Forward notation.

I will use various viewpoints and perspectives in the same chapters. This is the other side of the coin from Inheritance of Skyrim, where A Dragonborn comes into Alagaesia. The Dragonborn is also at the height of his power. 35 years of age, all shouts known, all DLC and such created. And been through the second Thalmor war.

As for the inheritance Cycle, Galbatorix had 6 eggs from the riders' fall. Three of them were stolen. The Blue, Green, and Red eggs. All three eggs arrived at Eragon, and he carried the remaining two with him. The Red Dragon Egg hatched for Murtagh while traveling with Eragon after Brom's death.

Rise of the Dragons

Chapter 1

The Dragon's Heart of Stone

By. R. Reichelderfer

Pain, anger, and rage. All these moved through the mind and heart of Leonde Dragonheart. Every time he looked at an elf, all he could feel was his anger and hatred for their kind. The Second war with the Aldmeri Dominion had hardened his heart. The years had not been kind to the Dovahkiin. Destroying Alduin, defeating the Stormcloaks, defeating the plans of Harkon, and then stopping the return of Miraak. That had only been the start. The Aldmeri Dominion launched its war. He had been fighting for fifteen years since he avoided summary execution in Helgen.

Now, as he looked down at the statue of Stalhrim containing the bones of his mentor. Paarthunax. Killed in the Summerset isles. Clutched in the grip of his mentor were the Three elder scrolls. Safe, secure. The Blood Scroll in his right claw, Sun in his left, and the Dragon Scroll in his jaws. Leonde, at 35 years of age, was in his prime. The last Dragonborn was Tiber Septim, who had assumed the Imperial Dragon Throne. While Emperor Titus Mede II w dead, his sole surviving Heir, his daughter extended her hand in marriage. As a way to protect herself from the ambition of the Dragonborn.

Leonde turned it down. All he could feel what intense anger and rage. The War with the Thalmor had turned him bitter. He had seen the elves do things to humans that should never have been done. So now he was looking elsewhere. "I wish it was as easy to stop hating as it was to start." He spoke. The blue-white ice tomb was carved and shaped into the form of a dragon rearing up to face the rising sun, wings spread. As he approached, he recalled the vision he had beheld.

He was trying to make sense of what he saw, a man riding a black dragon slaying men, elves, dragons, and shattering eggs. A field of dead dragons and smashed eggs. Finally, a series of eggs survived and held the man's grasp. White, Yellow, Brown, Green, Red, and Blue. He watched as the Red, Green, and Blue eggs escaped the grasp as he closed his fist. He could see three more people, two young men and one clearly an elven woman standing beside three dragons. The three of them stood before a bloody battlefield.

Odahviing landed beside him as the snow at the Throat of the World blew off on the wind. The mountain trembled under the weight of the dragon landing. "Drem Yol Lok, Dovahkiin." Looking at the massive Red Dragon. Odahviing was a comfort to him as Leonde told Odahviing of his dream. As he did, the sound of cracking ice came as the jaws of Paarthunax began to open up, and with it fell out the Elder Scroll. The claws also opened up and released the scrolls of Sun and Blood. As they hit the ground, Leonde reached down to pick the scrolls up. Holding them, he placed them in a bag.

Odahviing looked to Leonde as he reached up to remove his Daedric helmet and said, "Last night, I prayed to Father Akatosh. I am so angry and hateful toward the elves for what I saw during the war. I was sent a vision of the Time wound and another world." He said as he explained the vision and Odahviing thought and said.

"Perhaps a new battlefield; you said one was an elf maiden? Hmmm, perhaps her kind can help you seek the peace you desire. You did what was needed for the war."

There was no doubt about that, but Leonde could only remember how the elves retreated from Skyrim. They salted the land, destroying every town and city in the retreat, killing prisoners, and summoning various Daedric creatures to cause problems. Even attempts to burn large tracts of forest down. Skyrim was still suffering from the invasion; people were starving. And there wasn't a damn thing Leonde could do to help them all.

Collapsed mines fell mountains to block paths. Destroyed docks. They even locked large amounts of their human captives in wooden buildings. They burned them down to deny both manpower and domestic services. Man, woman, and child. None were spared.

The Solitude arch collapsed. The college of Winterhold was destroyed, and texts on magic from the second era were all destroyed. For the elves, no Thalmor said, "Knowledge and history begin with Mer." It was not the High elves, but the Thalmor had caused all this. Yet when he saw Dunmer, Bosmer, all he could see and know was his anger. Having given thought to it and realized perhaps Odahviing was right. He knew how to travel to this land. But he was not going to go unprepared. "Come with me, Odahviing. Come help me."

The Elder Dragon looked at Leonde as the Imperial took off his Daedric helmet. With a Simple nod, The Great Dragon once more pledged himself to his friend.

He would need a lot of his supplies. Those three he had seen, he was sure they would be the heroes of this world and that some war was approaching. They would need weapons and armor befitting their station. He presumed he would also need supplies for the dragons and their armor. He was going to need plenty of materials and equipment.

