Chapter Two : Hard Decisions

Tae's feet slammed unmercifully against the ground, each jarring step serving to remind her of her anger and the reason for it. How could master Treagan have kept something like this from her? How could he have not told her? She paced back and forth through the field like a caged beast, Ninaru looking on somberly and Erevu was unfazed by this as any other thing.

You are acting like a child, throwing such a temper tantrum. Ninaru chastised gently, his mental voice soothing like cool water on a burn. But Tae was in no mood to be soothed and coddled, she wanted to break something or many somethings rather, but she was in a field and the only thing she had to break was the grass. The young girl had quickly found how very unfulfilling it was to hit something that only dances around your fist with ease.

"I don't care!"Tae cried back, falling to her knees with a very small thud and ripping at the grass with a vengeance. "He had no right to keep that from me!"

She pounded her fists against the soft ground. Unsatisfied with the lack of screams from the crushed grass, she repeated the motion again and again until her energy was spent and she sat crouched over her aching fists with her forehead pressed against the ground. It wasn't fair. Why her? Why did she have to go? Why did she have to leave the only home she had ever known to meet a bunch of people who didn't care about her one way or the other? Why, why, why? A soft nudge on her shoulder made her sit up. "I just don't understand Naru…" Tae whimpered, absently reaching up a hand to rub her dragon's muzzle. "Why do we have to go..? Why can't they just send Master Treagan and Master Abraeil, or better yet, no one at all? It's just another hatching, why do we have to go and see it?" Ninaru waited patiently for her indignation to subside, knowing if he started in to soon she would simply cut him off with another useless argument and they'd be sitting there for days.

Because we are new and shiny, something to ogle over and burden with all their oo's and ahh's. It is all for show and they want something new for their little act.

Tae was shocked, and she didn't know if it was from Ninaru's use of the word 'ogle' or if it was his blatant disagreement with the entire system. She knew much of what went on between the capitols politically was mostly for show, just razzle dazzle for the common folk, and the whole 'sending an emissary from the keep to escort the newbie' business was basically nonsense because after the naming ceremonies the newly turned Rider and emissary wouldn't see each other again probably until after they had arrived back on the island. However, she had never heard her dragon – who was usually so resolved and self-contained – speak against the way things were done. To hear him say such things was akin to her punching the ground or tearing the grass, it was his version of a temper tantrum. The young Rider was slightly comforted by the fact that she wasn't the only one displeased with the recent turn of events.

"So what do we do now…?" Tae asked glumly, already knowing the answer her dragon would give.

We obey, and trust that everything will be fine. He crawled on his belly until his Rider sat against his chest and curled his massive neck along the ground to look at her with one jeweled eye. Even Erevu crept down from his perch on the leviathan's back so that he could snuggle into his bonded's lap. They are allowing us to choose our manner of transportation at least, which is thoughtful. I say we request a ship. Even though the trip will be longer, it would be less hazardous for a first crossing if we do not run straight into the unknown. I am not completely sure if I could make it.

The young woman sighed, reaching a hand back to rub at her dragon's polished scales. She knew how difficult it was for him to admit he was unable to do anything and everything asked of him, she knew how much he loathed the idea of being weak. Yet here he was, suggesting they travel by boat because he didn't want to risk sending them crashing into the sea. The simple fact was that he had accepted their fate and was moving past it. He had accepted that they were to leave the island, and the only thing left to do was to make arrangements.


Twilight found the mismatched trio at last arriving back at the keep, and just in time for dinner! Ninaru dropped his Rider off in the courtyard in front of the Great Hall – the dining field they used during good weather not far away – before flying off to his nesting area to await his own dinner. Erevu followed suit, wandering off on his own in hopes of finding a meal. Watching the furry yellow rump of her soulmate trot in one direction while Ninaru's diamond wings carried him quickly into the distance, Tae suddenly found herself feeling very alone.

"You are late, child."

She suddenly missed being alone. "I'm sorry Ebrithil," The Rider began sheepishly, slowly turning to face her teacher. "I was working on flight maneuvers and I guess I lost track of time…" It was an obvious lie and her cheeks turned red hot at the words, but thankfully Treagan seemed not to care and not to notice. Either way, he didn't question his pupil's hesitant response.

"I am sure you will make certain this does not become a habit?" The graying man said, quirking a brow before turning without waiting for an answer. "Now come along, you are going to take your dinner with me tonight. We have things to discuss, you and I." He waved her along over his shoulder, clasping his hands behind his back afterward and walking along at a leisurely pace.

Great. Not only was he sending her away, now he was angry with her for being late and keeping her away from the other students. As if they needed more reasons to act as if she had been quarantined with some deadly disease… Still, no matter how hard she could try to weasel out of it, master Treagan was her teacher and she could no sooner deny his commands than bring the dead back to life. She was, however, thankful for the silence as they made the short trip to the housing building for the teachers and elders, and seeing as how it was only directly across from the Great Hall, it was a very short trip indeed.

