Chapter Three "The Home of the Riders".
The wind blew softly around him, lightly brushing the top of his head, as he sat amongst a small grove of pine trees in the gardens of Dragonhold on the Silent Isle, the sun sat in the sky casting rays of glorious light upon the grove, and a smile crossed the face of Eragon. Taking a deep breath in before slowly exhaling, there he sat listening to the world around him, the birds chirping happily in the early morning sunlight. Beneath and around him, while meditating, Eragon could hear the ants in the grass he sat on getting to work searching for food to return to their queen and their colony, a sense of nostalgia crossed over Eragon as he sat here on an overturned tree trunk, calmly listening to the world.
We have accomplished much Eragon thought; as he looked back over the years at the work they had done in building this serene environment to raise the new riders and Dragons.
When Eragon along with his elven friends, who had once been his protectors, had departed all those years ago from the shores of Alaga sia, aboard the Talitha, with the Eldunari and Dragon eggs they had sailed for several weeks out in the vast ocean without encountering any large cluster of land. Several small islands they had seen.
None compared to this place, however. Eragon thought. This place was breathtakingly beautiful.
A lump formed in his throat as he used those words, the memory of what they had left behind appeared in his mind before he exhaled and calmed himself.
When they had encountered this island in the distance, he and Saphira had left the ship that ferried them and flown over the land to investigate its suitability for the task that faced them. Upon their investigation of the land, Eragon had determined that it was at least twice as large as Vroengard, the ancient home of the riders in Alaga sia. A vast proportion of the island was coated in a rich green forest that crossed one side of the island to the other, much to the delight of the elves and Eldunari who had bounded to elven riders, though magnificent in their bloom and height would have been dwarfed by the Ellesm ran forests. Not all the land was covered in forest, for on the eastern coast of the island, which they named "the Silent Isle" for the peace that filled the air, a large mountain range protected the land from the sea.
They were monstrous in size. Eragon thought to himself though, incomparable to the Boer's in Alaga sia.
He and Saphira had been delighted with the nature of isle when they had returned to the Talitha, and it too seemed that they had managed to convince their elf friends to settle here, unfortunately the ultimate decision on the new home for the Dragons would reside with the Eldunari and their guardian Cuaroc.
Upon the request of the elder Eldunari, the ship that bore them from Alaga sia to this new land stopped on the isle near a small beach close to the mountain range and they set up a small camp. For close to a week the Alaga sians stayed here while the Eldunari joined their minds and scanned the isle for any threats to the new dragons that would be raised here. The Eldunari and Cuaroc where concerned with a great many things before they scanned the island, firstly to ensure that there were no dangerous predators on the isle that could kill younglings, and secondly, whether there would be enough food for dragons to hunt on the isle. As they waited, hoping that the Eldunari would deem this island worthy, Eragon flew to the very edge of Alaga sia, though not actually arriving in Alaga sia itself, and folded a letter into the form of a boat and enchanted it, such as the way his friend had in the great war, to arrive to the Queen of the elves, Arya, and inform her of the location and time it would take to arrive at the Silent Isle. When they returned to the island, the Eldunari had culminated their scanning of the island and Eragon, along with Saphira and the elves, was delighted that the Eldunari deemed the island "more than acceptable" place to raise the new riders and wild Dragons.
Along the mountain range that coated the eastern coast of the Silent Isle, they decided that they would settle and build a home for the riders. This home would be based upon the houses found in Vroengard, when Eragon and Saphira had visited, there would be platforms to land on the side of the accommodation tower so that riders might sleep along with their dragons, but also the mountain range would provide caves for the dragons also to sleep in. Attached the accommodation tower would be a great building, to rival the largest dwarven halls and the elves Tiadara Halls in Ellesmera, that would house the meeting rooms and teaching floors that would be necessary in the future once hundreds of riders had been trained.
Once they set to work it took several years for Eragon, along with the elves, using the power of the Eldunari to sing the building into shape the stone from the mountains. They finished the main building and the early floors of the accommodation tower in time for the first new Dragon Riders to arrive from Alaga sia, six and a half years after their original departure from Alaga sia. Over the next decades they would work to complete the building itself as well as add smaller ones around it, eventually naming it "The Dragon Hold".
