Disclaimer: I own nothing.
I feel guilty for being gone so long and then coming up with a short chapter, but I'll do my best to upload a longer one on Tuesday (my birthday!) as a treat.
Chapter 26: A New Perspective
High above Du Weldenvarden, it was difficult to believe that people actually lived in the forest unless you spotted the plumes of smoke that rose from a tree every now and then. Katrina still couldn't wrap around her thoughts for the day, and Luneria singing praises about Aegar and Brand didn't really help much.
Katrina felt her awe, eagerness and enthusiasm, but what was the most evident would be a strange feeling of longing and adoration. She wondered how the male dragons from their group would react to this new development. Loneliness was a new feeling to her, but now that Luneria would not listen to her and would just go on and on about how amazing the two dragons were, she suddenly realized that she suddenly felt alone.
The moment that the Riders and their dragons reached their new quarters, Katrina decided against sightseeing. She was weary from the days of travel and their meeting with three old Riders. Luneria seemed content enough to lie on her bed and just talk about both Aegar and Brand while Katrina explored the different books in her study.
She was just starting to read a collection of human songs and sagas when someone knocked on the screen to her bedroom. "Come in," she called out, making Luneria trail off from her monologue.
Nasuada stumbled inside, looking both dazed and irritated. "Solaris would not stop talking about Brand and Aegar!" she wailed.
Katrina smiled. "Luneria is the same," she said.
"How can you bear it?"
Luneria stirred, finally roused from her thoughts of the two elder dragons. How can she not? She is my Rider and I am her dragon. I bore the same when she could not stop talking about Roran, did I not?
"I wish you didn't give such information freely," argued Katrina.
Nasuada sat unbidden on Katrina's bed and smiled. "So, Roran, is it? Does anyone else know about that?"
Katrina hoped she wasn't blushing, but she wasn't so sure. Her cheeks felt ridiculously warm. "Why would I tell anyone about it? It is not something that a woman would tell anyone else. It is unseemly!"
"But what if he feels the same for you?"
"I don't see you doing the same and you've been alone with Murtagh quite a lot of times already."
A hint of red flushed Nasuada's ebony cheeks. "It is not the same thing!"
Katrina smiled. "Oh, but it is. And I believe that Murtagh may reciprocate your… affections too." She glanced at Luneria and grinned. "It's not a lost cause, my friend – unlike Luneria's interest in two ancient mighty dragons."
Stop that, growled Luneria.
Nasuada grinned. She stood up and flicked her hair back. "I must go now."
"Not a word, Nasuada," warned Katrina.
"My lips are sealed," the other Rider said before stalking out of the room.
I wish you would stop denying that you do… feel… something about Roran, insisted Luneria.
Does it matter? Katrina sat on her bed with a sigh, feeling weary from all the things that transpired that day. She quietly examined the violet embroidery on her silver tunic. "It doesn't matter," she said out loud.
Luneria closed her eyes. It matters.
It was a beautiful morning, perfectly warm and lazy. With it came a small package containing a razor and a mirror that Oromis promised for the boys to use in order for them to stay clean shaven until they could grow a full beard. Like any other blade made by the elves, the razor needed no sharpening, but he decided against using it until he took a hot bath. After that, he held up the mirror and examined his reflection. It was something he never really bothered with, but for once, curiosity got the best of him after hearing Ash talk about the transformation that human Riders eventually went through.
He could feel Askanir enter his mind. You have changed so much, the dragon mused.
I know. I feel it in me too. I feel older, more worn. If this is how I feel, I wonder what Eragon is going through? Roran narrowed his eyes at his reflection. His features have changed, his face taking a more angular, hawklike appearance. It was far from the more elven appearance that Ash had, but he was getting there. No one could mistake him for a pureblooded human anymore. He brushed his hair back, revealing his ears that were starting to taper into points.
Our bond… has changed you. I believe Brom maintains his human appearance with spells – as he was with his dragon longer than we are bonded together right now.
Roran pursed his lips. He knew it was inevitable long before Ash stated it, but seeing it happen to him filled him with confusion and sadness. He knew that there was no turning back for him. He can't be just a farmboy after this. He was afraid to see how far the changes would take him, and yet he wanted to know what he would eventually look like. Our bond has changed me. Has it changed you too?
Creaking wood signified Askanir's uncomfortable shift. It has – long before I even hatched. If you think you had no choice, then what about me? I wasn't even exposed to the world, and I was marked to become a Rider's dragon.
Would you have chosen otherwise?
No.
Roran stared at the razor and tried to shave himself with it – doing his best to imitate his father. When it didn't give him the result he wanted, he set it down and muttered a few words in the ancient language which made his stubble fall from his face and crumble into dust. Pleased with the spell, he reminded himself to tell Eragon and Murtagh about it.
Readying himself for the day, Roran saddled Askanir. With a roar, they soared down to the middle of the clustered houses, where Eragon and Murtagh were already waiting. A small gash ran on Eragon's jaw – the effect of a failed shaving attempt. Murtagh seemed more successful with it, though it wasn't as smooth as expected.
"How did you shave so perfectly?" Murtagh asked with a groan.
"Magic." With a grin, Roran told them the spell – which they promptly casted. Then, he glanced at Eragon. "Why didn't you heal that?"
