Aifos' Pov
At daylight, the sparring gym was always a bustling square room with sweaty bodies and the repetitive smack of fists. But when the moon rose, it was the quietest place one could seek out.
I tilted my head back and stretched out my arms as high up as they could; then, I bent down and touched the tip of my feet with my palms.
The Dance of the Crane was mostly practiced bootless, so the individual's connection with Nature would be more easily achieved, but the dirty floor of the gym had convinced me otherwise.
I got up again, and this time bent my back backwards.
Eragon used to say the soreness of muscles should be an appreciated pain, because, if dosed properly, it would relax the mind, whenever one didn't want to expand it. My friend used to say it made her head dizzy, and she tipped on her feet more often than not.
My movements were slow and careful and calmly I remembered my last patrol with Xaden's squad. Before I'd climbed on Ronny's back, I glimpsed Chex watching me from afar. His scales were golden, and I recalled his admission of a couple of days ago.
The hint of the strain among us three had been quickly spoken about as I said there was nothing to be done, and that the truth behind his admission was far too grand for any of us to completely comprehend it for now. Ronny growled, said Andarna had best make up her mind before it'd be too late, and Chex bowed his head.
I rolled my neck and again bent down.
The door creaked open and someone walked in.
"Can't sleep too?"
I opened my eyes and saw Xaden claiming the mat in the middle.
"It seems not."
He was clothed ready to spar, and since he didn't offer me a challenge, I understood he was waiting for someone, most probably Violet.
"What are you doing?"
"Clearing my mind. You?"
"Waiting for Violet."
The door was open again and his focus immediately snapped from me to Violet, who said "I thought you were kidding when I got your note. I haven't seen you in a week, and this is where you want to meet?"
Xaden stood completely still, waiting for her to walk up to him.
"Figured we'd be fighting. What better place than the sparring gym?"
I got my cue when he shot me a pointed glance, and with an amused smile I took my leave and then bolted the door, so no unfortunate could walk in and see something they shouldn't have seen.
With my mind positively tired from the Dance, I tracked down my dragons' position through the bond, and when I'd finished climbing on the cliff and walked in the web of caves they'd selected, Chex was already half-awake, silver-scaled because of the moonlight pouring in from the roof; Ronny was probably in some cave nearby.
-Hi,- Chex mumbled, before raising his wing under which I slipped. Silver folded itself around me, and I pressed myself as close as possible to his flank. His scent, its hint of smoke softer than Ronny's, wrapped me up just like a blanket, and I smiled to myself. His tail came to rest against my side, mindful of its sword, and I placed my head on my outstretched arm.
When I spoke up, I did so quietly, -Heaton said Xaden is fighting against the Assembly over the battle of Samara.-
-Yes, I know.-
-Are we sure the battle will actually happen?-
-Codagh's Rider has the signet of seeing the outcome of every battle. So, yes, it'll most probably become true.-
-And the dark wielders will win?-
His voice was tight, -Yes.-
My chest tightened.
-But if it so happens, the sky will fall on many innocents. The Assembly must be aware of the price of... of its narrow-mindedness!-
-Must it be?-
"Well, yes!"
-_Why?_-
-Because they're Riders!-
-The Rider That Was Not Meant To Be was a Rider too.-
He shifted slightly, and his wing tightened itself around me, and I asked, -Are they truly going to let their resentment towards the Government take such a hold over them they can't see reason?-
-They've been on the run for many years._l-
I fell quiet, and flipped on my back.
-What do your guardians say of this matter?-
-They want to fight, obviously.-
-And you?-
-I will go wherever you go, my love. Even if it means facing off the Sage myself.-
I placed my hand on his scales; they were warm under my palm.
-I know you would.-
YOU ARE READING
Redemption
أدب الهواة"With that brush, I felt as if I was Nature and Nature was me; I was the ant that scrabbled to hunt down food; I was the plant stretching out to reach the sun; I was their teacher who was currently organizing a couple of scrolls; I was their dragon...
