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 10

"The Order of the Dragon Riders was structured much like any other society." Eryana launched into a very basic view of the details. The rest she would never explain. "Like every other society it had it's different groups. Each Dragon Rider was taught the art of war, but they all excelled in their own area. There were the historians, the teachers, the diplomats, the mages, and even those who were first and foremost warriors. Now I think we can all agree that is a commonly known, to some extent, by everyone at this table." When they all nodded in agreement she moved on. "Now what I am about to tell you is not common knowledge, and understand that I do so because circumstances leave me no choice. There were another set of riders. A group so small and secret that it is possible that the King had not been told of them before he went rouge, but unfortunately we have no way of knowing and that is where the danger lies. They were called the Dragon Masters."

"Now a normal bond between a Dragon and Rider, consist of just the two of them." She went on the explain. "They learn from each other, benefit from each other, and even gain certain traits from each other. Such as increased speed, strength, that kind of thing. Now Dragon Masters are made when two sets of riders and dragons bond themselves together so that all four of them form one dragon-rider bond. The results are double the increase in skills and make them understandably much more powerful. Unfortunately the circumstances surrounding this event are so rare that there are only three known sets of Dragon Maters in history."

As she paused to give them all time to understand what she was telling them she surveyed the reactions of those around her. It is a mix, my love. Arya said in their minds. They are torn between awe at the knowledge of what all that power could mean, and fear of it.

Humans will always fear what they cannot control. Saphira said And they will never be able to control a Dragon Rider.

The humans might fear it, but they respect it as well. Eryana said, and as we have learned fear and respect causes them to act irrationally. She paused and looked around again, Though it would seem that our elvin friends are alive with excitement and understanding. I believe they already know what we are going to tell them, based on the way they are looking at us.

Oh Great. Arya voice was full of amusement Just what we need is another dragon around for them to heap praises on.

Watch yourself, little princess. Saphira said and Eryana snorted in amusement.

About that time Nasuada spoke up, "Lady Eryana." She had to force the honorific out. "What is the set of circumstances that you were referring to?"

Eryana forced herself not to sigh. She knew she would have to explain, but she just hoped this didn't blow up in their faces. She felt a wave of love coming from her mate. This caused a smile to grace her lips before she answered Nasuada, "To answer that question, Lady Nasuada, we must move from the history of riders to the history of the elves." She gave a small nod to her guard. "The riders adopted many different customs from both the elves and the humans among them. One that they took from the elves was the custom of taking mates. Since they live so long, Elves do not marry, instead that use the Ancient Language to bind themselves to their chosen mates for as long as they desire. So only desire a day, a week, or a year. Some 50 years, 100, maybe as many as 300, but it is very rare for elves to take mates for long periods of time. Now those rare periods do happen, but they are almost just as rare as Dragon Masters are."

She felt another wave of love through her bond, this time from three different points. That truly made her smile. She looked briefly at her guard but they simply nodded once sharply in understanding. Showing her that they were not angry at her choice to discuss Elfish customs. Pushing on she said, "When it does happen the mates bind themselves together in every possible way. They are bound together for eternity, not just physically, mentally and emotionally, but to their very soul. The vows that they take in the ancient language bind them together so closely that they can never be separated. When these two forces meet, Lady Nasuada, you have Dragon Masters."

After a moment King Orrin asked, "What exactly are you saying, Lady Eryana?"

"I'm saying that when a set of Eternal mates, both of whom become Riders, then the bond that forms between the four beings makes them Dragon Masters." Eryana said.

"But what does any of this have to do with the surge of magic this morning, Argetlam?" Orik asked, "As fascinating as this all might be you said you could tell us what happened this morning."

Saphira growled a warning at Orik and the small dwarf flinched. Eryana clamped down on the smile that wanted to appear at the dwarf's distress but instead she answered her question. "Were you not listening to everything I've been saying, master dwarf? I have told you what happen." Eryana, Arya warned. Sensing your mate's frustration. "Very well, let me put it in simpler terms then. The power surge that you felt this morning is what happens when Dragon Masters are bonded."

"But…but…that…rider…" Orik stuttered unable to form a complete thought. However, lucky for him one general did not have the same problem.

"But that would mean that a second egg hatched." He said, "Why did we not know that we had a second egg." He demanded looking around the table.

"Because," Eryana said, "I chose not to tell you." It was a simple explanation but one that set everyone into an uproar. Everyone but the two riders and the elves jumped to their feet and began yelling.

She let it go on a several long minutes before she became tired of it. It was getting them nowhere. Standing quickly she thrust out her hand. It flared with light and with two quick commanding words she ordered them to be quiet and sit. Once all eyes were on her she said, Her voice no longer polite but instead laced with power. "I have told you before and I do hope that this is the last time I have to repeat myself. I am the Leader of the Riders and therefore all business of the Riders is Mine to divulge when I see fit, not as you think I should. If I chose not to tell you something then I have a good reason for doing so and you will accept it or keep your opinion to yourself. I do not want to hear them again." She glared at all of them. "Now if you can sit there and behave like the leaders you are suppose to be I will release you and I will answer all of you questions that I can. If you wish to continue to yell and scream then I will take my leave of you. Your choice, but choose now."

Was I ever this ridiculous? She asked in her mind, to no one in particular.

You did not yell and scream as they do, little one. Saphira said, But there were times that you were just as impatient and even as arrogant. There were times that you were told the same thing that you just told them. But you matured and became what I always knew you would be.

It was a struggle not to let her shoulders slump in defeat. Sometime I wonder if that is true. I am merely 19 years of age and yet I am supposed to take up the mantel that was left by much older and wiser Riders.

