The First Dragon Riders

Chapter 3

When they reached the base of mountain ranges Eragon let them stop to rest, they gave him confused looks and he told them to sit down so he could explain.

            “This mountain range is called the Spine, well the dragons and I call it the Spine.” He told them when they were all seated.

            “Why’s it called that?” Orelel asked.

            “Once your dragons are old enough to ride, which should be soon actually considering how fast they’re growing, you’ll find out.”

            After resting for a few more minutes so their dragons could get something to drink or eat they set off again into the shady forest and escaped the mid-day heat. They continued to climb the steadily rising slope and reached the top of one of the smaller slopes only to see more mountains in front of them, they let out a collective groan and Eragon gave them a sympathetic look and got on Bid’Doum.

            “Stay here I’m going to see if I can just fly you across in groups.” With that said his dragon snorted and leapt into the air and started to circle around like a hawk.

            “We better be able to fly over the mountain.” Jacques grumbled and his dragon let out a growl in agreement.

            “Boys are so impatient.” Emeril sighed.

            They watched as Bid’Doum and Eragon flew to get a closer look over the mountain range and heard something in the bushes around them. They glanced around but the shade blocked the fading light from revealing what might be out there, instinctively they moved closer to each other and pulled out their daggers but the rustling sounds had stopped and were replaced by a strange clicking noise. Humanoid creatures that looked like part bug came out from the surrounding shadows, they made hissing and clicking noises to speak with each other while their beetle like eyes and armor glistened in the faint star light.

            “What are they?” Anu shrieked as his voice rose in pitch.

            “Something that doesn’t look friendly.” Toron said as he made the group back towards their dragons. “Eragon better get back soon…”

            The creatures closed in and started to attack them, their dragons clawed and bit at the creatures until they started to get overwhelmed, the elves used their magic to hold some to trees while they stabbed them with their knives and swords. Orelel jumped on Zalgo’s back and told her to take off, he struggled to get off the ground since he wasn’t quite big enough to carry her yet but Zalgo heard the desperation in needing to get out of the situation and forced himself into the air.

            “Hold them off I’ll get help.” Orelel shouted down to the others.

            They nodded and regrouped to stand a better chance against their enemy, the creatures clicked excitedly and started to close in again but Spectre knocked them away in a silver blur of his tail, he roared in anger as one bit his rider Toron and started to drag him away. Toron screamed and kicked out until he managed to strike his attacker and limp away.

            Eragon saw a purple sparkle approaching and saw Orelel riding Zalgo and trying desperately not to fall off. Zalgo roared and circled in the air before turning back the way they came.

            “What are you doing?” Eragon yelled at her.

            “We’re being attacked by these beetle humans!” Orelel shouted. “We need your help!”

            Zalgo take your rider somewhere safe. Bid’Doum told the younger dragon by breaking into his mind. We’ll help the others.

            Zalgo snorted but flew towards the others mountains despite Orelel’s confused look and commands to go back to the others. Eragon flew back to where the Ra’zac where and landed, crushing a few under Bid’Doum’s weight. He took out his sword and loped off three of the creature’s heads before ducking as his dragon let out a burst of white-hot flames from its maw. The Ra’zac let out more hissing sounds before retreating back into the shadows.

            “Is anyone hurt?” Eragon asked.

            “Toron is, one of the things bit him.” Emeril replied motioning to where Anu and Jacques were standing defensively around him.

            “Those things were called Ra’zac, no one knows what made them but it is said they came from across the sea like us.” Eragon explained. “Move aside I need to heal him before the poison kills him.”

            They moved and Eragon whispered a healing spell under his breath, the others watched in fascination as the eaten away skin started to heal and return to normal. Toron made a sound of discomfort but stayed still until he was done healing.

            “Get on your dragons we need to leave before they come back.” Eragon commanded.

            “We don’t know how to ride though.” Jacques pointed out.

            “Orelel learned within five seconds so she could find me to save you guys, if she could do it so can you just hold onto the neck spike and don’t let your dragon go upside down.”