?
Our days our busy, Eragon, said Saphira, but that is not true for everyone. No doubt Arya is not free either, but she does not have six students to train. I do not think she would wake this early.
You are right, said Eragon, kissing her snout. Then he proceeded to putting his belt on; a belt that had an ordinary hand-and-a-half sword, not Brisingr, because he had no wish to fight against his students with a Brightsteel sword forged by Rhunön, even if it was dulled.
I assume you wish to proceed as usual? he asked his dragon.
You assume? she demanded. Can you not sense what I am thinking?
I can! said Eragon quickly, grinning. Relax, Saphira.
Stop being so thick, little one, or I will grab you and lick you all over.
Eragon shuddered at the thought of being licked by Saphira's rough tongue, with which she could peel the meet off of her prey's bones with ease. You would not do that…
Do I ever make idle threats? she said menacingly.
Then, bidding her Rider goodbye, she flew out the window. She was going to the other dragons, who were undoubtedly waiting for her in the sparring grounds behind the palace along with their Riders, then she would have them practice some maneuvers she had been teaching them for the past few weeks.
Eragon left his room and went down the great flight of stair to the main hall below. The main hall was the first room in castle, and such a grand place it was that it could fit ten farms the size of Garrow's. It was longer than it was wide. Gilded were its walls, and white was its floor, of marble, and at its end were two huge doors through which a dragon even the size of Glaedr could walk through. They led to the throne room, where Eragon sat (or would sit if he wasn't as busy training the Riders). In its opposite wall were silver doors just as big, but looked even more magnificent, for they had carvings of the Riders at the time of the Fall, such as Brom and Oromis, and their dragons. Also, it had a long verse in the Ancient Language that spoke of the Elves pact with the dragons. The doors were too heavy to be opened manually, so there was a stone slab to their right, which Eragon pressed. Then he stood back, waiting for them to open.
Slowly they swung inwards, revealing to Eragon New Vroengard.
The valley was long, and from where he stood, Eragon could not see its other end. Birds fluttered overhead, chirping loudly as they raced to its end. The mountains framing it were covered with trees. The trees were thick and ancient, and for long years lay undisturbed by the hands of the races that inhabited Alagaësia. Very thick was their canopy. Indeed, so dense it was that it almost transformed day into night on the slopes. As the sloped flatted into the valley-ground, the trees thinned, before failing altogether, so the valley was largely free of such growth, a fact Eragon was thankful to fate for.
Eragon strode around the castle to the sparring grounds beyond. While walking, Eragon inspected the marble walls of Vroengard Castle, scanning them for some sign of wear. As much as he could see in his haste, he found none. It pleased Eragon, bringing a smile to his face.
When he got there, Eragon saw that his students were all there, save for one, an elf by the name of Silvär. He was the oldest student, and by far the most skilled, and learned the quickest. His dragon was the third whose egg Eragon gave to Alagaësia, the first two being the ones that he left with the dwarves and Urgals.
A year after his departure, when the eggs didn't so much as stir, Eragon send four of Blödhgarm's spell casters with another dragon egg, a gleaming silver, which hatched within weeks for a young elf by the name of Silvär. The silver dragon, named Vindbylür by his Rider, became the first to hatch of the ones in the Vault of Souls. That was fourteen years ago, since then he had trained with Eragon. Next year the Urgals' egg hatched for a Kull named Uftak. He stood eight feet tall, and now his appearance was complimented by a great black dragon, who Saphira named Svâraúm at his Rider's request, by his side. Three years later the dwarves' dull orange egg hatched, making Eldur the first dwarven Rider. His dragon was named Dy'riell. A long time then Eragon spent training his first three students, and for three years he sent no eggs, only concentrated on training, which had to be accelerated a lot more than how training normally went with the Riders of old if they were to establish their power in New Vroengard; and Alagaësia (it went so fast that Eragon had introduced Elrun and Uftak to gramarye). Only when he believed the young riders were through the first stages of their training did he send another egg to Alagaësia, a pale yellow one, which hatched in two years, that was five years from now, for a young man six-and-ten years old. Hermandur he was named, and his dragon was Fellebíra. Now Silvär was off to Alagaësia once more with a dragon egg with one of Blödhgarm's spellcasters. The egg was a rich amber color. As he was the most senior Rider on New Vroengard after Eragon, he was trusted with most important tasks.
As Eragon arrived, the three Riders raised their practice swords in greeting.
