A Rider in Azeroth
Chapter Four: Preparations
Dalaran
"I'm sorry could you say that again?"
"I want you and Falraan to accompany me to Ellesmera."
The exasperated look he no doubt held on his face was mirrored with his mate's. "Why?" he asked after another minute of awkward silence. To their surprise, Arron leaned forward, a serious expression graced his often-neutral expression.
"While I am originally from Alagaesia, and more importantly Ellesmera, I would feel more at ease if two of my trusted inner circle would accompany me."
"Can you explain" Falraan started hesitantly "what exactly this celebration is for?"
"We can" Arron stated as he motioned for his sister, Arya to continue.
"The Blood-Oath Ceremony, called Agaeti Blodhren in the ancient Language, is the celebration of the pact between Elves and dragons at the end of the war between them. It is one of the most important celebrations for the elves, as it led to the reconciliation and formation of the Riders. It led to give the elves Immortality and dragon magic while giving the dragons Language and civilization."
Sandewor rubbed his eyes in frustration at the situation before him. He and Falraan were not known as 'pathfinders' for nothing. Often they, along with the more experienced of the guild, would be the first to head into uncharted territory, no matter the danger. While they were not exactly heading into uncharted territory he was still wary about the guild masters request. He had his share of celebrations before and yet it seemed that they held another meaning for this particular one.
"That's not all there is though?"
Arron leaned back and regarded the two. Sandewor knew he was in his 'What to tell them' state of mind. He would not mind it that much until vital information would be needed. Like now.
"Falraan is a High Druid of the Cenarion circle. She would be well received and even praised for her abilities in Ellesmera."
"I can think of two other druids that would be more than willing to go with you." Sandewor replied.
"But neither of them would be up to the diplomatic task that Falraan is."
"And of my mate?" Falraan intervened before he could get off another response.
"Sandewor is a commander of one of the most powerful orders on Azeroth. He is also one of the best diplomats and blacksmiths we have at the moment." At the raise of Falraan's eyebrow Arron conceded his final point. "He is also one of the most powerful paladins outside of the likes of Highlord Fordring."
Sandewor stared down at the cup he was holding onto with a fierce hand. It seemed that Arron was wary of his own people which was not a good sign. It was not the first time that both he and his mate had been instruments in politics. It did not mean he had any love for them. He was surprised that Arron, his guild master, would share his insecurities with them. In his own roundabout way, of course.
What was truly troubling was the fact that Arron had raised the call for all the guild to be put on alert. From his discussion with Blackhoof and Arron it seemed as though they were preparing for another campaign. This time for the Dragon Aspects. From what he could think of it was to be in the new land that Eragon, Orik, and Arya were from, this Alagaesia. Thinking of Eragon the paladin's thoughts turned to the last week they had been in Dalaran.
Since discovering that Eragon had an innate talent for the Light Tirion had been putting the young man through the paces. Though he had been attacked by the curse that was set upon him both him and Tirion had managed to head it off with the healing they had on hand. It was a good thing that they had been there. Not only had the curse tried to increase the pain it had left its mark on the young man's strength, sapping him until he could no longer train in the martial arts of the paladins. When that happened Tirion brought him to the citadel where he would learn the more historical and philosophical ways of the Light. Eragon had taken to learning the new religion well. So well that he had been able to form one of the basic attacks that any paladin worth his salt knew.
When he had first unleashed a judgement it was met with stunned silence from both the Highlord and himself. Whereas most judgements took the form of the weapon one was currently wielding, such as a sword or mace, Eragon's judgment took the form of a dragon's bite. After getting over their initial disbelief the three of them spent the proceeding hours speaking about theories as to why the magic had formed like it did. In the end they summarized that since he was bound to a dragon it had influenced the magic to take the form of something familiar. It had raised questions over what other abilities might be affected but determined that t was more of a visual change rather than a change of magic. Saphiragosa was more than pleased that her Riders efforts with the Light seemed to reflect her as well. If there was one thing Sandewor could say after speaking with her it was that dragons, whether from Azeroth of Alagaesia, loved flattery.
"Say if we did go with you." Falraan said, breaking the silence. "How long would we be there?"
"About a week." Replied Arya "After the celebration Eragon will return here while I will need to return to the Varden."
"And I will need to organize the guild for the Campaign to Alagaesia." Finished Arron.
"So we are going on another campaign." Sandewor muttered under his breath.
