A/N: This is twelve years later. Jaeden is 14.

Chapter 2

Jaeden got up from his bed and his first thought was, "It's parade day. Let's get this over with." Jaeden crossed his room and dressed in his finest dark brown tunic and leggings. As the son of a soldier and a merchant, he could have a second set of clothes, though many of his friends could not. After he finished dressing he left his room. As he left his room he paused to check his appearance in the mirror. His hazel eyes and dark hair stared back. He walked down the short hallway to the kitchen.

His sister and mother were already sitting there. His father having already left for the walls. His sister, Ariata, was 12 years of age, 2 younger than Jaeden and wearing her best red hair was the color of an almond and tumbled down her back. Her skin tanned from the countless hours of playing out side in the trees that lined the streets Belatona. She was eating porridge as quick as she could without sullying her dress.

Jaeden's mother, Marna, was wearing a plain black dress that ended at her knees. Her hair was red as Ariata's dress.

"Slow down or else you will ruin your dress, dear." Marna said to Ariata then she noticed Jaeden. "You're awake. Good. The riders will be here soon. Once you are done with breakfast, run to the square before the you miss them.

"Yes mother." Ariata replied leaving her empty bowl. Jaeden ate in the span of 5 minutes. As soon as he finished, he left at a run, Ariata at his heels. As they neared the town square, they heard a large crowd.

As the square came into view, they saw the line of children walking single-file past a wooden platform. On the platform sat a purple egg the size of a child's head. The egg rested in a small indent lined in velvet. The whole thing was flanked by a score of soldiers carrying spears.

"Come on, we can get a spot at the end." Jaeden said. Ariata nodded eager to see if she would have the egg hatch for her. "She doesn't know it won't hatch for her." Jaeden thought sadly. He vividly remembered his first time in the parade. The disappointment of the egg staying still.

Ariata joined the end of the line. Jaeden followed on her heels. An hour passed as the line moved slowly past the egg. Ariata walked to the egg and put her hand on the egg like every other child before her, paused for a moment waiting. Then she frowned, and continued on disappointed.

"She doesn't realize that none of them hatch anyway." Jaeden thought. Next he walked up to the egg. He extended his hand and touched the egg for a few seconds. He had just turned his back on the egg, when he thought he heard a faint squeak. Turning back, he saw the egg was wobbling.

Jaeden watched in wonder as a small crack appeared. A few soldiers called for him to keep moving, but he couldn't, he couldn't talk or speak.

" Move along, boy." The closer guard said, then he looked at the egg and stopped.

" By the gods! " The man shouted. Then he raised his voice.

" Stop! Stop all of you peasants and rejoice for one your brethren has been chosen. We have found a Rider!" The soldier then turned to Jaeden. "What is your name?"

"J-Jaeden Jarardsson." The soldier laughed.

"Well my boy, you have been given an immense honor." Jaeden hardly noticed though. He was watching the egg hatch. As the rich purple cracks spread across the surface of the egg, he saw a tiny head appear. The dragon egg then burst suddenly apart.

The dragon was the size of a small cat. Its head was angular and it had wings but other than that it was built like a cat. Its wings were outspread and were as wide as the dragon was long.

He tentatively stretched his hand out to touch the dragon on the head with his left hand. As soon as he did so many things happened to him at once, that he didn't know what to do. A shock went through his body and left him numb. His mind opened up to the world. He felt the minds and thoughts of all around him. This unnerved him. He cried out. Then suddenly he could move. He retreated in himself and the odd feeling disappeared. However he could still the primitive thoughts of the dragon. He got the impression of contentedness to be out of the egg.

I realize that this is short. I'm trying to make these chapters longer.

Thank you, Fredo 747 for my first review ever.

Doodl on, My friends,

Spencerdoodl.