A/N: Hello readers! Because of limited time, this entry will have quite a big time lapse towards the middle. This is due to me leaving for a mission trip with my church that lasts a week, so, I have a limited amount of time and unfortunately cannot add as much detail as I would like. I'm sorry for the inconvenience.

Prompt: Eragon has invited your character and its dragon to attend the final stage of your training, travelling to the Riders' island for the experienced Riders. Upon arriving on the island, your character encounters an elf who feels you have dishonored him or her. The elf challenges you to a duel in which you cannot refuse. You may take multiple characters with you on this journey, and may duel with one with permission. Good Luck!

Characters: Belle Liressdaughter(Nikkisha16), Lanalynn "Lana" Morningstar(bookworm12600), Lothiriel "Thiri"(32onedoesnotsimply), Verity(LydiaSparrow), Eran(Pennator), Adurnaë(Lauren19997), and Reona(LydiaGiVi).

Score: 10/12. I have immunity for this round.

Location: Ellesméra; Doru Areba; Oromis Isle, as featured in A Young Rider's Story.

My Entry:

Rain drummed on the pavilion roof, drowning out the sound of our silence. No one spoke, nothing was said. I hung my head low, as an endless torrent of tears clouded my eyes. Weeping accompanied the noise of the precipitation, the bodies around me were stiff and shrouded in misery.

I was laden in black; I sported black leggings, black moccasins, a black tunic and I even wore my hair pulled from my face, the way I despised it. I wore this gloomy clothing for this dreary occasion, I wore this ominous outfit for Glaedr.

Du Weldenvarden seemed to sense and embrace our misery, it wept with us. Elves, humans, all of the Rider's encompassed a stone slate covered by a golden tapestry. Immobile on the tapestry was the shattered Eldunarí of Glaedr, along with the Rider's sword of his companion, Oromis at his side. Glaedr had been placed with his pieces mended in their correct places, but space separated the pieces so the tragedy could be known.

We had wept for hours, some had retired to their dwellings after paying their respects, exhaustion and fatigue overcoming them from their sobbing.

I believed that no one in the pavilion was as distressed as Eragon, Arya, myself, Lothiriel and Lana. Eragon had flown from his solitude island established for the advanced Riders to attend this mournful occasion. He had paid his respects during the proper times, but once the spectators had become desolate, he had returned to mourn his teacher, never leaving the stone slab until more spectators arrived. The great Rider was so consumed by his grief I had begun to question his teaching methods despite of the things I had heard of him.

The mournful event would last another day, this day, and then Eragon would be departing, or so I had heard, back to the island. Arya had announced he would be taking a hand full of the trainees back to the island with him, which had excited some of the Riders which contradicted the mood of the dreary occasion.

I decided to depart, I was solemn, and reluctant, but I needed to get away from the sorrow which encased the pavilion. I shouldered my way out of the pavilion, careful not to disturb the thoughts of the mourning.

Outside of the pavilion I was greeted with the torrent of rain bearing down on my body. I trudged in the direction of the trees, hopeful to shield some of my body with the leaves.

The precipitation teased my hair, stray strands became frizzy and stood on end until finally the whole of my apparel was drenched. I felt the chill of the rain penetrating my skin, goosebumps rising over every crevice. I chose to ignore the sensation, feeling as if I deserved the way the weather decided to treat me; I had been unable to stop Glaedr's destruction, the guilt had been overbearing in the days after I had murdered the ghost-like creature that had stolen the Eldunarí.

My moccasins became flooded as I entered the canopy of trees, the boundary that separated Ellesméra and the camp adjacent. I bowed my head in frustration, my tears had ceased, but were replaced by silent sobs and a constricted throat. I fought back the urge to wail in my misery, content with being alone. I was no different than the other elves in this situation, my grief mattered not to anyone but Gereth, I deserved no consolation from anyone, for they were occupied with consoling themselves.

As I neared the camp I began to feel uncomfortable in my dampness, my clothing uncomfortably suctioned to my skin. Upon entering the muddy area of the camp I hastened my pace, eager to receive warmth and dryness. The day was almost at its end, I concluded that after bathing and drying I would go to sleep, if my haunting nightmares did not accompany my consciousness.

I approached the spiral staircase at the base of the tree dwelling, dreading the walk ahead. Against my better judgment, I refrained from summoning Gereth who had secluded himself in our dwelling and began my ascent, feeling I deserved the punishment for my actions. My calves burned viciously, lactic acid cushioning my muscles as I bolted up the stairs.

