Great to see that more and more readers are finding my story. We got some new reviewers too! Thank you all for that. Know that I deeply appreciate it and it encourages me to keep delivering to you.

So without any further ado, here's the new (action filled) chapter.

Enjoy!

Come on, we can't be late Díanel. We need to hurry.

Relax Izar, we have at least fifteen more minutes before the sun rises.

But it are Saphira and Eragon! Maybe they will learn us how to slay a shade or fight an army of thousands. Izar growled to imaginary opponents. Come on now Díanel, we have to go. She nudged Díanel with her head and almost pushed him from the bench, as he was just finishing his fruit and nut-filled yoghurt.

Alright, alright, let me clean this up and then we'll go.

Make sure to hurry stargazer!

Díanel smiled at the energy and joy coming from Izar. He wished he could share her optimism, but after he had seen Eragon and talked with Ismira, his expectations had grown low about his new trainer.

Last night during dinner, they mostly remained silent. Kundog tried to lighten the mood, but everybody was wondering what was occurring in Eragon's study. Harnon left the great hall a minute after his rider went with Eragon and Arya, and Saphira and Firnen didn't want to give any insight on the matter. At one point Saphira even snarled at Nurin that it was none of his business, thereafter the atmosphere grew even more tensed, until Kundog mentioned it would be better if everybody went to bed. Díanel had tried to talk to Ismira as they walked to their rooms but she replied he should get some rest for his first day of training would be intense.

Díanel couldn't imagine how training could be more intense than his first day on the island, which could be described as a whirlwind of emotions and tension. Seeing Ismira again, disappointment by Eragon's appearance, a flicker of the loving Ismira he knew, getting to know Nurin and Kundog, and eventually the weird dinner where Herna was summoned away. He couldn't really sleep that night as he was unsure what to think of it all, and Izar was mostly impatient to begin the training with Saphira.

I think I hear Saphira coming. Izar disrupted his chain of thoughts and he looked up to the main hall. He didn't hear anything, but trusted Izar's senses. A few seconds later, indeed the door opened and Eragon came walking through, with Saphira following.

Díanel noticed the change in Eragon. His beard was fully gone, leaving a clean shaven face with a strong jawline. His brown eyes reflected purpose and the red circles underneath them were gone. His ponytail was tight and clean. Though his form was still thin, he now walked straight and determined again. He was wearing black boots, grey pants and a blue shirt, made by elves by the looks of it. At his hip hung his famous sword, Brisingr.

Saphira towered above him, being almost three times Izar's size. He regarded Saphira with a feeling of awe once more. She was truly the mightiest of all creatures he had ever seen. He bowed his head to their new teachers, as did Izar. This was the first time she ever bowed to someone and through their connection he felt that she was even more impressed by Saphira.

"Díanel, Izar, welcome to the island of Dragon Riders, Gjarzla Hjarta. As you know, I am Eragon, Shade- and Kingslayer, Bane of the Ra'zac, liberator of Alagaësia and the First Rider of the new Order of Dragons, but most of all, I am the rider of my mighty dragoness, Saphira." Eragon addressed them, saying the last line with pride in his voice.

Welcome young ones. It is an honor to receive new riders here. Saphira mentally communicated.

"Neither of the things I've accomplished could be done without the help of Saphira and my friends, as I hope you've heard. I am merely stating the names I carry, so that you know what I'm capable of. What you have seen yesterday was me as I've been too long. Queen Arya helped me open my eyes, and for that I am her forever thankful. I hereby want to offer my apologies to you both, for you had no part in all this, but still I failed to welcome you proper. I want to make up to you, and therefore I shall start with training you today." Eragon didn't sound cocky or arrogant, he was just stating facts. Though it was surely confidence that carried his voice. But there too was a sincere apology.

Díanel didn't know much about how Eragon had been in the last twenty years, but he could sense no hint of insanity. In front of him now was the Eragon as he expected him to be, a confident and strong leader of the Dragon Riders.

"We accept your apologies. We are honored that you and Saphira Bjartskular yourselves will train us."