Arron let out a sigh, knowing that the man before him had been looking forward towards the peace that had been won after Garrosh's defeat. He was not planning on taking the full might of the guild to Alagaesia. If the years on Azeroth had taught him anything it was that peace, while welcome, could easily be shattered under the right circumstances. The situation between the Horde and Alliance was strained at best. It had helped that Vol'Jin was more amicable than Garrosh ever was. He had also noticed that Varian had mellowed somewhat. Arron had no doubts it was due to the young Prince Anduin. While he had considered bringing the young prince he had put that aside for time being.
Arron looked at the two before him. In all honestly they were the perfect ambassadors to help with beginning to bridge relations between the opposite sides of the world. They, along with a few others, had been instrumental in establishing relations between the various factions for the last few campaigns to have rocked Azeroth within the last decade. Before he could think more on the past Sandewor looked up from his drink with a steely determination in his eyes.
"Knowing the trouble you are bound to get into." Arron let out a scoff while Arya gave a small but worried smile "It would not be wise to allow you to go to this celebration without proper backup."
"Your confidence in my ability to attract trouble is inspiring my friend." Replied Arron sarcastically. Both Falraan and Sandewor merely smirked at their leader before moving on with business.
"So when are we to head out?" asked Falraan.
"In about a weeks' time. I am going to have some a small party ready to go to the Varden with my sister while I return to settle things here. There is also the issue with the healing of Eragon's back which I believe takes place tonight?"
"Correct." Replied Sandewor "While unfamiliar to the Crusade's healers the curse inflicted upon Eragon is neither the worst nor unhealable. We believed it would be better to have a full team of dispellers on standby just in case."
"And his training?" asked Arya. A smile broke across the paladins face as he responded.
"He is progressing rather quickly though that may be in part to his familiarity of both martial and magical techniques. More often than not many new paladins lean towards one or the other, creating an imbalance. The curse has also slowed down his progress." At the raised eyebrows he continued. "The curse that Durza put on him is definitively shadow magic. The Light that paladins use is its opposite. With the two energies fighting Over Eragon as a vessel, not to mention the influence of his bond with Saphiragosa, it is creating problems as he harnesses more of the light. There is also the fact that the Draconic side of his magic is affecting the Light he wields, though it is more of a cosmetic issue than a harmful one."
"How so?" inquired Arron.
"Tirion and I theorized that since he started out with Draconic magic it formed into a familiar shape for use with the light. Whereas my judgement is in the form of a sword his is that of a dragon's head. Makes for some interesting visuals. But I digress." Sandewor continued after taking a long drink of the ale in front of him "After the curse is lifted he will be moved to beginning healing spells, as they take more finesse than just throwing out a judgement onto someone." There was also the fact that the young Rider would be moving to the crucial part of his training. The specializations inherent to all paladins.
Out of the three paths the young man could choose both Sandewor and Tirion believed him to be more than ready for the path of Retribution. He had admitted that while he had fought with a shield sometimes more often than not he was forced to fall back on swordplay rather than board and sword. There was also the fact that Eragons current weapon, Zar'roc, was ill suited to the abilities of a paladin. Powerful paladins, such as him, could channel light through even the most twisted weaponry, though they took no joy in it. He was distinctly reminded of the axe Garrosh had wielded at the end of the Siege of Orgrimmar. The entire guild had quickly destroyed the weapon since it was found to have the same corrupting presence as the Old Gods themselves. Zar'roc itself was not like that weapon, but it still felt wrong.
When he had asked to inspect Zar'roc he had quickly learned why the light seemed to fight against being a conduit for the Light. The enchantments that had been laid upon the weapon only allowed certain magic, that of Alagaesia, to be used in conjunction with it. Upon further inspection, along with the story behind the weapon, Sandewor had quickly concluded that the weapon would never be able to cahnnel light in the way Eragon needed it. The enchantments, along with the blood of so many magical being that were of a different type of magic, were basically preventing the light form being used in any way. He had told Eragon to keep a hold of it for backup. He had already been to the forges to prepare a weapon for the young Rider and would be presenting it to him once they had him past the initial stages of the Retribution path. Though he had made weapons in case he chose the other two, unlikely as it may be.
"After his healing" Sandewor said after a moment to collect his thoughts "He will be coming to a crucial part of his training. I cannot say anymore, for this is for only those of the Light to know."
"Of Course." Arron replied before his sister could question Sandewor. "But I still need an answer."
Turning to look at his mate a silent agreement went between them before they turned back to their guild master. "Despite my reluctance it seems we will be going with you."
"Excellent. Now well need to prepare you for some of the finer points of Alagaesian elven social etiquette." Arron replied with a small amount of mirth in his voice. Sandewor could only groan in response having already suspected his guild master of such a thing as 'etiquette training'. Falraan actually seemed excited to learn of her cousins across the sea. 'Take my victories where I may' Sandewor thought before turning his attention back towards their 'training'.