I grasped the railing, my hand brushing the exterior for safety as I bounded up to steps two at a time, occasionally three. The rain slackened the friction beneath the soles of my moccasins and the stairs, my feet sliding wildly as I ran.

Do not injure yourself, Freyona would not be as kind to you during this turn of events, Gereth warned. His warning antagonized me, annoyance occupied his voice more than worry, and this angered me. I said nothing to the irritable dragon, and shielded my mind from his embrace.

Upon reaching the end of my ascent I was again winded and overcome with fatigue from the weather. I thought back to the day where I had told Lothiriel I had yearned for a storm, now regretting my words.

I entered our equally dreary appearing dwelling, drenched and agitated. I frowned as I whispered, "Brisingr," and the room became lit as the 'r' rolled off my tongue. The carpet beneath my moccasins became damp as they collided with an awful squish.

Gereth raised his head as I entered the sleeping chambers, sleep lingering in his eyes. I frowned at him as well, and began to dig through the clutter in my drawers. I pulled out my sleep wear as well as a towel. I trudged to the washroom, the perturbing squish at my heels.

Before you go Roslyn, a package was delivered while you were mourning. It is resting on your mattress if you wish to open it before you bathe. My kindness returned for the dragon, maybe his previous tone of voice had crossed my mind differently than he intended.

"I will unwrap it once I'm done bathing, the weather has taken quite a toll on me," I replied. Gereth rumbled his acknowledgement before tucking his snout beneath his forelegs, and closing his eyes again.

~ ~ ~

Dear Roslyn,

Hello dear sister! It has been some time since we've spoken, many months in fact. It took me what felt like an eternity to locate your whereabouts in the sense of where to send this package. I've missed you greatly in the months we've been apart, I have few friends here at the Bearers' Training Camp. Although we departed on good terms I feel as if the lack of communication we've had either means that you prefer not to speak with me or your schedule is even more hectic than you originally believed it would be. I thought I'd write to you, to see if our good terms are still in effect or if we're again consumed in our endless feud.

Off of that depressing subject, I've been eager to hear about your experiences as a Rider. What is your dragon like? Have you made any friends? I'm extremely curious.

I'm happier than I ever could have imagined, besides the lacking of many friends. We've been training in swordsmanship and other aspects of defense in case we're ever ambushed on a mission. We've even had the chance to ride dragons, most of our travels will be on dragonback while carrying eggs but returning to base free of eggs will always be on horseback.

I've missed you dearly sister and I hope you will contact me as soon as you can. To express my eagerness to speak with you, I've included a gift for you and a fairth of myself at the camp in this package, I hope you find joy in the gift.

With all my love,

Lyn

I refolded the tri-folded parchment. It had been nearly a year since I had spoken with my sister, the person I had once been the most envious of. My lip trembled with guilt as I recollected how I had treated her, I had treated her so disgracefully. Belle had replaced the envy I once possessed for my younger sister.

You were consumed with grief and hate for yourself, she doesn't blame you, Gereth commented. I had told him as early as he had been able to speak the situation with my sister and I. He had listened, and when I had finished, Gereth's personality had been completely influenced. He became very protective of my emotions and state of mind.

I began to cry. I never cried in front of any of the other Riders, but I wept frequently in Gereth's company.

"B-but, she never d-did a-anything bad to me! And I-I treated h-her l-like dirt."

Roslyn, please stop torturing yourself. Lyn has forgiven you, its fairly obvious. She's concerned, she does not wish to hurt you. Apologize wholeheartedly and move on. I wiped my cheeks and eyes with the back of my hand. I looked at Gereth who possessed nothing but kindness, and nodded weakly.

I gazed at the leather bound package on my mattress. Its contour was odd, a part of the package was rectangular, which I assumed to be the fairth. The other part of the package was round and rectangular and completely strange to me. I picked it up in my palms, the boiled leather uncomfortable to touch. I unraveled the straps that bound it shut, careful not to injure the contents if they were fragile.

I discovered that the unfamiliar object was a gitar. I had never played a musical instrument in my life, but I had wanted to ever since I had been a child. I carefully maneuvered the gitar into the proper playing position, and although I hadn't the faintest idea how, I began to finger the strings.

