Disclaimer: See the first chapter

Chapter 8

Oromis kept her close to his home for the next few days. Eve had the impression that he didn't want anyone to know that she was there-- not that she minded, as long as she was with Oromis and Glaedr. Oromis had already set to teaching her how use magic, since Valandera could only teach her what she remembered, which turned out to be the very basics. The other part of the time, Oromis had her going through a rigorous training routine, involving a stretching-out exercise and working with an actual sword.

Eve had the most trouble with the sword, since she had never actually held one before, no less used one. She had the distinct impression that her lack of skill with the sword had her teacher worried, so she doubled her efforts. Storm spent most of his time with Glaedr, learning all there was to know about his own kind. Every night before she fell asleep, she would lay next to Storm and share with him her day, and he his with her. Oromis seemed to think that was the only thing that they were advanced in at all. They trusted each other and loved one another very much.

Eve woke slowly and rolled over to look up at the dragon wing that extended over her, serving as her 'tent.' Oromis hadn't wanted to put the pair of them out in the weather, but there was no other place to sleep currently. She had merely shrugged her shoulders and explained that she had spent every day sleeping with her dragon out in the elements since they'd bonded. Storm seemed to like the arrangement, and she didn't mind.

(Glaedr says we are to present ourselves to him later, and to only come when he calls for us,) Storm said in a put off tone. (He was very forceful.)

Eve grinned. (In other words, he commanded you, and you took offense.)

Storm snorted and Eve snickered, distinctly hearing the sound of fire. (This is getting annoying.) Storm snarled

Eve sat up. (Have your lessons with Glaedr helped any?)

Storm retracted his wing and shook his head. (I am not yet old enough to learn to manipulate fire to my advantage. He tells me that before the month is up, he will teach me how to control it.)

Eve stood and stretched using one of the stances Oromis taught her, which helped loosen her back after sleeping on the ground all night. Then, deftly, she bent and scooped up her bag and headed for the spring they'd found near their camp at the base of the cliff to bathe herself. It was one of things she that at first had bugged her. Oromis demanded that she bathe herself both in the morning and the evening of every day. She had never bathed so much. Street kids were lucky to bathe once a week. Swimming with the dragons, she barely got to bathe with soap but once a week, for fear of running out of soap. She wasn't bothered by it now, as Oromis had taught her to heat the water for herself using magic.

(Glaedr says we are to come forth now.) Storm announced as he came through the trees, glaring at a branch that tangled in his wing.

(One second, I have to put on my leggings,) Eve sent to her bonded and proceeded to hop around, looking rather silly trying to get her legs into the right holes.

(Why do humans cover themselves with such ridiculous things?) Storm asked as she finally got the pants on.

(Because we aren't heated from the inside like dragons, and we don't have fur to keep us warm,) Eve replied.

(But it is nearing summer and the air should be plenty warm,) Storm said smuggly.

Eve rolled her eyes. (It's not considered polite to run around stark naked.)

Storm snorted. (I shall never understand the customs your people have adopted.)

Eve giggled and leapt up on to Storm's shoulder and swung neatly into the saddle. (Just up to the top of the cliff, right?)

Storm snorted a puff of white smoke and launched himself straight up, causing Eve to jerk back roughly in the riding straps.

The cliff rushed by as Storm powered them to the top with only two down strokes of his wings. At the top of the cliff, Storm stalled cleanly, preparing to land. Instead, the gray dragon suddenly reared back, roaring in surprise. With Oromis were six other people, and they were staring at them in wonder.

(Gleadr didn't mention this, did he,) Eve not so much as questioned as stated.

(No, this upsets me greatly,) Storm snorted a puff of smoke and took himself higher away from the people and circled. Eve knew he was communicating with the gold dragon form the way the dragon was staring up at them, looking very intent.

(He says we are to land,) Storm said, sounding more then a little miffed. (He is not sorry for not telling me.)

Eve nodded, agreeing that this was cruel of the pair to call on them and reveal them to others without talking with them first, or even telling them what to expect. Eve found herself wanting to yell at the Rider and give him a good what-for.

(I don't think doing that in front of these strangers would be wise,) Storm announced.

(After they have left then,) Eve agreed, and her dragon nodded his approval before descending.

They landed neatly next to Gleadr, giving Eve a good look at the strangers. They were all elves, and they all were looking at her with awe and surprise. Eve bounded down form Storm's back and stalked suspiciously over to the strangers.

"Eve, this is queen Islanzndi, Nanir, and these four are Danir, Gouran, Falionr, and Waste," Oromis beamed at her, and she grimaced inwardly. The elderly Rider didn't even realize the slight he'd dealt her by not telling her that he was going to reveal her presence to the other elves.

Eve curtsied as she was told was done in courts. "It is a pleasure to meet you all."

The queen shot Oromis a look, and the four, younger elves stiffened, and Eve knew that she had obviously done something wrong already. Eve sighed and couldn't help thinking that if Oromis had warned her, she might know how to act properly.

"I return the sentiment, Argetlam," The queen replied.

The other elves relaxed and shot Oromis questioning looks. Eve looked to Oromis, hoping he would explain why he had brought these elves before her. To her relief, he did.

"When you arrived, you set off numerous wards protecting Ellesmera. I persuaded Queen Islanzadi to let me work you for a while to determine where your loyalties lie before exposing you to everyone." Oromis smiled at her. "It was best for everyone, though I wish that we had had longer so that I could have had time to teach you elf customs."

Eve nodded. She felt a little better seeing Oromis's reasoning, but she didn't like that he hadn't warned her about meeting strangers.

The queen smiled warmly then. "I was eager to meet you, and your dragon," the queen then turned her attention to the proud granite colored dragon and her smiled deepened. "Welcome, dragon, to Ellesmera. I am queen Islanzndi."

