The Rogue Rider (An Inheritance Fanfiction)

Chapter 26: The Threat Rises

"You should come to the food hall tonight," Logan said, his back resting against the wall outside the entrance of New Doru Araeba.

"Why?" Ragin asked, adjusting his sword belt slightly.

"Eragon has some important announcements to make," The golden rider said, "And you might be interested in some of them."

"Can't you tell me now?"

"And give you an excuse not to go?" Logan raised his eyebrow, before turning to look at two glittering shapes that had just appeared over the mountains, "Aah, here they are."

Ragin followed his gaze and smiled slightly as the two dragonesses winged their way down to their riders. Akaysha lagged behind, and from where he was standing he could feel the exhaustion she generated. It seemed Sashi had pushed her hard that day, both mentally and physically, forcing her to the limits of her abilities. They had flown far into the mountains, meeting with many of the wild dragons that roamed throughout. Akaysha had found her hunting prowess tested, as well as her fire, her wings and her teeth. Throughout it all Sashi had sternly insisted that she do everything without magic, though for what reason was hidden from the young dragoness.

As they landed Ragin eagerly allowed opened his mind. To his surprise, there was a slight hesitation from the young dragoness, before she joined the connection he allowed open. All the exhaustion she had been holding fell through with relief, glad to be with her rider again. She affectionately battered him with her snout and he gently patted her muzzle.

'Are you alright?' he asked her.

'Better, now that we are together again,' she responded.

They were silent for a moment, Ragin looking deep into her eyes.

'I'm sorry,' he said eventually, 'I should know better than to shut you out like I did.'

She seemed surprise at his openness, blinking slowly, 'Do not blame yourself, my rider. I did the same. But... maybe we should try to be more open with each other?'

'I agree,' he responded, scratching under her chin before turning back to Logan and Sashi, "Is it really needed that I come tonight? Akaysha needs some rest."

"Oh, most definitely. You can't use your dragon to get out of this one," responded Logan with a slight smirk.

'Why? What's happening tonight?' Akaysha asked, looking at their two masters.

"Eragon has an important announcement," Ragin muttered, "One that we should apparently be there for."

The dragoness snorted, 'I guess we should go then. We haven't been for the past two nights.'

"I guess," he said with a little reservation.

'Oh come on. It'll be fun,' she playfully nudged him with her snout, 'I've said it before and I'll say it again. We are going to be here a while so we may as well try to get along with people.'

Ragin rolled his eyes, before grinning at her, "Fine. If it means so much to you."

Akaysha blinked happily, nuzzling him one last time, before turning back to their mentors. Logan had a slight smile on his face, glad to see the two of them still close after the previous day. The time they had spent away from one another had likely forced them to realise how much they needed the others company.

The dragons and their riders walked through the entrance and into the great hall. The food hall was a right turn about halfway down, and as they walked inside Ragin found himself confronted with a vast number of the dragon riders currently living in New Doru Araeba in there. It was the most crowded he had seen it, with almost a hundred riders and their dragons. It was a massive room, but this was pushing its capabilities, especially considering most of the dragons were even bigger than Akaysha was.