Disclaimer: Now the real fun of this fan fic can start.
Tasha woke early the next morning. Her dragon slept next to her. She looked around her. She had been placed in the tree house sometime during the previous night. Her tunic had been changed for her. Now she wore a fresh silk lined gown. 'This is of top quality,' she thought, amazed. 'You would have to be royalty to get this in the Empire, or the Varden!'
The dragon yawned and stretched as it woke. It looked up at it's Rider and squawked.
"Why is it that the other two dragons can talk to me, but you can't?" she asked.
"Because you have yet to build up a sufficient bond with your dragon." Eragon walked into the room from the balcony. "Today, your training will begin, young Rider. But first, you must be presented before the elves."
Tasha shook her head. "No . . .I can't show myself to them . . .not after what Galzra did to me."
"What happened last night?" Eragon asked softly.
"It was nothing," murmured Tasha, looking away.
"Obviously it was something," replied Eragon. "Saphira told me that you were distressed and covered in mud when you got to her. Galzra also wasn't with you. What did you fight with him for?"
Tasha glared at him. She stood unexpectedly. "I told you that it was nothing!" she cried furiously.
Eragon sighed. "Tasha, dragons are very proud creatures," he explained softly. "You don't want to upset them. They are also very intelligent and humans often forget that, but you can use that to your advantage. Before your training is done, you will understand all of that."
What he speaks is true, whispered Galbatorix in the back of her mind.
Shivers went down Tasha's spine. "What will my training include?" she asked.
"Many things," answered Eragon with a laugh. He remembered fondly of his early training and how arrogant he had been at that young age. So much has changed since then. "First, I will start you with the practical things such as sword fighting and archery," he continued. "During that time, you are also expected to bond with your dragon. Your thoughts will become more and more one with this dragon. Then when your dragon is about four to five months old, I can teach you how to ride and to fight."
"How long will this training take?" asked Tasha eagerly.
"That depends on you and how quickly you learn," answered Eragon. "Now come, and bring your dragon." He led her downstairs and outside where Saphira waited. Saphira, hide Tasha's dragon until I give you the signal, he said.
Saphira grinned and tucked the dragon under her wing. She followed closely behind Eragon and Tasha. The two Riders entered . Arya sat at her throne and gazed down at them. Many of the elves that surrounded her were of the same council that had advised Islanzadí. Eragon and Tasha bowed. Tasha and Arya exchanged the proper greetings.
"What is the meaning of this, Eragon Shadeslayer?" asked one, a man with long blonde hair and a thin scar running down his left cheek.
"During my travels to ensure that the old Empire had a stable government and order had been restored now that Galbatorix is dead, I came across Tasha here," explained Eragon in the common tongue. "She used to be part of the Varden. For reasons that are yet unclear to me, she was named as Galbatorix's heir to the throne. I discovered that she is to be the next Rider." He turned to Tasha and whispered in her ear, "Show them your hand."
Tasha displayed her palm with the gedwëy ignasia. Many elves jumped back in shock. She watched Arya's reaction. The elf merely gazed into her eyes and showed no emotion.
"Queen Arya, did you know of this?" asked a woman, old for an elf. Her hair began to show signs of graying.
Arya nodded. "I did know that this girl had become a Rider, but Shadeslayer and myself decided that it was best that we did not make this known until Tasha had had some time to recover her strength and see Ellesmera."
"Where is her dragon?"
Ok Saphira, you can show them, said Eragon.
Saphira lifted her wings. Tasha's dragon hatchling poked its head out and glided to its Rider. Tasha struggled to hold it up. 'Man, you're getting heavy!' she thought.
That is what us dragons do, my Rider, said a voice in Tasha's head that the girl did not recognize.
"Girl, how old is your dragon?" asked the older woman.
Tasha looked at the elf. She shifted her feet uncomfortably. "About two weeks," she answered in a small voice.
Arya smiled. She stood from her throne and walked down to the other two Shur'tugal. "The Shur'tugal are returning. Now we will enter into a new era which will not become like it did when Galbatorix took over."
Eragon knelt before Arya. "I swear that I will do everything I can to ensure your vision, Queen Arya," he murmured.
Oh, get up Eragon! Arya cried. You are my equal and require no fealty! She walked to Tasha and looked down at the shy girl. "Now, your training shall begin."
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Tasha stood across from Eragon two days later with a long stick, carved into the shape of a sword in her hands. She circled him carefully. Her bruises from the last two training sessions stung and burned.
Be careful, Tasha, warned the young dragon. Tasha had discovered that her dragon was a male. He watched her from the side with Saphira. You're form is off.
