Chapter 2: Another Dragon and Rider
"Very good, Elva." Nasuada said, a little amazed by her student's accomplishment. She had not expected her to pass with these astoundingly good results. They were Nasuada and Murtagh's home, in the balcony.
Elva smiled happily, her eyes caring blue. Behind her was a sky blue dragon, a male. The dragon had hatched for her a decade after Galbatorix's fall. The orbs that had covered her face were now gone and her face was now very fair, and very pretty. Her hair was black, straight and long. A diamond shaped silver patch glistened on her forehead. She was wearing pure white leggings and a nice, blue lamarae.
"Really, ebrithil, it was good?" Elva asked her master.
"Very good, you have convinced me, you and Eridor are worthy to get a higher rank." Nasuada told them with a smile.
Behind Nasuada was a Draumr, beaming at the blue dragon who was several years younger than her.
You younglings have done a good job . . . I never expected the two of you to progress through your training so fast back then, but now, this is unbelievable. Not only did you answer each and every question of Nasuada's, but Eridor out flew me in each and every turn. Simply astounding!
Eridor grinned at her wolfishly. Thank you, ebrithil. I had promised Elva that I would do my best for her, and I kept my word.
Nasuada patted Elva on the shoulder, and the beautiful woman stood straight, a hand on the pommel of her light blue sword, Nuanen. She had passed the test to reach the rank of Ranger, which was the second stage of the Riders. The first was Defender, which was just after the Rider had finished his or her training, and was like that of a secretary. A Rider could not apply for the next rank unless there was someone available, another student, to take up his or her position. Elva's position had been taken by a Rider named Defroan, who was an elf and Arya's apprentice.
"So ebrithil, if I am one of the Rangers now, then which area shall I go to?" Elva asked.
"Well, there is a group of magician rebels, who went against Thengra's instructions, and betrayed five others and killed them. The entire group, that consists of two dozen magicians, are somewhere in the Beor Mountains. I want you to go to Dras-leona first, and join Ephian and his dragon, Jiarha, and then both of you will continue on to Farthen Dur, and meet King Orik. With his leave, you must reach Galfni, the south-westernmost inhabited area. From there, you must begin your search together. Ephian will tell you the rest, I will contact him soon." Nasuada instructed.
Elva bowed reverently and said, "Thank you very much, ebrithil. We shall leave immediately."
She turned on the spot and jumped onto Eridor's back, who roared in farewell. His roar was answered to by five others, and he took off.
Nasuada watched them go from her, and Murtagh's home, smiling to herself.
There . . . another Dragon and Rider that have joined us. Draumr said proudly.
Nasuada walked over to her dragon and sat down, leaning against her belly.
Aye. But I am astounded at the effect Eridor had on Elva. She was such an arrogant girl in her youth, and so different in looks, but now she is one of the prettiest women, and one of the most gifted Riders. Eragon was the happiest when she became the Rider. Nasuada told her dragon.
I remember. It had been a few months after I laid my first clutch of eggs. Draumr said happily.
Nasuada rubbed the hard scales on the dragon's neck, and Draumr twisted so that the scales which she herself couldn't itch would be scratched by Nasuada.
I must say, when you hatched for me, I thought I had won the world over. I had received the loveliest dragon, who will never abandon me, and I got Murtagh as well. Do you remember the day I married him? And Roran had joined our hands. I do. I have never felt you being happier than that day. It had been the happiest moment of my life.
So, now what? Draumr asked after a while.
I must contact Ephian and tell him to look after Elva. She is too spirited at times. And Ephian is the exact opposite. He is so serious all the time, I have hardly seen him joke around when he was Murtagh's apprentice. His dragon, Jiarha, is as different as her name. He is the son of Jormundur, who was my second in command when I led the Varden. He lost his father, mother and experienced a lot of bloodbath when he had been just fourteen years of age. He had even killed several men himself then . . . That is why he is so serious. But I know that when he is alone with Jiarha, he does enjoy himself a lot with her.
That is good. Aye.
Nasuada walked up to the edge of the balcony, smiling at the south going blue dragon.
Draumr, where is it that the wild dragons are now? Nasuada asked suddenly.
For the best, Eragon had decided against interfering with the wild dragons, and letting them keep themselves to themselves. There were hundreds of them, but no one knew where they all were.
