Disclaimer: Anything you recognize is Paolini's. Anything you don't is mine.
Note: I won't be able to post very regularly for the next two weeks. Exams are staring at me hungrily with their little vicious eyes. They just can't wait to devour me. Pray for me, all ye saints! Hehe, press the little review button at the bottom, I swear it won't bite.
……………………………………………………………………………………………..
The next day, Adon went to see Hanna, accompanied by Vrael. When the Master knocked on Hanna's door, however, they discovered that no one was there. Vrael smiled wryly and said, "I think I know where they are, master. Do you want me to go retrieve them, or do you wish to follow me?"
Adon frowned for a moment, and then said, "I will call again this afternoon, Vrael. See that your new apprentice and her dragon are here, if that is satisfactory to you." Vrael nodded, then watched as Adon's face blanked for a moment; the younger master knew that the old elf was calling for his dragon. A moment later, an enormous black dragon landed heavily before them, almost too large to fit amongst the trees. "Kvetha Fricai, Nirnaeth! If you could, will you please carry me to the Healing Place? I have some patients to attend to."
Nirnaeth nodded his massive ebony head and another moment later the elf and dragon were gone. Vrael's eyes followed the two for a moment, and then his own face blanked as he called for Liadan. Within moments, his silver dragon could be seen flying over the trees.
Ah, Vrael! The dragon said, looking at him with shiny eyes as she landed gracefully. What news? Do we have apprentices?
Aye, Liadan, the masters agreed to give Hanna and Caedmon to us to train. Does that please you? Vrael asked as he leapt onto her broad back.
Liadan took off before she answered. For no one else am I willing to give up our liberty, Vrael. I prize it too highly, but I believe that Hanna and Caedmon need us. You do realize what you have agreed to, do you not?
Yes, Liddy. As masters, we cannot travel unless the journeys are a part of our pupils' training, or if we are called upon to do so by the masters. We are responsible for our students, not only for their bodily safety, but for their actions. If they perform disgracefully or act dishonorably before their training is complete, it shall be us who will truly answer to the masters. But I do not expect any trouble of that sort from Hanna or Caedmon.
Liadan snorted. I fully expect Caedmon to provide some small trouble, and remember that I said so. He's fiercely protective of Hanna, and if you ask her to do something that he feels to be beyond her strength, we should expect a battle. But there is yet more responsibility in this task, Vrael. We're going to be responsible for the kind of Riders that these two will become. Will they be strong, or will they be easily manipulated? Will they be ethical enough to be Riders? Worse still, it is possible that they will fail at their training. How will you feel then?
Vrael's face sobered for a moment, before he answered aloud, in a voice as unmoving as the mountain, "They will not fail, because I will not allow them to fail. Anything you ask of me, Liadan, I have already thought of. I am ready to take on the responsibility. The question is if you are."
Silence for a moment, then, Count me in. I'll never say nay to an adventure, you know that. I've always been one for risks…my biggest one was making you my Rider. The dragon growled, but Vrael could hear the sarcasm in her voice. That was touch and go, you can be sure of it.
Ah, Liadan, only think of what my life would be like if you hadn't hatched for me. My father was a cobbler…I'd be making shoes, back home in…in…what was our village called again?
Liadan roared in what he recognized as her laugh. First of all, little one, you would not be a cobbler now. Do you not remember how old you are? You would probably be close to death, if not already in your grave!
Vrael looked shocked for a moment, and then said, Oh, right. I forgot.
By this time, they had reached the mountain, and soon Vrael could see below them the still and silent forms of Hanna and the emerald Caedmon. Vrael and Liadan soon landed.
Hanna turned around, and her face lit up at the sight of Vrael. "Ebrithil, Kvetha Fricai! Caedmon and I were just wondering…do you happen to know who our master is to be?" She blushed slightly. "I don't know how much longer I can stand the suspense."
Shaking his head, Vrael replied, "I'm not technically supposed to tell you that yet, Hanna. That is Adon's job. However, if you will follow me back to the Verdiana, you will find out shortly. Adon came looking for you this morning and found that you were not in your house. He sent me to look for you, but fortunately Liadan and I didn't have to do much searching-we knew exactly where you were."
"Oh, no!" Hanna cried, looking horrified. "Was Master Adon angry with us for not waiting for him? We didn't even think of him coming to visit this morning!"
Do not worry, Hanna-elda. Ebrithil Adon was not angry with you, but he did have some other things to accomplish this morning. He said that he would come back this afternoon, but if I were you I would follow us home. You never know when he might show up again-Vrael and I have found that the elves' view of time doesn't always match our own.
