Sorry this took so long! I've been struggling with this chapter for a while, having written what I want to go in it, but not being able to make it flow, if you know what I mean. But, the next chapter!

It had been about five months since the incident with Istalri and the pebble. Eragon returned the next day but neither had answers for them nor believed it was Veyna's fault. That had been a huge relief, for if he had thought she was deliberately trying to kill her dragon, she would have been expelled from the Order and put into isolation on one of the islands. Her power with magic had increased a hundred-fold, and there had been no more incidents, with her or others. Eragon and some other Riders were still looking into it, but it was doubtful they would find anything. There was nothing to find. It was a fluke, that's all. A young elf Rider with great power that lost control. Simple as that.

Istalri had also grown larger and had breathed fire—dancing emerald flames—for the first time and now prided herself with setting anything—and everything—on fire. When not training with Mort, she spent a lot of time with Adura, as they had taken an immediate liking to each other. Veyna and Staria as well had become fast friends.

Kyra, on the other hand, had started distancing herself from Veyna, much to her loneliness. Kyra spent an inordinate amount of time training with magic, fueled by the fact that Veyna was catching up to her. The time she didn't spend training with Tamos or practicing what she had learned she spent with Soetrí, who she had developed an attachment to. Whether it was because he was willing to teach her higher magicks or because she liked his company, Veyna couldn't fathom.

All in all though, life was good, and Veyna was going to savor it.

"One last thing," Taeri interrupted her thoughts as she walked away.

"Yes, Master?" Veyna turned.

Taeri held out a small jar to Veyna. "Tonight, after you bathe, apply this over your entire body for training tomorrow."

"Why?" Veyna asked.

"You'll see," was all Taeri would say.

Tossing the bottle from hand to hand as she walked, Veyna contemplated the meaning of this sudden change. It could be nothing…or it could be the product of nights and nights of surveillance, secrecy, and deceit. One or the other.

"That doesn't mean we're supposed to!" she had almost said. Instead, Veyna just nodded and followed her sister into the fog shrouding the forbidden library. After all, Kyra had always had both of their best interests at heart. And she'd never been wrong before.

Veyna brushed the memory from her mind. She now regretted that choice, but couldn't quite bring herself to confess to Taeri or Mort. Who knows how the Order would react? She and Kyra might be expelled! Breaking into the library to the right of the temple was a serious offense—worse than leaving the island without permission.

When she reached the door to her room, Staria was waiting for her. "Where's Istalri?" Staria asked, "Adura was hoping they could do some flight moves together tonight. Fancy flying stuff."

"She, actually, went off the island today for the first time. Went hunting with Mort," Veyna answered. "She should be back soon though."

"Ah, okay. Is that what I think it is?"

"Don't know," Veyna held the little jar up.

There was a twinkle in Staria's eye as she beheld the small jar. "You're going to have some fun with that," she said.

"What do you mean? What is it?"

Staria only smirked.

…

The next day, Veyna rose early, unable to sleep because the ointment she had applied last night had started to make her skin feel slightly cold, like she had spent too long pressed up against a block of ice. Istalri, however, thought the entire situation pretty funny; Veyna suspected she knew exactly what the ointment was for.

It was a most peculiar feeling, for inside, she was perfectly warm. But her hand felt slightly cold to the touch, which was just disconcerting when she accidentally touched them together. Rubbing her arm in a futile attempt to warm it up, she donned her clothes—a forest green sleeveless top and brown leggings—and opened the window. Beams streamed through as she stared at herself in the sunlight. Her skin had attained a silvery sheen overnight, even more than it usually had. Perturbed, she exited her room and headed for the sparring field.

Not-so-oddly, there were only two people on the field at that hour. As she approached them, she was surprised to see Soetrí and Kyra going at it. Kyra wasn't an early riser… She opened her mouth to call a greeting, but the words died in her throat. Kyra had a lengthy gash across her forearm as well as blood blossoming through her clothes on her hip. Soetrí had a deep slash on his ankle and his neck was bleeding profusely.

That's why they're up so early! Veyna realized, They're fighting with unguarded swords! Something carried her legs forward. "Hey," Veyna forced herself to sound normal. Kyra turned, her sword dropping to hand limply at her side, earning herself a slice to her ribcage.

