Chapter 1: Unexpected Problem
I wasn't really sure what was happening, I wasn't even supposed to be there but I was entranced by the light blue dragon egg as it passed down the line of elves without hatching.
I should have left then but I couldn't help reaching out as the egg passed by my hiding place. My fingers barely brushed the egg but I could feel the warmth of the dragon within.
That was when it happened, the egg rocked on its pillow, tipping dangerously over the edge as a slight tapping noise started.
The nearby elves glanced at each other, confused as to who the egg was reacting to because they couldn't see me in the shadows or feel my mind.
The egg rocked again, a crack appearing in the shell as it tipped off the pillow and rolled onto the ground. The creature inside let out a startled grunt and shoved her head out of the crack in an attempt to see those around her.
I couldn't help reaching forward to right the egg, careful not to touch the hatchling, as she struggled against the shell and created several more cracks.
The elves noticed me then and they weren't happy, several tried to grab the egg and take it from me but an angry squawk from the hatchling sent them all reeling back.
The hatchling was out of her shell by then and turned to study me with bright green-blue eyes. Her scales were lighter than any blue I had seen before and her tail was so long she could bite it without bending her body.
The elves again attempted to stop us from bonding but this time they were too late. The hatchling arched her neck and rubbed her head against my right palm where I was still holding a fragment of the shell. A spark tingled up my arm and I nearly cried out in pain as I fell back into the shadows, dropping the egg fragments and nursing my marked hand.
Slowly the pain subsided and I glanced up to see the little blue perched on my knee and still watching me while the elves nearby shouted at each other in confusion.
Her mind brushed mine and I could feel her hunger but under it all I could make out was sky.
Arya was sitting on her throne speaking with two of her advisors when the runner came in and shouted "There is trouble in the main square."
She turned to regard him while sending a thought to Fírnen. What has happened?
It was a moment before the green dragon replied; she could feel him searching out to the square. The egg has hatched…to the halfling.
Katherine? Arya shook her head and turned back to the runner "Bring her and the hatchling here now."
He stared at her a moment, confused, then took off back into the heart of the city.
The advisors drew back then and the three elves waited in silence until the runner returned, followed by several more elves and the halfling.
Arya waved away the spectators and they reluctantly withdrew as she summoned the child forward "You present a problem Katherine, one that only you can solve."
Katherine raised her head and glared at the queen, the little hatchling perched on her shoulder and chirruping worriedly. "I see no problem, you would do better to ignore me as you have before," her voice was cold as ice and surprisingly old for her young frame.
"Any new Rider must be sent to Eragon within a week of hatching so they can gain instruction, halfling or not you must obey the law of the land." Arya made her voice equally cold knowing full well that this girl was dangerous, perhaps more dangerous than even Elva or Angela.
Katherine seemed to flinch at that though the motion was too quick to really notice. "Not all Riders have to gain instruction from Eragon, neither you nor Murtagh went to him."
"It is not a choice Katherine-" Arya cut off as Fírnen stretched his mind over them. Why do you seek such violence youngling? Do you not want to be a Rider?
This time the halfling made no reply but turned and disappeared back into her shadows with the hatchling still chirruping on her shoulder.
Arya sighed and rubbed her temples before turning to glance at her advisors "Find someone to keep an eye or her until we can send her to Eragon."
One of the elves nodded and left but the other regarded her worriedly "We have made a dangerous enemy today, it would have been simpler if the egg had not hatched."
She nodded agreement and raised her eyes to gaze in the direction the child had disappeared "Perhaps Eragon can reason with her"