First time

Two weeks had passed since they arrived on Dis Atilan and the young riders had fallen into an easy rhythm.

They would wake up every day, just before the sun rose and they would run for a couple of hours all together. Training at swords and bows with Octavian came next and then the riders would be split into smaller groups. Some older riders would train with magic, others would be taught history and the ancient language and others would join their dragons in flying. At the end of the day all riders would join again, to do the Rimgar.

Laer and Rikon could already fly with their dragons while Tristan eagerly awaited his own turn and Kayla was indifferent. Absentmindedly he was drawing patterns of wings on his parchment paper which earned him a smack at the back of his head.

"Attention, young rider!" the dwarven master of history and ancient language said and Tristan raised his head only to find the eyes of Grohn, Laer, Rikon, Kayla and Maurine looking at him.

They were in the library, sitting on wooden desks and writing the ancient language symbols. He sighed.

"What is the symbol for the sound 'ah'? Who was the King of Alagaesia before Galbatorix?" the dwarven master, named Mirin, asked.

Tristan felt his mind going blanc.

Is it cheating if I tell you?, Vertigo asked.

You know the answer? Tell me!, Tristan demanded.

The dragon thought about it.

No, it's your lesson.

Cruel.

Oh, why, thank you, Vertigo replied and then Tristan felt the dragon's consciousness slipping further away.

He sighed.

"I don't know" he replied and as he expected, master Mirin looked at him disappointed.

"You will never progress to magic lessons if you cannot, at least, say some phrases and words in the Ancient Language" he warned and shook his head. "From now on, it is best to converse amongst yourselves using the Language of the elven kin rather than the common tongue"

Sighs of exasperation echoed around the room and their lesson continued. Even though Tristan found sparring, archery and even the Rimgar exciting, history lessons were nothing but boring to him. Rikon and Laer on the other hand, seemed to be enjoying them, while Kayla was indifferent to them and everything else.

When the lesson came to an end he was happy to leave the library and head to Maud's wooden hut. It was quite relaxing to look at the sun setting every evening as he concentrated on staying still and then completing the first stage of Rimgar.

On their way back to their dorms he saw Vertigo sitting atop a big oak tree. He found it strange not to see the rest of the dragons with him.

What are you doing?, he asked his grey-blue dragon.

Vertigo smirked and moved his wings, which glittered silver.

Waiting for you.

Perplexed Tristan headed to his dragon's direction.

"I will catch up with you guys, later" he said to Laer and Kayla when the two riders shot him questioning looks.

He run to where the tall oak tree was and was happy to find that he did not need to catch his breath when he stopped.

How are you able to stand on top of the tree and not fall?, he asked his dragon who looked down. At that moment, Vertigo very much reminded him of a tiger waiting for its prey, as he moved his dark blue tail from side to side.

Wait… You think only the riders have to practise agility? Our lessons do not involve just flying, you know. You should pay more attention, Vertigo said and smirked.

I pay attention… But only at the exciting parts…

Like flying?, his dragon asked.

Exactly, Tristan nodded.

Vertigo moved his tail again and Tristan studied the dragon. He had grown more during their time here but his shape was different to other dragons. Onyx and Fiord were rounder around their belly while Vertigo was long and lean almost like Aiedail and Adrian's dragon. His wings had grown as well and he noticed that feathers covered the top part of them while a thin silver membrane was at the bottom.

His dragon wasn't the only one who had changed. Tristan was changing as well. His body was leaner, stronger and more agile than before, his ears were starting to get pointy and his wavy, dirty blond hair had grown, now reaching his chin. It was annoying to train when it was falling in front of his eyes but instead of cutting it, he had decided to fashion it into thick bangs and braids.

He moved one braid to the side and looked at Vertigo again, who was studying him carefully.

What?, he asked perplexed.

Are you not going to join me?

You mean to the top of the tree?

For starters, yes, Vertigo said and chuckled. Tristan sighed and started climbing on the tree, holding tightly on the strong branches.

As soon as he reached the place where Vertigo was, he looked down. Even though there wasn't such a big distance from him to the ground he felt his blood going cold.

