Chapter 5: Acquaintance
A/N: Escuuzi, escuzi! Sorry this chapter took so long. I was so busy this week, tests, piano recital, homework, terrible cold, hanging out with friends while maintaining a 96 average… (gets whacked in the head) gah, 'cant help myself. And I just got my ears pierced- hurts like hell, lol. Well, this chapter may be kinda choppy because bits and bits were written day by day. Hope you like it. Don't forget to review (and thanks for the previous reviews!)
Hellfire! Evelyn screamed to herself. They were spying on her? What for? Well the stone's gone now and all there is-
A dragon! Remembered Evelyn. What did the old man mean "just as I thought"? Did he see the dragon?
Ooooh no, oh no, oh no, oh no…Damn it thought Evelyn. Quickly, she "casually" covered the dragon with her cloak, hoping the two men wouldn't notice. Even though she knew chances were very slim. She stood up making sure the dragon hatchling won't escape.
"What were you doing here?" demanded Eve, "I deserve to know!" She kept her sentences quick and simple, for without the cloak, chills frolicked within her body.
"Patience, patience, all will be explained… ...rider," replied the man with a smug countenance. He then turned his head and motioned Eragon to come over. A little nervous, he did as his friend said.
They got me thought Evelyn. No way she can fool them now…especially now that the fledgling successfully pried his or her way out of the cloak and poked out its long, vibrant white neck. She ran her itching hand through her silky hair while the other was placed on her sword's grip. She then looked right at them in the eye.
"Where are you from? And just who are you?" she inquired, "You guys just simply can't leave me alone, now can you?"
The old man gazed at the little white head before staring at Evelyn, as if he was searching answers through her. He then replied," We come from far in the North-"
"And what is it that you want from me?" Evelyn said, cutting him off. Oh, you stupid! The dragon of course! She simply sighed. I'll have to hear it from him though…and far in the North? Okay if he's telling the truth he maybe he doesn't work for Galbatorix…
"You do know very well that you are the first- well second that is- dragon rider since a century?" he asked.
Evelyn's grip on the sword grew tighter and said," Um…yes…"
WAITAminute! Thought Evelyn. Yes, it's heavy enough that she herself was a dragon rider but the man said…second? Who could the other one be? She looked at Eragon, who still looked a bit uneasy under the indigo hue that palled the dim landscape.
Could it…?
"Then what's it going to be?" said the old man.
"Huh?"
"Are you on the Empires side?" blurted Eragon. His companion rolled his eyes.
Evelyn gagged at the word. "Never!" she uttered. Before she can saw anything else she was interrupted-
"Then what are you going to do? Certainly you can't just roam around with a dragon hatchling. Then what when the Empire finds out?" said the old man.
I never even got the time to think about that Eve thought. The man was right though. Eventually the dragon will grow to a massive size. Sure she can keep him or her hidden but she can't keep the magnificent creature constantly locked up in seclusion, and who knows how big she'll get? People might find her footprints and sooner or later the king may send the vile Ra'zac. Evelyn shuddered in remembrance when she first saw them.
Looking down at her shuffling feet, she said, "I- I don't know…what is to you guys anyway?" She had to think about what was she going to do some more. So no, she can't settle anywhere really. Now as a dragon rider, what choice did she have? The Varden… she remembered-
Maybe she can join the Varden? There was nothing about her that can have her be rejected. The only problem is where to find it…
"Oh, I don't know…" she shrugged.
There was a pause.
"Then I suggest you come with us, mm?" asked the elder man slyly.
"Uh, what for?"
"As a new dragon rider, you obviously need training to survive. Your swordsmanship is skilled, but then you'll need to know magic, as well."
"Oh…and you…know magic?"
"Well enough" he said with confidence.
She couldn't believe it. This is all a bit too…surreal. What was an ordinary old man doing here who knows magic and all of that? Very odd, very odd…But what's Eragon doing?
"And him?" Evelyn said, gesturing towards Eragon.
"Ah, as I said before, you are the second rider who has been out of the king's reach for a century, you see-"
"Oh, oh!" interrupted Eve, " Ya mean, him?" pointing to a startled Eragon.
They nodded.
How ironic. "Eragon" was supposed to be the first dragon rider. Now this Eragon is… lets say, the continuation?
