Collin brought me back to my room and left on what he called business, but I knew he was lying, he had a habit of doing that to me. He said he would come back shortly to take me to a council meeting. I chose to take a nap in my comfy bed and it was amazing while Luna huffed impatiently, she wanted to go out and see Alagaesia but apparently we were not even allowed outside the castle without an escort.
After my short slumber, I took my clothes out of the bags and put them in the closet. I wanted to brighten up my room trying to make it my own, but I didn't bring anything of my belongings with me beside my clothes. I put my laptop on the dresser and went to plug it in when I saw there were no outlets in the room. I was panicking as I searched the wall for a plug in, but their was only rock. How will I charge my computer? My phone?! What happens when my phone dies?! WHAT WILL I DO? How does Collin's phone still have battery? How do we even get connection here, there are no towers or anything?
A knock on the door almost made me drop my computer, but I gripped it tightly. "Hello?," I asked.
"Rider Alyson, you are summoned by the Council," a small voice replied.
"Hold on," I set my computer on the desk and opened the door and smiled when I saw Ertra," Hey Ertra!"
"Hello, Rider," she smiled and entered the room," I am here to see if you need any assistance."
I shrugged," No, I'm good."
Ertra scanned me with a disapproving look," Are you sure that is what you wish to wear?"
I glanced down, I was wearing skinny jeans with a white tank top and a gray cover up. "I think I'll be okay. What do you think? Its causal but I don't look I rolled out of bed, right?."
"It is quite unusual, but if it is what you wish to wear, I will not object."
"Okay. So, I thought Collin was coming to get me?"
"That was planned, yes. But now the meeting has been rescheduled to a sooner time so Rider Collin is occupied with duties. They have sent me to summon you."
"That's cool. Let's go! Ready Luna?"
"I am ready to uncover the meaning of this meeting," she stood.
Ertra seemed dazed and looked like she was going to fall over," Are you okay?," I asked her.
"I will never get used to the voices entering my mind. It is so strange," she smiled.
I giggled," Yeah, it takes some getting used to."
"Forgive me, Ertra. I did not mean to startle you," Luna apologized.
"No! Oh, no! you need not apologize to me Dragon Luna! It is all my fault," Ertra said quickly. "Are you ready to leave, Rider Alyson?"
"Yeah, let's go, but first," I went and opened the window," Luna can meet us downstairs right?"
"The council commences on the 5th floor usually, but I am lead to believe that we will be meeting in the ballroom this evening."
"Great, See you down there," I said to Luna as she leapt out into the early evening air.
Ertra and I walked down the stairs to the ballroom, the same place I had my party the other night. Luna was sitting at the door and when I was about to push open the doors to go in Ertra stopped me.
"This is where I leave you, Rider Alyson."
"Oh, you don't go into the meetings?"
Ertra scoffed," Me? I am nothing but old lady, I have no purpose in there. It would make me mad, politics are not the place for me."
"Oh... okay. Thank you, Ertra."
"Of course, Rider Alyson," she turned and scurried off down the hall.
I turned to Luna," I hate these doors, all they do is make me anxious."
"Fear not, my Acorn. I am beside you."
I took a deep breath and pushed the large wooden door open and it was just as horrifying as I thought it would have been. All eyes turned to me and Luna, and I could feel my hands turn cold and clammy. Luna stepped through next to me and held her head highly like she always did, she was never embarrassed or ashamed. The ball room seems much bigger now that it was mostly empty, the stage at the end of the room was the same and that was were everyone was. What I assumed to be the council was sitting in the seats like they had been at the Ball while all the riders were lined up in front of them next to their dragon.
Collin and Razor were at the far most right, next was Ashley and Diamond, then Serena and Verona, lastly was a boy I had never seen before standing next to a fairly large green dragon. He was about as tall as me with short brown hair that was styled as a bowl cut, he had glasses and was heavier than me. Matt? The row of chairs was just like the ones that had been at the arena the day I arrived, except now here were two giant dragons on either side of the stage. One I identified as Saphira, the other was a light green.
"Rider Alyson," a loud voice snapped my attention to the Queen. "Could you join us, please?"
I jumped and quickly walked down the stairs and rushed to the open spot next to the green dragon and stood there without looking up to the council.