The dragon looked at him, an amused expression on his face.

You can sit on my back, you know, Vertigo said and Tristan realised what the dragon had in mind.

He felt his heart racing inside his chest and jumped on the dragon's back, trying to contain his excitement.

Are you ready? Vertigo asked as Tristan pressed his thighs around the dragon's neck at the spot just above his back.

Yes, he replied unsteadily and felt the dragon flexing his wings and walking to the edge of the tree.

Prepare yourself!, Vertigo shouted as he let go of the tree and dropped to the ground. At the last minute he opened his silver wings and rose to the sky.

He wasn't going fast but Tristan held on tightly, regardless. As they rose higher he could see the landscape of the island and the buildings around. It was a beautiful sight to behold, as green gave way to grey and then red as they flew close to the volcano.

Tristan dared to look inside and saw the dark blood red liquid boiling. He held tighter. Often a sense of dizziness would overcome him if he looked down for too long, but then he would concentrate on the dragon's scales instead and it would pass.

The inside of his thighs started aching as the skin of his legs rubbed against Vertigo's rough scales.

Suddenly the dragon decided to increase their speed. Whereas before they were flying in a leisurely pace, now he was flapping his wings fast and Tristan could feel the whoosh of air. They passed the edge of the highest mountain so fast and so close that Tristan had been certain Vertigo would slice his lower body against it. Instead of decreasing his speed though, the dragon only went faster and faster.

Vertigo!

Hmm?

I think you might be going a bit too fast…

Ha! Nonsense!, he said and quickly ducked to the side only to correct his course seconds later. This was however enough for Tristan to almost slip from the dragon's back and he held on Vertigo's thorns tightly. His face must have paled and his stomach lurched as he swallowed bile.

Oops, the dragon said as Tristan saw the landscape soaring past him in a speed he was sure was not ordinary, even for creatures of the air.

I think… I think we need to stop, Tristan whispered as he felt bile rising in his throat again.

Okay, Vertigo simply said and just like that, he faced the ground, put his wings against his back and fell.

Tristan would have screamed if he could but they were dropping in such a fast rate that he could only gawk.

The land rushed to meet them but just at the last moment Vertigo extended his wings and rose upwards. They floated in a straight line for a few moments before the dragon landed back on land.

Tristan crumbled on the earth and puked at least three times before he rose again. The feeling of vertigo still clung to him but he tried to ignore it.

Vertigo winked at him.

It was good wasn't it?

I believe we have a different definition of the word good.

The dragon chuckled and Tristan wiped his mouth.

Do you always fly in this way?

If I get the chance, yes.

Can you try for a steadier ride, next time?

I can try but I am not making any promises.

Tristan tsked and shook his head as another wave of vertigo came to him and he threw up.

Why, oh why did I have to name you like this?, Tristan asked both himself and the dragon.

Hey, I have a beautiful name! Besides, it's not my fault that you are afraid of heights, he said defensively.

Tristan groaned.

You were not supposed to find out!

Yes and you did an amazing job of hiding it from me, Vertigo said and chuckled again. Then he looked at him sternly. Seriously though, you need to protect your thoughts better. Try to remember what you get taught in the agility, ancient language and history lessons as well. They might come in handy at some point.

Doubtful, Tristan said and smiled lazily.

Do you want to learn how to use magic?

Of course.

Then you need to progress to the next level.

At the moment I can't even lift a rock. Kayla lifted a whole river, Rikon has been doing great and even Laer managed to get a rock to tremble slightly the other day. When I look at a rock it does nothing for me, Tristan said and sighed exasperated.

Maybe you are not trying hard enough.

Yes, because it's boring.

You have your answer then.

As Vertigo flew back to the human dorms, Tristan mulled over his thoughts.

Tomorrow. Tomorrow, I will try harder, he promised both to himself and Vertigo.

…

"Stenr Reisa" Laer said gently to the rock he was holding in his right hand. The object trembled and then rose.

Satisfied he placed the rock back onto the ground.

"Was that the first time you managed to get it to rise?" Kayla asked, curious, her hair falling in front of her eyes. Annoyed she pulled it back and tied it into a ponytail.

