"See?" Galbatorix asked. "That's how you-"
"What do you think you're doing?"
Oromis stood in the doorway. Morzan jumped up from sitting in front of Galbatorix, brushed off his pants and awkwardly walked out of the room.
"I could feel you drawing magic from across the castle. What are you trying to do? Kill yourself?"
Galbatorix looked embarrassed for half a second, and then stood.
"Oromis-elda," he began, "I just wanted to expand my knowledge. I want to become as strong as I possibly can. Jarnunvösk wanted to help as well-"
"Imagine if Svarthofdi found you were doing such things." Oromis interrupted, "I may not be your mentor, Galbatorix, but he is. You would be going against the rules Vrael himself built centuries ago. Dragon Riders work as a team," his voice became softer, "and I know how eager you are to learn. But you must be patient and learn to control yourself. I did not become an Elder by rushing through my training. People do not respect me because I finished first."
Galbatorix made an effort to look like he was listening and nodded. "I will remember what you said, Master."
Oromis clapped him on the shoulder and turned to go. As he left the room, he called to Glaedr.
I am here, Oromis, the dragon replied from nearby. I heard what happened.
The boy didn't hear a word you said, Glaedr said as he glided to a stop next to the elf.
I know. He doesn't want to work with the other Riders. He wants to rule them.
One week later, as Brom and his fellow young Riders were running laps through trenches filled with mud, Galbatorix encountered Telsy for the first time.
"Where's your dragon?" Galbatorix said as he watched Telsy lean over a railing, straining to see the dragons.
Telsy whirled in fright, clutching the railing.
"I didn't mean to startle you," Galbatorix backtracked, "I've just seen you around so much, you don't train with the others and I just wondered why I haven't seen your dragon around."
Telsy didn't say anything.
"I am so jealous if you're getting special individual training. Probably with Vrael, am I right?" Galbatorix continued. "If you're out here, where's your dragon? What's its name?"
Galbatorix paused and finally listened to what Jarnunvösk was saying in the back of his head. He finally took a second look at Telsy.
"You don't have a dragon?"
Telsy stayed silent for another moment. She looked around and finding no one else, she said, "I don't have a dragon yet. My father is waiting for the right one."
"The right one?" Galbatorix repeated. "How can he know which one is the right one? Only you can determine that."
Telsy shrugged and began to back away from the older boy. "I can't disobey him." She turned and quickly walked away.
Telsy didn't slow down until she reached the highest point in the entire castle. She passed countless guards, who only after recognizing her, let her pass. Finally she arrived at a large steel door. The door read, "In truth lies acceptance" in the Ancient Language. Telsy pushed the door open.
Resembling many different rooms in one large space, the room had no dividing structures except for a small staircase along the far wall that led up to a loft. After scanning the area, Telsy entered and quickly crossed the room to the stairs. The second level was large enough for two dragons and had no real walls, just tapestries hanging from the ceiling.
Sitting next to a large white dragon was Vrael, neither of which moved at her presence. Isidar, the dragon, did not shift as Telsy sat next to him; she was close enough for her to touch his pearl-like scales.
"Father, Isidar," Telsy greeted them.
A silence stretched on for many minutes. Telsy knew not to break it if she was to get what she wanted from her father.
Vrael finally looked over at her.
"There seems to be something bothering you, Telsy," he said slowly.
"I wish to train with the other Riders." Telsy said.
"Now, why would you want that?"
Telsy held back a groan at Vrael's apparent lack of common sense.
"I am surprised that Oromis hasn't told you of all the times he's caught me watching them train." She looked over at him, her eyes filled with pleading. "All I want is to train with them. It is unfair that I must stay in hiding like some cripple you're afraid to admit you let live here."
"Telsy," Vrael said, "you're not a cripple. I just worry the others will not understand why you have no dragon-"
"I have no dragon because none will hatch for me!" Telsy interrupted. "I have touched every single egg on this island and there has yet to be a response from any one of them!"
She looked out into the sunset.
"My dear," Vrael said, "you know all I want for you is to be happy. I cannot force a dragon to hatch for you. It will happen, I am certain, but we must wait for the right dragon."
There was quiet for a few moments and Telsy knew her father was consulting with Isidar.
Vrael stood and held out his hand to Telsy.
"If this is what you want, then I can at least point you in the right direction. But you must remember one thing, my daughter."
He looked her straight in the face and said very slowly, "One lie leads to another. I hope you will know when to stop."
He turned and walked to the edge of the loft. Telsy watched curiously and jumped back as Vrael whistled very loudly.
"Now you be able to compete with all the other young Riders." Vrael said over his shoulder. "You will be able to do everything they can and perhaps you'll even put young Galbatorix in his place."
A shape was forming on the horizon. In mere moments the shape had taken on the form of a dragon.
The dragon was half the size of Isidar but the same gleaming white. It landed on the loft and leveled its gaze with Telsy.
"This," Vrael said, "is Cyvr."