Lesson 4: Magic

Tristan woke up in the middle of the night and he looked around him perplexed. It was too early for him to have woken up so why was he up?

Soon he heard the reason of his awakening and he sighed. Fiord's loud sneeze echoed in the night and annoyed he pressed his palms over his ears in an attempt to cover the noise. He wondered how much longer the dragon's cold would last since it had been at least a week.

Another louder sneeze sounded close to him and Tristan rose from his bed and looked outside of his window. His dragon sniffed.

Sorry, he said in a voice that did not sound like he was sorry at all.

Oh no, Vertigo! Not you too!, Tristan thought and cursed his luck.

Realising that he would not get any more sleep tonight, he rose from his bed and decided to have an early bath. He headed to the steam room and turned on the tap with the hot water in order to fill the bath tub. Steam quickly rose and water droplets clung to the cold windows' surface. Outside, some snow still covered a few patches of earth. With the start of the New Year, the temperatures had increased only slightly and the weather was not yet ideal for flying, as sudden rain and snow storms were not uncommon. The riders would spend most of their time exercising outside, doing the Rimgar or studying History and Ancient Language Lessons while the young dragons only flew at low attitudes.

I hate not being able to fly high enough. I think Eragon and Saphira are just overreacting, Vertigo complained in Tristan's mind.

You forget that it is not only dangerous for you but for the riders as well. Just the cold and the wind is enough for us to freeze, Tristan explained.

Hmph, was his dragon's reply and as soon as the sun was up the riders began with their daily activities.

Today, instead of heading to the Library however, they went to the Central Gathering Building. Inside, Idel, Mirin, Eragon and some of the elder riders stood, discussing the potential upcoming Games.

"It's the year of the Games, Eragon! How long will we have to wait until we continue with our daily activities? We have not had any attacks for a long time now!" the dwarven rider was explaining.

"Have you forgotten, Melor? He is of your kin and his situation is still grave. The elves tell me that he will not live to see the Games. Ingrid has also been injured, although she appears to be in a better situation" Idel, the Master of Magic, replied in a grave tone.

To that, Mirin had no answer, while Eragon stood thoughtful in a corner.

"If it was up to me alone, I would not let the Games happen but unfortunately it is up to Alagaesia's Leaders to decide. From what I understand they want the Games to happen. Especially the Urgals since it will be mating season for them soon and they need to prove themselves to the females" Eragon said and sighed.

Then realising he had an audience – that of the young riders – he smiled.

"Kvetha, fricaya" he said in the Ancient Language and it took Tristan a moment to realise that he was saying: Greetings, friends.

At least the Ancient Language Lessons seem to be paying off, Vertigo commented.

"I hear that some of you have requested to have an audience with me?" Eragon asked the young riders and Tristan looked around him, perplexed.

I did not know we had asked for an audience, Tristan said perplexed in Vertigo's mind.

Rikon, Grohn, Maurine and Gas stepped forward alongside some of the older elves. Eragon rose an eyebrow and Grohn cleared his throat.

"It is an honour to speak to you, Shadeslayer. I, and the other riders ask permission to leave Dis Atilan and return to Alagaesia in time for the upcoming Games. If possible we would like to see them in person since a lot of our close relatives and friends will participate this year" the Urgal said and at that Eragon shook his head and smiled, not unkindly.

Riders, to venture into the seas at this time of year is a dangerous feat for experienced riders and dragons, let alone younglings. The trip back to Alagaesia is not a safe or easy one and if you do go you will need to be escorted by other riders. At this moment in time, with the shadow wyrm threat looming in the horizon, we do not have the number of riders needed to safely escort you there and back, said Saphira in all the rider's and dragons' mind.

The disappointment was immediately evident in the young riders' movements and they stepped back.

Eragon smiled calmly to them.

Do not despair just yet, riders. The Games have taken place in Alagaesia twice before and yet, in Dis Atilan, we have been able to watch the unfolding events, better than present spectators, Eragon added.

Then the Rider Leader's eyebrows pulled together.

