The sun was beating down on Percy as he wended his way through the large city. His raven black hair made the sweat of the day ten times worse, but Percy did not mind. Not today, at least. His bright sea green eyes shone in the sun's rhythmic glare, telling the world he was excited for the day to come. And he had good reason. Today, the King and his men would take him to his Dragon.
Even though the poor egg had not hatched, Percy still knew it was his, ever since he and his mother entered the Capital.
As soon as they had walked through the walls, Percy had felt a mind entering and searching his own. Sally Jackson had taught him from a young age about how to protect it. But this mind did not feel opposing or dangerous. It felt just like a part of him.
It had been a few minutes before the being spoke. Her voice was quiet and reserved. Who are you? I have never felt a mind in this City like yours.
At first, Percy did not know how to respond, but then decided on what to reply. My name is Percy. I have no last name as I never knew my father. My mother and I are just passing through to get supplies. We will only be in town for a few days.
They talked for the longest time, but it was not untilafter River had told him what he was that Percy became protective of her. She was his responsibility now, and his alone. Wherever Percy went, he helped keep the shields up to protect her mind. He did not want monsters like Shruikan disrupting her more than they had. They were what caused her to be so quiet and shy; they had broken the last of the known dragons.
When Percy had first felt the mind of the elder Dragon, he immediately felt it recoil. That was what made Percy smirk as he knew that he now had one over the large, black beast. It was not until Shruikan had said he only wanted to ask River a few questions that he lowered two or three of the outer barriers; just enough for them to communicate as he did not trust him that much; but the beast was the King's Dragon, so he had almost no choice.
It was funny at first. The Dragon had completely forgotten his thoughts could be heard by the two of them. Shruikan's mind was very interesting. After the first few times of the Dragon forgetting, though, Percy had started to get impatient. Soon he was almost yelling. His ADHD was acting up. His mom had told him what he had, but the no one knew what it was. This had always confused him, how would his mom know when no one else did.
Percy had never trusted the King or his Dragon. The people of the Surda and the Varden had always said the pair was foolish, thinking they would give up. It never happened, and with each passing year, the King got crazier with power. This was why all Percy wanted was to get his Dragon and get out of there back to his home. It would be a few days ride to the mountains, but the Dragon at such a young age would be easy to hide.
It was not until Percy walked into someone, knocking them both to the ground that he was brought back to the present. 'The stranger, dressed in battered clothes, excluded a calm, assured air. In his hands was a bow, at his side a long hand-and-a-half sword. A white horn bound with silver fittings lay in his lap, and the hilt of a dagger protruded from his boot. His serious face and fierce eyes were framed by locks of brown hair. He appeared to be' (Paolini, 267) five or six years older than Percy, and about a foot taller.
Percy knew this face. It was Murtagh, the son of Morzan. He lived with the King, and many say he was quite mad, too. Of course, Percy only knew this because the Varden talked of him a lot, and it was never good. He grimaced as he helped the elder man to his feet. This was one person who he did not want to see on his perfect day, except perhaps if he was the man sent to fetch him.
"Are you the man the King sent to find me? I am the Rider of the Dragon," Murtagh jumped when he heard this, and surprise lit his face. Just like Shruikan, Murtagh had not expected him to be so young. But almost as soon as the surprise had been there, it was gone.
"Yes. You are Percy, son of none, am I correct?" This last part was a question. Percy simply nodded, and quietly shook the man's hand. Then, without another word, the two of them started walking toward the castle, Murtagh in front. He was leading with Percy one foot behind, walking in stride even with his shorter legs, excitement clouding his features.
It took a short walk of about five minutes before the two reached the large, dark castle. The stone was a deep storm grey, with small splatters of any other color mixed in the stone. Four long watch towers stood at attention, guards posted every few feet along the perimeter, each watching from all directions, flags waving in their hands. It was the flag of Galbatorix, a deep black with a dim blood red Dragon head in the center. The words 'King Galbatorix' were written in both the native and the Ancient Languages under the image.
Murtagh walked up to the large wooden doors, and said a few words to the guard Percy could not hear. It turned out the guard had been waiting for them. He nodded and waved his hand into the air, creating a complex signal. After the first slight move, the doors started to swing open, leaving just enough room for Murtagh to squirm through. Percy just walked into the grounds, much smaller than the afore mentioned man.
And what Percy saw made his mouth pop open. I mean, don't get him wrong, he had been to the dwarf mountains and had seen their prize jewel, which was beautiful it's self. But even it was almost nothing compared to the Palace square. Flowers of every kind littered the ground, peaking through the steps leading to the open doors. Pebbles of reds and yellows, blues and greens also covered the floor below. Most were creating steps and paths through the green covered undergrowth. Some of the rocks were even see-through, which had never been seen before by the young child.
Percy looked ahead to see a large Shed in front. The doors were sung open, showing their height and weight even more, as each needed ten or twenty men to move. Halfway inside the worn hut was Shruikan, his black hide glimmering in the sunlight. The dragon was a good twenty or thirty feet tall, but even he did not compare to the height of the doors. Next to the beast was the King, coming to greet Percy, and watch as his egg was hatched.
The King gestured inside and Percy followed after. They walked about halfway through the one room shack when the King led Percy to a smaller room, the door protected by five guards. After seeing the men stride through, the men moved aside to let Percy, Murtagh, and the King into the space.
The inside was pitch-black until the King mumbled one word in the Ancient Language which Percy under stood. He had said fire. The small blaze was just enough light for Percy to see what was going on. Hidden in one corner of the large room was a nest. Inside it, concealed from view was an egg. The color was a beautiful silver blue, with speckles a little lighter in some spots. Even with just the firelight, the egg was sparkling different shades of pale blue and light silver.
