Chapter 6- A Rider to Be

Chise sat there; she didn't know what to do anymore, "Was that guy telling the truth? Do those creatures work for the king?" She covered her face; tears were flowing down her cheeks. "What am I going to do? I have barely been in this world, and I am already stuck in some sick twisted game. What if the king did this?" She referred to the people that were slaughtered.

"There you are," A voice called, Chise looked up to see Durza standing beside her. He smiled at her warmly, as his facial expression changed too serious, "What's the matter?" Durza noticed the through on through wound, "Who did this to you?"

"Like you wouldn't know?" She growled, "I was attacked by these creatures, I think he called them Ra'zac."

"The Ra'zac?" Durza acted surprised, "Why would they attack you? Did you fight back?"

"Of course! I wasn't about to sit there and get butchered without a fight." Chise stood up, holding her belly, "Look at this, did the King have something to do with it!"

"No, the Urgals attacked this poor village. They roam freely, doing what they please. Some come work for us, but only a few choose that. I can see you have your doubts, it appears your caretaker must be in the Varden."

"Huh?"

"How else would you have known those creatures' names, and who bandaged your wound?"

Chise did not reply, she stared at the ground tears soaking the dry dirt. He put his hand on her shoulder, "Go back to the kingdom, that wound really needs to be looked at." She heard him state. Shrugging, his hand dropped to his side as Chise flew upward.

Durza watched her fly down to the south. Three Urgals appeared from behind houses, walking towards him. The Shade shook his head, leaving the village. The creatures were right behind him. He sneered in thought, "Why did the Ra'zac attack her? They weren't ordered to. It complicates things even further." He rode down towards the river following it to the south.

Chise flew into the city, trying to land behind the castle. She had problems moving around the wound throbbed non-stop. Hovering feet from a soldier, Chise was caught by him, she pushed him away walking to the palace doors. Scurrying in the hallways, Kreis came across her. He noticed that she was bleeding severely. She was far from her room, but Chise did not appear that she cared.

"You really should have a nurse look at that." He sat down beside her.

"I know, but..." Chise pulled her knees to her chest, resting her chin against them; "I screwed up. I'm probably fatally wounded."

"You don't know that, the weapon probably missed. It didn't stab any of your vital organs." Kreis replied.

"Kreis, I'm so sick of doing this. I don't want to kill people, but I have to do what's best for the people."

"What attacked you anyway?"

"The Ra'zac."

"You mean those things that eat people? I heard the king who rules the land there is going to get a lecture. King Galbatorix says he has been over using his powers."

Chise shook her head, standing up. She lost her balance holding onto the wall, her vision was starting to fade again. Kreis helped her to the herbalist; the old woman examined her wounds. The nurse out strange medicine against the gash, she winced in pain. After a thorough look over, Chise put her shirt back on.

The old lady seemed a bit unsettled. She sent Kreis away, to tell the king of her condition. Her gaze looked at the young girl in front of her, "You appear to be in good condition. You're lucky the sword missed all of your vital organs." She explained, "Yet, be careful don't re-open that wound. It'd be nasty if you did. Oh, and stay off those missions by the way, they are dangerous as you can see."

Chise nodded at her statement, she looked downward, "But I wasn't on a mission, these creatures ambushed me."

"Then how 'bout taking someone with you."

She left the nurse's room. Walking down the hallway, she stopped in front of a room, which she has never been in. Chise heard a thump inside, quietly opening the door she looked; the room was dull, with only one lantern inside. Leaving the door open, she went inside; the place looked like someone was in there earlier. Nothing was inside except a lone stand in the middle of the floor. Chise walked over to the stand looking what was placed on it.

Sitting on the stand was a makeshift basket, inside was two stones, ruby red and emerald green. She noticed that the green one rocked back and forth infrequently. Chise watched the stone move; her mind was full of curiosity. Her thoughts broke when it toppled over on its side. "Could they be the dragon eggs Durza was talking about?" She reached her hand outward to touch the stone-like egg. It was smooth, as if nicely cut. "But why is it moving? Is it getting ready to hatch?" Chise questioned.

"That depends." A voice echoed behind her. Chise turned around to see King Galbatorix. She could see him more clearly; his hair was an adust color which was slick back. Revealing his dark colored eyes, face cleanly shaven. A black cape trimmed in fur was over his shoulders. The King's entire outfit was black. As the tunic wrapped around to his side, and dark chain mail covered his arms. A sword was hanging of his belt, black pants covering his legs, "A Dragon will only hatch if it has chosen a rider. The green one has taken a fancy to you."

"Your Majesty," Chise bowed down. She stood straight, "But why me? What does a dragon want me as a rider?"

"It's the dragon's decision." He walked over to the stand, "These are noble creatures, and they are equals. So they have good intentions, it sees something in you that others can't."

Chise nodded at Galbatorix's statement, he nudged her forward. She picked the egg up, looking closely at it. Thin veins of white covered the egg, as she turned it around. The green egg moved from time to time in her hands. The king watched her intently, "Maybe she is a rider." he kept an eye on the stone, "But should she swear an oath, the girl can be dangerous to the entire empire..." He actually let out a small chuckle when the egg twitched, making Chise jump. "This can put me to an advantage, by stopping that other dragon on the lose. I need the two to survive."

"I have had these eggs for years, and in my time in the Riders I have never seen one chose a master. . . .So quickly." Galbatorix was lost in thought. "Although she has been here for quite a while."

Setting the egg back down in the basket, but it began to roll more and more. She watched in amazement when a small crack appeared on the shell. "Already?" Chise thought. The egg fell to the floor rocking uncontrollably. More cracks formed as the entire shell burst. Lying on its back beside her was a small emerald green dragon. Its cat like green eyes gazed upon her, with a cute smug look on its face. Going to her knees, Chise looked at the tiny creature. She reached her hand out; the dragon stuck its neck out towards her. At that moment she felt her veins burn, inhaling painfully she pulled her hand back.

The small dragon wobbled around the dark room, "Well now it shows you are its rider." She heard Galbatorix mumble. He too was watching the small creature, "Do you have a name for it?" Chise observed the creature as it glided up to the stand then to her shoulder. She felt its small talons grip her skin.

"I don't know one yet; I want to think about it." She bowed then headed towards the door. In her thoughts she wondered, "What does the king have in store for me? I think this is going to help him, a lot." Chise turned back to see that Galbatorix was looking at the other egg. She stared at the scar-like mark on her hand. Down the hallway, guards stared at her in astonishment. Kreis walked up to her, looking at the dragon on her shoulder.

"The King did say that you could be a rider, I see that he was right."

"You knew?"

"I thought about it, but I heard him talk about it with Durza." He replied, "What about you? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I have to take it easy for a while."

The dragon extended its neck outward, looking at him. "It's so strange; I did not think I would become a Dragon Rider. At least I not this quickly."

"Well, you are lucky. Besides dragons have reasons to pick their master." Kreis stated.

Chise looked at him, "Just like the king said," She thought, walking back to her room. She left Kreis back there, he had is daily duty of checking the palace. The small dragon looked at her, with its huge green eyes, "I'm beginning to wonder, a whole lot now."

Back in the bedroom, Chise watched the tiny creature crawl about the room. It bumped in to the dresser several times. The dragon stumbled towards Chise; she watched it as it glided up on to the bed. Looking at her, the dragon watched her movement carefully. Puzzled she was deep in thought, "What should I name you? Something that could come from my world?" Chise noticed that the dragon was looking her, "Hmm, how about Tenbun? I know that it means destiny from where I come from." The small creature nudged her hand playfully. "So you're Tenbun?"