A/N: Ok, here, a longer, and hopefully better chapter. And back in Taya's perspective. Oh, and thanks for your reviews. And sorry it took so long to update, I've had writers block. I'm a very good procrastinator. I hope you enjoy this chapter. And I'll answer the reviews.
Silver sliver: Thanks, I was hoping to kind of get people to feel sorry for Taya :(
2stupid: Taya's parents are somewhat important to the overall scheme of the story, but there's something that involves her parents' death that is more important.
koolkat 101: Thanks!
Adriannrod: Yeah, long chapters are hard and take a while to write... not that I would know, 'cause I don't write really long chapters.
maddy midnight: I probably should, but I don't know how...
booksquirt: Well, back in Taya's perspective.
bananasrokk: Thanks!
Thanks for the reviews!
Disclaimer: Don't own it.
Taya sat on her bed, her head in her hands as tears rolled down her cheeks.
Their was a knock on her door. "Miss-"
"GO AWAY!" she bellowed. She heard a squeak, then nothing except the wind coming through her window. She had just had a fight with her stepparents, in which they threatened to leave her on the street, after she had been caught attempting to throw her stepmother's jewelery out the window, after her stepmother had thrown a pan at her, after Taya had bellowed something about how she wished her real parents were around, after her stepmother had threatened her because Taya had tripped up the stairs and landed on her dress, ripping it. So it was all her stepmother's fault, really. And who new if they would keep their 'promise.'
She held the green stone to her chest and let the tears roll out. If only her parents hadn't died in that fire...
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A two-year old self sat in the front yard. A man rode up on a black horse and asked her for her parents. She pointed to the small cottage house. "In there," she said. The man nodded. He wore a grimace on his face, which was scarred. As he walked up to the house, Taya heard laughter from inside. It was her parents. Their last laughs.
Five minutes later, the house erupted into flames and the man galloped past her.
"Mommy! Daddy!" Taya called, tumbling towards what had once been her house. Firm hands gripped her, stopping her from running into the flames and killing herself. She looked up and saw a boy, around five years older than Taya. She fought him, kicking and screaming.
"LET ME GO!" she wailed. The boy held on to her, despite the fact he was getting bruised.
Once the flames disappeared, his grip loosened, but he wouldn't let her go.
Suddenly, she was standing in front of her parents' graves, sobbing, as her stepparents stared at her in disgust.
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Taya woke with a start, her face red. Not because her memories had frightened her, even though they had, but because she heard a cracking sound. She looked down at the stone and was surprised to find small cracks running through the stone.
Joy. I broke the rock. Wait... I broke the rock?
As she continued to stare at the rock, something poked out of it. As it came out further, she realized it was a snout. Then, out came the head.
Oh. My. Lord. A dragon.
As the dragon came completely out of the egg, she had a brief thought to kill it. But, when the dragon nuzzled her arm, she knew she couldn't. She patted it's head. "AHH!" she exclaimed. She looked down at her palm and gasped. It was shining.
Suddenly, he stomach churned. She'd have to join the Empire or the Varden. And she was not quite in the mood to be killed, even if her life wasn't going too well.
It's about time.
Taya whirled around, and saw a cat sitting on her window.
"Shoo, kitty," she said.
Kitty? the cat asked. Taya gasped.
Y-y-you can talk? And you're in my mindexclaimed Taya as the emerald green dragon sat in her lap, coughing smoke.
Yes, I can talk, because I am a werecat.
Taya opened her mouth, then shut it. She had always been told werecats were fictional, non-existent. And to have one standing in her room, talking to her, was just too much.
Are you going to sit there all day, or are you going to say something?
Why are you here? asked Taya, still attempting to convince herself that the werecat and dragon were a halucination.
Why? Well, let's see, you have a dragon sitting in your lap, and you could drastically alter the fate of Alagaesia. What did you think I was here for? Cookies? the werecat snarled.
You're a rather sarcastic werecat, Taya stated. And if you came here to tell me anything, I suggest you tell me before I knock myself out with a frying pan.
You don't have a frying pan in your room, the werecat said, licking it's paw.
What's your name? asked Taya as she stroked the baby dragon, ignoring the werecat's comment.
Werecats have many names. But I am commonly known as Visii, she said.
Taya nodded her head. The baby dragon hopped off her lap and began to explore the room.
Er... may I ask exactly what you want? asked Taya.
Visii looked at Taya, her emerald green eyes burning a hole in Taya's brown ones. You must choose a side.
Yes, I know. Varden or Empire, Taya sighed. There's no other side, is there?
No, Visii said in a somewhat bored tone. Taya found it hard to believe this conversation was boring. In fact, it was the most stimulating conversation she'd had in ages, and it was with a cat. Well, werecat.
What side do you think I should choose? Taya asked. She was somewhat confused, she knew what would be easier and what would probably be right, but she wasn't sure. If only there was a way Taya wouldn't have to join a side. She could be a rogue rider, traveling across Alagaesia, like a pirate, but in the air. No, she'd just get arrested.
It's your choice and your choice only, Visii responded. And the air pirate thing wouldn't work.
Taya opened her mouth to respond, then realising her thoughts were no longer private, asked, How do I keep my thoughts private?
You learn. It's not easy. You must practice. When you go to the elves-
WHAT? exclaimed Taya. Elves?
Well, Visii said, you need to train somewhere.
Taya looked down at the baby dragon in her lap. It released a puff of smoke, then curled up in her lap. She gently lifted it off her lap and on to her pillow. It puffed another tendril of smoke and it snaked around the room. Taya reached out and broke the line of smoke with her finger, watching as it split. So what do I do now? she asked.
Wait until your dragon is large enough to ride, then head to Surda, Visii responded. Now, where can I sleep?
Sleep?
Visii fixed her eyes upon Taya. You don't really expect me to leave you, now do you? How will you know when your dragon isbig enough to ride? You're the third rider, Taya. You're going to need some help.
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Taya awoke in the morning, sun streaming through her window. She sat up, and spotting no werecat, told herself last night had been just a dream.
Nice to see you've woken up.
Taya jumped and slowly spun her head around to where Visii was resting on a pillow at the foot of her bed along with the baby dragon.
It wasn't a dream... Taya whispred.
No, Visii said. It wasn't. Now, to more important matters, what are you going to name your dragon?
Erm... Taya trailed off. Leonardo?
Visii shook her head. Leonardo? I don't think so. It must be magestic, powerful-
This is my dragon, you know, Taya stated flatly. She knew Leonardo was a terrible name for a dragon, but, she hadn't been able to think of anything on the spot.
Yes, well I know more about dragons than you do.
Peraps, she said. Then, an idea struck her. She reached under her bed and pulled out an old, worn leather book with emeralds and rubies encrusted in it. She opened up to the back of the book, where there were words in what she believed to be the elven language and the human language translation. She searched through the book for a couple of minutes, until she found the right word. "Got it!" she exclaimed out loud.
What? asked Visii.
Wyrda.
A/N: So, what did you think of the chapter? Look, I know Wyrda is the name of the annoying bird, but I thought it fit, so I used it! Sorry! Anyway, please R&R. I'll try not to take as long to post the next chapter, but I can't promise anything. R&R!