The battle raged all across the island of Vroengard. Dragons and Riders fell left and right before the overwhelming power of the Forsworn. A lone dragon stood atop a cliff overlooking the ravaged city of Doru Araeba watching the battle unfold. Her midnight blue scales were covered with wounds both new and old. Her eyes will filled with sadness.
They're all gone. My people, my family, everything… gone…
The dragoness took to the sky and flew low over the burning city toward where the last remaining Riders and their dragons were trying to fend off the Forsworn.
Vervada gritted her teeth and spread her wings, flying to where a small group of Riders and dragons had gathered nearby. What greeted her was a sorry sight. The remaining Riders and their dragons were battered and bloodied and clearly on the verge of total defeat. The other Riders were carrying eggs and eldunari into an underground cave. Vervada landed in the center of the group, folding her aching wings.
Vervada… called a nearby voice wearily.
The midnight blue dragoness turned her head and spotted a large white dragon approaching her.
Umaroth, what are you doing? Vervada inquired, looking around.
The battle is lost. We're going to hid what eggs and eldunari we can and seal them deep under the Rock of Kuthian where the traitors won't find them.
Vrael joined his dragon. The elf was wounded, bloodied, and weary.
"Vervada, would you give us your eldunari? You have a great mind and it should be preserved for future generations."
The dragoness shook her head. I'm afraid I can't. I have other plans for my Heart-of-Hearts.
Vrael frowned but nodded. "We plan to ensure that the Forsworn can't find our hidden cache. Once we seal the Vault of Souls, a mind-altering charm will be placed upon the vault erasing any memories of its existence from all who know of it."
Clever. Vervada said.
"Thuviel will ensure that no one comes snooping around or finds the vault by mistake." Vrael said.
Vervada's eyes then fell upon an elf who stood alone nearby. He was the elf who had once been bonded to her dead mate, Iormúngr. The black-haired elf appeared weary and exhausted and his grey eyes reflected sadness.
Thuviel… Vervada said softly, bending her head down until her eyes were level with his.
The elf frowned. "Vervada, you shouldn't have come here."
I came here by my own choice, Thuviel. Iormúngr would never have run and nor will I.
The Riders finished their work and Vrael sealed the Vault of Souls. Turning to Thuviel, the elder Rider said, "You know what to do."
Thuviel nodded slightly. Vrael climbed into Umaroth's saddle and they prepared to take their leave. The white dragon turned his head and looked at Vervada.
Stormcleaver, you should try to flee as well. I doubt there is anything more you can do here.
The midnight blue dragoness shook her head. I can try to buy you some time while you escape.
Umaroth nodded his head in understanding. Very well. Best of luck to you then.
Without another word the white dragon and his Rider took off into the sky, leaving the battle behind.
"Vervada…" Thuviel said quietly. "You should go. You don't have to die here."
Die here or die somewhere else… does it really matter?
"Iormúngr wouldn't want you to throw your life away." Thuviel objected.
Vervada felt a pain in her heart at the mention of her fallen mate.
Thuviel, I know you mean well, but I have no intention of leaving this island. Galbatorix has placed a bounty on my head. No matter where I go the Forsworn will hunt me. I've hidden my eldunari far beyond the borders of Alagaesia but if they capture me and break into my mind, they could learn its location.
Vervada then came up with another idea. You might last longer with a dragon fighting by your side.
Thuviel gazed up at Vervada and she knelt down. It was considered a great honor for a wild dragon to offer someone a ride.
Come and let us fight together for our people, for the Riders, and for Iormúngr."
"For Iormúngr…" the elf repeated as he climbed onto Vervada's back.
There would be no need for a saddle. Once Thuviel had taken his place, Vervada stood up and spread her mighty wings. She crouched down and sprang into the air, flapping her wings and gaining altitude quickly. As the dragoness and her passenger rose above the smoke, they spotted something. Another elf riding on a bulky green dragon was approaching them. Vervada and Thuviel both recognized the elf as Glaerun. As for the dragon, she hadn't bothered to learn his name. They were members of the Forsworn and Vervada instantly felt a terrible rage come over her as she saw the traitors approaching. She thought back to the terrible day when she lost everything.
