Staria, Eragon, and Arya flew through the crisp, morning air to Vroengard. Adura flew well for being three weeks old; it was clear she'd inherited her mother's talent. She flew behind Saphira's massive tail, closely watched by a protective Staria. The wind currents buffeted the tiny dragon, a miniscule speck of blue compared to Saphira's bulk. Adura flew delightfully through the air, diving and dodging wisps of cloud. When she was tired, she could attach on to her mother's tail.
Eventually, they reached Vroengard.
Before they landed, Eragon dismounted and took Staria's hand. He looked her directly in the eyes and said, "I never wished this future on you, but if it makes you happy, I am overjoyed."
"I do, Father." Staria replied to Eragon. "My greatest wish was to join the Riders."
Vroengard was an island off the coast of Mirana, Alaegasia's new name. It was a grassy island with green hills and plenty of prey for dragons. Being an elf, Staria did not partake of meat of any kind, but she knew dragons could not exist without it. They were going to Doru Araeba, Vroengard's restored capital city, which was in the middle. Saphira had landed ten minutes away, and so Staria, Eragon, and Arya had a small walk.
As she stepped out of a building and into the stadium, the sunlight hit Staria's face blindingly. When her vision cleared, she saw that two other children and their dragons were there.
"Nokari!" Staria cried out. Nokari had been friends with her ever since they met on a trip to Ellesmera. He was a blond athletic elf who had been the only one to treat Staria normally, instead of staring like the other human children in Ellesmera. She was Eragon's daughter, but she didn't like the attention everyone seemed to put on her.
"It's good to see you again. This is Loshka," Nokari said, indicating the small green dragon at his side. Loshka hummed a greeting as she looked at Staria and Adura with wide, intelligent green eyes.
"Shulblaka, eka celobra ono. Atra nosu waise fricai?" Staria asked.
Loshka hummed louder in response.
"Gather," a voice called, "and let the ceremony begin."
Staria turned to see Eragon at the podium. "There are three mentors. They will each choose one of you to be their student." The mentors walked to face the three new Riders.
They were all elves except Sokar. Staria felt a presence touch her mind. Another. And another.
They all want me because I'm the daughter of Eragon, who killed Galbatorix and is head of the Riders! she realized, Why can't they just treat me like everyone else?
They all sifted through her mind. They were so intent on her memories, by the time they had analyzed at her third birthday, she had looked at their personalities, and knew which one she wanted as her mentor. She pushed the other two out with a flick of her thoughts. All the consciousnesses left her, but she felt them in Adura's mind through their mental connection. Then Adura pushed the same two away by an unspoken agreement. Minutes passed.
Finally, Eragon said, "They have chosen." Linu and Shuka will mentor Nokari and Loshka. Shaiku and Sinta will mentor Staria and Adura."
"Oh no!" Nariyok interrupted. "I'm stuck with a human mentor!"
"And Sokar and Noku will mentor Nariyok and Rosarb." Eragon continued, like there had been no disturbance.