Sixth Chapter is here! I know how much you want to read my story so I won't continue to blab on in attempt to keep you from it. I mean that would just be cruel to work so hard on it and drive everyone away because I wouldn't shut up. What kind of person would I be? You would probably get so frustrated you would just skip the author notes and go right to the story right? Yeah, I know how it gets blah blah blah…..
Chapter Six
The bitter crisp morning air had chilled Kareia's spirits after the joyful ride on Saveil. Once the first rays of sunshine entered the sky, Kareia dismounted Saveil and brought Emeral with her. Calus strode alongside them on his white mare and offered her a hand. Kareia grabbed it and pulled herself up behind him. Saveil showed some signs of disapproval as he eyed the horse. He flapped his wings and flew some miles further down the road hidden among the forest trees. Emeral stayed closer by Kareia. She was too big now to rest upon her shoulders so she merely glided some feet away off the trail.
Don't fly too far away Saveil. Look out for people and warn us if something suspicious is coming our way.
Of course. I would do nothing less. You have to be careful yourself and warn me immediately if you are having trouble. I'd be there in a heartbeat. One more thing, trust Calus but don't be too open with him. We still don't know him very well.
The morning songs of birds were becoming more lively. Kareia enjoyed the morning sounds. She loved peacefully listening to the perpetual sounds of the running water of a stream and the whispers that come from leaves in a passing breeze.
The white horse began to stride along the dust path in a care-free manner. Calus's dark blue cloak was draped around the back end of the horse. The hood was pulled back upon his head. Kareia gazed at it for a few moments and then the silence became awkward.
She wanted to break it so she decided to ask, "Where are we going?"
Naturally, this was an expected question so Calus replied with a ready answer, "Under the present circumstances it is important that you are first taken to the Varden. It will only be a brief visit however. There is something there that needs to be taken care of…" His voice trailed away. The silence was loose in the air again but Kareia wasn't finished.
"Where is the Varden?"
"It lies within the Beor Mountains."
Kareia felt uneasy as she thought about the Varden. She spoke again, "Don't you think, well, they will disapprove of my, ah, situation?"
Calus took in her words but didn't answer them. Instead he gave a question of his own, "How did your situation come to be?"
Kareia hesitantly gave her story with getting Emeral's egg and breaking it. Running from the soldiers and running from the Urgals.
Calus then answered her former question understandingly, "Some people may disapprove, yes. But you shouldn't worry yourself with things that had already happened. We have no power over it and it can't be changed. People will oppose you but no harm will come to you, young Dragon Rider, I promise you that."
"I'm not afraid of harm," Kareia replied, "it's just…" It was her turn to trail away.
A beautiful crystal clear female voice had suddenly entered and flowed against the barrier of her mind, All will be well Kareia.
Emeral had swooped from the sky and brushed gently against her face and flew off again. Kareia watched her soar off back over her head into the green plant life that camouflaged her so well and she couldn't help but fell a sense of pride.
"So why are you here? What were you doing here? I thought elves were in—" Kareia stopped herself before she said anything wrong or offensive.
"That is a private matter," he said briskly, "but I'm sure you will find out about it later."
"Okay then. Are there any other Riders where we are going?"
Calus hesitated before answering, "Yes. I have received word that there is one other rider headed in that direction. A boy around your age."
"Will I meet him?"
"Possibly."
Calus turned half way in the saddle and glance at Kareia through the corner of his eye half hidden in the shadow of his hood, "What is important right now is your training young Dragon Rider."
"Training?"
"Yes. You say you have accidentally come across magic correct? Well you now need to be trained to use it. To be able to wield it whenever you call. I still don't know why you are able to use magic with such strength and only be a beginner but that isn't important. But just magic isn't going to help you, you also need to improve your swordsmanship. Yes, yes I know you fight fairly well but that isn't enough."
"Okay," Kareia submitted.
"First," Calus instructed, "you need to be informed about magic. It is a very vast subject but I'll try to cover only what you need to know. There are many spells and many incantations to summon magic. Before you can use it, you have to know yourself more than anything. Every spell you use comes with a price. In exchange for the use of magic, some of your energy is drained away. Are you following me so far?"
