A/N - Here's an updated speech key.

"Talking"

Thinking

"Telepathic Speach"

Translated From The Ancient Language

~written words~

Wings of Freedom

Chapter 16

Roy took a deep breath as he sat down at his desk on the upper level of the tree and released it as he gazed out at the multicolored horizon, watching the sun rise.

Roy smiled as he listened to the morning breeze in the leaves of the tree before looking down at the book laying before him and opened it while grabbing an inkpen and turning to a blank page and scribbling down in English.

~Day 21~

~It has been four days since my last entry in this jornal, do to recent developments and I feel it is past time I record them.~

~Just as it has been four days since my last entry, it has also been four days since locating the lost egg, which has actually, already hatched. The Dragon's name is Scarlett Brightscales, a healthy, if a little malnerashed, red and silver Dragon. It would seam she inherited her father's trait and her pattern seams to be a combination of both her parents, she is a stunning Dragon to behold. Her partner is a young boy named Eren Jaeger, one amongst a groups of three children, who have miraculously managed to survive out among the mindless cannibals that inhabit this strange land. The other two children, who we have also presented before the remaining Dragon eggs, are a boy named Armin Arlelt and Mikasa Ackerman.~

~These children have endured a great deal which has lead myself and Thalia to keep close watch over them, for fear of their current mental states. Unfortuantly I feel that I cannot summerize them in just this one entry, so I will spread my evaluations of them out over the days as I get to know them better~

~Today I will discuss Eren and Scarlett. They are an interesting pair. While I do not yet know enough about Scarlett to give an accurate opinion on her, as she has yet to speak to anyone other then Eren, I can say she appears quite driven and protective of her partner, and Eren is likewise protective of her, even if they insist otherwise. Their bond is unusually strong for such a young pair. This may be caused partially by the extreme trauma the children have experienced.~

Roy paused for a moment and tapped his pen on his desk as he considered the words he was righting and thought back on what he knew of them before sribbling more words down.

~Out of the three of them, he has suffered the worst trauma recently, though if I am correct, Mikasa my have suffered worse earlier on in life, but I do not yet know the details.~

~Regardless, Eren has had the unfortunate expereance of being eaten by one of these Titans, and only survived thanks to his friends and Dragon. Eren outwardly, appears fine but there are subtle tells. He hides it well, but it is clear that he still thinks about his time in the Titan's stomach in addition to previous events and occasionally has nightmares about it and, according to the others, he was already suffering from nightmares before his Dragon hatched. However, it would appear Scarlett is helping him through the worst of it and…well, to say the boy has a will as strong as iron would be a gross understatement, as I learned the preveious day, during training~

Eren was very frustrated. No, he was more then that, he was pissed off beyond belief, as he stared down at the current bane of his existence.

A small rock.

Apparently, knowing how to cast magic was a must for Dragon Riders, so Roy had made it a priority for Eren to learn at least the basics, and he was even teaching Armin and Mikasa, saying that even if they didn't become Riders, it was still a useful skill, it would just be harder.

The only problem was, Eren couldn't get the stupid spell to work, and just to rub salt in the wound, Eren looked up to see Armin, with the biggest grin on his face as his rock was floating high above his palm with a pale yellow glow and even Mikasa had her's floating a little with slightly more subdued grey light, even if it was barely an inch above her palm.

Roy was currently gawking at Armin "a week…it took me a whole week to get my rock to float even a fifth of what you're doing now and you did it in just a few days, without a Dragon" he said with an almost numb voice, causing Armin to blush a little at the praise. At least Eren could take solace in the fact that he wasn't the only one who struggled with magic, but even Roy had seen some kind of reaction after his first day, while Eren was left with bupkis, even after three.

Eren groaned as he glared back down at his own rock. He was happy for Armin, but he was still frustrated with himself. He just couldn't understand what he was doing wrong. Eren could feel the energy drain when he cast the spell and he had been gradually pumping more and more into it as he continued to fail and his energy stores built up with each effort, and Roy had drilled them all on how dangerous it was just to mispronouce a spell and had spent the better part of an hour, just making sure they could speak this one without it backfiring horribly.

Eren gripped the rock tightly for a moment before releasing it and taking a deep breath and focused on the rock "flautja" he repeated the spell and felt the drain and a sensation like pressure on his palm, but the rock didn't lift.

Eren groaned with frustration as he repeated the spell again, with a little more force but the only thing that happened was a little bit more pressure on his hand "damn it! Why won't this work!?" He yelled at the rock before trying again, only to receive the same results.