Ebrithil, added Izar.

"For today, I wish no further to discuss the matter. Today will be all about your training. Now if you would please follow me, Díanel, and Izar, you are to go with Saphira."

Eragon and Saphira didn't wait for a reply, but simultaneously moved. Eragon ran towards the path that ran down the mountain and Saphira jumped up to fly towards the peak of the mountain.

Remember to share our trainings, have fun twinkle-star.

You too, stargazer. Izar replied before she flew after Saphira.

Eragon and Díanel ran for over an hour, until they were deep in the forest that covered the east-side of the mountain. Díanel had trouble keeping up with Eragon's pace, and he was glad when they finally stopped. He bend over, clasping his knees with his hands and gasped for air. Even though Eragon was clearly out of shape, he barely broke a sweat.

Eragon must have noticed his envious look for he said; "Have you heard of the gift the dragons bestowed upon me during the Agaethi Blodhren?" Díanel only nodded, he had not yet enough air to reply. "Good, then it must encourage you to know that eventually all riders go through that transformation, and end up with enhanced physical and mental skills eventually. Though it will take decades for you to develop into what I received in one night. Always perform at the best of your abilities and don't be discouraged by the fact that the other riders and most elves may best you. They all had years of training."

"Yes, Ebrithil."

Eragon smiled. "Now let us have some water."

After they rested in silence next to a creek for a while and appreciated the sunrays breaking through the ceiling of leaves, Eragon asked about his progress in the Rimgar. And as he was still in the second stage, they decided to perform this one.

When they finished, Eragon told Díanel that they both should look for food. Díanel returned with blue berries, bird eggs and some big yellow fruits he had never seen before.

"Ah, I see you have a fine taste. They are sweet and juicy, an excellent choice as dessert."
They ate what Díanel and Eragon brought. Díanel used this moment to check on Izar. She said that they were flying towards the mountains surrounding the lake, where Saphira would show her some bigger animals and how to hunt them.

"We should bring these fruits to Alagaësia." Eragon said in an attempt to make some small talk.

"I'm sure my mom would know how to make a great pie of it." Díanel replied smiling.

"Aye, your mom… you are Baldor's son, am I right?"

"Yes and my mother is from Surda." Díanel replied with a mouthful of the juicy fruit.

"I used to play with your father when we were young. We are almost of the same age. How is he doing?" Eragon sincere.

"He's doing great. Albreich and he took over the smith after grandfather died and they are considered some of the best in all of Alagaësia, that's why we were tasked with forging Fírnen's new armor."

"Horst was some of the best men I knew." Eragon's face showed a flicker of grief, before he continued: "I would like to know more of your time in Ellesméra, mostly about the hatching of Izar and the subsequent training."

Díanel told Eragon of how he got to Ellesméra, how Fírnen appreciated the armor. Of Blagden's riddle, Izar's hatching and the subsequent training. Eragon listened with interest and sometimes asked questions.

When Díanel finished, Eragon asked him about his magic abilities, since he had not mentioned them at all. So Díanel started telling of the lessons he received during the travel to this island. Eragon wanted to see for himself, but only after Díanel had told him everything about Carvahall.

Eragon asked question after question, mostly about Roran, Baldor and Albreich and the other villagers. Sometimes he asked about more political stuff and the growth of the different races in the village. He ended with a question about Murtagh, but Díanel could not provide a sufficient answer.

Díanel started to like Eragon, despite all the prejudices he had prior to his training today, Eragon seemed sincere when he showed interest in Carvahall, especially Roran. They did not yet talk about Alagaësia, but Eragon would probably discuss those matters with Arya anyway.

As the sun was high upon the blue sky, Eragon gave different magical tasks to Díanel to perform. He succeeded in some of them, but failed in the more advanced ones, he knew how to form the right spells, but lacked the magical strength to perform them. Eragon however, stated he was very pleased with his prowess so far.

