Ok, maybe I've been a little hard on you guys, instead of 3 reviews with constructive criticism in one, I'll give you just 3 plain reviews.
Inheritance Book 4: End
Chapter 26: The Tale of a boy named Clark
"So, what's your story Eragon? Please, tell me what the heck is going on in Alagaesia these days!" Clark said.
"Well, you better get comfortable then, cause, it's a long story. Also, after I'm done, I want you to tell me your story." Eragon said.
"Of course, I give you my word." Clark said.
"How old are you anyway…?" Eragon asked.
"I'm 14, you?" Clark said.
"16(correct me if I am wrong, I am not currently sure of Eragons age)… at least as far as I can remember, also this leader of the riders story is becoming less believable each second." Eragon said.
"Hey, you think just because I'm a 14 year old (human I might add), that I'm not capable of leading the riders? Is that a challenge?" Clark said.
"How are you supposed to fight with no sword?" Eragon asked.
Clark pulled back a piece of the black robe he was wearing to reveal his sword. It was emerald green with the crest of the word Istalri on it (flame).
"That's ironic…" Eragon said.
"What?" Clark asked.
Eragon showed him the crest on his sword, the one for Brisngr.
"The fire and the flame…" Clark said. "I have to admit that is quite ironic, anyways, back to the challenge."
"No, it wasn't a challenge, maybe we'll have a duel later…" Eragon said.
"I'll hold you to it Eragon, now, I'm comfortable, begin your story please." Clark said.
Eragon began, telling him from his humble beginnings as a farm boy, through an evolution from farm boy to warrior at Farthen Du'r (correct me if I didn't spell that right), His evolution from Warrior to a full-fledged dragon rider, and finally his evolution from Dragon Rider into the powerful Dragon Warrior that he was now.
3 hours past before the story was finished, Clark stayed silent, only asking questions was necessary. When Eragon finished, Clark said nothing. Eragon looked him in the eyes and realized something he hadn't before. Clark's eyes were the eyes not of a child, but the eyes of someone much wiser. Like he… was a lot older then he was. He reflected experience, even though he must have very little. Something told Eragon that Clarks story was no less impressive then his own.
Finally, Clark spoke, "That is quite an impressive story Eragon, and it also seems that you get lucky quite a lot. Anyways, this is very bad. Alagaesia has fallen under the evil influence of a corrupt dragon rider. This must have been what that prophet was talking about."
"What prophet?" Eragon asked.
"O, yes, it is my turn to tell you my story is it not. By the direness of the situation, we do not have a lot of time for me to tell you my story. So, I will try and shorten it to a reasonable length. Ask questions only if necessary please." Clark said.
"Yes, sir…" Eragon said.
Smirking, Clark began his story.
"Well, it all began when I was 2 or 3 years old. I was brought before the dragon eggs offered to all of the children of Alagaesia. There were… three of them I remember. There was a line, and I touched a green one. We heard noises and shrieks as the dragons egg reacted to my touch. They left me in a room with the dragon, to make sure that when it hatched, it touched no one but me. I watched as the little baby dragon hatched out of its egg.
The small green dragon hatched within 2 hours of me touching it. When it hatched, I touched it, and the Gedway Ignasia was burned into my skin, making me a rider.
My training began merely a year later. What they found in me… surprised them. I was more knowledgeable then most children my age. I was the most promising looking rider they'd ever seen in one as young as I was. I advanced quickly, I used magic the next year, and they bought me to an elf to be tutored.
It took me 3 years to completely master all of the skills of a dragon rider. They were extremely surprised, and an elf with 200 years experience challenged me, an 8 year old boy to a duel. Of course, I was defeated by the mere difference in our strength. But, he was surprised at my skill.
That night, I crafted a spell, to make me as strong as an elf without actually being one. It was a long and very complex spell, but it worked. I trained long and hard that night, mastering my new skills. I only got an hour or two of sleep. But, the next morning I challenged the elf, and won.
Anyways, once they realized my skill, they promoted me to a full fledged dragon rider since I had shown such exemplary skill. Of course, someone my age (9 at the time I was promoted) didn't receive much approval from the other riders. But, the next week, I single handedly took out a raid of ten Urgals on a small village.
They began talking to me, and realized that I had knowledge beyond my years. Two years later, I was one of the most respected riders alive. Some said that my potential was born within me, as a sort of special power granted by the gods. I didn't really believe in gods though, the thought made me laugh."
"Old enough to laugh at the gods huh?" Eragon asked jokingly.
Clark chuckled, "Yes, I guess so. But, back to the story."
Clark began anew.
"When I was eleven, there was a small war, caused by an Urgal uprising, where they gathered in force (since I'm so old, your history probably doesn't record that, obviously, it doesn't record the correct timing of the arrival of humans in Alagaesia either, they must have left after I went into the sphere, and the elves must have cut them off from the enchantments. And, eventually, they must have cut themselves off from the dragons. Because, there must have been a second dragon elf war.) and attacked the human, dwarf, and elf kingdom.
For some reason, the riders decided only to dispatch 3 riders to the war. Many people died because of it, including the two riders, who were friends of mine. At the final stage of the war, it was I who ended it. In a final fight in the city of Malastane, the largest manmade fortress of the time. But, even I barely survived.
I came to the leader of the riders, telling him he was corrupt. I challenged him to a duel over control of the riders. He accepted. We fought, I won, and I took control of the riders at age twelve."
"But, there must have been a huge difference in power between you in him, how did you manage it?" Eragon asked.
"In normal times, yes, he may have beaten me. But, power had long corrupted him and made him a fool. I defeated him in a long but harsh battle. Luckily, I didn't have to kill him." Clark said. "But, for being corrupt, he was imprisoned for quite a while."
"That's amazing…" Eragon said.
"Indeed... But, let me finish." Clark said.
Eragon nodded, and Clark began again.
"A year after control of the riders fell to me, I was in Elesmera, and a woman came to me. She claimed she had something important to tell me, so I agreed to meet her. When I asked her what it was, she told me that she was a prophet. She told me, that long long long after I died; a great evil from within our own order would strike against the world. He would strike for the vengeance of his dead dragon, and be driven past insanity by greed and power.
I believed her for the sole reason of the overall truth of all the things she had ever said. We spent one last year setting up a chamber, for me to rest in until I was awakened by a rider to help save the world from the great evil. And, now here I am."
"You've been through a lot Clark. Your dragon is even older then mine. Speaking of them, where are they?" Eragon said.
"Didn't you notice that they went out to talk to each other of times past?" Clark asked.
"Guess I was too wrapped up in telling my story, and hearing yours." Eragon said. While he was doing this, he asked Saphira if she was okay. And she replied with a yes. She seemed to be really drawn to the dragon she had just met. She really liked him. Eragon just hoped she didn't do anything stupid… like the situation with Glaedr. Hopefully she had learned a thing or two.
"Anyways, it is time to depart Eragon my friend. We will fight together to save the land of Alagaesia from the tyranny of Galbatorix!" Clark said drawing and raising his sword. Eragon drew his as well and they crossed blades.
"Indeed we will, we will fight as a team! Now let us go!" Eragon said.
"Yes, let us go." Clark said.
Each with there mouths and their minds, they called there dragons names out.
Eragon yelled for Saphira, while Clark cried out, "Zaelon!"