Disclaimer: If you've seen it somewhere else, I don't own it.
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The sun rose, its rays painting the sky in a beautiful display of red and yellow light. The Varden camp below stirred as they prepared for yet another day. The guards on night watch were relieved and the cooks began to prepare that day's breakfast. Among the first to rise was Ryan himself. He slept little during the night, the upcoming trial racking him with anticipation. It is a beautiful morning, today. If only every day could be like this, stunning and free of worry, he thought. I wonder who, if anyone here, the dragon will choose? Certainly a better man than I could ever be, I would think. His face appeared forlorn, almost sad. His thoughts clouded in the memories of all he had left behind in his world. I am truly alone here. I only hope that I can make a difference in this war. A difference great enough that it makes the sacrifices worth it. His stomach growled at him, a small smile grew on his face at this, Perhaps I should get some food, I'd rather avoid another lecture from those healers. Ryan stood and glanced around at the slowly awakening camp around him. The trip to the nearest cooking tent only took a few minutes and soon Ryan found himself with a plate piled high with steaming hot food. It's official, fresh food to so much better than food from the grocery store, he thought as he relished each bite. A small thump sounded across from him, and he looked up to find Angela sitting across from him, a small plate of food in front of her.
"How are you on this fine morning?", she asked, a mischievous glint in her eye.
Great…this is probably the last thing I want to deal with at the moment. Ryan paused in his eating for a moment to reply, "Alright, nothing major to complain about."
"Stay up all night, did you?"
"Yes…I couldn't sleep. I've had a lot on my mind lately."
"I'm sure. Nasuada's announcement is in another hour or so outside her tent; I just wished to pass that along. I thought you would wish to be there."
"Thank you. You know…I'm surprised that you haven't attempted to grill me for information yet. I thought your curiosity would jump at the chance the second you had it."
Angela smiled at him, "And why would I do that? I doubt that I would learn anything more than I already have by that way. I have my own methods for finding out about things, Ryan. I will find out about what you are hiding in good time, why rush it and deprive myself of the challenge?"
Ryan chuckled at this, "Of course, why would I think such a silly thing? Thank you for the information. Until we meet again, Angela." Ryan respectfully nodded at her and left the table, disposing of his leftovers and heading back to retrieve his things. He sat down on his cot for a moment before standing up and quickly strapping on his pistol belt and lying back down. I think I'll talk to Reaper a little bit. I still haven't asked about what he meant when he called me eld moi. Ryan concentrated and sunk deep into his consciousness. He quickly entered his mental world and opened his eyes to find himself in his office inside the capital building. He glanced around, only to find Reaper already in the room, his gaze fixed upon the boy in front of him.
"I wondered how long it would be before you came to speak with me.", Reaper said.
"I hoped to clear up some confusion I have. Why did you call me eld moi? What does it even mean?"
"You shall find the answers to your questions in time but not now. There is much we have yet to discover about this land, sir. Magic is one of this land's greatest mysteries. There is much that it can do and, even with it being bound to the ancient language, it's potential is still little understood."
"I understand that, but what does that have to do with me?", a puzzled expression passed over Ryan's face.
"Even I do not know that, you know that I only know as much as you do. I am only a part of your mind after all."
"That still doesn't explain why you chose to call me eld moi." Reaper paused at Ryan's words, his eyes seeming to gain a faraway look to them.
"There is much we do not understand and maybe never will. I believe that this is such an occasion. I do not know what compelled me to speak of you in those terms. It seemed oddly correct at the time."
"I suppose that will have to be good enough," Ryan turned to look outside at the sprawling capital city before him. "How are the fortifications coming?"
"All memory databases have been heavily fortified and defended by a detachment of my men as you ordered. The cities, however, are in various states of fortification. The most significant cities' defenses are complete, however, the less important the city, the less progress has been made on its fortifications." Each of the cities that he spoke of represented something Ryan held dear. The cities were named for emotions or ideals that Ryan that held in high regard. Hope was the one held in highest regard, thus, it was the largest city and the "capital" of his mental world.
"How long until they are all complete?"
"A few weeks at most, do not fear, we shall have everything ready by the time any fighting comes."
"Good, I would hate to lose some of them because of they were unprepared to weather an assault."
Reaper nodded at his leader's words and added, "I think it is time for you to return, it is almost time for Nasuada to announce the egg's existence and the chosen candidates."
"Very well," Ryan looked back at Reaper's shimmering form, "thank you, commander…for everything."
"It is my pleasure, sir."
