Hey guys! I'm quite happy with this chapter even though there's almost no progress in the story haha! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
xx Val

Vaelerya quickly sat up when she realized what had happened. Her head spun from the sudden motion as she squinted her eyes against the sun.
She hadn't realized she had fallen asleep, though it wasn't a surprise considering she hadn't slept at all.
Vaelerya looked around and found herself in her favorite pond; Blade lay behind her in the shallowest part of the water, his flank serving as her pillow.
She quickly stood up, dizzy from sleeping in the hot sun, yet grateful for finally getting some rest.

''Blade, wake up! We're late!''
He whined and covered his head with his paw, splashing drops of water over her as he did.

Vaelerya sighed and ran over to her clothes as she studied the sun, it stood high in the sky,
blinding her.
''Adurna,'' The water quickly ran off her body and gathered in a puddle on the ground.
She fumbled, putting her clothes back on as she called out to the heap of black fuzz,
still sleeping in the pond.
''Blade!'' He whined again and curled up into a tighter ball.
''Fine then,'' she smiled mischievously, ''suite yourself.''
Vaelerya took a deep breath and concentrated her energy as she focused on the water. She raised her right hand towards Blade and spoke again:
''Adurna rïsa!'' A ball of water rose from the pond, significantly lowering the water level.
Blade growled as the warm water receded, his tail swishing with annoyance.
''Last chance my friend.'' He didn't respond, his paw still covering his eyes, completely unaware of the giant ball of water floating above him.

Vaelerya couldn't help but smirk as she released her magic. She watched the water come down atop of Blade,
completely drenching his fur as he jumped up and snarled in surprise,
leaping at least four feet into the air.
He landed on his paws and hissed at her, his tail switching around more than ever before.
''I warned you!'' She laughed as he shook is fur; his tufts sticking to his body, making him look ridiculous.
Again she concentrated, she closed her eyes and, this time she focused on the heat of the sun,
feeling its warmth, breathing in and out deeply she gathered its energy, she put up her right arm and finally spoke:
''Vindr.''
A warm wind blew towards Blade, drying his fur as he walked towards her,
his nose in the air. By the time he reached her he was completely dry, his fur stood on end, looking even bigger then he was.

''Let's go quickly, we might still have some time.'' Blade growled in reply.
She quickly grabbed her backpack and stuffed her blanket back in it.
Just as she was about to leave she spotted the remains of the doe,
all there was left were four hooves and a pile of light brown fur.
She raised her hand towards the ground and spoke:
''Deloi.'' The earth began to move and the hooves appeared to be swallowed by the ground as they disappeared below the surface.
As she walked over to Blade her ears twitched, her sensitive ears heard a faint yet familiar sound;

Whoompf.

A long silence followed.
And again;

Whoompf.
Whoompf.

She smiled as she extended her mind, searching for none other than her father.
Vaelerya found him and gently touched his mind;
You're late, her father said, as always.
Yes, yes, I know, I'm sorry father. I couldn't sleep, I was too tired, I didn't even know how it happened. She replied.
Then a booming voice chimed in: You don't know a lot of things, child.
It sounded clearly amused by its own joke.
I'll meet you at home. Her father said.

Vaelerya needn't more encouragement, she readjusted her backpack and hopped onto Blades back, grabbing onto the looser skin on the sides of his neck.
''Gánga.''
Blade immediately broke out into a run.
She held on tightly to him as he sprinted through the Forest they both knew so well.
Blade, of course, was no horse, and to ride him was quite a challenge on its own. His powerful legs propelled them both forward,
faster than any horse ever could, more jumping than actually running.
Vaelerya clamped herself onto him with her legs and arms, holding on to his skin. She did have the advantage of knowing the land so well,
concentrating on where they were, she could anticipate Blades movements.
Broken tree, jump. Turn left. Small stream, jump, turn left again.

Blade slowed his pace as they neared the clearing, she could already see her small house through the trees.
The beating of dragon wings now louder than ever.

Whoompf.
Whoompf.

The wind sent Vaelerya's braids dancing, Blades gleaming black fur rippled like waves,
leaves and dirt flew against Vaelerya's face and she had to close her eyes to protect them.

