A time before Galbatorix.

*Light Devil: Your welcome. I'm glad you weren't upset with me for using your character like that. I hope the things I wrote are according to your own will. If not, please notify me, I'll edit it. it pleased me a lot that you used my character and her personality very well ^_^ Everyone else, good job*

Nerinia

Wow, that was a harsh reaction. I was just curious about my sudden partner's past. I didn't insisted on that matter any longer. It seemed a private thing to him, and people do have to keep some secrets.
After the question that I wasn't supposed to make, Ballow didn't try to make any other contact with me. We stopped at a small clearing.
"Well stay here for the night"
I had no contrary opinion. I went to collect some berries and some vegetables, that found out to grow in Du Weldenvarden.
"Do you want something?" I asked politely, at Ballow, before I left. He simply answered that he had already ate.
As I walked the surroundings of the clearing, I wondered why he had let me go without him to search for food. He wasn't treating me like a captive at all. Well, after all, it was I who decided to run with him. I only acknowledge the size of my acts at that time. If the elfs did catch us, I was in trouble too. I was there on my own will. Wasn't he afraid that I would run to the elfs and sell him out? Apparently not.
I walked slowly back to Barrow, trying to figure out the feeling that came on to me the time I ran with him. It was like something stronger than a simple elf was pulling me to the adventure!
I sat next to him, in silence.
What could the night have reserved for us?

TRISTAN

Suddenly the pain stopped and I heard a voice say, "Here restrain him before he goes crazy like all of the other ones."

At the word 'restrain' I became very angry. The anger flowed through me and it seemed as if a voice, or several voices urging him to kill these fools. He gladly complied.

I turned on the men and grabbed one, throwing him through the wall. The second man I threw through the ceiling. It was so easy. I possessed a strength and speed that I never knew I had before. When the guards came after me I easily dodged all their weapons even taking one mans sword and breaking it on the next mans head. The last man started running.

A voice in his head whispered brisinger. I knew this word. I whispered it and pointed my hand at the fleeing soldier. His body burst into flames and his body fell, writhing, to the floor.

Then I killed everyone in the small castle. It was fun. Revenge for putting him through this misery.

*come on someone else post, dont let this die*

*sorry for the late response but I have been a little bit busy*


The elven guard bent down and retrieved a green egg from the roots of the Menoa Tree. Its once-a-day rest over, and soon to be returned to the hatchery. The guard cradled the egg, treating it with all the care it could muster, willing no harm to the egg. He got back to the hatchery and was hailed by another guard. They exchanged polite greetings, with all the appropriate hand gestures.

"Uulva, I was wondering when you would be back. You gave that egg extra time under the tree didn't you?" Inquired the guard.

"I always do, this egg is special to me." He looked down at the egg with compassion in his eyes.

"Do you hope it will choose you as its Rider? That would be something..." His voice trailed off.

"I'm going to return it." Without further delay he entered the hatchery, ascended the staircase leading to a vast chamber. The room was empty except for a reflective stone pool in the center. Within that pool were nine other eggs, all of various colors. It was not filled with water, strangely enough, but whatever the substance was, it was boiling hot to the touch. The guard lowered the egg into the liquid and lightly guided it to the bottom, making sure not to drop it. Satisfied, the guard turned on his heels and left, back to stand watch.

Another day... And soon another night. When will my Rider come?

The Dragon let its mind float free, touching many minds. Near the end of the Dragons reach it sensed a consciousness most foul.

Horror.

The brief brushing of minds was enough to cause the tiny Dragon alarm.

Raz'ak in Duweldenvarden? How is this possible.

The Dragon focused its mind, searching, trying to track the Raz'ak movement. Flashes of sword, blood, magic. The Raz'ak still approached, getting closer and closer. Panic set in.

Egg-eaters! They are coming for mine-and-my-own. No.

The pool started to glow green, slowly becoming brighter as the area of light spread out. Soon the whole room was glowing bright green, then the whole building was emanating the same green light.
The guards came rushing into the room, swords un-sheathed, and set up a perimeter around the pool. Unknown the them the Raz'ak had already entered the room from the roof-top, a trail of dead elven warriors in their wake.