Obeying Liadan, Hanna immediately mounted Caedmon, and soon the emerald and the silver dragons were aloft in the air. Every once in a while on the flight back, Vrael would look at Hanna; the look upon her face was of sheer joy as she leaned down close to Caedmon's ear in order that they might go faster with her below the dragon's slipstream. It was not so long ago that Vrael remembered feeling the ultimate joy of riding upon the back of a dragon, and the freedom that it gave you. Caedmon, too, seemed to be enjoying himself, every once in a while banking a little to the right or left in order to make Hanna squeal from surprise.
Children, Vrael heard as Liadan barged into his mind.
He smiled. Yes; isn't it wonderful? Don't you remember when you and I were like that, Liadan?
Who says that we are not still like that? I feel no difference in the joy of flying with you now as I did when we first flew. Vrael patted Liadan's neck fondly, and soon they were back at the Verdiana.
They did not have to wait long before Adon and Nirnaeth could be seen flying through the trees toward them. Hanna gasped at the sight of the massive black dragon. "He's the largest dragon I've ever seen!"
"Yes, Nirnaeth is quite large. Although he looks fierce, there is no need for you to fear him, for he is very kind and compassionate. I don't know if you know this, Hanna-elda, but Adon was my master, and I never wished for a different one." Vrael looked up at his former master, and smiled in greeting.
With a thundering noise, the two landed, and Adon leapt spryly off the back of the dragon. Hanna felt her heart leap into her throat as she watched Adon approach them, with a deadly serious look upon his face.
Courage, Hanna, Caedmon said in her mind. She patted his arm in thanks, and then bowed before the Ebrithil.
After the traditional greetings had been made, Adon cleared his throat. "Hanna-elda and Caedmon Skulblaka, I am here to inform you of the selection of your master." Hanna nodded, scarcely breathing with anticipation. "Choosing the right master for an apprentice is never an easy task. All four of the individuals must be compatible personality-wise, or else having the proper student-master relationship would be very difficult to found. They must both respect each other."
Oh, hurry up! Hanna thought impatiently.
"Therefore, it is my duty and honor to inform you that a master and dragon have been selected and approved. Your masters will be Vrael and his dragon, Liadan."
Hanna sighed noisily, and looked visibly relieved. "Oh, thank you, Ebrithil!" Suddenly, she realized how young and foolish she must have looked. She immediately straightened her shoulders and put an impassive look upon her face. She bowed before Adon and said, "I thank you and the masters for putting such time and consideration towards Caedmon and myself. I also thank Ebrithils Vrael and Liadan," she said, bowing to him and his dragon. "We shall not disappoint you or fail you."
Vrael nodded solemnly and replied, "We know that you shall not, Hanna-elda and Caedmon Skulblaka. Our training will begin tomorrow morning. Because of your premature knowledge of magic, it will necessary for you to train many hours of the day. Therefore, the masters have provided living quarters for the four of us on the outskirts of Ilirea. Incidentally, our neighbors shall be Master Adon, Silme, Andean, and their dragons. So you will not be without companionship." Hanna allowed herself to smile at this and then listened attentively as he continued. "You will now gather your things together, and follow me to this place. Silme will greet us there and help you get settled."
Immediately, Hanna bowed and hurried to do her new master's bidding. Caedmon followed her, and together they gathered their meager belongings. "Not much to pack, is there, Caedmon?" Hanna asked, once everything was piled onto her bed. "Just my books from home and the few I've been given since being here and the clothing that they've provided. We're truly starting from scratch, aren't we?"
Think of it this way-a lot less for you to pack and me to carry. Are you ready?
"Yes," she replied, rolling everything into a neat parcel and wrapping a blanket securely around it. She walked outside, followed by her dragon. Adon had left, but Vrael was still waiting patiently for them. He looked startled at the small bundle in Hanna's arms.
"Is that it?" Vrael asked.
"Yes, Ebrithil. When we left Tudessa, all I had were the clothes on my back and five small books that my mother had given me as a child. The elves were kind enough to give me clothing and to make Caedmon a saddle. We didn't even have that much when we arrived."
Vrael said nothing, but Hanna noted a look of sadness in his eyes. He merely took the bundle from Hanna's arms and showed her how to hook it securely to Caedmon's saddle. Then she and Vrael both mounted, and were soon flying up in the air. Hanna sent one last regretful look back at their small temporary house in the Verdiana-it was the only happy home that she had ever known. Oh, and she had been looking forward to learning swordplay and riding with the other students! Why did the magic have to tear her away from all that?
