A Dragon's Prophecy

Chapter 1

EDITED

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Over the towering, oceanside cliffs dubbed the Cliffs of Aiedail soared five dragons. Four of which twisted and turned in pairs in an attempt to best the other, the sunlight reflecting on their scales as the dragons struggled. The fifth, a large, sapphire blue female, hovered slightly above the group, watching each dragon's movements with a sharp, keen, critical eye.

They are doing well. Observed Eragon, the blue dragon's rider. His attention was directed at the pair of larger dragons, a silvery white male and an emerald green female, who made up a hissing, struggling mass in the sky. The occasional gout of white or green flames would erupt from the writhing knot that the two dragons had somehow formed with their bodies as they struggled to land hits on their opponent.

Perhaps. But if any one of them wishes to best me, they will have to do better. Saphira answered with a snort, her attention on the other pair. One dragon, a young golden male, roared as his opponent slashed at him with purple claws, ripping three, long, bloody gashes along his side. The golden male tried to dive downwards to dodge the following blow, but his opponent was too quick. The purple's teeth caught him on the tail, throwing him off balance and into an uncontrolled, spiraling fall. As the gold struggled to regain control, the purple dragoness swooped down and landed another gash on his leg, remaining untouched despite the smaller gold's many attempts to injure her.

Shall we stop them before they hurt each other too badly? Eragon asked Saphira. She roared and dove down to the two smaller dragons, who had stopped their duel as Saphira came towards them. The gold flew shakily, having hardly recovered from the fall, his wounds throbbing and visibly staining his scales red. Eragon muttered a spell under his breath, and the scratches and cuts and tiredness that were the result of their practice quickly vanished. The young gold glanced at his body, appearing surprised, but the purple dragoness did not mirror his reaction and only dipped her head in gratitude.

That was well done, Kasari. Saphira said to the purple female, who radiated a feeling of pride. She answered her master with a quick, mental thank you. Saphira then turned to the gold and glowered down at him, disappointment showing in her eyes. The young dragon seemed to wither under her scrutinizing gaze, keeping his own mellow amber orbs focused on something far below him.

Frethaer, this is the seventh time you have been defeated in these past few weeks. Had it been a true battle, you and your rider would have died long ago. Why is this? The small gold dragon flinched noticeably at Saphira's harsh words.

Saphira, you have to remember that he is the youngest one here. He is several years younger than Emeris and Kasari. Eragon reminded her. Emeris was the emerald green female dragon who hatched a few hours after Kasari.

Age is no excuse. Did we not defeat Galbatorix when I was his age, and you the age of his rider? He needs to learn. Saphira told Eragon, not bothering to block the conversation from her pupils. The gold flinched again at her words, his head lowering even more. Eragon sent his disdain to her through their link, but received nothing but frustration in response. It was then that they noticed that Emeris and Theris, a silver male dragon, who had been the first to hatch, had stopped dueling to watch.

This session is over. Let us see how your riders fared. Saphira said, descending. The other four soon followed, gliding at a relaxed pace as they engaged in some mental chatter. Frethaer remained silent, lagging behind and thinking of his latest failure.

Soon the clearing in which their riders sparred came into view. The four riders sparred against four elves, all of whom had been part of the group of spellcasters that had accompanied Eragon. Theris' rider, an elf girl named Lifae, sparred with Blodhgarm. Emeris' rider, an urgal called Scharvoshk, sparred with a silver haired elf woman, Invidia. Kasari's rider, a dwarf called Fulvosk, sparred with Yaela, another silver haired elf woman. Frethaer's rider was a young human boy with blonde hair and blue eyes named Zilon. He sparred with a black haired elf.