Midnight Rider

Shadow

The next morning, she completed the first couple levels of the Rimgar to loosen before washing and dressing in her uniform planning on meeting with Melzar as soon as she could. She quickly fed the dragon and using thoughts and images, impressed on it the importance of staying quiet and hidden. This was not the place to raise a dragon. They grew quickly and if the king found out she would never be free.
Once she was sure it understood she buckled her sword belt, then with a last stroke and a stay, she left him in her room. As she went, through her mind raced thoughts of the dragon. She would have to give him a name, a strong powerful one suited to him. She could think of a few. But she would talk to him about it. Dragons were extremely intelligent, though he may not fully understand her yet, he would know what name would suit him.
Tanwen quickly came upon the office of her guardian and knocked urgently. She heard him grant permission and entered quickly, shutting the door and muttering in the Ancient Language to cause ears to stray from their conversation. When she turned, she saw Melzar stood there, but she also saw the figure of the man from before. Looking more dirty and tired, obviously having only just arrived.
Tanwen stood quickly, cursing herself for not checking the room before her actions.
“Tanwen, what is going on. Why the spell? Can’t you see I have company?” Tanwen glanced to the man, he seemed to have stood back, a curiosity in his eyes.
“My apologies sir, but something urgent has arisen from our... previous discussion.” Melzar’s eyes widened at that. He stood straighter and seemed to be thinking of something. He looked to the man before sighing.
“Tanwen, this is my contact. The name he has given is Shadow. He has agreed to take you and our object. Tell us what the issue is, do not worry. He knows.”
The man stepped forward slightly at that, and bowed slightly, “My lady.” His voice was deep, knowledge and sadness seemed to permeate the sound.  He did not sound anything like the rebels she had dealt with before. There was something different about him. Tanwen just couldn’t put your finger on it.
She frowned, “I am not sure that is wise, we do not know what his intentions are. And he is no common rebel...”
The man’s eyes widened at that, before narrowing and becoming piercing. The sharp blue seeming to see straight through her. “It’s hatched, hasn’t it?”
Tanwen stiffened and drew her sword pacing round to put herself between Shadow and Melzar. “He knows too much; we shouldn’t risk it.”
Shadow raised his hands, his eyes calculating, “Eka mulabra né haina. Eka mulbara eom sjon ono fra haina, Shur'tugal.” (I mean you no harm. I wish to see you from harm, Dragon Rider.)
Tanwen thought through his phrasing. There were loopholes in what he said, of course, but he seemed somehow genuine. You could not lie in the ancient language, but you could twist the truth. Formora and more specifically, Morzan, had taught her as much. She relaxed slightly, but didn’t sheathe her sword.
“Tanwen, what’s going on, what did he just say?” Melzar questioned. He seemed ruffled by the turn of the conversation.
“He says he means no harm. It is not fool proof of his intentions.... But he seems somewhat genuine.” Tanwen said, glancing at Melzar. She sighed and hesitated for a moment before sheathing her blade. “You are correct, he has hatched.”
The silence in the room was deafening. The two men coming to terms with what she had said. The man stood before her looked somewhat misty eyed, before saying, “So the Dragon Riders could rise again. And it is you no less, the daughter of the man that caused their fall.” He seemed to shake himself from his thoughts then. “We must leave, now. Galbatorix will have felt the hatching. And you are not hidden here.”
“That is why I came. It is not safe here. I did not report my findings directly to the king. If we are captured, I dread to think what he will do.” She turned to Melzar then, looking into his eyes. “Thank you for everything you have done. Truly. You are my father, not the man that sits on the throne.” At that she embraced him.
Melzar seemed astonished, then quickly wrapped his arms around Tanwen, “You cannot leave right now, you have your duties to attend. Leave at first light, I will spread the word that you’ve been sent on another hunting expedition. It may raise some brows, but it is better than leaving with no reason and will buy you some time.” He released her and turned to Shadow. “Meet her on the outskirts, in the forest. It is the safest there and will reduce suspicions. And thank you.”
With that Tanwen released the spell she had cast earlier and made for the door. Promising to see Melzar before she left and quickly hurried to her duties. Ensuring everything was running as it should.
At midday a messenger found her to inform of the expedition to the woods for a month. The other captains laughed at their fellow captains’ misfortune for having to leave again so soon. And she laughed along with them, joking that she never could seem to catch a break. With the excuse ready, she prepped her sergeants for her departure before excusing herself. She had to pack after all.
When Tanwen arrived back into the room, the little dragon crowed with joy and jumped into her arms. She stroked his crest and shared her joy through the bond, relishing in the connection. She removed the stiff uniform and stark red cloak for more a comfortable tunic and pants. Then began to pack her bags. She spoke to the dragon as she did, saying about the situation and what was to be done. As she did so she used images and feelings to get the message across to him.
Once everything was ready, she sat on the bed and pulled out the last of the dried meat she had. As she did so she spoke to him, “I can’t keep calling you him or dragon. You need a name. There are a few that I know. There is Bid'Daum, but he was white. Umaroth, Glaedr, Cauroc, Beroan and Briam?” The little dragon shook his head and snorted a black cloud of smoke, indicating his displeasure of the names. “Hmmm, Vanilor? He was the king of the wild dragons.” The dragon seemed to think on it a moment before shaking his head. That seemed to not work either. Tanwen thought a bit more on the subject and fed him the last of his meal.
He seemed to have grown a little already and he was not yet a day old. Thinking on that a name flashed through her head. “Belgabad?” He seemed to preen at the name and she knew he had accepted it. “Belgabad it is then. A strong name, the largest dragon of his time. It suits you.” Belgabad hummed happily at that and jumped into her arms, snuggling to her chest. Tanwen couldn’t help but smile at him.
She settled onto the mattress of her bed with Belgabad curled on her chest. The slight pressure of their constant connection was a strange thing to bet used to. But she looked forward to moving forward and growing with him.