The ground shook with a great ''boom'', she could feel Blade shaking with the force, having to dig his nails into the dirt to keep them from falling.

All went still as waves of hot dragon breath caressed her face and a deep humming filled her ears.
Vaelerya opened her eyes to see a gigantic red snout, no more than four feet away from her;
its nostrils opening and closing, releasing waves of warmth on her.

She jumped of off Blades back and onto the dragons face, holding on to its jaws as it lifted her high into the sky.
Blade whined loudly, clearly concerned, but Vaelerya knew she was safe as she closed her eyes and held onto the dragons jaws with her arms and legs,
almost like a giant hug.

She was high up off the ground when she opened her eyes, finding herself looking directly into the dragons enormous red eyes,
its pupils were slit and a clicking noise sounded as the dragon winked its right eye at her.
''Uncle Thorn!'' She yelled out.
Blade whined again.
Hello child who knows nothing. He replied. A deep humming vibrated from out of his deep chest, Vaelerya's teeth clattering with the sound.
She smiled: ''Hold still uncle.''
With that he knew exactly what she was going to do, he leveled his head for her, keeping it as straight as possible as she slowly stood up.
First onto her knees and into a crouch, she wobbled to keep her balance as she stood up, Blade whined once more.
Vaelerya stretched her arms out to her sides and took a few steps back, standing on the utmost tip of Thorns scaly nose.
She stood there for a few seconds, trying to find a perfect balance, when she did she nodded.
Thorn quickly flicked his head and sent her flying, Blade roared from below, calling Vaelerya,
who made two back flips and landed on the red dragon's nose again.

A cloud of smoke arose from Thorns nostrils.
It tickles.
Vaelerya couldn't help but laugh, her cheerful elven laughter could set anyone at ease, even a dragon.
Today is a big day child; today you are a child no longer. Which means no more games.
''No more games?''
No more games. Thorn replied, mischief in his voice.

He flicked his head again, sending her even higher this time and Vaelerya managed to do three back flips,
landing perfectly on the tip of his nose, again and again.
The fourth time didn't go as smoothly;
as Vaelerya tried to land on Thorn's nose she leaned back too far, her foot slipped and she felt herself falling towards the ground.
Blade cried out as she fell, and Vaelerya had no time to think of a spell to stop her fall.
All she could see was the black of her hair, the blue of the sky and Thorn's shimmering red scales.

She hit something with a thud, and the wind got knocked out of her lungs, yet, to her surprise,
she was not in pain. She looked around she saw that Thorn had caught her in his talons,
his hard, pointy scales prickling in her back and legs.
He set her back onto the ground, Blade furiously rubbing his head against her, whining.

''You've always been quite the acrobat, I must say.''
Vaelerya smiled as she looked her father. His dark hair almost touched his shoulders,
his eyes slightly slanted and ears slightly pointed, his strong jaw and dark eyes, his tall, muscular build and recognizable smile.

''Father!'' They walked towards each other and touched their foreheads together.
''You're late. You're always late.'' He looked at her disapprovingly.
''I know, I apologize.'' It was true Vaelerya knew, she was always late, without exception, it was one of her many flaws.
Let the child be, Murtagh, it is her name day after all.

Vaelerya put on her sweetest face as she looked up at her father, ever grateful for Thorn's intervention;
he always stood up for her, even when she was clearly in the wrong.
Her father looked back down on her, his stern face slowly softened.
''Have you eaten?'' He asked her.
''Yes,'' Vaelerya replied with a smile, ''but I could always eat more.''

''Thought so,'' Murtagh walked over to Thorn who was now laying down, he climbed up his right leg and snatched two things out of one of his saddlebags.
He spared himself the climb down by simply jumping of off Thorns back, landing on the soft grass with a barely audible thud.

Vaelerya took off her backpack and laid her blanket on the grass once again, sitting down in the sun. Her father joined her, in one hand he carried a sack of wine, in the other a small box. He sat down and handed the box over to Vaelerya, while he himself took a big swig of wine.
''The finest sweet rolls in all of Alagaesia,'' Murtagh said.
For the biggest sweet tooth in all of Alagaesia. Thorn added with his deep voice.

