Unexpected Fate

Chapter 1: Distant Lands

I let out a cry of laughter as our blades slammed together. "Well done, Adelina!" The young girl furrowed her pale brows and charged forward while I disengaged and stepped away. "But you need to focus."

"I am trying, Master." She turned to face me as she wiped the sweat from her brow. "It's just-"

I held up my hand, silencing her. "Ne. I don't want to hear it. There are no excuses in the midst of battle." I stepped closer to her. "Focus, Adelina, and be careful not to let your emotions get the better of you."

She dug the tip of her blade into the ground, uprooting the grass. "I am only human, you know,"

A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips. "Eka kenna, I know. But you will learn to find balance, shur'tugal." I rested my hand on her shoulder. "Now go, return to your studies. We are done for today."

Her head snapped up. "My apologies, Master, I'll do better...please, can we try again?"

I searched her wide eyes for a moment before shaking my head. "You needn't apologize. I believe that perhaps you should reflect on our lesson in preparation for tomorrow." I let my hand fall from her shoulder as I reached for her practice blade. "Ganga. Go,"

She offered the blade with a sigh and bowed. "Eka elrun ono, Master. I will do better." I nodded in reply before she turned from me. I watched her go as I reflected on the lesson of the day. As a human rider she had much to learn about the balance of emotion and logic, and being young didn't help the matter. Yet, I had faith. Her passion would carry her far. A slight breeze shifted my dark hair as I placed the blades into the weapons rack. The training island was unusually quiet today, as most of the riders were in the Hall attending to their studies as their respective dragons were training with Saphira. My own dragon, Svellevarina, was among them, helping Saphira-elda with the younglings.

I entered the Hall, the creaking of the large wooden door causing a series of faces to look my way before returning to the books and pages on the table. I came to stand beside Eragon, who was overseeing the young riders as they studied.

He raised an eyebrow as I met his gaze, clearly expecting an explanation on Adelina's early return. I spoke in the Ancient Language in a hushed tone as I explained: "I have asked that she take time to reflect on balancing her emotions while in combat. It does no good to allow them to get the better of you."

"Emotions can be used as a tool." He replied.

I shook my head slightly. "Not when you allow them to overpower you, Eragon-vodhr."

"Hm. Balance is needed, I do agree," he glanced in her direction. "Alas, she is young. And human. There is much for her to learn."

"Indeed."

The young riders concluded their evening of studying when their dragons returned to the island with Saphira-elda and Svellevarina, allowing them to eat, rest, and spend much needed time with their dragons. The sun was just peeking over the tops of the trees now, giving the clouds in the sky a navy shadow.

"You and Svellevarina may be dismissed for the evening. No further training is needed tonight." Eragon told me.

I bowed my head. "Eka elrun ono, Eragon-vodhr. Svellevarina and I shall return tomorrow morning."

Eragon nodded with a small smile as I turned from him and made my way to Svellevarina, who was laying next to Saphira in the training field behind the Hall.

In comparison, Svellevarina was much smaller than Saphira due to their drastic age difference but she was just as beautiful. Her white scales managed to catch every ounce of light and reflect them into rainbows on nearby surfaces. It was if she was made of diamonds.