The gitar was smaller than some I had seen, it was travel size. Its wood was a stained dark cherry, and overall it was a beautiful instrument. The sound that I strummed was not, however. I aimlessly played off-pitch chords, startling Gereth with his enhanced hearing. I quickly apologized with a smile and carefully placed the instrument on my mattress.

Still wrapped inside the leather package, forgotten, was the fairth Lyn had indicated she had included. I pick up the square slab, the texture it presented me led me to presume that it was composed of slate.

The fairth wasn't what I had expected. Envy flared in my chest as I perceived Lyn. She was sitting on a wooden bench, in the fairth, with a human boy's right arm wrapped around her shoulders. They were smiling at me, a forest was in the distance in which the center trees had been cleared from presenting a corridor-like training grounds that was perfectly vertical.

I became enraged at the thought that Lyn would stoop so low as to let herself court a human. I was more envious than enraged, a human man would not have me, let alone an elf. I didn't blame Lyn, but I couldn't help but feel distressed. With the recent events still fresh in my mind, this didn't help my mental stability. I began to sob again, my shoulders shaking as I tossed the fairth across the mattress.

Almost simultaneously Gereth stood from his nest and rushed to where I sat on my mattress. I fell sideways on my mattress and sobbed into its material. I curled into a fetal position, Gereth relentlessly trying to comfort me.

I'll never be beautiful. No one will have me, I'll die without a mate, I said to Gereth. If I would have spoken aloud my words would have been slurred and incomprehensible.

Your beauty knows no years and will not bow to time. You should not need someone to know your beauty, you've handled too much in your life to break now, he said, rocking me with his snout.

Suddenly, a knock echoed through our dwelling, it was an urgent knock. Quickly I sat up and hurried to wipe my tears. Gereth strolled back to his nest, still concerned. He knew I would not be seen crying in front of anyone except him, so he spoke of nothing. I hid the remnants of my experience beneath my mattress as the knock sounded again.

"I'll be there in a moment!" I shouted shoving the last of the items away from prying eyes. I hurried to the door, still wiping my cheeks.

I grasped the door handle and opened the door to find Lana and Belle in the door frame. I rolled my eyes, I wasn't in the mood to see Belle. Lana always saw the need to bring Belle, and Belle likewise saw the need to accompany her everywhere with the exception of her visits to Verity. I had heard some obscene things about the couple from other trainees, but I had been almost entirely positive they were not true.

I gestured for the pair to enter, Lana leading with exuberant eyes. When they were both inside I pushed the door shut with a satisfied click.

"How may I help you this fine evening?" I asked, faking a smile. My mood was irritable and miserable in the same instant.

"We have some exciting news to share!" Lana exclaimed. "It was announced at the close of the open house for Glaedr, we volunteered to come share it with you."

You volunteered, Gods know Belle did not, I said to myself. Lana grasped my hand, her blonde hair slapping me in the face as she pushed me onto the cluttered mess of the chair in the common room. She and Belle remained standing, looking down on me excitedly.

"Our section of trainees has been selected to travel with Eragon-elda!" she practically burst hysterically. My mood suddenly lifted, the thought of leaving this wretched continent excited me.

"Who all is going? I know you said our section, but there's no way he will be taking more than twelve Riders with him," I asked, leaning on my knees with my elbows, suddenly interested in the conversation.

"I'm not quite sure you've met all of the Riders in our sector because of your private swordsmanship lessons, do you want me to list all of them?" she asked with humor on her lips.

"Of course, I'm sure I havent." She looked taken aback that I hadn't taken my time to get to know the others, but she gave in and gave me what I wished.

"Well, there's Belle, Lothiriel, and I of course, as well as my friend Eran and his dragon Farran, Verity and his dragon Shrewd, Adurnaë and her dragon Leafian, and the last one that will be with us will be Reona and her dragon Etyer." I nodded as she finished. I had heard many things about all of the Riders listed although I had only met Belle, Thiri and Lana. I had heard things many a time of Verity, but never had actually met the boy. I had also perceived that Eran and Lana had a similar relationship to that of Verity and Belle. I knew that Adurnaë and Belle were somewhat close, for I had heard that they bunked togther. It was also relatively well known that Belle had a relationship with Reona not unlike ours.

I glanced at Belle who refused to catch my gaze. I ignored her, glancing back at Lana, "We leave tomorrow evening," she said. "We have a council meeting at dawn, however, for those who are going." I nodded to her in understanding.

