Hey I want to think Blindingfirefly for the final name pronounced just as you read. Enjoy!
Chapter 46: Bad First Impression
Eragon woke up at the exact time that Draken did. He gently licked Saphira's snout while she slept and silently stepped out of their bowl.
"Good morning, father," Draken whispered. Eragon nodded to him and motioned for his son to follow him outside, in which he obeyed.
Son, Eragon said as the two exited their home. There is a visitor expected sometime today.
"Who?" Draken asked intently. Eragon shook his head.
A sorceress named Trianna, Eragon explained. Apparently, she had a dragon hatch for her. She is the final rider besides Murtagh and me.
"Another dragon?" Draken asked with wonder. "What color is she….is she purple like me…is she…?
Draken, Eragon groaned. First, it is a male dragon. He should be an emerald color, similar to your eyes. I do not know how young this dragon is, but I know that they are due to stop in today. Can I trust you to show respect and hospitality to these two?
"Of course," Draken replied. "You know that, father."
I do, Eragon admitted. You must forgive us, son. Trianna is…should I say…not quite trusted by your mother and me.
"Why?" Draken continued to ask. "What did she do?"
She, Eragon went in to explain, tried to seduce me into mating with her before your mother took my heart. I almost gave in too, but Saphira barged in and prevented me from making such an awful mistake.
"I see," Draken said. "You find her as a slattern."
In a way, Eragon replied. She has a lot of power, son. We are kind of worried at this.
"I understand," Draken said. They both turned around to see Saphira standing in the doorway with her mouth open in a loud yawn.
Good morning, she said sleepily. How are things?
Trianna should be here soon, Eragon said. I was just explaining the proper manners that our son should give them…?
Like a nice bite on her neck? Saphira asked. If so, make sure that she does not stir afterwards.
"You must hold a deep grudge against her, mother," Draken said. "Can she not be trusted…by me?"
I would not recommend it, Saphira said. She was so close to taking my mate away.
Like it or not, love, Eragon told her. We must train them. We will only cover the basics and keep our intense training to ourselves. I do not want a person of her power to learn how to draw energy from every source. What if she turns evil?
She already is in my opinion, Saphira said with amusement. Nevertheless, we must do as we are commanded. When will she be here?
Soon, Eragon told her. Are our daughters warm?
I took a blanket from our bedroom and laid it over them, Saphira explained. It should do until later on.
Brilliant idea, love, Eragon told her, as he padded over to rub his muzzle against hers. She showed her teeth lovingly as he did so. Suddenly, Saphira and Eragon both tilted their heads and growled at the other side of the hill.
A messenger is approaching, she told Eragon.
I know, Eragon said. He quickly rushed into the home and transformed back into human form, sliding on his tunic afterwards. He stepped out of the home in time to see an Elvin messenger emerge from the hillside.
"Hail, Argetlam!" the elf exclaimed. "I bring news."
"Let us hear it then," Eragon shouted back. "Come, friend." The elf quickened his pace and properly greeted Eragon after he reached him.
"Trianna is here in Ellesmera," the elf explained. "Her dragon is as large as your child as well."
"Do you know her dragon's name?" Eragon asked. The elf thought for a second.
"I believe that her dragon's name is Slide," the elf stated confidently.
"Silvery Gleam?" Eragon asked in reference to the dragon's name. "Her dragon is emerald, correct?"
"Yes," the elf replied. "Why they chose that name is far beyond me."
"I agree," Eragon sighed out. "It is strange. Send them here when they are situated. We will train for only one hour per day." Saphira padded up to Eragon and slid down to her paws beside him.
How is Trianna? Saphira asked. The elf smirked slightly.
"Anxious," he replied. "She can only talk of training with you, Eragon." Saphira snorted loudly and shook her head.
Slattern, she told Eragon through their mental link. Remember your promise if she tries anything on you.
As much as I would, Eragon tried to convince, I cannot kill her, for Slide would perish as well. I do not want that much guilt on me. If I resisted Arya, do you not have confidence in me that I cannot resist her? Saphira sniffed and dropped her head to her paws.
No doubt at all, she sighed. I hope, at least. Eragon reached down and scratched her scales that were just behind her left ear, causing her to growl pleasingly.
"Bring her here when she is ready," Eragon told the messenger. "We will spend the first hour lecturing on what is expected…and that includes proper respects that must be paid to us. Is that clear, friend?"
"Crystal sire," the Elvin messenger replied, as he turned on his heel to head back to Ellesmera.
"It is going to get very interesting," Eragon groaned. "I am hungry this morning. Draken? Can you fetch us something?"
"What do you have in mind?" Draken asked. Eragon smiled and removed his tunic to shift forms again.
Actually, he said. I think I owe you a father-son hunting trip. Draken flapped his wings excitedly and bounced on his forearms a little bit. Eragon turned over to Saphira.
Would you care to join us? Eragon asked. Saphira bobbed her head and climbed up to her feet.
I believe it would be a good way to start the morning…? Saphira started, but she paused. Wait! Stave is still out there! I cannot leave our daughters with that madman about.
Relax, love, Eragon told her. He escorted her back over to their home and morphed back to human form. "We have a new invention on our door."