.
.
.
Vervada soared over the battlefield with several of her followers who had chosen to accompany the Riders and the bonded dragons into battle against the Forsworn. The battle was not going well and both the Riders and wild dragons were taking heavy losses. Then she saw it happen. Glaerun and his dragon appeared. They were flying directly at her. Glaerun wielded a golden Dauthdaert. Ancient and enchanted to make it completely unblockable with magic, the ornate spear was a relic of the war between the elves and the dragons. Glaerun raised the ancient weapon as he prepared to hurdle it at Vervada, but out of nowhere a grey dragon raced past her, directly toward the traitorous Rider and his dragon. Iormúngr and Thuviel raced to intercept Glaerun. With the appearance of the senior dragon and Rider, Glaerun changed targets. As Iormúngr raced toward Glaerun's dragon, the elf released the Dauthdaert. Vervada could only watch in helpless horror as the spear soared right through the wards Thuviel had placed around Iormúngr and embedded itself deep in the grey dragon's chest. Iormúngr let out an agonized roar and fell spiraling from the sky. Thuviel managed to slow their descent with magic as Vervada followed them down. Landing beside her wounded mate, Vervada arrived just in time to see Iormúngr draw his last breath, and she watched as the light left his eyes. They never even got to say goodbye to one another.
.
.
.
Red clouded the female dragon's vision as she glared at her mate's murderer. Glaerun and his dragon had seen her by now. Vervada loosed a fierce roar.
"Well, look who it is!" Glaerun's voice echoed across the battlefield. "Come to join your mate, have you?"
The Forsworn didn't seem to notice Thuviel's presence.
I shall kill you for what you've done! the midnight blue dragoness roared back.
I rather doubt that. Glaerun's dragon taunted.
"Vervada, get close to him. I'll do the rest." Thuviel instructed.
Alright. She replied.
Vervada flapped her wings and made a beeline straight for the green dragon. Glaerun bellowed and hurdled the Dauthdaert at her. In a stunning feat of skill and agility, Vervada banked hard and dodged the Dauthdaert while also giving Thuviel a clear shot. The elf leaped from Vervada's back with his sword drawn. He landed on the back of Glaerun's dragon and attempted to strike the traitor down. Glaerun deflected the blow with his own sword, but Thuviel slashed the straps holding his saddle on and then grabbed Glaerun before falling backwards off the dragon's back and taking the traitor with him. As both Riders fell, Vervada clashed with Glaerun's dragon.
You will die here today, Stormcleaver! bellowed the green dragon.
Then I will take you right along with me! retorted Vervada.
Vervada unleashed a series of blows onto the green dragon, but his size, coupled with the heavy armor he wore, seemed to protect him from any kind of harm. The green dragon chuckled and backhanded the blue dragon away. Vervada recovered and circled around, landing on the larger dragon's back. She tore at the straps holding his armor on until they slapped, and then she bit into the unprotected scales on his back. The green dragon roared and bucked about wildly until he finally managed to dislodge his unwanted passenger. Seemingly undaunted, Vervada attacked again. The dragon clenched his talons around Vervada's throat, choking her.
Do you honestly think you can win this? You're a fool, Vervada, just like your mate!
With that, the green dragon hurdled Vervada toward the ground below. He started down after her and the dragons clashed in midair as they fell, clawing and biting at one another. The green dragon released Vervada and smacked her with his tail as he flew away, sending her spiraling out of control. The dragoness slammed into the side of a destroyed building with bone-crushing force and rolled across the ground. She lay on the ground, overwhelmed by agonizing pain. Several ribs and at least one wing were broken, and Vervada struggled to breath with a collapsed lung. She would never fly again. As she coughed and wheezed, she saw Thuviel and Glaerun dueling nearby. Weary from battle, Thuviel was no match for the Forsworn. He was just barely managing to hold Glaerun at bay. Glaerun's dragon landed nearby, chuckling coldly again.
