The Name of Names

~23: Fights to Relinquish~

You know, he probably thinks I was just trying to be polite because he was an elf. Vanya sighed, and tossed a rock into the sea.

Maybe. But, at least he knows you can hold your temper now. Kaldar was sitting right beside her, cleaning his scales with his barb-covered tongue.

The problem is, I need to battle a human or dwarf to show I've really changed. And neither of them will do that! Vanya launched another rock, and it flew several yards before arching down.

Perhaps Aiden will. Kaldar suggested.

No, I already asked him. Right before the other elf challenged me, just to show that I was weak compared to elven standards. Vanya reached for another rock, finding they were all gone, crossed her arms instead, and drew her knees up.

You will have to spar again, for practice, and it will most likely be with one of the elves. Keep doing your best, and show them you are changed. Kaldar spoke with his deep voice, dropping onto all fours, and laying down with only his head still up.

Since when did you become the wise old mentor? Vanya scratched under his neck.

Ever since you started needing it. He bumped her hand away, chuckling.

I am way older than you, you know that?

Yes.

Vanya rolled her eyes, smiling, and looked out across the sea. She stood up, and walked to the edge of the cliff, looking down at the rocks that made it up.

She rotated herself until her back was facing the sea, and then leaped backwards, doing a flip mid-air.

Vanya! Kaldar's roar echoed through the island, and Vanya laughed, the wind whipping her hair as she fell.

"Letta." she said, her eyes tearing up, and she stopped falling, hovering midair.

Looking around, she searched for where the rocks connected with the almost non-existent shore. Finding it, she moved in the air towards it before dropping herself down onto the grass.

You'd think that you would get used to that. Vanya commented, walking at an angle to avoid the rocks.

You'd think that you would stop doing that. Kaldar growled. After a moment he added, Eragon is coming.

And he wouldn't be if you hadn't roared so loud, Vanya reminded him teasingly, walking along the strip of shore, and pressing her hand against the rough rocks.

"Kaldar?" Vanya heard Eragon's voice faintly at the top, and she heard Kaldar answer through his mind, Everything is alright, Ebrithil.

"Alright." Eragon answered without question, and then turned, starting to leave the cliffs when he stopped. "Where is Vanya?"

Kaldar sounded amused, Taking a bit of time to herself to disregard safety.

Eragon nodded, slowly, a bit confused, and then turned, leaving the cliffs.

Disregarding safety?? Vanya demanded, reaching the end of the strip of land, where the waves crashed up onto the small amount of grass there was. She sat down, facing the ocean, and Kaldar answered, Yes. You were.

Good grief. Vanya said, enjoying the view from where she was sitting. We should come here tonight for the sunset. She said, soaking in the rugged beauty of the sea. Of the lapping waves, rolling on and on forever as the eye could see.

Kaldar launched off the cliff, flying down to Vanya, where he beat his wings to keep above the waves. There's not much room down here. He commented.

I suppose. Vanya said, although I'm sure there's a way we could fix that. Or find another area similar to this one.

Hm. Now, get on, and let's go back up.

Vanya smiled faintly, Alright then, overprotective one. Backing up as far as she could—which wasn't very far at all—she jumped towards Kaldar, landing on her stomach on top of him.

Kaldar sank down under her weight, before flapping his wings again to gain altitude. One of these days, you are going to kill yourself.

Vanya grinned, rubbing her sore ribs as she resituated on him, but didn't comment.

Kaldar got up onto the cliff, flying back to the main training area, where Eragon and the other Riders were all practicing magic.

Late for a lesson. Not good. Vanya almost face-palmed, Why didn't he say that there was a lesson?

Kaldar landed, and Vanya got off quickly, going to Eragon, "Sorry for being late. I didn't realize a lesson was going on."

"Not a lesson," Eragon said dismissively, "Just practice."

Vanya studied the Riders for a moment, trying to understand what they were practicing. It seemed like nothing, and completely random, as each had a unique spell, such as a fire ball, or holding an object mid-air, and were just sustaining it. Vanya noted that the elves were doing more difficult tasks, while the others were starting little.

She glanced back at Eragon, "So, it's practice of sustaining spells for as long as possible?" she asked.

"Yes. You may begin now, if you wish. I would suggest trying something more difficult."

Vanya nodded, and moved a few paces away from Eragon, Purposely making sure not to be in the group of riders, though.

Kaldar, could you just completely relax for a moment?

Vanya, what are you going to do?

Nothing! She said innocently, I just want to up the difficulty a little. Okay, take that back, a lot. As in I would probably look like an idiot if I did that. Never mind.

The emotion Kaldar felt at that moment was very similar to a human eyebrow raise, and he let the subject drop.

Vanya bit her lip, before doing a simple word in the ancient language for, "Up."

Her feet left the ground as she hovered above the grass, relaxing everything except for the part that kept the spell going.

Time ticked away, and Vanya grew bored, beginning to talk with Kaldar instead, How long is this going to be?

Undoubtedly as long as you can hold the spell. Kaldar commented back walking over to the other dragons, who were waiting for their Riders to be done.

Vanya watched as the others held their spells, wondering who would be the first one to release it.

More time passed, and eventually Aiden and Rathen released their spells, looking exhausted. Vanya had begun to feel the drain the magic was having, but kept the spell going, determined to hold out as long as possible.

One of the elves, the one that had introduced herself earlier, released her spell, and Vanya didn't blame her, as she had been doing a more complicated and difficult spell. Then, it was Vanya and the elf she had sparred with left.

This wasn't going to be a competition. Vanya said wearily to Kaldar, who was doing something with the other dragons, and didn't respond.

The other elf was doing a considerably harder spell, and Vanya knew he would be forced to release it earlier, as he had been holding it for longer.

Gritting her teeth in frustration, Vanya released her spell, dropping to the ground, turning, and leaving the training ground.

Kaldar apparently didn't notice, and didn't say anything as she left, going to her new hide-a-way below the cliff. She dropped onto the grass, hugging her knees.