I am Eragon, son of Nari and Arylindia. This is my story.
I circled the elf opposite me, studying her stance. A muscle twitched in her right leg and I jumped over her. I landed facing her back, and slashed at her. As quick as I was, she was just that little bit faster. The elf jumped forwards and parried my slash so easily that she could have known what I was going to do. I dived to the side, barely dodging the cut she had aimed at my ribs. I landed facing her, and bowed in respect.
When I looked up, she already had her sword in its sheath and was gulping down water, even though she hadn't broken a sweat.
"Good work Eragon," she commented, a hint of pride in her voice. "That was very well spotted. I doubt there would be more than a handful of elves that could have done better." We sat on the grass, sitting in a companionable silence for a few minutes.
"Master, why must we be at war with the dragons?" I asked, wondering if this was not the time for this conversation. "I'm sure we could learn a lot from them." Like some different magic and how to get along, I thought sourly.
All this killing didn't appeal to me. No one knew this of course. Not even my father. He thought I was all for the killing of dragons and my uncle. But it disturbed me greatly.
My master, Celestica, sighed after a few minutes and answered. "When your uncle was ignored by the queen, he joined up with the dragons. He wanted to kill all the dwarves, but Tamunora would not allow it. You see, she thought that eventually we could befriend the dwarves, and end the small skirmishes between the two races. But your uncle thought otherwise, so he convinced the dragons that the other elves and the dwarves were going to kill them all, that he was the only one who wanted the dwarves destroyed besides the dragons themselves. Of course, there were some dragons who thought him an idiot, but those few were quickly silenced. The dragons teamed up with him, and that's how the war with the dragons began. The last few years have been used to prepare us for the war and slaughter them, their young and their eggs, and to try to discover what the dragons intend to do." Celestica leaned against a tree and relaxed, sighing with pleasure. "I don't think you want to kill the dragons, do you?" my master asked suddenly, and I slowly shook my head. She looked at me, almost approvingly, I thought. I decided to put my theory to the test.
"Do you want to kill the dragons?" I asked shyly, my curiosity heightened. Celestica looked at me, appraising my expression.
"Just between you and me, no I don't. I believe we can learn much from them, and they from us." I looked at my master, surprised. That was exactly the thought I had had. I almost told her this when a messenger came running into the clearing where we sat.
"A dragon is waiting at the edge of Du Weldenvarden," he gasped, out of breath. "She wants to speak to someone with high abilities in spellcasting and swordsmanship, because she thinks they might be able to help her."
The messenger looked sceptical. I looked at my master, Celestica, and realised that it was her that the dragon wanted to speak to. She looked down at me, smiling, and surprised me by saying, "Eragon, you're coming with me."
I wasn't the only one she surprised. The messenger gasped loudly, then had the grace to look ashamed. "You will need to tell the king and queen that Eragon will be accompanying me to meet this dragon." The messenger gulped, nodded, and gulped again before turning and sprinting to the palace.
"Why me?" I asked Celestica, as she looked down at me. I was surprised when she actually answered my question.
"Because you are destined for great things. I can feel it." Without another word she started her journey to the edge of Du Weldenvarden. She slowed down to let me catch up then started running again. The journey to the edge of the forest took the rest of the day, even though we were sprinting. When we finally arrived I gasped as a huge dragon gazed down at us.
"What is your name?" My master asked calmly, staring up at the dragon in almost comfort.
Kiyo, the dragon answered through her thoughts, unable to speak.
"I am Celestica and this is my apprentice, Eragon," she replied. "What may we do for you?"
I do not wish for our races to fight. We need to live in harmony, or surely we shall kill each other off. Is it possible to form a pact between dragons and elves that can stop the slaughtering?
I stood in silence, pondering the question. Wouldn't it be great to be able to ride a dragon? I suddenly looked up at my master, an idea forming in my mind.
"Master," I said out loud, not wanting to insult the dragon, "what if we formed a group of elves that lived with the dragons and worked together to keep the peace?" I asked, then turned to the dragon. "Would that work?" I asked Kiyo.
It's a possibility, she replied.
"I'm amazed Eragon. That's a wonderful idea!" Celestica exclaimed.
The only problem is, we will need the dragons to agree to the idea. The ones who disagree with this war and are capable of convincing the others are in hiding. This is how my story begins.
AN- Jumped right into the story, didn't I. Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, please read and review!