Choices

When Raye first entered the great hall, she hadn't been able to see her new friend Aedan. She had scanned the hall anxiously, trying to catch a glimpse of her elusive companion. What if he had forgotten? She did tell him it was this afternoon. Maybe he was in trouble? Or maybe he just didn't want to be friends with a street rat.

Her dragon picked up on the girl's nervousness, and rubbed up against Raye's palm, arching her scaly back like a cat. The girl smiled down at the golden creature. The elves had explained to her about the particulars of the bond she held with her dragon. Raye could sense the creature's mind; it's thoughts and emotions. After some time and many frustrating attempts to reason with the capricious young reptile, she had discovered that her dragon was female. Raye was currently teaching her the rudiments of the common tongue, in hopes that the dragon would soon decide on a name.

Raye was relieved when she finally spotted Aedan in line for the egg, and waved frantically at him. Aedan gave her a smile and a small wave in return. Raye secretly wished that the egg would choose Aedan, but she knew the chance was slim at best.

Then something peculiar happened.

Aedan had approached the egg like everyone else, fascinated by its shimmering shell. And like everyone else he had reached out to touch it. Raye had felt a shift when Aedan's fingers brushed the shell. Looking to her left she noticed that Angela had stopped knitting, and was now staring intently at Aedan. In the next moment there was a visible disturbance. The smooth shell of the dragon egg cracked. The sharp sound seemed to reverberate within the confines of the great hall.

For a moment Raye sat frozen in shock with the rest on the spectators. But once the final echo had died away Queen Nasuada rose to congratulate the new Rider. The entire hall erupted into loud cheers that shook the very walls. People swarmed Aedan, giving their congratulations to the new Rider.

A wide smile began to spread across Raye's face when the enormity of what just happened hit her. Aedan was a Rider. Just like her. When she finally caught his eye she cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted, "Good job, Aedan!" All the while she was bursting with the knowledge that finally, finally she had found a permanent friend.

Just as Raye began to worry that the crowd was starting to overwhelm Aedan, Queen Nasuada came to his rescue. In a clear, carrying voice, firm but with a joking air, she called to the crowd, "I understand that we all want to speak to the young Rider, but for now I would appreciate it if everyone could retire to their rooms. The night grows long, and I'm sure many of our number are already wishing for their beds." Raye watched fascinated and a little awed, as the queen's few words sent thousands of people hurrying off to bed like scolded children.

The chastised crowd slowly drew back, beginning to file out of the great hall. Aedan was left stranded in the center of the quickly emptying hall. He glanced around nervously, his hand resting possessively on the ruby dragon egg. Raye jumped up from her seat, her dragon now balancing precariously on her shoulder, and skipped down the dais steps. She wove between the departing spectators, making her way towards Aedan. When he spotted her Raye quickly dodged around a pair of palace maids and ran forward, beaming.

"Congratulations!"

She stopped directly in front of Aedan, excitedly bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet. Her dragon did not take kindly to this and dug her claws into Raye's shirt to avoid slipping off her shoulder.

Aedan smiled at her, but his eyes still looked wary. "Hey," he said, glancing up at the dais and then away quickly. Then in a whisper Aedan asked, "So what happens now?"

Raye kept smiling, though not quite as widely. Of course Aedan would be confused, and probably scared, though he didn't show it. To suddenly have the course of your entire life changed was distressing to say the least. She could understand that.

"Well," whispered Raye, thinking about her answer, "The queen will probably want an audience with you. I bet Laufin and Yaela, the elves, will want to greet you…" Raye trailed of a bit, noticing that Aedan had frozen at the mention of an audience with the queen. Raye tried again, "Queen Nasuada's not so bad. She's actually really nice." When Aedan didn't immediately reply she continued, "Look, for the first couple of weeks everyone is going to want to speak to you. Those painted vultures who call themselves nobles will swarm you, trying to get on your good side." Raye made a face, and got a weak smile out of Aedan. She smiled back, and said reassuringly, "Don't worry about it." She stood up as tall as she could, which was still a good eight inches shorter than Aedan, and jokingly pointed to herself and her dragon, "We'll protect you!"

Aedan rolled his eyes at this, saying sarcastically, "Oh now I have nothing to worry about." But this time he smiled for real.

Raye stuck out her tongue at him, but smiled to herself. See? Aedan was feeling a bit better already.

A voice from the dais interrupted their joking banter. "Riders," Raye and Aedan paused, looking at each other, and then up at the dais. Queen Nasuada had risen to her feet, and was closely observing the two young Riders with a hint of a smile. "Come."

Nasuada walked swiftly out through a small door concealed behind the dais. Surprised, Raye and Aedan lurched forward, struggling to catch up to her. They followed her into the dark corridor, Angela and the elves falling in behind them.

###

The corridor was dark and narrow, the stone on the walls old and worn, remnants of the old Ilirea era, before the founding of Urû'baen. Queen Nasuada led the way, her stride long and smooth, even that was regal. Raye and Aedan followed close behind, Raye trotting along next to Aedan, taking two steps for every one of his. Aedan wanted to talk to her to ease the tense silence, but the presence of the queen and the two elves intimidated him into silence.