Zeeazyx movements were no more than a blur as he rocketed himself, at an angle, from the ceiling. His sword was but a sound as it pierced the heart of the first elven guard, his parry was too late, no matter his enhanced agility. At that moment the second guard dropped, a poisoned tipped arrow protruding from his throat.

"All too easy my mate." Said Zeeazyx, approaching the pool. Sheeath fell from the ceiling and landed on the narrow stone ring of the pool. She reached into the near boiling liquid and withdrew a shimmering blue egg.

"I claim this one." Announced Sheeath. Zeeazyx reached into the pool and withdrew a green egg.

"Then this one is mine and pray I do not partake of yours." Hissed Zeeazyx, putting it within his cloak. Sheeath attempted the same but an arrow knocked it out of her hands. They both hissed and clicked in alarm as elf after elf ran into the room. The Raz'ak took no time to analyze the situation, they just fled the way they came with all haste.

"BRISINGR" Cried a female voice.

The flame was aimed at the Raz'ak retreat point and the amount of magical energy put into the spell was devastating. Half of the roof to the hatchery was blown off in one out burst of flame. Islanzadi lowered her hand and wiped the sweat from he brow, she did not even sway.

"Hunt them down. Find their spawning pool and most of all, get that egg back!" Her voice was terrifying and commanding at the same time. Her subjects scattered to the four winds. Her second in command remained behind.

"What do you plan to do Islanzadi." He bowed.

"Contact the Dragon Riders." She said without hesitation.

"As you command." He ran from the chamber and Islanzadi sat down at the stone pool.

"I will bring your brother back to you." She declared, tears touching her cheeks. One with the liquid of the pool.

Jumping from Naria's stomach to let her get up, I sat on my haunches and peered at the crowd around me. Why exactly were they sitting here staring, instead of testing out the other eggs? It wasn't that rare that a dragon hatched, yet they were standing here staring like it was.

Raising my lips to reveal my sharp, hundred-year-old teeth, I sat back down and stood on all four legs, stretching out my wings. In all respects, I was tiny. Maybe that was why they laughed.

Meat, I said, switching my gaze from one of the male elves to Naria. She glared at me, jumping up in one swift movement.

"Not meat!" she growled, following my gaze to the other elf. Either she had been angry at the fact I had mentioned eating him, or she had caught on that I wanted her to say that out loud. The male elf slowly inched away, keeping his eyes on me. He, at least, knew even a small dragon could tear him to bits.

I turned my head to catch a glimpse at the famed Islanzadi. I had waited fifty-two years for my parents to let me out so I could personally engulf her in flames, and then another fifty just to see what she looked like.

If it weren't for the truce betweeen dragon's and elves he would make a nice meal, I grumbled. Naria laughed and picked me up, turning away from the crowd and heading towards her home.

If it weren't for the truce between dragon's and elves, you wouldn't be here. Naria replied, opening her arms as I struggled to get out of them. Dropping to the ground, I sat down and stretched out my neck, attempting an elegant pose.

Looking through the corner of my eyes at Naria, I chirped then closed my eyes. What I was doing, I don't believe either of us had a clue. Opening my wings as I sat there, I momentarily forgot that I was barely a day old in human years and jumped.

Extending my wings, I flapped the speed of a humingbird, slowly elevating. Much to my displeasure, my wings failed to lift me further, and I dropped. Landing right on top of Naria, I chirped again.

Naria's face was bright red. She obviously hadn't enjoyed that like I had. Her loud oomph as she fell said it all.

"Dylis!" she yelled, lifting her head from the ground so she could look at me. I chirped, sitting up on her stomach. Naria growled then let her head fall back once more.

About to reach up and lick her face, my head stopped half way when a loud noise sounded. They were calling the dragon riders, but I was tiny. Could we still be of use?

