Hi all,
I worked on this for literally days to get it just right.
I would like MORE REVIEWS than chapter one. It is kinda annoying that literally hundreds of people will read a chapter and out of those hundreds, only 10 or so people will review. Please review for my sake, and my sanity. I am pouring a TON of effort into this and I would love a TON of reviews in return.
NOTE: This chapter has NOT been completely checked for errors. Please tell me in a review if you find any grammatical mistakes and WHERE THEY ARE so I can fix them. Thank you.
Anyway,
Just enjoy the chapter that I have worked hard on to write.
Disclaimer:
I don't own anything but the plot and the characters and places that don't appear in Eragon and Eldest.
Chapter 2:
The Eggs
BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!!
Eragon's eyes shot open as the alarm walnut that Oromis had given him rang in his ear. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes, sat up, yawned, and then stretched momentarily. Next to him, Arya was doing the same.
"Morning." Eragon mumbled as he stood up.
"Uhm." Arya grunted in reply. Today was the annual egg presentation in the city of Urû'baen. Everyone under the age of 20 would be allowed to try the eggs. Almost every child was there every year.
Eragon and Arya got dressed quickly and made their way downstairs to the dining hall in the castle. The castle itself was built on top of Galbatorix's old one, and was specifically designed with dragons in mind. There were five towers at each joint in the outer walls, and were made of solid marble carted from the Beor Mountains by the dwarves. This made the castle gleam in the morning light everyday for at least an hour, and then in the evening for another hour. It stood on a hill, which was on one side of the city. On another hill on the opposite side of the city was the Council's hall. It was a miniature version of the castle, but with wings coming off of it for each of the different races. All of these buildings were fairly new do to the time that it took to construct it. Some wings of the castle were still under construction on the inside while the outside was totally complete.
The castle was the new center for learning, where almost anyone could come and read in the massive library that was part of Galbatorix's, the Elves, and the Dwarves. It was one of the largest wings of the castle, second only to the massive dragon roost, which was modeled after the one in Fârthen Dur. The building itself was a work of art and was also a very well planed out defensive network of ballistae, arrow windows, and walls. Everyone that got up close to it was awed by its sheer size as well. The walls alone were almost 100 feet high, while the castle building itself towered over the wall. There was no way that any attacking army of any size would be able to take the castle. All this splendor for the Riders and Council members came after the reconstruction of the buildings that had been damaged in the fighting. The people always came first in this new age.
By the time that Eragon and Arya had reached the dining hall, all of the other riders that were in the city were at the table waiting for them. At its head, there were two places for them, and then a long circle of tables with gaps in-between a few of the tables to allow people to come and serve the food. Or, when the number of riders grew to a larger number, more people could sit on the inside. This morning, the elf chefs had prepared a huge mound of cakes and biscuits with warm honey. To all the riders, it was a feast. To any person who wasn't vegetarian, it was a nightmare. As they took their seats, two riders came in carrying a large chest, and set down in the center of the tables. They then took their places at the table.
"Thank you Roland and Figh." Eragon thanked the two riders. "As I am sure all of you know today is the Egg Presentation to this city. While it is not mandatory for all riders to attend it, I ask that if you have nothing else to do today, that you attend."
There was a pause in whish nothing was said, not a sound came from anyone. "The longer that you have been a rider the farther away from the eggs you will be." Arya told them. "This is so that the younger riders may see a bonding if we are lucky."
"How many people are going to be here today?" a new elfish rider asked. He had only become a rider a month before.
"Go see for yourself." Murtagh told him as he gestured to a window that overlooked the courtyard in which the presentation was always made. In it, were literally thousands of people.
"There is nothing quite like seeing a hatching." Elva spoke up. She looked as if she was about 18. No one knew what had caused her to seemingly not age much. Some speculated that it was Xen's use of her with his curse. Others credited it to the amazing things that happen around dragons.
"I agree." Xen replied.
"I wish that there were more opportunities to see them." Said one of the first riders to come since Galbatorix's defeat.
"We should get going." Aelita commented glancing at the sun, which was slowly climbing into the sky. As soon as she said this, the servants came in and cleared the table off while the riders stood up. As Roland and Figh picked up the chest, the riders filed down a stairwell and into the courtyard. They stood on the raised portion of the courtyard and faced the crowd amassed before them.