Is it? Tasha blocked a stroke aimed at her head. She pushed Eragon back. "Not as strong as you think, Shadeslayer," she taunted.
Eragon only smiled. Do you think that I should go easy on her, Saphira?
That won't help her, replied Saphira. She needs to learn that she isn't strong enough yet.
But she also needs something to bloat about, said Eragon.
Very well, but I did warn you. She watched the battle intently.
Eragon slashed at Tasha's left hip. Tasha blocked the blow. The two sticks bang loudly. Tasha twisted her stick and threw Eragon's weapon aside. She struck Eragon hard in his left shoulder. "Dead," she whispered.
Eragon smiled. "I guess that you have won," he replied. "Well, it is time that you go to Queen Arya for your daily lessons."
Tasha nodded and hurried off. Her dragon ran at her heels. She stood in front of Arya in the queen's chambers. "Eragon-ebrithil sent me," informed Tasha after she greeted her second mentor.
Arya glanced up at her. "I know," she replied. "Galzra isn't the only one that I have a mental connection with in this city. Now, I have several scrolls that I wish for you to read, but first you must learn how to shoot an arrow."
Tasha nodded. "Of course," she said.
Arya led the young Rider to the training grounds and gave Tasha a yew long bow and a quiver full of arrows. "Now, show me what you know already and I'll correct you if you're doing anything wrong."
Tasha took the archery equipment. She stood with her feet shoulder width apart and set the arrow. She aimed the arrow carefully to the target in front of her. She released the arrow. It flew several feet before falling into the ground. The arrowhead went into the dirt.
Arya sighed."Your stance is ok, but try and stand with your feet a little closer together and twist your torso to the right," she advised. "Also, aim a little higher for longer distances," she added.
Tasha frowned and did as Arya told her. Again, she set the arrow and released it. The arrow hit the outer most ring of the target. She smiled at Arya. "I did it!" she cried with excitement.
Arya nodded. "Yes, that was better," she replied. "But you still need practice. You can use that bow any time that you want. It is your job to care for your equipment. If you run out of arrows, you need to make more of your own. Now, go and eat. You had a long day."
Tasha shouldered her new bow and quiver. She thanked Arya and ran back into the city.
She's making good progress, she commented to Galzra.
Her dragon is bonding with her too, added Galzra. You have a message waiting for you in your room.
When did it come?
When you were training Tasha, answered Galzra. I did not want to disturb you.
Arya walked through the city and entered her room. An envelope with Orik's seal lay on her bed. She opened it. The letter inside read:
Greetings Queen Arya. My people just managed to fix the . Before Eragon and Saphira left to start their training, they promised that they would make our beloved star whole again. I ask for their presence for a few days.
King Orik
Arya set the letter down. Eragon, come to my room, she ordered.
Eragon walked to Arya's room moments later. "You requested my presence," he said.
Arya nodded. "Yes," she replied. "King Orik just informed me that they're finished. He requests your presence. I will not, regrettably, be able to accompany you like I promised I would however."
Eragon nodded. He stepped forward and embraced his mate. "Stay safe, and be careful," he whispered in her ear. "There are probably a lot of enemies who are moved against you."
"Do not worry about me, Eragon," murmured Arya. "You have a task that you must complete. I will continue Tasha's training while you are away."
Eragon smiled; glad that he could count on her. "Wait patiently for my return."
"Don't be gone for too long," whispered Arya. She kissed him on the lips. I love you, Eragon Shadeslayer.
Eragon returned the kiss. I love you too, Arya svit-kona.
Arya pulled away and frowned. "You can't call me that anymore," she warned in a playful manner.
"Keep telling yourself that," replied Eragon, smiling. He held her tightly for a moment before turning away and leaving behind the one he loved. Saphira, are you ready to fly out again?
Aren't I always ready?
You got a point there, my friend, admitted Eragon. Saphira landed next to him. Eragon mounted her and held on to the nearest spike.
Arya ran out to them. She carried Eragon's sword. "Eragon!" she cried.
Eragon took the sword from her hands and belted it carefully. "Look to the horizon, Queen Arya," he said. With that, Saphira took flight.
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Tasha sat at the desk in the room that Eragon had given her. Arya had scrolls on the history of Alegeasia sent to the room. What's the point of all of this rubbish? She found herself thinking angrily.
Eragon-ebrithil and Arya-ebrithil don't want history to repeat itself explained the dragon. Remember what happened with Galbatorix . . ..
Tasha sighed and read on the history of the elves and dragons. You still need a name, she said. The dragon cocked his head to the side. She listed off all of the dragon names that she knew. The dragon rejected all of them. How about Amestat?
The dragon's eyes glazed over with flame. He grinned, his sharp teeth shined brightly. Yes, he answered.
