Redemption

Revolution

Ronny's pov
Revolution.
For a whole century, the Vardens had chanted this world within the protection of dwarves' mountains. For a year, they yelled it in battle with Saphira circling the skies with her Rider on her back.
They didn't know that, before the Fall, my Rider That Was Not Meant To Be had called the slaughter his Revolution. I was the dragon in the sky. Until we won and I got tossed in the throne room, my scales parched with blood and dust and so terribly foreign to me.
Revolution.
A word that was bound to be followed by betrayal and  blood, always in the name of something greater. Nevarre, Alagaesia, Nasuada and Brennan, it was all the same.
My young Rider shuffled beside me. The shadows of the tree filled their upper lip and the hollows of their collarbones.
They put the back of their head against the bark of the nearest tree and closed their eyes. I shifted my head and curled my tail around them.
"You're awake."
-Yes.-
"Can I?"
Their fingers brushed my scales feather-lightedly. A pleased shiver ran through my body.
-Yes.-
Their palm splayed itself on my snout, then the back of their fingers ghosted over the scar across my nose.
Their voice was quiet, -We can go back.-
-I'm not sure Chex would follow us if we did.-
Their touch stilled, then they pulled away.
-I don't care. I don't want you to get hurt.-
-Don't lie to me. You care for him enough to fly over the whole ocean.-
-You did the flying part of the deal.-_
We shared a brief smile, then they sighed and huddled closer.
-_These Riders, they are-
-Different.-
-Yes, with somehow-
-Weaker minds-
-But some of them with powers-
-That only our oldest Riders could keep up with-
-Without burning out.-
They rolled their wrist and dug their nails around the Gedwey Ignasia.
-Sgaeyl reminds me of a hungry Saphira.-
They said it so thoughtfully and suddenly I snorted a laugh -Does she indeed.-
-Yes! Stop laughing!-
I jokingly drew back and snapped my teeth at them when they smacked my cheek with the back of their hand.
A rustle of wings had us looking at the golden dragon, -You guys ready?-
Aifos climbed up on my saddle and held on when I got on my feet.
-Yes. Let's go see this Academy of yours.-