So this is the best that the mighty "Stormcleaver" can do? I must say I'm rather disappointed. Taunted the green dragon, closing in for the kill. With her injuries, Vervada knew she could no longer keep up the fight. Then a glint of gold nearby caught her eye. Glaerun's Dauthdaert which had missed her earlier, was sticking out of the ground not far away. Forcing herself to her feet, Vervada made her way toward the spear. Glaerun's dragon lunged and tackled her, knocking her to the ground just shy of reaching it.
Do you have any last words? Glaerun's dragon taunted.
You're the fool, traitor! Vervada roared. I am Vervada the Stormcleaver, queen of the dragons, and mate to Iormúngr. But you… you're nothing! After today no one will even remember your name!
Bold words for someone who is about to die! the green dragon roared before clamping his jaws around Vervada's neck. She cried out as she felt his teeth puncture her neck. She turned her eyes back to the Dauthdaert which protruded from the ground nearby and she struggled to reach for it.
Nearby, Glaerun deflected an attack from Thuviel and drew a dagger, stabbing the weary elf in the chest. Seeing Thuviel fall, Vervada strained even harder to reach the Dauthdaert. Glaerun's dragon was crushing her neck in his jaws and she couldn't breathe. She felt her own blood running from the fresh wounds in her neck and her vision was fading. Finally, at long last, one of her talons hooked around the shaft of the Dauthdaert and Vervada grasped the spear on her talons. With a brutal upward thrust, she drove the spear into her attacker's chest, right through his heart. The green dragon's eyes widened in shock and Vervada twisted the Dauthdaert before pulling it back out. Glaerun'd dragon released her and stumbled backwards, stumbling and staggering. He gasped and gagged, swayed in place and fell to the ground before expiring.
Nearby, Glaerun felt the death of his dragon. Turning in utter shock to stare at Vervada, the distraction proved costly. Thuvial, despite being wounded, forced himself to his feet and plunged his blade into Glaerun's back. The traitor cried out and fell.
Vevada forced herself to her feet and started to make her way toward Thuviel. Her whole body ached and she barely had the strength to walk. Blood ran from the wounds on her neck and dripped onto the ground beneath her. Vervada and Thuviel briefly made eye contact before Vervada's legs gave out. Vervada fell to the ground with a thud that shook the ground.
The dragoness lay on the ground, coughing and wheezing as she choked on her own blood. Her strength was gone and her vision began to fade. Her body was failing her. Vervada felt a hand on the side of her face and she knew it was Thuviel standing beside her.
"I'm so sorry, Vervada…" were the words that Thuvial muttered, stroking her with one hand while holding his head over his chest wound with the other.
Don't be. We've avenged Iormúngr death. Now his spirit can rest.
Vervada laid her head on the ground. Her heart fluttered and she knew time had run out.
Thuviel, whatever you had planned, do it now. For Iormúngr.
"For Iormúngr." Thuviel repeated, stepping back from Vervada's side.
The elf threw his hands into the air and used the last of his strength to cast a strange spell. Every atom in is body was converted into pure energy. Vervada saw a blinding flash of light and felt a sudden rush of warmth.
The resulting explosion spread out across the island, instantly vaporizing everything it touched for several miles in all directions. A pillar of fire rose thousands of feet into the sky forming an enormous mushroom cloud. An invisible poison was spread all across Vroengard. Thuviel's sacrifice ensured that no one found the Vault of Souls. As for Vervada, her legacy was one of courage, love, and loyalty. She was a legend in her own time and would never be forgotten. However, her greatest legacy of all was the blue egg she left behind. Her daughter would one day ensure that all the suffering and anguish inflicted by the Forsworn was avenged once and for all.
Oh Verdie... It broke my heart to kill her off like that, but it was inevitable. I must admit I've grown quite attached to the unseen dragons. Saphira I, Jarnunvosk, Morzan's dragon, and of course Vervada. They each have a story to tell.