News of a Rider

[Merlin ~]

Raylborn sat at his desk, leaning back against the hard wooden chair. He shifted uncomfortably for a second, then set his elbows on the desk. He interlocked his fingers and rested his head on his hands, staring at the door. He was awaiting some kind of signal from his guards that the person he was waiting for was here.

Rumor had it that a new Rider was found, which wasn't too much of a surprise. They had found those eggs and people had been lining up to touch it, seeing if it was them who would be a rider. Through some peoples eyes it could be a blessing, and through others a curse. It was all in the way you looked at it.

He waited a bit more, after a few minutes with nothing to be heard he unsheathed his sword, shifting it around in his hand. He looked at the dark blade, smiling grimly as he recalled upon the memory of his dead father.

[Metri]

Jex sat with his dragon Draith he had only known him for about a month but he felt like he had been connected with him all his life. He could never take his eyes of his dragon he now loved the gray color of Draith's scales. Jex and Draith had been talking for about an on different subjects such as food, fighting, the Empire and the Varden. Jex was replying to Draith last comment. "And that is why i feel so strongly to side with the Varden and why we will pledge our loyality to them." Speaking of the Varden and our loyality don't we have a meeting to attend? "I had almost forgot! We need to get up to Lord Raylborn's office right now!" Draith smiled at his rider. I knew you would. Draith said standing. Draith may have only been a month old but he was already six foot. Jex got up he stood two inches under Draith. "Shall we?" He said making his way to the office. Draith quickly caught up keeping pace. Jex stopped infront of Raylborn's office guards stood there. "We have a meeting." He said to the men. I wonder if they were some of the guards who were trying to catch you when you found my egg. Draith said looking the guards up and down. Jex let out a chuckle. Could have been.

[Merlin ~]

The guards looked at the boy, then to his dragon and nodded. One of them rapped on the door, notifying that the guest was here. Raylborn looked up from his sword, and put it back in its sheath. "Enter." He called out to whoever was on the other side of the door.

This was the moment, the next age was here. Each side had riders, each side had power. A battle would be fought, though probably not to soon. Years of training, smaller skirmishes and such would take place before all the riders actually fought. That day would be the deciding factor of who would reign over Alagaesia. The future of the country was misty.

Ah, if only he could get this Rider to agree upon his terms. Eragon was already fighting for them...in a way. Another rider could never hurt.

[Metri]

Jex had so many emotions inside he was nervous, excited, happy and scared. When we enter we will have to make our first big descion as rider and dragon. Let's make a smart one. Draith said not moving an inch. Right! Jex said pushing open the giant wooden door. Draith opened the door next to Jex with his head.
Jex looked all around the office the second they entered. He took in every little detail he could. "Good afternoon Lord Raylborn." He said loud and clear. Tell him good afternoon for me too! Draith said immedaitly afterward. "My dragon Draith also says good afternoon." Jex said. He wanted to let Lord Raylborn do most of the talking. He knew he was young and didn't always sound wise but he would do his best not to look like a fool.

[Merlin ~]

Raylborn stared at Jex as he entered. He was so young, yet he was still chosen to be a rider. What was the world coming to? No different, he was a rider. “Good afternoon to you too. I didn’t get your name, care to tell me?” He asked Jex, eyeing the dragon. He noticed one of the guards standing on the inside instead of out, and ushered him out. Privacy is one thing he needed here, and he was sure he was going to get it. He gazed at the dragon, a smile crossing over his face. “And what of the dragon? Male, female and name. May as well get accustomed to you...that is if you are to join the Varden.” He said. Things needed to be decided quickly.

[Metri]

I think he likes you. Jex said with a small smirk coming onto his face. "My name is Jex and his name is Draith." Who doesn't like me? Draith said his silver eyes staring at Raylborn. "We have already decided who will side with and that is the Varden. We just want to know exactly what that means for us." I'm impressed good answer. Draith said. He sat down where he stood. Thank you I have been practicing that for awhile in my head. Jex said now proud of himself. I know. Draith said. Jex remembered what he and Draith had come to the office for a meeting with Lord Raylborn. He quickly focused his attention back on the man waiting for his reply.

[Merlin ~]

((OOC: Remember to make your dragon wise, just like Saphira ))

Raylborn nodded at Jex's answer, then waited until he had finished. "That's quite a quick decision. Are you sure you want to side with us? I wont deny you, but you must know what your getting into. You will have to train with the Elves in Ellesmera, to learn the Rider ways. Once you are done you must fight with us and such things. It is a dangerous, tiring job. A boy so young shouldn't bare that burden, but aye, you are a rider." He said and stared into Jex's eyes, looking for some sort of answer. He took a deep breath and let out a sigh, he was expecting some naive answer, but who knows.