The motley group continued walking for what felt like an eternity, but was probably only five minutes or so. They passed tunnels branching off in different directions, odd parts of the wall that were revealed to be doors upon closer inspection, and various shadowy niches and grottos. Looking around Aedan realized that there must be a labyrinth of tunnels and passageways beneath Ilirea. He glanced over at Raye, who seemed to be absorbed in… communicating with her dragon. Her head was angled towards the golden creature resting in her arms, its scales glowing in the near-darkness of the tunnel. Staring at the dragon's shimmering armor Aedan wondered what his own dragon would be like. He looked down at the dark red egg cradled in his arms. He'd heard that Riders could hear their dragon's thoughts, even from miles away. Would his dragon be like that? A constant presence in the back of his mind?

Deep in thought Aedan didn't notice the growing light until the group was almost on top of it. They had arrived at another corridor, lit with torches on the walls. At the end of the illuminated corridor was a door, the crest of the Nighthawks emblazoned on the dark wood.

Nasuada stopped in front of the door, pulled a silver key out the folds of her dress, and slid it into the lock. It clicked unlocked, but the door did not swing open. Puzzled, Aedan wondered if the lock was stuck. But Nasuada placed her hand on the Nighthawk emblem, which temporarily shone with a light green radiance, before fading just as the door swung open.

Magic. thought Aedan, astounded. This was the first time he'd seen real magic in person. Sure he'd heard about it in stories, and he supposed everything about the dragon egg was magical, but this marvel, seemingly so commonplace, threw him off. What kind of place was this, were magic was used just to lock doors?

The queen led the way into a large circular office, hung with tapestries in shades of red and gold. A tall wing-backed chair sat behind a desk crowded with towering stacks of parchment and documents. A few smaller chairs sat facing the authoritative desk. As the group filed into the room Aedan noticed that there were no other doors besides the one they had entered through.

Queen Nasuada sat behind the desk, gracefully sweeping her long skirts out of the way. Angela clumsily flopped down in one of the chairs and puled out her knitting needles, as casually as if the queen's study was her own home. The two elves remained standing, still and motionless, against the far wall. Aedan shifted his weight from foot to foot nervously, glancing over at Raye, who looked just as awkward.

Nasuada let them squirm for a moment before chuckling to herself, catching Aedan off guard. "Well go on, sit down." she said, with a smile. Both Aedan and Raye scrambled to find seats, settling quickly in the comfortable chairs. "I don't believe we've been introduced," said Nasuada, turning towards Aedan, "May I ask your name young Rider?"

For a moment Aedan just stared at her, before stuttering, " A-Aedan Bainard, Your Highness." He still couldn't quite grasp that the queen was speaking to him, of all people.

The queen frowned slightly at his words, looking him over more coldly, "Bainard? Hmm… So you are of that noble house?" The ice in her gaze temporarily froze Aedan in place. Did she have something against the Bainards? Of course she does, you idiot. he thought, They fought against her in the war. Was the Bainards' spiteful presence going to haunt him wherever he went?

Suddenly Raye broke into the conversation, "My lady, Aedan's not like those nobles!" Her face flushed when Nasuada turned to look at her, a measure of disapproval in her eyes, but she kept going. "He didn't try and act all nice when he found out I was a Rider, just so he could get on my good side. And he hasn't got that haughty air like the rest of them, and-"

"Yes, I understand," said Nasuada, cutting Raye off before she could launch into a full monologue. "I didn't think Aedan was your average noble from the start either." Raye clamped her mouth shut in surprise. Aedan looking warily at Nasuada, waiting for her explanation. Instead of explaining herself, Nasuada turned to him and said matter-of-factly, "You're not a legitimate heir of the Bainards' now are you?"

Aedan stared at her in surprise, How had she figured that out so quickly?

Nasuada smirked at his startled expression, "Well you don't exactly look the part of a noble brat," staring pointedly at his rather worn clothing, "and in Raye's words you 'haven't got that haughty air' so characteristic of the noble houses." Aedan glared at Nasuada, convinced that she was ridiculing him, but when he met her gaze he was surprised to see approval in her eyes.

"No," he replied, "I'm not a Bainard, not really." He met Nasuada's gaze defiantly, daring her to condemn him, "My mother was Athelea Lailasdaughter, my father the late Lord Bainard." He spat out the last name with a harsh tone, his deep hatred for his father revealing itself somewhat in his voice.

"So you're the Bainards' hidden bastard?"

Aedan didn't even flinch at the all too familiar word, "Yes."

In the tense silence Aedan stared defiantly at Nasuada, while Raye looked worriedly between the two. Come what may he refused to back down, even to the queen. Suddenly Angela burst out laughing. Aedan twitched at the unexpected noise, turning to stare at the guffawing woman.

"Oh, he got you good, Nasuada!" Angela said, still laughing, "Can't ruffle this one's feathers!"

