"I'll make this short," began Grey. "As you know - or I hope so, after my lecture - fire is nothing but the manifestation of imagination, and will is imposed to create fire. Much is possible" He waved a hand, and the whole room burst into flame. Zilla looked at herself first in shock, then wonder. For the fire was there, but it didn't burn. Grey clapped his hands, and the fire extinguished itself. "Think of fire. Concentrate on it. Now, envision anything you wish in flames"
Zilla looked around the room for inspiration, trying to find something that she could not damage. Finally her eyes turned to the rose pin on her cloak. She removed it and placed it on the table. Grey was watching. Zilla closed her eyes and concentrated. "I am ready," she murmured. "Is this where I should enforce my will?"
"Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts" - Einstein
Without pausing, Zilla intensified the mental pressure until her mind throbbed. Her body trembled with the strain. Just as she was about to reach breaking point, a column of flame engulfed the small metal pin for a second before snapping out with a loud crack. She gasped for breath as her vision flickered and dizziness threatened to overtake her. The rose spun on the table before her.
"Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts" - Einstein
Aleana climbed onto my saddle as Aetherium and Violetta declared that they would accompany me. Then they took off, and I leaped into the air after them. The wind whipped along my sleek form as we flew, a team of dragons and riders soaring to Osilon, where untold adventure awaited them...
After a few more moments of basking in flight and the feeling of journeying, I began to think more seriously about things. What awaited us at Osilon? It had to be dangerous, for someone to send a signal so wide. Suddenly I was glad that we had an Eldunari with us. It still surprised me that Vrael and Aetherium had become master dragon and rider, but if Eragon had deemed them skilled enough to raise them to that level, then I was all the more glad to have them as well. We would probably need all the skill we could muster...
"We need not to be let alone. We need to be really bothered once in a while. How long is it since you were really bothered? About something important, about something real?"
"Good, Zilla, Good," he said. Grey waved a hand, and the rose reshaped itself and latched onto Zilla's shirt, just above her heart. "Now, you might want to rest a little, and think about what I have told you. Haedr will be teaching you swordsmanship next"
Spoiler
Barefootrunner - we'll be showing this lesson. A little move called 'Rider Slayer'. Perfected by Grey, naturally.
Zilla thanked Grey before walking back to her mountain peak, swaying only slightly. When she reached her bedroom, she collapsed onto the bed and waited for the tremors in her legs to subside. The falcon settled beside her and preened its feathers. There was an unfamiliar warmth at her shoulder—the rose pin cooled slowly.
Swordsmanship, Zilla mused. With Haredr. Another immortal? Haredr. The name was strange. She set about pacing again. Her legs had regained their strength. How long should she rest? I used so much strength on one spell, and yet—Grey could set the entire room on fire at a glance! She resolved to work hard to improve. She could not allow herself to be weak. She had to be strong. I shall be a master swordsman. I shall be a great magician. I shall be the best.
"Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts" - Einstein
I rose to my feet, tears streaming down my face. “Do not worry little one...” “Eylania! Please, let it go this time.” I growled at her. She shied away because of my words and I kicked at the dust. I stared up into the sky and whispered several words to locate my sword. I could barely feel it because it was so far away. “It figures.” I mumbled to myself. I began trudging towards Aryn who was busy healing Brare. “Are you okay?” he asked with a hint of concern. “Yeah, whatever.” I fumed. He too looked hurt. “Well, let’s go see if there are any survivors in the town, then go to Eragon.” He nodded and lept up onto his dragon. I stumbled over to Eylania and slowly climbed up. “I’m sorry Eylania.” I mumbled. She didn’t answer. A dragons pride doesn’t bend very far. She scrambled into the sky after Brare with a fearsome bellow and rapidly ascended to three thousand feet. “Eylania!” I coughed. “Go lower!” She swooped down towards the town and caught up with Brare. “You are forgiven.” I rolled my eyes. “Was that really necessary?” “Yes.” We sailed over the town and swooped down low. Eylania landed in a thick pile of ash, spraying it up several feet, right into my face. “Thanks.” “You’re welcome.” Eylania cheerfully replied. I lept out of her saddle and walked over to where Aryn was standing. “So? Where do we start?”
We flew over Carvahall, or the ruins. I muttered some spells to search for life, but I found none. I looked at Atanir's somber expression and knew that I looked the same also.
"There's no one here. We should go now."
"A while longer." she pleaded.
I could hear the desperation in her voice and consented. We finally turned away from Carvahall. "Brare and I are tired. We would like to stop in Osilon for a short time. We can refresh ourselves before we head to Ellesmera and tell Queen Arya of what happened and where we are going. Do you agree? I don't mind if we don't stop in Osilon." I rambled.
"Battle fever still has a grip on me. I'm not very calm, am I?" I said to Brare.
He chuckled, which sounded like a large grating noise. I laughed and teased Brare, who then snorted fiercely and plunged into a corkscrew drive.
"I guess he's not as tired as I thought." I grinned.
"The one thing I regret about reading is not being able to live the lifes and adventures of the characters. Maybe that's why I want to write; to create a story that somebody else would want to live."- Me
"What is your bidding, my master?" Haedr asked, bowing in front of Grey. "Go and bring me Zilla," Grey replied. They were standing in the arena where swordsmanship was conducted. Steam curled gently from the cracked earthen floors. "It is time we begin her teachings in the way of the sword."
Zilla heard the footsteps on the stairs. "Who's there?" she called, sitting up and rearranging her cloak. Her falcon hopped onto her shoulder again. A man appeared in the doorway. His eyes bored into her own and she swallowed, looking down at her rose pin for comfort.
"My name is Haredr," he said in a silky voice. "I am to teach you swordsmanship. Or swordswomanship, in this case." His mouth curled up at the corner. Zilla gave a relieved smile and slid off her bed. Grey must have sent him. "I'm Zilla," she replied, bowing. "I am honoured to be your student." "Follow me, please," Haredr said, stepping into the slide and vanishing. Zilla followed after a few seconds' delay. She did not want to risk landing on top of him at the end.
"This way," Haredr motioned as they walked. Finally they emerged into a large, impressive arena. Zilla gasped and Haredr gave a satisfied smile. "Is this where I will be trained?" she gaped. Steam spiralled from the floor. "This is so— so big!"
"Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts" - Einstein
