Disclaimer: If you've seen it somewhere else, I don't own it.
A/N: Wow, sorry this took so long. When I said that I would have a terrible schedule for the next several weeks, I didn't realize quite how bad it would be. I'll do my best to get the next chapter up as quickly as possible, thanks for sticking with me everybody!
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"The truth?", Ryan said, his forced laughs dying down as a sullen look came over his features. "Very well then, if you believe you can handle it, I shall tell you the truth…I am not from around here.", Ryan continued, his face withdrawn as he stared at the ground.
"Then you are from where exactly?", Oromis asked calmly. Ryan slowly raised his head to meet the elf's gaze.
"I am from another world entirely.", Ryan closed his eyes as he waited for the explosion that was most certainly to come.
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Ryan had expected for the three before him to explode with questions and doubts. In retrospect, he probably should have assumed otherwise. Everything he remembered about Oromis and Glaedr from the books told him that they thought things through before deciding on a course of action and, if Istarli was anything like them, they would discuss their response before confronting both him and Samanya with their questions.
So when the three beings in front of him silently sat in front of him for over five minutes, Ryan felt like facepalming for his immediate assumption of the worst.
"Maybe you broke them.", Samanya suddenly said with a nervous chuckle. Ryan's lips quivered upwards as he replied.
"Just remember that this was your idea.", he said.
"They deserve to know the truth, besides you were going to tell them about the books straight away! How do you think they would've handled that?", Samanya asked challengingly.
"Not well.", Ryan responded, giving a slight nod at his dragon's words.Ryan gave a great sigh as he glanced up into the sky for a moment.
"So what do you think we should tell them?"
"As much as they can handle and we can give without jeopardizing Alagaësia's future." Samanya nodded at her Rider's words, content with the decision they had reached.
"What do you mean by another world entirely, Ryan?", a voice suddenly said. Ryan's head jerked up at the sound, finding Oromis and Glaedr staring at him expectantly.
"I mean exactly what I said. I come from another land, another world entirely. It is a place far away, far past the stars and sky. It is a world that is peaceful yet violent, a world of truth and lies, and a world of freedom and tyranny.", Ryan paused after saying this and took a deep breath, "It isn't perfect, but it is home to me and will always hold a place in my heart and mind."
"Where do you come from then?", Oromis asked.
"I come from a world called Earth, more specifically from a nation called the United States of America."
"Then how did you arrive here, if this place is as far away as you have said?", Oromis said, his voice possessing a tinge of curiosity.
"I don't know the details, all I know is that one moment I'm in my bed falling asleep and the next moment a hear a voice in my head saying…", Ryan paused as he thought about showing them the memory of what was said to him, "…it may be easier for me just to show you the memory." Oromis nodded at Ryan's words and he felt three other consciousness's join with his own. Ryan then tapped the memory of the reverent voice that announced his arrival to Alagaësia.
"You have been called upon to serve,
You will be the protector of Alageasia and all her inhabitants,
You will become the best we can make you.
There are many hard times on the road ahead,
But through those you shall meet and the strength you shall find, you shall triumph."
Ryan felt the elder Rider and dragons withdraw from his mind after the words ended, their minds feeling even more perturbed than they had been when they first connected to his consciousness.
"I would like to ask, Ryan, about how you knew of the existence of the Eldunarya?", Istarli spoke up, his voice sounding confused. Ryan nervously chuckled at Istarli's question.
"That, Elder, is a rather difficult question for me to answer.", Ryan responded.
"And why would that be?"
"Because knowledge of the answer could make the difference between Alagaësia's freedom and enslavement. So, regardless of my trust in you, I must be extremely cautious with what I tell you…", Ryan moved to continue but Samanya silently nudged his thoughts aside and took over the conversation.
"What he means to tell you is that, by an unforeseen sequence of events, we have the ability to know, at least temporarily, what the future holds for the Varden and the Empire.", she said with casual confidence. Istarli mind paused for a moment in shock, the equivalent to the widening of one's eyes.
