I don't own any of these characters, though I wish that I did. Anyone that you don't recognize is mine though. The rest belong to C.P. Though. I made a mistake in the first chapter though. Velkan is thirteen when he is with Gallbatorix, and fifteen when he is danger in Uru'baen.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

A Good First Day

I have just hatched a dragon! Thought Velkan.

The rest of the body was becoming visible, as the dragon's egg cracked. Finally, there was nothing left of the rock but some dust. The dragon began to poke around, and touched Velkan's hand. Immeadiettley, he felt a burning sensation in his hand. What he saw was most startling. There, on his hand, there was a shining silver dot.

Abruptly, he heard a large booming voice "Very good boy, I had been hoping that it would hatch for someone. Now Come here." Velkan turned around to see King Gallbatorix sitting on his throne. "Don't just stand there boy, come, now." Velkan did as he was told, bringing the dragon with him. He didn't know what had happened, but he felt connected to this dragon, like he had never felt connected to anything in his entire life.

He kneeled in front of Gallbatorix, and said "Oh Sire, what has happened? I curiously walked into this room, and picked up a rock that interested me. Now, however, I have a dragon."

"Yes, Velkan, I can see that."

"How did you know my name?"

"I know many things about you. One of which is that you fear death."

"I-I-"

"Enough. You now have a choice to make. You will either serve me as a dragon rider, and help unite all of Algaisia, or you will die. What is your decision."

"I-I will serve you."

"Good, now you will go to the second tower, and you will dwell in the first room on the left. It is also filled with some books that you may find, interesting. We will talk more in the morning."

"Thank you sir." Said Velkan, as he walked towards the door. "Oh, and one more thing, you are no longer a servant in my household."

"May I take my dragon to my room sire?" Asked Velkan. "Of coarse." Said the king. And with that, Velkan left.

In his room, Velkan studied his dragon more closely. It had large legs and feet, and it's teeth seemed to be as sharp as a throwing dart.

"What shall I call you?" asked Velkan. The dragon stared at him, and he saw mental pictures of books. "Ahhh, the books that the king was talking about, thank you dragon."

Velkan opened a book, and observed many different dragons, their names, and their histories. He casually flipped pages, with his dragon watching with it's ever probing eyes, until he found a section devoted to dragons that looked like his. Fully grown, they were large, with bulging muscles.

"It says here that your kin were the strongest, physically, of the dragons, grew the fastest, and were the bearers of riders with more of a warrior's passion." Read Velkan. I've never thought of myself as a warrior, but then, if I was picked by a warrior dragon, I must be.

He continued to ponder this, absentmindedly stroking the dragon, until he remembered that he had no parents. He became angered, and the dragon bared it's teeth, and clawed the air.

"I'm an orphan," he told the dragon, "But then, so are you, your mother is gone, and your only kin exist in eggs. You're an orphan." Velkan noticed that the dragon purred slightly, whenever he said the word "orphan". "That's what I'll call you, not orphan, but Orphran." The dragon sent him feelings of happiness, and Velkan's mind fell at ease.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The next day, Velkan awoke to Orphran in his mind. He's hungry, thought Velkan, And so am I. We need to get some food.

He lethargically climbed out of bed, and rubbed his eyes, while Orphran nipped at his elbow. Huh thought Velkan, Yesterday Orphran was only up to my knee. He puzzled over this for a little bit, then the words of the book came back to him : The brown, or earth, dragons are known for their speed and combat on the ground, as well a being the fastest to mature, and for carrying legandary warrior riders.

Well, that explains it, before I know it, we'll be talking. Velkan promptly got dressed, and went down stairs to meet the king.

He continued into the hall, and saw the king sitting in his throne room.

"Sire, I have come to speak with you as you have instructed." Said Velkan. "Very good, now, have you been communicating with your dragon?" He asked. Velkan nodded. "I have sir, and I have named him Orphran." The king looked at him with his perpetually stern face. "Good, I trust you have been reading the books in your room."

"I have." Velkan said. "Then tell me, what is the mark on your palm called?" Asked Gallbatorix. "It is called the gedwey insignia, and it lights up whenever I use magic." Said Velkan confidently.

"Good," said Gallbatorix, "Now, I already have more pressing matters. I will instruct you in battle, and persuasion, but you must swear me your unwavering loyalty. Is that clear?" Velkan suddenly felt intimidated, but swore his loyalty to him all the same. "Eat breakfast, and then report to the sparring chamber. Also, a word of advice, it may be best if you do not bring your dragon to the more populated areas of the castle. I do not want rumors to leak out, saying that a new rider has arisen. That is all, you are excused." Velkan went to have breakfast, and fed Orphran as much food as he needed. He seemed to know when to stop, because of their bond. They finished, and entered the sparring chamber.

"Welcome," said Gallbatorix, "to the sparring chamber. I must know, are you profecient in any means of combat at all?" Velkan felt a sinking feeling. Riders were able to fly, defend themselves in a vast amount of ways, and use magic. He gulped. "No sir. I only know how to fight with my fists." The king looked slightly crestfallen, but said "It is but a minor setback. You will train here, until midday. Then, you will eat lunch, and train with me in the practical arts of dragon riding. You will end your training at night, and will be free to do as you please."

"As you wish, my king." said Velkan. The king left, and a man entered the room. He was average height, bald, and highly muscled, with a sword and sheath clinging to his belt. "Good day, rider. I am Craran, and I am here to teach you to wield a weapon, correct?" Velkan nodded. "Then follow me." Velkan followed him to a large weapons rack. Craran took a short sword from the rack, and said "This is only a short sword, but I think that it will fit you reasonably well."

"Now, here is a form that I would like you to practice." He swung his sword up, and to the left, stabbed the air, and twirled it around in front of him. The next two hours consisted of practicing that technique, going over exercises, and talking of different battle scenarios.

"Your day's training is now complete. You will eat a midday meal, and report to the king. Also, I would like you to read these books. They are all about the art of warfare, and you would be wise to memorize every last bit, as they will someday come in handy." Velkan left, got some food from the kitchens, and met Orphran in his room.

"Hello there Orphran. I got us some food." Suddenly, he sensed a feeling of strength, and saw that Orphran was glowing. There was a flash of light, and he was the same size as Velkan. "H-How?" he asked. His question was not intended to be answered, but he got one anyway. Thank you, Velkan. Came a voice from the inside of his head

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

How did you like it? I tried to make it longer this time, and combined three chapters in the process.

Oh well. Please review though, I really need them.