My other fanfic of this series, The Mighty Fall, was actually written after the first ten or so chapters of this story. So some original characters can be found in both stories.
(Lavel)
The high ridge exposed them to the bright sun which acted to shield Lavel and Vasem from the early winter chill. A steady breeze blew, trying to freeze the pair, but neither cared as magic and internal heat joined by the sun counteracted the winds. They stood facing the grand city, Doru Araeba, far below and surrounding the stream-filled lake at the center of the valley. A city they have been to a few times already in their training.
It was a sheer stroke of luck that they had been ordered here by their teachers, the human Rider Ordell and his regal black female dragon Kuramre, only a day before their second home, Ilirea, had been attacked by the traitors. Sheer luck that in their second chance together, they had not experienced more violence, more conflict. They were here for a proper tour, not for refuge, though the latter has become their reality.
"It feels odd that we have not been assigned new teachers," Vasem solemnly said. "Hopefully we'll receive some guidance today. And maybe some information as to why so many Riders died in Ilirea, including Ordell and Kuramre. They were very accomplished for their age, and I miss them."
Earlier in the day, Lavel had received a note from elder Rider Nierya and her dragon Sharjarth to meet on one of the higher ridges on the north side of the valley. The names always stirred a confused pot of emotion within Lavel. Nierya is his Alagaësian mother, and another elf, Thel, is his Alagaësian father. But they were not his true parents; they were not Mama and Papa back in Dosjorya. He still loved Nierya and Thel as any elven child would, but there was always confusion. Did loving them mean he was forgetting his first parents? Was loving his first parents a slight against Nierya and Thel? He did not know. No one had answers for him.
Vasem's egg had been laid by Sharjarth the same day Lavel was born. Vasem, by virtue of his original and current forms, did not share the same confusing thoughts. Oundats never cared much for their parents and dragons cared but not deeply.
Closing his eyes, Lavel cleared his mind and let himself settle down. It did not take him long. Young as he is, he is now an elf and a Rider, both of which had better control over their minds and emotions than humans.
Before long, the Rider and dragon noticed Sharjarth's lavender bulk rise from the shining city, followed by a much smaller aquamarine dragon barely large enough to be bonded to a Rider in full rather than an apprentice. Neither dragon was in any hurry to reach them. Lavel, even with his good eyesight, could not make out their Riders yet.
"That dragon better not antagonize me for my less glittery scales or my black stripes. I hate the dragons who think their shade of color is better than other dragons of that color. Any blue dragon thinks they look better than me. All are so vain and prideful."
Lavel patted Vasem's flank and let his fingers glide over Vasem's nearly smooth scales. "That was only a couple of blue dragons that did that, and they were quite young. They'll outgrow it in time. My opinion matters more than theirs, and I think you look like a patch of wild blue sky paying homage to Dosjorya. Besides, I can sit on your back without a saddle and not get torn up."
Vasem snorted in response. "This one is young too." But Lavel could feel Vasem's joy at the praise.
"Relax. Sharjarth will keep it in line. Just behave yourself in the meantime."
Still, the Rider could feel Vasem's annoyance return. They were outsiders of a sort, the only known inhabitants in Alagaësia that had experienced reincarnation and remembered and bore traits of their previous life. They were targets for questions by those who had no idea and then targets for accusations by those who did not believe them. Vasem stood out as a very unusual-looking dragon, and Lavel stood out as an unusual thinking elf. But they were what they were, and neither would change a thing.
And beyond that, they both felt an unknown source of dread, though it was likely related to the attack on Ilirea. Something was afoot, something to do with the traitors who decided to aid the mad Rider. They had no real proof; everything either had heard had come from sharp ears picking up on conversations they were not a part of. Lavel was a child by human standards, much less elven or Rider standards, and he had bonded early for an elven child. They have been bonded for three years, not old enough to know the secrets of their station nor of the most important events in the land, despite being older in their thoughts than anyone cared to acknowledge.
So why did their mothers call them here, and why are they bringing another young pair? Only time will tell. That time was approaching.