Eragon chuckled. "I want to keep it as a sign of my inept attempts at shaving.
After a short pause, the three boys roared with laughter. Roran was pleased to know that in spite of their transformations, certain bonds can never be changed.
Arya peered from her house with a wide smile. "You are making such a ruckus! It is too early in the morning for that!" A faint breeze ruffled her hair, and Roran swore that he saw Eragon flush. With a roar, Firnen sprang out of the elf's home and Arya jumped to his back. Overhead, the other dragons were soaring together in glee. "But then again, it is a fine way to begin the day."
A few minutes later, Nasuada and Katrina stepped out of their tree houses. With a smile, they joined the other Riders as the five other dragons landed on the ground – which rumbled faintly. They mounted their partners and they took to the air, heading to the Crags of Tel'naeir.
Their female mentors were waiting for them, Ash with a smile and Serylda with her customary grim look. They both walked around the dragons, examining the saddles with expert eyes. "This is very impressive," murmured Serylda. "Did Brom make them while you were on the run?"
"Yes," Roran said. "And with a bit of luck, we had enough to make six. We did not really expect Arya and Nasuada joining."
Ash nodded as Brand swooped down from the sky, his dark scales flashing. "They are of impressive handiwork already, and even more so considering the circumstances that you were under when they were made. Father told me that Brom was always quite clever when it came to his hands, and it seems like it is true. However, I have gifts for you," she said with a smile. "Come, follow me."
"I will be waiting here with your dragons," murmured Serylda. "Aegar, Glaedr and Father should be joining us shortly."
The Riders entered Ash's hut, which was very different from her father's. The first thing that Roran noticed was the clutter. Though the place was built the same way as Oromis', items were piled randomly on different shelves, and many other objects were spilling out of some supposedly secret cupboards. Some of the items were quite mundane – scrolls, books, quills, food and other small articles – while many of them were fantastical. Glowing gems and gem-studded items were strewn around the house. Many other curiosities could be spotted.
Two short swords hung on one portion of the eastern wall – one was a deep blue that matched Brand's scales. The other one, though, was a pale shade of violet. Aside from that, the blades could have been twins. Their matching scabbards hung below them. On Ash's dining table was an orb made of what seemed to be segmented bronze and engraved with red symbols. Roran was sure that his brothers were excited to ask all about the contraptions and most especially the two swords.
The Rider motioned vaguely. "These strange objects that you see belonged to Vroengard as a whole. I was tasked to lead a force that would save as much of the inventions and treasures that we could and you see the result of our work – though I was the sole survivor." She paused, tracing a finger on a scroll idly. "We did not save everything but we saved all the important ones."
Around ten thick, molded saddles were resting on a shelf, and Ash retrieved six, handing one each to the Riders. They were all identical in design and make, with gilded markings on the seat and leg pieces made of iridescent metal. "The saddles Brom made were designed for speed – and battle. But if you are allowed to be comfortable, those would suit you more. They were crafted in Vroengard and were gifted to Riders when their dragons were old enough. They are imbued with many spells to prevent failure in time of need."
After being instructed on some additions on the saddles that did not exist on the ones Brom made, they headed outside, where the elder dragons and Oromis joined them. All dragons were relieved of their saddles, which were piled on the door to Serylda's hut.
"I shall be keeping them inside my home until it is time for you to depart," she explained with a small smile.
Little ones, Glaedr said, regarding the younger dragons, you will be training with Brand, Aegar and I today. You have much to learn, and it can only be accomplished with all of us together.
The dragons consented, humming with excitement and anticipation. As a matter of fact, Saphira seemed to quiver. The nine of them roared and took off, the younger dragons trailing behind their masters. Roran felt himself smile.
"I have never seen them that happy before," Katrina mused, sending a jolt down Roran's spine.
"Aye, it is a good change," agreed Eragon.
Oromis and Serylda departed for their respective huts after a few words, leaving the young Riders only with Ash. The half-elven Rider regarded them with a pondering look.
"I have never taught a young Rider before, and none of us expected all six eggs to hatch at the same time," she murmured. "It is not really my place to teach it to you as it would tax you physically, but I find that it helps ease your mind into learning more about magic."
They followed Ash to the forest and into a small clearing. "What will we be doing, Master?" asked Nasuada. She rubbed her arms nervously, sharing an anxious glance with Roran, then Arya.
"We will be doing the Rimgar today. It is also known as the Dance of Snake and Crane. These poses were developed by the elves to prepare warriors for combat. Everyone now uses it to maintain health and fitness – how elves actually get sick, I do not know. No matter, I am here to teach you the first of four levels."
I do feel guilty for not being able to update as often as I did (and as often as I'd like) because whenever I'm on a roll, something comes up and makes me leave my desktop for the entire day. Ugh.
The lull in the action might take much longer, but tell me guys, what misadventures do you think will our young Riders find themselves in? And I might start having a betting pool on which Rider pair gets to kiss first and when. XD I've finally decided who gets to it first, but of course, I want to hear (read?) your guesses.
Glad that you liked Thorn and Murtagh in the previous chapter! It was just a random idea but it seemed really cool so I added it in the end! And it reminded me of Eragon and Saphira's bickering in the original material... And adding funny/amusing bits in the story does make it more readable. I needed that in Paolini's work. :/
Anywayyyyy, read and review, as always! :D