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Chapter 2

Like the First…

Eragon stood and watched as the hatchling emerged from its egg, its tiny scales gleaming sky blue in the morning sun. The tiny dragon sat for a moment, taking in its surroundings before spreading its wings and letting a loud screech. Eragon smiled and carefully picked up the hatchling and set it down in a bed of soft grass. The dragon hummed as it curled up and closed its eyes, soon falling into a deep sleep. Eragon stared at it for a moment before turning and making his was out of the nursery.

That's the third one this month, he thought happily as he entered the great hall of the palace. The hall was bathed in golden light and the many doorways that lead to different rooms stood ajar, inviting and warm. Eragon smiled. Home sweet home. He was about to enter his room when he heard footsteps coming from down the hall. He turned to see Kil'la running towards him, her dragon in tow. The creature was still small enough that Kil'la could barely fit on it, but it was strong and healthy. Eragon waited patiently as they made their way towards him.

"Eragon, Eragon!"

You must come quick ebrithil!

Eragon nodded and followed the young Rider out of the palace and down the side of the mountain. All the while, Eragon watched Kiina, Kil'la's dragon. Kiina's bronze scales glittered like coins in the morning sun, flashing as she ran.

"So what is it that you must show me, Kil'la?"

"Zr'tak has returned from his mission, ebrithil…and, he has news…very big news!"

Very big news…you don't say." Saphira's conscience reached him within a matter of seconds. He could feel her excitement.

Good morning to you too, Saphira.

She appeared above them in the sky, her great wings spread eagle style. She land with a thump behind them and began to follow them down the mountain.

Good morning ebrithil! Both Kil'la and Kiina chorused.

Good morning students. And good morning little one.

That last part made so only Eragon could hear. Eragon smiled and continued down the mountain. Finally they reached the base where three young Riders and their dragons were gathered around Zr'tak. They cleared room so that Eragon and Saphira could see to their student. Zr'tak sat on the ground, cradling his dragon's head in his lap. Tsu lifted his orange head as Saphira drew closer.

Ebrithil, he said with a nod of his head, and lay it back down in Zr'tak's lap. Zr'tak himself made a move to get up, pushing Tsu off with a friendly shove.

He seems quite alright for his first mission alone. Saphira looked at Eragon.

Eragon nodded, but he could tell Zr'tak was holding something back.

"Zr'Tak, would come with me. And Tsu too."

Both dragon and Rider nodded and followed Eragon back towards the palace. Once inside, Eragon led the main study and sat them down. All the doorways in the palace were built high enough for even a dragon bigger then Gladr to fit though. Eragon turned to Zr'tak and smiled. The young Rider stared at him for a moment and took a deep breath.

"Ebrithil…Eragon…"

"Yes?"

"I…I saw something on my mission…"

Eragon nodded.

"I'm listening."

"You see, in this one village, as we were heading home…there…there was a fire. We stopped and tried to put it out, but…" Zr'tak trailed off.

"But…?"

"But… Tsu and I became separated…we lost each other amongst the smoke….and while I was trying to find him, I was also trying to help people in the fire…"

Eragon nodded. It was not good that Zr'tak had been separated from Tsu so easily, but those things could be fixed.

"That was very brave of you, Zr'tak."

"Thank you ebrithil, but… you see, as I was helping this one boy get to safety…I saw…I saw…"

"You saw what, Zr'tak?"

"I saw a dragon, ebrithil."

Eragon was silent for a moment. A dragon? No it could not be. There were no other dragons there.

"Are you sure it was not Tsu?"

"Yes, I'm sure, ebrithil. This dragon was a bit larger than Tsu and it was…it was a white dragon, ebrithil, like the one that the first Eragon rode."

Eragon stared at Zr'tak. Surely this had to be some sort of trick. A white dragon, let alone one that was not raised by Eragon and Saphira. It could not be. After a few seconds, Eragon realized that Zr'tak was waiting for a command.

"You are excused Zr'tak. A job well done on the mission. Go and get some rest."

"Yes ebrithil. Thank you."

After Zr'tak had left, Eragon called Saphira into the room and shared what Zr'tak had told him.

Another dragon…hmmmm…should we send out some of the young Riders to see if they can track it?

