The Rogue Rider (An Inheritance Fanfiction)

Chapter 21: Hidden Memories Part 3

After a short dinner of more fish, the duo made their way back to their cave and went inside. The sun was setting in the horizon, and though it was still early, both rider and dragon were exhausted. Despite the early hour Ragin readily collapsed onto his bead with a tired sigh, not bothering to shed his clothes. They were dry by then anyway, and clean as well.

Akaysha curled up in her nest with the most satisfied purr he had heard her make in a long time. She set her tired head between her forepaws. The midnight blue scales shined in the dying of the light. Any mud, dirt and sweat had been throughfully cleaned off, giving a now pristine surface that sparkled like a million dazzling gems.

'Sleep well Akaysha,' he murmured mentally too her, finally letting himself fall into the exhausted confines of his body.

'You to, partner of my mind and soul,' she replied back.

* * *

Akaysha rumbled, half annoyed as she found herself pulled from her sleep by an unconscious stream of thoughts in the back of her mind. The dragoness lifted her head with a slight huff, shifting slightly in her far too comfortable nest, and gazing around the room. The moon was bright that night and, after a minute or so, she found her eyes adjusted to the minimal darkness in the room. She could sense there were a number of others awake, thought they paid her no mind.

Her gaze turned to Ragin. The rider was fast asleep, stretched out on his stomach and breathing deeply. But his mind was active. Images rushed through it at a startling rate. Words went passed. Ideas, thoughts and dreams she hadn't seen from him before. But more important than all that, was the fact his mind was completely open once again. An excited thrill ran down her back as she stretched out her mind into his, eager for the chance to see into his memories again.

Part of her felt guilty. These were her rider's private thoughts, memories and emotions. He had far more of a right to them than she did, but the other part of her rationalized that as his dragon, she had a right to those thoughts as well. Before she stopped herself she dove into his mind, taking the rare chance to discover more about her rider.

* * *

"Master, do we really have to do this?" a ten year old Ragin asked.

It was a strange memory. Unlike the others that Akaysha had viewed it was extremely hazy. The sounds of the crowd surrounding both the boy and Vanir were muted and unnaturally conjoined. People's faces didn't really stick out, their details vague and unconvincing. The only really clear view she got was from the regal elf standing beside them. At first she didn't recognise him, but after a quickly look through previous memories she realised that Vanir had cast a spell to change his appearance for whatever occasion they were attending.

"It is compulsory, Ragin," the elf replied, "You have been recorded on the city's ledger. If you don't attend questions will be raised. You don't want that do you?"

"No... but... I don't even want to become a dragon rider," the boy muttered.

"There is a very low chance you will be chosen my boy. These eggs go by every person and being in Alageasia and beyond. In the end, only five eggs hatch every five years."

"But what if one does hatch for me?" grunted Ragin, jabbing his hands into his pockets.

Vanir was silent for a moment, "Then you will go with them."

Akaysha wasn't quite sure, it was hard to tell with the overwhelming amount of emotions flooding out of Ragin, but she thought she noticed a degree of sadness in the way the elf spoke. It surprised the dragoness because, from what she had seen through her rider's memories, their relationship had been rather one-sided, mostly coming from Ragin's eagerness to gain the attention of his master. The idea that Vanir would feel anything for the young boy was rather startling. Though, they had been together for four years now.