"Don't get distracted," Soetrí ordered.

Kyra nodded and mouthed something that looked suspiciously like "Ebrithil."

"Fighting with unguarded swords?" Veyna asked, struggling to remain impassive.

"It's not very realistic the other way, is it?" Soetrí asked, wiping sweat from his brow.

"I guess not," Veyna admitted reluctantly.

Meet us at the training field, Taeri's voice invaded her thoughts.

"You guys better get cleaned up," Veyna warned them, "My mentor's coming."

"Barzûl," Soetrí cursed. He said something in the ancient language and their cuts closed up, blood wiping off and sinking into the grass.

"Very nice," Veyna commented semi-sarcastically.

When Taeri finally arrived, it appeared that the three of them had just been talking. Soetrí greeted Taeri, honoring her by speaking first in the traditional elven greeting. After a few more pleasantries, he and Kyra made their excuses and left. It was strange to think that Kyra was—for lack of a better word—"dating" a full-fledged Rider three years older than she was. Three years was a tiny span for the older elves, but for a youngling like her three years might as well have been seventy-five. It rarely occurred to Veyna that Soetrí was already a full member of the Order.

"All right, I want you to cast wards on yourself. I know this is your first time, but try your best," Taeri instructed, cutting through Veyna's thoughts.

She blinked, realizing a small group of people had gathered around them. Having them all watch her intently made Veyna feel slightly self-conscious as she cast her spells. "Done," she announced quietly.

"Istalri," Taeri requested, "Your fire, if you please."

"What?" Veyna asked, voice dropping two tones. Istalri faced Veyna and opened her maw, sending a torrent of green flame at Veyna. The flames swirled around her, causing an uncomfortable—not excruciating—pain to shoot through her right shoulder, left portion of her back, and both her feet. When the flames subsided, everyone but Istalri and her mentors was smirking and starting to disperse.

"They just like seeing the new Riders think they're going to get roasted by their own dragon," Taeri explained.

"Ah," Veyna answered, half laughing and half wanting to scream.

Are you okay, little one? Istalri asked.

Yes, no thanks to you, snorted Veyna.

Istalri only chuckled.

"Again," Taeri told her. Veyna looked down at her body to see the splotches of blue that covered her wherever her wards hadn't sufficed. She cast the amended spell with more force this time, and braced herself for the onslaught ahead.

0==]=======

Twang! Veyna's arrow hit its mark, flames spreading from the oil-coated wooden shaft onto the wooden target. "Vindr," she ordered and watched as the flames sputtered out. She retrieved her arrow and was delighted to find the shaft had not been blackened in the slightest, and she hadn't even noticed the drain on her strength from the protective spells she had placed on it. Looking at the arrow brought back the feeling of accomplishment. She and Istalri had come so far…

"Brisingr," she muttered, lighting the arrow on fire again. She drew back the bow, aimed, and fired, the arrow once again hitting its desired spot and setting it on fire. With "vindr" it sputtered out. Just as she was pulling the arrow out of the target, Taeri said, "Enough, you have mastered the skill of flaming arrows. But can you tell me why we would want to have a flaming arrow?"

"No," Veyna answered, feeling slightly abashed.

"Think about the rules of magic," Taeri prompted.

"The only one I can ever remember is the one about bringing back the dead," Veyna confessed, "And I don't know what that has to do with this, so it must be wrong."

Taeri waited. Veyna shifted in place.

"Because…magic costs more energy from a distance!" she recounted.

Taeri smiled. "Yes, we light them on fire because then we can send them farther distances with less strain. But there is another reason also. Without it, this would be a pointless endeavor, because you still have to sustain the magic over the distance the arrow flies."

"I don't understand," Veyna shook her head.

Taeri sighed. "When the arrow sticks to the object it hits, the fire spreads, does it not?"

"Yes, but that's still your fire, isn't it…?"

"Not always. Thus, with differing words or the right intent, you can make it so that the fire doesn't spread from the arrow but heats the wood around it and causes it to catch on fire itself. Thus once it is burning you don't have to sustain the magic, the flames created by the fire on the arrow are naturally occurring, and will stay."

"You are wise, ebrithil," Veyna nodded.

Taeri responded with a small smile. "Meanwhile, I have arranged a sparring match for you. And I'm going to watch this time, so don't forget what I have taught you."

