The First Dragon Riders

Chapter 13

They got to Vroengarg at dawn just as Eragon had predicted, the storm had let up a while ago and they had been able to return to a faster flying pace. The moods of everyone was still grave because of Kuthian’s death and Eragon could tell Oromis still felt it was all his fault for what happened, Bid’Doum on the other hand kept probing Eragon’s mind trying to question him about the next leader. In all honesty though that was the last thing on his mind right now, now he had to make sure the others were trained well enough and could build a city here that would suit elves and dragons alike. 

            We are hungry; I’m leading the others to hunt. Bid’Doum told his rider before taking off, the other dragons waited for their riders to dismount before following.

            “All right, I know this was a shock to everyone but now we must move on.” Eragon instructed. “Before I show you around the island you can get a fire started while I find something to eat.”

            The others nodded and set to work, glad to have a distraction from what happened. They spread out and started collecting fallen wood around the area they landed before coming back and piling it up. Anu started the fire with magic and Eragon came back with some berries from the forest that they could eat, they huddled by the fire until the dawn chill had left and by that time their dragons had come back and finished their meals as well.

            “This place is peaceful.” Toron commented as he looked at the forest around them.

            “Yeah for now. Who knows what’s here though.” Jacques replied.

            “Thank you for ruining it brother.”

            “You’re very welcome.” Jacques smiled a bit before standing up and casting one last look at the ocean where their friend had died hours before. “Come on let’s get moving.”

            “I’ll stay here.” Emeril said quietly. “You go ahead…”

            Jacques shook his head and put an arm around her shoulders. “No way, we can’t leave you for some monster to eat.”

            “I know you don’t feel like you belong with us anymore but you do.”

            Emeril glanced up at him as he spoke in her mind. “I’ll never belong here. I’m just going to get in the way.”

            “Never think that again! You have magic and can fight! You are not in our way.” Jacques ended the link and closed off his mind to her before walking off after the others, Emeril followed close behind with a slightly renewed sense of feeling wanted.

            Eragon led them from the ground while their dragons flew around above them, so far they hadn’t discovered anything interesting although they didn’t expect to find something as soon as they went deeper into the forest. The woods were filled with bird song and Anu saw the occasional squirrel, rabbit, and deer, basically the island held the usual forest creatures. But as they arrived at a clearing they saw something shocking; giant snails.

            “Are those real or am I seeing things?” Oromis asked in awe.

            “They’re real all right… but what are they?” Orelel asked.

            Eragon walked out into the clearing and motioned for them to follow. “They’re called Snalglí. Don’t worry these creatures are completely harmless.”

            Though they do make a tasty meal. Bid’Doum commented as he flew closer to the ground.

            The other dragons looked down at the giant snails curiously and Jacques could feel Styx’s mind go to yearning as she watched the prey on the ground. “You can eat them next time.”

            Or I could eat now. She thought back.

            “You just ate. Do you want to be the only obese dragon in existence?”

            Styx hesitated a moment and he caught an image of Bid’Doum go through her thoughts. I guess not…

            Jacques tried to hide his amusement at the reason behind her statement and Styx let out a loud growl and some smoke from her nose as she landed near him and threaten to squash him.

            “What’s with her?” Toron asked.

            “Oh… nothing. Just being herself.” Jacques laughed.

            “Right…”

            Eragon turned and saw the two falling behind. “Hey keep up! We’re nearing the center of the island!”

            “Coming!” Toron called.

            They ran after the others and Styx once again took to the skies to follow until they reached the center of the island where a large mountain rose up. Eragon was walking at the base of it and examining the outer structure before turning towards the others.

            “We can use this to help us.” He announced.

            “How?” Emeril frowned as she looked up at the towering mountain.

            “Dragons can have caves up there and with some magic and hard work I’m sure we can build enough places for millions of dragons of various sizes and for their riders.”

            “Great.” Anu nodded looking around excitedly. “Where do we start?”

            “Right here.” Eragon replied.

            “Uh… don’t we need like tools to build?” Orelel asked.

            Why would you need those puny things when you have dragons? The ground shook as a large black dragon landed behind them along with a light purple, dark brown, and an olive green.

            “Wild dragons?” Toron looked at the large dragons that had landed while their smaller dragons landed nearby. “Why are you here?”

            To help us with our task. Spectre replied in his rider’s mind. They wish to help keep the peace.

            “Well, let’s start building a city.” Eragon announced smiling.