Having gathered his supplies. He was glad that Odahviing did not mind carrying things up to the top of the Throat of the World. Nearly a thousand pounds of equipment, most of it just raw materials. Leather, Ebony, Daedric hearts, fully charged grand soul gems, Empty soul gems. Other forging materials include Gold ingots, gemstones, and other materials. Leonde was going to ensure he would have all the needed supplies.

Leading his Horse up to the peak of the Throat of the World. Leonde began to approach the Time wound. The time wound that allowed him to learn Dragonrend.

Leonde also checked his weapons and ensured that Dragonrend's sword was securely wrapped. He had reforged it after the betrayal of the Blades. They had given him an ultimatum, Kill Paarthunax, or they would refuse to serve him. Leonde had been enraged. He told them they had come to him, that he would have discovered it was Alduin and learned how to defeat him in time. With or without their help. They broke their oath of service; they were blades no more. And Then gave them a week to leave HIS Sky Haven Temple. After the death of Alduin, they attacked Leonde. Delphine had Stolen Dragonbane from his home and, in an attack on him and Odahviing, tried to kill them both.

The resulting battle shattered Dragonbane, and now he had reforged it, making it stronger and more powerful. In fusing it with the very essence of Dragonrend. And now he had it tightly sealed in a silk wrapping. Reaching for the Dragon Elder Scroll, he could feel Odahviing grow closer. At that point, the sky began to darken and rumble. And then, finally, he opened the Scroll to read it.

Arya, Eragon, and Saphira spoke on a mound that Arya had indicated as Arya finished explaining to Eragon the nature of her debt to him. The wind began blowing in Farthen Dur, but that was impossible. The Caldera of the Volcano protected it from the weather. What appeared to be Storm clouds formed over the sparing area causing the fighters to scatter and take cover. Even from over half a mile away, the area was subjected to gale-force winds, more substantial than Eragon had encountered on the Plains. Lightning and thunder ripped and echoed through the caldera. Repeated lightning strokes impacted the ground, and finally, with a massive explosion, a smoking cloud filled an area nearly a quarter size of Tronjheim.

A massive and thunderous roar came as Eragon, Saphira, and Arya heard three words erupt. "LOK VAH KOOR," and in that one instant, the Clouds and smoke moved away rapidly in wisps of Mist and vapor. Leaving Arya, Eragon, and Saphira utterly speechless. Before the sparing fields was a massive Red Dragon. Wings spread as he lifted his head and roared as if to announce his presence. The Roar echoed through all of Farthen Dur. The sound was so loud that the massive icicles that circled the volcano's opening began to break and fall. The dragon roared a second time as if it was responding to his own echoed Roar. "LOK VAH KOOR" The roar echoed through Farthen Dur, and it seemed to cause the massive icicles to explode into a shower of snow that blew away and melted in mid-air.

Farthen Dur had indeed noticed the arrival of this dragon and was assembling its forces. Arya was almost left Speechless. The sight of such a large and ancient dragon made her both fearful and hopeful. Saphira's eyes grew wide as the massive dragon turned his head and then looked right at her. His glow red eyes bore into her.

"We must go; there is a rider beside the dragon!" Arya shouted, breaking them out of their stunned silence. Eragon, fearful and unsure if he was ready to fight another Rider, jumped upon Saphira's saddle as Arya joined them. With a flap of her wings, she took off from the caldera floor and soared to meet with or battle with the new arrivals.

Watching Odahviing use Clear Skies to shatter the massive icicles, Leonde, in his Red Daedric armor, looked up at Odahviing. With the display that brought them here, followed by the roaring shouts. Leonde turned his head to Odahviing. "Subtle, you are not."

All it did was elect a dark chuckle from the old dragon. By now, Leonde could see several short, stocky people with beards that reminded him of the ancient depictions of the Dwemer or Dwarves. Then there were also humans, in armor, in shock as the stocky folk had begun to take up arms. Against this, many Leonde and Odahviing knew they were in trouble.

"The Blue Dovah comes." Turning his head, he could see the blue dragon approach them. He could see a young man with brown hair behind him, a sight that made his skin crawl and his temper growing. An Elf maiden. To most people, her beauty would have dumbfounded anyone, but to Leonde, her beauty was lost on him. All it did was conjure memories of war, fire, and death. He watched the Dragon land; she was smaller than Odahviing, who was eight times her size. By looking at her, Leonde knew she was a female, meaning dragons had to have genders, something he suspected when he saw the colored eggs matching the dragons. Her sapphire scales were beautiful, and her eyes held a fierceness.

He looked to the human, young, inexperienced. And wary as he held a Red Sword. It also soured his stomach as it was of Elf make. Leonde decided he would change that.

A shouted command from the Elf made one of the short, stocky people on the field bristle, and then he issued an order which made the others of his kind hold their ground. By now, they were surrounded. Armed men ready to charge. It made the situation tense, but Leonde looked at the arrows and saw they were in minimal danger. Simple steel arrowheads, not anything special. But even a steel arrow could get lucky. Added to the fact more and more people were arriving.

After a few tense moments, Odahviing turned his head, baring his teeth, and lowered his face to the young dragon. "A traditional greeting may be unwise, Odahviing, my friend."

