Eragon ( Riders of the Lands across the Sea )

- Chapter 24 - The youngest rider

I'njan was nodding his head to every word Eragon said, hanging onto his every sentence as if it was an invaluable lesson being taught by a supreme sorcerer. He was easily the youngest in Ellesmera and all of Du Weldenvarden, but he was several decades older than the current Head of the Dragon Riders. He still considers himself a teenager, and possess a stunning young look, even if he said so himself.  The age gap did not hinder I'njan, as he was fascinated by the fact that Eragon had accomplished far more than what most of the Elven community that was alive long before Eragon was alive. He idolises Eragon and wishes to be just like him, protecting the entire continent when the need arrives. I'njan realised that the Elves lacked the drive to change because of their longevity and that made them to avoid taking actions in the spur of the moment or based on their emotions. He considered the elves to be a highly rational race, focused to practicality rather than emotional impulses. Hence, he was proud that Queen Arya embodied the best parts of what he considered as elven nature. Queen Arya took him under her wing almost as soon as Lenora was hatched, so he felt content that his master was the best person who could train him, apart from Grand Master Eragon himself. He was elated when his master first informed him of the journey, and the individual they were going to meet. However, what surprised him was the plans Queen Arya had for him along the way. Imagine the delight on his face when he heard Queen Arya had him go through the journey to the Valley of Hope all on his own. She called it a form of training, a form survival training in the wild without any aid. However, he deduced the real reason for such an elaborate plan after pondering on the topic for several days, or so he thought.

He understood that the Elven race having a second rider so soon after the war could tip the scales of power in their favour, and that would invite unnecessary dissidence. He rationalised that it would be wise to keep their advantage hidden and a secret, so it came as a complete shock that his master only told him to endure the 'survival training' with his dragon, because she wanted to surprise her friends at the opening ceremony. It was almost human-like. It initially angered the often rational I'njan, but it provided an opportunity to him to begin to ponder and contemplate the actions of Eragon as a human, rather than what the Shur'tugal was famous for during his journey there. He can't complaint though, it felt exceptionally great when everyone applauded his appearance and the shock many of the officials had when he strode into the throne room. He smiled inwards contemplating if being a human was not as bad as his parents made it seem. Pride welled up within his heart as he was cheered on. He felt cherished and appreciated. The cheers and claps from the audience were a stark contrast to the ceremony he had attended in Ellesmera when Lenora hatched. The elves present were solemn and felt cold. He was a little taken aback when he noticed that the royalties that sat at the end of the throne room barely moved a muscle, displaying their full authority despite the presence of a dragon. ' they probably had gotten used to seeing master Saphira and master Firnen,' he sulked to himself. Their cold faces reminded him of his own elven elders. 

'Everyone, I would like to introduce to you, Illiea and her rider, Sarah,' Eragon beamed proudly as the dragon and her rider landed in the courtyard. Illiea strode into the throne room proudly with her rider still siting on top of her just like the pair before them had done. Sarah strode in with the elegance only a princess of Surda could manage. She felt completely at ease at the familiar sight. It felt natural to be in the center of attention, and Illiea too was enjoying herself. They had seen the new rider Queen Arya introduced, through Saphira's mental link, so they knew what was expected of them. Sarah unbuckled the straps on his dragon, and slid down. Sarah had chosen to wear a black hooded robe above the royal pink clothing that was too glittery in her opinion.  The darker tone matched well with Illiea's purple shading that she was sporting at the moment, but it was quite out of place in the brightly lit throne room she rode Illiea into. The room grew silent because of the ominous look they were sporting and the room temperature dropped several degrees. Sarah and Illiea were enjoying all the drama they were causing, after all, it was all a part of Master Eragon's surprise. He wanted to one up his friend, the elven queen, who pleasantly surprised him with the arrival of a new rider. The purple dragon stood regally in the middle soaking up the attention she was receiving, before bowing slightly at Saphira and Eragon, recognising her betters. Eragon clapped his hands and a wave of magic washed over the tall dragon slowly revealing the hidden secret within the dragon's scales. The magic gradually removed the dye on Illiea's scales and revealed the baby pink colour beneath. Sarah removed a robe too and revealed her royal outfit that perfectly matched her dragon's scales.