"And how is it that you can 'know' these events?", Glaedr said, speaking for the first time in the entire conversation. Samanya turned her head and stared into the gold dragon's eyes, as if daring him to challenge her words.
"Because everything that has occurred here for the past several months has been recorded in a series of books from back in Ryan's world. It is a series that, coincidentally, Ryan has read completely, and thus both of us know, to a certain extent, what is to come.", Samanya said, fishing for the others' reactions. Ryan looked over the elven Rider and gold dragon before him. Oromis' eyes were wide with shock, his hands folded over themselves lay underneath his chin. Glaedr's eyes grew wide as well, smoke drifting out of notrils like a dark cloud before dissipating into the air.
"Have you any proof?", Oromis calmly asked, his eyes betraying his true emotions. Ryan thought for a moment for an appropriate article of proof before speaking.
"Eragon's father, he thinks it's Morzan doesn't he?", he began, continuing in an emotionless voice once he saw Oromis give him a slight nod, "We, however, all know that that isn't true. Eragon's real father's name was Brom, who was a Dragon Rider before the fall. His dragon, also named Saphira, died during the fighting during against the Forsworn, after which he sought them, more specifically Morzan, and eventually became responsible for the deaths of seven of the thirteen, including Morzan himself. He was the one who founded the Varden originally and also…he was one of your students." After Ryan concluded, Glaedr stood and drew close to the Sage Rider, who stared resolutely into the dragon's blazing eyes. Samanya growled warningly at Glaedr before Ryan held up his hand, silencing her protest with it's lack of concern over the entire matter. As Samanya became silent, Glaedr slowly began to circle Ryan, his gaze appearing to pierce his very soul.
"What you have said is true, young one, and you are either quite the warden of secrets or what you say is the truth. I believe it is the latter in this case…but I must ask you then, why are you here? Why do you put your life on the line for a land and people that is not your own?", Glaedr finally said, his voice like a mere whisper of wind, its sound kept only between the Rider, Oromis, and himself. Ryan smiled, confident in his answer and assured of his intentions.
"To answer your question, let me give you a quote from one of the most famous documents in the history of my country," Ryan said before reciting, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness…the United States Declaration of Independence, signed July 4, 1776."
"Those words contain great wisdom, young one, but words are nothing unless backed by action.", Glaedr said.
"And they were," Ryan replied, smiling all the while, "my ancestors fought the greatest military and economic power of their time to make those words come alive, and so they did. That was how my land, my country was born. It was created not by professionally trained and well-equipped soldiers, my country was created by common men and women who, believing their cause was just and true, fought through the hardships of war so that they may be free, much like Alagaësia is now. I may not originate here, but I do know what Galbatorix has done and the type of world he is trying to create." Ryan paused for a moment, chuckling as his eyes stared to burn blue as they bored into the gold dragon's, "You know, the problem with absolute power is that it never lasts…it may exist for a year, a decade, or even a millennia, but in the end, it always falls. Because, in the end, it is the people who decide the fate and nature of their land, not the king, not the queen, not even the Dragon Riders. I fight, so that those who live here have the ability to choose their future, not have one imposed upon them."
"Well spoken, Ryan Rider of Samanya, but what about those whose lives are ravaged by our war, what of those who lose everything, even their lives, in a war that they do not wish to be a part of, what of those who are content with the way things are?", Glaedr asked, testing Ryan's motives.