Inhaling her scent, baring his teeth, and then growled out. "Drem Yol Lok, Dovah Briinah." The fact that Odahviing spoke seemed to shock Both the blue Dovah, the human, and the Elf. The fact she did not reply seemed to surprise Odahviing. And in a deep growling voice, he spoke, "Pook Joorre, you stink of mortals. You do not know the language of your own kind, do you? Krosis, Sorrow." Odahviing said, pulling back.

"I do not think she nor her kin can speak Odahviing. They were astonished when they heard you speak." Leonde said as he reached up to pull off his helmet. Leonde's black hair came down, and his solid features and blue eyes were piercing. A jagged scar ran down the left side of his face from an elven blade. Leonde stood almost six feet tall, with the young man a good five or six inches shorter than him. He made Leonde think of a Breton in height and general appearance. Finally, the young man called out. "Are you friend or foe?"

It made Leonde smirk as Odahviing laughed; his laughing was so loud it sent tremors through the ground. When Odahviing finished his laugh, Leonde said, "If I had come as a foe, do you think we would be speaking or allowing ourselves to be surrounded?"

At that point, Leonde could see two bald men in robes and Tattoos approach, pushing their way through the crowds, and in a commanding voice, one said, "You will be silent; speak again, and you will die! Drop your weapons, remove your armor, or you will die."

That tone instantly made him bristle with anger. Leonde bared his teeth, reaching for one of his blades. "Let's..." A bolt of energy was flung from one of their hands, striking Leonde in the chest. His armor shimmered and reduced the impact and effectiveness of the spell significantly. The attack had been intended to kill him. But the resist magic enchantment on his armor protected him. The Thu'um built in his throat as he retaliated with the full force of his Thu'um.

"FUS RO DAH"

A blast wave of energy ripped through the two men knocking them from their feet. It also hit the men behind them off guard and down. Leonde rushed as he drew one of his Daedric swords. Odahviing roared out, lashing with his tail making it impact the ground, forcing it to tremble, knocking many people off guard as Leonde rushed at them. He had not intended to kill them, simply teach them a lesson. As his sword came up, a deep, commanding voice roared out.

"ENOUGH, STOP THIS!"

Leonde's sword had come to within inches of the face of one of the two men. Instantly they retaliated; one of them repeated the spell that hit Leonde, and the other hit him with a new spell. It struck him with such a forceful blast of wind that it blew him back through the air, leaving both twins utterly exhausted.

The impact issued a flash of light as he hit Odahviing, who bared his teeth, ready to feast upon the two. Leonde felt the burn in his chest as he landed and stood up, still holding his sword. At that point, a new man had joined the area. The man had skin almost as dark as ebony and a weapon drawn; the man resembled a Redguard in build.

Odahviing snarled, making the soldiers recoil as he looked at the man with Ebony skin who did not back down. Looking at him, Leonde knew that this man was the leader, standing up with the chest of his armor unphased. The enchantments on his armor already healed the minor injuries the spells had given him, "Your two mages need to learn manners and their places." Holding his Red Daedric blade in his hand, he looked at the dark man and began approaching him.

"I am Ajihad, leader of the Varden." He spoke with an air of absolute authority.

Lifting his Daedric sword up over his head Leonde placed it into the scabbard on his back, twisting it and clicking it into the place where it would be safe until he drew it. His eyes drifted past the mages and addressed Ajihad.

"Leonde Dragonheart. I hail from a land called Skyrim, on the continent of Tamriel" Since Leonde had come here alone and had no additional forces planned to join him. There was no need for him to state his titles. "This is my friend and companion, Odahviing."

Ajihad held his sword tightly. "As I explained. If I was here as your enemy, we would not be speaking."

"This does not mean we consider you friends." He said; Leonde tilted his head and smiled respectfully to Ajihad As the two bald men regained their composure. "Answer me this. How did you come to enter this place."

"I entered through the Power of the Elder Scroll." Reaching into his pack to pull out one of the Elder Scrolls. "They are artifacts of incredible power. They are fragments of the forces that created the world and universe." As Leonde held the Scroll, Ajihad could feel its power; even Arya approached. The Twins came and then commanded.

"You will hand that over to us now." One of them said as Leonde moved back to his Horse.

"Over my dead body."

"That can be arranged." one of them said.

Looking at Ajihad, Leonde said, "If I am attacked again, there will be bloodshed."

Odahviing bared his teeth as he spoke, "And if you think the Little Dovah can stop my attacks, she will be crushed underfoot as easy as she would crush a rabbit."

"Enough!" Came the voice of the elf maiden. "Ajihad, I can feel the power coming from that item he has. Odahviing is not just a dragon; he is a wild dragon. He is not a rider's dragon. Leonde has no influence over Odahviing." Turning to address Leonde as he placed the Scroll back into his backpack. "Why have you come here?"

Looking at the Elf. Her voice to Leonde was like nails on a chalkboard, to him at least. Turning to look over at the young man, thus far, he had remained in the saddle of his dragon, ignoring the Elf and approaching the leader. "I have come to help you. I had beheld a vision of a man riding a great black dragon; before him was a great slaughter."