A place fit to hold the mightiest beings in history, and their partners-of-mind-and-soul. Eragon thought and was happy.
They had constructed the halls that would hold the teaching, meeting and personal offices, on a two levels. The Great Hall, which would hold feasts and the meetings of the riders in the future, covered much of the ground floor along with offices, scrying and meditation rooms. On the second floor stood rooms for teaching the young students, as well as a private discussion room for the members of the Rider Council, made up of the eldest and wisest riders. Outside the main "Dragonhold" building they sung into shape wooden homes, much like those on Vroengard and in Ellesmera, along with buildings suited for blacksmiths and bakers. In the future, Eragon and Saphira hoped that people friendly to the Rides would wish to settle on the Isle with them and so they prepared for the centuries in advance.
As do the elves. Eragon thought. We've become much like them now.
The accommodation tower was perhaps their greatest construction on the isle in terms of size and capacity.
Certainly the one that took the most energy to construct Eragon thought.
The tower was attached to the main Dragonhold, towered over fifty feet into the air above the small village they sung into place. The completion of the tower had only occurred ten years beforehand and was a marvellous monument to the power of the Dragons and their Riders. Inside the tower, hundreds of floors existed each that could accommodate several riders and their dragons. They had planned the grandeur mostly due to hoping in time that there would be several hundred riders, as there had been before the fall, each of whom would receive their own room. There were platforms on the outside where a rider's dragon could fly them to their room. At the top of the tower, two floors were dedicated to Eragon himself, which included his personal accommodation, and at the pinnacle of the tower sat an observation deck where he could watch the stars; it was large enough for Saphira to also sit comfortably with him.
Over the years, we have watched the starts Thousands of times. Eragon thought, and happiness washed over him. Me and the partner-of-my-heart.
One of the few problems they had faced on the isle, aside from the large workload in its construction, was where they would store the Eldunari and Dragon Eggs. Eragon and the two leaders of the Eldunari, Glaedr and Umaroth, considered for a great time before one of the older Eldunari Esilira, whose rider had died hundreds of years before the fall, remarked about how she had enjoyed the warmth of the environment they had inhabited on Vroengard. Following this Glaedr and Umaroth contact the other Eldunari and they all decided that they would enjoy a similar arrangement on The Silent Isle.
In order to accommodate the bastions of the Dragon race, Eragon and Cuaroc funnelled the energy of the Eldunari and used it to tunnel deep into the mountains behind the Dragonhold. After a suitable distance, over half a mile into the very heart of the mountains, they created a large chamber for the Eldunari to be stored along with the dragon eggs. Small enclaves, much like the ones in the Vault of Souls, where dug into the sides of the room for each of the Eldunari and one for each of the eggs.
We took precautions. Eragon thought. Only I and Saphira, along with the elves that journeyed with us firstly would be granted the ability to enter the chamber. Through the speaking of one's true names.
After four years of work on The Silent Isle, Eragon decided they were able to accommodate young riders and were ready to train them. Entrusting the eggs protection to one of the elves, named Yaela, he sent three eggs to Alaga sia to be chose the partners of their destiny. At the same time he and Saphira and the Eldunari began the hatching of the wild dragons. Six months after her departure, word reached the island from Yaela off the hatching of the three eggs. One had chosen an Urgal, a dwarf and the third an elf. Over the next year, while they waited for the riders to be trained in Ellesmera before they made their way to the Silent Isle with Yaela, they hatched forty wild dragon eggs, and with the help of the Eldunari belonging to wild dragons, send them into the forests and hills of the island.
Since that day they left Alaga sia, ninety-eight years have passed and along with it the growth of the new Riders has begun.
Today there are five and twenty Dragon Riders, including three which I train now. Eragon thought, and wave a pride and accomplishment washed over his body as he meditated. Each as brilliant as the next, I have been extremely lucky.
Eragon remembered the three that had arrived at the Silent Isle, none of them had ever met him yet they greeted with him respect and an awe that was shared by the people of Alaga sia at his feats in the war. They had studied under him for eleven years, and when they had completed their training he shared with them the same secrets Oromis had done to him. He had taken them to visit the Eldunari, though not allowed them entrance aside from one, and they returned to Alaga sia as Riders in full using one of the swords rescued from Galbatorix's treasury.