Vaelerya opened the package to find three sweet rolls, drenched in honey and with fresh strawberries on the side.
''Thank you, father.'' She said with a smile.
''You're welcome, as long as it's clear that one's for me.''
''As expected,'' she picked up a sticky roll and handed the box back over to her father, who picked one up for himself.

Blade came up to Vaelerya, he whined and rubbed his head up against her shoulder.
''You don't want this, my friend. It's sweet.'' She held up the roll for Blade to inspect.
He smelled for a long time, contemplating whether he should eat it or not.
Vaelerya pulled back after a while.
''See? You won't like it, it's not for cats.''
He looked at her as if he hadn't made up his mind yet, and with a sigh, she held up the roll yet again,
Blade sniffed it once more, licked his lips, and quickly snatched it from her hand,
smacking as he tried to chew the sticky treat.

''I guess Blade doesn't agree.'' Murtagh said.
Vaelerya sighed and picked up the last roll, slowly picking it apart, savoring its taste.
Blade curled up behind her, his back against hers as she and her father enjoyed their sweet rolls.
Vaelerya, Blade, Murtagh and Thorn all enjoying each other's company in silence,
listening to the song birds composing their own unique melodies and the bees happily buzzing around them,
gathering what was left of the honey in the empty box.

After about ten minutes Vaelerya stood up and walked to her shack, she grabbed a bowl and some water and washed her hands.
She walked outside again and gave the bowl to her father, who also washed his.

''We should go soon.'' Her father said as he flicked his hands sending drops of water flying.
''Aye, we should. I'll grab my things.''
Vaelerya walked back to her shack, an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. She couldn't believe this was actually happening, today was truly the day;
she could be a Rider just a few hours from now, or she would go back home empty handed.
Today was truly the day that would decide her faith forever, and it made her nervous beyond words.

''I'll wait here.'' Her father called after her.

Vaelerya walked inside and closed the door, letting out a shaky breath.
''Okay, I can do this.'' She whispered to herself.

Vaelerya walked over to the far end of the room and grabbed her coat,
the leather on the outside was dyed midnight blue and the inside was lined with sheep wool, perfect for when being high in the sky.
Further she packed her short bow and quiver, her shield, which she strapped onto her back and her sword, which she put around her waist.
Her other stuff, along with some clothes she put in two large brown bags.

With some effort Vaelerya hoisted her bags of off the ground and walked towards the door.
She took a deep breath and, with shaky hands, opened the door.
There, but a few yards in front of her stood her father, a smile on his face,
at his feet lay two items, this immediately caught Vaelerya's eye.

''You didn't think I'd just give you a sweet roll for your eighteenth name day did you?
Vaelerya squealed in excitement and dropped her bags as she ran over to her father.
She dropped to her knees, in front of the presents, as did Murtagh. Thorn began humming in the background, clearly content.
''First,'' Murtagh began, ''from your mother, a new bow. It was sung out of a willow tree,
I guarantee you, there is no short bow who can shoot as far as this one, its small and won't get in the way, test it against any longbow you can find,
it might even shoot further.''

Vaelerya gingerly took the weapon in her hands.
The bow was white, gleaming like ivory and it was decorated with the finest silverwork, making it appear as if sliver vines wrapped around the bow,
sprouting from its dark blue leather handle.
Her father handed her a new quiver made out of dark blue leather as well, the arrows it contained were white, with two dark blue stripes on them.
''That way you can always tell which arrows are yours.'' Her father added.
Why don't you try your new bow, little one? See if it suits you. Thorn said.

Vaelerya stood and strapped her new quiver onto her back.
''I love it,'' she said with a smile, ''the bow is light, I can barely feel it weight.''
''As it should,'' Murtagh smiled back.
Her father grabbed Vaelerya's old bow and an arrow, and aimed it at the sky.
''See if you can hit my arrow with that new bow of yours, shall we?''
''Aye, this'll be easy.'' She held her bow ready, feeling the wind on her skin, focusing.
''Look the other way, child. Of course it'll be easy if you know where I'm aiming!''
Vaelerya giggled as she turned around and closed her eyes,
her ears would tell her where her father's arrow was going, and her eyes would know where her arrow had to go.

