Storm Rider

Chapter 3

Elessar was startled awake at a shrieking sound. Looking around startled he saw a strange looking bird in his room he looked at it and then got up and looked outside. Dawn had yet to break through the trees. Pulling on the dull grey uniform he woke his dragon with a shake and stretched. After successfully stretching they walked out of the room. Walking down the long and wide hallways he slowly made his way to the great conference room. After getting lost once or twice he arrived a pair of great wooden and metal doors. Before he even raised his fist to knock, the doors creaked open. With wide eyes Elessar walked into the dark room cautiously.

"Welcome young ones. We are the Council of Riders. Present yourselves" A voice boomed out from the darkness. Elessar nodded a bit frightened and confused.

"I am Elessar of the Elements, and I ride Storm " He said standing up fully trying to sound confident. There was silence then another voice spoke from the darkness.

"A Rider of the Elements. We sense great things from you, Elessar. Your dragon will become strong. Be warned though. There are dark times coming from within this school, if you find yourself caught up in this then you are on your own. We can teach you our ways but only you can decide if you wish to live by them" The voice said. Elessar nodded again as suddenly fire erupted a few feet in front of him. The light hit the walls and illuminated five hooded figures staring down at him. Something told him that if he did not "live by their ways" he would die so he nodded and bowed to them.

"I swear to live by the way of the Riders and become great to serve the King and all of his glory" Elessar stated strongly.

"You have chosen wisely, Elessar of the Elements. Go now to the smith. He is waiting for you, from there your training begins. The smith and your new mentor will teach you our ways" A woman's voice said and then the fire disappeared, leaving all of them in the dark once again. Elessar nodded quickly, bowed and hurried out the doors. As soon as he was out he took a deep breath and wiped the nervous sweat from his forehead. Shaking his head, he looked at his dragon. The stormy grey dragon looked up at him

'Well what are you doing? We go to the Smith' Storm said in Elessar's head. Shivering a bit as he was not used to the voice in his head, he nodded.

"You're right. Let's go" He said starting to walk off. After a while of winding through hallways, Elessar frowned 'didn't the Warden say that I would be tested?' He thought to himself.

'You already were. Were you truly oblivious to the Council's dragons probing your mind as they spoke to you?' Storm said with a snort. Elessar jumped.

'You can hear my thoughts?' He thought-asked Storm. The dragon just rolled its eyes and nodded. Elessar sighed and looked around as the hallway that they were in was smelling like smoke. A few minutes later they entered the blacksmith workshop. Looking around, Elessar noticed a distinct lack of weapons, but an abundance of armor, some of which had such strange contours that it could only be meant for the body of a dragon.

'Are you the new Rider?' A deep riveting voice vibrated in his head. Elessar nodded

"I am. I am Elessar and this is Storm." He said.

'I am Talath, fire Drake.' The voice said. Storm bowed his head as a deep red colored dragon the same size of Storm emerged from a doorway further into the room..

'My Rider will be back soon. Sit, make yourself comfortable, we have lots to do soon'

Elessar nodded and took a seat in a small wooden chair against the wall.

"Talath, why are there no weapons on the walls just armor?" Elessar ask out loud. He heard a deep, bone vibrating chuckle.

"You must be the new rider. The reason young one is that the weapon comes from you and your dragon.eventually you will be able to materialize the weapon of your joint souls" Said a large, burly man who came out of the back room. He looked like a blacksmith. Large tattooed muscles, dark skin, and a hard yet kind face. He wore a thick leather apron and heavy boots, and towered over the smaller framed Elessar. Elessar stood up and gave a slight bow.