Evelyn stood there speechless. Dawn was already edging in; the first hints of sun caressed the horizon sending faint, copper streaks into the hazy, sapphire sky. Lack of sleep pounded her head.
"Well?" they asked.
What other choice did she have? She had nothing else to live for. "Alright," she said with a yawn. So what if they were lying and they plan to kill her or something? She can deal with it. She was just…too tired to think about it now. Oooh, you're so brilliant Evelyn.
"Good," said the old man with satisfaction," I'm Brom-"
"Eragon," interrupted the young man with a wave.
"Evelyn," said Eve, trying to sound alive. He smiled.
"Oh…" A sudden presence pushed into Evelyn's mind. It displayed hunger. She bent down to pick up the beautiful fledgling, cupped safely in her hands. She stroked the rustling blue scales that shone in the dusky dawn, cooing to the small creature. How harmless it looked, yet she was aware of how powerful it will be.
"What are you going to name it? Eragon asked.
Eve turned head to find Eragon behind her, looking over her shoulder.
"Don't know…I'll have to think about it. Is it a boy or girl, can ya tell?"
He shook his head.
"We must be going now, we can't stay here too long," Brom interrupted, "and as we go, we must teach you as much as we can before he arrive at Dras Leona"
She shot her head at Brom in alert. "What? But, but why?" The king hasn't made a trip to the city for about ten years, but she never knew when he would! He wasn't a nitwit so if he saw her, he'll want her immediately. Back at the fortress, she was always present cleaning up, whenever the king was making…sinister "plans".
Brom arched an eyebrow at her. "What worries you so?" Evelyn sighed and shook her head. Ah well, what were the chances that he would come this year? Another question came to her mind.
"Why the rush? What's there at Dras Leona?" she inquired. Eragon's face hardened at the question, looking away in discomfort and the white
"There are certain…necessary dangersthat await us there. All will be explained later," clarified Brom, "Now feed your dragon, pack your things and we'll be going then,"
Necessary dangers? The baby dragon was impatiently scratching her palm, demanding food. Eve rushed over to her bags digging her hand for meat. The best she could find were dried strips of cooked meat. The hatchling savored each piece appreciatively. Her lips curled into a warm grin.
"Hurry, girl, hurry" rushed Brom impatiently.
"Alright, alright…" grunted Evelyn. I'm so damn tired!
"Oh, since you're coming with us from now on, there's one you should meet," said Eragon, who guided his bay-colored horse back to a forest abounded with trees.
She shrugged, and followed him on Lamont with the baby dragon resting on her shoulder. When they reached a spot, she gave Eragon a queer gaze until-
Boo
Eve jumped in her saddle with a yelp. In front of her was a large, snaky sapphire head. Lamont, who was whinnying, stood on his hind legs shaking frantically in shock. Evelyn, who was galvanized as well, tumbled off the saddle and onto the dusty ground.
Whoa!
Bewildered, she shot her head at the creature. It was another dragon. Amazing! Except this one was much larger and mature, as it unfolded its thin-membrane but sturdy wings. It glowed like a large, smooth, cluster of sapphires in the dim sunrise.
Who was that in her mind? The dragon seemed to be grunting gurgled growls with her mouth curled in a playful grin. Oh, it must've been…her, for the voice seemed feminine.
Eragon rode beside and reached out for her hand with a helpless grin, "Heh, sorry about that, she meant no harm. And oh, her name's Saphira."
Eve smiled and acknowledged her thanks before she turned her attention towards the magnificent dragon. After recovering from the shock, the hatchling lifted its head to gaze at its kindred. Evelyn stepped forward to pat the creature before Brom coaxed them to leave.
The moment they began riding was the opportunity for questions.
"Now, to start things off, tell us where you come from?" asked Brom
A/N: I'm just going to leave it here or else it'll get way too long. Don't worry, it may seemed rushed because they didn't get to know eachother yet but that'll be immediately taken care of in the next chapter as you can see from the ending. So yeah, hope you liked it, leave a review! ... ... ... ...THANK YOU CLEVELAND
Lol, bad joke (I don' live there...Cleveland, is only... part...of...the joke...for those...who don't...get it...(is REALLY embarrased)
