Eragon stared, dumbfounded. "We're here for our rider training, " Murtagh said as he patted Thorn, his great red dragon.
Arya glanced at Fiernin, her forest-green dragon that matched her eyes perfectly, "You might remember that Murtagh and I haven't really had any real rider training yet" she shifted onto her right hip and shrugged, "But now we're here to receive it."
"But what about your duties as Queen?" Eragon asked, "Surely the elves didn't take this lightly?"
"I left the council in charge, and if they need anything, all they have to do is ask. They eventually gave up their arguments not only because I am queen, but because if I want to be a true rider, I must be at least introduced to the old ways, not just politics."
"Ah," Eragon said, seeing her point. "And what of you, Murtagh? Why have you come? Have you not already been trained by Galbatorix?"
Murtagh furrowed his brow, "Do you want me here or not, brother?"
"Fair enough," admitted Eragon.
The Dwarven rider spoke up, "S-Sir. Mine name is Marstheil of Durgrimst Vrenshrrgn, it is mine honor to be here" he stroked his bronze dragon, "And this is mine dragon, Trysthindr (tris-THEEN-dur)."
"It is a pleasure to meet you Marstheil and Trysthindr, and you may call us Saphira-Elda, Eragon-Elda, or Ebrithil. That goes the same for all of you as well." He nodded his head towards the group, specifically at Arya. She rolled her eyes an leaned against Fiernin, "I mean it." he said sternly. "Yes Ebrithil..." they all said, except the Urgal who was well withdrawn from the other three riders.
Eargon noticed this and gestured towards the female Urgal next to Arya, "And what is your name?" The Urgal tensed and her indigo dragon cocked its head. "She only seems to speak her native tongue" Arya said. Eragon thought for a moment, and with some help from Saphira, he spoke the native language of Urgralgra with the she-Urgal. Her eyes lit up when she could finally understand him, and spoke quickly enough so that Eragon could only catch a few words. He learned that her name meant Moon-Bear and her dragon was Blue-Muscle-Wing.
Eragon then went on to explain to all of them that today they would meet each other and get a tour. Then tomorrow they would begin building their homes.
To begin the tour, Eragon took them first to the guest house where they would be sleeping for the night. The house was built out of the surrounding rock and was situated next to Lake Draumr. He showed them each a personal room and told them to leave their belongings, for they would not be taken here. Only Murtagh seemed really at-home in his room, for the house was much like that of the human dwellings.
He took them to the library next while Saphira showed the dragons the "hatchling-dragon-place" and the "place-where-there-is-good-rest". Arya was especially awed by the rows of mahogany bookshelves that stretched toward the ceiling. "This is quite the collection you have here. It rivals even that of Elesmera."
Saphira had heard this through Eragon's mental link and butted in, "He has written several of the volumes himself."
"Saphira!"
"Little one..."
"Very impressive," she said with a smile, "I did not know that you were so very interested in writing."
"Well, I must do something to pass the time" Eragon said, "And I find it has a calming effect on me."
"Is that so?"
Marstheil examined a book from one of the shelves, "Ebrithil. These runes are not those of man, or dwarf. What are they?"
"It is the Ancient Language, and you will all learn to speak as well as write it while you are here." Eragon said with a hint of amusement, remembering when he was the pupil. Eragon had been notorious for asking questions, although he never seemed to get the answer he wanted.
"Now then, there are two more locations that you will need to visit. The garden, and the watchtower, but you will have time enough to find them on your own. I would like to invite you all to dine at my house this evening, so go put on a nice pair of clothes, some have been provided for you, and meet me at Adurna Istrali when you cannot see the sun anymore. You will know it when you lay your eyes upon it." He added, and repeated his lecture to the Urgal who nodded at the invitation. "You may do what you like until it is time to dine."
And so they went off to explore Mt. Shur'Tugal.