Luna stood beside me," Be not afraid," she said softly. I raised my head to look at all the people sitting in the chairs before me, I saw that the chair beside the Queen was now occupied by a man. He was incredibly handsome but I could tell he was older by his eyes, they seemed so sad and filled with memories of sorrow. I knew that the chair on Queen Nasuada's other side was the elf Queen Arya, then beside her the chair was empty followed by the Dwarf King Orik. Next to Eragon was also empty which was confusing, why are some people missing?
"Thank you, Rider Alyson. I am pleased to have you all here," Queen Nasuada smiled. "We have some very important topics to talk about, but before we do, I think that the council should introduce ourselves to be known by all. I will go first: I am High Queen Nasuada, ruler of all of Alagaesia."
Arya stood gracefully," I am Arya Dröttningu, the Queen of the elfish population and Rider of the dragon Firnen," she sat down.
"I suppose that it's my turn," the dwarf stood," I am King Orik from Tronjheim ," he shuffled his feet momentarily before sitting back down.
All eyes turned to the man sitting beside Queen Nasuada, he stood up and cleared his throat. "I am Eragon Kingkiller, Rider of Saphira and defender of Alagaesia."
My jaw dropped, ERAGON!? THE REAL LIFE ERAGON!? ... OH MY GOD! He is gorgeous, what is he like 500 years old or something!? HOLY SHIT! I can't believe he is real!
"Very good," Nasuada said," Now we are to address the matter of this council. I will remind our guests that this council is private and any information revealed is to stay within these wall," she looked to us making sure we nodded in agreement. "I'm sure there are a few who are puzzled by their attendance here, I will enlighten you of the predicament at hand. You all know of Tarathi, the mad elf who opened the portal between Alagaesia and Earth, he is the same elf that blessed you with the title of Riders. Once he was banished to the other realm, I made the executive decision to seize all of his work to keep in safe hands. Tarathi was very unusual and wrote all of his notes and journals in code, one which none had seen before. No one could crack his code, until Rider Matthew joined us," she smiled.
I turned to the boy and I saw his cheeks deepen to a crimson red," Thank you Queen."
"Now that we can read his work, new information has been given to us. Information that troubles the council as well as myself. Matthew, could you please tell your fellow Riders of your discovery."
"Certainty," Matthew stepped forward and turned to look at us," It is with a heavy heart I inform you, my fellow Riders of Earth of the curse we bear. Tarathi was beyond foaming at the mouth when he formed his plan to steal dragon eggs, but no one stopped and questioned why he did it. We now know that Tarahti stole these eggs to cast a spell on them."
"A spell? What do you mean?," Collin asked.
"A binding spell," Matthew clarified. "A spell that when the dragon hatched for it's rider that their bond would be strong, stronger than any other. In theory, this spell allows the Rider to bind with more than one dragon."
"Wait?! WHAT!?," Serena shook her head is disbelief.
"Thank you Matthew," the Queen dismissed him, "Are we all familiar with the tale of Skulblaka Ebrithil [1]?"
All other Riders nodded except me, How was I supposed to know this story? I just got here like 2 days ago!
"The tale of Skulblaka Ebrithil is a mythical story that tells of a Rider before the death of dragons who bonded with many. He had his own army of dragons, all faithful to him, all connected with mind and soul. It was said his body was covered from head to toe and that it shone like the sun from his many gedwëy ignasias[2]. But his life was full of pain and agony, he could never show all of his affection to his dragons. The fear of neglecting his companions was too much for the Rider to bear, he took his own life and with that he took every dragon bounded to him as well."
"That's terrible," I said softly.
"Unspeakable," Luna confirmed.
Ashley interrupted," I'm sorry my Queen, but this is impossible! A rider can only be bound to one dragon, it has been that way since the existence of Dragons. We have all heard the tale and seen it to be false."
"Yes, Rider Ashley, this has been the case with all dragon eggs that have hatched without a spell attached. This is the first time in our history that an egg has hatched with a binding spell. Tarathi made this spell himself, so it is impossible for any other egg to have this same spell attached."
"Are you saying that we can bind to another dragon!?," Ashley squeaked.
"It is possible," Eragon spoke," but only to other eggs that have been casted upon. In normal circumstances, a dragon in an egg can tell when a presences is bound to another, but with this spell the hatchling cannot feel the connection so it my hatch."
"But you just said that no other eggs could possibly have the spell attached!," Serena crossed her arms.
The ballroom rang with silence we all stood there in dismay, What? What does this mean?
"Luna does this mean you're sick?," I turned to her worried.