"Thank you for coming to inform me, I'm afraid I'm going to have to retire soon, however, if I'm to awaken at the appropriate time on the morrow," I said as they made their way to the door of my dwelling.

"Roslyn," Belle said her first words. "May we speak in private before you retire?"

Oh here we go, I thought. "No problem, we'll see you tomorrow morning, Lana?" She nodded to me before exiting my dwelling, leaving Belle and I standing uncomfortably in the center of my common room. I gestured for Belle to sit again, but she waved off the offer and clasped her hands in front of her.

"What is it that you would like to speak with me about?" I asked, slightly irritated that she hadn't begun to speak.

"With the events the day at the Eldunarí chamber, we never got to try reaching out to one another during our dreams," she began. "I was wondering if you would be interested in giving it a try tonight, of course only if we receive the dreams." I nodded, realizing our earlier plans to contact each other in our dreams had not been fulfilled.

"Of course," I agreed. "But because I've never brushed your mind or you mine, we should try that now, so we are not caught off guard." She returned my nod, her thumb and pointer finger wrapped around her chin.

"Shall we begin?" she asked. I closed my eyes in answer, channelling my energy into my thoughts. I began to hesitantly lower my barriers, searching for multiple minds instead of a singular, in the event another tried to breach my consciousness. I felt none brushing my outer walls, so I began to drift away from myself, reluctant to explore. Soon I brushed a consciousness that was unknown, but a friendly aurora led me to believe it was Belle. My mind twirled with hers in a dance foreign to my limbs, inspecting her consciousness. I found that it was Belle, for I sensed her upbeat personality and curiosity. I grimaced, even her mind was as loud as her personality.

After acquainting myself with her mind and familiarizing it, I began to pull away, but Belle however pursued me. I pulled away from her mind faster, but her consciousness continued to keep pace until finally it passed me, breaching my private solitude. My heart began to race as I felt Belle prying through my memories, inspecting and analyzing them. My limbs became stiff as I tried to barricade my mind, attempting to once again secure it. My mind slowly began to push Belle away from my memories, my elven talent slightly above her human abilities.

Once safely out of my memories I blocked my mind from her with impermeable walls that I continued to fortify until it actually took a toll on my physical being. My eyes flung open as I stumbled away from Belle, tripping over the clutter within my common room. Belle shortly retreated back to her own mind and opened her eyes which appeared exhausted and weak.

"W-why would you do that?" I practically yelled as I regained my balance, raising to my full height. "That's violation of my privacy!" Belle carressed her forehead and collapsed into the armchair beside her, practically molding to its contour. A bead of sweat writhed down her temple and onto her cheek as she glance up at me.

"I guess it's true, elves do have minds so vast that humans can lose themselves. And I also guess the things Lana have said are also true." I glared at her, my stormy eyes consumed with fury. The candles around the room were beginning to die out, casting ominous shadows over Belle and I.

Easy Roslyn, you don't need blood on your hands this night, Gereth said, appearing at the entrace to the common room. I in turn glared at my dragon, whiping back around swiftly to glare at Belle.

"Exactly what has Lana been telling you?" I asked, slowly closing the distance between Belle and I as she recovered from our mental dispute. She sat up straighter, preparing for a counter attack on her tongue.

"That the reason you have been so rude to me when I have been nothing but kind is because you're envious of those who appreciate things. Normally I would never invade a mind of an ally, let alone an elf, but I needed to know the girl behind the mask, the girl behind her pain." My fiery temper rose as her words antagonized it.

"You know nothing, nothing of me, nothing of what Lana has spoken of!" I yelled, my hands balling into fists. "Although I've never thought of you as a close friend, your actions this day have prevented that from ever coming true!"

Belle's eyes trembled as well as her lips as she became stunned by my words.

"I've wanted nothing more than to be kind to you, I had no reason to believe until now that the reason you were treating me the way you were was because you were insecure." Her final words stung, I held back tears as I turned around, turning my back to her. Her tone confused me, I couldn't decipher whether her tone was concerned or purely sharp to antagonize me, or if a mixture of both.

"Leave," I stated, clearly and bluntly. I heard the shuffling of papers before footsteps as finally the door to my dwelling closing.

