Adurna

Sunny Rain

Chapter Eleven-

It’s been many days since I first began meeting Eragon in the woods and things have been going so well with the dragon. Actually the name has been discovered. He had learned enough words to be able to answer Eragon’s many questionable names. I have been listening to all of the ones he easily threw out to him. Some names were elegant; others powerful, while other names didn’t sound like a dragon at all. I was so absorbed at the time in the strange way Eragon’s lips curved around the syllables that I barely realized what was going on at the moment.

"Is your name Derikia?” Eragon asked tiredly as he leaned back onto his elbows. It had been a long day of learning for us and it was drawing to a close. I was watching the dragon rider closely, so I noticed him lift his eyebrows in surprise. My gaze flickered to my dragon. He had grown noticeably larger in the past days; his shoulder going as high as my waist, let alone his long neck. His head tilted to the side as if he was testing our skills. Then, he spoke to all three of us.

Yes. A simple answer, but it made our heads snap up in surprise. Saphira made a strange sound, almost like a cheerful humming. Eragon smiled down at me at our newly found secret. I couldn’t help myself as I grabbed Derikia into my lap, though he was much too big for it, and almost sang his name to the world. Eragon laughed at me, but joined in with my rapture.

That was three days ago. I had been hesitant to leave last night, so I could spend more time with all of them, but the darkening night had me running back home so Gran wouldn’t notice. I hated leaving Derikia behind every morning and night; to see his sad looking face watching me as I left. However, I knew I couldn’t bring him back home now. He was much too big to go unnoticed up into my room and hide in my tiny closet. The thought of the huge dragon stuffed in my room had me laughing out loud, though he did not find it as amusing as I did. I’ve had deeper conversations with him within our adjoined minds that neither Eragon nor Saphira can hear. Now he can answer me after a long rant of mine easily. The words come easier to him and the knowledge keeps building. It’s hard to believe he is the same tiny green thing that appeared helplessly in my room.

Gran slammed the clean plates in front of me harshly. I jumped in surprise, not realizing I had fallen asleep while feverishly scrubbing the table tops. My eyes blinked at the sudden brightness while stifling my yawn. Sleep was hard to come by these days since I was busy memorizing words and phrases from the ancient language Eragon gives me to practice before I come back the next day. I don’t think he means for me to stay up all night, but I feel like I have to prove something to him somehow; like I can be a rider.

“You sleep all night,” Gran shouted at my blank expression. “How you tired, girl?”

I got to my feet and didn’t meet her eyes, like I often did when I lied to her. My hands fidgeted anxiously so I started cleaning with the old rag again, acting like I needed my full attention on that. “I don’t know Gran; I couldn’t get to bed last night. I’m sorry.” Playing with her guilt was always the best thing to do in times like this.

There was a pause before she sighed loudly. “Just put dishes away and you done. I go into town today, not home until supper.”

“Yes, ma’am” I said, happy to have her out of the house for once. Sometimes it feels like she never leaves this place, for anything. I'm always happy to go into town for her supplies so that’s one reason for not leaving. I couldn't imagine living the way she does. How does she go one day without wondering aimlessly around the woods or even the streets? I watched the old woman go with a smile on my face. My smile soon faded as I looked down at the dishes.

I stood with my eyes still on the door, but I found them drifting in the direction of the window nearby. The curtains were drawn so the outside world was hidden from me. My legs started forwards so I was soon in front of the opening with one question on my mind. What was Gran going outside for? She continues to complain about the terrible weather and how it makes her bones ache. I pulled the curtain back, expecting to see gray clouds and misty streets. I gasped in amazement at what I saw.