You named your dragon well, Tasha, commented Galbatorix.
What do you want, Galby?
I want you to kill Arya, ordered Galbatorix. Now that Eragon is gone, Arya is an easy target.
She is still guarded by her dragon, replied Tasha coldly.
Then get rid of him, said Galbatorix.
Go away, ordered Tasha. She felt her link with the dead king lift.
I don't trust him, said Amestat.
Nor do I, agreed Tasha. But Eragon-ebrithil is gone . . .I wonder where he went to.
He is a Rider, replied Amestat. He has many responsibilities that we will soon take on.
When our training is finished, murmured Tasha. She sighed and put the scrolls away. I can't concentrate.
Take a break then, advised Amestat. You deserve it.
But Arya-ebrithil will likely test me over the scrolls, cried Tasha. Have you fed properly today?
I'm fine, answered Amestat. Saphira hunted for me yesterday.
Tasha stretched and stood from her desk. She walked down to the room and collapsed on her bed. Amestat glided and landed next to her. He wrapped around his Rider's head and fell into a comfortable sleep.
Tasha woke early the next morning to the sound of her alarm clock. She looked up at Amestat. Wake up, she said, yawning. She pulled on a dark blue tunic and blue leggings. Her boots sat a few feet away from the bed. She pulled them on. Why do we have to wake up so early?!
There is probably a reason behind that, replied Amestat. Now grab your bow! I don't know where Arya-ebrithil wants to meet us for today's training.
Tasha strapped her bow and quiver. She ran down the stairs. Amestat glided behind her. When she reached the bottom, Tasha gasped for breath. Arya waited outside with Galzra at her side. "You need to get into better shape," the elf commented coldly. "Your dragon will go with Galzra today. There are some lessons that you will each have to learn independently."
"But Queen Arya!" cried Tasha. "Amestat is surely not old enough to be trained in fighting!"
"Amestat?" repeated Arya, raising an eyebrow. "So, you finally named him." She glanced at Amestat. "Yes, I suppose that he's old enough to know his name."
"I named him though," replied Tasha.
"You merely reminded Amestat his name," corrected Arya patiently. "A dragon will already know their name, but will forget it as soon as they hatch. The Rider merely states it, and the dragon remembers. Did Amestat not reject any of the names that you proposed?"
Tasha lowered her head. "He did, until I proposed Amestat," she admitted.
Arya smiled. "You see, a dragon is extremely intelligent. Sometimes more so than humans."
Tasha's ears went red. 'Why does she enjoy insulting me so much?' she thought angrily.
I don't think that she enjoys it, said Amestat.
Can't I keep any thoughts from you?
No, Amestat answered. He took flight with Galzra, leaving his Rider alone with Arya.
"Now, did you read those scrolls that I assigned to you last night?" asked Arya.
"No," answered Tasha. "I couldn't concentrate."
Arya frowned. "You can't fall behind in your studies," she said sternly. "Your training is the most important thing right now. You are the first step in rebuilding the Shur'tugal. Eragon and I can't do everything ourselves. We both have a country to rule over."
"Why me though?" cried Tasha.
"Because, Amestat chose you," answered Arya patiently. "We may never know his exact reasons. A dragon will wait forever if it has to in order to get the right Rider. That has never been clear."
Tasha sighed. "How long before I can start riding Amestat?" she asked eagerly.
Arya grinned inwardly at the young Rider's sudden eagerness to learn, however, she kept on an unemotional mask. "It will be several months before Amestat is ready to be ridden," she answered.
Tasha nodded and thought for a long moment. "When can he breath fire?"
"That will take even longer. Roughly when he's six months old." Arya glanced around her at the passing elves. "Any other questions that are on your mind before we begin your lessons?"
Tasha shook her head. She followed Arya to the training grounds. Arya picked up one of the long sticks and threw it to Tasha. Tasha tried to catch it, but dropped the stick before picking it up. She faced Arya. Arya took the stick that Eragon had used in her hands. The two Riders circled each other.
Arya held her stick low and to her left. She kept her eyes moving, looking for an opportunity to attack. She took a step back and circled around. Tasha turned with Arya so that she could constantly see the elf. The young Rider tripped over her feet and fell to the ground. Arya took this opportunity to strike. She dealt a blow to Tasha's right shoulder. Tasha cried out in sudden pain. "Dead," whispered Arya. She dropped her stick and helped Tasha to rise. "If that were a real battle to the death, you wouldn't have lasted for no more than a few seconds," she hissed.
"I'm sorry, Arya-ebrithil," murmured Tasha. "But you can't possibly expect for me—a human to compete with an elves' strength!"
