Five days after Alanna worked with Rhunon to create her Rider sword, she received a missive from Rhunon. It said simply 'Come to my workshop immediately'. Needless to say, Alanna ran the distance from her treehouse to Rhunon's shop, Faolan trotting along beside her.
Alanna leaned against the doorway of the shop and looked around for the trouble she thought the message was warning her about. All she saw was Rhunon sitting in a chair with a long bundle on her lap. Seeing this, Alanna's heartbeat picked up.
"Is that-?"
"Indeed it is. Your sword is almost complete, Alanna." Rhunon held it out and Alanna stepped forward to accept the bundle. She carefully unwrapped it and stared at it.
The blade was long and not very wide, the outer sides a lighter purple while the spine was a darker purple. The edges matched Faolan's belly scales, the spine matching his eyes perfectly. The pommel fit in her hand with room for her hands to grow, a polished amethyst set into the handle.
"It's beautiful, Rhunon."
It is very visually pleasing. And since it's a Rider's sword, I know it'll be a great weapon.
"Now all that's left to do is name it. Have you decided?"
"I've been giving it a great deal of thought and I've decided on Nuanen Delois, Delois for short." Alanna proclaimed proudly.
"Beautiful purple flower? Well, I must say that's certainly unique, and fitting. Very well then. Nuanen Delois it is." Rhunon gently took back the blade long enough for her to engrave the blade and its matching scabbard with its name, and then she handed it back. "Now, put it on and test it out."
Alanna certainly did just that. She tied the scabbard around her waist and went outside to practice her forms, getting used to the blade's weight and reach. She was pleased to find that it was lighter than she imagined it would be, and easy to maneuver through the forms. Pretty soon, she was quite confident in handling Delois.
Practice complete, she went back inside and handed over the regular sword she'd used after cancelling all of the enchantments she'd placed on the blade.
"Now then, shouldn't you be getting to the Crags? Go show that sword off!" Rhunon urged her as she herded Alanna to the door in a not-very-subtle manner. Alanna smiled and, giving in, hugged the older elf before she got onto Faolan's back. As Faolan took to the sky, she didn't see Rhunon, one of the more burdened elves in the nation, smile.
Faolan flew straight to the Crags and Alanna couldn't get to her mentor and fellow apprentice fast enough. She desperately wanted to show off Delois. Eragon was quite impressed with the sword and its beauty, and he even chuckled when Alanna stated its name. But, soon after, Alanna had to put Delois away and begin another day of training.
Eragon, is there something amiss? Father isn't here.
"No, Faolan, everything's fine. All of the dragon eggs have been held in Ellesmera, so Arya and Firnen are taking them first throughout the forest and then through Alagaesia. She'll be back when she's sure the new carrier has a handle on the distribution system enough for her to leave."
Faolan nodded in understanding and went to greet Saphira as he exchanged goodbyes with Alanna.
The only upset in today's training was Alanna's sparring partner was Eragon. Since she had Delois now, she couldn't spar with Eragon using the previous sword and both had to use their Rider swords, but that was the extent of the day's disruptions.
When the sparring hour was over, Alanna practiced her literacy skills as she listened to Faolan's lesson.
When the reading and writing section of the day was over, she practiced magic. She had long since graduated from passing a ball of water to Eragon, and now struggled to command the elements through some motions. It wasn't easy, but Alanna was determined to be the best Dragon Rider she can be, to bring honor back to the coveted title, so she asked Eragon what she was doing wrong and made every effort to correct it.
The dragons returned as the light was starting to fade and Alanna's nightly routine began.