*Geh, I was hoping for something else to happen, but being a catacalyst is kind of fun as well.*

Ballow


Ballow morphed into his cat form and sensed something was meticuously wrong. His ears twitched hearing some distant noise. It was however distant, but still alarming.

He changed back into his human form and shook Nerinia awake. Her eyes fluttered open and Ballow put a finger to her mouth, signalling her to be silent. Sitting up she took a breath and waited.

Ballows eyes dilated momentarily and then his eyes widened, somehow he managed to detect something most wouldn't ever even had thought of. He turned to Nerinia, "Somethings wrong. Elves are contacting the Dragon Riders."

Breath stuck in his throat as if he could hear tiny screams and he actually did. He frantically pulled her up and began to change into his cat form, "Follow quickly. They've got an egg. Oh, I can hear it screaming."

A moan escaped his mouth as he bounded forth. Nerinia was at a loss for what to do so she followed as fast as she could which was no match for the werecat.

Then as she came to his still form she realised he was in a defensive stance and the fur on his back was standing on end. That was when she noticed it. The wrongness in the air. Ballow hissed as he transformed into his human form.

Nerinia stared at the two figures standng in front of them Raz'ak. The smell of elf blood hung heavily in the air and Ballow's eyes trayed to the pouch in which he knew the egg was held. A painful expression crossed ihs face, "Give it to me."

Laughter followed. One of them talked, "And so the little barely mature werecat thinks he can defeat us."

Then the inhuman eyes flickered to Nerinia, "And his companion a half-elf."

More laughter. Ballow hissed at them, "The egg, return it."

The Raz'ak clciked at him and conversed between themselves. One of them handed the egg to the other and then the one with the egg ran off. The Raz'ak that was left smiled, "If you want it back you have to go through me first."

Through clenched teeth he replied, "No problem."

Naria-

My ears twitched at the sound of the call. One for the Riders, one much closer to my heart.

We must go. Dylis pointed with her nose towards the headquarters.

I lept into a crouch, opening my mind as far as it would go. Wrongness. Stench. Clicks. Screams. Howls. Hisses. HORROR

My eyes flew open as the animals' messages came to me. An image formed in my mind: the Ra'Zac.... With a dragon egg.

By the time we get there it'll be too late! I got up and pounced into a tree, sending my magic through the roots.

Dylis climbed up the tree and nipped my hand. We must go now then!

"Waíse hljödhr (Be silent)" I commanded in the Ancient Language. She shook her head and clawed at her muzzle. I felt my energy drop as she fought, but I couldn't release the spell. Not yet. Not until I knew where the Ra'Zac were.

There! I stopped the flow of magic and leaped down to the ground. Dylis followed me, landing on my shoulders. Expecting such a weight, I was ready. Before she could say anything I ran into the old-growth.

What are you doing? she demanded, her claws latching into my shoulder. I put a ward around my head so she couldn't bite my ear. We must answer the Rider's call!

I continued to run in the other direction. The call sounded again, but I could feel the Ra'Zac were close now.

I am answering it. In my own way.

I halted at the edge of a clearing. Hisses and clicks resonated from it, as well as a voice.

Slowly I crept up, seeing a werecat and a half-elf fighting the monsters. In one smooth movement I was out of the undergrowth, palm raised.

"Jierda!"

I heard a crack from one of the Ra'zac's shell. It hissed and turned towards me.

Dylis, perhaps wisely, jumped off my shoulders. What are you doing?

Ignoring her, I grabbed a low hanging branch and quickly sharpened it into a point with magic. My mouth moving at lightning speed I finished my task right when the Ra'zac was almost on top of me. I jumped into a tree and hurled the sharpened stick at the creature. "Thrysta!"

Aided by magic, the stick went into the already weakened shell, spilling ocean blue blood through the widening cracks. I pushed the stick deeper. The Ra'zac hissed and collapsed onto the ground, dead.

I looked up to see the werecat beginning to gain scratches on the remaining Ra'zac's exoskeleton. I focused on one of those weak points, commanding it in the Ancient Language to open wider. Blue blood began to spill out. I whispered a final command for the Ra'zac's blood to leave it's body so the werecat would come to no harm. Soon it was on the ground, perfectly still.