As the sound of flapping wings grew louder in his ears, Lavel walked a few steps away from Vasem, towards the flat grassy expanse that served as a landing zone. Sharjarth landed first, blowing gusts of wind on the young pair. She quickly closed her wings, giving space for the other dragon.
Unbuckling themselves, Nierya and the other Rider climbed from their dragons. It was readily apparent to Lavel that the other Rider was human, despite already being deep in the gradual transformation they go through. He lacked the same grace and ease of Nierya, and with the impatience in his movements, the differences were all the more visible. Lavel touched his two fingers to his lips in greeting.
Before Lavel could go through with the formal elven greeting, Vasem walked over to the aquamarine dragon, standing as tall as he could and growling softly. All eyes were on him.
"I hate being the small one," Vasem said privately.
The older blue dragon eyed Vasem curiously but did not appear intimidated. Rather, it looked calm, perhaps unlikely to show any of the aggression Vasem experienced with some other dragons. However, Lavel thought, the aquamarine dragon would likely not back away from Vasem.
"I would rather you save your antics for later, Vasem Blackstripe, when there are no more matters to discuss," Nierya's soft but authoritative voice called out, lessening the tension between the two younger dragons. Vasem slowly backed away and stopped growling. Both Sharjarth and the aquamarine dragon looked amused.
Finally, she and the other Rider touched their lips, and Lavel initiated the elven greeting. Nierya continued the conversation, a little steel entering her light voice. "There is much going on around us, and little time to prepare. Time flows faster than we like to see, bringing changes to the land. Thus, I have arranged this meeting between you, Lavel and Vasem, and between you, Brom and Saphira, high on this ridge. Malevolent ears and eyes may stalk the city below, threatening the safety of you both and my plans for you."
"Is all this about the mad Rider?" Lavel asked.
"Of course it is. He and his followers and forced helpers. How can the son of an elder not know?" asked Brom, voice much harsher than Nierya's. Lavel guessed he did not mean ill but figured the Rider, for some reason, was passionate about the subject.
"They know little because of their youth and because talking about such things would bring up the fact their teachers died in Ilirea, something that until today did not have to be brought up," rumbled Sharjarth. She whipped her tail around for a few moments, then settled down again.
Brom looked away, focusing on the ground rather than on Lavel. "Then you two have our sympathies for your loss," said Saphira in an apologetic tone. "Forgive my Rider for his rudeness."
"We harbor no ill will for his words," Lavel murmured.
"It is best to not cling to the past," said Nierya, steering the conversation back to its original course. "But I must bring it, and other things, up now, for the safety of you four."
"We do not know when the traitors will attempt to attack Doru Araeba, only that it will happen, and in the near future. Lavel, Vasem, you two are too young and inexperienced to join the defense. No student shall be required to stay and fight." Sharjarth looked over the city while she spoke, voice tinged with sadness.
"Your father and I do not want to see you come to harm. And you need to complete your training to become a Rider in full. Elders Oromis and Glaedr currently reside in Ellesméra and have agreed to continue your training. Brom and Saphira are to accompany you, for there is strength in numbers."
"It would be our honor," Saphira said, shooting her Rider a look of disapproval. Brom looked back at her, then to the elder. "We chose to join the fight, Nierya-elda, in hopes of saving my old friend, Morzan. He was like a brother, and maybe I can make him see reason, rather than have someone impale them with a sword."
"And it may be that Morzan could be redeemed. Too little is known about the goings-on to know. But based on what Oromis said, I would not count on it. You two are well trained and formidable, as Oromis said, but not experienced in true conflict. Your efforts would better serve the Order by escorting these two to their home in Ellesméra and helping your own teachers heal from their wounds," said Sharjarth.
"If Oromis allows it, and if we have not seen the enemy here on Vroengard, you are welcome to return and join the defense. We may have need of every warrior we can muster," said Nierya.