No. I feel that we must go and do this…however; I think that maybe bringing some of them along couldn't hurt. They need to see some real action… they need to be prepared for the real world. Eragon thought for a moment before continuing. We will at least need to bring Zr'tak. He is the only one here who has actually seen the dragon. And Tsu is big enough now for something like this, would you agree?

I would.

So it is decided. Eragon stood and patted Saphira's snout. Let us go tell them.

Thy exited the room together, side by side. Eragon paused for a moment at the door. He had an overwhelming feeling that they would not return here soon. With one last sigh, he closed the door to study and turned away.

I will call them together, Eragon.

Thank you, Saphira.

Saphira hummed in reply and left the palace. Eragon heard her roar from outside, her call echoing across the mountains. Within seconds, he could hear the entire group of twelve young Riders and their dragons hurrying towards the palace. Eragon smiled. They remained him painfully of him when he had first heard he was a Rider. The thought reminded him of Brom and his training.

Can you hear me now, Father?

Look at us now. Are you proud?

I should think he would be!

Saphira's thoughts ripped him from his own in seconds. Eragon shook his head and watched as she entered the room with their students. They were all around the same age, the youngest, Nitta, being ten, the oldest, Zr'tak and Kinata, being about fifteen and sixteen. Their dragons were of all different colors, orange to gray to yellow and anything in between. Their range of size was just as unique.

Nitta stepped forward, fumbling with her hands.

"Ebrithil, what have you summoned us for?"

Eragon smiled. Nitta's dragon, Tik-o, hummed; his tiny, lavender body wriggling in Nitta's arms. He had hatched for her only days before, but already they were inseparable.

"I have summoned you here because of a report that Zr'tak gave to me. As it seems, a dragon has been spotted near the small village of Hoka'ta. Saphira and I have decided that we must move out and find it at once before it can cause any damage to anyone."

The group before them murmured with excitement. Suddenly, a hand shot up from the crowd. A small elf stood in the middle of the students, her face like the moon in the night sky.

"Yes, Tut'talla?"

"Ebrithil, if you are to go on this quest, who shall be here to train and help us?"

"You are all capable of taking care of yourselves. I did not mention this before, but some of you will come with us on this mission. The rest will stay here and guard. Kinata, you will stay behind and watch over everyone. You have done well so far in your training that I feel you will be able to handle any minor difficulties you may encounter. If not, you have your dragon to help you."

Eragon looked at his students. He was only a few years older than Kinata, only eighteen, and yet he had more training then all of his students combined.

"Now, as for who will go with us…"

The next morning, Eragon, Saphira, Zr'tak, Tsu and two other students and their dragons stood on the cliff outside the palace. The rest of the Riders were still inside sleeping, having said their farewells the night before. Eragon sighed and stared at his group. He had chosen who would come with them based on age and training. Zr'tak and Tsu of course would come, for only they knew what the dragon truly looked like (Tsu had later confessed to seeing it, but had told them that he had wanted Zr'tak to tell Eragon and Saphira himself). The other two were Eztli and Tien, a boy and girl of fourteen and eleven. The only reason Tien had come was because of medical experience. She could heal just about anything, including magically induced wounds. Eztli was only a year younger then Zr'tak and could easily hold his own in a fight. His dragon, Agana, was the color of the night sky, her wings almost black. She was larger than Tsu, due to the fact that Eztli and her had been the first Rider and dragon to come to Eragon. Tien and her dragon, Lar, were the perfect match, Lar being the same color as Tien's chestnut hair. Both had so much of the same personality and attitude it scared Eragon sometimes.

Are you ready for this, hatchlings?

Yes Ebrithil Saphira!

Then let us be off!

In one swift movement Eragon leapt onto Saphira's back. The other did the same with their dragons. Spreading her wings, Saphira jumped into the air with a proud roar and took off, her students following close behind.

Remember all that I have taught you about flying my students-

"- and remember to hold on tight to your dragon when flying at a fast pace. Even the slightest wind-"

-can knock your Rider right off your back if you're not careful.

Yes Ebrithil!

Eragon nodded and urged Saphira on. Where ever this dragon was, they were going find…and possibly take it down!