I see that many of you are still not able to actively converse using only mind connections. I also understand that many of you have yet to try your luck with magic. This is the other reason I brought you here. It is time for you to master these skills and thus your magic lessons with Idel will begin early, he said. The Games in Alagaesia will be projected in the Central Gathering Building's scrying mirrors and fountains. Even though the Elders Riders will be responsible for showcasing these, u need to possess the required skill to cast these spells yourselves, he added and with that he made his way out, while Saphira stayed behind.

The elven Master of Magic, Idel walked forward. She arranged them into groups, according to experience and she told them to practise different spells. Beginner group included him, Kayla, Laer, Rikon, Grohn and Maurine. They had to practise the Risa spell and Tristan found himself extremely uninterested.

The dragons, on the other hand, had been placed outside to practise breathing fire. Tristan could hear Vertigo sneezing often and every time his dragon did so he couldn't help but smirk. He tried to concentrate on doing the simple spell, but with everyone else around him raising the stones which were on the ground, he despaired and soon gave up. His sister was also looking bored, but for an entirely different reason, as she moved the stone from side to side as it was as easy as walking.

The Experienced group of young riders included Gwen, the twin elven girls, an Urgal male he did not know and of course, Adrian. They were practising far more intricate spells, which included mind duelling and re-arranging various furniture with the least amount of effort possible.

And I can't even make a rock rise!, he sighed exasperated.

Keep trying, his dragon advised but then he sneezed again and a gust of smoke-fire exploded from his nose. Wow! Did you see that?

Tristan was about to reply when he saw Idel approaching him. The elven rider had a serious expression fixed upon her face.

Why are you not practising, rider?, she asked him.

I was, but I can't do it, he replied.

You can talk to me and you can talk to your dragon. That means you have some magic inside you, the elf insisted.

There have been riders in the past who were unable to practise much magic, but were still able to do the basic spells. You just need to keep practising, she added and then turned to look at Kayla who was sitting on the ground with the rock flying above her head. His sister wasn't even looking at the rock or saying any spells and yet it did as she commanded.

The elf momentarily stood there, frozen.

"How are you able to do this? What sort of spell did you use?" she demanded from his sister. The girl looked at her, perplexed.

"I used the word Risa" she said and then let the stone fall to the ground.

The elf was shaking her head quickly.

"You should not be able to do this. Always state your intentions in the Ancient Language when using magic. It is dangerous to control magic with your mind" the Master of Magic said.

Of course. Kayla can control magic with her mind and I can't even do it while saying the words. Great!, Tristan thought and he walked away from the Central Gathering Building, while Idel insisted on placing Kayla in the experienced group.

Tristan walked outside and felt the cold wind slap his face, while his boots sank into the soft snow. He rubbed his hands together to warm them up and saw Vertigo landing next to him.

What are you doing? Go practise fire breathing!, Tristan said, not unkindly, but his dragon shook his head and then sneezed loudly.

Tristan only had a handful of seconds to move away from the gust of smoke-flame Vertigo had just produced. Tristan saw a small flame licking the edges of his jacket and without a second thought he fell on the snow and glared at Vertigo.

I have been given the day off. Sneezing is not the best way to learn how to breathe fire, his dragon said and chuckled. If it makes you feel any better Onyx can breathe straight fire bolts for twenty seconds. I can't even do one.

Have you noticed that out of all the riders I am the only one unable to use magic? My sword fighting and wrestling abilities are not the best either and shooting arrows seems to be the only thing I am relatively good at, but without however, being the best. The elves get first place in that one, again, Tristan said and sighed. Even though I love being a rider, sometimes I feel like a failure.

Vertigo shot up. He seemed ready to say something, but then he sat back down and looked intently at a spot behind Tristan.

"Hi" a voice sounded and Tristan almost jumped. He turned around and looked at Gwen.

"Wow, you scared me" he said and smiled.

The human dorm leader nodded. Her cheeks were already flushed from being outside and she rubbed her hands quickly together.

