The Rise: Eldunari

Chapter 36- Aerin

The realm of Avos is a portal away from Alagaesia. Its mountains climb high into the clouds and its trees blanket the ground below. The Rivendell castle is embedded into the mountain peak, running parallel to a cascading waterfall. The fields are lush and green and the air is sweet.

Aerin Stormwind oversaw the Fleet from her awning. Rows upon rows upon rows of black- unending, impenetrable. The howling wind blew her purple hood, exposing her white hair. Not the white hair that comes from age, no. From a young age, she'd always been recognized by her silvery-white hair. The Fleet fell silent. They knew their place. Row by row, each Wyvern bowed their head in deference. With a bare nod, she turned back, disappearing behind white curtains.

It would be hers soon. All of it. A hundred thousand strong, ready to fly when she was. But patience would be her true test.

"How is the Fleet looking, Aerin?"

"Very well, your Majesty. They are ready to fly at your command. I have every confidence that Alagaesia will fall to your feet within the coming months."

The King stayed silent. He observed Aerin, her bowed head revealing wisps of that white hair. He had found her what seemed like a century ago, abandoned in the back alley of a tavern facing a known rapist. The King, at the time a mere pawn in a brutal game that day. He had been given a task that day- to find a package and kill a messenger. Seeing Aerin before him today made the lashes he endured at compromising the mission and saving her worth it. He took her under his wing, halving his rations to let her survive, giving her his bed until she was able to gain acceptance into the Creed, into the Kingdom. She was no older than five then, and now she was reaching her eighteenth name day. Under usual customs, her hand would be forced into marriage to one of the Lords in his court, but the King was wiser than to force Aerin into anything. Her fighting skills had won her the admiration of the court and the Kingdom. Heralds in the far north proclaimed her as the second coming of the war god Areas. Then everything changed. They felt the shift seven years ago. Galbatorix had fallen. Fear spread throughout the land. Who was the Blue Dragon? Who was her Rider? There had almost been a rebellion on his hands. Hope. Fickle. The denizens of the Kingdom latched onto it like a parasite. The Blue Dragon and her Rider had been heralded as a deity. A fire that had to be extinguished. Aerin had wanted to take the Fleet to Alagaesia immediately. But she was not ready. She would have walked into a slaughter and the King would have never allowed that. She would have her chance to blood her enemy.

"We fly at first light," the King said. 

"...And their blood is ours." Aerin finished.