«»

Arya made her way through the woods, the tall trees and the many flowers reminded her of Ellesméra. With every step she sunk a bit into the moss that covered the ground, as if she walked on soft pillows. She had taken her boots off like she always did at home when she had time off duty. Frankly enough, she did not miss home at all. It was nice to be away from the politics and stiffness of the elves. It was reassuring to know that someone as capable of lord Dathedr took over her duties, she was sure he would do great, maybe even better than she herself could.

The sound of a flute was carried towards her by a calming breeze. The sounds were easy to hear with her elven senses. As she came closer to the source of the music, she could distinguish some homes build up in the trees. It was clearly the work of elves, though it was different than the treehomes in Ellesméra, those were usually on the ground, but these houses were more like tree huts.

Nurin was playing a flute in the middle of a clearing, next to him was Hismal enjoying the sunrays on her golden body. She did not move when Arya went to sit next to Nurin.

Nurin finished his song while Arya thought of that morning, she had gone to the training grounds after she had eaten breakfast. She had not practiced with a sword since she left Ellesméra. She had sparred with Díanel during the travels, but he was no match for her, so it could not be called practicing.

On the training grounds she watched Herna winning over Nurin. She had watched the battle unfold and was surprised at the outcome. Nurin was a very skilled fighter even among the elves, but Herna had fought with such determination and aggression that she simply overpowered Nurin. She was very witting by turning her height to her advantage by stabbing Nurin in his foot with her dagger, with she had quickly drawn with her second hand. According to the elven rules it was prohibited to use a second weapon, but the ways of training grounds on this island were focused on survival and winning, instead of gallery battling.

When Herna left the grounds she nodded to Arya as she passed her. Arya complimented her and sparred with one of the elves who were attending.

Fírnen had afterwards flown her to some pools on one of the mountain peaks, were she bathed and relaxed with her dragon. Then Fírnen went away with Saphira and Izar and Arya went to find Nurin.

"Arya-Elda, welcome to my favorite spot on the island. This is where I find my peace when I'm alone with Hismal." Arya noticed that Nurin did not perform the elven formal greeting, for he knew the Queen's distaste to such formalities.

"I can see why, Nurin-Finiarel. I had my own place of solitude in Ellesméra, as you might remember. It is always good for one to have a place to retreat too, a place of their own." Arya looked around once more. The clearing was indeed a sight to behold. There was a very small creek streaming through the middle of it, there was a tree trunk next to it, on which Arya and Nurin were both sitting. The clearing was large enough to house two dragons, or three smaller ones and the opening in the ceiling of leaves was large enough to let the sun through for most of the day. It was a true place of solitude.

"I would love to come here again and listen to your music, but for now I would wish to hear everything you know about Herna."

It was clear to see that Nurin struggled for he thought of Herna as a fellow-rider and a friend, but it was his queen and elder rider who asked him. He did not know what was discussed yesterday in Eragon's study, but he recalled the worries he, Kundog and Ismira so often shared and concluded that to resolve the ongoing issues, Arya needed to know as much as she could get her hands on.

"When I arrived Herna had been here for six years, as you know, and Kundog for five and a few months. Even though the different races we all had, Herna and Kundog were most welcoming. Eragon was already isolating himself with the Eldunarí. Though he was not nearly at his worst back then. Kundog and I got along like brothers, he is always trying to comfort everyone and is really the one who kept us all together even though the hardness with Eragon. Herna was more like a mother, she cares a lot for us all, but her ways are a bit.. " Nurin searched for the right word.

Demanding. Hismal helped her rider out and Arya looked upon the golden dragon, noticing how much she looked like her sire Glaedr.

"Yes demanding, thank you Hismal, she means the best for all of us. But she is so protective that she almost loathes anyone from outside who could disturb the way of life here, even though we have so many problems. She demands all of our energy focusing inward on this island, instead of outward to Alagaësia where our duty lies.

The further Eragon slipped away, the more rigid Herna became, eventually we started to openly disagree with her ways. But at that point we were too late. Herna was the only one that talked with Eragon and all we could do was keep improving ourselves as riders, for when we're needed."

"What do you know of her background?" Arya asked with a cloud of concern covering her face.