"The bodies of dragons, men, and elves," Leonde spoke with apparent disdain as the word elves rolled off his tongue, "laid before him. A field of the dead that ran with the blood of the dead and shattered eggs laid before him. In his hand, he held six eggs. Eggs of White, Brown, Yellow, Red, Green, and Blue. The Dragon eggs of Red, Green, and blue had been torn from his hand before he closed his fist. Then I beheld warriors three, Warriors astride three dragons. Blue, Red, and Green. Two young men, one... an elf maiden."

"I used the power of the Elder Scroll to bring myself, my horse, and Odahviing here." He said, explaining to Ajihad.

"If you are here to help, your mind will be examined." The Two twins said, approaching Leonde. "Remove the barriers from around your mind, or we will rip them asunder and take what we wish."

Odahviing snarled at them, baring his teeth as he spoke harshly, "Joor Meyye - Mortal fools, you are no match for the power of the Dovahkiin. I find your voices annoying, be silent, or I will feast upon you two." The dragon's words seemed to make them pale with terror.

Looking at the young man on the blue dragon, he turned to speak to the leader of the Varden. "Explain why these two mages insisted on examining my mind."

"Ajihad, order your men to attack; they are surrounded." One of them spoke.

"Ajihad, your arrows will be little more than slight pinpricks against Odahviing's scaled hide. My armor is equally as strong if violence starts; no one will be able to stop it."

Stroking his chin as he was weighing his options and spoke. "The reason they insisted on examining your mind is my orders. We are indeed fighting against a man who rides a great black dragon. He has conquered these lands and rules with an iron fist. We are among the few who can and will fight against him; we receive supplies from beyond here, one of our last strongholds. Our supporters have been sending us supplies, but they have had their caravans raided, and they all but destroyed."

"We suspect a traitor or traitor among our ranks. The twins have been examining the minds of anyone here."

That made Leonde instantly look at the twins, who seemed very nervous as he started to speak.

"Odahviing, kos nau dein." a deep-throated growl escaped the great Dovah's throat. Still, before Ajihad could ask what he said, he continued, "How many of your suppliers have been destroyed?"

"All of them." It made Leonde's eyes instantly leave Ajihad and lock on the twins boring down on them with all his strength.

"And these two never found anyone here? How many people in the Varden knew who all your suppliers were?"

"Four or five, not all of them are human but are Dwarves. And they would not betray us as this is their home."

"Has this tyrant been doing something odd in the region for the last few months?"

It made Ajihad tilt his head thinking, "Yes, he has made an allegiance with the Urgals of these lands. They have been crossing a great desert and coming to this region."

"I was once a commander in an army," he said, looking to Ajihad. "That tells me this tyrant knows exactly where you are here and is massing his forces for an attack. You have an enemy at your doorstep."

"Ajihad!" the Elf spoke firmly. "Before I interrupted them, the twins attempted to have Eragon cast a spell that would have incapacitated him and Saphira for days."

"Has anyone here examined their minds for Treachery?" Leonde spoke suddenly.

"None of the other mages here have the strength to do so." Was his reply as Ajihad turned to look at them. They had attempted to slink away only to find a wall of guards stopping them.

"I have the strength to search for such Ajihad." her voice was full of ice and venom.

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Eragon watched this warrior. For once, he was scared of fighting someone because Saphira was frightened of him for some reason. She couldn't identify it, but something about this man frightened her. She did all she could to hold the fear down as the giant dragon stood menacingly in front of them, all wings spread wide.

He remembered how Brom had said they could be mistaken for large hills. And wondered how old this dragon had to be.

Arya had positioned herself between them and Leonde. He wasn't sure what she could do against Odahviing. The fact that Odahviing could speak meant that he could work magic. And seemed to have done so. In hindsight, both Eragon and Saphira realized that the roars were spells that cleared the air of the fog around them and then shattered and spread the icicles out so they would do no harm. But the language he spoke wasn't the Ancient Language. And Saphira had said, /~Those words, they are full of power, no they are power.~/

He held Zar'roc tightly, wishing Murtagh was here. His armor made him intimidating, like a creature out of a nightmare. Still, he was putting the pieces together as this Leonde asked questions. He thought back to his meeting with Ajihad, the letter shown to him. His mind thought /if the Ra'zac had known where I was, they would have come for me. If this Urgal army is somewhere in the mountains, now that I am here.../

It all snapped into focus for Eragon. The encounter with the Urgals when he broke his wrist. The spell he cast exhausted himself that nearly killed him. As Arya said that spell, the twins were trying to make him cast the summoning of the essence of silver. If it did incapacitate him, Saphira would never have been willing to fight or leave his side.

"Every day I stay here, I rest and recover strength. That spell they tried to have me cast was meant to exhaust and knock me out, making me easy to capture! The Urgals are on the march here now!" Eragon said out loud.

"You two are the traitors!" he finally declared.

At that point, the Twin's look of fear turned into snarls. One screamed, "Damn you!" His brother lifted his hand, with Eragon recoiling as Saphira backed away. A blast of ice tore around them as three words came out in a roar.

/~LIZ-SLEN-NUS~/

The elder dragon had issued his roar as a sheet of white ice was blasted through the air covering the twins. Both of them were covered in ice, seemingly frozen solid. Ice vapor drifted off of them as they did not move.

"They are not dead, just stunned and paralyzed; it won't last long," Leonde spoke.