What would that be? Saphira asked with her eyes wide. Eragon grinned and reached behind the door. There was a muffled click behind it as Eragon pulled the door shut.
We invented locks, Eragon told her. An ironsmith in Osilson created this idea because he was so tired of mongrels stealing his work while he was away. He reached into a small pocket that was in the inside of his tunic and pulled out a silver key. This will allow us to get back inside.
Very wise, Saphira stated with amusement in her voice. Shall we fetch breakfast?
Let's! Eragon placed the key in the tunic and laid it on the ground while he transformed back. From there he scooped the tunic up with his forearm and leapt into the sky with his family following close behind.
- - - - - - - - -
"I never expected me to be here," Trianna said in awe as she examined the tree house that the elves had bestowed her.
It is lovely, dear one, Slide told her. I am quite anxious to see this rider. Is it true that he has the only female of our race?
Yes, Trianna told him, causing the emerald dragon to snort. Be warned, Slide: Saphira may be hard to please.
It does not mean that I cannot try, Slide replied confidently. I may keep our race alive. Why would she deny me if we are all that is left?
There still is Thorn, Slide, Trianna stated annoyingly. Do as you wish…but leave Eragon to me.
Tell me what I would want to do with a human? Slide huffed Besides, is Eragon a male of your…oh! Trianna shot him an awkward look, but wiped it off of her face. Suddenly, an Elvin messenger came into her home.
"Eragon is ready!" he exclaimed. Trianna looked over towards her emerald green dragon and smiled.
It is time to go.
- - - - - - - -
Go get it, SON! Eragon whooped as Draken dived down after a running deer that was trying to escape his sharp talons. Draken swooped in lower and jabbed his claws into the sides of the stag almost effortlessly. From there, he increased his grasp on the deer, plunging his claws deeper into the deer's ribs. He felt the deer's warm fresh blood pour out over his claws, but he only strengthened his grasp until the deer lay limp in his forearms.
Very impressive son, Saphira told him, as she dove in after another, larger buck. Watch this! The buck squealed slightly as Saphira's large shadow overpowered him. No matter how fast he ran, the shadow was right over him. Saphira opened her jaws and swooped in lower towards the animal. With one quick snap of her maw, the stag was squished between her sharp talons. It squealed in pain, but Saphira only pressed down tighter to end its pain.
"Nice catch, mother," Draken called out with his catch still impaled with his talons. Saphira nodded her head as she held on to the stag's limp form with her teeth.
I suppose it is my turn, Eragon said with a slight bit of humor in his voice. Here I go!
No trees this time, Eragon, Saphira joked. Eragon ignored her sly comment and swooped down after the final stag. He tucked in his wings and dove faster after the elusive deer.
"You can do it, father!" Draken screamed out. Eragon dove faster after the deer and outstretched his talons in anticipation of the fresh kill that he was about to encounter. He reached out with his claws, but suddenly, found himself crashing into something. He tried to regain his composure, but the object seemed to be attached to him. All Eragon could see was an emerald green blur as he began falling to the ground. He remembered hearing a loud scream from a very familiar individual, but it was not his wife.
"You stupid beast!" the voice screamed. "Let go of him!" Suddenly, he felt the object release him and fly away only seconds before everything went black.
- - - - - - - - - -
"What in the Gods' names were you thinking, Slide!" Trianna screamedSlide held his head down in flight, examining the limp form of the solid black dragon below him. "What if he was also the last? Did you kill him?"
You better hope not! An unfamiliar voice clicked into their heads. Suddenly, Slide was knocked hard into his side by a sapphire colored dragon. He spun wildly before crashing to the forest below, tossing Trianna from her saddle and into a nearby tree.
- - - - - - - - - -
Eragon awoke with a splitting headache, which hurt so bad that he did not dare to open his eyes.
Eragon? A voice called to him worriedly. He could not figure out who the voice belonged to, but he felt as if he had known that voice for his entire life. Eragon! The voice called again. Look what that slattern has done to you! Please, wake up!
"Mother is right," a male voice chimed out loud. Eragon clearly recognized that the voices were his wife and son's. He quickly shot his eyes open, despite the pain in his head.
What happened? Eragon asked groggily. I was hunting…and then…?
Shush now, Saphira comforted him. You are fine. He looked at her to see that Saphira was lying beside him. Eragon, she said. The stag you went after was also being eyed by Trianna's dragon. He attacked you and caused you to crash. Eragon slowly climbed up to his feet to see an emerald green dragon licking a large cut on his side. Eragon examined his wings to see that Saphira had tended to some large tears that were on them, as well as some large scraps that were on the underside of his belly. I should have killed them on the spot!
No, Eragon replied calmly. He climbed to his feet and moved towards the emerald dragon, who looked up from his wound and hissed.
What do you want? The dragon roared, as he turned back to lick his cuts. That was my kill. I had every right to do what I did. If you wish for an…?
You are very young, Eragon told him. Young…and arrogant. I see that Saphira had repaid you for what you did to me. Good.
What? The dragon hissed. Good? GOOD? She could have killed me!
