Hope everyone enjoys it, I'm trying to update as much as I can before school starts again.
Three days had passed since Oromis had come to see Haley. Eragon had visited her regularly, as did Tamar. They were all becoming great friends by now. Eragon had told her all he thought she should no about their training. He wondered how the training was going to go. On one side Eragon was far more experienced with mental things, like listening to people's thoughts, and he knew more about energy. But on the other hand, he was sure that growing up with an elf as a mentor, and being almost completely elf herself that she knew more about the ancient language and fighting. It would be interesting to see what happened.
Oromis and Glaedr meanwhile, were busy trying to decide exactly how they were going to teach the four. Glaedr, I think the best the to do is for you to take Eragon and Saphira out for a day, and I will keep Haley and Celestia here. You could review with Eragon and Saphira, while I test the knowledge of Celestia and Haley. I think that is a good idea. Let us now sleep so as to be ready for our energetic pupils. Oromis smiled, and they both went to sleep.
By then everyone was asleep. Eragon, and Saphira, and probably all of the elves. Haley lay awake in bed talking with Celestia about their training tomorrow. Look at how far we have come Celestia. I never dreamed that my life would end up like this. I am not so sure I wanted it to. But if it means I never would have met you, I think I can deal with it. I agree Haley, but I think that now we should get some sleep. They both closed their eyes, and cut off contact, but neither went to sleep for a while.
The next morning Haley and Celestia were up before anyone else in the city. They had breakfast, then both waited patiently for others to awake. About an hour after they woke Eragon came to them. "It is time to go, follow me."
"Do you have any idea what we are going to do?" Haley asked.
"It makes sense that he would want to test your ability. I would probably split us up for a day. They walked in silence the rest of the way. Saphira and Celestia met them at Oromis's.
"As you four have probably already guessed, we are going to split up for the day. Eragon and Saphira will go with Glaedr for a review, and Celestia and Haley will join me. I will be tested your knowledge and ability." The two groups split off, and Haley turned to face Oromis.
"What would you have us do first Master Oromis?" Haley asked.
"For the first half of the day we will test your knowledge, then the second half we will test your fighting, etc. Follow me into the house." Haley followed after him. Oromis took them to the library. Celestia went around back and through the back in order to join them. "First a simple task, to see how your knowledge of the ancient language is. Will you please read this aloud to me?" Haley nodded then read the scroll aloud perfectly. She had no trouble reading what it said. "Can you write also?"
"Yes. I can read and write fluently in English and in the ancient language."
"Do you know how to write in the elven form?"
"Yes. Colmes has been teaching me for years."
"That helps us greatly. Do you know the history of Alagaesia?"
"Yes, Colmes had a huge long book that described the history from the time of the elves, and the dragons, their war and the beginning of the riders to the end of the riders." Haley said.
"Can you recite it for me?" Haley spent a half an hour telling Oromis everything she knew of the history. Oromis had finished testing Haley on what he had planned within three hours. He decided to move on to more specific things. "Can you do magic?"
"Yes. I am part elf, and therefore have been practicing with Colmes for many years now."
"Do you know about the riders and magic?" Oromis asked quietly.
"Yes. And ever since Celestia came to me, my power has grown stronger and stronger."
"Good. Do you know about mental connections?" Haley recited everything she knew about listening to other people, creatures and plant's thoughts. She also knew that you can draw energy from them. Oromis was increasingly impressed with her knowledge. At least on a knowledge base, Celestia and Haley were equal, if not a little bit better than Eragon and Saphira already were. There wasn't going to be any catch up sessions in that subject.
The sun was high when Eragon, Saphira and Glaedr returned. Oromis and Glaedr went off to talk about the day's events. Eragon and Haley talked, while Celestia and Saphira went for a quick hunt. When everyone was back Glaedr spoke to them. Celestia and Saphira, You will come with me, and I will test and review your fighting capabilities. Eragon and Haley, You will go with Oromis. The four pupils bowed their heads in respect, and then went with whom they were told to go.
"Grab your swords, bows and knifes. We will go down to the practice arena." Oromis said before turning to lead them outside. When they arrived at the practice arena Oromis announced that they would be working with swords first. Eragon took out the sword the elves had given him, and Haley took out Aiedail. As soon as Eragon had strapped on his sword he looked up and recognized the elf coming towards him. It was Vanir. Eragon smiled as his old friend approached him.
"Vanir, how good it is to see you again!" Eragon exclaimed.
"And you Eragon. I have been looking forward to meeting you again since I heard you were back. Do not look for an easy fight now that we are friends though." Vanir smiled as they joked.
"Nor should you either. But you will not be fighting me today. I will be practicing with someone else. You will be sparring Haley." Vanir looked confused.
"Haley? Who is that?"
"I am Haley." Haley said as she stepped out from behind Eragon and showed herself.