Eragon stood forward from the ranks of the riders and magically increased his voice. "People of Urû'bean." The massive crowd quieted. "You have come here today to see if you are destined to be a rider." He waited a moment for everyone to hear this. "Form a single file line in-front of the chest." The people obeyed and soon people were passing before the eggs. They held each one for a minute or two. If the dragon inside the egg, didn't stir, then the person moved on. In the chest, there were five eggs. Two were from the wild dragons who were looking to increase the number of their race.
Hundreds of children passed before the eggs before a green one hatched for a brown haired human boy who looked to be about 10. Four hours later, every child that fitted the under 20 years of age requirement had been presented to the eggs. No other dragons hatched. For most people, it was a major disappointment, but for one small family, it was a wonderful occasion. They now had a rider in the family. Murtagh went with them to help the boy pack a few personal things and a few sets of clothes. His main purpose was to protect the hatchling from any possible harm. On the walk to the boy's house, Murtagh was busy placing wards around the young dragon.
When the boy was finished saying good by to his family, Murtagh ushered him to the rider's castle and showed the boy his room. Murtagh could see that the boy was nervous, and that was understandable.
"In a week or two there might be some other people who you can talk with that are your age." Murtagh told the boy trying to comfort him a little.
"What does my training include?" He asked timidly.
"Well, the first thing to do will be to teach you how to read and write." Murtagh replied.
"How will that help me fight?" the boy asked again.
"First of all, it will open up a whole world of material for you to learn on your own. If you can read, then your teachers won't have to teach you everything in person." Murtagh answered." Murtagh answered.
"What else?" The boy asked again.
"You will learn Magic, Sword play, Archery, and most important of all, when to use those tools." Murtagh continued. "You also need to learn about dragons as well."
"Why sir?" He asked in a nervous voice. "Aren't dragons a method of transportation?" At this, the hatchling hissed and its head shot up. It glared at its rider until the boy was forced to look down.
"Your Dragon is part of yourself now." Murtagh replied. "The old saying is, one mind, two bodies."
"So can you hear each other's thoughts?" He asked once more.
"In a sense; yes." Murtagh told him. "But not quite. You can get to a point where you can become your dragon, see, smell, taste, fly…" He trailed off. "But it is only because of the connection of your minds."
"That is interesting sir," The boy said, "When do I start training"
"Tomorrow." Murtagh replied. "Some one will be down to get you in the morning. I'm not sure how early, but you won't want to get up. I can guarantee that."
The boy paled a little. "What can I do for the rest of the day?" He asked.
"Go exploring." Murtagh answered him. "The best way for you to learn your way around this building is to go exploring. If you get lost, ask someone to show you where the dorms are."
"Yes Sir!" The boy jumped up excited.
"Okay. Get going and have fun, but be safe." Murtagh called after the bundle of energy that had shot passed him with a dragon hatchling clinging on to his tunic for dear life.
Murtagh? A voice came into Murtagh's head a few minutes later.
Yes? What is it Xen? Murtagh asked.
Did you just let that terror into the halls?
Yes.
Why?
The kid has to explore this place some time. Murtagh replied.
Why oh why does he have so much energy? Xen asked. He is zipping through the halls like an arrow.
Well tell him to walk then. Murtagh grumbled.
Fine. And the presence withdrew from Murtagh's head leaving him standing still for a moment.
Thorn? He asked. Are you there?
How could I not be? He replied. I'm not unconscious like you are all the time.
I am not! Murtagh retorted. Just because I get knocked out by an out of control hatchling every week doesn't mean any thing!
True, true. Thorn replied. I just wish that you would place a ward or two about yourself while you are in the flying-balls-of-scales room.
If you really want that then I will. Murtagh replied. It will just mean that now all the hatchlings will have broken necks in a matter of minutes after I enter the room.
You always exaggerate these types of things. Thorn retorted. How bad could it be?
Don't ask. Murtagh replied, and don't know. It's safer that way.
Yeah right. Thorn answered him. I really would like to know why you think that it would be bad for the hatchlings.
Have you forgotten that I am their favorite landing stump? Murtagh asked his large ball of scales.
No, but why can't you just protect your head with wards instead of your entire body? Thorn asked.
Because my head is their favorite perch! Murtagh yelled back completely frustrated. You have become more and more like a hatchling every day you spend time with them.
I see and I Do. Thorn replied just like the hatchlings did.
You know exactly how to push me over the edge don't you! Murtagh screamed back.