Eragon
In the past week Eragon could not remember a more tiring, yet exhilarating experience. Tirion Fordring, who had taken on the task of his mentor for a short duration, was more than Eragon could have ever hoped for. HE would push Eragon to work harder, in both mind and body, much like Oromis. The differences became apparent after the first day however. Where Oromis would show Eragon pity while encouraging him Tirion would push him to the limits of his strength in both magic and martial. Whereas Oromis could do nothing for the attacks that assaulted the young Riders back Tirion, along with Sandewor if he was there, would funnel magic into his body to soothe the raging pain of his back. Tirion and Oromis. Two similar yet different teachers.
He chuckled at the memory of Saphiragosa first meeting the Highlord. To say she as shocked that such an individual with such power existed outside of dragons was a major shock to her. Sure, she had seen some of what the Arcane could due form Kalegos and others of the Dragonflights, but the Light was altogether a different type of magic. In her own words, she had described it as 'A soft yet warm wind that caresses and nurtures my wings.' Since then any minor injuries, usually from the playing of other dragons, had been healed with the Light, meager as it was. Tirion laughed the next when he had learned of what Saphiragosa had wanted. The older paladin merely waved it off saying it was good practice for down the road.
In the days that followed Eragon's back had been acting up more than usual. Even with the two paladins healing it could only do so much. After his latest attack, both of the Paladins had pulled him aside and told him that since his connection with the light was becoming stronger the Curse that Durza had put on him was trying to break him before he could be cleansed. Luckily for them the preparations had been made by other members of the Crusade to cleanse him of the curse. His joy was reflected in Saphiragosa at the thought of having her Rider whole once again. HE was currently resting in the quarters that Khadgar had provided, reading on some texts that Tirion had assigned him. He had scarce seen Arya and Orik in the last few days, though Eragon had a feeling where Arya was. He didn't know how elven family relationships went, but he would be ecstatic to be reunited with his brother after being separated for so long. Before his thoughts could wander anymore a group of people came in, though Ergon reconized htem easily enough.
Both Falraan and Sandewor looked as if they had been doing mental gymnastics, though he held some sympathy for them. Having learned all the different ways not to offend an elf could get tiring after a while. Eragon regarded the two Twilight Raiders. In the week he had known them Eragon had found while the paladin was only seven years his senior he had seen things that would have driven lesser men mad. HE was reserved, yet outgoing to those that actually knew him. IN the few times that Tirion could not teach him Sandewor had taken the reins and proved to be a excellent teacher. The welts that Eragon had acquired had demonstrated that the man was just as strong, if not stronger, than any elf he had ever met.
Falraan, who he later learned was a couple centuries his senior, displayed wisdom and childishness in equal measure. Though he had only talked to her a couple of times he had come to realize just how different the elves of Alagaesia and Azeroth were. She was by far the bluntest person, elf or human, he had met. Saphiragosa had called it a breath of fresh air in regards to dealing with pointy eared two legs. Eragon honestly could not disagree, much to the annoyance of Arya after she had heard him mutter it. Her talents as a druid had intrigued him initially. After some awkward reintroductions both Night elf and Rider had hit it off discussing the various aspects of magic and its differences and similarities, much to the amusement of both Sandewor and Saphiragosa.
"How in Lights name did you learn this language?" asked Sandewor after a few minutes. Eragon chuckled as he recalled the months learning just how to pronounce vowels of the Ancient Language.
"A lot of practice with plenty of trial and error."
"I can see that. It helps that we are both fluent in Darnassian, another elf language." Replied Falraan.
"So, you are coming with us back to Alagaesia." Eragon realized shortly after they had begun talking.
"Despite my hesitance, yes." Sandewor muttered while keeping his eyes closed. "Our Guild master can be quite convincing when he wants to be."
"Well he is a prince" Falraan replied with a small amount of mirth. Sandewor groaned loudly before he responded.
"Don't remind me. But were not here to discuss the princely qualities of our dear guild master." At this he leaned forward with a serious expression on his face.
"Tirion has gathered the healers required for the dispelling. We have never tried to dispel a curse that we know nothing of. I'll ask again. Are you ready?"
Eragon knew what he was talking about. Both Tirion and Sandewor had warned him what could happen if the dispelling was unsuccessful. But it didn't matter.
"In the Light, all things are possible." Replied Eragon with an equally serious look. "I'm ready."
A short Filler chapter. I'm sorry i couldn't push this out sooner but yeah lets just say the other stories have kinda taken a life of their own. As always read, review and favorite.
Walk in the light
Sandewrpally