They inhabit many areas . . . The last I heard, they were in the Spine, everywhere except where the Urgals live. Also, they are by the mountains near Kuasta, somewhere in Beor Mountains and also at Du Fells Nángoröth. Draumr answered, shfting her wings.
Nasuada nodded to her, then walked towards the mirror attached to her wardrobe, intending to contact Ephian.
So, silver-head, are you excited about this? Eridor asked as he flew away from Doru Araeba, heading towards the south-west.
A lot! This is our first, dangerous assignment as Dragon and rider, and we will be joining Ephian Jormundursson. He was one of the best students Murtagh and Thorn had. Elva said enthusiastically.
Well, I am excited about meeting Jiarha as well. She hatched before me, but I am older than her anyway. Eridor said, a little smug. He had been a Rapid dragon, along with two more. He was the only one of Saphira and Thorn's lineage to be a Rapid dragon, and the other two dragons had been of Valinor and Draumr's lineage.
She may be smaller than you in size, but she still has a lot of experience. She could probably tackle you to the ground. Elva said.
Perhaps, but I wouldn't bet on it. Fine, fine. I know you are scared.
Eridor growled at her.
Of course not, I am not scared of anything! Oh really? Aye, there is nothing in Alagaesia that can scare me. I believe you are right. Thank you, Elva, for your confidence in me.
Elva hugged her dragon, happier than she could recall ever being. She loved Eridor a lot, because he had rid of her of Eragon's curse completely, by dragon magic, when he had learnt that Elva was never happy because she did not have good company. After that, all the time he had spent with her had been really enjoying for her, even while training. She had become what she meant to be, a beautiful woman, very enthusiastic and spirited, with a good sense of humor, and also a caring Rider. The orbs that had earlier haunted her face were gone, along with the ludicrous violet eyes. They had been replaced by light blue ones, just like Eridor's scales.
No Eridor . . . Thank you. Why? You saved me from myself, from my darkness and from my hate and anger. It is thanks to you that I am what I am now.
It was my duty, I am your dragon, and our souls are joined. I knew that in truth, you were a lovable, caring and kind person. All that had gone wrong was that it was veiled by the dark cloth of indifference and arrogance, pain even. I couldn't see you in distress . . . I had to help. Eridor . . . I love you. I love you too, always.
Elva hugged him even more tightly then, and the dragon hummed.
The pair flew on for the rest of the day, reached Narda by evening. They rested in the dragon hold that had been built there, in its castle, met up with Earion, who was the elvish Rider stationed there along with his silver dragon, Aeidail.
As she lay under Eridor's wing, Elva wondered what this Ephian was like. She wondered and wondered until she finally decided to scry him. She walked over to a mirror on the side of the dark room, which was huge and black in color, had three chandeliers on its ceilings, several brackets on its walls, and was rectangular in shape. Its south facing wall was open to the skies.
Standing in front of the mirror, she saw her own pretty reflection, and she shivered in the cold slightly. The wind was blowing inwards, and winter was nigh. She crossed her arms to warm herself, and muttered "Draumr Kopa." While picturing the only instance when she had seen him. It had been a year since that incident, and she had only seen the side of his face as he and his dragon had left for Dras-leona at Eragon's command.
The first thing that she saw in the mirror after she invoked the spell was the moon, and the stars. The constellations were different there than they were at Narda. Then she saw a jet black dragon, probably Jiarha. The rest of the room was white as she had not seen it before, but its design made Elva think that it was a dragon hold as well.
Finally, she saw a man standing at the edge of the room, looking at the moon. He was tall, taller than most humans, broad shouldered, deep chested and muscular. He had no sword. He was wearing a black tunic, and similar black leggings.
"So . . . You are my companion-to-be? You don't seem that much fun loving. But that will change soon, for it is me who is going to be with you." Elva whispered to herself, a little surprised at her own words.
Then she reached out, without comprehending what she was doing, and placed a soft finger on the cold, polished surface, tracing out the figure of the man.
"We will meet soon, Jormundursson." Elva whispered again, then blushed slowly for some reason that she couldn't understand.
The wind blew on, and it was soon to bring tidings that had never been heard. The flapping of wings grew in the distance, and the North heard a faint roar . . .