The Name of Names

~17: Fellow Riders~

This room was by far the largest, and looked as though it could fit several dragons. A long table was placed slightly to the side of the room, where four people were seated. Two elves, a dwarf, and a human were those four, and when Eragon entered, they inclined their head in respect.

Eragon spoke, "This is Vanya, the new rider." he announced.

Vanya felt strangely awkward as she made her way over to the table, taking a seat next to the human, as it was closest.

Eragon took his place at the head of the table, when Saphira spoke, projecting her voice over them all, Dragons, you may come with me. We will catch our dinner.

Vanya could feel Kaldar's excitement, and smiled at his enthusiasm. Saphira took off towards the sky, and Vanya realized there was no roof on the building. The five dragons followed her, taking off into the night.

Studying where the roof should be for a moment, Vanya realized the heat must be kept inside the building by some sort of magic.

The food was already on the table, and Vanya noted with relief that it was mostly fruits and vegetables. Each served himself, and the talk began between the group. The human introduced himself as Aiden, and struck up a conversation with her.

Eventually, Vanya felt more comfortable as he asked her about Elesmera, and about herself.

Soon, she started asking him questions, and learned he was from Narda, close to the Spine and the sea. The eggs had been taken to the village, and many people had lined up, eager to touch the eggs and see if they would hatch for them. Aiden had decided to try, and he had explained, that before he even touched his dragon, Ivy's, egg, he had had a feeling it would hatch for him.

He shook his head when trying to describe what it felt like.

"I understand," she said, smiling.

He grinned back, and Vanya felt a friendship begin to form.

"How long have you been at Evarinya?" she asked, taking a sip of water.

"Awhile now, about seven years." He answered easily, "I'm not really sure how long the whole training is in total, though."

Vanya nodded, and returned to eating. The rest of the meal was passed in silence on Vanya's part, as Aiden had joined in the other's conversation. While he did so, Vanya had a chance to study the Riders.

There was, of course, Aiden, who was a human. His hair was black, and tied back in a small ponytail at the base of his neck. His eyes were hazel, and they showed loyalty, although Vanya couldn't know how she 'saw' that.

The one on Aiden's left side was a dwarf. He had a thick red beard, with strands braided into it. At the moment he didn't have a helmet on, although she saw it on the empty space next to him. He was clad at the moment in a simple red tunic.

At the head was Eragon, and then on his other side was one of the elves. He had golden hair, with piercing green eyes that held a piece of superiority in them. He looked older than the rest of the elves, and was currently talking to the elf next to him.

She had a gentle look about her, with soft blue eyes and light brown hair. She took a sip of water as Vanya watched her, smiling at a comment the previous elf described had made.

Vanya looked away, studying the group as a whole for a second before returning to her meal. The rest of the meal passed slowly, and ended with her leaving, heading back to her home.

The stars beamed above them, and Vanya paused to look at them, appreciating their ethereal beauty. She could feel the connection with Kaldar coming back slowly, and felt comforted somewhat. Being a dragon rider had not been what she had imagined, and she knew there would always be a difference between hearing things, and actually experiencing them. She had read about the connection between Dragons and their Riders, but only now truly appreciated the bond between them.

Kaldar appeared in the distance, a tiny black speck behind others as the other's dragons came closer to Evarinya. Smiling, Vanya turned and ran back to the house, breathing in the fresh air and excited for the new day to begin her training.