"Not much, I know all about Eragon's, Kundog's, Ismira's and even yours, but Herna never wanted to talk about hers. All I know is that she is from Galfni and she is around fifty years old. Harnon is a very powerful dragon and I think he is great for Herna, though he is just as protective as she is and sometimes he can be very aggressive when something is threatening Herna. Whatever it is we don't know about her, she must have her reasons for keeping it a secret."

Arya and Nurin remained sitting on the tree stump, until Fírnen suddenly demanded Arya's attention.

«»

While Díanel was telling Eragon about Carvahall, Izar was following Saphira.

One day I'm going to be as majestic as Saphira-Mother-Dragon. Izar thought as she was following Saphira from the hills over the lake. The sun broke into thousands of little blue diamonds on Saphira's scales. Every movement of her wing was enrobed in grace.

No, I'm going to be even prettier, for I have the color of the brightest of the stars.

Hello, Saphira-Bjartskular, Izar Twinkle-star. Izar had not noticed Fírnen joining them.

Fírnen-Elda. I did not know you were to train me too.

I'm not. We're flying to the wild dragons where Saphira will show me something before you continue your training.

Saphira-Elda, how many wild dragons are there? Izar asked her mentor.

Seventeen, unlike the bound-dragons none have hatched in the last fourteen years.

Do they all live here?

At the moment they do, sometimes they travel south when it gets colder in the winter. Currently they are all living either on the mountain peaks of Gjarzla Hjarta or on the islands in the lake.

The three dragons, blue, green and silver, were sailing through the skies. Izar enjoyed flying with her two teachers. She needed more wing claps to keep up with them, but still it was a relaxing pace, with the sun shining upon them and a slight breeze keeping them cool.

They landed upon a small island. There was one big rock with a cave in it, nearly big enough to house Saphira. The rest of the island was covered with grass and some trees. Out of the cave came a dragon, scales the green color of the sea of the west, or at least Izar thought so for she had seen it only through Díanel's memories.

Fírnen, meet your sister, Sagara. She hatched fifteen years ago, and therefore is the second youngest of the wild dragons. Saphira spoke to all four dragons.

Thank you Saphira-Bjartskular. I did not know I had any nestlings, I have been without the company of my kin for too long.
Sagara-Daughter-of-my-Dam with the scent of seaweed and the spikes the same shade as mine, it is pleasuring to know I do have kin in this world.

Brother, I have travelled wide and far in my young years and hunted great prey, but never have I been so warmed at heart. I would want to tell you all I know about our sire and dam.

Izar, it's time to continue your training. With that, Saphira took off. Izar followed, leaving Fírnen and Sagara behind.

Saphira told Izar more about the wild dragons, she told of their leader Kharahaan, who resided on the biggest island, second to Gjarzla Hjarta and had already mated with multiple dragons, resulting in four eggs, of which one hatched for a male dragon. They flew around the lake and Saphira showed some different daring flying maneuvers.

Izar immediately noticed that Saphira was way more agile than Fírnen was, and it was obvious that even though Fírnen was a great teacher, he still had a lot to learn himself before he could fly like Saphira could. Izar felt a rush of revelation for noting the importance of living with other dragons and she understood Eragon's words when he said that Fírnen deserved to be on this island.

Her thoughts were abruptly disturbed by a roar that carried over the lake. It was Fírnen's for sure. Saphira turned around and hurried herself towards the island where they had left Fírnen. Izar had trouble keeping up with her pace. During their flight more and more roars carried over the water. Some of Fírnen, some of a rawer voice.

It didn't take long before she could see around a dozen dragons gathered on and around the island where Fírnen was. Saphira didn't slow down until she was just a few yards away from them and let out a mighty roar. Some dragons turned around and made way for her, others remained where they were and returned their gaze to something that Izar couldn't see.

Izar followed Saphira through the dragons, while she passed them she got the feeling she was being measured by the wild dragons. She was intimidated by the size and amount of the dragons. She had never been around wild dragons before and it was clear to see why they were called wild. They were rougher and had no respect for anyone who had not proven himself yet. She kept her head high, determined to appear calm and assured, even though she was far from it.

