Eragon ( Riders of the Lands across the Sea )

- Chapter 23 - Eragon's Proposal

Lenora's claim shocked everyone, except the elves and Eragon. It was common among long lived folks to be aware that dragons have a completely unique set of rules for their birth and lives. Lenora claiming to be older than Glaedr was possible because dragons that were tamed over the years learned to develop a consciousness while still inside their eggs, learn and experience life through mental communications with every living beings around them and only choose to come out of their shells and be born when they meet someone they can trust. Lenora had learned of the fate of the dragons and dragon riders through her mental link and decided to hibernate for a long time. Her unusually low activity rate made the elves to surmise that Lenora had died inside her egg. However, a dragon's egg is still priceless to all those who knew of its benefits, so they did not threw out the egg, instead hid it deep within their vaults and left it there. Arya who only recently succeeded her mother to the throne did an inventory check to reassess the wealth of Ellesmera after the war to decide on future policies and found Lenora's egg. Arya explained to the assembled leaders carefully picking her words to avoid any misgivings. An official selection event was held within Ellesmera soon after the hidden egg was found and I'njan became a rider.

Eragon mused to himself, ' wild dragons do the same too, but they hatch whenever they feel safe, instead of waiting for a rider to bond with. Due to Galbatorix's massacre and relentless pursuit of all dragons, it was a miracle that Lenora and Illiea were safe. Saphira too was once under his care until her egg was stolen by Brom and his party.' Eragon surmised that if there were any wild dragons, we would be seeing them soon, over the next several decades or so, if we can keep the peace we achieved recently. They might be willing to show themselves now that the threat was eliminated. As he was deep in thought, Saphira gently blew out a stream of hot air down his neck. It was his turn to speak, and all eyes were on him, expectantly waiting. Eragon stood up completely unprepared mentally, wishing he was back in the war fighting rather than giving a celebratory speech. 'Everything I wanted to speak off has already been spoken by every speaker before me, and as such, I would like to speak a little of the future we hope to build here in this valley,' Eragon strode to the center as he spoke, his eyes going around the room locking eyes with each member of the High Council. 

'First and foremost, I would like to reiterate, a Shur'tugal's commitment is to Alagaesia, and not any one nation, one monarch, or one folk, he looked at I'njan as he spoke those words implying the elf needed to sever any lingering ties to Du Weldenvarden and be an impartial judge when the need arises. 'The dragon riders have been absent from our roles as the guardians of peace in the lands and that situation would probably remain the same until more riders join our ranks, Eragon continued. 'The Argetlam are more than just warriors, they are also magicians, scholars and diplomats who are able to distinguish themselves in multiple fields. I believe the best way to facilitate the rise of the era of dragon riders once more, is to aim to reestablish a library larger than any other in the our Valley of Hope just like the one on Vroengard. Hence, for the next two decades, only those who are allowed to enter this valley shall enter. Everyone who had volunteered to train the future dragon riders and myself will focus ourselves from the conditions of the continent and try to amass the knowledge between us back into books and writings that  Galbatorix had destroyed. We will have to reestablish the Dragon Rider's order to be able to carry out its original purpose,' Eragon spoke with conviction. 

'But Grand Master Eragon, wouldn't that give rise to new powers hiding in the shadows trying to take over the power vacuum that would be left behind by yourself and Queen Arya?' an elf dignitary spoke up. Eragon smiled, already expecting such a question beforehand, 'Of course, the young riders will be trained inside the valley and be sent on missions occasionally, and an elder of the valley will accompany them during their missions. However, this is only after the young riders are deemed qualified to carry the name Shur'tugal. While I would like to refrain myself from meddling too much, I would not stand by and watch if any nation dares to challenge the peace we have fought to defend,' The audience fell into silence, as they considered the new information. 'Additionally, I aim to train and establish a Rider Defence Corp, Inzilbeth. I chose the name, after the birthplace of Galbatorix to remind us of the purpose of Inzilbeth and the lessons that man taught this continent. Inzilbeth will be jointly administered through the collaboration of all the nations of Alagaesia, comprising every race on the continent. Council members will be elected based on the judgements of the Eldunarí and would be afforded the freedom to govern as they see fit. This is however reversed in times of crisis as the present Head of the Riders will assume command. It is something I wish to discuss further in our meetings later on in the Lizcari Axore. It would help the dragon riders resolve smaller issue and function as our first line of defence should anything similar to Galbatorix reemerge in the future,' Eragon added. Some nodded in agreement, while others scrunched their foreheads considering the options and implications this move might have. Most of the leaders were as expected, stone cold revealing nothing resembling any emotion. They politely nodded agreeing to discuss further. 

'The riders grew complacent at the extended peace afforded to us when almost all wars were stamped out that they could not respond adequately when  Galbatorix and his twelve riders came along. The most important lesson the thirteen Forsworn taught us was that we, dragon riders tend to prefer working alone, or as a pair, an elder and an apprentice and that was inherently disadvantageous in wars,' Eragon pressed his case. 'Inzilbeth will be a way to identify and train talented individuals who will go on to join the riders in their missions and eventually, grow large enough to respond and protect the riders all over the continent should the need arise,' Eragon spoke with hopes of the future. 'It could uproot the Black Hand that had operated during Galbatorix's reign,' Nasuada thought to herself. However, she kept it to herself. She knew that such a fledgling, young organisation could not hope to compete with the trained assassins that had targeted her life several times. 'One could only hope for the best,' she consoled herself as she kept her steely gaze firmly on the speaking Eragon. She ever so slightly glanced around the room, and saw that Grimrr Halfpaw, the king of the King of the Werecats smiling widely at her as his tail swished lazily from side to side. Arya darted her eyes towards Nasuada when her own eyes landed on the now former Elven Queen. It was as if Arya had already anticipated that Nasuada would look at her, and was waiting to greet her. Nasuada shivered involuntarily under her garb as she gripped the sides of her comfy chair to avoid gasping in surprise, ' My god..,' she whispered to herself at the reaction speed the elf had. 

She looked back up to see Eragon backing away from the center of the throne room, where he stood, as if to make way for something large... 

Author's note: One week plus a few days.. Yeay!! This chapter is more of a set up for the next chapter.. and introduces a new force that will hopefully grow and establish itself in the future.. the next chapter, will be grand.. hopefully... so look forward to it.. Bye!!!