Eren growled as he gripped the rock tightly with a trembling fist and felt a powerful urge to throw it at something, but a hand falling on his shoulder, made him stop before he could do anything and he looked up to see Roy, giving him a sympathetic look "calm down, not everyone is a freak of nature like Armin and get's it the first day" he said with a reassuring smile. Eren only looked back down at the rock though, with a slightly depressed expression. He knew Roy was telling the truth but he also knew that he was further behind then most, with Mikasa being where Riders usually were when they started training, and she didn't even have a Dragon yet, so Eren couldn't help but feel like he was failing, and there was something that Roy had told them that was really compounding the problem.

While teaching them about Magic, Roy had explained how he used it to fight the Titans and had stressed that he probably would have died on several occasions if not for his wards and that fighting them without magic in some capacity, would be near suicide.

That information just kept repeating in Eren's head as he stared down at the rock if I can't use magic, then can I even become a Rider? He thought with worry. His face hardened over though as he focused and repeated the spell again I will get this down, I have to.

Eren was breathing as if he had run a marathon as he stood there, still with a rock in his hand and his friends stood around him with concerned looks as Roy watched with an equity concerned expression from the other side of the tree.

It had long since passed the time for their Magic training and they had moved on and now they were in the middle of a brake, but rather then rest, Eren insisted on practicing and the amount of energy he had lost from the exertion of Magic was starting to show "come on Eren, if we can do it, I'm sure you can, just give it some time" Armin said with equal part encroachment and worry. Eren just shook his head though as he focused on the rock again "I have to get this down, I just have to keep trying" he said and repeated the spell again.

Everyone grimaced a little at Eren and Roy was beginning to regret allowing Thalia to take Scarlett out to train her and get her accustomed to being separated from Eren, as he began to realize just how much she had been helping Eren through his trauma "Thalia, I think you two should get back here soon before Eren goes too far" he called out to his Dragon "we are already on our way back. My hatching has been growing more and more agitated and it seams she could no longer hold herself back" Thalia responded.

Meanwhile, Armin and Mikasa were growing more and more concerned as Eren began to actually struggle to preform the spell "Eren, maybe you should take a brake" Mikasa told him and Eren's eyelids grew heavy "just a little…more…" he trailed off as it looked like he might pass out from all the energy he was expending.

Mikasa was about to step in and try to stop Eren before he could go any further, but Roy was faster and was already moving as he quickly grabbed Eren and forced him to stop "that's enough Eren" he said and there was slight edge of disappointment in his voice.

Eren looked up at Roy with tired eyes and the Rider sighed "Eren, you can't force these thing, and if you keep this up the way you are, you are going to kill yourself" he's warned and Eren had the decency to look ashamed as he cast his eyes down.

It was at this time that Scarlett came flying in with Thalia, who had to help her hatchling get enough altitude to reach the entrance.

Scarlett immediately ran to her Rider and sniffed him up and down "hay take it easy. I'm ok" he told her and the Dragon calmed down for a moment, but it vanished, not even a second later as she growled at him with an intense glare, and if Eren's wincing was anything to go by, then she had some choice words that she was sharing with him at a rather high volume.

Roy shook his head while rubbing his eyes is this how our instructors felt? He thought before turning his attention back to the kids "alright, time to take a brake, and actually rest this time" he said with a pointed look at Eren, who cast his eyes to the side as he leaned on his Dragon for support as she lead him over to sit down.

Eren sat at the table with a blank expression on his face. Everyone around him was telling him not to worry about his training, but he couldn't help the feeling of failure that was plaguing him.

Meanwhile, everyone was mulling over how they could help Eren get over his block, but Roy in particular was feeling a little guilty over the whole affaire, which his Dragon picked up on "why are you feeling guilty over this? I understand that he is your student but I see no reason for you to be depressed over it" she silently asked from where she sat, eating a dear. Roy sighed though "but that is exactly why I feel this way Thalia" he responded while casting his worried gaze towards Eren "we barely finished our own training, so how can we claim to be teachers?" He asked his Dragon, who snorted in response "yes, we are inexperienced and it is somewhat concerning that Eren has made no progress after so many days, but who else is there to train them?" Thalia questioned back.

Roy grimaced as he cast his eyes down "that worries me even more Thalia. I am the one who suggested magic training so soon, when I myself struggle with it and am only now coming to truly understand their language" he replyed and the Dragon gave a frustrated growl "Eren's mental abilities have developed faster then any Rider we know of. It was only natural to assume he would be magically talented" she shot back and Roy groaned as he pinched the bridge of his nose before looking back to Eren.

The Rider blinked though and rubbed his eyes as he swore he could see steam rising from the distraught Eren's head, but it was gone the moment he opened his eyes again, as Mikasa clamped down rather hard on his shoulder to snap him out of it while Scarlett growled lightly at him.

Roy shook his head I must have imagined it he thought, though the memory would surly return and plague him for the rest of his life, but for now he had other things to focuse on "calm down, your not going to get anything done like that" Mikasa stated flatly to Eren, who looked down with a frown as he absentmindedly stoked his Dragon's scaly head "I just don't understand how you guys are able to get it down so easily" he muttered.