"Bind and gag them," Ajihad ordered. "Arya, will you examine their mind? As much sense as it makes," He turned to look at Leonde as he continued. "If they are indeed the traitors we seek, we must know if they have accomplices."

Arya nodded as she looked at Leonde before heading over to the twins placing her hand on one of their heads while Ajihad approached Leonde. "You had better hope you are correct about this. I do not take false accusations lightly."

"I am not the one who accused them of being traitors."

Ajihad held his tongue as he approached Eragon and said, "Indeed, you are young and inexperienced. You should only make such open accusations if you have proof, even if the evidence is circumstantial, as this is lining up." Eragon blushed furiously at that.

"An accusation like that, if proven false, can destroy a man's reputation. The accuser can be challenged to a duel of honor, to the death."

Returning from the Twins, Arya spoke, "They are the traitors. There are no others in the Varden. They received orders from Durza himself to exhaust Eragon before the battle. They also lied about Eragon's skill and power in magic. We must prepare for battle; the Urgal army is marching and will be here in at least three days. But they have no knowledge of who this man or dragon is."

Ajihad gripped his sword tightly as he moved over to them as the ice on the pair began to vanish and break off. With two well-placed strikes, he took their heads off.

"Now, what do we do about you?" Ajihad spoke, returning to address Leonde. "Would you permit Arya to examine..."

"Absolutely not!" Leonde growled. "I would never allow an elf to touch my mind!"

Eragon was taken aback by the hatred in his voice; it confused him as he had to voice his thoughts. He could see the anger on his face, the revulsion, and he wanted to understand what was happening.

"Why are you so angry with Arya? She hasn't done any harm to you."

"It is not what she has done, but what elf kind did to my lands." His voice filled with loathing and disgust as he moved away, clenching his gauntlet-clad fists tightly.

"In my lands," he explained. "The elves waged war on humans, slaughtered us."

"That is impossi..." Arya spoke harshly, but she was cut off when Leonde almost exploded on her,

"I found elves setting buildings aflame! People, men, women, children inside!" He all but screamed out. "I watched some of them with my own eyes do so as we rushed into a city! People were chained inside, unable to escape. Fields salted ..." and he stopped himself short before looking at her.

Eragon almost felt the hatred as Leonde stepped back to collect himself; stepping away, he breathed deeply. Once calmed down, he spoke, "I do not know what the elves in these lands are like, but in my lands, certain... groups of elves. Held the belief that the gods gave them dominion over all other races. Regardless of man or beast folk... and viewed any non-elf as little more than... a clever animal."

"I apologize for my outburst." Eragon had been so focused he had failed to notice a few soldiers had pointed their spears at Leonde. "You have done me no wrong. I was... out of line when I lost my temper."

From what he could see, Arya seemed to have taken offense by his temper; the two were locked in a deadly stare for a moment, but she spoke with a cold, calm voice after a few moments.

"Apology accepted." Turning to face Ajihad, she spoke. "If you permit me, I will remain here with Odahviing and Dragonheart. You should start preparing for battle."

Ajihad glanced at Arya as Eragon if they had spoken through the mind. "Yes," Turning to face Dragonheart, "When I return, Arya will decide if you are friend or foe. If she declares you an enemy, we will have better weapons readied at that time." He made a subtle threat.

"Now, what is this, Shade, Durza?" Leonde asked.

"A Shade is a sorcerer possessed by evil spirits. Granting them great strength and speed beyond a normal man." Arya explained. "Do you not have them in your lands?"

"No, we do not; I will deal with him myself," Leonde said.

Clearing her throat and assuming a diplomatic tone. It was a calm, even tone, not hostile, but certainly not one of friendship. "I think you overestimate yourself; no human could hope to match the strength of a Shade.

Reaching up to take hold of one of his blades as Leonde barred his teeth. "Or perhaps you underestimate me, Arya, is it? I have killed many elves in battle. Generally, they are faster and stronger than the average human.

At that point, Leonde and Arya were being given room as people spread out. Clearly, this was going to be a clash where no one wanted to get in between them. Drawing her sword with nary a sound, she held it tip down; as the fight began, Arya lashed out first, only to have her blow blocked and deflected. It was so fast Eragon almost couldn't keep up.

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For Arya, she was utterly surprised when he managed to block in time and redirect her blow in the same instant, allowing him a counterblow. She could feel the power of his strength, and then to her shock and amazement, he had done that one-handed. His blade was designed maliciously; it had a twisted look, carved and twisted. The magic in the blade leaked ice vapor off the edge while electricity danced along the blade and edge. The strength of the enchantment was potent, one that would compound any injury made by such a blade.

With lightning-fast strikes, Arya and Leonde clashed in swordplay. Arya was hard-pressed to actually try and strike Leonde. She took advantage of his break in defense more than once, but his body had some form of magical shielding around it. As if some sort of barrier was deflecting the vast majority of her strikes. As a result, she had to fight Leonde as if he was honestly attempting to kill her. And judging from his fighting style, he was trying to kill her. He had drawn his second sword, using one to parry, block, and strike with the other. The other blade burned with flame and crackled with electricity, contrasting with his other sword.