Of those first three Eragon had been particularly impressed by the elven rider Elira. Though young in the elven society, at a hundred and twenty, she possessed wisdom and spirit that made her his star pupil.
Though I loved them all. Eragon thought as I love all of my students.
When Elira had passed her training, Eragon had granted her the title of his right hand. Eragon wanted someone to represent and pass his orders onto the riders when they were in Alaga sia, for he would not return, and he trusted none more than Elira. As not to seek to pick a favourite, Eragon had chosen Brutavartz and Elmik as the representatives of the riders to their particular races and in the future, they would leader their own races riders thought server under Elira in Alaga sia.
Perhaps the happiest moment of the last century. Eragon thought and smile crossed his face was when Ismira was chosen.
Twenty years after he departed Alaga sia Eragon received word from his cousin Roran at the news of a new human rider, his niece Ismira who had a purple dragoness named Vrita hatch for her. A year later when she arrived for her tutelage, she arrived with her mother and father and brothers. For the first time twenty years, Eragon had seen his family and the emotion had brought him into tears. Over the next eleven years he trained Ismira, and watch happily as she grew and acquired many of her father and mothers attributes.
Roran and Katrina came to visit at least three times a year. Eragon thought, he felt sadness flow over him.
Little One, be calm. Saphira sent a wave of comfort to him.
I know, thank you. Eragon replied. But now, I have three students that require my teachings. Jacob, Vanir's daughter Irim and Aaenor. They are perhaps the finest I have had yet.
Eragon took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, feeling a wave of peace and serenity wash over him. The smell of pine filled his nostrils as he did, and he remembers an old friend who once could bring him weak in the knees, and who he had sad goodbye to ninety-eight years ago.
He whispered her true name. A tremor of recognition ran through her.
She whispered his true name in response and he too shivered at hearing the fullness of his being.
He opened his mouth to speak again, but Arya forestalled him by placing three of her fingers upon his lips. She stepped back from him then and raised one arm over her head.
"Farewell, Eragon Shadeslayer", she said.
And then F rnen swept down from above and snatcher her off the deck of the ship.
And then she was gone, and wave of emotion passed over him that threatened to overwhelm him. He allowed the tears to pour from his eyes and he cried at his loss, knowing he would never see her again.
Eragon flashed back to current and he found his eyes filling with tears once more. Breathing once more, he tried to banish the feelings that resurfaced from that day years ago. The smell, that he once associated with her, had been a comfort over the years but it still brought his emotions to the forefront on many an occasion.
Strange. Eragon thought as he sat there, he felt someone approach the grove of trees where he sat.
Over the years, his elven friends had learnt to understand the importance of the grove to him, and perhaps hits meaning, and his students had understood that Eragon wished to be alone when he entered this particular grove of trees. But here he was, sat in his meditation, and someone approached the gravel path. Eragon considered who it could be for a moment, before he reached out and touched the mind of the person. He was pleasantly surprised as he recognised her mind.
"Good Morning, Ismira. Welcome back". Eragon called out as he felt her pause two feet behind him, as he stood and faced her. Why does she look worried, He thought to himself.
"Good Morning, Uncle. I hope I did not disturb your meditation", Ismira replied with a smile that sent a shiver down his spine. In the years he had known Ismira, she had come to be the spitting image of her mother, even down to the smile.
"Fear not, I always have time for my favourite niece". Eragon said as he embraced Ismira. "You become more beautiful every time I see you. Just like your mother."
Ismira bowed her head in thanks and when she raised it again, her lips curved into a smile. "Oh uncle, I've missed you. It's been too long."
"Indeed, Jacob has missed you as well. He often talks about the beautiful lady that told him he would be a dragon rider." Eragon replied, and Ismira laughed happily.
"Oh behave Uncle." Ismira said, and then noticing that Eragon felt upset. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I have just been remembering old times." Eragon replied
"As father would say, Sentimental old fool." Ismira remarked, a hidden grin on her face
"You may look like your mother, but you definitely inherited your father's legendary way with words." Eragon said with a grin.
"Oh Uncle, it has definitely been too long". Ismira said and offered him her hand. "Have you eaten?"