"Yes, continue."
"If you don't know your own strength, it would be very dangerous to use magic. Use a spell the costs more energy than you have, it will take away your life, understand?"
Kareia gave him acknowledgment and he continued instructing her about the rules of magic. They kept in conversation for a good portion of the trip. Kareia didn't know there were so many things to magic. These were the basics? Calus went over how to say certain spells and many Riders have accidentally discovered magic. It was a form of self defense for a Rider under stress or danger. When a Rider had discovered magic, he would be taken away for private tutoring. That was probably why he was instructing her now.
Kareia secretively checked on Saveil and made sure Emeral was close by.
Nothing interesting out here, reported Saveil, I miss your company. There is nothing but an empty road and trees and it is still a ways for you to reach the city.
When Calus's extremely long lecture seemed to be over, he continued again. He seemed to be enjoying the talk though, like he hasn't talked to someone in ages. His voice was so clear it rang in her ears like tiny bells. He finally seemed to be over. But then Calus stooped from his horse without dismounting and grabbed a small pebble from the ground.
He instructed Kareia to hold out her hand. He placed the pebble in it and told her to try and lift it with the few given words he had taught her already. Kareia stared at it for a moment and concentrated. She slowly spoke the words, "Stenr reisa!"
The stone quivered slightly, rose about three inches and touched back down.
"Very good for your first try," Calus commented his approval, "Try again."
Kareia concentrated harder this time and stared at the pebble. She stared mercilessly at the pebble innocently sitting in her palm and she spoke again, "Stenr reisa!"
This time the stone shot up from her hand and stopped abruptly at eye level at sat there in mid air. Kareia's surprise broke her concentration and the pebble fell back into her hand. Calus himself showed signs of surprise. After a moments silence Calus shook his head and said, "Simply amazing, you practically mastered that one spell on your second try. I don't know why magic comes so easily to you. It seems to be your strong point," he smiled, "pretty good, young Dragon Rider."
Kareia sat there dumbfounded. All this magic stuff started happening ever since she got Emeral. Is there a connection? And she still wondered why her healing had suddenly become remarkably fast. She still couldn't believe she was being taught by an elf either.
When night fell, Calus tossed Kareia a stick in replacement of a sword and showed her different defensive and offensive moves that she will need to use in real combat. It took her a while to get a real feel of these different stances and moves. Calus said she would practice more tomorrow.
The road headed on and reached the coast. They were on there way to Teirm like they had planned to start with. It shouldn't be too difficult to pass the guards. Calus said they would turn east from there.
They had traveled a coupled days along the coast's edge. Calus continued in his lecture and Emeral formed new words and phrases. Saveil was getting very disgruntled about having to stay away all day and have brief moments of communication with Kareia. Kareia was getting better and quicker with her swordsmanship and began sparring with Calus. Even when Calus was holding back, he managed to disarm Kareia and smack her good in the side with his stick.
"Why do you have to hit so hard?" Kareia complained, "I'm all bruised up!"
"Do you think they will hold back in a real battle?" Calus reasoned.
They traveled a another day with repeating events. Night fell and Calus and Kareia ventured off the road and found a good ground to sleep on for the night. Saveil and Emeral had joined them and Kareia was happy to see Saveil after the long day without his company.
Emeral folded her wings and laid by Kareia who sat by Saveil.
Kareia jumped when an unexpected voice intruded her mind, The night is silent. I sense something out of place.
Kareia looked down at Emeral. She was looking up at her eyes full of concern. Emeral then turned her head to Saveil. Kareia watched them as they appeared to be exchanging words to each other. Calus took notice too and watched them closely.
What is she concerned about Saveil?
Saveil stared intently at Emeral. Emeral stared right back.
All is well, Saveil answered, We will be fine for the night.
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….blah blah blah blah blah…. What? You are already finished reading the chapter! Darn it! I haven't even finished telling you why monkeys are really bad authors! sigh Ok, well I guess I'll start working on the seventh chapter…
Dragons4eva
