Disclaimer: No Characters, plot lines, places, or anything else from The Inheritance Cycle belong to me. I simply played with them and warped them to my own twisted imagination.
Chapter 8
Both Arya and Eryana jerked awake at the first sound. Jumping out the bed with their knives at the ready. It took a moment for them to locate the source of the noise and they were both surprise to find the emerald green dragons egg, shaking on its stand. Arya immediately started towards it.
"Wait!" Eryana commanded at the same time she called Saphira! She could immediately feel her dragon's presence intensify in her mind.
The tone of command in her lover's voices surprised her and Arya turned to regard her.
Eryana took a step towards her and sheathed her blade. "The egg is hatching, and the only person it could be for is you, Arya." She paused taking a deep breath. "The hatching of a dragon is something that is very private and very intimate."
When she stopped, unsure of how to continue Saphira picked up the explanation. It is something that is normally only witnessed between the Egg and its future rider. Eryana and I should not be present for it.
"What do you mean?" Arya demanded. Her attention momentarily off the egg and onto her mate.
"She means that we should leave you in privacy while the egg hatches." She took a deep breath. She had promised her never to close the bond but she had never expected this. "She means that we should close our link to you."
"NO!" Arya demanded in both her mind and in words. "You promised me that you would never close the link. I don't care what tradition states. I want you here Eryana. I need you both with me."
Eryana thought quickly. Her thoughts moving so fast that Arya couldn't latch onto any of them. She knew her lover was torn. She knew that she didn't want to close the link, but that tradition demanded that she did.
Maybe it is time to start a new tradition. Saphira said to her rider. These are not the times of the Old Order. Things are different and we are rebuilding the Order from scratch. Maybe it is time that we change some things.
"Alright." Eryana nodded. Moving back towards the bed she said to her mate. "Get the egg and bring it over here."
Arya hastened to obey as Eryana settled herself sitting on the bed, with the pillows piled behind her. Arya returned with the egg in her hands. When Eryana patted the space between her legs she gladly settled herself in her Riders protective embrace. Eryana wrapped herself around her lover, trying to give her comfort for the pain she knew would come when Arya touched the hatchling. They all instinctively opened their link to the highest level where they had nothing shielded from one another, and waited to see what would happen next.
It seemed like an eternity passed before the shell slowly began to crack and give way. They watched in amazed silence as the pieces began to giveaway and a green hatchling began to emerge. The tiny dragon cautiously licked the remaining membrane from his scales before looking at his surroundings. He tilted his and carefully studied the people in front of him. He scented the hair cautiously before moving closer and sticking his head out towards Arya.
Reach out and touch him little one. Saphira said and the same time Eryana whispered, Reach out, my princess. Reach out and claim your destiny.
Arya felt her mates arms tighten around her and she reached out her left hand and touched her dragon on the head. She had been expecting the pain. She knew that was why Eryana was holding her, but she wasn't prepared for just how much pain there was. And none of them were prepared for what happened next.
When Arya made contact the pain did not just engulf her and her dragon but it surged through Eryana and Saphira as well. All four of them screamed or roared in one voice as a shock wave of magic erupted from them and outwards to travel hundreds of leagues and be felt all the way in Gil'ead by the elves and by the King who sat on his thrown in Uru'baen.
Eryana was not sure how long they were all out, but she knew that she was the first one to come back to her senses. She returned with a jerk to feel Blodhgram's presence desperately asking for admittance. She could feel the fear and urgency in his request. She quickly shield off the others so that he would not sense him and allowed him to enter.
Oh thank the wolf. I've been trying to reach you for an hour. Came his unusual response. Any other time Eryana would have laughed at his reference to wolves. But now was not the time.
What is the trouble Blodhgram-Vodhr? She asked with as much patience as she could muster. She was worried sick about her mate and the dragons. She could feel all four of their minds in hers and she knew that she should not have access to the hatchling until he was much older. The fact that she did worried her.
Everyone is in a panic, Eryana-Elda. We were hit over an hour ago by some powerful burst of magic, but no one can find the source. The wolf like elf explained quickly. Lady Nasuada is demanding your presence for battle and Queen Islanzadi has contacted us from Gil'ead to say they felt it all the way there.
The elf was almost frantic. Blodhgram-Vodhr, please calm yourself. I know both the source and the cause of the magical surge. She took a deep breath and she felt Saphira stir in her mind. I need you to do me a favor, my friend. Tell Nasuada to stand down her preparations for battle, we are not under attack. She should post extra guards to be on the lookout for scouts from the Empire. The King will send someone to discover the source of the Surge, but he will not attack until he knows what it is. Tell Nasuada to convene the War Council in 3 hours time and we will explain everything then.
And the Queen? A weary elf asked.
You may inform the Queen that I will contact her when the Council is convened and she will be filled in on events then. When she felt his nervousness she added When she gives a hard time Blodhgram, please inform her that you are simply acting as an ambassador to the Leader of the Order of Dragon Riders and that you know nothing else.
Yes, my Lady, was his reply as he withdrew from her mind.
Saphira? Eryana asked quickly. Are you alright?
I am little one. What exactly happened? We should not have felt the link being formed, nor should we feel the presence of the hatchling. Saphira asked.
Eryana ignored the questions for the moment and focused her attention on her mate in her arms. Leaning down she placed a gentle kiss on Arya's lips. Encouraged when she felt her stir, she kissed her again and then leaned and whispered, both in her mind and in words. "Come on, my princess. You need to wake up now. Please my love you are scaring me."
What happened Arya asked in her mind and then Jerking up she said, "The dragon?"
Eryana pulled her close and kissed her deeply. The events of the past hour terrified her. She felt her mate melt into the kiss, neither of them willing to break it until they felt the dragon hatchling stir. They watched as the green dragon finally woke and began to explore the bed. Neither moved or spoke until he began to cry of hunger.