"Nay" Eragon replied, taking her hand. "I have just now finished my morning meditation, let's go find some breakfast".
Together, hand in hand, they followed the gravel path back towards the Dragon hold all the while discussing the new riders training. Ismira seemed to be interested in how Jacob was doing.
"So you do care?" Eragon remarked playfully.
"Oh, behave. I am just affectionate towards him. He's sweet". Ismira replied, and Eragon thought of another time when he would have loved to grasp the attention of someone who he cared for.
As they entered the Dragonhold, they turned left and entered into the Great Hall through a large door.
"Ah and here he is. Perhaps my greatest apprentice yet." Eragon said as he led Ismira to a seat and then with a smile said; "How are you this morning Jacob?"
"Morning Ebrithil, I'm really good" Jacob replied happily, before nervously saying to Ismira; "Hello Ismira".
"Hello little one" Ismira replied, and then snipped his cheek playfully.
After he helped Ismira into her seat, Eragon descended into his and looked around the Great Hall, marvelling at its beauty. They had decided when designing the halls that this would be a place to hold extravagant banquets and feasts for the riders and visitors to the island, as well as in time hoping that it would host grand meetings of the riders. Based upon this idea, they had sung a table that would seat over a hundred beings at once. The table was a rich mahogany in nature, and was decorated with dragons and forests carved into the wood. Each seat had the form of a different dragon upon its back, and every seat was identical in grandeur. Eragon had been specific about this detail in order to prevent arguments over preference to one over another, particularly given how the elder Eldunari had told him of old riders arguing over their place in the order.
The one thing I regret about this place, Saphira. We have not held enough feasts, nor have we had enough visitors over the years. Eragon thought, and it was true. Over the years, Roran and Katrina had visited at least once a year, while Nasuada had come every five years. However, not once over the past ninety-eight years had the one person he really wanted to see come to the Silent Isle.
I know little one, but is it our fault that she did not? Saphira replied thoughtfully, and with a slight anger in her mind.
Perhaps, Eragon replied, and he too felt a slight anger in his mind. How did your hunt go with the wild dragons?
I won, of course. None can compete with me! Saphira replied and shot him images of the contest.
"Ebrithil?" Eragon heard as he watched Saphira's thoughts.
"What, sorry?" He answered
"Jacob was just asking, Uncle, if you knew my I had come to visit." Ismira responded, "Also, Irim has joined us."
"Oh, good morning Irim ." Eragon said and smiled at the young elf sat next to Jacob, she was around twenty five years old and extremely beautiful with her golden hair. "And well Jacob that is a very good question."
"Perhaps we should ask my niece "Eragon said with a wink at the young boy, who was only twelve." What she wants. For she has not told me, but kept me waiting. Imagine the shame of not telling your Ebrithil what you have returned.
Jacob grinned with a huge look of happiness on his face as his master indulged in a bit of mocking humour. Irim also had a slight look of amusement on her face.
"Oh Uncle Behave" Ismira replied, playfully tapping his shoulder. A hint of annoyance in her voice. "I am here to bring you a message."
"A message you say? "Eragon replied, "Not just to visit your dear old uncle? It seems my students never return these days without the burden of news."
"Give it up, you sentimental fool. "Ismira smirked, "you know we would return but for our duties to the people of Alagaesia. "
Eragon nodded in recognition of a conversation he held long ago between two friends who did not want to leave one another, but could not give up their duties. A memory flashed in his mind
"Would you give up your crown to come with us?" he asked, already knowing the answer
She lifted her gaze "would you give up your charge of the eggs?"
He shook his head. and the memory faded from his mind.
It was replaced by a wave of pain and unhappiness that resurfaced, how he left and give up happiness with one he cared for in order to fulfil his duty to the dragons
It's been ninety-five years since we spoke directly. Eragon thought
"Hello, are you there?" Ismira called out bringing him back to the world
"Yes, sorry." Eragon replied. "What news do you bring; anyway, I hope Leo is well?
Ismira studied him for a moment before replying. "Leo is well, although he has another wife."
"Another, this is the third correct?" Eragon asked, and Ismira nodded, "Your father would not approve".
