Dragon Riders (An Eragon Storybook) - Paused and Accepting

Zilla gave a shy smile before turning to the food. The first platter was full of steaming roasted vegetables, the next piled high with succulent meat. Roasted potatoes glistened in a silver dish. A tureen of smooth soup sent a tantalising smell across Zilla's nose. She set to work, helping herself to a little of everything. Then she saw the utensils. Rows of shining forks, knifes and spoons. This was something entirely new. She peered at the silver implements from different angles, then spotted Grey's amused expression. After a moment's hesitation, she conceded.
"How do I know what to use first?" she asked, reddening.

Grey

"This is by no means something to be ashamed of, dear girl - perfectly understandable," said Grey, smiling.
"Once your studies progress, I can teach you how to levitate your food, how to create it... if you please me, I can make you immortal - you shall have no need for food" Grey hadn't touched anything.
"You use the knives for anything you can't cut, such as meat - not the bread. The spoons for liquid or semi liquid foods, and the forks to eat anything else." Patiently, he showed her how to, until he was satisfied.

Spoiler

I expect Zilla will be curious at this tantalizing new offer of power...

"Why would you teach me all this? And you said you are immortal," Zilla said quickly. "H-how? I mean—if it is not rude to ask..." She trailed off and ducked her head. The shade of pink on her cheeks deepened to crimson.

Grey

Grey smiled at the girl's discomfort.
"Eat first. Questions are better answered on a full stomach... and there's no need to be embarrassed. Many have asked me - though few have received a straight answer: count yourself honored. Let it suffice, for now, that there are many, many kinds of immortality.

Zilla ate her food in silence, stopping only to feed her falcon. She avoided Grey's keen gaze. Finally, all the food had been sampled and she was sated. She turned to Grey with an expectant look.

Grey

"Did you like the food?" Grey asked.
Zilla nodded shyly.
"Good. As I see you're eager, your first lesson will be about magic"
Zilla sat up straighter, looking expectant.
"Magic.... what is magic?" began Grey. He stood and spread his arms wide. "Today, magic is words, the Ancient Language of the Elves. Magicians speak the words to achieve the tasks they wish to accomplish. Simple enough"
Zilla nodded again, enraptured.
"But, the question arises, what is that energy?" Grey was becoming animated, gesticulating. "The Grey Folk, my people, bound that energy into words, taming it. I now believe even they do not fully understand what that energy was... imagination. Imagination and will. A magician uses his imagination to envision the results, and applies his will to achieve the results. Do you understand me? This is fundamental, dear girl - this is the secret of all magic, which even the Riders to not know. The Word, the Word of magic, is nothing more than the true name of magic... but that is, ultimately, an imperfection. If one can imagine the results, no Word can stop the magician... I see this is too much for you. Reflect on this. "

Zilla swallowed, mind racing. This was completely different to Shen's definition of a lesson. "You mean that a magician envisions something, then uses his will to make it happen?" She held up her hands, scarred with Shen's magical symbols. "So I don't really need these? I can just use my mind?"

Grey

Grey surged forward, concern etched on his face.
"You didn't show me those marks..." he waved a hand, and Zilla's palms cleared.
"And yes, your imagination and a strong force of will is all that's required - of course, this is very dangerous. Do not attempt this until you are a master magician, Zilla. For now, I shall teach you the words, and a few tricks as well"

Zilla turned her palms over, pulse quickening. "This is what you meant, isn't it?" she gasped. "No words, only will. Teach me more! Show me how to make fire, or lift things, or heal wounds. Please, show me anything!"

Grey

Grey chuckled softly.
"Were you not listening when I said this was incredibly dangerous? I'll teach you the basics, but for now, the words will suffice. Also, I understand Shen taught you fire. I can show you much, much more that what he ever could. We'll start with that"

Zilla lifted her hand and smiled. She snapped her fingers and murmured, "Thrysta."
A tongue of flame scorched the air and looped around itself gracefully.
"I can't really control it," she said. "What should I do?"

Vrael Aramist and Aetherium

I listened as Arya read part of the message from Eragon aloud, "Vrael is now a master rider with all of the rights and privileges included in that. I have also placed an eldunari in his care that of Umaroth." She looked at me surprised and continued reading. "He will soon be ready to begin training riders himself."

I looked at her flabbergasted, "Your highness, Eragon told me I was now prepared to return but nothing of me being a master rider, or training other riders." I looked at the ground shocked.

Umaroth chose now to speak to everyone through our minds. If that is what the message says Vrael I would trust Eragon's judgement. You may be young Vrael but your skills have grown quickly I would trust him.

I looked to Aetherium and he nodded his head in agreement. "If that is what Eragon has written then it is so."

Suddenly a call for help rang through the air. Suddenly Lairyn inquired as to if we would join them in their journey to Osilon,

I ran and hopped on Aetherium's saddle, "you shouldn't go without master so either Arya or I should accompany you. Arya shouldn't leave Ellesmara without a rider to guard it a darkness is in the air. So I shall go in her stead."

"And I am coming with you," declared Violetta.
"No," said Vrael. "Stay with Queen Arya at Ellesmera."
"No," said Violetta, with equal determinedness. "Queen Arya is perfectly capable of defending Ellesmera without me. Or are you questioning her abilities?"
Vrael reddened. "Of course not," he blustered.
"Then I shall accompany you. Whatever is going on in the west, it might be big."
Arya laughed as Violetta leaped onto Veritasia's back with a triumphant air.
"There is no stopping her," the queen said. "Fly safely!"
Shall we go, Veri? Violetta queried.
You know I don't need any encouragement to fly, Veritasia said. We shall outstrip them all!
And the dragons took off.

(IM BAAACK! Thank-you barefootrunner for being my character while I was away. I really appreciate it.)

Violetta Jade

I had been absoloutly dying for some action and it just came running at me like a bull.

(Sorry to cut it short.)