"If they die, they die.", Ryan said, his voice emotionless yet possessing a steely undertone…it sounded…different than normal, "this is war, Glaedr, and people die, people suffer, and there is nothing you can do about it. But their deaths, their suffering is but a precursor for what is to come if Galbatorix is not stopped. Unlike you both, Samanya and I know what Galbatorix is searching for and, soon enough, he will have it. If you think the suffering of this land is bad now, what is to come can be described as nothing better than hell!" Both Oromis and Glaedr seemed to instinctively recoil at the massive change of tone that Ryan's voice had taken. Samayna sat flabbergasted as well, never having heard this voice from Ryan before. It was no longer the young, calm sound that they had heard earlier. His voice could now be described as nothing better than menacing, its very existence promising death to those who dared to challenge it. Ryan's eyes almost appeared to glow with blue fire, cloaking the righteous anger that had suddenly appeared underneath. It was the voice…the embodiment…of another. "Do not mistake our intent, all life is precious, but everything has its appointed time. There is a time for peace and life, but there is also a time for war and death. That time is upon Alagaësia, whether the people here wish it or not. No matter their choice, the war shall be brought to their doorstep. There is no middle ground. Death waits for no man and spares none from its ghastly grasp. So all of Alagaësia will either fight or, when the darkness comes, all shall be consumed! That is why this war must go on, that is why this suffering is necessary.", the voice finished.
"Ryan!", Samanya yelled as she roared in anger at the presence that had taken her Rider's mind, a presence so familiar…that she could've sworn that it had been there the entire time.
"What or who are you?", Istarli yelled, his voice matching Samanya's distress. Ryan's body laughed darkly before turning its gaze upon the gold pair and Istarli.
"As an old acquaintance of mine used to say," it began, still chuckling morbidly all the while, "I…I am a monument to all your sins." With those last words the presence vanished, sending Ryan falling to the ground, his body's energy exhausted from the entire event. Samanya immediately surrounded him with her body, shielding and protecting him from harm, her mind lost to her instincts and it shielded Ryan's consciousness. She felt her Rider gasp for air against her side, sounding as if he had just run the entire length of Alagaësia without stopping. Ryan's hand feebly tried to push his body up, as his mind overflowed with panic. Ryan felt as if his body was no longer his own, as if another was pulling its strings from within.
What's wrong with me? Ryan cried out into his mind. He then concentrated on his breathing, slowing it down, trying to calm himself. Weakness flooded his limbs as awareness of them returned to him. His head pounded like he had been trampled. The world spun before his eyes.
Calm slowly prevailed as strength slowly returned to his veins, allowing him to push himself up against Samanya's side, closing his eyes to rest. Ryan could hear shuffling outside as his thoughts stilled. A sudden warning growl escaped Samanya's maw and the shuffling stopped. Its cessation was met with another draconic warning, this one far more dangerous and demanding. Samanya's growls ceased. Ryan felt Samanya's body move as she uncurled slightly from around him. A finger touched his neck, checking the Sage Rider's racing pulse.
"Ryan…Ryan!", came Oromis' voice, which barely cut through the fog of exhaustion that had consumed the young man's mind. Ryan only groaned slightly, his body refusing to allow him to do any more. He felt Oromis' mind probe the edge of his consciousness, looking for anything that may be wrong. He found nothing.
"He…alright. He…just…sleep, the amount of energy…was immense. He'll be…in the morning", Oromis said, only bits of his words reaching the young Rider's ears. It only took Ryan a more second to find himself in the blessed embrace of sleep.
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Meanwhile, as the Traveler's consciousness collapsed from exertion, another being stood in the black realm of loss and memory that lied deep within him. It's consciousness tethered to the Traveler's very essence. His power and knowledge resting at the creatures fingertips as the host mind cast them off, shutting itself down to recover its energy. It was here, in these moments that the power of the silent realm and the creature was at its greatest. The realm seemed to have remained much the same as it had before…except green and blue-lighted dots now slowly began to appear in the sky above it. The new lights cast a slight ray of illumination on the land below. The dark figure stood among the twilight, seeming to be one with the shadows that remained. The only features that distinguished him from the darkness that hid his form were his piercing predatory eyes, their interiors burning with an all-consuming blue fire. On his shoulder lay a white upside down V and the words Sic Semper Tyrannus and E Pluribus Unum. The creature carried itself with great pride, its head resolutely cast skyward, staring at the lights above.