Ryan closed his eyes and focused on the real world outside. He searched for a moment until he felt a falling sensation, hurdling downward till he hit a barrier in his mind. He shot up to find himself back in the healer's tent, back in the real world. I'd better be going. It wouldn't due for me to be late. He thought as he hoisted himself up off of the cot and walked out into the morning air. The two guards posted at the door nodded to him as he passed by them outside the entrance. The camp had transformed over the past several minutes, everyone had turned out to the nearest herald in order to hear Nasuada's big announcement. Only a few actually received the privilege of hearing it from the Varden leader herself. Fortunately, Ryan was one of them. People pushed and shoved past each other, everyone vying for the spot with the best view.
It looked as if the entire Varden had turned out at once, That's probably the case actually, Ryan thought as he fought his way towards Nasuada's command tent. The noise of the collected Varden was deafening, one could barely hear the person next to him. The crowd made the normally five minute trip into an irritating fifteen-minute long one. Ryan finally arrived at Nasuada's tent, only a little worse for wear, just as the Varden leader was about to begin.
The crowd quieted as they saw her step up onto the podium she used for such occasions, Saphira and the elves standing beside her, "My fellow Varden," she began, "today is a great day for us. Today the tide shall turn against the Empire! Today our fortunes shall glow brighter! Only a few days ago we met the Imperial army in battle and set them fleeing home to their master. The king's army cannot stand against us! Soon the king himself shall not stand against us! A few days ago a precious gift was given to us. A gift that shall turn the tide back against the Empire." Nasuada turned to Saphira and held out her hand. Saphira's head turned and retrieved the egg from her saddlebags and placed it into Nasuada's outstretched hand. Nasuada held the egg up, "This is the gift I speak of! This is what will turn the tide in this war! This is what shall lead to the Empire's downfall!" The Varden cheered at her words, the voices of man, dwarf, and Urgal mixing to form a rough melody that sounded across the plains. The sound seemed to dare the world to stand against them.
Nasuada's quite the public speaker…I wish I could do that. It certainly would've made speech class easier! This is why she commands the Varden and not Jörmunder or the Council of Elders, Ryan thought as he listened to the Varden's cry.
"We have prepared a list of candidates, who we have decided to grant a chance at hatching this egg. Jörmunder shall now announce those chosen, please proceed forward once you have been called.", she finished.
Jörmunder replaced Nasuada at the front of the podium and began to read off the names of those chosen, "Harkin, son of Tanner! Wilmar, son Utalan! Blone, son of Paldur"! All told over one hundred names were called until Jörmunder arrived at the last name. "Ryan, son of William!", he ended.
Finally, well here we go, Ryan thought as the crowd parted so he could walk up to stand with the other chosen candidates. He looked them over, all looked young, seeming to range from their late teens to early twenties. That makes sense, I think, since the Rider's of old were usually chosen at a young age. It looks as if some of them might have a heart attack and just drop dead without even touching the egg. Heck, I might have done the same if I didn't know what I do.
Ryan looked back towards the podium to find Nasuada back at the front, " Congratulations to those chosen! However, if you wish to decline, speak now or forever hold your regrets." No one moved at her words. "Very well then, Blödhgarm I leave the rest in your capable hands," she gazed back out into the crowd, "thank you all for listening! That is all for today." The crowd began to disperse at her dismissal, some grumbles could even be heard from a few Varden.
Blödhgarm stepped down from the podium and moved in front of the group, a critical eye skimming over every face of those assembled, "I congratulate all of you for being considered, however, the real test is yet to come. To be chosen by your leaders is a privilege, but to be chosen by a dragon is a great honor. There is a chance that none of you shall be chosen. If that is the case, do not fret. It may take us years to find this dragon's chosen Rider. Keep this in mind as we proceed. Please follow me to where the trial is to be held". Blödhgarm walked past them, as the group turned as one to follow his lead. Ryan, however, turned for a moment to make sure the egg had been retrieved from the podium. He quickly spotted it in Saphira's jaws, its shell casting a greenish glow around it. The tent that they arrived at was rather large, not surprising considering the purpose of its use. Immediately upon arrival outside the structure the elves stopped and split into groups, seven continuing inside with Saphira and the egg and the other four standing just outside the entrance.
Blödhgarm took one last look at the group arranged before him before adding, "We shall begin here, please form a single line going along the side of the tent." Those assembled shuffled to where he indicated, a few pushed their way forward of all the rest while most, though, seemed content to wait their turn.