With twin blades, he blocked and struck with speed and cunning, striking and parrying. His speed and reflexes were beyond human; it was boarding on the level of elven speed. At first, she thought his armor would impair his ability to fight, but he was so accustomed to it that he moved around in it with effortless ease. She had tried to strike at him when he exposed vulnerable areas.

But the enchantments and armor were preventing her from dealing a crippling blow. The armor was unlike anything she had ever encountered. Even at the thinnest areas, it held the strength of elven forged armor, perhaps even more robust. Finally, she struck across the armor's chest as hard as possible, putting all her strength and power into the strike. She was attempting to cleave through the armor and was shocked and horrified to see that the armor was left unscratched. As she understood magic, that one blow would have cleaved through any human armor. The protective wards against its damage would have required some serious power, perhaps enough to weaken or break the enchantments. Even exhaust him.

But nothing, the most challenging part of the fight was that he was used to fighting enemies who moved faster and were more potent than him. He was also bordering on the edge of a killing rage, holding it in check, if only barely.

His desire to win and prove himself only made him fight harder. And even though Arya had endurance, she was not fully recovered from the poison Durza had given her. Even as quickly as an elf recovers, Arya found her strength and endurance starting to falter and weaken. Emboldened by her weakness, Arya made one desperate gamble. Acting like she had lost her power, she allowed Leonde to move in and recover, striking his head with the flat side of her sword. She did not want to kill him, mostly out of respect for his skill was needed for the coming battle, but also that Odahviing might react badly.

Once more, she underestimated Leonde because as her blade came to his unarmored head, he moved his head back, bringing his blade up as hard as he could. While blunted on the back of the blade, there was enough force that Leonde broke her right arm with a sharp crack. Arya screamed out and tried to pull back. There was no pause; lifting his left leg up, he brought his armor boot down on her left shin. Making her stumble as he snapped the bone clean through. A scream issued from Arya as she cast a spell to make him stop. "Jierda!" She used all her remaining strength, and to her horror, it washed over him without affecting him. And with it, she went to one knee as he spun around and brought his sword down at her neck, feeling the gust of wind from it and nothing.

The blade was held less than an inch away. Looking at Leonde, she could see the hatred in his eyes, the desire to kill. The burning rage. Arya realized that such hatred does not come without personal suffering. And while no elf among her people would resort to the acts of barbarism he described. She could not deny that some elves held themselves superior to non-elves. And if their culture was far enough removed, she could see them coming to believe themselves rightful rulers of men.

Finally, he stepped back from her and asked, "Have I proven my abilities?"

"You have at that; I stand corrected."

"Then allow me to heal you," he said would a calm tone.

Lifting up his blades, he sheathed them on his back scabbard. Arya watched as a golden glow enveloped his right hand, and then he cast a spell at her; instantly, it filled her with energy. The energy healed her broken arm as she could feel the bones shifting and pulling back into their proper place painlessly and heal. Her shin bone straightened out as she could feel it heal and Knit.

Holding the energy, she watched Eragon approach. "You are using magic without the Ancient Language?!" She was amazed that this warrior could also use magic so effectively.

"No, this magic doesn't need words," Leonde said as he lifted his other hand and continued to channel healing magic into her; she could feel all the aches and pains vanish.

"His magic is clearly very different than ours. My people would be most interested in learning about this magic. In return, we could show you our magic and ways.

"It is one of the reasons I came."

Listening to him, her eyes gazed at his and saw his many emotions awash. At that moment, she realized one of the reasons he was here was to find some measure of peace. It was evident that she had allowed her pride to blind her. His apology for losing his temper was genuine. His words, she had done him no wrong. He was seeking to put aside such anger.

She had sorely underestimated his power and strength. With one last healing spell, she felt all her strength and stamina return. All the weeks of torture by Durza had physically been removed. She stood up as he stopped channeling magic.

"You are truly a powerful and skilled warrior. But to slay Durza, you will need to pierce his heart. If the final blow is not a thrust through her heart. It will only return stronger than before." Arya said with some reservation, but a collective gasp that she had been defeated, had left people stunned.

"I thought the spar between Eragon and Arya was impressive," Orik said.

When Leonde's eyes fell upon him, Eragon swallowed hard.

8888888

Standing back, Leonde looked to Eragon as he asked. His tone was much softer, "Now, I can't exactly go around calling you boy. So tell me, what is your name?"

Eragon was uneasy, as Arya knew that Saphira was scared of him for some reason. "My name is Eragon." He said, looking over to Arya, who gave a slight nod; she lightly touched his mind.

/I believe he means no harm; he kept his rage and hate in check when we fought./

She stayed near Eragon and back, ready to defend Eragon as Leonde began to walk around, making him feel like he was a piece of meat being inspected. "Would you permit a warrior to get a better look at you, Eragon?"

"I... have no objection," he spoke, fearing a spar like he had put Arya through.

"He has been well trained. Though he has much room to improve, he passed my test in sparing."

Looking over at her, he lifted an eyebrow, "High praise indeed. I will forgo any spar then. Alright, let's see what you are made of. If you would take off your shirt." Looking at Arya, she gave no inclination of her opinion but watched Leonde more intently. Eragon did as he said and removed his shirt, allowing Leonde to see his lean and muscular form. She also kept an eye on Odahviing, who seemed to be eying Saphira.