"Soon our brothers and sisters, soon our task shall be done. Soon shall we be reunited once more. Soon not even the specter of death shall hold us.", he whispered, his voice deep, determined, and reverent. The creature continued, "Our voice has chosen its path, our plan has succeeded, our mantle has been taken by one true to our creed. The time for deception is soon to pass, the time for war is close at hand, the countdown for our return has begun."
The voice stopped and glanced to its sides as dozens of others like it, all with the same white symbol and words on their shoulders. Then, as all stood together, the multitude spoke, as if in some chanting some ethereal ritual.
"Our brothers have learned their lesson, the price for their mistakes have been paid by the blood of their fathers and sons, as ours were. Alagaësia stands on the precipice, its fate balanced on a knife's edge. Our interference has begun to change what was foreseen. Soon we can no longer stay hidden, every day our host searches for us, his forces thorough and efficient. He, however, has yet to find us and learn of our identity, his purpose yet remains hidden to all but ourselves, but every day brings him closer. His conscious mind is battling with what lies within. His hidden self slowly gains acceptance among his thoughts, every day brings him closer to this place…", the multitude suddenly were silenced as the first of them smiled in anticipation and motioned towards the others.
All of the figures converged on him, each placing their hands on the first dark figure, before each being absorbed by the first, their essences revealed to be but a few wisps of blue mist. As each individual joined with the original its body began to lose shape and glow a sapphire blue before dissipating altogether. What remained appeared to be nothing more than a shapeless blue cloud, which drifted wherever its mind wished, its light bright and shining with the intensity of a great star. One last voice spoke, this one unified, strong, defiant, and deadly.
"The moment of salvation is at hand, darkness of war and tyranny shall flee before our eternal light. Throughout the ages we have existed, our purpose clear from the moment we were made. A race bred for war, but living for peace. None can match us, none can stop us, none can understand us. Magic itself bends to our will, its very essence sustaining us.", it said, ending for a moment as a white portal suddenly appeared, revealing the city of Hope behind it. "The heart of our people remains strong, our will unfaltering. Here, out of this great darkness shall hope arise, our great sacrifice shall soon be known to all who remember us only through myth and legend. We are Alagaësia's finest, her first and last line of defense. When all hope is lost and failure is not an option, we are sent in. We are the best of the best and no one can take that from us. And as the darkness falls before our might, peace and justice shall rule once more…", the ghostly being said one last time before drifting through the white rift that connected the dark realm to Hope. The portal closed after the last whisper of blue mist passed through. The skylights quickly dimmed and disappeared, having heard all they needed, and darkness encompassed the black land once more…
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Ryan really was starting to get sick of these fainting episodes. He had been out for the entire night only to wake up to find himself on Glaedr's back and with only a few leagues to Ellesméra. During this time he spent his entire concentration searching for the entity that caused all of it, while Samanya made sure that Oromis, Istarli, and Glaedr would speak of nothing that they had told to the three the night before. They eventually agreed to her demands, on the condition that they answer their questions later. Meanwhile, Ryan's soldiers and even his Assassins had combed the entirety of his mental world only to find no trace of the being or any evidence to suggest how he was able to gain control over Ryan's body to begin with. The entire ordeal left Ryan with a bitter taste in his mouth and left him with a knowing suspicion about how his defenses were circumvented, yet he not find any evidence to support his theory…and that made his suspicion even more certain in his mind.
Unfortunately for Ryan life went on outside without any regard to the troubles of the young man. His first glimpse of Ellesméra was much like he expected, its impressive construction seamlessly melding with the forest around it. The trees turned homes amazed him with their complexity yet he couldn't believe that the things were still standing, let alone alive and well. Many elves had eagerly greeted the two Riders and dragons upon their landing, fawning all the while over Samanya while doing well to ignore the young human that strode alongside her. Samanya enjoyed the attention of the multitude around her, yet she remained wary of those surrounding her, letting out a low warning growl to any who drew to close to her Rider.
