A/N- This chapter is just supposed to give a bit more background to Exire and tell you more about his past.
With a groan, Exire fell back on his cot, wincing slightly at his bruises. It had been two days since Darad and Saphira had fought, and so far, Exire had been tested on his hand to hand combat, flexibility, and tactical skills. His body ached and was soar al over. Groaning, he rolled over onto his stomach, dropping one arm to the dirt floor.
"Still need to find a proper spear..." he muttered, opening his eyes and looking over to where his current one stood leaning against a small chest in the corner. He closed his eyes again, and tried to fall asleep. His dreams were troubled, filled with flashes from the past, faces that had long since passed beyond the void. He saw his father, his adopted father, and then his sister, whom he had not seen in over fifteen years, ever since he let Tierm. Why were his dreams so tormented? Why couldn't he just have normal dreams...
Exire.. Exire stretched, yawning and blinking, looking over at Darad who had parted the tent flaps with his snout. His head was hanging over Exire, looking at him with concern. Your dreams were troubled, what ails you?
Nothing. Lied Exire, sitting up and rubbing his face with his hands. Looking up, he saw Darad raise one scaly eyebrow, and sighed. Fine, I was, dreaming...
I know. Said Darad drily. But you were speaking as well. Tell me, who is Ethelsen?
No one. Exire said, standing up sharply and marching over to where his spear lay, snatching it up and heading out of the tent. But Darad stopped him with an outstretched leg, glaring at him.
Exire, we are dragon and rider, we are meant to be one, we can not be, if we keep secrets from one another!
Some things don't need to be shared! Snapped Exire. Now leave me alone! Then he walled up his mind, and climbed over the scaly limb, his sore muscles forgotten as he stormed out into the dusk lit camp. He heard growling behind him, accompanied by the sound of Darad's steps, but he kept walking, lifting his chin. However, when the sound did not leave, he gave in. He stopped in his tracks, standing in between two rows of tents.
After a moment, he turned around to face Darad. The dragon was standing stock still, his neck and head raised high and wings folded. He shown like a star in the weakening sunlight and strengthening moon. His eyes bored into Exire's and were filled with concern, and hurt. Slowly, and cautiously, Exire opened up his mind once more. He hesitated, then said,
Im sorry. And saying this, he brought forth a memory he had cherished for years, never sharing it with anyone.
It was the image of a five year old girl, with long hair, the same color as Exire's. Her eyes were also the same, and they shared similar features. This, is my older sister Ethelsen. Exire explained softly. The girl was laughing and spinning about. Then the image faded and was replaced by a new one. In this, there was a young woman, about fifteen. She was obviously an older version of the young girl in the other memory. This one, however, was wearing leather armor, a bow in her hands and a quiver on her back. She was drawing and arrow and aiming it, letting it fly with a vicious battle cry she was running now, leaping over a barricade into a smoke filled street, hair streaming behind her.
When I lived in terim, explained Exire, replacing the memory with the first, of the laughing girl. Before I left for the desert, we were attacked by Pirates. My sister was in love with a soldier, and he had taught her to use a bow. When the horns sounded, signaling the attack, she ran to join them. He paused here, blinking a few times as he remembered the terror filled night. She disappeared that night, and my mother died. It was part of the reason my father and I drew so far apart, Ethelsen was really the only one who could make things run smooth, but without her...
Exire fell silent again, sinking down into a sitting position as the loss of his sister washed over him anew. He had kept it hidden for years on end, not wanting t relieve that night, but now, it seemed the time for secrets was over, no matter how special.
Losing Cassandra was like the wound had been torn open again. I wanted to find her Darad, I've always imagined finding Ethelsen, but, now it just seems so long ago...
Exire... Rumbled Darad, now sweeping Exire up in his wings and holding him close to his chest rearing up and gliding up and over the tents about them. I did not know. Why did you not tell me?
Exire didn't answer, just pressed himself against his dragon's warm chest.
"My lord, it seems as though this new rider and his dragon seem to dislike being told what to do..."
"Really? This is interesting, tell me more."
"Well, they seem to be unwilling to accept advice from the elf or Nasuada, and even Eragon seems to be having trouble getting through to them. Why, not long ago I was eavesdropping on them as they spoke in the high command tent, at my own great personal risk might I add-"
"Get to the point, I grow impatient."
"Yes, of course my lord, of course. So, I heard word of Nasuada wishing to send this Exire and his dragon to Gilead, to join the elves there. But the rider did not want to go, he said he felt like he could be of more use elsewhere."
"Hmm, young and defiant I see.."
"Not very young my lord, he is at least twenty, well and truly a man."
"By my count, all men are young. Now, tell me more of his actions."