Jace pov The elven woman Arya and the other guy Eragon were flying above us in the sky I had my arms wrapped around Clary's waist whilst she had her hands gripping either side of the horse, I noted how they don't have any reigns or bridles and that it was almost as if they had somehow telepathically told the horse where to go which I knew was preposterous. I glanced behind be and saw Maia and Jordan in deep conversation about something, probably why they don't get to fly by dragon too, I saw Simon and Izzy cantering not far behind while Simon was using his arms to try and describe something to her and she was laughing. Sam had drawn the short straw and got to sit next to tony It was only then did I realise that Magnus and Alec were together on their horse at the bring up the rear of our party. I nudged Clary who looked up at me sharply, I nodded in their direction and whispered "I hope that they're able to make amends." She looked at them wistfully and said "yea I hope so too." ****2 hours later**** We started to hear voices and as we all started to look up we saw a looming city in front of us. Eragon and Arya emerged from the shrubs I looked up in the sky because I'd never even noticed they'd landed. I climbed off our stallion and offhandedly said to Eragon "oh so can you guys teleport now too?" Eragon shot a half grin at Arya who was now standing beside him before saying "not quite, this way please we'll take you to Nasuada" and both Eragon and Arya started to walk away in the direction of the city. Clary lent into my shoulder and murmured "what is it with those two" I didn't say anything I just held her hand and started walking after Simon and Izzy as Simon was pointing out every new thing like Max when he saw the institute for the first time, I pointed it out to Clary who thumped me softly on the shoulder while trying to suppress a grin. ****1 hour later***** We arrived outside a tall building situated in the centre of these strange alien city which even had houses built into trees or houses grown out of trees he wasn't sure. Arya at left half way on our trek through the city I only caught a few words but couldn't make sense of any of them: "Murtagh...Thorn... Riot... Danger" she'd also asked whoever was in charge to leave with her for some strategic advice which was when Tony started to take up his role as well as Sam and his dragonet because apparently they needed to register it or something when we got to the entrance Eragon muttered a few words and the door swung open much to amazement of us onlookers. This way" Eragon gestured When we got to the top of the staircase Eragon opened the door: I noted how this time he used his hands instead. He stood aside and gestured for us to carry on. I was the first through the doorway and found myself in a chamber stocked with roughly 12 people on each side of the room dressed in prominent looking robes on either side of the throne-ish looking chair I nearly took a step back in shock and it was obvious that the surprise was evident on my face as there was a glint in her eyes. Eragon who was the last to enter walked up to her got on one knee and said "milady, here are the people who have answered our call" Arya stood up and said "thank you Eragon, now who among you is your leader or representative, I looked behind me I saw Alec glaring at a gargoyle on the wall which he seemed to be trying to imitate with a stiff expression, Magnus was pretending to examine a plant pot by the door while shooting glances at Alec. Izzy was leaning into Simon whispering something fervently, Jordan was staring round the chamber at the detail with a look of awe, Maia who seemed to be the only one paying attention jerked her head forwards, taking the hint Clary got her hand between my shoulder blades and lightly pushed me forward, I didn't know what I should do so I followed Eragon's example and got down on one knee. "That would be me" I said glancing back for a look of confirmation. Clary smiled at me and I turned to face Arya. "Well then could you please state to those of us here who don't already know what you are and how you do it." I smirked and said "what you like the textbook answer or the real one." Arya smiled in turn and said "whichever you thing best". Basically half of us here are shadowhunters, which are people who are half angel and half human, we spend our entire lives learning and then putting into practice the delicate art of killing demons. With us are a representative of the warlocks, the vampires, the werewolves and praetor lupus I said pointing at each person in turn and introducing them before turning back to Arya." "Thank you Jace" she said then turned to the official closest to her and said "you may leave now" Eragon held the door open for each of them and after they'd all left he moved to stand by Arya's side. She smiled at the slightly confused crowd and explained "it makes it easier to get along with the lords and ladies of my court if they believe I know as much and as little as they do. So shall I now explain to you what we are and what he want" there were some murmurs and grateful nods from the majority of the party as Jace in particular really didn't have a clue what was going on. After Arya had left, Eragon had brought in 7 chairs and a large table they all sat down. Eragon stood up and explained to the eager onlookers "Arya as asked that seeing as she has urgent matters to attend to what with a war going on that I would summarise who we are and what has recently happened for you then when I am finished she will explain what is happening and what we need of you, He smiled as he said it the kind of smile Jace remembered that Hodge used to use when he was trying to find out who had "borrowed" the weapons from the armoury when they were younger that is before Hodge realised it was only ever Jace who did that. Interrupting his train of thought Eragon started his lecture. "Aeons there were two races on this land: the dwarves and the dragons, they didn't have the friendship they do today but they did coexist with the occasional raids, then ships sailed in with a new species called Elves, the Elves no longer no anything about where they previously came from but they settled here in Alagaesia" he said waving his arms around as if to indicate to the world. The dwarves kept themselves to themselves but the Elves and Dragons who were both proud and magical creatures started to fight until war broke out with neither side gaining an advantage. After years of war a young elven boy found a stray dragon egg, unbeknown to anyone else he raised the dragon as is own thus making himself the first ever dragon rider, he was my namesake the original Eragon. With the help of Eragon and his dragon truces and treaties were formed and then both the dragons and the elves performed powerful a powerful magical pact so that neither race could fall out again and thus the pact of dragon riders was formed so that every year the dragons would give a clutch of eggs to the elves and the dragon would hatch when it came into contact with its destined rider. After many years like this another species joined Alagaesia they called themselves humans and eventually they asked to join the pact too so the elves and dragons added them to the pact. And that covers up to the last two hundred years. Within the last two hundred years a young rider who became power hungry overthrew his fellow riders killed them all except those who followed him then reigned in dictatorship for the last 150 years as the lone rider in existence. That was until I joined the human rebellion and defeated him last year. Which covers all of the main history you need to know you can talk to each other until Arya gets here." Clary lent across to Simon who was on her other side and whispered "its like we're in school getting a lecture from Mr McCaron all over again" Simon burst out laughing just as Arya, Tony and Sam entered. Eragon vacated his seat for Arya and Jordan and Maia who were closest to the door stood up so that Tony and Sam could have a seat. Arya ignored the seat Eragon had offered her and stayed standing whilst saying to the table "I would like to officially thank you for coming to our aid in this time of need, I believe that one of you is able to create portals