Luna looked shocked and unsettled," No... it means that I am cursed."
"Cursed?" I turned to the council," How do we undo it? Can we turn it off or something?"
"It is not that simple," Arya sighed.
"How do we know for sure our dragons are casted upon?," Collin asked.
"We cannot be certain that Tarathi followed through with his goal to cast on your eggs, but I believe it is so."
"Why?," I asked without hesitation.
"Matthew decoded some of Tarathi's journals which spoke of how to determine who would be the Skulblaka Ebrithil. The first identifier would be the gedwëy ignasia, he said it was to look like a cut across the palm... which you all have."
I held out my hand to see my mark, it looked like a faded scar except for it's white tinge.
"That means nothing!," Serena defended. " All gedwëy ignasia are different, it varies from Rider to Rider."
"If that is true, why do ours all match exactly?," Matthew said quietly holding out his hand. I squinted to his mark, it was simple green line slicing through his palm, just like mine.
"You all forget the most important thing said so far that Rider Serena has mentioned," Razor said loudly. "Tarathi only stole 6 dragon eggs, all eggs have hatched and been accounted for. There is no way for any of you to steal a dragon away from their Rider. No more eggs means that there is no chance of a Skulblaka Ebrithil."
"That's true," Ashley said then she looked up to the Queen who looked calm and collected but Ashley kept staring," but... they wouldn't be telling us this if there weren't more eggs that could hatch."
Arya spoke confidently," It is with great misfortune we reveal a secret that has been kept for hundreds of years. This information is sensitive and not to leave this room. Tarathi stole 6 eggs from Eragon before his departure, this is known by all but we neglected to mention that on the same day 4 other eggs were taken from the Vault of Souls."
"What?! That's impossible!," Collin shouted.
"How did he do that?," Serena asked.
"We are still unaware of his methods," Eragon said," all we know is that he did it, he left behind his knife to mock us. We were reluctant to tell this to the public so as to not cause a panic, so we chose to only reveal that 6 had been taken."
"So does this mean that there are more Riders from Earth?," I asked.
"No. Tarathi did not send the remaining 4 eggs to the other world, he hid them throughout Alagaesia."
"How do you know this?," Ashley asked.
"When I traveled to Earth, I took all of Tarathi's belonging from Alagaesia, including his maps. There was one that had been marked in various location, but they meant nothing so I ignored their meaning, but now it is believed that this is where he has hidden the last eggs."
"A marked map is not enough evidence to say with certainty that the eggs are here!," Collin was fuming.
"Know your place, boy," Orik said without so much as glancing at Collin.
"I discern all of your turmoil but I assure you that I would not be telling you this if I was not sure of it's certainty," The Queen said.
"I am positive that all eggs have been returned to Alagaesia," Eragon concurred.
"How?," Serena asked.
"When we went through the portal the first time and landed, I could feel Alagaesia with me, it's essence, it's history and life. I knew that Tarathi had taken magic and the eggs here. You did not know this Rider Collin, but every time you brought a Rider home, I would travel back and I could always feel Alagaesian magic was still trapped in that world. The day the Final Rider came through the portal I went back and that world felt dead, there was no life left. Alagaesia is no longer bound to that world, the eggs have to be here there is no where else he could have taken them."
"I still don't get it," Serena shook her head," There are four more eggs with binding spells, right? How do we know they haven't been found or hatched for someone else? Even if they are still unhatched, why would it matter? None of us wish to connect with another dragon! The Rider from the legend was driven mad from his connections, why would we chose that for ourselves!?"
"It is true," Nasuada said quietly," We are unsure if these eggs are there or if they even exist, but it is something that needs to be taken care of for the safety of Alagaesia. We cannot let this knowledge be known by all, it is dangerous. I know that some do not approve of my reign as Queen, I am aware of the plots behind my back to overthrow my kingdom and if my enemies found this out, we would be lost."
"I respect this, my Queen, but I don't want to go anywhere near these eggs. I will not break my bond with Razor for the satisfaction of Alagaesia," Collin stated sternly.
"Rider Collin, I hear your cry. I empathize with the confusion you must be feeling along with the terror of losing your partner of mind and soul. But nowhere does it say you will break your bond with your previous dragon," Matthew said. "It will only make your bond stronger."
"So you want this, Matt? You want to be the Skulblaka Ebrithil? Are you that selfish?!"