Walking around, Leonde looked at his body and noticed a mark on his right hand. "Where did you get the mark on your Right hand?"

"It's the Gedwëy ignasia. The Rider's mark." Eragon explained.

Arya spoke up at that point, explaining that it was the bond between Rider and Dragon. Odahviing snorted and expressed his disgust about binding himself with a Joore, a mortal. Until Leonde pointed out that Odahviing had already pledged himself to him. It got more than a few chuckles out of Odahviing. Leonde doing his best to try and be cordial, said, "I believe it may be worthwhile to understand and worth the effort to investigate this bond. It might be the key to ensuring peace between the dragons and man in our lands."

Eragon inquired about what Leonde was speaking of. Leonde's replied, "It would take much longer to explain than we have." Continuing his inspection, Leonde said. "As for you, Eragon. You have done a good deal of manual work from the marks on your hands. What caused the scar on your wrist?"

"I cut myself with a scythe."

"Farmwork?"

Giving the nod, "Strong and lean, well trained. And you are not so lopsided in your arms. Do you spar with both hands?"

"From time to time, It started when I slipped and broke my wrist. I had to use my left hand."

"Good, keep that up. I have encountered several swordsmen who have yet to learn to fight with their offhand. You should also practice rapidly switching the blade from right to left in the future."

"I am impressed; I am to guess correctly that your training began in less than a year?" When Eragon confirmed, Leonde smiled.

"I do not have the time to forge you a proper set of armor or a proper sword. But I did craft these before I arrived."

And reaching into his pack, he pulled out two Golden Rings, an amulet, and what looked like a circlet, all with bright blue Sapphires.

"He doesn't have your strength to fuel the wards," Arya said.

"Wards?" Eragon asked as Arya explained, knowing that the Twins would have lied to her about Eragon's proficiencies.

"Wards are protective magic that block spells and physical attacks from harming you. They draw on power only when you are subjected to effects that would trigger them. If the spells draw too much, it will kill him."

"That..." Leonde said, "may be the case with your magic, but not mine. The item holds all the energy needed to provide enough protection without needing to draw on power from someone's body. Similar spells are on my armor as these. It will help shield you from all physical attacks and help you resist the effects of the magic that focus on you; some of the effects of the spell will slip through."

"They will also reduce the force of blows that hit you significantly, but if Odahviing were to hit you with his tail at full strength. Most of the impact would be blunted, but it would still be more than enough to send you flying through the air. So be cautious in battle. And they will serve you well. Oh, and do not forgo the wearing of armor; while the armor may not stop magic, the armor may be able to absorb the rest of such a blow."

When Arya had asked to inspect them and the spells placed upon them, Leonde was slightly annoyed. But Eragon's request to be allowed convinced Leonde to hand her the items. Studying each one, she was amazed. Both by the twin enchantments, the potency, and the fact it did not draw on the wearer's strength. "These are valuable and mighty gifts. They will do as he says."

Handing them back to Leonde, he presented Eragon with the items. "I forged and enchanted them, myself."

Accepting them, Eragon placed the amulet and the Circlet on his fingers. "They are a kingly gift. Thank you."

"When time permits and you have earned it. I will forge armor, a shield, and a sword, which have never been seen in these lands. Now time to see to your dragon." That made Eragon nervous as Saphira moved back, spreading her wing.

"She's... Nervous of you." Eragon said.

"No, she's scared. But does not know why. My Friend, Odahviing. Would you give voice and reason to her fear?" Leonde asked of his friend. Saphira snorted when Leonde called her out on her fear. The massive dragon began to move around now.

Lowering his massive head to the smaller dragon, his jaws would have been large enough to bite her in half. Knowing she could not speak the dragon language, he talked to her in English.

"You fear him for what he is; he is Dovahkiin. All Dovah... dragons fear him. He is... Dragon Killer."

Saphira listened as Odahviing said Dragon Killer and then recoiled in shock and horror. Even Eragon was horrified. Arya had reached for her own blade at this point as Odahviing continued.

"In our land, we killed mortals, destroyed their cities, feasted on the flesh of mortals. We followed the Firstborn, Alduin, who ruled over mankind. They were our slaves, a time I remember with fondness. Alduin, the firstborn of Akatosh, was defeated and banished. But he returned. And so did we; as he resurrected us, we continued to slaughter and destroy. Intent to once more rule the world of the mortals. Alduin was our leader, our Lord. And we obeyed him."

"Father Akatosh sent into the world The Dovahkiin. He defeated the firstborn of Akatosh and freed us from the Lordship of Alduin. He has proven himself twice; I gladly and freely follow his Thu'um, his voice."

Looking at Leonde, Eragon asked with shock and revulsion, "You're a Dragon Slayer?"

"Remember what Odahviing said? Mortals were the Dragon's slaves, a time he fondly remembers. Dragons are creatures of raw, untamed power and beauty, Eragon. Once I slew Alduin, Dragon attacks dropped sharply. Without him ruling the Dovah, There was a real chance for peace."

