Hi everyone! Sorry it's been so long, school's been keeping me busy. Also, here's a bit of physical character description for Kyra, Veyna, and Staria:
Kyra – Kyra is a fifteen-almost-sixteen year old elf girl who was chosen by Nuaen when she was fourteen in Ellesméra to become a Dragon Rider. She had reddish brown hair and is about the same height as Veyna. She is the elder twin—by exactly one minute fifty-five seconds. Kyra recently changed her eye color permanently through the use of magic—the former brown now has a slight red tinge to it, much to Veyna's chagrin (Veyna always liked how their eyes matched colors exactly). She also has some sort of boy/girl relationship with Soetrí, a nineteen year old full Rider who stays (for now) on Gedwëy Evarínya.
Veyna – She too is almost sixteen and was chosen by Istalri when she was fourteen. She and her sister come from the elf city Taíthos, which is about a league from Ellesméra. She has dark brown hair, brown eyes, and is the same height as her twin. Her friends include Faeín (also from Taíthos) and Staria.
Staria – She is eighteen years old, although only sixteen when she and Veyna first met. It is a mystery where she came from—Eragon and Arya supposedly found her as an infant on one of the islands near Gedwëy Evarínya. Since then, she was raised by a busy Arya in Ellesméra and then was chosen by Adura (daughter of Saphira and Fírnen) to become part of the Order. Staria has dark brown hair and green eyes. She and Soetrí have some (undisclosed) past history together that has fostered feeling of intense dislike between them.
Also, in case you didn't notice, I updated the story cover image to the real thing that I finally finished. Istalri and Nuaen when they were hatchlings!
Okay, now Ch. 9!
"I still can't believe it!" Staria exclaimed, rocking back and forth on the bed. Across the room, Veyna was throwing a small rock up and down and catching it again.
"I know!" Veyna grinned.
"Can you believe it, Adura?" Staria bounced up and patted her dragon's nose. "We're going to be full members of the Order!"
I heard you the first time, Adura replied, projecting her thoughts to the entire company, and, yes, I'm very excited. But I prefer to show it in other ways. She turned to the door and roared loudly. Outside, several shrieks of alarm cried out from the training field, as well as the sound of someone dropping a sword on their foot. See? Adura asked, Much more fun.
Indeed. I would like to try that sometime, Istalri agreed.
Don't you dare, Istalri, Veyna said in a mock stern tone.
Humph.
Veyna smiled smugly at her emerald dragon, then turned to Staria. "Do you know how the ceremony is going to work?"
Staria shook her head. "The only way anyone would know is if they had been to one, and I haven't yet. I suspect it has something to do with renewing the vow I took when Adura first hatched for me…"
They fell silent for a moment, each basking in the happiness of the day. Finally, there was a knock on the door. Staria leapt off the bed and opened it. "Hello, Rhunön!"
"Yes, yes, hello, atra esterní ono thelduin, blah blah blah," Rhunön replied, "I have something for Veyna."
Veyna blinked at her effrontery. Staria stepped out of the way, smiling slightly at Rhunön's brusque manner. Tales of the famous smith had spread far and wide throughout all of Alagaësia and of course to her hometown Taíthos, a mere few leagues from Ellesméra. She had fallen out of talk in the five years since she had relocated to Gedwëy Evarínya, but her name was still said with a sense of reverence to the ancient master smith.
Istalri snaked her head further into the room and rested it on Veyna's bed, watching the scene unfold.
"I have your sword," Rhunön told Veyna, drawing a long, cloth-covered package from the satchel across her right shoulder. She proffered it to Veyna, who unfolded it slowly. The first hint of gold glinted out from the handle of the sword. The next thing she noticed as the cloth fell away was the brilliant deep forest-colored emerald set in the pommel, sending flecks of light cascading around the room as she picked up the sword by its cool handle. It was covered in brown cloth strips placed so intricately that it appeared to be a continuous piece except for the glints of silver that shone artistically through the gaps. At the bottom of the grip, the sword had a silver leaf with a pearl at its base that matched her necklace exactly—the one she had gone back to Taíthos from Ellesméra to get.