"Eragon was able to," replied Arya. "He did lose against me, but he lasted longer than I would have even expect from him."
The rest of that morning, Arya taught Tasha all the proper stances and how to block blows at all angles. Tasha sat on the ground after the training session was done. "Tasha, follow me," ordered Arya. Tasha obliged and followed her mentor deep into the forest. Arya led her to a rock. "Every morning, I want you to come here and meditate on that rock. Every morning, I want you to tell me everything you learn while meditating."
"But . . .I don't know how to meditate!" cried Tasha.
"It will come to you," replied Arya. She turned and walked away, leaving Tasha alone in the dense forest.
Tasha sighed heavily and walked over to the rock. 'How can she expect me to do this impossible task without any instruction?' she thought.
Maybe so that you don't depend on others to tell you what to do or how it should be done, suggested Amestat.
What is Galzra-ebrithil teaching you right now?
How to hunt for food, answered Amestat.
At least that's useful, replied Tasha. I don't know what Arya-ebrithil is thinking right now by giving me this 'exercise'.
I am sure that she has her reasons, said Amestat confidently.
Whatever they may be, I still think that she's mad!
Amestat chuckled in the back of her mind. Just do your training so that we can get on with life.
Tasha sat on the rock. Many thoughts and questions swam in her mind. 'What am I supposed to do?'
Close your eyes and release all of your thoughts, instructed Galbatorix.
Tasha complied with the instructions. She slowed her breathing and felt something; a lot of something. That something came from the forest. She could suddenly hear the birds chirping and the deer foraging for food. The life of the forest slowly flowed through her. Her mind extended. At first, she fought it, but with Galbatorix's bidding, she let her mind extend. She felt the presence of a mouse, scurrying for food on the forest floor. It took a seed and ate it in a hurry.
Within seconds, the mouse was not there. Tasha opened her eyes and scanned around, wondering where the small rodent could have gone. She spotted a brown owl gliding by with the small rodent in its talons. Her face grew green as she became sick.
She slowly walked back to Ellesmera and to Arya. Arya sat under a large tree with her eyes closed. "Erm . . .Arya-ebrithil," Tasha said shyly.
Arya opened her eyes. "So, what did you learn?" she asked.
"That mice do what they can to survive and gather food, while looking out for predators such as owls," Tasha answered.
"And what does a mouse feel?" asked Arya. She needs work, she commented to Galzra.
As does Amestat, agreed Galzra.
"They are constantly alert," answered Tasha, unsure of why Arya was asking all of these questions.
Arya sighed heavily. "You are concentrating too much on the concrete items," she explained. "You need to let all of that go when you meditate."
"How am I supposed to meditate without any instruction?" asked Tasha angrily. "You are supposed to be teaching me, not just sitting there telling me to do something and speaking only in riddles!"
"You need to learn things on your own," replied Arya. She frowned at the young Rider. "Now, I would like you to practice your archery until Galzra and Amestat get back."
Tasha nodded respectfully and walked away. She went to the archery field and shot a dozen arrows, until her arms grew tired and worn. Two of her arrows managed to hit the center, but the rest of them went out of control.
"You're really improving," commented Arya from behind. She stepped forward. "I must confess that I am impressed after just a day that you are able to hit the center. Galzra and Amestat are coming."
Tasha turned to face Arya. "They are?"
Arya frowned, but remained silent. Galzra landed next to her while Amestat glided next to Tasha. How was he?
He needs to build up proper muscle, growled Galzra. He shook his body. His weight caused the ground to rumble. He's also very arrogant of his abilities.
So is my pupil, replied Arya. Should we test them about what the other learned?
They need to learn that they must work together to accomplish anything, said Galzra.
Arya nodded. She turned to Amestat. "Amestat, what defenses does a mouse have against an owl?" she asked.
How am I supposed to know that? Amestat growled at her.
Galzra grinned. Tasha, how can a dragon fly against an air current without overusing their energy?
Tasha looked at him, dumbfounded. "I cannot possibly be expected to know!" she cried angrily.
Arya sighed and shook her head. "You are expected to know," she said quietly. "You see, Tasha, you and Amestat must become one minded and know what the other is doing at all times. When you become one, you can fight as one. Now, go and read those scrolls that I assigned you last night. And tonight while you are in your room, I want you and Amestat to discuss what you both learned today and explain everything to Galzra and myself in detail tomorrow morning. I will have food sent up to you later."
Tasha grimaced and left with Amestat trailing her heels.
Disclaimer: You all know that I do not own anything other than what I'm adding to the storyline. If any of you have heard when the third book is coming out, could you please tell me? I haven't heard anything.