"Vanir, there is a great story to be told here. Everyone believed that Galbatorix had the last egg right?" Vanir nodded his head, "Haley found another one, hidden in the spine. It hatched for her. A silver dragon named Celestia. You will be testing her abilities with a sword." Vanir's eyes got wide, and he bowed respectfully to Haley.
"It would be my honor to spar with you." Vanir said.
"Let us begin then." Said Oromis patiently.
Eragon and Oromis walked a little ways away. Both Vanir and Haley pulled out their swords. Vanir paused for a moment at the sight of Haley's sword, and the people that were watching whispered and exclaimed in surprise. But Vanir said nothing. He kept his position, and the two began to circle around. Vanir attacked first, aiming for her shoulder, but she blocked his advance easily. He then went right into a swoop, faking low and moving to strike the other side of her. Again, she parried the blow without difficulty. Even Eragon marveled at the ease at which she stopped him. He did not remember it being that easy, and figured it probably looked easier than it actually was. This went on for a couple of minutes, and Vanir clearly was beginning to run out of ideas to penetrate her defense, when Haley changed her position. Instead of parrying, she began to attack. She executed blow after blow, going through the positions and moves fluidly and without hesitation. She attacked and moved faster than Eragon had ever seen someone move. Vanir struggled to keep up with her. This went on for a couple minutes, when abruptly, it was done. Haley twisted Vanir's sword out of his hand, and pointed hers at his throat. Everyone in the arena was silent. Most knew Vanir as the best swordsman in Ellesmera. Very few, Eragon included could beat him, and none that easily. Vanir looked astonished. "Thank you. You are the greatest fighter I have ever met. Perhaps sometime you can teach me how to fight like that." He said as he bowed his head to her.
Next they moved onto the bows. Both started out with short bows. Eragon shot first, hitting the bull's-eye eight out of ten times. Haley shot second. Her movements were faster than Eragon's, but she too hit eight out of ten. Next they moved on to the long bows. Eragon shot seven out of ten, but when it came to Haley's turn she shook her head. "I am sorry, I do not know how to shoot a long bow."
Oromis nodded his head, "That is alright. There will be time to learn that later. In battle a smaller bow will be better anyway." Haley nodded. "Now we will move onto knives." Eragon pulled out his knife, and Haley hers. Again her weapon surprised people. "First we will practice throwing knives." Oromis said. Eragon again thru first, hitting the mark five out of ten times. Haley thru and hit the mark seven out of ten times.
They went thru the rest of the exercises that Oromis wanted the too, then met back up with Glaedr, Saphira, and Celestia. All three of them had saddles on. Eragon and Oromis both mounted their dragons easily and looked at Haley expectantly. "Ok, I am not used to flying yet, so please hold on a moment." Haley looked uncertainly at Celestia. She walked up, Celestia bent down, and swung into the saddle, strapped her legs down like Oromis and Eragon were doing, then looked up expectantly Saphira and Glaedr leapt into the sky, and Celestia followed. Haley truly loved flying. She wasn't an expert at it yet, but she still loved the feeling. Glaedr and Saphira stooped up ahead, and Celestia came to a slow halt. They all heard Glaedr's voice in their heads. This test is mainly for Celestia and Saphira, but for Eragon and Haley too. Celestia and Saphira, I want you to race to peak, around it and back. They all looked toward their left. A few minutes ride from them was as low peak that acted as a great racing turn around. Ready? Three, two, one, Go! Both dragons shot off as fast as they could. At first they were neck and neck, but about half way there Celestia took the lead, and kept widening it. She came around the peak before Saphira was three fourths of the way there, and started to come back. Celestia shot passed Glaedr, then doubled back to join them before Saphira was half way back.
Once they had both caught their breath, Saphira spoke, Celestia, you are truly the fastest dragon there has ever been! I am very happy to have you two as an ally. You are both very gifted. Thank you Saphira. Celestia replied. I agree. It is great to have such a talented pair with us. Eragon seconded. Haley bowed her head in thanks. Glaedr and Oromis asked them to do many things, testing Celestia's ability, as well as knowledge on how best to do as certain task. Although Haley and Celestia had no idea how to do many of the things Oromis and Glaedr asked of them, they improvised well, and in the end didn't do to bad. They all set down, and Eragon and Haley went to go get some food, while Celestia and Saphira took to the skies so as to hunt. Oromis and Glaedr held back a moment to talk about their evaluation of the two. Oromis, I have never seen a dragon fly so fast. It was incredible. Saphira spoke the truth when she called Celestia the fastest dragon. But not only is she fast, but she is one of the largest females I have seen. She is one of the stronger to. Most definitely a prodigy. What of the rider? She is the best swordsman I have ever seen. She walked all over Vanir. She shoots well, she throws well, and she is amazing in hand-to-hand combat. She is fast, strong and smart. But she is not cocky about her talents. I don't think we will need to do much catching up with her. Talent in such a pair can either save us, or bring us down like before.
Please review and tell me what you think.