The necklace had been a good-luck gift from her mother before she had left Taíthos for Ellesméra with Kyra to attend the beginning of Agaetí Skulblaka. It and Agaetí Blödhren were the only celebrations of the dragons the elves had, and the only time new elven Riders were chosen. The rest of the races did it differently, Veyna supposed, for they had no holidays like the elves for the dragons in particular. Rather, they had only the day of Eragon slaying Galbatorix in the Battle of Urû'baen. Veyna had heard that Ilirea hosted feasts full of song and dance throughout the day, but she had yet to attend it.
The necklace had been in the House Rílvenar for generations—it was said that it had saved the life of Baellova-elda and thus allowed him to found the House in the early days of Du Weldenvarden. It, along with four other pieces of ancestral heirlooms, were the only ineffable objects belonging to Rílvenar.
The sheath was very dark, lush forest-color, gold and brown filigrees tracing their way down. The pattern somehow reminded Veyna of a ripple in a still pond. She reverently drew the sword out of the scabbard, revealing the brightsteel blade, tipped with a golden point to her representing the gold tips of Istalri's spikes. Reflecting the light from the window delightfully, the sword itself was very thin and long, obviously not meant for pushing against another, but evading and striking almost invisibly. The green tint to the starmetal faded as it went along the blade until it was completely silver when it reached the gold tip.
"When Eragon first saw the blade," Rhunön began, "he said its true name was—"
"Esterni," Veyna murmured. The golden tip glowed for a second, and then the light faded into oblivion.
"Yes," Rhunön nodded, satisfied. "It appears my craftsmanship has prevailed once again in joining the sword and its master…"
"Thank you, Rhunön-elda," Veyna said gratefully.
"Use it well." She walked out of the room and shut the door with a bang behind her.
"She says she hates people and their politeness or flashiness," Staria observed, "but she sure does like her theatrical exits."
"That she does," Veyna agreed, still regarding Esterni proudly. Istalri touched it with the tip of her nose and drew back suddenly, releasing a cloud of alarmed smoke from her nostrils.
It's warm! she exclaimed.
"What?" Veyna asked, quickly pressing her hand against the golden tip, then down the length of the blade. The rapidly cooling metal was, as Istalri had said, warm, although the golden tip appeared much hotter than the rest of it.
"Esterni," Veyna repeated with greater force. Her strength ebbed a little as the tip began to glow brighter and brighter until it was white hot and had burned through the cloth it was resting on, the rest of the blade maintaining a soft golden glow. Veyna cut off the energy and the light slowly faded away, as did the heat radiating off it. To Veyna's delight, the metal did not appear harmed in the slightest.
Staria, who had been sitting on her bed the whole while, asked, "Would you like to cross blades? We seem to have some…unfinished business from last time."
"Of course," Veyna replied, baring her teeth at Staria in a playful manner as she lifted Esterni. Staria drew Wydra from its sheath. They circled each other in the small expanse of floor. "Wydra!" Staria cried at the same time Veyna shouted, "Esterni!" Esterni's tip heated at the same time an arc of water splashed off Wydra, turning into steam as it collided with the hot brightsteel.
Staria laughed and attacked, bringing her sword to Veyna's side, only to be blocked by a quick twist. Veyna leapt to the right, feinted at Staria's head, and succeeded in tapping her on the jaw. She had to be extra careful because they hadn't taken the time to dull the edge of their swords. Staria grimaced and swept her sword up to knock Esterni away, although in a real battle it would have been too late.
Veyna paused, distracted, as Adura leapt on Istalri and they play-tussled off the balcony, Istalri swiping at Adura's side and Adura battering Istalri's wings in return. Staria landed three blows in quick succession: one on Veyna's hip, one on her foot, and one at the back of the neck. Veyna leapt into her swordfight with renewed vigor, swishing her sword to the side in a circle before stepping in with a thrust.