They were having supper outside of the human dorm and they were alone, since Tristan had decided to stay with Vertigo and Gwen and Gas were busy running some errands. Usually they had supper with other riders as well, like Rikon, Maurine and Grohn. The last two had only been in Dis Atilan a year, so they were closer to them in terms of both training and age. Maurine was sweet and shy and Kayla had taken an instant liking to the girl.

When they sparred, Maurine was gentler than the rest of the riders as well. However she still beat Kayla every time as the human knew nothing about swords, arrows or wrestling.

"Indeed. I am guessing you have not tried using magic?" Laer asked her, bringing her back from her trail of thoughts. A wind blew a few hair strands in front of his eyes.

Kayla shivered, even though the wind wasn't cold. Autumn was approaching and the temperatures were dropping but they were still able to sit outside. Lower temperatures and a few clouds also helped in terms of running because the sun wasn't always burning their skin.

Laer tied his straight, black hair into a ponytail and Kayla noticed his ears had sharp angles, almost like elven ears. He noticed her looking at him and he smiled.

"So?" he asked again, bringing her back from her thoughts.

"Yes, you are correct, I have not practised any magic. Until the times comes when we will have magic lessons I don't think it's necessary for me to practise" she replied and looked at the sky.

She noticed that the moon was half full and clouds were hiding part of it.

Laer laughed and she looked at him surprised. She wasn't sure she had ever heard him laugh.

"A bit overconfident?" he asked her but not unkindly. Kayla shook her head.

"I did not mean it in this way. I just don't want to use magic if I don't have to" she replied.

Laer studied her for a few seconds. Somewhere, above them, Aiedail and Onyx were flying as well, repeating what they had learnt from their lessons.

"In the same way that you won't talk to Aiedail, or won't spar or won't study the Ancient Language unless you have to" he replied and for a brief moment Kayla was surprised by his insight.

She looked at him and for a second his eyes appeared golden rather than black. Then he looked away.

"It's something you don't like, I can tell, but at least make an effort" he said and picked the rock he had been holding before.

"Why?" Kayla asked him, her tone serious. She desperately wanted a reason why she should be doing any of this. She did not like it and it was just something she had to do, a chore.

"We only get one chance in life, Kayla. Do you want to spend the rest of yours doing something just because you have to?"

She stayed silent for a bit.

"There must be something you enjoy, even a little, in your training" he added and smiled to her.

Kayla looked at the sky again, thoughtful.

"I like magic. I like the feeling of it, of using it, even though I know it's dangerous" she replied and bit her lower lip.

"Magic is a weapon and a tool like a sword. Everything in the wrong hands and without the proper amount of training can turn deadly. But if you practise…" he said and passed her the rock he had been holding "…then you can do the most amazing things"

Laer had been holding another rock and he whispered the words of the ancient language. The rock rose.

Kayla stared at her rock and then repeated the words, closing her eyes. She felt the flow of energy but this time she did not stop it and welcomed it. The energy was like a tendril, moving and dancing, taking the shape she wanted it to.

"Open your eyes, Kayla. Slowly" Laer whispered in her ear and as she did so, she noticed that not only her rock had risen but also all the rocks that were around them in a five meter radiance.

A feeling of terror begun to seize her but Laer put his hands over her shoulders.

"Shh...Trust in your abilities. Gently" he said and Kayla took in a deep breath of air. The rocks remained were they were.

"Now release your hold on magic. Slowly" he said and she did exactly that, watching the rocks return to their previous position. When they were on the ground she let herself relax and realised with satisfaction that not only had she managed to have complete control over the magic but also she did not feel drained afterwards.

"I did it" she simply said and looked at Laer who was smiling back to her. "How did you know what things I needed to do in order…?"

Someone was running to the human dorm and they both turned their attention towards it. Tristan stopped, only a few centimetres away from them and then puked on the side.

Kayla rose from her sit and looked at him, concerned. He shook his head quickly.

"First flight? Not fun" he replied as they heard Vertigo's satisfied growl.

A/N: Don't forget to leave reviews, follow/fav, you know the drill! It will only take a minute and keep me going :) !