Seeing as I am part out you, I do, and I get great pleasure in doing it. It is so funny to see you mad. Thorn answered him.
Murtagh fumed all the way up the stairs until he had reached the top level in the dorm, the closest floor to the dragon roost. He stormed out into the middle of a dragon skirmish between five dragons less than a year old and an amused Thorn. They were trying to gain an advantage on the monster of a dragon that was at least five times as big as each one of them.
I'll leave you to your games. Murtagh grumbled as he walked passed them almost being hit by a one month-old hatchling. Murtagh walked out on top of the dragon hold and saw Shruiken's black body slithering after Saphira's red hatchling towards the horizon. I wonder why Eragon isn't going himself. He might be a little bit more persuasive. He said Thorn.
Who knows? Thorn replied. Eragon has almost always done the right thing when he sends some one else to do something. He knows everyone's strengths and weaknesses just as we know his.
True. Murtagh mumbled back. True. But this feels different. I wonder if he is afraid of something.
Maybe you should ask. Thorn suggested.
Maybe I will. Murtagh replied.
I think that he is teaching a class right now. Thorn told him. He may not want to be interrupted.
I'll find out. Murtagh replied reaching out for his brother's mind. Can we talk? He asked.
Uh, sure. Eragon replied. Will it be okay if I take another 10 minutes with this class?
Sure. Murtagh answered. Whenever you're ready.
OK. Eragon replied. 10 minutes.
They broke contact and each resumed their activities. Eragon was in the middle of teaching a class on defensive and offensive strategies. That was what Eragon taught most of the time. In the training of each of the riders and dragons, all of the fully trained riders pitched in to teach a single subject. Murtagh and Thorn loved to teach the hatchlings the basics of life before passing them off to their riders every night so that each may relay what they learned that day. Elva taught the students how to read and write in both the common tongue and the Ancient Language. Arya taught magic with Xen, as they were both incredible spell weavers themselves. Arya taught more superficial magic, like how to shape plants, make things elvishly beautiful. Xen, on the other hand, taught the battle and more practical magic. Aelita and Shruiken taught the pairs how to battle in the air and on the ground. Yanon and Zammíren taught the history of the riders, while Saelí taught the dragons the history of the dragons and Àshrá taught the riders how to care for their dragons. The riders that had been trained after Galbatorix, were in charge of sentry duty, scouting, reporting the situations in each of the cities to the council, and checked on each race to make sure no new tensions had appeared.
With the core 7 Riders from before Galbatorix teaching the new riders, the number of fully trained riders soared. There were now 30 other riders in the process of training, all at various stages, and 20 fully trained riders flying over the lands.
Everything seemed all right but the fact that Eragon asked Aelita to go find this new rider was unsettling to Murtagh. He would have sent one of the oldest riders outside the core 7. It didn't seem necessary to send a core member to do such an easy task.
Murtagh leaned against Thorn's tail and closed his eyes. He was only allowed to do so for a minute because Eragon came up to him then.
"What did you want to talk about?" Eragon asked.
"Why did you send Aelita?" Murtagh replied. "Why not one of the others outside of us?"
"The simple truth is: we don't know where this new rider stands in his views." Eragon replied. "We don't know if this rider even knows that other riders exist, or if Galbatroix is dead."
"But others are able to subdue them if that is necessary." Murtagh replied.
"We don't want to give this pair the thought that they might be able to beat who we send." Eragon replied. "Shruiken is almost 120 years old and still has lots of fight left in him."
"I see your point there." Murtagh replied after a moment of silence. "It just seems a little unnecessary. That's all." He paused. "The pair were estimated to have been together for at least six years, so a 15-year-old dragon would probably intimidate them."
"Probably, Probably." Eragon replied. "But it is best to leave no doubt in their minds that they cannot possibly win." He looked down. "I don't want to have another Galbatorix on our hands." He continued quietly.
"We won't." Murtagh said firmly. "We should call a meeting of the council to discuss that to do. They cannot be left in the dark of the possibilities. Everyone must know."
"I may not be able to call one tonight, but tomorrow should prove fine." Eragon replied.
"You have done what you thought was right, and there is no going back." Murtagh told him.
"I know." Eragon responded softly.
Far below the brothers was Sunlight and Tag roaming the streets of Urû'baen. They met on a far edge of the crowd at the egg presentation and had slipped through the crowd. Tag always had a short sword strapped to his back with a dagger or two hidden in sheaths strapped to his fore arms. He was trained completely in the art of close quarter, confined space fighting. He was the perfect assassin. He could use magic or blade to get his way into or out of any space.
