The First Dragon Riders

Chapter 6

      The next day they packed up their camp, the others noticed Eragon speaking quietly to Kuthian about something before agreeing to it and waking over to where they were standing.

            “You five are flying back to Ellesméra to train and make your rider swords.” He told the younger riders.

            “But I thought we were going to the island with you.” Emeril protested. “Besides doesn’t Rhunön know how to make them?”

            “Yes but she needs you there to name the swords, tell her your fighting style, and so she can match its color with your dragon’s scales.” Eragon responded. “Kuthian also made a good point, a smaller group is less noticeable so the Lethrblaka shouldn’t see us if we go into their territory.”

            “But what if they do attack? You’ll be outnumbered for sure.” Orelel said.

            “Even if you came and we were attacked you wouldn’t be armed well enough to fight them off.” Kuthian told them. “Last time you were lucky but next time the results could be different.”

            “You don’t have a sword.” Anu accused him.

            Kuthian responded by pulling out a bronze colored sword from its sheath, the words Edoc’sil was engraved on the hilt.

            “You called it unconquerable?” Toron questioned.

            “Yes, seems fitting since I haven’t lost a fight with it… haven’t been in a fight with it yet ether.” Kuthian laughed.

            Eventually Eragon convinced them to leave and told them that he expected them to be able to best him or be his equal in a skirmish when he got back. Jacques flew point on the way back to the forest; he kept a look out for any Lethrblaka although he didn’t expect any to come attack them.

            “Looks like I’m going to be there for my mother’s funeral after all.” He sighed mentally.

            I know it might be painful to think about now but I’m sure your brother’s thinking something similar. The only thing that will help you feel better is time and making sure nothing else like this happens to others.

            “You’re right Styx… like always.”

            Of course I’m right!

            Jacques was shook out of his thoughts when Anu flew past him to take his turn in the point position. He made his dragon fly back to Anu’s old spot, which was behind Emeril and across from Toron, Jacques sighed aloud and looked down at the desert whizzing by below them. Shrubs and trees started to appear more often until they were flying over the forest. They landed in their clearing and walked into the city, they made their way to Rhunön’s place and she looked up and smiled like she’d been expecting them the entire time.

            “Rhunön, Eragon has told us you could make rider swords for us?” Anu’s statement was filled with a questioning doubt.

            “Yes, the brightsteel I have will make a sword that is unmatched except against another sword made of brightsteel.” She replied.

            “When can you start them?” Orelel asked.

            “Well who wants to get theirs first? They will take several weeks to make.”

            “Orelel should go first, she was the first one a dragon hatched for.” Toron decided.

            “It will be finished in a week but first, do you know how you like to fight? One handed or two?”

            “Uh, one, I’m right handed by the way.”

            “The hand you use doesn’t matter I make them so you can wield it with ether.”

            She dismissed them so she could start working and as they left they saw a young boy walk in the smith’s house. They saw him come back out a moment later with a gold sword with the name Naegling inscribed on it. He saw them and put his new sword away before walking over to them.

            “You must be the other riders, I’m Oromis. My dragon’s name is Glaedr… he’s golden if you couldn’t tell by my sword.” He told them.

            “So are there any new riders besides you we should know about?” Jacques asked dryly.

            “No I’m the last one for now.”

            “Well then it looks like we get a new person to train with while Eragon’s away.” Anu said trying to restore Oromis’ dampened enthusiasm.

            He looked at them brightly then made them follow him as he ran to where a golden dragon, Glaedr laid under a tree in the shade. Oromis introduced them to his dragon, which blinked lazily at them but Jacques could see him studying them carefully.

            “So when do I start training?” Oromis asked.

            “How about tomorrow it’s getting late.” Anu suggested.

            “Okay! I’ll meet you here!” With that the newest rider ran off towards his home impatient for tomorrow to come.