Stop that. Hanna started when Caedmon entered her thoughts. If you hadn't used the magic, we would both be dead. Besides, we won't be alone. Silme and Anatole will both be there.
Yes, but for how long? They are both very far into their training. They only have a few more years, and then they'll be gone.
By that time, Master Vrael might have another apprentice. Don't borrow trouble. Besides, if you want to cry I'll give you something to cry about. Hanna whooped with fear when the dragon suddenly went into a barrel roll, going completely upside-down. By the time he was right side up again, Hanna was laughing and yelling for more. Caedmon obliged with a few more rolls.
Slightly embarrassed at their antics, Hanna looked back at Vrael with regretful eyes. To her very great surprise, she saw him lean down on Liadan's neck, who went into a sudden roll of her own. When they came out of it, he flew up to be beside Hanna in the air. "Haven't done that in years!" he shouted, grinning widely. "I'd forgotten how much fun it was!"
A few minutes later, Liadan began to swoop down to the earth, where Hanna could soon see three small houses, close enough to be neighborly but far enough apart to give privacy. When they landed, Hanna saw Silme and the light blue Anatole leave one of the houses.
"Kvetha Fricai, Hanna!" Silme said loudly, looking joyful. "I'm so glad that you're here. It'll be so nice to have a friend so close. And just think, I don't even have to hide my magic from you any longer!"
The friend laughed and embraced. Hanna untied her parcel from Caedmon's saddle, who was busy greeting Anatole. Vrael pointed towards the house closest to Silme's. It was made of stone, and while it was simple, it looked very homey. Hanna and Silme entered first and they both looked appreciatively at the large entry hall, large enough for Caedmon and Liadan to enter. There was a large common room with a table and bookshelves and a few chairs. A hallway leading off from the common room revealed three more doors. "The largest is for Master Vrael," said Silme, pointing towards the largest door. "The other two are for apprentices. Here, I've already gotten this room ready for you and Caedmon." Silme opened the first door to the right and entered first.
When Hanna entered the room, she gasped in delight. The walls were paneled with rich looking wood. In the floor was a large padded bowl for Caedmon, just like the one he had just left. One of the walls was lined with bookshelves, and along another was a beautiful bed which Silme had already made up in emerald blankets and pillows. A small door was along another wall, which revealed to Hanna a small freshing with a tub and mirror, and a large closet for her clothes. Leaving the bathroom, Hanna saw that Caedmon had already made himself at home in his large bowl. He growled happily.
"All right, you overgrown lizard!" she said playfully. "Are you a dragon or a cat? You're already purring!"
Caedmon snorted, ejecting a small puff of smoke. That reminded Hanna of something. "Silme, when do dragons begin to breathe smoke?"
The Elf smiled. "Usually around six months of age. Anatole actually breathed fire for the first time on my birthday. It was the best present I'd ever received, right?" Anatole nodded, her cerulean eyes sparkling.
The next few minutes were busy as the two young Riders swiftly put away Hanna's clothes and few books. Leaving her bedroom, Hanna and Silme found both Adon and Vrael waiting for them.
"Silme, are you ready to go? There is enough time in the day for you and Andean to practice some sparring."
She nodded, her golden hair shining in the late afternoon sunshine. "Yes, Ebrithil. I am sorry to have kept you waiting."
"You have not. However, I do think it is time for Vrael and Hanna to become accustomed to their new home."
Silme nodded and bowed to both Vrael and Hanna and then left, following her master.
The air was thick and awkward for a moment as Vrael and Hanna both looked at each other. Finally, Vrael sighed and sat down in one of the chairs, gesturing at Hanna to do the same.
"I suppose I should explain about your training, Hanna. When I was a student, I never knew what my master was doing. I respected his views, but it would have been nice to receive something other than the elven reply of 'trust thy master, he knows best.' Barzul, how that annoyed me then!" Hanna laughed lightly, and suddenly everything was more cheerful. Vrael was her master now, but they could still be friends.
"Tomorrow morning, we will start out with ascertaining how much you know of fighting and your general knowledge. After that, I shall know better how to proceed. Do you have any questions? No? All right then. I must leave now and go attend to my last class of sparring students."
…………………………………………………………………………………………….
That night, Hanna lay quiet in her bed, listened to Caedmon's loud snores and occasional growls. Tomorrow would be an interesting day; there was no doubt of that in her mind. She smiled. Caedmon would not want her worrying. She rolled over and went to sleep, and dreamed of bearing an emerald sword.