Sunlight wore a fairly tight black leather top and bottom, with a short loose fitting over it. She didn't bother to conceal her weapons. She had two daggers strapped to her arms like Tag and a choke chord built into a bracelet. She also had magic to use, but much more powerful than Tag's due to her being a were-dragon.
Together they didn't attract much trouble due to their weapons, but if they were alone, they attracted trouble like vultures to a carcass. They found that out the hard way during one of their first exploits into the city at night. They had agreed to meet at a tavern, but each was cornered by gangs of street thugs and were attacked. After that, they never went anywhere alone in the city, night or day.
Today was no different than their other trips. They just took in the sights of different parts of the city, which was huge, and tried to help a few people out. Nothing major happened in terms of crime in the city. There were the occasional murders and break-ins, but for the most part, there was only minor pick pocketing and nighttime hold ups. Tag and Sunlight were a criminal's nightmare. They had elfish grace, speed, agility and strength. No one had ever gotten away from them. Ever.
They strolled down the main street in the city and passed through the market place. Guards patrolled this area of the city fairly well, and stopped people who they thought had a few to many weapons on them. Occasionally they were stopped by a guard and asked to produce identification papers. Tag would pull out his papers that stated that he was the son of Eragon and Arya and the Guards would apologize for stopping them and wished them a good day.
Today there was only one guard present. Everything seemed to be alright until sunlight spotted some one rob one of the stalls quietly. Immediately she ran at them, but as soon as the thief saw her, he took off. Tag quickly followed her and they began to plan.
Take this alley and follow it down one and then turn onto the first parallel alley or street and go south. Sunlight instructed him. She also sent him a mental picture of the thief and then speed after him. They wove in and out of the buildings for about an hour until they finally cornered the thief.
"Who are you?" Tag demanded.
"No one of any importance." The theif replied.
"No one of importance?" Sunlight scoffed at the idea. "You kept two elves running after you for an hour."
"Well, I must admit I am in shape." The thief retorted.
"You can only be an elf with matching stamina or a very powerful human magician.
"Lucky for me, I'm a little of both." The thief replied.
"Why did you run like you did?" Tag asked.
"I needn't tell you rider scum." The thief laughed hysterically. "All you riders are pompous and idiotic. Just because you defeated Galbatorix, you think that you can defeat everyone. You will learn soon enough that that is not so."
Tag lunged at the thief who dodged the wild attack and then knocked him out with a firm 'tap' to the head.
"I won't hurt you pretty rider." The thief said almost soothingly in a chilling voice. "I just want to talk." He made a grab at her, but she drew a dagger and slashed the thief in the face, from the chin to the ear, which she realized was tapered into a more pointy shape than a human's. She stared for a millisecond too long. The thief drove his shoulder into her chest and bowled her head over heals backward. Then he bolted away clutching his bag of goods.
Sunlight lay there for a minute checking over every part of her body to make sure nothing was broken. When she was satisfied that nothing was, she stood up and limped over to Tag, who was just beginning to stir.
"Are you alright?" she asked concerned.
"I will be." He grumbled as he felt a lump start to rise on the back of his head. "Who was that?"
"I don't know." Sunlight replied. "But he had semi pointed ears."
"How do you know that?" Tag asked.
"I slashed his face and in the process, cut away part of his hat." Sunlight replied. "His ears were covered by them, so we couldn't tell if he was human or elfish."
"He said that he was part elf, and part powerful human magician." Tag stated.
"The only other place that I have seen ears like that is on the human riders that have been bonded for several years." Sunlight said suddenly.
"You're right." Tag agreed. "There is something fishy about that character."
"Did you place a tracking spell on him when we cornered him?" Sunlight asked.
"Yes, but I can't seem to find him anywhere in the city." Tag replied.
"He can't have just disappeared." Sunlight exclaimed. "He must have deflected the spell."
"Oh well, so much for nabbing this guy and bringing him to the authorities." Tag grumbled.
"Come on. We should get back to the castle." Sunlight said as she glanced at the sun, which was dropping toward the western horizon.
"Alright." Tag replied.
"Do you think that he may have been the rider that was reported at the last council meeting?" Sunlight asked.