She could now see where everyone was looking at, Fírnen was fighting a rust colored dragon. The dragon was almost two times the size of Fírnen, bigger than Saphira, even bigger than Tial, it was by far the biggest dragon Izar had ever seen. His legs were thick, like his neck. His wings were relatively short, and his tail was disproportionately long. He had four spikes on his cheeks, again more than Izar had ever seen before. Like Tial, he had two horns growing above his ears. He was bleeding from a big bite mark at the base of his neck, and a spike at the end of his spine was broken off.

Fírnen was not looking better, for he had a big cut in his side which was very deep and blood streamed down with disturbing amounts.

Kharahaan, what is this madness?! Saphira demanded from the rust colored dragon, the king of the wild dragons.

This bounded dragon thinks he's more worthy than I, the king of dragons, to mate you, Saphira-Bjartskular. At this, Saphira let out a stream of blue fire over Kharahaan.

As you know, youngling, I have tested Fírnen and deemed him worthy of mating me. Don't ever think you have a say in that.

He was the only male dragon available back then. Kharahaan puffed out smoke from his nostrils. Saphira got even angrier and frontal tackled Kharahaan, they circled to the island and Saphira landed on top of Kharahaan, smashing his back against a rock and clipped his head down by biting his upper neck.

Never doubt my judgement. You might be bigger, but you are as tainted as the color of your scales. You might be king of wild dragons, but I'm the mother of our race. I am the first and will be the last. Without me, there would be no you. I defeated the oath-breaker and his mad dragon. I battled Thorn and won over him. Be wary, for I could dethrone you, Kharahaan. Now lick your wounds and be gone.

Saphira got off Kharahaan, the defeat in his eyes obvious. Saphira had given him the worst insult, mocking his color, hitting him straight into his pride, in front of so many other dragons. Kharahaan got up and flew away.

This isn't over. He hissed to Fírnen as he passed him.

Fírnen replied by spitting out the top of the spike he had broken off Kharahaan's spine, which he still had in his mouth.

The other dragons left too and Izar and Fírnen landed next to Saphira. Off the wild dragons only Sagara remained.

After a while Hismal came flying from Gjarla Hjarta, carrying Nurin and Arya. Arya was worried to her core as she felt the pain of Fírnen. She healed him before he could lose any more blood. But it would take a few days for him to fully recover.

"Saphira what happened?" Arya looked at Saphira with an intense gaze. Her face betraying anger, worry and confusion.

It was Sagara who answered.

Rider-of-my-brother, you share his smell. I'm pleasured to meet you. I'm Sagara, sister to Fírnen. We talked about our elders when suddenly Kharahaan-King-Leader and some other wild dragons-brothers-and-sisters came. They told Fírnen that he was unworthy of mating Saphira, that he was a coward for not living with other dragons-brothers-and-sisters. Fírnen tried to convince them of his duty as a bound-to-rider-dragon. But Kharahaan was only after a duel to prove himself. For Fírnen is the only dragon who Saphira-mother deemed worthy, so by defeating him, Kharahaan would gain great honor. Fírnen did not want to duel, but when Kharahaan attacked, he had no choice. He fought with pride, but was no match for the strength of Kharahaan. It was good Saphira interrupted the fight when she did, for Kharahaan would not stop when Fírnen was injured, forcing Fírnen to use lethal methods too. Resulting in two wounds on Kharahaan.

Did you hear that, pine-crusher, I fought with honor. Arya gave a small smile at Fírnen's comment.

I'm glad you did not lose your sense of humor, but you should be more careful Fírnen.

How did you like this? I myself are happy I brought in Kharahaan, I love that name, and it is nice to think of a character for a wild dragon. And I found the speech by Saphira pretty badass, I was the first and will be the last. Damn.

I'm going to reduce my uploads to 2 chapters a week, for I'm getting very busy with my internship. Hope you guys keep up with me.

Let me know your thoughts on the story development.