Eryana, My beloved Rider, Listen to me now. Arya commanded. From the moment your consciousness first brushed mine I knew you were something special. From the moment I first saw you, first observed you I could see all that you would become. I could see the strength, the wisdom, the passion just under the surface begging to get out. I knew you would one day become the great Rider and Leader that you now are. She paused and then added with a hint of humor It just took the extreme patience of your masters to get you there and the love of a great woman to keep you there.

That Caused Eryana to laugh deeply through the bond. Aye, the love of a great woman can do many things.

Before they could continue their mental conversation she saw the leaders nod in agreement to her request. Releasing them for her hold she retook her seat. As she did Nasuada spoke up, "So why did you choose not to divulge the information to us? And Who is the second rider?"

Sighing mentally she answered the first question. "None of you can ever understand what it takes to train a Rider, especially if that Rider is human. Most humans have to start from scratch. They have no knowledge of magic, of the Ancient Language, of the history of Riders, or even true swordplay. Some even have no knowledge of even reading and writing skills. It would have been too big of a risk and taken too much time to train them. And it wouldn't have been fair to all those fighting for our freedom if we went straight to the Elves, therefore we choose to wait until the war ended to allow the egg to hatch."

"But you didn't. It hatched this morning." Orrin argued.

"Aye. It did, but it hatched to the one we entrusted to keep it safe. It hatched to the Egg Bearer." Eryana explained. "Once the Dragon chose we had no control."

"And who is this person?" Nasuada asked again. "I think it's time that you reveal them to us."

Everyone looked at Eryana waiting for her to answer the question. Now I know I wasn't this stupid before you hatched for me Saphira. I mean really how many clues have we given them and they still can't figure out that's it's you, Arya.

She felt the humor through her bond from all of them. I think it is time to put them out of their Misery, my love.

Before anyone could answer a small echo of love came across the link, startling them all. It had to be the hatchling, but how they weren't sure. It should still be a several more days until he was able to speak.

Deciding to leave the investigation into this matter for later, Eryana answered Nasuada at the same time Arya dropped the ward to reveal the dragon. "Arya Shadeslayer, my eternal mate."

There was shocked silence all around the table. She could see the different thoughts in the different races. Deciding to head off the one main problem before hand she spoke again. This time allowing herself to reach over for her mates hand. She was relieved when Arya took it immediately, twining their fingers together. Letting the mask on her powers finally drop she allow it free reign, and was please when she saw all but her mate and their dragons flinch away from her. "Understand this now. I will not have ANYONE making in disparaging or hateful remarks about myself, my mate, or our relationship. Trust me when I say you will not like the consequences if I do. Make sure you men understand that this goes for them as well. You might not like it, you might not agree with it, you might not understand it, but you will accept it and you will be respectful of it. Do we have an understanding?"

I love it when you get protective. Arya commented softly but otherwise did not comment on her mate's display.

Eryana waited until everyone had nodded in understanding before she quickly put a mask back on her power. She saw her elvin guard sigh in relief and sent them a quick mental apology.

"So what happens now that the dragon has hatched?" Orrin asked. "does he have a name yet? I hate to keep calling him dragon."

That little bit of humor broke the tense atmosphere causing them all the laugh. "Nay." Arya said once she regained her composures. "He will choose his name once he is old enough."

"Speaking of being old enough." Orik asked. "How long until he is ready for battle?"

"Always the practical one, Master Dwarf." Arya said. "We honestly aren't sure."

"What do you mean you're not sure?" a general asked. "Surely you know how long it will take him to mature?"

"Aye, if he were a normal dragon." Eryana said. "But he's not. He's part of a Dragon Master's bond. That changes things."

"How so, Lady Eryana?" Orrin asked.

"I suspect that he will grow at a faster rate than a normal bonded Dragon. He has the influence of two riders and another dragon to pull upon. But I do not know how much faster."

"So that brings up the question as to what we do now." Orik asked.

"Well normally. We would return to Du Weldenvarden to being training." Arya said, but before she could continue Nasuada broke in.

"You can't leave now." She demanded "The Varden would be unprotected."

"Lady Nasuada, What have you been told about demanding things of the rider, or riders in this case?" Eryana and Arya were surprised to hear one of the Varden Generals speak.

"As, my mate was saying." Eryana continued. She sensed her mate's amusement at the use of the term and her excitement of it as well. "That is normally what would happen, but obviously we cannot. However, the fact still remains that both she and her dragon must be trained, and some training may only be done in the Du Weldenvarden. We also must take into account that this new bond with have an effect on Saphira and I and neither of us are quite sure what. There are writings and journals in the my masters library that will help us with that."

"So what do you suggest, Lady Eryana?" The same general who spoke againt Nasuada asked. "It is obvious that we need you here, but you also need to return to the elves for answers."

Eryana was quit for a time. All those of the council were patient in waiting for her answer. Were the elves planning on staying in Gil'ead for the winter or marching on Dras-Leona before the season's change? She asked her mate.

I do not believe that they had decided either way. Arya said. I think that they were waiting to hear what the Varden's plans were for Belatona.

Saphira? Eryana asked How long do you think Thorn and Murtagh will be out of commission?

I'm not sure, little one. Saphira admitted. If Master Glaedr were awake he might know more, but I would not expect for him to come out of mourning any time soon. Considering what we know about Galbatorix use of Eldunari and of dark magic I would have to guess not long enough.

Do you think that they might be at Belatona? She asked uncertainly.

It is possible, little one. Saphira said.

As she sat in discussion with her mate and rider neither realized that they had both reached out to stroke the dragon Hatchling, or that he had moved so that he was curled up into both their laps. Neither noticed either that he had grown another inch of so since they had been in council.