Perhaps one of the reasons why I have been brought here is to find a way to replicate this bond in the lands I come from. I do not take pleasure when I am forced to kill." Slowly, he approached Saphira with Odahviing moving around her, stalking her like a small animal. The Blue Dragoness stood her ground, keeping her eyes locked on Leonde.

"Who is Akatosh?" Arya Asked.

"Akatosh is the Dragon God of Time. Chief of the nine divines."

"A God sent you into your lands; I have heard nothing more ridiculous. There are no gods..." At that last statement, Arya was forced to jump and evade Odahviing's attack. His tail had lifted up and slammed into the ground, leaving a furrow as his tail swept along the dirt.

"You dare doubt my word as truth; since the fall of the elves when they slaughtered and butchered men to prove their dominance, I have not dined upon tender elf flesh." With drool slipping from his massive jaws. The enormous dragon swung his head around, snapping at Arya,

"Only the Dovahkiin could have felled Alduin; his first triumph was at the Throat of the world. Facing defeat, Alduin fled to Sovngarde to feast upon the souls of the mortal dead. A privilege he jealously guarded, the Dovah assembled and, using our combined voices, opened a portal to witness the battle. I was among them and watched the Dovahkiin fell Alduin." And with a deep threatening growl, he asked Arya, "Do you doubt my word Elf thing?"

Staring Odahviing down, Arya looked between Eragon, Saphira, and Leonde, who spoke up and said. "Odahviing, These lands exist far beyond the shores of our land. Clearly, they have no knowledge of Alduin. So they would not know of such things or events. It is only natural that they would doubt such events happened."

Arya realizing that she could not argue with the Dragon, said, "No, I will not argue with you again." She could see clearly the contented smile on Leonde's lips as he turned to Saphira to ask.

"And what is your name Dragoness?" Eragon was the one who replied to Leonde as he started walking around her inspecting her.

"Her name is Saphira."

"Lean but strong. Claws... nicely curved and sharp. Legs strong. Wings..." And at the inspection, She spread her wings wide and open as Leonde smiled. "Well defined, all in all, healthy and strong. There is only one more thing." Moving away from the group Leonde stood ready. "Come, Let me taste your voice, your fire."

Saphira blinked at him. "Come let me feel your fire." The request shocked Saphira as well as Arya and Eragon. Saphira looked to Odahviing, who gave a nod of confirmation; inhaling, Saphira opened her mouth and tried to send forth a massive gout of fire. Leonde could feel the heat from her breath; while intense, it was not flame. Unlike the dragons he was used to, he could see she did not speak words.

"Come now, is that it? Surely you can do more." Leonde said in an almost chiding tone.

"Imagine all the anger you have felt; take it, trap it, feel the raging fire of your slaughter kin. The smashed eggs. Take the pain, feel it in your gut, and give voice to your rage." The chiding words had struck a cord of anger as she did as he said, recalling the rage she felt when she learned of the Ra'zac, the sight of carnage at Yuzac. The Rage of her slaughtered ancestors, her kin, and the false King. Finally, Leonde said,

"Now, let me taste of your fire!"

And now she felt the emotions boil in her belly like sickness and inhaling once more, this time she roared, opening her mouth as a massive gout of blue flame erupted.

The Fire engulfed Leonde as, for a few moments, all they could see was his form in the stream of Fire. After a few moments, the fire ended. Having expected Leonde to be harmed, he stood in the middle of the scorched ground, armor not even smoldering. Leonde was generally unharmed other than his hair lightly singed.

"Not bad for a first time. It will only get stronger in time." Leonde said.

"Now my vision beheld another male rider on a red dragon and an elven maiden upon a green dragon. Where are these four?" Leonde asked. For now, he was trying to be polite and courteous with Arya. Even though she could see in his eyes the disdain.

"The Green Dragon egg has yet to hatch, and the Rider of the red dragon. There are complications." Arya said.

Lifting an eyebrow, "Indeed, we need to sort these complications out. I assume you are the only elven maiden in this place?"

With a nod, Leonde said, "You fight like an elven noble. I assume you are the ambassador between the elven people and here."

"I was the courier of all three eggs for fifteen years. And I spoke for Queen Islanzadí for nearly seventy between the Varden elves and Dwarves."

The talk of Dwarves caught Leonde's attention. Still, he was more focused on the fact he did get confirmation of her ambassadorial status. Doing his best to maintain and even sustain a polite tone with her.

"I am sure the green dragon egg will hatch for you. That you are the ambassador makes you unacceptable as the leader of the Dragon Riders."

"I have carried the egg for over a decade; it never once stirred for me. Why do you believe it would hatch now for me?"

"Instinct, intuition, call it what you want. If it doesn't, I will be surprised. Your experience with all three groups makes you invaluable and an adviser. If the egg hatches and joins with you if you attempt to take the leadership position, I suspect it won't go over well with many here.

Arya felt indignant at the fact this man, as powerful as he was, was forcing her into a position. Yet his argument was sound and logical; she had dealt with the Dwarves and Varden's leaders enough to know that if she assumed the leadership, they would cause problems. "If the egg hatches for me as you believe, I will not attempt to assume control of the riders. But I will not allow you to do the same either." Arya said firmly.

"We shall see what fate determines the role I assume with the Riders shall be."