My task finished, I turned back into the forest.

"Wait!" A voice cried. Whether it belonged to the werecat or the half-elf I did not care. I was about to vanish into the shadows when Dylis positioned herself in front of me, hissing for all she was worth.

You helped them and they have asked you to stay. It's your duty as a Rider to help them.

I looked over my shoulder; the half elf was tending to the wounds on the werecat, him not looking happy about being taken care of.

I sighed. I did my duty by helping them defeat the Ra'Zac.

Dylis snapped, continuing to hiss. You still have a duty to dragon-kind by returning the egg. Go Help Them!

Lifting my hands in surrender I turned around and went back to the clearing, Dylis on my heels. "Do you need any help?"

(Ahh, you might want to rethink your post. You just killed off someone's character. . . I'll write around it, so maybe it'll end up that the Raz'ak wasn't dead.)

Ballow

On the person's shoulder sat a small dragon and Ballow glanced at it in alarm. He smiled at the dragon and whispered into its mind, Thank you He didn't bother thanking the actual rider.

Flicking of Nerinia's attempt of help Ballow turned into his cat form and sent thoughts to all three of them, The other Raz'ak still has an egg. We'll go after it. Help would be appreciated. The last part moslty directed at the dragon.

Then he bounded off in the general direction that Raz'ak had gone. The Rider and half-elf followed. Ballow could feel the injuries sapping his energy and not for the first time he cursed himself for being a werecat. Werecats injuries healed at a faster rate, but then they needed sleep.

With a growl he sped up and then froze, a Click. was heard from behind him. Ballow spun around and waited. Then the other Raz'ak emerged with what seemed to be a smile on it's face.

He hissed at the Raz'ak and transformed into his human self. Scratches on his body were already half healed and the bruises were fading slowly. A set of tiredness racked his body, but he ignored it and closed his eyes.

The Raz'ak watched him, possibly amused at his antics. Then with cat like reflexes he flipped his hand underneath his shirt and pulled a flask out. Flipping the flask open he splashed the contents onto the Raz'ac.

Finally Nerinia and the dragon rider appared so watch as the Raz'ac retreated and fumblingas it were dropped the egg.

Ballow cuahgt it before it hit the ground and he cradled it to his chest. He let out a sigh of relief.

The Dragon Rider stared at him in suspisouc disbelief, "What did you spill on it?"


(Anyone who knows what that liquid that Eragon put on his finger and it away his flesh is called?)

Sheeath felt the pangs of sorrow as the link between her hatch mate and herself shattered.

Zeeazyx has fallen, I shall tear them all to peices! She hissed

Just then movement caught her eye and she tasted magic on the air. The egg was stripped from her claws as the attackers made themselves known. Twas naught but a Dragon hatchling a couple cats and an elf child. She knew the child to be very dangerous so she took the only option left to her, retreat.

She watched from the shadows as they recovered the egg and followed them.

She waited until night time. The fools had not rushed to return the egg, they could have made it back before night had fallen. They were confident.

The oppertunity presented itself and quicker and stealthier than a were-cat she snatched the egg again.

She ran throughout the night, being at an advantage, and covered many leagues. Only a hundred or so miles until she could call Bartha, her mother. As she approached the edge of Duweldenvarden, and the sun was beginning to crest in the sky, she noticed a humanoid figure which closed the distance between them faster than any human could. She was caught off guard at his speed and a pale fist crashed into her skull, causing a mandible to fall off. She tucked and rolled, got to her feet and jumped as high as her strength would allow. She landed in a tree nearly forty feet high. The humanoid kicked the tree once, twice and on the third kick shattered it. Sheeath fell to the ground and a heavy boot stepped on her chest, pinning her to the ground.

She gurgled and hissed and spat:

"What are you?"

"I am a Shade but not by choice, die foul creature. Andlat"

Sheeath made no more noise as the life drained from her person. The Shade bent down and retrieved the green egg and eyed it closely. He pocketed it and continued on his way.