That was fine by Ryan, who's frustration over the oddness and frequency of the strange events in his life still simmered beneath his neutral facade that his face wore. The procession passed by quickly, much to Ryan's relief, and it wasn't long before he found himself at a tree-turned-structure that was constructed of a wall of saplings with a staircase of roots leading to a door above. Ryan knew what lied behind and took a deep breath to completely suppress his feelings of discontent before Oromis motioned him forward. Anticipation flooded both his and Samanya's veins as the door drew closer.
Sometimes knowing so much can be such a curse. Ryan thought as they came to the door. The wooden door opened as they drew close, revealing the twenty-four elven lord and ladies that lie behind and Queen Islanzadi who sat on a throne of knotted roots at the end. The elven queen wore a bright scarlet red tunic that seemed to shimmer in the abundant light. A cape lay on her back, made of swan feathers if Ryan remembered correctly. Both Rider pairs made their way forward and gave a short bow of respect to the elven queen, although Ryan and Samanya felt…odd at doing so. It was as if their very hearts and minds rebelled against their actions. They quickly shrugged it off and focused their gaze towards the throne.
"Atra esterní ono thelduin, Islanzadí Dröttning.", Oromis said, greeting the elven queen.
"Mor'ranr lífa unin hjarta onr, Togira Ikonoka.", Islanzadí replied.
"Un du evarínya ono varda.", Oromis finished.
"It is good to see that you have returned, Oromis, and to see that the new Rider finished his journey successfully."
"Yes he has and it is good to be back, your Majesty.", Oromis replied respectfully.
Silence reigned for a few moments and Ryan and Samanya felt the eyes of everyone present boring into them. The Sage pair met their stares with one of their own, calmly waiting for the silence to end. Finally, after felt like an hour, Islanzadí spoke.
"It is quite a surprise to see you both here, we thought there only one remaining dragon egg in existence. Might I inquire as to your names?", she said.
"Samanya", the sage dragoness answered.
"Ryan Williamsson, Your Majesty.", Ryan said, the previous feeling of discontent flaring again at calling her majesty.
"It is a pleasure to see you both here safe and alive, though many did give their lives to allow you to reach here.", Islanzadí added. Memories of Mariv and the other fallen Varden soldiers flashed before Ryan's eyes as he took a moment to compose himself.
"Too many, if you ask my opinion, my Lady.", Ryan said, his voice somber.
"Such a loss of life is always to be mourned, but they died well and now we have an even greater chance at toppling Glabatorix and his corruption. Your presence here is quite the gift, an unexpected one that Fate has seen to grant us."
"It is my honor to be here.", Ryan replied, her tone even and unwavering.
"If I may inquire, how did Samanya's egg come into your possession?", the elven queen asked. Ryan felt the others in the room shift forward slowly in curiosity, waiting for his answer.
"I really don't know. Her egg appeared in my bag after I was magically transported into the forest that I was found in.", Ryan responded truthfully.
"Do you have any information as to who sent her to you?"
"I have my suspicions, but no, I have no definitive proof."
"Any information is better than nothing, could you please tell us the source of your suspicion?" Ryan glanced around for a moment, watching the contemplative faces of the Lords and Ladies that sat around him.
"I cannot.", Ryan answered. He could almost feeling the ripples that his words created in the room. He thought he even her a few murmurs from those around him.
"You cannot or you will not?", Islanzadí asked.
"I will not.", Ryan said calmly, Samanya's mind helping to bolster his confidence as he spoke.
"And why will you not?", the monarch asked with a hint of a demand. Oromis spared a quick glance at the young Rider, giving him a silent warning.
"It is not your place to ask.", Ryan said in a matter-of-fact tone.
"How is it not?", one of the nearby Lords began, "The person or persons responsible for giving Samanya's egg give her to you, they may have other eggs as well, eggs that are our responsibility to recover."
"Glaedr and I may be able to shed some light on the issue.", Oromis said softly, his voice soothing the suddenly suspicious atmosphere.