How long the fight continued, neither of them knew. Somehow, Staria always had the upper hand, but only just. Outside, Adura and Istalri soared back into the sky after a little mishap with the ground, which now had a large two-dragons-sized dent in it.
Staria's POV
White flowers adorned the small stone table that Eragon stood in front of. Past him, pine trees were all that could be seen for miles around. The clear blue sky was unbroken by birds or wisps of clouds. The dirt underneath her feet was cool and moist as she stepped forward, Fate glistening blue at her waist. From the mirrors set around the clearing, she could see Arya and Fírnen watching the ceremony. Adura purred, her entire body vibrating with anticipation as she welcomed her sire. Staria smiled at Arya, having been raised by the queen since she was little.
Staria placed her hand on Adura's shoulder. Are you ready, little star? Adura asked, thrumming with a mix of excitement and nervousness.
Yes, Staria answered with conviction, It's what we've worked for all along, isn't it?
Indeed. Adura shuffled in place as her mother cast a critical eye over her. Appearing pleased, Saphira dipped her head to Adura and retreated back a step to Eragon's side.
Creating a path through the middle, the Riders and dragons who had come to watch the ceremony stood to the side, watching and murmuring amongst themselves. Veyna and Istalri were there, along with her mentors Shaiku and Sinta. Other friends and acquaintances also watched, although many had not returned in time from their missions. In the mirrors, even Murtagh and Thorn watched, although she had never met Eragon's half-brother. On the other side, Arya and Fírnen had a perfect view of the ceremony. Arya smiled at Staria, as if to say, "I'm proud of you." Staria smiled back at the elf queen who had raised her since she was a baby.
Eragon beckoned her forward, stalling her thoughts. She and Adura moved as one, coming to a stop before the table.
"Brothers and Sisters," Eragon began, referring to them all like family, as was the custom of the Riders, "today we gather here to witness the confirmation of the most sacred bond in the world." Then he addressed the elf and the dragon standing in front of him. "Do you feel you are ready to affirm your bond and become one of the Order?"
"We do," Staria replied, voice ringing out against the silence of the forest.
We do. Adura projected her thoughts so everyone would hear, nearby elves translating for those watching by mirror. Though they could hear Staria, Adura's response would be otherwise unknown to them.
"As is my right as a Dragon Rider, I ask you: Do you, Staria Aryasdaughter—" Several in the audience blinked, either not knowing she had been raised by the queen or not expecting Eragon to use that term because Staria was not related to Arya in blood. "—accept your partner for who she is, love her as you do yourself, and treasure your bond more than anything else?"
"I do," Staria replied.
"Do you, Adura, daughter of Saphira and Fírnen, accept your partner for who she is, love her as you do yourself, and treasure your bond more than anything else?"
I do, Adura answered. A surge of joy resonated through Staria. She knew, of course, that Adura loved her, but to hear it admitted in the ancient language was truly special.
"Do you, Staria, promise to protect Adura, whether with sword or magic, even at the cost of your own life?"
"I do," Staria promised.
"Do you, Adura, promise to protect Staria, whether with tooth or claw, wings or mind, even at the cost of your own life?"
I do, Adura said.
"Do you, Staria, take Adura to be the partner of your heart, mind, and soul, promise to speak when the moment is right, be silent when it is not, and forever respect and honor her?"
"I do," Staria repeated.
"Do you, Adura, take Staria to be the partner of your heart, mind, and soul, promise to speak when the moment is right, be silent when it is not, and forever respect and honor her?"
I do.
"Do you, Staria, promise to protect Adura, whether with sword or magic, might or sacrifice, even at the cost of your own life?"
"I do." Staria's voice was firm.
"Do you, Adura, promise to protect Staria, whether with tooth or claw, wings or mind, even at the cost of your own life?"
I do.
"Do you accept the responsibilities of Shur'tugal and Bjartskular and promise to peacefully protect all of the races of Alagaësia to the best of your ability, even at the cost of your bonded partner's life as well as your own?"
"We do."
We do.