*So im assuming Tristan just killed you. sorry bout that*

I took the egg from the body and started running back the way we had come. I was faster than the Raz'ac but it would still take me a while. I used the time to think of ways that I could give the egg back. I could not see the rider, the half elf, and the were-cat. Then I would just kill them. Going to Ellesmera was out of the question. MY only option would be to drop it in their camp before they woke up, and if they were already moving then what would would I do? I considered my options as I ran.

When I was close to the camp I leapt up into a tree and then used my momentum to push me up me higher. When I was far above the camp I saw that they were moving around. looking for the egg. I cursed silently and readjusted the egg in my bag. If this was going to work I would have to be fast and I would have to have complete control of my body.

I stepped off the branch and fell to the forest floor. There was a crack as the ground i landed on collapsed. I stood up slowly, making sure no harm had come to the egg and saw that the elf, the half elf, and the were-cat were all staring at me in shock. I took the bag the egg was in off my shoulder and laid it on the ground.

I was looking for some sort of response but none was coming so I said, "The other Raz'ac is taken care of. You have a clear road back to Ellesmera.

The fight was over, blood had been spilled, yet now he was safe. He touched the minds of all those present at the camp. He could feel the tension and fear. He focused his thoughts on his rescuer, of all the things on Alagaesia, a Shade that maintained its human mind. He could sense the spirits harbored within, suppressed by an uncanny ability to shield his own mind. He felt that the Shade was departing and he cried out knowing that he wouldn't be heard, calling out for him to touch his egg again.

Tristan stopped, no apparent reason other than luck, walked back over to the egg (that was now being admired by the other rescuers) and snatched it out of the youngling-elfs hands.

"Hey!" She sounded affronted.

Tristan drew the egg closer, admiring the darkness of the green. What it would be like to fly!

The egg glowed green, only briefly, and the Shade roared out in pain. The egg cracked open and a tiny green Dragon rolled out onto the canopy floor. The tiny Dragon almost seemed frightened to be around so many, but only because the Dragon had just realized it did not have the ability to freely touch minds. His consciousness shot down by their invisible walls... The were-cats looked hungry. Then he was there. Tristan scooped up the Dragon and darted away at a speed frightening for a two-legged. He became aware of the mind so freely linked and was flooded with emotion. Tristan was constantly barraged by the spirits will, yet always they were battered down. He would put a stop to this. The Dragon reinforced Tristans defenses and the spirits were no match for their combined strength, they dare not waste the energy to even attack anymore. Relief flooded the bond.

"Praise be to all the gods of Alagaesia, both light and dark, for hatching you to me."

"Meat."

"Soon little one, soon." Tree branches cracked and woodland animals fled as the Shade moved through the forest, faster than any elf could ever hope to match. His Dragon had hatched.

*Erm, doesn't a Shade becoming a Rider break the natural laws of Alagaesia??*

Naria-

It couldn't happen. Somebody both a Shade and a Rider? Dylis trembled on my shoulder; I took her into my arms. Worry was the only thing that ran through our minds.

"How...?" the half-elf whispered.

I held my hand up as Dylis spoke to me.

That Shade's humanity is stronger then the spirits controlling him. I could sense it in the dragon's mind.

I relayed the message, getting shocked looks from everybody.

The werecat swayed on his feet, exhausted from his body healing. "Will he-- will he lose control?"

I listened to Dylis speak more, A dragon's power is much stronger then a human will. No spirit is stronger then such a mighty creature.

I wrinkled my nose at the smugness in her mind voice and spoke. "Not acording to Dylis. With a dragon helping him, that Shade is almost a true human. All he has is the body of a Shade."

The half-elf, Nerinia, crossed her arms. "Which means he's going to be our best friend or our worst enemy."

I sighed. "That just about sums it up."

The werecat, Ballow, closed his eyes and fell. I let Nerinia pick him up, my arms full of a still shaking Dylis.