"It has nothing to do with being selfish! I will do what I must to keep Alagaesia safe! Beloiuhn and I are in agreement of what this may mean for us, but is not about us, it is about Alagaesia."
"You sound insane!," Ashley shrieked. "Alagaesia is not in danger with this! No one even knows that Tarathi has done this!"
"If someone gets one of those dragons to hatch and connects with the rest of them, they will be unstoppable. The power of 4 dragons at their fingertips, we will be doomed!," Matthew shouted.
"Enough," Nasuada silenced them. "This was not meant to scare you or to cause petty fights. This is to let you know what I have learned: That there is a possibility of a quest here. I need these eggs to be found and brought back. Rider Collin, you have been pestering the head trainer for a journey of your own and now that I grant your wish you disapprove?
"No, Queen, it is not that I a disapprove but this is... this is... this is crazy."
"You can't possibly ask us to do this?," Serena looked to be on the verge of tears.
"We are not asking you," Arya said bluntly. "We are not demanding either. We thought it best to inform you that this is a very possible destiny for you. One of you may be a Skulblaka Ebrithil, the first Skulblaka Ebrithil ever."
"You must remember how this shock is new to them, Arya. We have known of this for many months now and they have only known for minutes," a deep voice said.
"Yes, Firnen. I know, but they cower away from the destiny bestowed on them. It is not the Rider way."
"Arya is right, there is no running form one's destiny," the Queen nodded," But it is only a destiny for one of you. There can only be one Skulblaka Ebrithil, so this may be a ray of hope in the void."
"There is still a 20% percent chance that it could happen!," Serena was obviously frustrated.
"Actually is quite less than 20%," Matthew interrupted," We must factor in if these eggs have been casted upon, if they are even still eggs, and that narrows the chances considerably."
"Tarathi was no fool," Eragon said quietly," If he had wanted this eggs to remain hidden, they would have. He would have not hidden just any egg either, they are casted upon I have no doubt."
"What would this do to the Dragons," Diamond asked," If Ashely binds to another dragon, will I also be bound to that dragon?"
"That is a good question. Matthew, is this said," The Queen turned to Matthew.
"It is not said what the Dragons will feel, only that the Rider will be connected to both at the same time."
"How do we find out who will become the Skulblaka Ebrithil?," Serena looked to the council.
"There are many stages, the first being the gedwëy ignasia," Arya replied.
"So, right now we all qualify to be that Skulbulba Ebrithil?," I observed and Matthew chuckled beside me.
I saw Eragon's mouth twitch into a smile while Arya turned to be with slanted fierce eyes," Yes. All of you have the potential to be the Skulblaka Ebrithil."
I glared at Matthew, Oh! I'M FUCKING SORRY I DON'T KNOW THIS FUCKING WIERD LANGUAGE! FUCK YOU, YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE DICKFACE MOTHERFUCKER! Go fuck yourself! What makes you so great? You can crack weird codes and shit? Codes of a crazy elf which makes you just as crazy you rude bastard!
"Acorn..."
I turned and Arya and Eragon looking at me with eyes of shock while Nasuada and Orik didn't notice me at all. Saphira had her blue eyes set of me along with Firnen, the large green dragon.
"Shit... They can hear me thoughts. I forgot."
"Try to calm yourself," Luna advised.
"Yeah," I faced the floor to avoid their stares.
"There are many criteria to be the Skulblaka Ebrithil which Tarahti wrote in the form of a riddle. Matthew, could you recite it please?," Nasuada asked leaning into her chair.
"Yes, my Queen. The riddle states: A lies is never told when his name is said, the dragon master fills the hearts of his enemies with dread. He will rule of Alagaesia's domain as long as nature courses through his veins."
"So it's a guy! Not a girl!," Ashley jumped with joy.
"From what we know, Tarathi had no control over the gender of the Rider," Eragon stated.
"That poem is useless! It tells us nothing!," Verona huffed.
"He rhymed is really well, how did he do that if he didn't know English?," I asked Luna.
"That is a question that deserves an answer. Ask the council."
"How did-...," I began but was cut off by Collin.
"There is no way to tell who the Skulblaka Ebrithil is, is there?"
"All we have are the ramblings of a mad elf, Collin. This was all he said about it," Matthew defended.
"I know, it's not your fault Matt, but this doesn't help us at all. Half of the stuff in there says what happens after we know who he is!"