Storm snorted and stared at her as if looking into her soul before stiffly bowing his head towards her. (I am pleased to meet you. I am Storm, son of Valandera and Verenov.)

The queen nodded at the dragon. "Fortune smiles on us to present us with not one, but two dragons, and the space of a season cycling."

Eve started, then remembered Saphira and her Rider. The more she heard, the more she wanted to meet the pair.

The queen then turned to Eve. "I am told that you have brought with you three eggs?"

Eve stiffened and she felt Storm's unease acutely. "Yes, I have brought three eggs to help in the aid of Galbatorix's fall."

Islanzndi nodded solemnly. "And that they will. I have had a great hall sung from a stand of birch trees not far from here, and if you and your dragon, Storm, would approve, we wish them to be placed there, where they can be guarded and viewed."

(Do you think we should?) Eve asked Storm.

(I do not think we have any choice in this matter,) Storm growled. (Politics bother me greatly, and turning the eggs over to the elves to be guarded may give them the impression that we will leave them here when we leave.)

Eve turned to the queen again. "We would thank you for guarding them, but we would like you to bare in mind that we will be taking them with us when we leave, so that all have a chance to view the eggs."

The elves stiffened, but the queen nodded solemnly. "As much as my people would like it, I realize that you need to present these eggs before as many people as possible to insure that they hatch for their proper Rider."

Eve relaxed. "Then I shall intrust them to you to be guarded until the time that we take our leave would come."

Storm expressed his approval to Eve and relaxed next to Glaedr, who shot the younger dragon a look that an adult would often give a mischievous child.

"Another matter of business that must be taken care of is your housing. I will be sending over two of my people to sing a shelter for you and your dragon. All you need to do is show them where you would like it to be, and they will do their best. Also, if you are in need of a sparring partner, I can send over a young elf to help you." When the queen said the last part she looked at Oromis.

"Not for a while, at least not till Eve has proved better with a sword," Oromis grinned. "I will alert you when a sparing partner is needed, and till then we would like to be left as much alone as possible."

Eve was surprised that Oromis could get away with commanding the queen, but she seemed to understand and grinned at the elderly Rider kindly.

"You have much to teach her, and so little time available, luck be with you my friend." With those words, the queen left, taking her entourage with her.

"Come then, child. We have lost valuable time and need to work to make up for it." Oromise led her through her stretching exercises. Eve felt she was getting better at the exercise and threw herself into the routine with a newfound eagerness. She reveled in the burn she felt in her muscles when she stretched them to there current limits. At this point, she would pause and hold the position till she felt the pain ease some.

Oromis then took her into his hut and worked with her on the ancient language. The only words she knew before her arrival were: brisingr, jierda, waise heill, thrysta, and garjzla, and those only because Valandera taught her those spells. Oromis was working her tirelessly on the ancient language. He was teaching her how to read and write it as well, and was doing so with determination. He warned her that by the end of the moon cycle he was going to forbid her to speak the common tongue, and restrict her to the ancient language.

After Oromis had determined she'd spent enough time on her letters, he let her break for a meal. Eve had noticed before that Oromis never provided meat at any of the meals they shared, and she decided to ask whether he would like her to hunt for him.

"Would you like me to hunt for you so that you could have meat for your table?" she asked.

Oromis paused, then chuckled and smiled at her. "No, Eve, that would not be appreciated. I do not eat meat, and soon, neither will you."

Eve paused and looked at the Rider strangely. "Why ever not?"

Oromis grinned. "You wouldn't understand now, but your bond with nature will grow to the point that the thought of taking the life of an animal and eating it will disgust you."

Eve wrinkled her nose and looked at the older Rider trying to decide if he were jesting with her or not. Then, deciding that he was serious, she sighed. What else would taking on being a dragon Rider do to her? Not that she minded, it was just that she hoped she wouldn't change all that much.

Oromis nodded, apparently seeing her acceptance in her expression. After lunch, he took her out back of the hut and through the woods till they reached a clearing which he directed her to sit in and use her mind's eye to explore. He wanted her to learn everything she could about everything around her.

Eve nodded and sat for hours, listening closely. She was most interested in a nest of wood larks in the elm across from her, and spent a long while observing them, then she turned her attention to the squirrels in the trees and watched them as well. By the time she had observed not only the squirrels, but the other birds, and whatever animal wandered into the clearing, it was nearly dark out. Figuring she had done enough for the day, she headed back to the hut.

Oromis looked up at her as she entered and nodded. "Tell me, what did you learn?"

She told him all about the larks and how they cared for their young, she told him about the squirrels and their games, and she told him all about all the animals that appeared in the clearing. Oromis listened silently until she finished. He was silent after her tale for quite some time, then he looked at her and sighed.

"You missed a surprising amount," Oromis frowned. "You have not seen all there is to see. Tomorrow when you do this exercise, look deeper and see even more."

Eve nodded and winced. Seeing everything would take her forever.

AN: Okay I'm disappionted only 2 reviews! It makes me think that no one likes my story. Then agian I see that six peoples alerts list only which two of have reviewed. I am on three peoples favorites and one of them I never got a review from. Makes me wonder. I guess they don't have the time to hit the little botton at the bottom and say good job at the very least. Sorry if I offend anyone but authors like a little feed back me included. Now this is the last time I'll complain, but head my words, I'm a frustrated author.

Dana CHERNEY Wow you know how to complimentan author. No I never really considered being a author, this story is just a bit of fun for me. I don't think I'd know what to do with myself writing my own works. As for the editing. I have a beta who goes back over every chapter for me. But if it's before they do then I must be getting into the swing of things. Thank you and I hope you enjoy this chapter as well.

Crogi-Girl Yeah yeah yeah I know but beg all you like even you don't get to read ahead.