Age of the Dragon 1: Return of the Riders

Chapter 3

It was night time when Fallyn came upon the camp. She sensed that the dragon was not there - likely hunting or stretching its wings.

There were two horses and a lone man in the camp.

"Now why would a man need two horses and a dragon?" she wondered aloud, making her presence known to the man.

He turned with a start, and Fallyn felt rage boil in her heart the moment she saw his face.

"Morzan!" she hissed, leaping down from Clathus's back and drawing her sword in a single motion.

He jumped to his feet and reached for his own sword, freezing as her black blade's tip pressed against his throat.

"Wait!" he cried, his gray eyes widening with evident panic. "I'm not Morzan!"

She paused, her golden eyes flicking across his features, lingering on the eyes that were not Morzan's. Far too young, and there were other subtle differences. There was also a lack of recognition in his eyes and cruelty in his features.

He did not know her.

"And yet, I track the dragon to find a son of Morzan instead," she spoke with a low, dangerous voice.

He swallowed visibly, stumbling and falling onto the ground as she advanced.

"Show me your hands, boy," she snapped.

He held them up, palms facing her. Her eyes flickered over them, seeing no sign of the Gedwëy ignasia.

"Where are the dragon and its rider?" she demanded.

"If you would calm down-" he started.

She pressed the blade closer, and he hissed as the tip drew blood.

"He was captured," the boy answered through gritted teeth. "His dragon and I are planning a rescue."

She stared at him a moment longer.

"Does this Rider know he travels with the son of a Forsworn?" she had noticed how his eyes would flicker to the sky any time she mentioned his parentage. She suspected he hadn't been entirely truthful with his travel companion.

"No," he answered.

"Why?"

"Because I am trying to get away from that," he answered. "My father brings me no pride, but makes finding allies very difficult."

She wished at that moment that she could speak with her mother. Determine whether or not she should trust this human. She withdrew her blade, sheathing it before holding out a hand to him.

"I've decided to trust you, boy," she said slowly. "As a show of that, I won't speak a word of your... secret... to anyone. In return, I expect you to be worthy of that trust."

He took her hand, and she pulled him to his feet.

"Thanks, I think," he murmured. "I'm Murtagh. Just so you don't go around calling me 'boy' anymore."

She quirked an eyebrow at that.

"Why do you think knowing your name will stop me?" she responded. "I am called Fallyn."

"Well, I'm hopeful," he said with a wry smile.

"So the Rider has been captured, but that doesn't explain where the dragon is," Fallyn said pointedly.

"She's around," he answered. "I think she's checking the layout."

"You think?"

"I don't rightly know how Eragon communicates with her."

A female.

"What is her name?"

"Saphira."

Fallyn smiled to herself. Like Brom's dragon, I see.

She closed her eyes, opening her mind carefully as she called out.

"Kvetha Saphira, atra nosu waíse fricai," she mentally called out.

Several heartbeats followed, and soon a large dragon landed, spooking Murtagh's horses, though Clathus simply flicked his ears at her.

Fallyn admired the dragon, seeing how she had begun to grow into herself. She walked around the beast, examining her from every angle.

"Who are you, small female?" the dragon's mind was soft and melodious, with just a hint of steel.

"I am Fallyn," she answered. "I have been searching for you and your Rider since the moment I discovered Brom's tomb. The two of you are a sign that change is coming. I understand your Rider has been captured, however."

"Yes."

"Then we should find a way to get him back," Fallyn said aloud for the benefit of Murtagh as well.