'Hail, Ebrithil!' they cried as one. Looking at them, he could not help but smile. Watching them grow, and become stronger, made him feel that all he went through, all his sacrifices were not in vain after all. 'Hail, Riders,' he replied, grinning.
'Atra du evarínya ono varda, Eragon-elda,' came a voice from behind Eragon.
Eragon spun around to see Blödhgarm standing behind him with his first two fingers touching his lips. A small smile curled Eragon's lips as he thought about the elves' stealth.
'Atra esterní ono thelduin, Blödhgarm-vodhr,' replied Eragon, touching his lips too.
'There has been word from Silvär, Shur'tugal,' said Blödhgarm, lowering his arm. 'The egg sent to the Broddring Kingdom has hatched.'
Before Eragon could respond, the other Riders cheered in union.
'Truly, this is great news, Blödhgarm!' said Eragon after the others had finished. 'We've waited months for this news, have we not?'
'Indeed we have,' said Blödhgarm, smiling slightly.
'To whom did it hatch?'
'To a human, but he didn't say who. But I must say he looked excited.'
'Elrun ono, Blödhgarm,' said Eragon. Blödhgarm bowed.
Then Eragon turned to his students. 'Unsheathe your blades and dull them with magic,' he instructed. He drew his own sword and did likewise, saying, 'Gëuloth du knífr!' Then he continued, 'Uftak and Eldur will fight.' Pairing a dwarf with a Kull was his way of preparing them for unfortunate and unexpected situations. 'Hermandur will fight me.'
Then the sparring began. Every day Eragon paired up with another of his students, but as they were only four, he went through them rather quickly. Through his link with Saphira he could see her telling the dragons about swerving around in the air to dodge arrows and other projectiles.
Eragon looked into Hermandur's eyes and smiled. That was the only warning he got as the older Rider lunged, slashing with his sword. Hermandur clumsily raised his sword and managed to clock the strike, though it was close.
Eragon wasted no time and feigned a jab at his right knee. Hermandur looked confident, and swiftly moved his leg away. Eragon twisted around in mid-strike and placed his sword on the young man's collarbone.
'Dead,' he said. Hermandur looked greatly disappointed. He sheathed his sword and walked to the end of the grounds where he sat, leaning against a tree. Eragon looked at him. Then he decided to walk over to him, and sat down beside him.
'Tell me what it is that troubles you,' asked Eragon kindly.
'Ebrithil…' replied Hermandur. He seemed unsure of his words and continually faltered. 'Ebrithil, why is that whenever I fight anybody, I always; always end up losing? Is it because I'm incompetent? I really think so. Maybe I should never have become a Rider. That's right! I know I'd be better off working as a sailor back in Teirm. Ever since I've come here, I've been useless. Ever since I was a child, I dreamed of becoming a Rider when I heard the tales and songs. But… Now that I am, I've been nothing but a burden to you and my fellow students.'
'Would you rather you had never met Fellebíra?' asked Eragon. Hermandur looked stunned at being asked this. Eragon didn't give him a chance to answer, however, and continued gently, 'Your becoming a Rider was worth it. You are a worthy addition to our ranks. Do not doubt Fellebíra's judgment; she chose well. Dragons don't make mistakes, least of all while choosing their Riders. Rejoice; few are those who dragons choose to share their being with. You have potential. As for your losing battles, that, too, I know the reason for. Whenever you fight, you take either of two options. You either leap at your opponent without any consideration, or you stand your ground and wait for your opponent to do whatever they might wish; which, I should remind you, in a real fight would kill you.
'What you should remember is that, in a fight, you can never be hasty, nor can you be relaxed. Remember, the trick is not to make the quickest move, but to attack at the right time.'
'How can I do that, master,' said Hermandur looking up at Eragon.
'You must see what you are looking at. Watch your opponent. Try to determine his next move from his feet and his shoulders. Anticipate his next move. Think about what you know of him. Use that knowledge against him.'
Then Eragon paused, hesitating. Then he decided to tell his student. 'When I used to spar with Arya, I seldom won. Despite the fact that she was not a Rider then, and despite the fact that I had been taught by much stronger teachers, she almost always managed to defeat me. Then my master told me what I have told you now. This knowledge has served me well throughout the years.'