Armin hummed as he rubbed his chin "I don't know, I didn't really see much of a difference between how we do it at first…but I'm sure we'll figure it out if we keep trying" he said, trying to sound encouraging. Eren actually seamed to get a little bit of life back in him as he gave Armin a thankful look "yah, I just need to keep at it" he said before looking to his friends with a hopeful expression "you think you guys could give me a hand. With how well you do it Armin, I'm sure I could learn something from you" he said and Armin nodded in response "yah, of corse" he said without hesitation, but then grew a thoughtful expression "but we'll probably have to wate until you've recovered some" he said and Eren groaned slightly with frustration.

Roy gave a somewhat downtrodden sigh as he shook his head I really am pathetic if a ten year old can train someone in magic better then me he scolded himself before rising to his feet, catching everyone's attention "that won't be necessary. I'll lend you the power needed to keep practicing" he said, earning surprised reactions from everyone and a light growl of irritation from Thalia "for what perpose would you allow him to continue training in his current condition?" she silently demanded of her Rider, who grimaced a little "if you are failing at your training, it is do to my failure as teacher. Clearly my methods up to this point are not working, so perhaps a new approach and fresh perspective with help" he said aloud, before casting his eyes to Armin "a perspective that can actually preform magic decently" he added and the boy grew a little sheepish under Roy's gaze.

Roy only smiled at the, now nervous, boy, before leading them away from the table out onto a balcony that he had only recently finished, where they could see the sun starting to set over the wall, casting deep shadows through the foraest. Roy then turned to face his students "alright, we'll go back to basics and work our way back up, but…I'll be relying on that sharp mind of yours to help figure out the problem Armin" he explained and Armin seamed to grow even more nervous "w-why me?" he stuttered a little but Roy just chuckled in response "don't sell yourself short. You are much smarter then you realize" he said and the others nodded in agreement "he's right. We all would have died a long time ago if not for that big brain of yours" Eren pitched in, causing Armin to look at him and blink with surprise.

Roy simply chuckled a little "alright, let's get started" he said and Eren got into position as the others observed.

The sun had long since set and now the moon was bathing everything in pale, blue light. Eren stood in the middle of his friends with more confidence then he had in a while, with Scarlett there to both lend him power along with Roy, and to help curb his mental stress. Not that Eren had really expended that much energy yet, as Armin had suggested practicing and going through the process before actually attempting the spell that many times.

Now was the moment of truth. Eren had practiced and worked his way up from the bottom again, which was admittedly not that far behind him to begin with, but still, and Armin and Mikasa had given him some good advice.

Eren took a deep breath as he looked back down at the rock in his hand and prepared to cast the spell this is it. Do or die Eren thought as he glared at the rock and cast the spell again, pumping as much power as he dared into it.

Roy blinked with surprise as he felt how much energy Eren was draining from him and Scarlett what in the name of- how is he not passing out from the drain! How does a novice like Eren have that much power to feed into the spell? Roy pondered as he studied Eren, who was focusing intently on the rock.

The boy's eyes widened slightly as he felt a small gap form between his palm and the rock. It was no thicker then a sheet of papper but it was a gap no less and a smile began to spread across his face I'm doing it! I'm finally doing it! he thought with excitement but it ended as quickly as it began as the rock instantly fell back to his hand with a surprising amount of force.

Eren stared down at the rock with a feeling of dread as the flow of power stopped no…no, no, please no, not after all that work he thought as Armin and Mikasa watched him with sympathy and concern…all except Roy.

The Rider seamed almost emotionless as he walked up to Eren and kneaded down at eye level with him and he stared intently at the rock in Eren's hand "just one more time, I'm sure I can-" Eren's words were cut off as Roy grabbed Eren's hand, but rather then take the rock away, he held it up where he could see it closer and he ran his thumb over a small crack that wasn't there before "Eren, let me here that spell again, but without putting energy into it. Juts speak the word" he requested.

Eren's distress evaporated and confusion took it's place as he hesitantly complied "flautja" he spoke the spell and Roy closed his eyes as he listened closely and his guilt from before only grew as he finally heard it.

Roy gave a sigh as his face fell with shame "I am truly a terrible magic instructor" he muttered before looking back at the kids, who were all looking at him expectantly "you are miss pronouncing the spell" he said and Eren's eyes widened "but, you had me go over it with you for at least an hour to make sure I was saying it right" Eren said and Roy grimaced "yes and that just shows how unprepared I am for teaching" he muttered before standing back up to full height "it is nearly imperceivable and I think it is do to your accent. I did not notice do to my unfamiliarity with both your laguage, and my inadequacy with the Ancient Laguage" Roy explained but Mikasa arched an eyebrow in confusion though "but then why didn't it effect me and Armin, and why couldn't you notice it?" she asked and Roy shook his head "yours and Armin's etiquette is well enough that your accent didn't interfere with the spell and his precise study and pronunciation didn't hurt ether" he explained before looking to to Eren "also, your language does not exist in Alagaësia, so nether dose your accent, meaning it's never been heard in the Ancient Language before" he finished with a head hung "this is entirely my fault. In my hast to teach you magic and my inexperience with teaching, I put you at great risk. I hope you can forgive me" he said.