I swallowed hard, a large lump forming in my throat. The brunette's comments had pierced an already injured self-esteem. I shrugged off her words, trying again not to cry. Gereth, who was still stationed in the entrance to the common room did not shake his icy gaze on me, expecting an explanation. He found none as I trekked to the sleeping chamber.

I did not speak to Gereth as I prepared for sleep, I did not wish to share my feelings anymore this night, for they got me nowhere. I thought I had made it clear to the girl I did not wish to be messed with, but she persisted and persisted on agitating me.

Perhaps she wishes to understand why you're so guarded, Gereth shared, his ideas rejected by the impermeable walls shielding my consciousness.

I extinguished the candles throughout our dwelling as soon as Gereth was comfortable on his nest with a quick spell under my breath. Gereth, like always, tucked his snout beneath his ivory claws and closed his eyes. I pulled back the wool blankets to my bed and folded myself under them before covering my body. I sighed as almost agonizing relief replaced the tense structure of my muscles.

Please shield my mind, although I agreed to help Belle, I unknowingly did so. I do not wish for her presence again in my mind. Gereth rumbled his thick reply as I was enveloped with the strength of his walls barricading my own. We said nothing more, and I drifted into the void.

~ ~ ~ ~

Her lustrous silky gown elegantly covered her body; it was a modest dress that fit neither too loosely nor too tightly. A woolen, pearly shawl of the same hue was draped over her shoulders, contrasting with her straight, long, raven hair. Green eyes pierced my being, startling me into obedience as I bowed on one knee, anxiety tight in my chest.

"Rise," Queen Arya bellowed, an earnest smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "The others will be present momentarily." I nodded to the Queen as a guard escorted me to an indicated spot to stand. Tightening the belt to Feahthum, I clasped my hands together behind my back, insuring good posture had always been difficult for me, but today it was needed so I forecefully elongated my spine.

"While we wait," Arya began, "Would you mind if we chatted? You always seem to make a point to be a little earlier than expected." Arya hinted to me that arriving early was a fault I needed to work on. Nonetheless I made it a point to smile.

"I don't mind at all. It's better to be early than to be late, and it is better to be late than to never show up at all," I said, the faintest drop of venom in my tone.

"Yes I suppose," she returned my smile. "Did you receive the package that was sent to you?" I stiffened, "How do you know I received a package?" Arya chuckled, overlapping her hands and placing them on her lap.

"It was sent to me, addressed to you. I made sure you received it."

"Yes," I said. "I did receive it. Thank you." My thanks became hollow as I recalled the previous evening. The Queen opened her mouth, as if she was about to speak, but she was interrupted as the doors to Tíaldari Hall opened. We were both surprised that the rest of the apprentices had arranged to arrive together, a beat of pain clutching my chest.

Lana led the Riders with no surprise to myself. They followed in a group after Lana rather than a single file line. Reona and Belle, again with no surprise, did not walk close to each other. I was comforted by this for an unknown reason, I guessed that this was because of the events that had occurred the night before.

I had never met Reona although I had seen her, her hair was platinum blonde, and sometimes white, not unlike Lothiriel's. Her eyes were a startling blue, upon perceiving them I was captivated by their beauty, for they were the hue of all shades of blue.

Reona sported black breeches with swordsmanship boots the same pigment. Her torso was veiled by a pure white tunic, fitted to her lean physique. She strode confidently, hands on her hips, but I noticed that she kept to herself. Although I didn't know her, I could sense we had just as many personality traits in common as we had differences. I decided it best to not engage with the blonde.

Another elf quickly caught my gaze, I knew Lana, Thiri, Belle, and Reona, so this had to be the elf known as Adurnaë. My hypothesis was correct for she walked alongside Belle, and I knew they were close friends and roommates.

Her hair was red, but it was not sorrel like mine, it was almost like a mahogany color. She was stout and lean like Reona, but their personalities were almost completely opposite. Adurnaë sauntered with a skip on her heels and a curiosity to almost match Belle's. If I didn't know better I would've guessed the girl was still extremely young by Elvin standards, but Elvin children were exceptionally scarce, but I kept in mind it could be possible.

Also keeping pace with Belle was her beau, Verity. Another pang of heart throb strangled my heart and I winced. No one loved me the way Verity adored Belle, and for that I was envious, although I would never admit to it.