And you could have killed me, Eragon added harshly. Now that we have our greetings established, I am your trainer, Eragon. Eragon turned his head over to Saphira, who was brushing Draken's side with her snout. Where is Trianna?
She is away, the dragon replied. I am her dragon, Slide. Perhaps I did make a fowl judgment of the action I took against you. You must be correct about my arrogance.
It decreases with age, Eragon told him. Saphira climbed up to her feet and brushed against Eragon's sore side.
You do a trick like that again, she said, I will make sure that you do not get back up. Do I make myself clear? How dare you harm my mate?
Mate? Slide asked, cocking his head. I thought that you were the last female and I was the last male…except for Eragon as I have learned.
Well you should knock out that idea from your noggin, Saphira told him. He is my mate…and my rider.
Wait one moment! Slide snapped. You are his dragon? My head is spinning! Why even love him? He is not a true dragon as I am!
TAKE THAT BACK! Saphira roared, both physically and mentally to him. He is a far greater dragon than you can ever be!
Easy Saphira, Eragon attempted to calm her. He turned over to Slide. Yes, he told him, we are mated to each other. As you can see by Draken over there, we also have a family. I for one will not stand for you scrutinizing my wife or me over the fact that I am no true dragon. From this point on, you and your rider will treat us with respect and honor. If it is not given, your training will come to an end…?
And I will end your lives, Saphira snapped in, slamming her jaws shut to show that she meant business.
Is it understood? Eragon asked
Clearly, Slide replied. Eragon bobbed his head.
From now until the end of your training, Eragon explained, you will call me, Draken, and Saphira 'master.' No other name will be allowed, unless you call us this in the ancient language. You may think that you are brave, but when you are here, you are nothing more than a small hatchling. Fetch Trianna and return back here.
Very well, Slide replied, bowing his head. My apologies, masters.
Accepted, Eragon replied, but Saphira could not bring to peaceful terms of Slide's words and refused to forgive him. Grab her and bring her back. He and Saphira watched as the emerald dragon leapt up into the air after his rider.
You should have killed him, Eragon joked. This dragon may be the dunce of the class. Saphira laughed heartedly in Eragon's mind as she brushed against him.
You gave me a scare, Saphira replied softly. I truly thought that you were dead. When I flew over you, you were not moving.
He did nothing to do that, Eragon said. I believe that the ground did more of a number on me than Slide. Even so, it was not his place to attack me. I should have known…?
I did not even sense him, Saphira said. I know not why. He was upwind and we should have caught his scent, but he still broke through.
Perhaps that is why he is called Slide? Eragon asked. He slid by us quite well. Saphira laughed at his humorous statement and padded away to grab his tunic so Eragon could change into human form and heal his wounds. He was glad to see that the wounds appeared as mere scrapes on his sides.
"This will be quite a difficult task," Eragon said. "It is obvious that this Slide is thinking with another object besides his brain."
I know, Saphira replied. If he gets too close to me, he will not have an object to think about! Eragon laughed and called Draken over to him.
"I am proud of you," Eragon told him. "It was incredible on how you caught that stag!"
"Wasn't it?" Draken replied. "You were great too, until that wretched lizard plowed into you. It was your catch!"
"That is in the past now," Eragon told him. "If it happens again, I will not be so lienant on him if it happens again. Your father happens to also know Saphira's battle tactics, but Slide caught me at an odd time."
"I understand," Draken said. Suddenly, Slide touched down beside them with Trianna on his saddle.
"Greetings, Shadeslayer," she said, dismounting her dragon. "It has been a long time."
Your dragon almost killed my rider! Saphira exclaimed. You should have known about his actions as his rider!
"I apologize," Trianna said, bowing lowly. Ever since their encounter at the Varden, Trianna had a growing fear over Saphira; that fear was growing rapidly thanks to Slide's actions.
"You know about our shape-shifting?" Eragon asked. Trianna lowered her head again.
"Slide told me," Trianna replied humbly. "We both had no idea of your new 'abilities' until it was too late."
"Your incompetence could have ended my life," Eragon said wisely. "If there is anything you learn here, know that you never attack unless provoked into doing so."
"I understand," Trianna replied. "What is the first thing we learn, master?" Eragon turned to Saphira, who showed him her teeth.
"First," Eragon replied, "you must learn the rules of our lessons."
"Go on," Trianna said.
"We will only meet for an hour each day," Eragon explained. "During that hour we will cover the basics of the riders. Ten minutes will be spent on swordplay, twenty minutes will be devoted to magic and flying skills, and the final thirty minutes will be on the history of the riders. We will not go over our hour of study and we will not shorten our meeting times either. The hour starts after we return to my home."
"Very well, master," Trianna replied, climbing up into her saddle. "I shall follow you?" Eragon nodded his head and walked over to Saphira. He reached out and pulled her forehead up to his lips to kiss her brow.
What was that for? Saphira asked, giggling slightly.
I love you, he told her. Also, I just want to show them how we truly feel. Saphira let out a choppy growl as Eragon turned to face them.
- - - - - - -
Did he just kiss his dragon? Slide asked Trianna. That is so…unnatural!
PEACE!