"Riders," Nasuada lifted a hand to silence them," The night grows old and tomorrow will be an early day for you all. I know you disapprove of the quest, but I will send all five of you to retrieve the first egg."
"What!?," Collin was in a rage," That is completely unnecessary. I can retrieve the egg on my on without trouble; Razor and I could leave tonight and have it back within the next 3 days."
"Rider Collin, we all know of our valor and strength and I thank you for your bold opposition but I have decided that all of you will go with the guidance of our finest escort."
"Your majesty, why would we take so many people on such a simple quest?," Serena asked.
"In partial, it is for the safety of the egg's return but it is mainly due to the fact that this is no simple task, Rider Serena. This is crucial to the safety of Alagaesia, if an enemy got a hold of those eggs and learned this spell, we could all be lost."
"Eragon and myself were wishing to accompany you all but the council thought it would draw unneeded attention to the mission," Arya said," So we chose the top trainees in the academy: Rider Ariana and Rider Quinten to escort you all safely to and from the first egg."
"Quinten? Really Queen Nasuada? I am sorry for my outburst but you know I can't stand him," Collin gritted his teeth.
"Yes, I know of the quarrel between you and Rider Quinten and what happened was most unfortunate but you will need his help if you are to get there and back, especially since I request that you leave your dragons here while you venture out for the egg."
"WHAT?! This is getting ridiculous!," Ashley shouted. "First you say we could be a dragon master which could ruin our lives, then you make us go and find the stupid egg that could ruin our lives, but OH WAIT now you cant go with your dragon! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, but... No, I can't."
"These are not the Riders for the job, Queen Nasuada," Orik said casually.
"Really? Why do you think, King Orik?"
"They quiver with fear standing here, they do not seek the thrill of adventure like I believed them to. They are too attached to their dragons, I remember Eragon going on journey's alone without the help of Saphira, it was what needed to be done and he did it. I think we should just send Quinten and Ariana to retrieve the egg, it would be less hassle."
"That is true," Nasuada nodded," Yes," she turned back to Ashley. "King Orik says you are incapable of doing this, is that so?"
"No," Ashley's lip quivered," I can do it, but I don't think it's a good idea. I want nothing to do with that egg. Why don't we just find it and put it in the vault and wait for it to hatch for someone else?"
"That was an idea that we had discussed," Arya admitted," But it would only increase the chances of Skulblaka Ebrithil, the council prefers it to be one of you."
"I must say that I too am ashamed of the lack of courage shown here," Eragon sighed. "What surprises me most is that the newest member, The Final Rider, has yet to say a word against this journey and she had been here mere number of days."
I looked the ground and shuffled my feet," Thank you," I squeaked.
"That is remarkable," Orik disclosed," I figured her to be the first to say no, but instead it is Rider Collin and Rider Ashley."
"I did not refuse," Collin defended himself. "I accept the terms of this quest and promise to bring the egg back to the castle safely."
The Queen smiled and nodded, Does that mean that Collin is the only one going? Do I have to go?
Next Matthew stepped forward," My Queen, I graciously accept this challenge."
So Matthew and Collin. Cool.
The Queen's gaze rested on Ashley and Serena who both were looking elsewhere," I will not force any of you to go, do as our heart pleases. Do you reject this offer, Rider Serena?"
Serena pursed her lips and looked at the Queen," Yes, your majesty."
"And you, Rider Ashley."
Ashley crossed her arms," Yes, I will go."
All eyes turned to me and I swallowed the fear building up inside of me.
"Rider Alyson," The Queen smiled her gut wrenching smile," The Final Rider of Earth, will you accompany your fellow Riders to find this egg?"
My sweat was building and my temperature was climbing as I shuffled my feet. Alagaesia is dangerous and I could die! Luna can't come and I will be stuck with Collin and Quinten arguing while Collin kisses Ashley all the time. I don't think I'm allowed to say no even if this is the worst idea ever...
I turned to Luna who faced me and gave me a small smile," Find the egg," she said.
I looked back to the council," Sure."
[1]- Dragon Master
[2]- Shining palm (shows the bond between Rider and Dragon.)
REALLY LONG! I know, I'm sorry. I just wanted to do the council meeting all in one chapter and not drag. What do you think? I mean, I like it but I wrote it so that doesn't say much. Tell me how you feel about it and how I portrayed the original characters, I love the feedback.
Thank you so much for reading! Thank you!
