The Rogue Rider (An Inheritance Fanfiction)

Chapter 27: Hidden Memories Part 4

Chapter 27: Hidden Memories Part 4

The days spent at New Doru Araeba slowly turned into weeks for Ragin and his dragon. The routine they fell into became a familiar part of their lives. They spent the morning separated, Ragin practicing his skills with weapons and magic while Akaysha learnt all about her own race, finding the best hunting grounds, aerial manoeuvres, strengthening her flame and more. Then they were reunited for lunch. Occasionally Ragin sat with the other trainees, allowing himself to enjoy their company while Akaysha got to know the other dragons that remained in the city. Other times the two of them flew together, taking the opportunity to enjoy the skies.

Every afternoon they joined up with Logan and Sashi, where they learned a great many things about other lands and the people within. Akaysha was schooled in her own magic during this time as well, learning more about its wild nature and how to control it. At first the dragoness was a little wary about what she could do if she let herself get out of control, but after about a week or so she had regained most of her old confidence back, with a bit or respectful fear about the power she wielded.

At night the two of them once again either flew or found themselves in the food hall with the other riders. There were never as many as their had been the first night, as Eragon had sent nearly half of his forces to Alageasia to discover what they could about the threat Tharin meant. Ragin found himself growing closer to the other riders, even developing a grudging respect for how hard they trained in order to catch up with him. Hanzi managed to even disarm him at one point, growing used to the other rider's technique and figuring out a way to turn it to his advantage. As annoying as his gloating was, Ragin found himself slightly proud of his friend. Of course, he never allowed it to happen again, and soundly defeated the elf in their next bout.

As the days passed by Akaysha discovered another interesting development as Ragin grew more comfortable with his surroundings. When he slept his mind began to open more and more often, like the protective shell he had forged around himself was slowly slipping away and memories of his hidden past began to flow out eagerly toward her in his sleep. Every night she found herself waking up with the hum of those memories she so craved, digging deep into each one in near desperation.

The things she found were astounding, and sometimes even frightening. She watched as the path he lead grew darker and darker through Vanir's tutelage. At eleven years old the boy knew dark magics only few could master. He could kill a man with a word, knew the best places to pierce a body for the most amount of pain. He began to go out on odd tasks for the elf, climbing into places only his body would allow and stealing items that seemed barely noteworthy and hiding as the guards went into a frantic panic for months on end looking for those stolen items. Vanir even brought him on a mission or two, slowly beginning to weave in tales of the world around them.

One night Akaysha found herself moving into an even darker recess hidden deep with her rider's conscious. This was a strange memory, as the amount of rage and hatred woven through it was unlike anything she had experienced before. Even the dislike Ragin had for Theaden didn't run this deep. Curious as to what lay behind this specific event that seemed to hold so much weight for her rider she allowed herself to be swallowed up by the memory.

Blood trickled down from the boy's ear as he stared at his opponent, sword grasped in shivering hands that were wrapped in stained red cloth. The blade was nicked and battered, dull after hours of being hammered and dropped to the ground. Once again, as was often the case, his body was sore, shaking from exertion. Sweat rolled down his face, causing him to blink every so often as a trickle found its way to his eye.

Across from him was another familiar sight. Vanir, calm and calculated, his own blade hovering out in his outstretched hand. It was slightly blurred in Ragin's vision, as he wasn't focused on the sword. His eyes studied Vanir's own, just as the elf watched him, both waiting for the signal that the other was about to move.