Treagan's suites were on the first floor and situated around the back of the structure. He lacked the homey touches a woman might have made, but it was certainly more than livable and Tae found herself daydreaming about the thick carpets and cushioned chairs in front of the fire place the second she stepped into the room. It was a short-lived fantasy, though, for when her eyes found a familiar blue-eyed man, all thoughts of relaxation and simple conversation vanished. She should have known. Not once had Treagan ever summoned her to his quarters and he had certainly never gone to retrieve her in person! That alone should have been enough to tell her something was up.

"Ah! Tae! It's wonderful to see you again!" The blonde headed man almost crowed out his welcome, standing from his seat by the fire and quickly making his way over to take the dazzled Rider's arm and escort her to a chair. She glanced back to see if her master had a problem with the man's forwardness, but all she found in his face was the same deep sorrow she had caught earlier that morning. It was more than a little unsettling, but then Tae was being plopped down in an extremely comfy seat and was being asked if she wanted to talk first and then have dinner or vice versa.

"Dinner, please." She replied softly. She wasn't entirely sure that this "talk" was going to be a good one, and her father always said it was never good to hear bad news on an empty stomach. Besides, the young Rider wasn't sure if she would want to eat after hearing what her two elders had to say.

The bright eyed man called for their supper and a pot of tea and a man carried in a tray holding a large pot of beef stew with vegetables mixed in, and a loaf of cheese and herb bread. In the corner of the tray was a plain looking pot with steam leaking steadily from the spout, and three cups positioned around it. A second man appeared carrying bowls and other eating utensils. Master Treagan dismissed the servants with a curt thank you and began dishing up their meals, first serving the light headed man a healthy bowl of stew with a thick slice of bread on top, then doing the same for Tae before finally dishing out his own portion.

Sitting across from him, Tae had a wonderful vantage point to study the high elder. He was handsome, that was for certain and had been collectively decided by almost every woman and girl in the Keep, and he had a very controlled manner of eating. As in he ate quickly, devouring his food ravenously, yet somehow managing to keep a level of decorum while doing so. The young woman on the other hand found the meal hard to stomach. Not because it was tasteless or she disliked the dish, it was more for fear of the conversation to come. Even her master Treagan was slow to complete his dinner.

"Tae, I know you must have mixed feelings about leaving Garrow Keep, and especially the island, but you must understand why we decided to send you." Treagan began, once the dishes and excess food had been cleared away by the servants who had brought it.

The adolescent Rider looked at her hands, wringing them together in her lap as if by concentrating hard enough on them her teachers would eventually fade away. "The island is my home.. I've never left before…" She replied sullenly when both men seemed to be waiting for an answer. Slowly, cautiously, the young woman risked looking up at their faces. First master Treagan's, then the high elder's. Neither inspired any courage, both holding a sort of grim calculation as if weighing her answer carefully before making some important decision. "I don't understand, Ebrithil, why I would need to leave now." Her voice shook, but the words were said and she couldn't take them back no matter how argumentative they might have sounded.

What seemed like hours passed before the more distinguished of the men replied, "Every time a dragon hatches, we try to have a representative from each race present at the naming ceremony." He began, raising a hand when she tried to protest about this being the first appearance of her race. "Now, because of your age, we have put off sending you as an emissary. However, the queen is getting curious and she has requested that you make an appearance. The high council agreed on the terms that you would be allowed the company of your mentor on this journey." The man paused and Tae took no time in jumping in.

"So master Treagan and master Abraeil are going with us?" She blurted, her eyes widening with relief as she sat forward in her chair.

"Yes, Abraeil and I will make the crossing by air, and we will wait for you at the docks if you chose to make the passage by sea – which I would add might be the wiser course for your first crossing. We will be at your side every step of the way to ensure you represent yourselves and your people as you should." His warning was clear, both for the present and the future, she needed to behave and there would be no exceptions.

"What if there is trouble on the seas? What if me and Ninaru-"

"Ninaru and I."

Tae shot an exasperated glare toward her teacher before continuing. "What if Ninaru and I drown before we get there? What if his wings get tired or the ship sinks? How would anyone know? And why is the queen there so interested in us? We aren't anything special." Her voice was on the verge of a whine, and Treagan was looking at her reproachfully.

"I assure you, the sea is not going to be a problem for you. We will lace the boat with many spells and incantations to insure your safe arrival in Alagaësa. As for the queen, well, I think you are underestimating just how special you and your dragon are Tae. It's been over a century since the world has seen a white dragon, and no one even knew your people existed until we began building here. You truly are rarities and the queen wishes to meet you as well as her daughter and her dragon."

Tae blinked. "The dragon hatched for the queen's daughter?"