A familiar creaking sound filled Vaelerya's ears as her father pulled his bow, then the sound of an arrow piercing the air. Vaelerya turned around immediately, towards the north, pulling her bow back as she did.
She was surprised by its flexibility and strength, her muscles straining as she pulled it back all the way. Her eyes found the arrow as it sailed through the sky. She adjusted her aim and released.
It all happened in less than two seconds, her elven blood gave her incredible reflexes, and she was certain her arrow would hit, she just knew it would.

All eyes were aimed towards the sky as Vaelerya's white and blue arrow went straight for her old brown one.
A crack sounded as her arrow hit her father's right in the center, snapping it in two.
''Ah!'' She and her father yelled in delight simultaneously.
''Letta,'' Vaelerya heard her father whisper, the arrow stopped in midair, ''gath lam iet.''
Murtagh held out his hand as the arrow gently landed in it, he then put it back in Vaelerya's quiver. Meanwhile, the other two pieces came falling down,
the rustling of leaves and two quick thuds sounded as they hit the ground.

Your aim is true, little one. Very well done.
''Thank you, uncle Thorn, I practice almost every day, besides, this bow is amazing. I couldn't wish for a better one. Thank you.''
she smiled as she touched foreheads with her father.

Secondly, Thorn said, I brought a present too. But it is not just for you Vaelerya,
it is also for Blade.
Blade looked up at Thorn, curiosity in his golden green eyes, as he walked over to Murtagh,
sniffing his leather present. Murtagh held it up as Thorn continued;
It is a saddle, I know it must be quite uncomfortable to have Vaelerya ride you while she grabs your neck and digs her heels in your sides.
Now, you have a saddle, made especially for you. It is light and won't get in the way.
Little one, Thorn looked directly at Vaelerya;
would you please open the saddlebag? There you'll find a present for Blade alone.

Vaelerya opened it and pulled out two identical silver items.
Blade looked up at her curiously, trying to pull her arm down with his paw, wanting to look at it himself.

Thorn's deep voice continued: These are specially made for you, Blade, two silver canines to wear on your own.
These Silver Fangs are longer and sharper and will also protect you when biting down on say, armor or a shield.
I've also blessed them, for as long as I live they will protect you from arrows, spears, swords, daggers, maces and all other weapons which may be used against you, including magic. It will drain my energy and not yours, as long as you wear it, you will be near invincible.

Blade looked at Thorn with true gratitude in his eyes and lowered his head.
''Uncle,'' Vaelerya said, ''thank you for such a wonderful gift, but please allow me to ask a question:
it's not very likely I'd ever ride Blade into battle or anything like that. Alagaesia has been in peace for a hundred years, peace you helped create.
Yet, you give us a saddle and Silver Fangs, blessed with powerful magic, magic that would only be useful during a battle, or war.''

Do you know why I like you so much, child?
''Tell me, why?''
You ask of me to allow you to ask a question, yet, you haven't asked one.
Thorn started humming.
Let me start by saying this; Blade and I, we are very much alike.
Some look at us and think that we are nothing but animals, savage beasts that were tamed and used to our masters liking. But that is not the case,
aye we may be looked upon as beasts, but we are also intelligent. We can think and understand and be our own, we do not have masters,
we have companions, someone we choose to carry on our backs, and someone we choose to fight alongside with.
Knowing that, I blessed Blade that day you found him, this you know.
Though I've never told you why, haven't I?
I blessed him with a long life, so that he may see things no other of his kind will ever see.
I blessed him with a great mind, so that he may know the tongue, though he cannot speak.
And lastly, I blessed him with strength, so that he may shield those he loves from harm.
I did that because my heart told me it was necessary, now my heart tells me I must give you this. I am a hundred years old, my child.
And in those years I have given my blessing five times, one for your mother, one for a human I did not know and two for Blade.
I can't tell you of the other one. But know this, in all this time my heart has not once been wrong, I can feel something coming. I know something is coming.
I am not the only who knows it. I've talked to others, small and big, they all said the same, things will change.

Nothing lasts forever little one, especially not peace.