Verity was extremely tall and lanky, although I believed he was lean under his tunic. Although it was shameful, I bit my lip as I imagined the boy with his bare torso exposed. His hair was black, long, and extremely straight. He hunched his shoulders as he walked, one arm wrapped around Belle's shoulders. Just as Reona's, his eyes were piercingly and startlingly beautiful, but they were gray like my own.

I swung my gaze around, surveying the last Rider that was foreign to me, Eran. Eran was by no means someone who would stand out in a crowd. He wasn't extremely tall nor stout, he kept his light beige hair like Verity's, long and shaggy. Eran, however, was extremely rugged compared to Verity, his tunic was torn and his wool slacks were unkempt. His eyes were also a beautiful hue, they were sapphire blue.

What is the deal with these Riders and their eyes? I asked myself, Gereth still hearing my private thoughts.

You're one to talk about piercing eyes, stormy, the partner-of-my-mind-and-heart replied, amused with my rhetorical question.

I was greeted by Lana and Thiri, who I returned my exuberant greetings. Belle avoided my gaze, although I sought it ruthlessly.

The other apprentices were escorted to previously designated areas, forming a horizontal line, facing the Queen. The others mocked my stance, with their arms behind them. I was startled when I realized that I was only bordered by one Rider, Adurnaë. She stared forward as I inspected her, Gereth hinting to me that I was staring too much. I returned my gaze to Arya, who stood from her throne, flattening her lustrous dress. She did not move after she stood, but she smiled at us with proud eyes and we all fell silent.

"Welcome apprentices, or should I say recruits. As you all know, eight of you have been selected to accompany Eragon to the Rider's island for private, increased training. You will leave this evening, unless Eragon decides differently. You will fly straight to Oromis Isle, with the exception of camping in Doru Areba for a quick rest." Queen Arya smiled at us, and we applauded, our rookie year was finally complete.

I was a little confused at the difference between apprentice and recruit however, for they were synonyms in my mind. I shrugged it off and continued to face forward.

"I am saddened to say that you will be departing just after the mournful loss of our dearest Elder Glaedr. He will be greatly missed. However, lets not delay ourselves with the past, I would like all of you to formally meet Eragon Shadeslayer." We applauded again as the oaken doors on the opposite wall of the chamber were opened. Four shadowed figures appeared, two large, one small, and one the size of a man.

As the figures approached I realized the figure in the lead was Eragon Shadeslayer, his sapphire dragon Saphira Bjartskular at his right shoulder, her mate Fírnen on his left. The last and smallest figure was perched on Eragon's shoulder, it was the figure of Blagden, Arya's familiar.

As I perceived the legends before me my heart skipped; Eragon was muscular and lean, his eyes obscured by his shaggy, dirty blonde, practically brown hair. He glanced up at us, his piercing sapphire eyes scanning his recruits. He stood straighter then, flipping his hair off his forehead. He wore black woolen trousers, and a blue tunic with a sapphire cape that he wore similar to a toga. The cape was embossed with miniscule plates of steel in a wedged pattern. The greatest Dragon Rider of his age must have been ancient, for he defeated the evil king when I was but a toddler. He appeared no older than myself however, and I appeared resembling the ghost of my teen years.

Saphira, his mountainous steed, was just as elegant as described in legends. She was enormous, but she was not bulky, she was lithe like a feline. Her wings were like giant sails, almost three times the size of her body, the reason she was considered the Queen of the Sky. She was by all means a gem dragon, her scales the most brilliant blue I had seen on any dragon, including Gereth. She rightfully wore the Bjartskular title.

Her mate strode beside her, and although he had hatched long after she, his masculine build had swiftly surpassed her size, Fírnen becoming the largest dragon I had ever seen. His scaled shone almost as brilliantly as Saphira's, reflecting the beauty I saw equal to that of Gereth's.

Blagden was perched on Eragon's shoulder, the raven's white feather contradicting his species. The bird was silent, a shock to most who occupied the corridor. He squawked once through the doors, flapping from Eragon over to where his Queen stood, and he remained stationary on her shoulder.

Eragon stood in front of the Queen, mocking the stance of one of her guards. His eyes were sullen and puffy, he had been crying recently. For good reason, in my opinion, the recent events had been traumatic to everyone, not only the Shadeslayer.

"Eragon," Arya began, "Meet your new recruits." She gestured to each of us in turn, when called, the specific Rider stepped forward and inclined before backing into their former position in the line. I was called upon last. I stepped forward and began to bow when Eragon stopped me.

