The First Dragon Riders

Chapter 7

The next day they found Oromis pacing around the field waiting for them, Glaedr looked up as they approached but laid his head back down a moment later. Jacques noticed the dragon was surprisingly smart and observant for one its age, when he voiced his thoughts Oromis said Glaedr just liked to watch people.

            “So if you don’t mind Oromis, the other dragons are going to train Glaedr until he’s ready to be ridden.” Anu told the young elf.

            “Okay, but I have a question. How can you train me if you don’t have your swords and Eragon hasn’t trained you?”

            “He is smart for one with so much enthusiasm.” Anu thought to Sakura.

            Agreed.

            “We can still teach you the basics and sharpen your skills.” Toron answered when Anu didn’t answer the question.

            Oromis watched as his dragon flew off with the other riders’ dragons before looking back at them. Anu took out his temporary sword, it was strong enough to perform this training but if this were going to be a real battle it would get chopped and nicked beyond repair in minutes.

            “Okay, repeat after me. Gëuloth du knífr.” Anu instructed as he used the spell to dull the sword. “It technically means dull the knife but you can use it to dull the sword instead.”

            Oromis repeated the spell and ran his hand just above the blade so it wouldn’t cut anyone while they dueled. They circled each other waiting for the other one to strike first but Oromis was smarter and more patient than he let on. He would feint an attack then continue circling until he heard one of them sigh as they waited for something to happen.

            “Okay can someone just attack already? This is a sparring match not one to test our patients. If there was a real fight both of you might’ve been killed by other opponents who saw you were distracted.” Toron growled in frustration.

            “Perhaps it would be more productive to show him some sword moves first.” Jacques suggested.

            “Fine…” Anu complied.

            Anu showed Oromis some sword moves; first he showed him simple defense tactics followed by attack moves. Then he combined the moves into a series for Oromis to practice. The new rider followed Anu’s commands and they watched him practice his moves, occasionally correcting his form or reminding him about the sequence, finally once they were satisfied with his training without a partner Orelel dulled her sword and went to fight him.

            “Don’t worry I’ll go easy on you.” She smirked.

            This time they circled each other for a shorter amount of time before Orelel made the first move, a stab towards the abdomen, and Oromis easily knocked her sword away. He followed up the move with an upward stroke but Orelel parried easily and his sword slid down his easily. They backed away from each other and started to circle each other again before charging head on, their swords slid together until they were hilt to hilt, Orelel kicked him back and struck him lightly in the side and head before he could defend himself properly.

            “Hey, isn’t that cheating?” Oromis exclaimed as he stood back up.

            “No, it would be if we used magic to block your attack or to attack you directly.” Anu corrected.

            “Now again.” Emeril demanded as she took Orelel’s place.

            They kept dueling each other and each time one match ended they would switch out so Oromis had to fight a new opponent. After hours of this their dragons landed nearby and settled down in the grass, they watched the riders finish their sparring match before getting up and walking over to them.

            So how did your training go?

            “Great, I guess… Glaedr, I don’t think they know how to train me.”

            Be patient, they’ll get it eventually. First they need to plan what you need to know and when they think you’re ready to learn it.

            “You’re the most patient creature I’ve ever met. I bet I’ll learn a lot from you.”

            And I from you, don’t underestimate yourself.

            “So how was your training?”

            After that Oromis received a flood of images of the ground flying by and the wind blowing across his scales. Oromis could feel how happy and free Glaedr felt up in the sky and didn’t notice the others were saying something until Jacques cleared his throat.

            “If you don’t mind I think you’d like to know when to meet us here.” Jacques repeated coldly.

            “Sorry… I was just-“

            Excuses don’t make up for not doing something.

            Styx’s thoughts interrupted him, the others heard Jacques’ dragon speak in their minds as well and saw she was giving Oromis and Glaedr a piercing glare.

            “Meet us here tomorrow at noon. We’ll be practicing magic so make sure you pay very close attention.” Toron said emphasizing the very.