"How so?", one of the Ladies asked.
"We have determined that Samanya is the egg that went missing of Eridor Könungr and Survya Dröttning almost a century ago.", Ryan watched as the eyes of those assembled grew wider at the revelation, "We do not know how it came into Ryan's possession and we trust that Ryan does not know himself, but these events compel us to wonder if there is another force in Alagaësia who are working in the shadows for their own ends.", Oromis finished.
"Ryan, these are troubled times that we live in. I ask, that you please reveal your suspicion, or at least your reason for your refusal to tell us.", Islanzadí asked respectfully yet demanding an answer. Ryan's head turned as his eyes bored into the elven queen.
"There are two reasons: one, I simply do not know for certain who is responsible for all of this, I have a theory, but it is just that, a theory; second, the knowledge that I possess could mean the rise and fall of empires, the difference between victory and defeat, or the destruction of all you hope to preserve." Ryan stretched his hand to Samanya and glanced over, finding his gaze met with her own as he continued, "It is information that Samanya and I would willingly die to protect and there is simply no good reason for me to tell you the secrets that lie before your very eyes." Ryan almost smiled for a moment at his cryptic last statement. Islanzadí sighed in acceptance before speaking once more.
"If that is what you wish, I shall not force you to tell us.", her countenance then turned lighter before Ryan's eyes, "Arrangments have been made for your stay here, Oromis elda, could you please show our guest to his quarters?", she asked the Gold Rider.
"Certainly.", he responded.
"Very well then, you may take your leave.", the queen finished with a slight wave of her hand. The Oromis and Ryan bowed slightly before rising to exit, relief flooding over Ryan's mind.
"That didn't go as badly as I expected.", Ryan thought, allowing Samanya to hear.
"Don't jinx us!", she replied with a small chuckle. Ryan joined in with a chuckle and large smile of his own, which remained on his face as he and Oromis mounted Glaedr and they all darted into the sky. The trip to Ryan and Samanya's new quarters too only a few moments until they came upon a tree dwelling larger than most of the rest.
Which makes sense, Ryan mused, since they probably had Riders in mind when they created it. Ryan looked over the outside of the dwelling for a few moments before Glaedr swooped into it through a large opening in the wall. Ryan quickly dismounted and Glaedr moved away, allowing Samanya to land as well.
"This shall be your home for as long as you are here.", Oromis said. "Your training shall begin tomorrow, someone shall be here at first light to take your to the sparring fields." Oromis then held out his hand, containing a round wooden object in his palm, "As long as you take care to wind up it regularly, this device will wake you at the proper time each morning. Make sure you are prepared and have eaten before you leave."
"Yes, Master", Ryan acknowledged.
"Good, we shall let you be then. Rest well, both of you, for tomorrow you will needed all the strength you can muster.", Oromis added.
"We will.", Samanya assured him. Oromis only gave a slight nod before remounting Glaedr and departing, leaving the Sage pair to their own devices. Ryan proceeded to silently unpack his things and prepare for bed, while Samanya went to lay in a cushioned dais that lie in the floor nearby. The room was simple, with only a ornate pieces of furniture and a bookshelf packed with scrolls.
"Well, at least we survived that minefield.", Samanya remarked after several minutes passed and the silence grew too much to bear.
"Yeah…only for me to step in another. Something is happening to me, to us, Samanya, and I have no clue what it is and I fear that it is something that we cannot control.", Ryan replied wearily as he collapsed on the confortable bed.
"We'll be alright, of that I am certain.", Samanya responded, trying to reassure her worried Rider.
"How do you know that?", Ryan asked.
"I highly doubt the ones that brought the both of us together would do it just to make us into something neither of us would wish.", the dragoness let out a large yawn before continuing, "Hush now, get some sleep, we'll both need it for the long day tomorrow." Ryan silently agreed with her as he closed his eyes, drifting into the warm embrace of his dreams…
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R&R!