Nasuada's frown slowly broke into a wide grin, her white teeth standing out against her dark skin. "I suppose I've been reproved," she said, turning to Angela, "he is not to be taken lightly."

Aedan was thoroughly confused, What? Hadn't he just defied the queen? Shouldn't he be punished?

Beside him Raye breathed a sigh of relief, the elves remained still and emotionless at the door.

"Be warned though," said Nasuada, "that kind of insubordination can be dangerous. As a Rider you must treat all nobles with respect, and diplomacy at the very least." With a hint of mischief in her voice she added, "Even the Bainards."

"So I'm not going to be hung by my toes from the castle ramparts?"

At this remark Angela broke into another fit of laughter, Nasuada smiled widely, and Raye couldn't help but giggle a bit. Aedan imagined that the elves might have taken on slightly cheerier expressions as well.

"I assure you there is nothing to fear," said Nasuada after the laughter had subsided. "Even if I took offense with you, I have no authority over the Riders." Her voice took on a serious tone as she looked at Raye and Aedan, "I know you are but mere children, only starting out on your life's journey, but your new status will force you to grow up quickly." The queen gave a heavy sigh, leaning back in her chair, and Aedan was reminded that she too had been forced to grow up quickly after the death of her father, Ajihad. "The situation is rather precarious as of now. The nobles want to keep the new Riders in Ilirea, as political and military assets to the Crown."

Aedan muttered quietly, "More like their personal lapdogs."

"Yes that is exactly what they want," said Nasuada, not missing his snide comment. "The nobles will try their utmost to use you to further their own agendas. Through your favor they can hope to gain enormous status and power." Aedan cringed at the thought of being used by the Bainards to regain their old status. Lady Maeve would do anything to revive the family name, but did that include relying on her husband's bastard? "However there are even more factions vying for your favor." Nasuada nodded politely at their stoic companions. "The elves claim the new Riders should be taught by Rider Arya Dröttning in Du Weldenvarden. They believe the forest would be the safest and most nurturing place for young Riders to grow into their legacy."

This time Raye was the one to cut in, "But wouldn't we just be pawns of the elves then?" Then realizing who was standing just behind her, blushed red and stared at her feet.

Nasuada merely nodded at her point, "Yes, by accepting the elves' offer to train in Du Weldenvarden you would be subject to certain expectations and obligations." The queen looked then both in the eye before continuing, "Your final option is to leave Alagaesia altogether." Aedan's eyes widened at this, Leave Alagaesia? But what else was there?

"Eragon Kingkiller has given his express wishes for all young Riders to be sent to train with him, away from the pressures and agendas of Alagaesia. He is in the process of establishing a new citadel for the Riders in the unknown lands beyond the Beor Mountains." Nasuada paused, allowing the two stunned Riders to absorb this new knowledge before going on. "However, just as Eragon has expressed his desire for your presence he has just as strongly emphasized your choice in the matter. He wants all young Riders to be given the option of leaving their homes or not."

"And I assume you want us to stay here, in Ilirea." replied Aedan, "That way you'll get the chance to protect us from harmful influences, right?" He was testing Nasuada, unsure of her position. Was she also just hoping to use the Riders by gaining their trust? Where exactly did the queen stand in all of this?

Nasuada answered right away, "To the contrary, I for one would suggest the third option. By leaving Alagaesia you will be given a reprieve from political games and dramas, allowing you time to grow into your new life, separate from the rest of the world."

Instead of clearing up Aedan's doubts Nasuada's statement only made him more confused. What exactly would he encounter outside of Alagaesia?

Angela cut in, "Really? I expected you to keep them close Nasuada."

The queen gave a small smile, "In all my years of governing I've found it's best to let Riders alone. They don't belong to any one race or people anymore, so burdening them with the demands of political factions only leads to chaos." Nasuada turned towards Aedan and Raye, "I would encourage you both to think well on this. I would like to know your decision by sunset tomorrow."

###

Aedan and Raye were escorted in silence back to their quarters in the castle's west wing. Both had plenty to think about, so the overbearing presence of their elfish escorts was not unduly concerning. When they reached the door to Raye's rooms she turned to Aedan, "See you tomorrow?"

"Yeah."

And with those parting words she slipped away, the door closing solidly behind her. The elves led Aedan to his own rooms, down the hall from Raye's, and left him at the door. He thought that after the events of this afternoon nothing could surprise him, but he was wrong.

When Aedan opened the door to his quarters he was met with a scene out of his wildest dreams. Huge glass windows lined to walls of an opulent room five times the size of Hector's. Elegant tapestries hung on all the walls; a fireplace blazed in the hearth, and at the center of the room was an enormous bed. For a moment Aedan could only stare at all the finery, unable to comprehend that it was for him.

But his exhaustion soon overtook his awe, and Aedan collapsed onto the bed's plush feather mattress. He would think about the events of today later, after he had had the chance to rest. Aedan hugged the crimson egg close to his chest, curling in a ball around its warmth. As he slowly drifted off to sleep he imagined that he could hear the tiny heartbeat within the egg beating in time with his own.