"Roslyn? This is the apprentice who was sent to Glaedr's aid?" Eragon interrupted. I became stiff, ready for accusations against my attempt, but instead I received a handshake and a clasp on the back. I became stiff and wide eyed as my Elder pulled me into his embrace.

He broke the embrace shortly afterwards, his gaze not wavering from mine.

"Although your attempt was futile, your hope and determination brought justice to Glaedr, and that is all I ask," Eragon said, tear welling in his eyes. "And if I may Arya I would like to grant Roslyn a title, to fill the void of her missing last name." Upon receiving permission from the Queen Eragon spoke again. "From now on let it be known that your name is Roslyn Stormbringer. Please grace me once again with the name of the partner-of-your-mind-and-heart."

"Gereth, his name is Gereth," I said, ecstatic with the situation.

"Then he shall henceforth be known as Gereth Swiftwing, for his lithe speed granted you the opportunity to demolish the thief." He smiled at me, gesturing for me to stand back in line. I thanked him under my breath before returning to my spot in line.

"Congratulations, Roslyn," Adurnaë whispered to me. I thanked her at the same volume, I was startled by her courtesy, for I was sure the girl more likely than not heard despicable things of me from Belle.

Belle is not the kind to disgrace others, even her enemies, Gereth reminded me, Although I do not believe she sees you as a foe.

I ignore him, though I did not ignore his message.

"Well," Arya began. "Now that you are acquainted with your new Headmaster, I would like to say goodbye, for now. I wish you the best of luck on your further voyages, and I am saddened to see you leave. Congratulations, recruits!"

~ ~ ~ ~

Try to fly closer to her, I said. This is getting old.

I never thought I'd see the day where you would be seeking her, rather than she you. I shrugged off my dragon's sarcastic comment and leaned with him as he turned over the waves, attempting to draw nearer to Raugmar.

The sun had set, veiling the once blue sky with a black cloak, obscuring my vision. I had been forced to switch to Gereth's green tinted vision to enable my eyes to see, although my heightened Elvin vision should have aided me. It did not however and I had been forced into the alternative.

We flew over the ocean, the air above had been too cold for most of the Riders to bear, forcing us to remain nearer the water where it was warmer, although we risked the attack of the Nidwhalar below.

The water under early light had been a pale green in its depths, with black hue when not against its rays, white foam being produced as it collided with more water. Now the depths were ominous, and sent shivers along my spine.

My face was laden with mist droplets from the sea water being sprayed in the wake of our dragons' wings. The salt the water contained stung my eyes and nose, making me uncomfortable.

Raugmar is deliberately flying away from us, Belle does not wish to speak, Gereth informed me, struggling to pass the others in our cluttered 'V' formation to catch Raugmar.

It's alright, I said. I will speak with her when she is ready.

~ ~ ~ ~

Time Lapse: 3 days, characters have arrived at Oromis Isle, and have been settled into their cave dwellings and have received training schedules.

"Common on Roslyn! If you ever want to make it here, you'd better learn to keep up!" I fell into the dirt, the air escaping my lungs in a rapid instant. I coughed and began to breathe unnaturally, propping myself on my elbow and couging into the dirt on my right side.

Once catching my breath, I turned and looked up, an irritable frown on my face. I stared up at my new swordsmanship master, a sorrel haired elf like myself by the name of Tíasa. She was older than myself, which for some unexplained reason surprised me. She was far more experienced than me, not to any surprise, and she was arrogant. Her sorrel hair was trimmed with blonde hair, appearing like flames.

The tall woman did not help me, but rather stepped aside, addressing the other students in my training group, waiting for me to stand. I gritted my teeth and bent down, gripping the grime laden pommel of Feahthum. I sheathed the sword and reluctantly strode off of the dirt training circle, back in line.

Oromis Isle contained many small glades for the purpose of swordsmanship training, the main courtyard and mountain palisade being surrounded by dense foliage. Along with a cliff side for aerial training, there was a Main Hall containing classrooms for magic studying and the cultures of Alagaesia.

My swordsmanship group consisted of five Riders, including myself and only two Riders I knew personally. Eran and Reona were also in my group although I was reluctant to fight with them watching. Reona's gaze seemed to follow me, judge me, and criticize me.

Maybe this is the way Belle feels around me, I thought, excluding the thought from Gereth who was sure to have a shrewd retort.

