The Name of Names

~Eight: Testing in Magic~

Vanya stood up, her feet and muscles protesting, and went towards the new elf. She was dressed in a grey dress that barely touched the floor. A white sash was being used as a belt, and the sleeves of the dress came down to about the crook of her elbow.

She smiled as Vanya came closer, "Atra esteldi ono thelduin," she greeted Vanya first, which pleased Vanya, and soothed her pride's injury somewhat.

"Mor'anr lifa hjarta onr," Vanya said the second line, and the elf completed the greeting with the final line.

"My name is Lyriana, and I am here to test you with magic." She spoke gracefully, and Vanya was curious to know the extent of her power.

"Very well," Vanya said, still in the process of steadying her breathing from the spar.

"I'm sure you are tired from the spar earlier," Lyriana pulled a gem out from one of her dress pockets, "Use as much energy as you need from this, although do so sparingly. While it is practical to use it to revive yourself for practicing magic, there are other uses that the energy may be used in."

Vanya nodded once, reaching out with her mind to the gem, marveling at how much energy was truly in there. Taking enough to steady herself, and slightly more to use while doing magic, she spoke to Lyriana, "Will we be dueling, or just practicing spells?"

"Just practicing spells, and seeing what you are capable of." Lyriana lifted her own palm, face up. "Just follow what I do." Murmuring a word in the ancient language, a small flame appeared floating just above her palm.

The easiest way to replicate that would be 'brisingr', Vanya thought quickly, murmuring the word aloud, and holding her palm upright. Using the magic, she subconsciously made the flame bigger than Lyriana's, waiting to see what she would do next.

Without making a sound, Lyriana's fire changed to water, still hovering above her palm.

How did she do that without the ancient language? Vanya wondered, while whispering the word, "Adurna," to change her own flame to water.

Lyriana completed simple spells, which Vanya easily copied, for the next few minutes, before she began to make it more complex.

Speaking quietly so that Vanya could not hear her word choice, Lyriana summoned an arrow from the wall. Vanya matched her easily, before Lyriana stepped a few paces off, and threw the arrow at Vanya.

"Letta!" Vanya barked out, and the arrow froze midair, before Vanya went to it and retrieved it.

The test became quickly more complicated, and at one point, Lyriana warned her, "From now on, nothing will be expected. I may tell you to summon the arrow, but then throw my own arrow at you, so that you will be forced to react. I may attack you with my mind, or try to immobilize you. Be warned," was the last thing she said, before the spells did get much harder.

Time passed, and at one point Lyriana encouraged Kaldar to join minds with Vanya to fend her off. "You two must learn to work together—always. That is the strength of a dragon and rider. But," she added, "that is not my place to teach. You will learn that soon enough."

The tests became complex, and at times Vanya struggled to find the right words in the ancient language. In the time that she hesitated, Lyriana would attack her with a blast of fires, or some other means, keeping her alert and prepared.

The time came where she didn't react quick enough, most of her energy spent already, and she hung in the air, held by Lyriana's spell, which now kept her from uttering any words in the ancient language.

Bitter disappointment and resentment settled inside of Vanya at her own failure. Lyriana released the spell, and Vanya landed roughly on the ground, her hands sweeping up to keep herself from hitting her face.

Getting up slowly, Vanay faced Lyriana, who looked at least somewhat sympathetic.

"That will be enough. You are tired. In a real fight, however, the opponent would not take it easy on you if you were 'tired.' "

"It's a good thing this isn't a real fight then." Vanya said evenly, hoping her eyes weren't sparking from building frustration.

Lyriana inclined her head, "Indeed. Last point, before you may leave, is that Kaldar could have transferred energy into you. This wouldn't be completely wise when you both are fighting, as then it tires him faster, even if you have more energy. But, again, that is not my place to teach you. When you go to Eragon, he will teach you more."

Vanya nodded stiffly, "Thank you for your time."

Lyriana smiled gracefully, "It was my pleasure, Shur'tugal." She left, her long dress sweeping the battle-field, and Vanya went to Kaldar. The magic had drained her, which really showed how long they had been dueling, since she was an elf.

With the bare energy she had left, she climbed onto Kaldar's back, and sat there as he began to walk towards their temporary abode.

Was the magic test better than the sparring? Kaldar asked, as Vanya leaned forward, closing her eyes to rest.

Somewhat. The tester was at least more bearable. Still, both were very trying. She sighed, disappointed in herself, I would have died at least thirty times between the two of them. And I could tell both were going easy.

Kaldar hummed consolingly, When we begin to train, you will grow stronger.

That's not the problem. I just, she paused, frustrated. I thought I was stronger than this. She draped an arm over her eyes, blocking all light out.

Kaldar came to the road, and elves parted for him like tall grass, murmuring greetings, and respective, "Shur'tugal."

Kaldar stopped in front of the abode, where he flew around--Vanya still on his back-- to the other side of the hut, and landed gently in the tree house.

Vanya climbed off, going over to the bathroom, I'm going to take a quick bath. She informed him.

And I will hunt. He said, before turning around, his spiked tail nearly smashing into the walls.

Vanya watched him leave, before going into the room, undressing, and soaking in the warm water.

Long minutes passed before she reluctantly had to get out, her fingers wrinkled as dried dates. Dressing in her soft nightclothes, she went over to the elvish bed, slipping under the covers and closing her eyes. Waking dreams overtook her quickly, and she rested until Kaldar returned, when she woke up with a start as he landed. She smiled as she sensed he was trying to be quiet, but had still made enough noise when he landed to wake her.

Sorry. He mumbled as he realized she was awake,

It's no problem, she said dismissively, before closing her eyes again, and drifting off to sleep.