If Eragon's was full of light, with large windows and vibrant colours of white and green, Basgiath was completely black. It loomed on the horizon as terribly similar to Uru Baen, both of square lines and high walls.
When Aifos slid out of the saddle, I watched them following the other Riders with an instinctive apprehension that had my senses terribly sharp.
The idea of leaving them on their own with a deadly knowledge in the heart of the enemies' lines made me queasy. It was by far the worst war technique I'd ever taken part of.
The silver girl's dragon lowered his head to gently sniff Chex, whose expression went as close as a representation of heart-breaking a dragon could manage.
The black dragon spoke to us in the Ancient Language, this time.
-Silver One and the wingleader will protect them, if anything goes sideways.-
Chex drooped his wings even looser, -I know, but I still don't like it.-
I growled at the black dragon, -They won't need to, because I'll burn this place to the ground before anybody else even thinks about taking a step towards my Rider.-
- *Our* Rider.-
The sleeping purple dragon stirred, oddly attached to Tairn's chest through a harness. Sgaeyl flicked her tail, -You must fly fast if we want her asleep in the Vale.-
Tairn nudged Chex over, -She's right. The sooner your sister's there, the safer she'll be. Go follow Sgaeyl to the flight field.-
Sgaeyl spread her wings, then got off and hovered, waiting for us.
I reached Aifos' mind, -We'll be waiting for you in the flight field. Stay tucked in and do not go wandering.-
They showed me a square full of people clad in black. I caught a silver glimpse on their left and the sight of the broad back of the wingleader Riorson a few steps ahead.
-I'm staying close to Violet and her squad, as said beforehand.-
-We'll be together before you know it,- interjected Chex, -Trust me.-
-I hope so. See you later.-
They slowly raised their shields up and Chex and I took flight, Sgaeyl on the lead.
However, we weren't the only ones in the flight field; a dozen of other dragons were frolicking there, brown and blue and red and green and orange. Even if they barely glanced at me, I could feel old blood running through my claws.
They weren't aware they'd just let in the slayer of their breed. It was only out of luck that they were born in Nevarre and not in Alagaesia, not during the Rider That Was Not Meant To Be's revolution.
If they had, they would've all been dead. Between the claws of a rebel. Between the claws of a tyrant.
Faint screams filled my headspace. I was harshly brought back to the throne, the voices of all Eldunari overlapping constantly in my mind, in high-pitched, maddened howls.
-Ronny.-
Nobody had listened to their screams without praying for their lives.
-Ronny.-
Many of them hadn't walked back at all.
-Ronny!-
I rushed in a breath and stumbled back. The breeze on my cheeks told me I was outside; Chex's voice told me I was on another island, the Eldunari a whole ocean away from me, just as the truth about my life.
-You alright?-
-I'm walking up to you. Don't you dare move.-
Agitation shook Aifos' mind. They weren't supposed to reach us this soon.
-No! No, I'm alright. Stay with the others.-
-Bullshit. You just had flashbacks. Again.-
-They're gone now. Chex's presence will help me stay grounded. Raise your shields before someone catches you.-
_-As if any of them could do me any harm.- Their voice grew sterner, -If you feel them coming back, call me and I'll fucking drag Xaden to wherever you are.-
Chex asked lowly, -Flashbacks?-
-Yes. But they shouldn't matter to you.-
-I think they do. We're bonded,now. Through Aifos. And they got worried sick. Your mind turned all still and cold, it was impossible to break through.- He stepped closer, his scales silver under the pale moonlight, -You sure you're alright?-
-I've been having these flashbacks for years. I'm used to them.-
-That's not good, though. What kind of flashbacks?-
I bared my teeth, a menacing growl working its way in my throat. He wouldn't want to know. He mustn't know.
- It's complicated, Chex. One day we may tell you, but not today. I'm sorry,- interjected Aifos, quickly, -Now, be ready to fly, because here the celebrations are over.-
-Really? This fast?-
-They just checked the numbers of dead Cadets and that was it.-
-How many?-
-I don't know, I wasn't truly paying attention.-_
-That's not good, kid.-
-Oh, shut up. They would've been too many even if I had tried to listen, by the way.-
When we saw them fretting towards us, we both stretched out our necks so they could caress us, -Missed me?-
-Yeah,- whined Chex, -Very much so.-
He purred when Aifos scratched him under his jaw. They'd always been skilled with their fingers.
Then, they smiled softly at me and placed their forehead on my snout. I closed my eyes and inhaled their scent, while with their other hand they started drawing soft swirls on my scales.
-Xaden told me something about Sgaeyl being grumpy for the rest of the year because Tairn won't be able to follow her. He advised to steer clear of her for the time being.-
A roar coming from the blue dragon told us so.
-A hungry Saphira in constant heat? I'd rather eat snakes for breakfast  than putting up with her.-
Chex flashed his teeth at me, and Aifos barked a laugh, their eyes crinkling. I rumbled and pushed them on their ass, only to listen to them laughing even louder. Chex glared at me, then nudged Aifos on their side, - Sgaeyl is nothing like Saphira. Who's this Saphira, anyway?-
But he didn't know they were ticklish there, so reared his head back with a surprised snort when Aifos whined to stop.
An odd light shone in his eyes, not totally innocent.
-My master's dragon, and the saviour of the Alagaesyan dragonrace,- said Aifos after a couple of heartbeats, oblivious. Now that they were half propped up on their elbow, the moon could shine in their eyes even more.
"Aifos?"
Both Chex and I whipped our head to glare at Riorson turned a brand new lieutenant, who was standing beside his dragon.
"There you are. Stop sitting on the ground and let's go."
Aifos huffed, then got up and rolled their shoulders, "Fine, let me just switch saddles."
I narrowed my eyes at Chex, -Drop them and you're dead.-
The young dragon ignored me, -A saddle? You can ride me without any saddle!-
But Aifos was already tugging on the straps, "Your scales aren't that comfy, Chex. And I've got my dinner in the bags. Xaden, give me a hand measuring him, will you?"
He rolled his eyes, "Just let's get this over with."
-I won't tear his arm off only because he's Sgaeyl's,- threatened Chex, to which Aifos said distractedly, -Good boy.-
After the last strap was adjusted across his narrow chest, Aifos thanked Xaden and climbed on Chex.
-See?- they said with a quick pet on his neck, -It's not that bad.-
-It's itchy. And rough on my scales.-
-Don't be silly, it's handmade by Bloodgarm and his elf gang.-
-He would kill you if he heard you calling like that his companions,kid.-
-That's why I voiced it an ocean away from him.-
Aifos grinned at me, then reassured a worried Chex we were just joking around and prodded us to follow an already airborne Sgaeyl.
-You know how much I hate following someone,- I grumbled while I picked up speed.
-I know, but I don't want you to get lost, do you?-
I snorted a puff of smoke at them, -I'll get my revenge.-
Chex hissed, -I dare you try!-
He swung his sword- tail around and I had to bank aside to avoid it.
-You wanted to die, youngling?-
-You did, old one!-
-Guys please, quit fooling around.-
Aifos sighed. Then, after a couple of wingbeats, they tipped their head back and whispered  -The sky's empty and we are its rulers.-
-Of course we are,- I said, stretching wide my wings, -We're dragons, kid.-