Lavel took the news with a slice of trepidation, but also with relief. More violence would soon occur, but they will have no part in it. More experienced, more capable Riders did not need the help of an elf who bonded to a dragon far earlier than any others, who still had years of training left to complete. From time to time he and Vasem had seen awe-inspiring displays of strength by older Riders, seen the immense bulk and prowess of the oldest dragons, including the largest living one, a wild dragon by the name of Belgabad. Many dozens of Riders and even more dragons have roosted on the island in the previous days.
He still felt nervous though. Ilirea and the Riders there, while fewer in number, still lost against an attack that caught nearly everyone off guard. Vasem's fears joined his through their bond. "It's like what the citizens of Dosjorya must have felt when the Dargonians first made landfall. Fear and dread for what may come, for what they beheld of those well-armed foreigners," Lavel said privately to Vasem.
To everyone, Vasem asked, "why don't we just leave right now, or as soon as we get packed?"
"A storm approaches, hitting the island and the waters between here and the mainland by this evening. Gaze upon the clouds and know I speak the truth. This storm is one you cannot hope to fly through unscathed. By morning, all should be clear. You leave then."
Looking up, Lavel could see some high clouds and a few thicker ones building. Clouds behaved the same here in Alagaësia as they did in Dosjorya, but in neither land had he yet mastered the art of reading them. Vasem, being a dragon, learned much about cloud forms along the way, but even he could not predict the weather.
"I must have you swear an oath, Brom-vodhr and Saphira Skulblaka, that you will escort these two to elder Oromis in Ellesméra, and do so with all possible haste after leaving tomorrow."
Saphira said the oath first, confidently and happily. Her words earned a scowl from her Rider, but he too bound himself with the oath.
"Thank you, both of you. It means much that you agree to guide and protect our sons," said Nierya, smiling. She turned to Lavel. "I wish we could escort you ourselves, rather than enlisting help, but alas our efforts are needed alongside Vrael and the elders. We likely will not be able to see you off tomorrow morning."
"If you four must plan your trip, speak of it only here, outside of the city. I'll not have those opportunistic traitors set up an ambush from eavesdropping on you. We cannot take that chance."
"I understand," Lavel murmured.
"Good. Behave yourselves, especially you, Vasem. All four of you, bring honor to yourselves and that which you represent," Sharjarth said, bright purple eyes sparkling.
"Indeed. We cannot stay here much longer, for there is much we need to accomplish to fortify Doru Araeba, and there are things I feel we have forgotten to do. Farewell, and may the stars watch over you. Lavel, Vasem, if we are unable to speak to you again, know that we love you and did all we could to keep you safe."
Lavel watched his mother run up Sharjarth's leg and settle on her saddle. With great gusts of wind, the lavender dragon and her Rider left them upon the ridge, silent until the elders were out of sight. The younger Rider noticed Brom had his hand clenched on his sword's pommel, knuckles turning white. The glyph on the sheath read "Undbitr."
"Morzan has to be innocent," the human Rider said, voice low but rising. "He had to have been forced to serve that vile Rider. I know him like a brother. And soon he will be killed instead of reasoned with." Brom turned directly to face Lavel, pointing. "And now I can do nothing about it, nothing at all, because of some entitled elder's son incapable of defending himself."
"Don't growl, Vasem," Lavel warned, but his words fell on deaf ears. Vasem lowered his head and growled as menacing as a bonded dragon could.
"You shouldn't even be here," Brom continued, unfazed by Vasem. "You're too young to have been presented with an egg as an elf. You—"
Saphira swung her massive head into her Rider, knocking him to the side and interrupting his speech. They appeared to speak to each other. Vasem stopped growling at them, but still stood tense. Lavel patted his dragon's shoulder, trying to calm him.
"Let me handle this, Vasem. I believe it is only Brom, not Saphira, that is opposed to the situation," Lavel said quickly.
"No, but his feelings can influence her. Much like yours can influence mine."