"Never, Master," Veyna murmured. "Who will I be fighting?"

"I believe you know Staria?"

Veyna's mouth fell open. She'd never been asked to fight Staria before, and had never been able to since Staria's brightsteel blade would rip any others to shreds.

"Ebrithil, does this mean I will be getting my own blade?"

"If you acquit yourself well in this fight, then yes," Taeri smiled, "For it, Staria has agreed to fight her hardest despite your friendship and use a regular blade."

"Thank you, Master," Veyna bowed respectfully. Together they walked side by side to the almost deserted training field, where Veyna selected the sword from the cart that best matched her style and twirled it in a circle, waiting for her friend to arrive.

A few minutes later, Shaiku, Staria's mentor, came up, Staria following him. Her sword, Wydra, or Fate, was in its scabbard on her belt, but she carefully removed it and set it on the ground. Shaiku handed her a blade and she smiled disarmingly at Veyna, then stared at something behind her in shock. Veyna whirled around, but nothing was there. She felt the sharp rap on her shoulder and knew she had been tricked. Snarling, she faced her opponent, who was once again smiling sweetly.

Veyna pretended to feint at Staria's side, but withdrew the blade just in time to bring it towards Staria's neck. Her friend blocked the blow easily, swatting it away and stabbing at Veyna's chest. Veyna took a step backwards and immediately countered with an inward swing. They continued in this fashion for several more minutes, Staria landing a few blows and Veyna a few, but none to the neck or spine.

Staria swung around in a wide spin, her sword flashing dangerously in front of Veyna. Veyna stepped backwards to avoid it, but Staria was waiting for that. She leapt up, placing the tip of her sword on Veyna's head as she arcked over her head. But as soon as she felt the cool blade on her head, Veyna ducked and slashed at Staria's unprotected midsection. They both froze, realizing they had "killed" each other at the same time. They looked to Shaiku and Taeri for the verdict, but they both were smiling, satisfied.

"Staria," Shaiku spoke first, "I have never seen you do that move before. In an actual battle, I'm sure it would prove very useful."

"Veyna," Taeri said, "That was a very nice comeback. You thought on your feet without hesitation, and I am going to recommend you for your first apprentice-only mission after you get your new blade."

"Thank you, ebrithil!" Veyna smiled, excited.

"There is one more thing we wish to ask of you," Staria said, "May we have permission to room together? I have been alone since my roommate moved to Alagaësia and Veyna has never had a roommate. It would be nice to—"

"Of course," Taeri replied. "Although Shaiku tells me you might be leaving soon as well, Staria."

"Ebrithil," Staria nodded respectfully to Shaiku, eyes shining.

"Now, meet Istalri and Adura and get settled in," Taeri ordered, "You'll be on the third floor with an outer balcony, the fifth room on the left from the dining hall. Veyna, you'll need to receive your sword from Rhunön a week from today. Don't worry; she's been watching you fight for quite a while now, so she knows exactly the sword you need. Veyna immediately contacted her dragon, bursting with news.

Istalri?

Yes?

Did you hear that?

Mort told me the same thing.

Really? You get a sword forged for you too?

Ha ha, very funny. No, that we get our first real mission!

Oh, that. I wonder what it'll be!

Hopefully there will be a lot of deer involved. Through their mental connection, Veyna could feel Istalri licking her lips.

You know that's insulting to me, as an elf, right? she asked teasingly.

Mmm…

0==]=======

"If the Riders didn't want us to access the hall on our own, they could have enchanted it with spells," Kyra explained impatiently. "Besides, we've already been in there once!"

Veyna closed her eyes, trusting herself to do the right thing this time.

"If you want an accomplice for breaking into the hall, go ask Soetrí or someone! You certainly spend enough time with him!" she said forcefully and with finality.

"I wanted to do this with you, Vey! I thought you wanted to spend more time together. But now I see that's not true. You've changed, Vey. I don't know you anymore."

I'm not the one who's changed! Veyna wanted to scream.

"Goodbye, Veyna." Kyra stepped backward, melting into the shadows and sprinting out of sight.

Sorry that ending was kind of abrupt. So…we are approaching the end!…of Part 1. Please review! Thanks so much to those who have already!