"It's plausible." Tag replied. "But what would he have against the riders if he never was exposed to us?"
"He may have been taught by some one who holds a grudge against the riders." Sunlight suggested.
"Plausible, but what group of people have the riders offended?" Tag asked Sunlight.
"I don't know." She replied. "We should ask Eragon."
"Dad would know." Tag replied. "If anyone would, it would be him."
Their trip to the castle was uneventful, and the walk helped stretch out their sore muscles. When they arrived at the gate, the guards let them through without a second glance. They walked up to the dragon roost and found Eragon and Murtagh sitting on the edge of one of the caves talking. Thorn was flying around below them with the hatchlings enjoying their games.
"It's amazing how young he seems with them." Sunlight commented before transforming into her dragon form. Let's have some fun! Climb on. Together they dove off the top of the dragon roost and plummeted downwards to Thorn.
Thorn looked up in time to see a yellow, fire-spewing, ball of scales falling towards him. In one swipe of his wings, he swept the few hatchlings in the way of Sunlight underneath him before roaring in annoyance at the interruption of his fun. Sunlight landed with a bone shattering thump and grinned at Thorn. Tag climbed off and she transformed back into her human shape and walked towards the excited hatchlings.
Thorn stopped her half way across the roost floor with a claw. You be stealing me fun? He asked jokingly.
I be stealing a hatchling or two. Sunlight replied grinning at the massive dragon.
's fine wit me. He finished and allowed the hatchlings to swarm over to Sunlight and Tag who played around with them for a while until Murtagh and Eragon touched down on the roost floor with the aid of magic and walked over to them.
Tag and Sunlight separated themselves from the hatchlings and walked to meet the brothers. "Something has happened that you should know about." Sunlight declared.
"It concerns this new rider that was found." Tag continued. Eragon's eyebrows turned into a slight frown.
"Tell me everything." He commanded firmly. "NOW."
Duh Duh Duh Duh…
A little cliffhanger for all you readers. I hope you like it.
Anyway, I hope that all of the chapters in this story will be about this long. This chapter is roughly 4,100 words, or about 7.5 pages in a single-spaced Word document.
If you are not aware, this is my longest chapter EVER!!! And I would appreciate a lot of reviews.
I would like to start a little tradition here and thank all the reviewers that have given me a review at the time of publishment of this chapter for chapter one. This will give me a chance to thank all of the great reviews and allow me to update people on corrections that I have made to chapter any previous chapters.
Chaotic Veins:
aww. its so sweet when they all go to sleep together, good beginning for a story as well. explains the situation. i like.
I'm glad you like it.
smiles420:
nice job dude!
bravo tres tres bien, mes je pence qui est les dragon orange et rouge? je suis un petit peux "lost" qui a qui mes ca c'est brilliant!
Anyone need a translation? If you do just ask me to type one in for the next chapter.
Ty
Arya Skit-Kona:
YAY YAY YAY YAY! Ok, sorry; got a little excited there. You've finally started the sequel! Anyway, great job on this chapter. Can't wait to hear more!
-Arya Skit Kona
Thanks.
Blue-Eyed Chica:
AW a whole year!!
It takes time you know. That's when Tag was BORN. Just if you needed clarification.
Bailey:
Update this one is going to be interesting.
Glad that you think this will be a good story.
Reece.Stabby.Rip.Stab.Stab:
Hey, i havent reviewed you stories in a while, i have been reading the chapters of Elders since you brought out chapter 9 and I have to admite, this is a great improvement, not that there was much to improve from P
I am sorry but i got changed to a grammer school recently(Hate it) but this is nagging at the back of my head, in the line: Iâ€TMm not going to kill you. Saphira soothed. Not hurry up and catch up with Eragon.
I think that it is ment to be Now hurry up, besides that I loved it.
You are quite right. It was meant to be now, not not
Thanks for picking up on it. I'll have to change that right now.
Grumblemon235:
I really like this chapter I think it is great for an opening and first chapter to your story, please update as soon as possible and keep the chapters just as good.
Thanks I will try to have a faster update time in the future.
Bob-in-ator:
good start update soon
I will Thanks for the Review
Please note that I only reply to the reviewers in this section of the chapters for only those who have reviewed by the next chapter. If you don't see it here please don't be offended, I try.
That's all for now folks, I hope that you enjoyed chapter two of A NEW AGE.
(which is a total of 9.5 pages!!!)
MEEP!!!