Ryan settled for the back of the line, a frown on his face as he thought, What will be, will be, and besides I didn't come here to be a dragon rider. I didn't choose to come here at all. The less attachments I have in this world, the less of a loss it will be if I find a way home…or…if I die. The line moved slowly while the eyes of the elven guards constantly swept the line for anything suspicious. The group was quiet at first, but some eventually found enough courage to start up conversation. The most common topics seemed to be dragon names and about how "great" it would be to become a dragon rider. One of them, a sixteen year old boy named Crane, even tried to strike up a conversation with Ryan, much to the latter's dismay.
"So what do you think about all this?", Crane asked, his tongue dripping with nervousness and excitement. "I mean about possibly becoming a Rider?"
Ryan looked up, his eyes locked on the sky above, "I think it would be a great honor and a great responsibility. I also think, however, that there are many, many others more worthy of becoming a Rider than I."
"Come on! don't think like that! This could be one of the greatest memories of your life! Think of the freedom! What about flying, hmm? Wouldn't that be great?"
"Yes, it would be…but think of this, what of the war, what about you and your dragon's future? With great power comes great responsibility, Crane, and frankly I know that most people cannot handle that. I relish the idea of having a dragon, possessing the freedom that it would bring, but at what cost? What are you willing to sacrifice in order to have that kind of freedom?"
Crane stared deep into Ryan's eyes, seeing the loneliness and grief they held, and he was speechless. Crane walked out of the line and stood on his own, gazing of into the distance. Ryan sighed, I didn't want to deter him, only to warn him of what would come should he be chosen….I…I should apologize.
He jogged to Crane's side and placed a hand on his shoulder, "I did not intend to cause harm. I only wished to speak the truth of the matter."
Crane stilled for a moment, he took a deep breath and said, "I know…it's just that…I…I lost my parents when I was only three to illness. I went to live with my aunt and uncle in a small village called Tumian afterword. When I was fourteen…some Imperial soldiers came with orders to destroy the village. I only found out later the reason for it. Apparently a small Varden spy ring had been based in our village and one of them had broken under torture. My aunt and uncle didn't survive the attack…luckily I ran into a group of travelers who, I later found out, were the spies the Varden had placed in our village. We traveled for awhile until we eventually ended up back at the Varden.", Crane's voice began to waver, "All those people! All of them were innocent! And that's all the soldiers killed, they didn't touch a single one of those they meant find!", sobs racked Crane's body as he finished.
"Crane…I'm so sorry…I didn't know," regret laced Ryan's tone. "I was foolish to think that I am the only one to experience such loss, at least I knew my parents well. I ask for your forgiveness."
Crane looked up at him, unshed tears glistening in his eyes, "It is alright. You didn't know."
Ryan nudged Crane back towards the line, a smile present on his face, "Come on let's get back in line. Who knows? You could be the dragon's rider. If you were, what would you name her?"
"I would name her Morena, after my mother."
"She'd be lucky to have you."
"Thanks..."
"You're up next, young one.", the voice came from one of the elves. The two boys turned to find that everyone but them had already entered. Crane swallowed nervously as he prepared to enter.
"Hey Crane," the boy in question turned at Ryan's voice, "good luck."
Crane smiled, "To you as well." Then Crane entered the tent, leaving Ryan alone with his thoughts.
I was a fool, he thought, I've never seen true suffering like most of these people have and yet here I am only making it worse. Sometimes I am such an idiot!
A moment passed before the elf by the door gestured him inside. Ryan took a deep breath to calm his thoughts as he entered. He glanced around to see all the other candidates standing around the edges of the tent. Saphira lied on the far end with Blödhgarm standing next to her; the other elves arrayed themselves in a semicircle around the egg, placing themselves between the egg and the candidates. In the center of the tent stood a simple pedestal with the egg atop it, undoubtedly protected by several spells and wards. Ryan slowly approached the egg, briefly spotting Crane giving him a short wave before completely focusing his attention on the object before him. A feeling of regret and loss overcame him as he stared at the shimmering surface.
I may not have much, he said as he projected his thoughts toward the egg's inhabitant, but I can do this for you. He brushed his fingers over the egg's shell and spoke, Se ono finna mor'ranr un illian, Skulblaka. Ryan pulled his hand away, his eyes dark with sorrow. He spared one last glance at egg and added, Good luck to you and may you find who you are searching for. Ryan's eyes stared at the ground as he walked past the other candidates and sat down in the back corner, rubbing his hands against his face as he tried to rid himself of the tears that threatened to fall.
