Disclaimer: same as in Ch. 1, and also, I own Kelli, and Briam, though I got Briam's name from page 55 of "Eragon" by Christopher Paolini.

Chapter 2: Briam

By: kgk

Kelli edged forward, stretching out her left hand. Timidly, the dragon reached out is neck. The moment her hand made contact with its scales, a burst of white hot pain rushed up her arm, and coursed through her body. And try as she might, she couldn't move. After a long while in this state, she started feeling her limbs again, and shakily got up, leaving her arms and legs tingling. She glanced at her numb left palm, remembering what her teachers had told her about Dragon Riders. Sure enough, there was a small white, shimmering oval there, that itched and burned. Scratching it, she became aware of openness in her mind. In that openness, she suddenly felt another thought touch hers. Frightened by this unwanted awareness, she drew back from it. It disappeared for a while, only to come back again, in greater force. Cautiously, she opened her mind, and felt hunger and curiosity. Staring at the dragon, she wondered if it was his thought. It came again, this time accompanied by humor. That swept away any doubts she had.

"All right, then, you're hungry. What do you eat? Hmmm?" she asked it while she rummaged through her packs. "I would guess meat, right?" she said, pulling out some dried meat. Satisfaction clicked, and the dragon climbed into her lap. Kelli flinched, expecting another bout of pain, but nothing happened as the dragon snatched the strip out of her hands.

After feeding it almost all of the meat, it finally curled up next to her and went to sleep. For a while, she just watched it, thinking. So, I'm a Dragon Rider now. I suppose I should continue going to the Varden. Not much use going anywhere else, and now that your egg is gone, the King will be searching for me. Surprisingly, though, that thought didn't give her any fear. She knew the consequences of being a Dragon Rider, but she also knew some of the benefits. She had heard from Ajihad himself the story of the Dragon Riders, and some of the side effects that they have, for instance the pro-longed life, the pointed ears over time, and the connection they shared with their dragons. She had heard that that is the greatest connection anyone could have. And dragons were sacred creatures, wise beyond their years. She would have need of its wisdom if she were to fight against Galbatorix. Finally, yawning, she went to sleep.

In the morning, she awoke to find the dragon gone. Panicking, she jumped up, and started looking under things, such as clothes, and the saddle.

"Hey! Dragon! Where are you!" she called frantically. Then she thought of the mind connection they had, and sent the image of their camp, and a questioning emotion. She was answered with regret and an image of a stream not far off. Running to it, she found the dragon sitting on a rock looking at her. Sighing with relief, she put her arms around it, and impressed upon it the need to stay with her, or at least tell her where she was going. It answered with regret for scaring her.

"It's okay, little one," Kelli murmured, stroking its scales.

After traveling for two weeks, Kelli and the dragon had covered a great distance. They had just entered the desert, and were about halfway to the edge of the Beors. In that time, the dragon had grown at an alarming speed after hunting for itself, and was now as tall as her shoulder. However, even after two weeks, Kelli still had not named it. Now, she brought the subject up, as they were stopped to rest.

You need a name. But first I need to know, are you male, or female?

Male.

Kelli looked at it, surprised. That was the first time it had ever spoken with words.

Okay. Well, what do you think of Vanilor?

No.

Eridor? No, all right, well….how about..Briam? The corners of his mouth lifted up into a kind of grin, and he took a large drink from the stream they had stopped by. Kelli smiled, and filled her water bag. Finally, he has a name! I was getting tired of having to refer to him as 'dragon' all the time. I wonder how it will take to get get to the Beors from here.

Briam, will you fly up and tell me what you see?

I will.

He took off, his wings beating against the air, and flew towards the Beors. Kelli finished replenishing their food supply, and mounted Etana to follow Briam. A little while later, Briam contacted her again.

Nothing but desert for miles.

Thank you Briam.

Over the next few weeks, Briam's vocabulary grew and he could now converse with Kelli without having to ask what certain words meant. He had also grown some more, and was now taller than Etana. Kelli supposed she could ride him now, and often sat in the hollow where his neck joined his body, but they hadn't yet flown together. They had reached the base of the mountains, and were now traveling along them towards the Beartooth River, and from there, to Farthen Dur. Soon , they reached the opening in the mountaisn that led to the Beartooth River.

I think we'll stop here for tonight, Briam.

That's fine, it look slike a good clearing. He replied as he glided down. When are you going to ride me? You're a Dragon Rider, Kelli.

Kelli eyed his scales. I think I'll wait until we get to Farthen Dur. But I really do want to ride you. I can't wait! But I just don't want my legs to be stripped by your scales. I didn't think to pack extra leather.

We don;t have to wait until we get to the Varden to get leather, though. There are plenty of wild animals roaming in the mountains. You may not have time to hunt, but I can get you a large enough animal.

All right. Do that in the morning, after we get started.

Very well. Good night, little one.