"Do you pledge yourself to the Order, agree to be bound by its rules, and know that your actions reflect upon it with everything you do?" Eragon showed no sign that he was close to finished.
"We do."
We do.
"Do you swear fealty to me and every other member of the Order, from now to forever, just as they have done for you?"
"We do."
We do. It felt binding.
"Then as my right as Shadeslayer, Kingkiller, Firesword, and most of all Shur'tugal, I now pronounce you, Staria Aryasdaughter, a full Dragon Rider." He drew Brisingr and touched her on the forehead with it.
Saphira looked at Adura. And as is my right as Brightscales, Flametongue, and most of all Bjartskular, I now pronounce you, Adura, daughter of myself and Fírnen, Bjartskular. She touched the tip of her nose to Adura's.
Eragon smiled and raised his hands. "Let us welcome into our Order…Staria and Adura!"
Bugles sounded and Staria smiled as all her friends clapped and the dragons roared and stamped their approval. By the time the noise had died down, people were milling around with glasses of dwarven mead, ale, and elven faelnirv. Casks were even brought out, the dragons—especially Saphira—attacking them with vigor.
Don't get too drunk, Staria warned Adura.
No more than Saphira. Besides, I want to show Istalri how to really do it! At a nudge from her partner, Staria looked over and saw Istalri take a sip of faelnirv from the keg and take a step back. Staria grinned and let her dragon go.
"Well done," Eragon said from behind her, switching back to the human language since the conclusion of the ceremony. Staria whirled around. Eragon smiled at her and handed her a glass goblet filled with the elven liquor.
"Thank you," Staria smiled.
"Saphira and I are very proud of you both. When Arya and I found you on that island—" his voice had contained an odd quality, "—this was never the life we expected you to have. But all the same, we're both very glad. You make us so proud, Staria."
"Thanks," Staria answered, blushing a little.
He glanced around the clearing. "I know Arya and Fírnen would be here if they could. But it's a long way, and she had queenly duties to perform."
"I understand," Staria nodded, "I owe you both so much."
"Repay us by becoming the best Rider you can be," Eragon replied.
0==]=======
"You know, since I'm a full Rider now," Staria continued.
"Really? You would do that?" Veyna asked, smiling.
"Of course. It's not like I have anything else to do!" Staria laughed, "Full Rider stuck on Gedwëy Evarínya, remember?"
"Thanks," Veyna grinned, "Now, I have to look over these scrolls for Taeri…beginners Dwarvish. I knew I didn't want to learn Dwarvish…but it's better than Urgalish…Urgalish?" she asked Staria, cocking her head to the side.
"Doesn't sound right, but I don't know what you would call it…" Staria contemplated as she exited the room.
Veyna settled down at the desk to decipher the scrolls, struggling over the unfamiliar words. After about two hours of tedious work, the door banged open. Veyna jumped, turning to see a livid Staria fling herself into a sitting position on the bed as the door slammed shut.
"What happened?" Veyna asked, staring at her in shock.
"I just had a one-on-one with Eragon," Staria said in a cold voice. "You'll be happy to know that you'll become a full Rider in about three months."
"Three months?" Veyna asked, "But you were here at least a two years before me…"
"Do you know how the system works?" Staria asked. "Five recommendations with consensus from all others. I was vetoed—not once, not twice—by that snake, Soetrí. He held me back!"
"What? Why?" Veyna was still trying to make sense of it all.
"Oh, he claimed different reasons each time. Flaunting his Riderhood being a year older than I am!" Staria was calming down a little now. "And, I couldn't find anything pertaining to Istalri's pebble incident in the formerly-forbidden library."
"Too bad," Veyna shrugged. The stone seemed like a distant memory now, although it still sent a shiver and a tingle of panicked energy up her spine.
"Soetrí may not have been responsible for that incident," Staria concluded darkly, "but he's up to something. I promise you that."
Hmm…what is Soetrí up to? Or is Staria's feeling misguided? You'll see in Chapter 10, Soaring.
Warning: cliffhanger chapter ending approaching…