"I didn't know how to use magic in the beginning either. It's not the easiest thing to learn but all you need is practise" she said in a reassuring tone.

Tristan hmphed. He tried to concentrate on the piece of rock he was holding but nothing happened so angrily he threw it on the ground. Gwen stepped forward and placed her palms on top of Tristan's temples. Momentarily, he stood frozen from the close-contact and he stared at her, as she closed her eyes deep in concentration.

You can hear me, can't you?, she asked in a small voice.

Yes, Tristan replied.

Gwen then opened her eyes and removed her hands from his temples.

"Do what I did. Place your hands on my head and try to access my mind. I have no boundaries at the moment" she whispered and he stared at her, realising the weight of her decision.

He did not know where he had heard this but he remembered the saying. To give someone control over you is to give them the power to destroy you. Uncertain he took in a deep breath and gently touched his hands on her face. Warmth radiated from her and she closed her eyes.

"And now try to access my mind" she whispered, and her voice sounded unsteady.

He closed his eyes in turn and he felt the eyes of his dragon on his back. Tristan was concentrating hard and it felt like trying to solve a puzzle. Trying to place the pieces together in order to unlock the secret.

And then he felt it. Just the fleeting touch of another being's mind. So unique, so beautiful. And Gwen's mind and soul was indeed beautiful but also delicate. It felt that with a single movement of his he could break her.

Gwen? He asked unsure and he felt blood pulsing quickly through the human's veins.

Yes. Be careful Tristan, she warned and he felt her shivering.

Did I … Do it? Tristan asked unsure and she nodded.

Do you feel the presence of energy inside your mind?

Only slightly. It's very weak, very faint...

But it's there, Gwen added and he felt her satisfaction.

The connection he now had with Gwen was not unlike the one he shared with Vertigo, although he found it very peculiar to be able to do so. Feel her feelings. But whereas with Vertigo it was a constant presence with Gwen it was more of a fleeting moment.

Try to simply talk to me. Without entering my thoughts. Think of it as relaying a message, Gwen explained and he nodded trying to only have the merest of contacts with the human.

Hello Gwen, he said and chuckled. He still had his hands on her face so he felt her expression changing but didn't feel her emotions.

Exactly. Now try to do what you previously did… she started but at that moment Tristan heard Vertigo sneezing and he felt his contact with Gwen trembling. Confused, he tried to re-establish the connection, but soon realised that it was the wrong choice.

A turmoil of emotions and memories enveloped him which were not his own.

He saw Gwen as a small girl, screaming and crying, while she tried to hold on to the arms of a woman. He was only able to notice the deep gushes in the insides of the arms of the woman though, before the image fleeted away. Then he saw a town, located near a sea and he watched Gwen trying her luck at sailing. He saw Gwen looking to the sky and seeing a red dragon. He felt the emotions of excitement, love and affection. He saw the girl in front of an array of dragon eggs, with a familiar figure standing close to her. The figure was a rider for certain and he had dark hair and fair skin. Finally, he watched Gwen atop the deck of the ship sailing to Dis Atilan, holding a baby dragon in her arms, while above her a red dragon flew.

Tristan was thrown back into his own mind and he realised that he was standing in the snow, breathing hard and feeling exhausted. The human rider opposite him was breathing just as hard.

"I am sorry…" he began but Gwen raised her hand in the air while she tried to regain her composure.

"Don't. You have now seen that you can use magic. It won't be as easy entering mine and other peoples' minds again as it was entering my own now. With practise you will be able to raise your boundaries and also converse with other riders. In time you may even be able to cast spells. You have energy, your stores are small, but at least you have it" she said and unsteadily she walked back inside.

Tristan stared after her and his shoulders shook.

Wow, Vertigo simply replied before he sneezed again.

A/N:I have now decided to update every two weeks due to workload. I am not sure if you got the reference about Gwen's background but all young riders have an interesting background which may somewhat be related to characters from IC and will in time be revealed. Don't forget to tell me what you thought!