The Name of Names

~24: Apologies~

A vast presence was approaching, and she recognized it as the Eldunari once again.

What could they want? Vanya wondered, looking straight ahead at the blue waves. As much as she didn't know what they were here for, Vanya did feel like their presence would be welcome.

However, their presence drifted on, and Vanya was once more alone. She dimmed her connection with Kaldar, who was speaking with the other dragons about the hunting on Evarinya, just leaving a thread there, so that if he needed her, she would know.

Vanya was alone with her thoughts, and was using this time to find a way to make peace with the other Riders. She knew she could have held the spell long enough to out-do him, but she knew what would have happened if she had. He would have made a comment about her being a show-off, and that his spell was much more difficult than hers was.

Vanya groaned aloud, burying her face in her knees. Around other people, she prided herself on hiding her emotions well if she tried, but now that she was alone, she let it out.

I could apologize to Rathen for beating him in a fair spar. Or for taunting him. Vanya thought, I'm sorry for my behavior during our previous spar? She suggested to herself, repeating it in her head to try and find any flaws in it.

Finding none, she lifted her head, boosting herself up the cliff again. No time like the present, right?

She returned to the training grounds, where all the Riders were sitting or standing in groups.

Wonderful. She hesitated, wanting to leave right then. While she hesitated, she located Rathen, who was talking with Aiden and Nym. Just get it over with. She growled to herself, walking over to the group a lot more confidently than she felt.

"Rathen?" she asked, flinching inwardly at the half-glare he fixed on her.

"What?" he asked gruffly, and Vanya was acutely aware of the other two's looks.

"Look," she hesitated before taking the plunge, "I'm sorry for my behavior during our spar. It was uncalled for and uncourteous."

Rathen raised a bushy eyebrow, seeming to study her reasonings. He jerked his head after a moment, pressing a hand to his chest, "It is forgiven."

Vanya breathed a sigh of relief in her head, and nearly jumped out of her skin when Kaldar spoke, That was wise of you to do. I was speaking with Rathen's dragon, Kaira, and she knew that all of the riders were against you after hearing how you had behaved toward Rathen.

Well, that's wonderful.

But, now that you have made it right with Rathen, hopefully it will start spreading around that you've changed.

Okay, wise one. Vanya teased, before being brought back to the present by an apparent question from Aiden.

"Sorry, what?" Vanya asked, feeling slightly embarrassed that she had missed the question.

Aiden smiled, "I said, would you like to join us?"

"Oh, sure." Rathen and Nym edged to make room, and Vanya joined the circle. They continued their previous conversation, and Vanya listened, glad to be included at all. She knew that an apology wasn't going to cover everything, but it was a step in the right direction.

They were currently talking about a new spell Rathen had learned, which included binding an opponent's limbs with invisible bonds, as well as keeping them from saying a counter-spell. Vanya particularly paid attention to this one, as she hadn't learned it before.

"What were the words to it?" Vanya spoke up, curious.

He suddenly said words in the ancient language, and Nym's eyes bulged as an invisible force held her in place and kept her from saying a counter-spell.

Rathen released Nym, and Vanya tried to remember the words to the spell. It had upset her a bit when he had used the spell against another Rider, and it reminded her all too well of Galbatorix, and his actions.

Nym seemed to take it well, although she did seem a bit frustrated. "I don't think we are supposed to practice spells on each other, unless Ebrithil is supervising." she said tentatively, rubbing her wrists.

Rathen nodded, "I suppose you are right. It was wrong of me."

The conversation from there turned to a safer topic. Kaldar, and the other two dragons joined them, and Vanya smiled as Kaldar moved next to her.

They all were quiet as they exchanged words with their dragons, before laughing that they all had gone quiet at the same time.

I think your lessons will go much easier now. Kaldar said satisfactorily.

The days passed much easier now, and much more enjoyable. Vanya became a part of the group, and while she did still have a temper, she managed to keep it under control.