Rise of the Dragon Riders

Bonded

Many years had passed since the dragon riders went into hiding. Now, with young Skylar finding an egg that hatched for her, nothing would ever be the same again.

Saphira, Eragon and all the other riders had sensed it, only two going out to bring the new rider home. 'Can you feel her?' Saphira mentally asked him. Eragon shook his head.

She extended her senses, trying to pinpoint the new rider's location. A few seconds later, the young rider was located. 'Take us down. I've found her.' She orders Eragon. Nodding, the dark brown drake swept downward, approaching the woman's house.
Upon touchdown, Saphira jumped down from his back, landing on her feet. Having heard the massive thud, Skylar went to investigate.

She screamed in frightened shock, taking in the hulking dragon before her. Saphira was quick to reassure her. "I'm Saphira, and this is my drake, Eragon. It's nice to meet you, dragon rider." Skylar blanched, confused. "Dragon rider? Me? Nah. No." Seeming in denial, Saphira grew quickly harsh. "You don't get it. Many riders and dragons have died throughout the years. You were chosen specifically for this role. The hatchling could see the wild freeness within you. Come with me, and embrace your new life. You're one of us now, one of our kind." She explained.

Saphira returned to Eragon's saddle, extending her hand to Skylar, who hesitated. She had a hatchling dragon that needed her, but also she didn't exactly want to leave her home behind. Making her decision, she took the proffered hand, being swung onto the massive male's back. Hatchling secured firmly in her arms, they took off, but not before Eragon torched Skylar's home by command of Saphira.

Watching her home vanish, Skylar turned away to focus on her future. After setting down at Saphira's hideout, Skylar grew curious. "How long have you had Eragon?" The younger woman asked. Saphira set her hand on his side and closed her eyes, opening them seconds later. "A thousand years. I remember when he hatched for me like it was yesterday. I was a simple farm girl with an adopted younger sister. Her name was Arya, rider of the magnificent orange dragoness Phoenix. Arya and Phoenix were a powerful, strong force.

One day changed everything. I began to realise Arya was brainwashed by the king. No longer the sister I knew, there was only one option: Go to war with the King's Riders, and win, or lose and die. The new leader of the riders, I guided them into the battle. It was bloody and brutal, yet we won. Arya and Phoenix had perished in the skirmish by my hand. I aimed arrows, hitting both in the heart. They died instantly." Saphira finished her dark tale, eyes shadowed by some unrecognisable emotion.

Skylar didn't say anything else, shocked by the story. "Now. Onto your training. It won't be easy, so prepare yourself. The first few months will center on your fighting skills both on and off dragonback. The months after that will focus on magic training and mental defences practice. Then I'll train you in how to fly and control your drake or dragoness." The summary over, Saphira led Skylar to sit, the young vivid orange dragoness curling up.

"What are you going to name her?" Saphira asked. "Artemis." The elder hummed in approval. Eragon watched the tiny female who would soon grow to a massive size. As the days went by, Saphira relentlessly trained Skylar, Eragon looking on as Phoenix grew to her full size. "You see, Skylar, when you live many centuries, you'll find yourself watching your children growing up and leaving to explore the world. It hurts, but you learn to accept it. That's what happened to me. I watched my children grow up and leave to form new dragon rider groups. Killing my own sister was the hardest thing I've ever done, but at least my kids grew up free and happy, not under the tyrannical rule of an evil madman." The elder woman revealed her past.

Skylar's eyes widened, stunned. Saphira got up and went to sit on Eragon's back, staring into nothing. Phoenix was now big enough to ride, so Saphira designed a saddle for her. Settling onto Phoenix's back for the first time, great orange wings spreading, they took off, Skylar cheering. Once high in the sky, Saphira showed Skylar the delights of flying, face turned toward the sun.

"This is what it means to be a dragon rider, Skylar. Accept your destiny." Saphira drilled the words into her apprentice's head, Phoenix watching. Despite being a thousand years apart in age, Phoenix was showing interest in Eragon, who reciprocated her interest. Saphira knew they'd pair off and mate soon, so she warned Skylar.