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She felt neither the passage of time nor the world around her as she waited, dormant in her shell. She waited for the one whom she would choose, yet how would she know? She barely understood the shell around her but a part of her knew what to look for. Her mind stretched out towards the beings outside her shell, testing them in a trial that remained unchanged for centuries. The consciousness' passed her by, each one tried and inspected against what she looked for.
Another came up, this one more grieved than the rest. His mind was filled with barely contained sorrow. As quickly as he arrived, however, he left, leaving her alone again in her shell.
One last approached. This one was different, his mind more wild than the others. Loss and regret seemed to ensnare his thoughts as he stretched out towards her cage. A voice spoke, "I may not have much, but I can do this for you," it said. His mind's emotions barely restrained, he continued, his mental voice wavering, "Se ono finna mor'ranr un illian, Skulblaka". Then he was gone, silence permeated her being once more as her instincts decided whether or not any of those present was her chosen.
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"How long does it take for her to decide, master elf?", one of the candidates anxiously asked.
Blödhgarm looked at her, "It could take her anywhere from a few moments to an hour or two. If she does not stir by that point, we will know that she has not chosen one of you."
The group sat down, preparing themselves for what could be a long wait.
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Something stirred within her, her mind awoken from its long slumber. She felt her limbs cramped between her body and the shell. Her wings twitched against her sides at her order. The feeling urged her on, daring her to break free, taunting her to taste the freedom of the outside world.
She had decided….
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A small squeak sounded from the egg, as it rocked slightly on top of the pedestal.
"Did anyone else hear that?", someone asked.
"Aye…I heard it too.", as one all the eyes of the candidates and the egg's protectors turned towards it. Another indignant squeak sounded from within and the rocking intensified as the excitement in the room grew.
Blödhgarm quickly spoke, "Do not touch the hatchling unless we tell you to. If someone other than the dragon's Rider touches it first, there will grave consequences for both the dragon and its intended Rider." The group backed away at his words, granting the egg a large berth. One of the elves grabbed the egg and placed it on the floor as a spider web like cracks appeared on its surface. A few rocks and increasingly angry squeaks later, the egg broke, revealing a sage green, cat sized dragon hatchling. The dragon attempted to stand but its limbs refused to hold her weight for the first couple of tries. The hatchling kept trying though, until it stood on all four limbs and she could take a step without falling over. The dragon stumbled into the crowd before her, looking to and fro for the mind of the one she had chosen. The faces of those she passed displayed great anticipation and, once she passed, disappointment. She continued to search, her mind beginning to fear that her chosen had gone, that she would not find the one she looked for. Her distressed chirps grew more frequent…until her gaze happened upon the one.
Hers…
Her rider…
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Not even the chirping from the egg or the excitement of those surrounding him broke Ryan out of his reverie. His eyes continued to fill with unshed tears as he waited for the inevitable gasp of pain that signaled the creation of a new Rider. The chirping grew louder and more distressed with each passing moment. Then suddenly, it stopped.
Ryan slowly raised his head to see who had been chosen, only to find a sage green dragon hatchling sitting only a few inches away from him, her eyes seeming to bore into his very soul. The room was silent, tension hung in the air tent's occupants watched the display before them.
"Touch her. She's yours.", it was Blödhgarm softly whispered, his voice almost seeming reverent in its tone.
This cannot be…why me? There are a hundred other people better suited for this than me! Ryan thought, his eyes wide in shock. His right hand seemed to stretch toward the dragon of its own accord. Their eyes met for a moment as hand rested just a few centimeters way from the hatchling's head.
Suddenly a voice awoke within him. The voice's tone resounded with strength and wisdom. The mind behind the voice felt ancient as it effortlessly took possession of his body and thoughts. The newcomer stretched Ryan's mind outward as far as it could manage. It seemed to Ryan that he couldn't even to begin to resist the consciousness that enveloped his mind. The voice spoke to all who could hear, to all who could listen.
Our gift to the land we left behind,
To the people we abandoned,
To the home we lost.
We are silent watchers,
Vigilant protectors,
Eternal Guardians.
Throughout the ages we have waited for our time to return,
Waiting behind the veil of time and space,
Waiting for the time for our bonds to be remade.
In memory of those fallen,
In memory of those forgotten,
Welcome to the world, Reona.
Ryan's hand pushed forward over the last bit of distance,
A flash of light,
A cry and squeak of pain,
And then darkness….
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Hoped you all liked it!
Se ono finna mor'ranr un illian, Skulblaka: May you find peace and happiness, dragon.
Reona: Reaper
R&R!