I sighed. I didn't want to be looking for a Shade in Du Weldervain. I didn't want to lug around a half-elf and a werecat to Elesmira. And I certainly didn't want to tell the Riders what happened to that stolen egg. I could still hear the call of the animals and old-growth, calling me to save them from the Shade. Dylis prodded my mind, reminding me that I could no longer just do what I wanted. I would already be in trouble for not answering the Rider's call, even though I had defeated the two Ra'Zac.

I sighed again, knowing what I had to do.

"Come on, we need to get to Elesmira."

Nerinia

To a Shade to have the power of a dragon rider... it was almost unimaginable. of course, Shades are powerful but as so are the riders. And now a Shade that's a rider too. That thought scared and intrigued me. What could his next move be? Would he turn to darkness? Or would he do the Riders job?
Ballow tried to fight back the sleep that was taking over him, due to his healing process, to see the end of this matter. What should I do? Could I return to Ellesmera? We weren't that far. Maybe 2 or 3 days away at a fast speed.
Well, Ballow did want to get in Ellesmera, so maybe catching a ride with the Rider would be helpful. I would let that decision to him. For now, he was asleep, and was a little tired too. The memories were too confused and too fast. Somehow, my arm had a little scratch.
Hum, you fight two Ra'Zac and only got out with a scratch. Nice.
The small bleeding stop in a matter of seconds. The Dragon Rider still stared at me.
"Aren't you coming?"
"I don't know. Maybe we should wait 'till he wakes up", I said pointing to Ballow, who was comfortably asleep in my arms.
She pondered my suggestion; probably talking to the dragon in her arms.

Nerinia

To a Shade to have the power of a dragon rider... it was almost unimaginable. Of course, Shades are powerful but as so are the riders. And now a Shade that's a rider too. That thought scared and intrigued me. What could his next move be? Would he turn to darkness? Or would he do the Riders job?
Ballow tried to fight back the sleep that was taking over him, due to his healing process, to see the end of this matter. What should I do? Could I return to Ellesmera? We weren't that far. Maybe 2 or 3 days away at a fast speed.
Well, Ballow did want to get in Ellesmera, so maybe catching a ride with the Rider would be helpful. I would let that decision to him. For now, he was asleep, and I was a little tired too. The memories were too confused and too fast. Somehow, my arm had a little scratch.
Hum, you fight two Ra'Zac and got out with only a scratch. Nice.
The small bleeding stop in a matter of seconds. The Dragon Rider still stared at me.
"Aren't you coming?"
"I don't know. We should wait 'till he wakes up", I said pointing to Ballow, who was comfortably asleep in my arms.
She pondered my suggestion; probably talking to the dragon in her arms.

*well this was a little unexpected. I'm working on a way to balance my character. The last thing I want is to be omniscient*

My mind raced as I ran through the forest. What the h*** just happened?! How could there be someone who was both a Shade and a Dragonrider? Dragons were cretures of virtue, good by nature, and I was evil. I was a monster. Why would it choose me

I came to no conclusions as I ran. It might have been because the Spirits kept battering at my wall. Urging me to use the power of the dragon to kill all of the elves. I told them no with as much force as I could, but my wall was starting to crumble. I conserved my will, and right before the wall collapsed under their assault I launched it. What happened, I did not expect. The dragon joined me and the spirits were pushed out of my head. They were not gone, that could not happen so easily, but the wall between them was stronger than ever.

I looked at the Dragon with mixed emotions. Love, for what it had just done for me. Hate, because no matter how hard we tried, we would fall to the evil, and it would die. I hated myself for what I would do, but I knew that a Shade could not be a Dragon Rider. It was too much power for something as Evil as me to posess.

I had been running so fast that in moments we were out of the forest. The sun hit my face and i stopped, still standing on a tall branch. I let it cover me, and I fealt a little of its warmth flow into my body. In the light I found a little bit of optimism. Maybe this could work. But there was one problem. What do we do about the other dragonriders?

I wasn't sure if that last thought was mine, or the dragons.