Isidar bowed his head with great respect at Cyvr.
It is a great pleasure to see you again, Bjatrskular-Elda.
Telsy's eye widened at the use of such an honorific title coming from Isidar.
"Cyvr," Vrael began, "has lived for over 1,000 years. We have assisted each other countless times and I called upon our last agreement in order to get him here today."
The white dragon blinked at Telsy before bringing its head down to sniff her.
Daughter of Vrael, he said, I see you are without a dragon.
Telsy looked from her father to Cyvr. He was just as white as Isidar but was the size of a yearling.
"I don't understand," she managed to say.
"You wanted to be able to train with the other Riders." Vrael said, "Because Cyvr never chose a Rider and you conveniently don't have a dragon, I thought this would be the best solution for both of you."
"Won't they know Cyvr isn't my dragon? I don't have the gedwëy ignasia on my hand."
Hold out your hand, child, Cyvr commanded.
Telsy obediently held out her right hand.
"Doesn't the mark only appear if you are the first human to touch a hatchling? Not to mention that you didn't exactly hatch for me…"
Cyvr ignored her and placed his snout in her outstretched hand. Telsy pulled back her hand as it burned. There, on her palm, was the mark.
Telsy looked up at Cyvr. Her white hair matched his moonstone scales and he did look like a young dragon. It could work.
Vel eïnradhin iet ai Skulblaka, Cyvr said, upon my word as a dragon, I will stay by your side.
Vrael nodded and said, "Tomorrow, my daughter, you will start training- officially- as a Dragon Rider."
Telsy woke from her half-sleep to find the landing above her bed empty. She was still getting used to having a mind constantly brushed up against hers and even though she had grown up around the mental connection between humans and dragons, it was new to have the white dragon in her head even when she could not see him.
What is for breakfast this morning? She called out mentally, knowing Cyvr could hear.
An image of two large deer appeared in her head and the sound of contented humming filled her ears. Telsy could feel other dragons nearby as she dressed. Looking out from her balcony, she identified Cyvr surrounded by several other older dragons feeding on their kills. Unlike Cyvr with his bucks, Glaedr, Zavien- a green, Ophelia- lavender in color, and Morenoí- a brown, were feeding on sheep.
Telsy knew that Cyvr would rather eat with dragons closer to his own age than the younger dragons, even if it looked bizarre to the young Riders. Looking up, Telsy saw Isidar circle the feeding grounds twice and then slowly head back up to the main grounds. Cyvr quickly finished his kills and then lifted his bloody maw to face Telsy.
I hope you are ready for a lengthy flight today, Telsy, he said.
Telsy sent him back a quizzical look, expecting him to further his cryptic statement, but Cyvr licked his claws silently before unfurling his narrow wings. The gust of wind that was caused by the one stroke of Cyvr's wings did not disturb the other dragons while they ate. Cyvr gracefully landed on the balcony next to Telsy, his size making him able to fit.
Isidar just informed the other dragons and I that today will start the Journey, Cyvr said to her.
I hope you are going to tell me what that means, Telsy responded dryly.
You are still a Rider-in-training, Telsy; therefore I cannot inform you of what your task is today. I can just tell you that you will be competing with your fellow Riders in a race.
Twenty minutes later Telsy and Cyvr landed at the back of the crowded amphitheater where Vrael was scheduled to explain today's task, the Journey. Telsy saw that Galbatorix was right in front with his gray dragon, Jarnunvösk.
We will eventually have to face him, Cyvr said. Telsy ignored this as Vrael's white dragon opened his wings, causing the room to silence.
Telsy expected her father to speak, but instead it was Isidar's voice that carried to their minds.
In Dragon Rider tradition, he began, we start with training our Riders and dragons on how to be equally dependent on each other. We instruct on survival techniques and make sure every dragon and Rider is aware of our duty to Alaglaesia. And at the culmination of their first half-year of guidance, we test how much they have learned by the Flight. Many of the older dragons and Riders may remember this task as the Journey but it has been changed because the task takes place primarily on your dragons back.
Isidar paused as his colorless eyes flickered.
Today we move to the official training grounds in Illirea. All Riders and dragons of age will be required to participate in the Flight, a race to see who will arrive first in the elven capital. Our first stop is Narda, the westernmost town on the Spine and from there we will follow the coast south until we reach Teirm.
"This is a test of survival, stamina and speed!" Vrael announced as his arms rose. "There will be check points in Narda, Teirm, Woadark Lake and Dras-Leona. Those who fail to check in will be disqualified. The race begins now! Good luck!"