For the first time, he noticed a spark in Hermandur's eyes: a spark of hope. With that they stood and faced each other and began the match again. Eragon shouted instructions constantly. 'Move your feet there,' he shouted over the sound out colliding swords. 'Duck! Be light on your feet, never put your feet down completely in a fight! Swing you shoulders…'
So it continued like it did every other day. They fought tirelessly. Uftak against Elrun and Eragon against Hermandur; with Blödhgarm watching them intently. Eragon noticed that Hermandur seemed a lot more confident of himself, and a lot more calculating, and as a result of that, he lasted much longer than he ever had. Around three hours passed with them sparring, occasionally switching training partners. So it was that Eragon was fighting Uftak (with constantly with the upper hand) that he spotted the four dragons in the sky, coming back from the mountains with Saphira in the lead. As the neared their Riders Saphira let out a great roar, getting everyone's attention.
For some time they circled them, then they began to descend. Thud, thud, came the sound of their wings, sending huge gusts of winds towards them. Eragon's eyes watered.
The ground shook as they landed in their Riders' midst. Saphira looked around, folding her wings smugly.
Greetings little one, said Saphira. Did you miss me?
More than you can imagine, said Eragon, grinning. He ran over to her and kissed her snout.
Hail, Ebrithil, said Svâraúm and Fellebíra.
Dy'riell greeted Eragon saying, Greetings, master.
Well met, young dragons, said Eragon. The others walked over to their dragons too, no doubt they had much to discuss.
Well, they shouldn't really, said Eragon to Saphira. They would not need to if they didn't have each other blocked out all the time; or from some parts of their minds.
Do not be too hard on them, Eragon, said Saphira. Remember when we trained with Oromis and Glaedr. We didn't focus on each other either.
Eragon almost laughed out. I was talking about privacy. From you. Saphira chuckled, the sound akin to thunder that came from her throat.
Then Eragon turned to the students. 'Saphira and I have some work to,' he announced. 'We will likely not be back for some time. You can spend that time how you wish.'
The Riders nodded, for always were Riders and their dragons eager to spend time together.
With that Eragon mounted Saphira, and she flew him to the large open window of his bed chamber.
The window had been built with Saphira in mind, so she was able to fly through it quite comfortably. Landing, however, was less easy. Saphira had to avoid Eragon's bed, dresser and mirror. She flapped her wings carefully as she landed and Eragon dismounted. Eragon was eager to look at Arya and talk to her, to make sure she was safe, so without wasting any more time Eragon walked over to the mirror. It was as tall as Eragon and less wide.
Eragon stood in front of it and probed into the deepest reaches of his mind. There he found a pool of energy, into which he delved, and summoning the energy that was needed Eragon said the words: 'Draumr Kópa.'
The surface of the mirror shimmered, and Eragon's reflection disappeared. For some moments the mirror remained black; black and blank. Then the darkness gave way, and a room materialized, which Eragon recognized as Arya's bedchamber. In front of her scrying mirror stood Arya, tall and beautiful and serene, to whom Eragon had spoken for nigh on a decade; for eight years.
As he beheld her, his heart seemed to stop, as did time around him. His breath caught up in his throat. She looked gorgeous as ever. She was dressed in a long dress of midnight blue lined with golden embroidery. Her raven hair flowed down to her shoulders, and below. Upon her head was a crown of gold. Looking at her, what Eragon was feeling caught up with him. The feeling of emptiness that he felt without her. Who said everything was worth it? Eragon thought to himself. Looking at her Eragon realized a hole in his heart, a hole no number of young Dragon Riders could. Indeed, it was a hole nobody- nothing could fill, except for being with her, inhaling her pine needle scent. Eragon felt a sense of longing, as he stared at, what was in his mind, the image of perfection. He reached out a hand towards her, knowing full well he could not touch her through the mirror. Her name escaped him lips softly: 'Arya…'
'Eragon,' she said, looking happy to see him but unsurprised. Eragon felt his eyes becoming a little moist. Then he also smiled.
He touched his index and middle fingers to his lips. 'Atra du evarínya ono varda,' he said.
'Eragon,' she said, waving her hand. 'Such formalities are not needed among friends. Tell me, how have you been?'
'I have been well Arya,' he said. 'But I am more concerned about you; how are you?'
'I have been good as well.'
So they spoke of many things. Arya spoke with Eragon, and also with Saphira, through Eragon. Eragon recounted to her all his experiences in New Vroengard, for the last time they had spoken was in a meeting of leaders. She told him about Alagaësia, and of Du Weldenvarden, and her reign too, but mostly they spoke of things that mattered little, for it was the first time Eragon spoke with the thief of his heart in almost a decade, and he did not want to ruin the meeting with depressing subjects, such as peace between races in Alagaësia, which had been hard to come by.