Percy stayed where he was; his gaze was fixed upon the unmoving object so long Murtagh had to gently push him forward, gesturing for him to touch the egg. Percy obliged and as soon as his finger grazed it, an earsplitting CRACK was heard throughout the hall. Small pieces of egg gently fell away until none remained.
Sitting in the mess of her once cover, was River. She just stood up on four legs, and sat there, her gaze meeting Percy's. Her eyes were brightly glittering with intelligence.
"Now, you must touch her, Percy. She must be bonded to you before you are a full Rider," The words themselves came from Murtagh as Galbatorix was just sitting there, apparently deep in thought. Percy listened to the words of the bright young adult. Both he and River started forward, meeting in the middle. She then sat on her hind legs, holding her head higher than she had before. This had been what they were waiting for.
Percy bent down, his hand outstretched, waiting for her to do her part. As soon as River touched him, Percy was thrown into pain worse than he had been in before. It started at his hand and spread throughout his body, making it so he could barely speak.
But through the pain, Percy felt a new sense of power that had not been there before. He suddenly knew and understood words he had heard people speak throughout the towns they had passed, and things he had seen happen suddenly made more sense.
But there was now something he did not understand. He flashed back to when he was a year old. His mother was standing there, holding him, looking up at twelve being of immense size, towering over her. The one she was looking at looked like Percy, his bright green eyes twinkling even though he was not smiling. His gaze was locked on his mother's. Even Percy could tell he was in love.
Suddenly the man next to the one Sally was looking at spoke. He, too, had black hair, but his eyes were electric blue. "We must send him! There he will not become the child of the prophecy, and we must do all we can to stop it!" He pounded the bolt in his hand to help bring his message clearer.
Five others, including the one next to him shook their heads. "Zeus, we cannot fight a prophecy. It will happen the way it was meant to. But if we must, I will allow you to send him, as long as you send Sally as well. I do not want them to be separated."
Zeus nodded at the man's words. "Very well, then, all in favor of sending the boy and his mother?" At this all but two raised their hand. Only a woman with bright grey eyes and curly blonde hair, and a man with a mysterious twinkle in his eyes (Athena and Apollo) did not. Zeus nodded his head. "Now is the matter of where to send them. We could do Hecate's pet world or Hera's. All in favor of Hecate's." At this no one raised their hands.
"Father, that is still in our world. It will not stop the prophecy. It must be Hera's, though I do not like that idea anymore," A man with short blonde hair spoke this time. (Apollo) "I'd rather like to have a nephew."
Zeus shook his head as a bright golden light enveloped Percy and Sally, sending them to where they live now.
Percy awoke with a start, jumping out of his bed. He looked around and realized he was back at home, well, where they were staying, at least. Next to him was the Dragon, River. Her bright black eyes started up at him, almost seeing through all his secrets. How long was I out? Percy asked her, hoping it had not been that long. He was hungry.
A couple hours. It is dark now. You passed out when I was marking you, giving you the powers you need. I saw what you saw, by the way. Was that woman holding you your mother?
Percy nodded, looking around again. He saw some food lying on the bedside table, and grabbed it, gulfing it down. After it was gone, he stood up, stretching. Need to tell Mom I'm up. Wanna officially meet her? River shook her head, signally yes, and followed him out the door, almost jogging.
Yes, and hungry, too. While walking out of the room, Percy could hear her start to hum; singing to herself songs Percy had learned when he was little from his mother.
The pair walked out the door, to find Sally working in the kitchen. "Hey, Mom! I'm up!" Percy told her, sitting on one of the two stools. Sally jumped when she heard Percy behind her. "Anything for River to eat?" Percy asked grinning madly.
Sally nodded and grabbed meat from the counter behind her. "The King brought this for you when they took you back here. It should be a few weeks worth. We need to leave soon. In a few hours. I already packed your clothes." Sally added quietly, her voice becoming a whisper. "Also, Murtagh offered to come with us, for extra protection. He has wanted to leave for years anyway. He should be here soon. He also swore in the Ancient Language not to tell." Percy nodded. He had grown up learning the Language, what with the magicians serving the Varden.
There was a knock on the door. Percy told River to hide; he did not want everyone to know he was a Rider yet. Just as he reached the door, it swung open, showing Murtagh's smiling face. His dark eyes glowered at Percy, who just ignored it. "Almost time to go. You are just in time." Percy told him, swinging it open wider. Murtagh strode in, pausing only to say hello to Sally.
AN. This may be one of the longest chapters I will write. Maybe to make it longer, I will add the next two chaps together.
Anywho, tell me what you think. I just wanted to add this chapter because of all the views I've gotten: almost 100! But only four reviews. This made me a little sad, but I did better than I thought. So, please tell me how to do better. I will have my beta, JayneParker go over both chapters, and then repost them. Please tell us how to do better.
And don't forget to vote on my poll about which Demigods should come in. Or leave it in a review. The choices are Thaila, Nico, Bianca, Luke, Jason, Reyna, Hazel, Frank, Leo, Piper, and other. You may chose up to four. Annabeth is already coming. So far, only one person has voted and it is one for Thaila and Nico each. I need at least two more.
Also, anyone have ideas for silly disclaimers? Anyone, anyone? *Crickets chirp*
Oh, well. If you have any ideas, feel free to tell me. I will try to post either in a few days, when I get five reviews, or a hundred views. So expect an update soon. I'm working on chapter three right now, but may end up adding it to two to help add length. So anyway, if anyone even reads these, also feel free to tell me.
See ya in a few days...
Minilopsided