When the aquamarine dragon turned her head to them, Lavel spoke. "You may not have heard of our history, and you would not believe it anyway, but we were meant to be together for far longer than either of us have been alive. It served no purpose to keep us apart any longer than necessary. Age ten is when humans are presented to the eggs, is it not? That is how old I was when Vasem hatched for me. As for your friend, Morzan, we offer our condolences for the torture he must be going through if indeed he has been forced into servitude. Perhaps he may be strong enough to fight his bonds to Galbatorix."
Morzan. He remembered the name swirling around a little when he and Vasem first arrived in Ilirea. Extra protections had been made for hatchlings after Morzan and his dragon aided in the stealing of a hatchling meant for someone else. That poor black dragon, who could not yet speak, lost his fledgling Rider and had been taken by a demented man. Most said that Morzan willingly helped and that he and his dragon fled alongside the mad Rider.
But if Brom and Saphira had been friends with Morzan and his red dragon, then they would have a better understanding of the pair. They would better know if Morzan served willingly or not. Lavel gave their judgment a little more weight than others, but he was still cautious.
"I hope. He's the only family I've really had, other than Saphira of course since I became a Rider. But your answer still doesn't satisfy me about how you were presented with the eggs so young."
Lavel smiled. "I was not presented with all of the eggs. Only Vasem's. Relation to an elder had nothing to do with it."
Both Rider and dragon looked at them curiously. "As I said," Lavel continued. "We were meant for each other since long before we were born. It is no coincidence that his egg was laid the same day I came into the world, wouldn't you think? Magic is mysterious."
"Indeed it is," Saphira said softly.
"Stupid elven answers," Brom muttered low, but Lavel's ears easily picked up his words.
He nodded. He felt their confusion, for he and Vasem did not often reveal their reincarnation. Not many believed them when they did, and many more disapproved of them believing in supposed falsehoods. Saying nothing led to confusion, but confusion could be molded into mystery. And among humans mystery was expected when talking to an elf.
And he also felt for them facing the realization that they could soon lose a friend. Lavel remembered a childhood friend of his, Samulin, how they had both become Innena in Dosjorya at a similar time. They were each other's only anchor to their childhood after being thrust into a new duty and world. Maybe Brom felt that same familiarity with Morzan. But Samulin died young. In his heart, Lavel wished the same did not have to happen to Morzan if indeed he is innocent.
Finally, Brom let go of his sword pommel, revealing a large, crystal clear aquamarine gem in a rough sphere. A little darker and a different shade of blue than Vasem, but perhaps an altered version of the same gem would one day go into Lavel's sword. All Riders had gems in their sword, though he did not know why. It would be the first gemstone or crystal he had ever owned in either of his lives.
"Perhaps it would be prudent of us to discuss, even briefly, our plans for leaving as Sharjarth-elda suggested," said Saphira after a few moments. "When we will leave, where to meet, what direction to take."
"Vasem can fly fast and can fly long distances well enough. His body is built streamlined so do not worry about us falling behind," Lavel said. Vasem snorted, stretching his wings as if to support that point.
"Yes, I can see. That is good. Speed is good. Perhaps you can outpace me, but I was built for endurance. Regardless, would meeting at the eastern stables at sunrise suit the two of you? Our quarters are near there. From there, we can aim for Narda to shorten the distance over the ocean. Ellesméra is almost due east after that."
Vasem grumbled, interpreting Saphira's words as a slight against his ability to fly long distances. Lavel rubbed his bony chin, calming his dragon much like he would in Dosjorya. "That path will work. We have taken it before. We are quartered not too far away from you as well."
"Don't be late, then," said Brom in an authoritative voice. "I'll personally drag you to your dragon if you are."
Lavel laughed, bright and cheery much like any other elf. The whole conversation had been in the ancient language, and it amused him to imagine this young human, several years older than him and likely fully grown, dragging him, a young elf barely past the years where he glowed with childhood magic, through the paths of Doru Araeba. If he was late, then Brom would be oath-bound to go through with his threat. But that would ruin Lavel's clothes and be very much uncomfortable. "Of course, Brom-vodhr, we shall not be late."