"As I told him." Ismira stated, "It is more acceptable in Alagaesia these days. Regardless of that, onto why I am here."
"Ah the fabled message" Eragon teased, a smile on his face.
Ismira shook her head before she reached into her belt and pulled out a letter. "Elira and Murtagh wished for me to deliver this to you."
"Ah your other uncle, what does he want this time? Why he can't just come himself " Eragon asked
"I do not know, though I assume it is important". Ismira replied
"It rarely is" Eragon remarked and read the letter.
Dear Brother,
If you are reading this, then Ismira had arrived in good time for we have not yet contacted you first.
Myself, and Elira, have a matter of great importance to consult with you. A matter that has not been seen in years. We will be contacting you within the same day Ismira should arrive at Dragonhold.
Murtagh.
Eragon read the letter again, and looked up. Ismira and the two students gazed at him interested in what the letter held within.
"So, I am to expect contact from them. " Eragon replied. "It seems important. But considering its Murtagh could be nothing. As long as it's not another request for me to join them in Alagaesia."
"Why would they disguise it as important?" Ismira asked
"Last time he said that the pigs were revolting." Eragon said with a slight smile on his lips. "But yet he decided to class that as important".
"The safety of pigs is not important, Ebrithil?" Irim asked, and he could hear the amusement in her musical voice.
"Very funny. "Eragon laughed, and then turned his head as the great doors to the hall opened and an elf covered in brown fair entered with a look of wariness on his face.
"Eragon-elda. " Bl dhgarm said, pausing at the foot of the table.
"Ah, old friend. What is the matter?"
"Morning Ebrithil." Jacob and Irim said in unison.
"Morning children." Bl dhgarm smiled his slightly ferocious grin and then turned to Eragon. "We have received contact from Elira and Murtagh, they wish to see you and claim it is important.
"Very well, I was expecting it" Eragon replied and stood, noticing the questioning look on Bl dhgarm's face he waved the letter. "They sent word via, Ismira."
"Ah, welcome Ismira." Blodgharm said, to which Ismira bowed her head.
Eragon walked to the join Blodgharm, before pausing and turning to Irim and Jacob. "Find Aaenor and take him to my office, I will be along shortly. We will skip our group meditations and instead discuss healing once more".
"As you wish, Ebthril." Irim responded, and Eragon pointed a finger at Ismira and beckoned.
"Come."
As they walked through the corridor, Ismira jogged to catch up to them, Eragon noticed that Bl dhgarm's fur stood at end on his back which Eragon, over the years, had come to recognize in apprehension and nervousness in his friend.
"What is it old friend? Eragon inquired.
"I have been asked not to speak of the matter until you are told yourself". Blodgharm replied, casting a look of reassurance at Eragon. "all is well."
Eragon tipped his head unsurely at the elf, and they continued towards the meeting room which held a vast number of enchanted mirrors. As they walked, Eragon smiled at the potraits on the wall. Using the memories of the Eldunari, Eragon and the elves had created Fairths that represented hundreds of different Dragons and their Riders from before the fall. As they arrived at the room which held the mirrors, Eragon smiled as he saw the fairth of his father on the wall.
Eragon opened the door that stood before him and motioned for Ismira and Bl dhgarm to enter before him, they bowed their heads and thanks and entered, Eragon closing the door behind him as he entered last. On the walls of the room where thirty enchanted mirrors, one each for the riders and one for each of the rulers of the Alagaesian races. Blodgharm led them over to the wall that held the mirrors linked the Kings and Queens of the races and to the senior Riders in Alagaesia, Elira and Murtagh.
Bl dhgarm reached them first, and bowed to the mirrors before motioning Eragon over.
Why did he bow to the riders, he is their master as much as I Eragon thought as he stood in front of the mirrors. Ismira and Blodgharm stood to his left.
As he turned to face the mirrors Eragon could see the images of Elira and Murtagh in their mirrors, lavender and crimson red to match the riders dragons respectively. Below them, the races leaders mirrors hung, and Eragon eyes froze as he laid his sight upon the two central mirrors. He barely paid attention to the image in the Deep purple mirror next to it, instead he was focused on the mirror that was decorated in trees and was a emerald green mirror, his eyes transfixed at the image within.