The kids felt a little awkward at the apology "i-it's fine, I guess this is a learning experience for all of us" Armin said and Roy gave a relived sigh as he looked up to see Eren giving him an encouraging smile "yah, no problem. Help me get it right and we'll call it even" he said and Roy smiled as he went about correcting the near imperceivable miss pronunciation.

Once Roy was confident that Eren had it down, he stepped back and watched as Eren got ready to cast the spell again and he could practically see the combination of nervousness and excitement running though him "flautja!" Eren cast the spell and Roy's eyes widened as he realized that he forgot to warn Eren about something "wait!" he yelled but it was too late, and the last thing Eren heard was Mikasa and Scarlett calling out his name as he felt pain explode in his face.

Eren groaned as he woke back up and tried to open his eyes but clenched them shut as all he saw was a white light, glowing right in front of his face but he could clearly feel his Dragon's panic though "Scarlett?" he thought to his Dragon but even that gave him bit of a headache, which was exacerbated further when the Dragon's mind, which was already coiled tightly around his, suddenly bust in "Eren!" Scarlett answered with relief.

Eventually, the ringing in Eren's ears subsided and he could make out someone speaking in the Ancient Language and he was finally able to open his eyes enough to make out the silhouette of a hand, which soon stopped glowing and was removed to reveal the very relived faces of his friends "Eren!" Mikasa called with relief as she and Scarlett bother cling to him tightly.

Eren blinked several times as he tried to make sense of what was going on "how are you feeling Eren?" Roy asked and the boy wince a little "I got a killer headache, but aside from that I'm fine. What happened anyway?" he replied and Roy actually smiled as he looked up.

Eren followed his gaze and gasped as he saw the rock he had been attempting to lift, lodged in a branch, hight above "it would seam that all your failed attempts to make the rock float were not without benefit. Your already abnormally large reserves of energy, expanded like a muscle as you kept putting more and more power into the spell each day, and so when you finally performed the spell properly while putting all that energy into it, it shot up like a cannon, right in your face" Roy explained and Eren reached up to feel his face while he continued to stare up at the rock. He didn't feel anything wrong with his face, not even a scar, most likely thanks to Roy healing him, but even with the knowledge that he had injured himself bad enough that he actually knocked himself out, he couldn't help the large smile that stretched across his face before finally looking back down at his friends, to see Roy holding a hand out to him, to help him up.

Eren accepted the hand and Roy pulled him up and out of the clutches of Mikasa and Scarlett and Eren blinked as Roy held out another rock "this time, don't hold your head directly over it and don't put all the power you have into it but feed it in slowly as you need it" Roy told him with a smirk and Eren continued to smile as he eagerly took the rock, all previous sense of frustration and anger gone as he held the rock far away from his face and repeated the spell one last time, gradually feeding power into it this time, and Eren's hand and the rock, slowly began to glow in a red light as it began to float above his hand.

Eren's smile grew even wider if it was possible yes! I did it! He thought with excitedly while the others all watched with notably smaller smiles of there own and Scarlett gave a happy roar, her previous panic giving way to the joy that she was feeling over their link, mixed with her own.

[Present Day]

Roy smiled as he remember the events of previous day while looking over the balcony at Eren and his friends, chatting about training and such as they awoke, before he turned back and set his thoughts down in ink.

~Eren is still no where near an expert on magic, still struggling to grasp the language, however he is marking steady progress now and his maisve reserves of energy means he can cast powerful spells and with time, he will be quite the Rider. Still though, I did learned two things that day~

~The first, that I must endever to become better as a mentor and second, Eren, in spite of his powerful thirst for revenge, is one of the most forgiving people you can ever meet.~

~No matter how manny times I apologized to him, Eren insisted that I simply forget the whole debacle and move forward.~

Roy frowned at this last train of thought as he gripped his pin a little tighter.

~But alas, this is something I simply cannot do. Eren was fortunate to only come out of the ordeal slightly injured, as miss pronouncing a spell can have disastrous effects, and my shortcomings very well could have gotten them killed or worse.~

~I am barely a Rider in the since of training and experience and I am barely even a man yet. But I am the only one who can help these kids and train them for what is to come, so I must be better.~

Roy paused as he read over his last words and chuckled a little "it would seam that Eren is rubbing off on me" he muttered as a determined look, crossed his face as he looked back out the window. The sun was now rising over the wall, it was time to get back to training.

A/N - "flautja" - float