The other Riders were older than us, I had heard that some had been there for years, some were kept for five years I had heard, due to Eragon not labeling them 'fit' for Alagaesia. The new, intense training made me feel like a new apprentice again: weak, feeble minded, and nervous.

The older Riders did not seem to take too much notice to the new recruits, much to my relief. A select few snorted when one of us failed but never said anything to us. I had found the first day difficult with my new instructors, especially Tíasa. She appeared to be in her twenties, when in actuality she was fairly older. She treated the new recruits like Gereth treated dragonets, but not kindly. She thought us ignorant and unworthy of her lessons. Although she was a good rival, and no doubt would help me improve, I began to loathe her.

"Reona," she gestured. "You're next." The elf did not give the instructor the satisfaction of nervousness, she instead strode over to the center with Tíasa and took her stance, her silver and pale white blade Dauth at her hip. The gem in Dauth's pommel had taken my breath away, much like her eyes, for it was the shade of rain.

I watched intently as the match began. Reona kept a cool demeanor as Tíasa lunged at her, thrusting her sword at her student. Reona's eyes slanted as she blocked the thrust, taking the defensive for the moment. The sound of colliding steel resonated around the clearing, ringing in my ears as the silver and ruby blades clashed.

Reona blocked the attacks extremely well, keeping pace with the elder equal to my own. As my stamina ad begun to decrease my blocks had become sloppy, but Reona's were impermeable, and she continued to feint the attacks.

I became surprised when the roles were switched; Reona side-stepped Tíasa, taking the offensive, thrusting precisely aimed blows that became swifter as she hacked at the ruby blade.

I could tell that Tíasa was beginning to become frustrated, and she began side-stepping and feinting attacks which quickly stole Reona's endurance. For a foolish moment I believed the recruit Rider would actually beat our instructor, but Tíasa's years of experience beat Reona's raw talent, some moves none of the recruits had seen.

Suddenly and sharply, Reona was cut off by the attacker's blade, bearing over top of her, allowing Tíasa to fling Dauth's pommel from Reona's grasp, and sharply impale Reona in the back with her own sword's pommel.

Reona's breath caught in her lungs as she fell to her knees, gasping for air. Her blonde hair fell into her face as she buckled over, her eyes filled with rage.

Tíasa did as she did with me, stand at the side of the recovering student like a braggart. Unlike the previous matched however, upon catching her breath, Reona stood up, recovering Dauth from across the glade. She charged silently behind Tíasa, who turned her gaze an instant before she was impaled. She flung her blade upwards with one hand, a smug expression across her face. Reona's eyes slanted further, insubordinance overcoming her. She wasn't done yet.

Tíasa engaged further bearing down on the elf again. Reona was determined, I saw it in her intense blue eyes. I could see she would lose, but the match lasted longer than the last.

Our instructor's eyes began to become furious as she swung madly, Reona looking confused and somewhat frightened at the audacity of their teacher. The others around me began to become concerned, their teacher's temper rising at the younger elf.

I felt Reona was in danger, and for some explained reason I lunged forward, raising Feahthum. I intercepted one of Tíasa's attacks. Our swords reverberated, my ears receiving surges of pain from the sound. I narrowed my eyes and pushed forward, Reona who had fallen stood behind me, crawling away. Her cool demeanor had been slightly penetrated, but it was only slightly injured and Reona easily repaired it.

"You...disobedient...disgraceful!" Tíasa hissed through gritted teeth. Determination surged into my muscles as we danced ferociously.

If I don't win, she'll kill me! I thought as I dodged a swing to my legs, feinting to the left shoulder and swiping at the right knee.

As my endurance began to decrease, a bead of sweat slid down my temple. Her movements were becoming sloppy, and her stamina was failing her. I began to throw all my strength behind my swipes, and eventually, Tíasa's skill fell, and I struck her with the blunt edge of my blade against her knee. She yelped as she fell into the dirt, rage plastered on her face. I swiftly propped her chin up with the tip of Feahthum.

"Never, ever, do that to a student again," I hissed at my swordsmanship intructor.

"I will make the rest of this training living hell for you," she retorted. "You have dishonored me."

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Thanks again for reading! I'll be on my mission trip for the next week, so I won't see my score:( I have immunity though so yay!:D I'm not exactly satisfied with this, but eh, I got it done!