The Name of Names

~20: The Limits of One's Magic~

Eragon locked the doors as he left through them, renewing the enchantments he had made. Going through the last door, he walked up the steps, receiving many curious glances from the young Riders. They didn't voice any questions, however, knowing better than to mingle in other's business. Eragon stepped out through the double doors which led to and from the great hall, and just barely caught a glimpse of Vanya running through the woods.

Trouble? Saphira asked smugly.

I take it her dragon is more... teachable? Eragon asked, watching Kaldar's head look towards the forest where Vanya had gone. He saw the internal battle as he decided whether to follow or not. Eventually, he made up his mind, and turned back to Saphira.

Much. Saphira said, before returning to the lesson she had been teaching.

It was some time later when Vanya walked back through the forest, her emotions under control outwardly. She was still angry, but didn't let it show as she walked straight back to the house.

Kaldar was already curled up in his usual place, and Vanya went to the bed, slipping under the covers. She still didn't allow the connection between them to come back, not wanting any questions about what had occurred, although she figured that he already knew.

The waking dreams came soon and welcoming, taking Vanya away into sleep.

In the morning, she awoke early, and changed into one of the fresh pairs of clothes that were in the changing room. She brushed her hair, rebraiding it then, and washed her face before strapping on her old sword and leaving the building.

The sounds of swords on swords filled the air as the dragon riders sparred each other, Eragon sparring the one odd rider, the elf with brown hair and a dark purple sword.

Vanya took a deep breath in, and let it out slowly, before continuing to the training fields. When Eragon saw her, he raised a hand, signaling the end of the match with the elf. She bowed, pressing a hand to her chest before leaving, joining Aiden and another Rider, and making it a three person match.

Eragon approached Vanya, and Vanya watched him come, her mask of emotions coming into place.

"Your lessons will begin immediately," he said, "follow me." He walked into the forest, going through it to the edge of the island, with the sound of waves crashing onto the rocks at the bottom of the cliff they were now standing on.

"As an elf, I know you already know how to speak, and write in the ancient language," Eragon said, looking out at the sea. "So, we will only practice it some, saving other areas to take up our time."

"Such as?"

"You will see in time." Eragon said, dismissing her question for the time being. "You will refer to Saphira and I as 'master' or 'ebrithil'; which ever you prefer to use. Is that clear?"

"Yes." Vanya said emotionlessly.

"I will ask this in the beginning, to make sure," Eragon continued, "Are you aware of what Kaldar is doing at this moment?"

"Why should I need to be?" she asked, not wanting to speak with him right then.

"Because that is the strength of a dragon and Rider." Eragon emphasized, "Without that bond, either of you are nothing unusual. You are just an elf, and he is just a dragon. But together, you are something. You form a strong bond, and are powerful together."

"How did you stop Wyrda the other night without the ancient language?" Vanya changed the subject abruptly, asking the question that had been on her mind ever since. 

It does take some humbling, at least to ask that. Eragon acknowledged, although she has far to go.

"You will learn when the time is right." He said, knowing she was not quite ready for that knowledge.

He saw Vanya's frustration, though she tried to cover it, and thought through a sort of plan. Saphira? He asked, telling her the plan.

She was quiet for a moment, thinking it through carefully. I believe in this case that it is necessary to humble her. And I believe your plan will do that.

Eragon nodded, focusing again on Vanya, who was waiting for him to speak.

"We will be practicing magic today." He announced. "No swords, and for the time being, no mind battles."

Vanya nodded, raising her hands in preparation to begin.

Assuming that the battle had already begun, she barked out, "Brisingr!" A blast of fire exploded towards Eragon.

He reacted quickly and effortlessly, "Brisingr, letta." The fire stopped, being held mid-air by Eragon's spell, and Vanya released it to preserve her energy.

Spells were cast, and blocked by the other person, with no clear victor each one. Vanya felt her confidence boost as she kept ontop of his magic, blocking his attacks easily.

Eragon began to barely murmur his spells, and Vanya followed his example, making the battle harder, as they didn't know which exact spell the other had used, or how to repel it.

As the time ticked away, Vanya was forced to admit to herself that she was outmatched, once again. Her practice in Elesmera had been limited, at best, and she had had no real-life practice, besides using simple spells for menial tasks. She could do complex spells, yes, but she didn't know them easily, and they didn't fall off her tongue naturally.

Her energy was sapping, and she couldn't take time now to draw energy off of the plants around her, for fear of losing concentration. As it was, she tried to use the most basic of spells to preserve what energy she had left, although she soon realized Eragon was purposely forcing her to do complex ones, and ones that spent more energy.

She refused to give up, however, and kept going until she was exhausted, and dripping with sweat. The sun was past mid-day already, adding to the factors that were sapping her energy.

Finally, she knew that her energy was getting close to being all spent, and didn't try to block the ice attack that he sent at her. It stopped just short of her neck, before Eragon clenched his fist, breaking it apart into many small shards.

"Again." He said calmly, "this time with minds."

"Do you want to kill me?" Vanya growled, filled with anger to the point of snapping.

"You are not close to death yet, Rider. Or do you wish to give up?"

"Fine." Vanya spat out, "Do you wish for me to say it out loud then? I give up." She turned sharply on her heel, her hair flying out behind her, leaving the cliff's edge and stalking into the forest.

She was sweaty and tired, but she kept walking, not caring where she went. As she went farther, she sensed a vast presence, ancient as the sun. Her breathing steadied as she reached mentally into a tree to take a small amount of energy from it, and she continued, coming across a small building, where she knew the presence, or as she realized now, presences, dwelt.