'We need the Riders here, Eragon,' said Arya. 'The Riders were keepers of peace. It would be better for all of Alagaësia if you worked for its peace again.'
'If we worked for its peace,' Eragon corrected her. 'Arya you are a Rider as well, and that above all else. New Vroengard is your home as well, after Ellesméra. You are always welcome here. With your kind,' he added with a smirk. 'But no, we cannot return to Alagaësia, at least not yet. We are too few, and most of us are still in training. And besides, I don't think we can ever return permanently, for even the Riders of old didn't stay there.'
Arya looked troubled, but didn't pursue the subject. From their conversation Eragon guessed she wasn't very comfortable with her position of queen, he knew she'd rather be elsewhere. He daren't hope that place was New Vroengard, but it comforted Eragon immensely.
Eragon spoke with her for well over an hour, before the Elf Lords and Ladies requested another meeting.
Arya sighed as the messenger left her. 'That was the third time this week that I have been called. Do you know what they would discuss? Mostly things that nobody but they cared about.'
Eragon smiled slightly. 'Why not abdicate the throne and come to New Vroengard?' he said, deciding to push his luck.
'Why don't you abdicate the position of Lord Rider and come back to Alagaësia?' she retorted. Eragon's smile widened; he had expected naught else. 'Couldn't you do that?'
Eragon sighed. 'Arya… you know I would do anything for you.'
Arya looked troubled. 'Eragon…' she warned.
'Yes, I know,' he said. Then he whispered her true name.
She shivered at the recognition of those words. Then he saw a small smile grace her lips as he spoke his back. He reacted likewise.
'Well, Eragon,' she said. 'I wished I could have spoken to you longer.'
'Oh we will, Arya,' confirmed Eragon. 'If you do not come here, I will surely visit Ellesméra.;
Her face lit up; slightly, ever so slightly. Somebody who didn't know her really, really well would not have noticed. 'You will?'
'I will have to,' he said.
They could not talk for much longer, for Arya had to go. So Eragon took his leave of her and bade her goodbye.
He whistled, sitting back on his bed. 'Thank the gods she's alright,' he said. He could sense that Saphira was relieved as well, but she said nothing. She had been hoping to talk with Fírnen, but he, as Arya told them, had gone to Ilirea to meet with Nasuada. Arya, who was otherwise occupied, could not leave.
Despite everything, there was one thing Eragon did not understand. His feeling of dread did not heal, even though he knew Arya was safe. If anything, it grew stronger and firmer, and that thought occupied his mind throughout the day, which went just the same as the others. After the lessons were over Eragon and Saphira flew with the other Riders to the mountains where they spent some time practicing mounted combat, and then they practiced magic with the elves participating in the training as well, after which Eragon excused himself and retired to his bed chambers. He wasted no time and undressed. Once more he lay next to Saphira, leaving his straw bed unoccupied. Only a handful of times could he remember sleeping in his own bed.
When the next day dawned, the rainclouds were a little closer than before. It was the day Silvär would return. They did not even spar, for they had no time, Silvär had told Blödhgarm he would return around dawn. But even if they did have time, Eragon doubted they could have done very well, with all the excitement between them. Indeed, Eragon was so excited himself that he could barely sleep, and Saphira as well.
Some time after dawn, the Riders and dragons and also Blödhgarm and his ten spellcasters gathered in front of the main doors to Vroengard Castle. Eragon could barely breathe with all the anticipation that he felt. How long they stood there, Eragon could only guess. But eventually they heard a sound, faint at first, but growing progressively louder. Thud, thud, it was, unmistakably the sound of a dragon's wings. At length Vindbylür came into view, upon his back Silvär.
Vindbylür landed in front of them, and Silvär dismounted.
'Greetings, Ebrithil, brothers!' he said, but Eragon did not reply. His gaze was fixed upon the new Rider, he froze, and his eyes widened. For he recognized the new Rider who dismounted Vindbylür after Silvär. Eragon could not believe his eyes.
A/N: Rgghh who is this next rider? read on :P first of all, thanks for reading. hoping to hear (or read) what you think abt it so review! :P ill start working on the next chapter now and have it up by tomorrow (hopefully). read the next chapters to find out who the rider it. well that's it i suppose for the a/n for now, see you guys with the next chapter!
ElementalDragonSlayer: thank you for the review, though as u said not much could be said reading the first chapter. anyway, thanks!
-Blood