They cook who gave them their food a few days ago, included a large serving of dried meat, not believing that anyone would only want to live on fruits and bread. Eryana had intended to return in before the meeting this afternoon, but instead she stood up and went to the table. Collecting a large portion she walked back to the bed and handed it to her mate. It was only when Arya reached out to take the meat that she realized the Gedwëy Ignasia on her palm was different. Instead of the usual shining tear drop shape she usually saw, now she had a symbol of a dragon circled around it, it's tale connecting with its head.
Saphira? She said hoarsely.
I see it little one. Came Saphira's shocked reply.
Arya caught her lover's sharp intake of breath and the conversation with Saphira. Not understanding what it was about she asked, "Eryana? My love, what happened? What's wrong?"
Instead of answering her questions she said, "Arya, hold out your left hand."
Holding out her hand to show her rider it was her turn to gasp in shock. She had the same strange mark on her palm. "What does this mean? That is not a normal Gedwëy Ignasia. And why has your changed. I have never seen this symbol before."
Arya had finished feeding her dragon and he had promptly curled himself into a ball and fell asleep. She set him on one of their pillows and turned all her attention to her lover. She could feel the confusion and the uncertainty through the bond. She almost missed it when Eryana whispered quietly. "I have." But she didn't miss it when her beloved rider's knees buckled. Acting quickly she jumped up and caught her before she could fall. Guiding her to the bed she gently lowered her and then kneeled in front of her. What is wrong? Beloved what does this all mean?
When Eryana continued to stare at her palm, not answering the questions Saphira growled, Snap out of Little one, and start talking or I will rip this place apart to get to you.
Talk to me, my love. Arya whispered cupping Eryana's face. What is wrong?
Eryana looked up into Emerald green eyes seeing nothing but love and worry. Reaching out she grasped Arya's left hand with her right. Lacing their fingers together so that their palms were touching. Tugging slightly she pulled her mate back onto the bed and into her arms. Laying them down so they were on the pillow next to the now sleeping dragon she spoke in their minds.
Saphira do you remember the lesson Master Oromis gave about Dragon Masters? She asked her Dragon hoping she would understand. She could feel the shock and the joyful understanding when she did. Turning her attention to her mate she explained. You will be getting some of your lessons out of order it seems, but I think under the circumstances it is necessary. The symbols that now grace our palms are extremely rare and are reserved for the most powerful of riders. It is so rare in fact that we are only the third couple to ever have one.
Arya was completely confused. What are you talking about, my rider?
Eryana sighed; I am talking about the Dragon masters. A Dragon masters are a couple, and by couple I mean a mated couple, of riders that are so powerful that they have never known to be beaten.
But what makes us Dragon Masters? Arya asked. Other than our Gedwëy Ignasia?
Saphira decided to help her still shocked rider explain. Your bond does. The bond that we all share does little one. It is unusual for two people who are not riders to be intertwined as you two are mentally. To have the complete and utter trust that you two have for each other to allow one another to connect on all levels, emotionally, mentally, physically. A connection to the very soul. A connection that you willing share with each other and with me.
By all right Saphira and I shouldn't have been here when your dragon hatched. Eryana continued. But our love for each other keep us here and kept us connected. When you touched your dragon he not only connected with you, but with Saphira and with me. And we…we connected with him. The four of us now share a Dragon Rider's bond with each other.
And how does that make us more powerful than normal? Arya asked. How does that change us from normal Dragon Riders?
Some of this will make more sense when Saphira and I have time to explain to you the history of the Dragon Riders and the bonds they form, but I think you understand enough about it to continue. Eryana organized her thoughts. You know that dragons and riders share everything. They are able to alter each other in a way. The Dragon becomes more tame, rational, while the rider gains strength, magical power, speed and intellect. You saw the changes that took palce in me from just my bond with Saphira. Now imagine that twice over. Twice the strength, twice the magical power, twice the speed, twice the intellect. That, my love, make us Dragon Masters. Two Dragons, Two Riders, Two sets of Mates connected together in a connection that can only be broken through death.
There was shocked silence as Arya tried to process what she was being told. They all felt it when understanding hit her, just what her lover was talking about. But one point still confused her. What do you mean, to sets of Mates?
She means little one, Saphira replied, That just as you and Eryana are destined to love each other through eternity, your dragon and I are now destined to be mated through eternity.
And are you ok with this? Arya asked. The fact that you had no choice in your mate?
Dragons do not take mates for the same reason as people do, little one. Saphira said, But yes, I am ok with this. My Rider loves you deeply, therefore I love you. You love my Rider Deeply, Therefore you love me. Through that love Your Dragon and I will love.
Well, Arya replied after another long moment of shocked pause, Sounds like a good deal to me.
Eryana chuckled softly and sat up. She smiled when her lover protested. We cannot sleep yet my love. Our little bonding there sent off a magical power surge so powerful your mother felt it in Gil'ead.
That can't be good. Arya remarked as she sat up too.
Indeed. Eryana said with a laugh. It sent all of the Varden into a panic, and forced me to call the War Council together early. So come on, my love we have to go and explain things to the others.
"Do we have too?" Arya groaned as she allowed herself to be pulled up. "Can't it wait till tonight?"
"I'm sorry, my love." Eryana pulled her into her arms for a comforting embrace. "I wish that we didn't have to face this right now, and that we could just spend time concentrating on ourselves and our dragons. But we can't" She leaned back and tipped Arya's face up, "I love you, Arya, and once this war is over I will give you absolutely anything your heart desires, but right now we have to do this. We have to fight."
Arya's response was to kiss her lover deeply, before pulling back and reading herself. She knew her lover was right and that no amount of whining would change it.