The high elder nodded slightly, a look passing between the two teachers before Treagan continued carefully, as if testing for his pupil's reaction. "Considering the last time Alagaësa had a Rider for a ruler… Well, the people are more than a little wary about the eventual succession of the crown. Some are demanding that the princess renounce her claim to the throne and allow her younger brother to rule, and some want her and her dragon out of Alagaësa completely."

"And you want me to what? Convince them that a dragon rider for a queen is okay?" Tae replied, her eyes narrowing in something like distrust. They were using her as a tool, and she did not enjoy being used. Besides, who was to say they would listen to her when they would so easily turn against one of their own?

"Not necessarily, we mainly want you to show them the benefits of having a dragon rider among them." Treagan replied, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees. "Some wounds are too deep to heal with time, on the surface they might appear whole again, but deep down there are hurts and worries that refuse to go away. Galbatorix was a madman and used his dragon as a threat to cow his people into fearful submission. Perhaps it is too soon for another Rider to step onto the throne, but that is no reason for someone to be shunned and kicked out of their home. Maybe, if you can manage to do a few good deeds while you're there, you can convince the people that having a Rider around isn't such a bad idea."

"But she would still be denied her right to the crown?"

Treagan made a small grimace and nodded. "Most likely, but it is better to lose some than all. I'm sure the princess would rather give up her place in the line of succession, than give up her place in the kingdom entirely."

Tae sighed, rubbing at her temples as she tried to take everything in. The queen and princess wanted to meet her and Ninaru because they were different. Alagaësa did not want another Rider as their ruler. The princess was either going to lose her right as the heir, or lose her home. Somehow the job fell upon Tae and her dragon to convince an entire kingdom of strangers – in every aspect of the word – that not all dragon Riders were going to go insane and try to kill everyone who looked at them wrong and that most of them were actually pretty decent human beings. Or…mostly human beings. She groaned, dropping her head in her hands and massaging her scalp with her finger tips. This was all becoming too much for her to handle, especially so suddenly. Why hadn't she heard about this before? Why was it so last minute? Surely they had known about this before now?

"Tae, are you alright..?" Treagan's voice was soft and steady, it almost could have been comforting if it wasn't so rough and gravely. Still, his hand on her shoulder was abnormal in their relationship and did more to upset the young woman than comfort her.

Looking up, the creature offered a small, defeated smile and gave a half hearted shrug of acceptance. "I guess it would be pretty awful to be kicked out of your home… We'll go." Tae replied lowly, her voice not matching the feigned emotion on her face. She glanced at the high elder, expecting a look of approval, she was left reeling by his look of utter loss. As if he had no idea what to say or do to make this right.

Little bird…

Tae almost shuddered at Ninaru's voice in her mind. She could feel the reverberating hum of contentment through their connection and she knew he had recently finished feeding. We're going to Alagaësa Naru…

The great leviathan hesitated before replying. Would you like to go flying for a while?

The Rider sent her dragon a tendril of appreciation at the sentiment. He knew flying tended to clear her thoughts when she was troubled, but something told her not even flying was going to make this headache go away. I'm very tired… May I sleep with you tonight?

Of course, little bird.

Tae stood abruptly, her fists clenched at her sides as she searched for words. The two elders had been speaking while she had been conversing with Ninaru, but she hadn't been paying attention and their words refused to stick in her memory. They could have been asking her questions or telling her important things to know about her journey, but she couldn't remember what they had been. "Please excuse me masters, but I'm exhausted and I would like to get some rest before training tomorrow." She interjected in their conversation, gaining both of their attention like she had the plague.

"Oh, don't worry about training, from now until you leave, all you need to worry about is making preparations for your trip and the following time in the homeland." The high elder replied, his blue eyes seeming kind but somehow colder than the young woman remembered.

Tae stuttered for words, not knowing how to reply before she simply gave up. She offered them a curt bow, making a fist over her heart, before turning and rushing from the room, trying not to cry as she did so. The young Rider ran through the wide hallways, ducking past teachers returning and leaving their apartments as she headed for the door. Direction didn't matter. All she cared about was getting away from that stuffy room, away from the comfy chairs and the warm fire, but mostly away from her teacher and the high elder. Yes. She wanted to be as far away from them as possible. Instead of stopping by her room to grab a blanket in case the night grew chilly later one, Tae ran straight for the nests; straight for Ninaru, deciding her thick cloak and his fire would be more than enough to keep her warm. She called to him before she arrived, and he met her on the ground, nuzzling his nose into her chest and stomach and letting her cry against his smooth scales. Oh little bird… He whispered tenderly in her mind, helping her onto his back before slowly and gently climbing to one of the larger caves that served as his roost.

Ninaru headed for the very back of the space, curling his body against the sloping walls and creating a protective cocoon for his Rider. Tae rested against his warm belly, and when the dragon began to hum softly, his pearly scales emitted a glow from within as if a fire were being stoked and embers were coming back to life. The orange light cast a golden skin over the scales of her dragon and Tae fell asleep some time later to thoughts of fire and cast away princesses.