[Metri]

"I have a feeling I am a lot stronger than you think. I may be young but I am quick and I can hold my own in a fight." Draith began talking to Jex. You are not as strong as you think young one. I advise you not to talk to the leader of Varden like that if we plan on serving them! You need to think more before using your mouth. Draith's voice was not as kind as usual. Jex put his head down. Now we have made our decsion. So do we agree on the terms? Draith asked a little more calm. Yes. Jex replied raising his head. Well tell the man. "Yes we agree with the terms." Jex said turning his head he was a bit embarrassed.

[Merlin ~]

Raylborn shook his head slightly as Jex snapped back. "No need for disrespect. Though respecting others will come with age." He said with a nod. "But to better your fighting, the elves will help you. Your training is in their hands." He looked at Jex's young face. The personality of this young one reminded him of himself when he had been a teen. He stood up from his desk, slowly making his way over to Jex. He had a hard expression, then spoke. “Are you willing to serve the Varden with loyalty and bravery? Do anything for and with us?” If Jex were to commit to the Varden, he would be happy. Though even if he didn’t it was fine.

[Metri]

Jex looked up at Raylborn. "I am." He said with confidence. We have made the right decsion. Jex told Draith. We must hope so. Draith said also standing. "When will we need to leave for Ellesmera?" Jex asked. "I can't fly Draith yet and how long will training with them take?" Jex had so many questions and feelings. He tried to look calm but figured it wasn't work as he felt the smile appear on his face. The thought of training with elves made him happy he would be stronger than most humans. I always knew I would become stronger than most. Jex thought to himself. Don't get to cocky young one. Draith said breaking Jex's thought.

[Merlin ~]

Raylborn scratched his head for a second. "I am not quite sure when, but it should be soon. I will need to gather some to accompany you. Someone representing the Varden, and im guessing the dwarves will like to be involved in some way." He said walking back to his desk and dropping down into the seat. He sighed slightly, scratching his head. “Though we should teach you some sword fighting, im not sure if we have time. Planning on...” He paused for a second, thinking. He had not told Jex about the plan to try and overrun a Empire city. He was not planning on telling him either.

[Metri]

"I have had some training in sword play. Except I have never used a sword just a stick." Jex said. He had wanted to ask his next question since the start of the meeting. "Where are Eragon and Saphira? We have hoped to meet them." Jex said anxiously hoping they would walk in the door as he said it. He turned his head looking at the door just to make sure they had not already entered. He hadn't as he expected. "So who do you think will join us and how will we get there?" Jex asked questions still flowing in his head. Patience eventually you will learn the answers to the questions you ask. Draith told Jex trying to get him to stop asking so many questions. But i'm so anxious! Jex said. I understand so am I.

[Merlin ~]

Raylborn nodded. "Well...I suppose the elves will teach you. They do have a knack for sword fighting." He said and pulled out a piece of parchment and quill. He dipped it in ink and began to write. Without looking up, he kept talking. "Eragon Shadeslayer and his dragon are in Ellesmera. As a matter of fact, im going to send for Eragon to come here. That way he can fetch you and the two of you can go to Ellesmera." Raylborn said as he continued to write. In a matter of minutes he was done and stood up. He opened a cage on a shelf behind his desk, pulling out a dove. With a small piece of string he tied the note to the dove, and whispered something to it. He then threw it towards the window and it soared out, flying to its destination.

[Metri]

Jex had tried to read the parchment but couldn't get a real good look at it. "Ok how long will it be until he arrives. I figure it will be a long ride for such a long journey." We need to prepare for our trip. Jex told Draith. Well we need to leave then but we should make sure Raylborn has nothing more to tell us first. Draith said standing his scales shined from the light that entered from the window. I will ask him. Jex said asking the moment after. "Do you have anything more to tell us? If not may we leave to pack for the trip?"

[Merlin ~]

"It shall be a few days until he arrives here. It should be just enough to give you time to prepare." He said with a nod. Eragon would most likely be excited about the new rider, from what Raylborn knew of him. That would just mean he would get here quicker. Raylborn just smiled. He looked outside to see dawn falling upon them, then stood up. "I will alert you once the Shadeslayer arrives, and you will come back here prepared. Ah and yes, I have gotten a room prepared for you on one of the upper floors. Thank you for attending, you should get some rest. Sleep well, Argetlam." Raylborn said with a smile

[Metri]

"Thank you Lord Raylborn." Jex said standing up and exiting the office. As soon as Jex got to his room he was ready to go to bed. The room he stayed in was nice or at least nicer than his own. He threw off his cloak and tunic they both landed next to the bed. Draith followed him into the room closing the door with his tail. Jex sat on the bed and took off his boots. He quickly got under the covers getting comfortable. Draith got on a bed that looked made for him on the ground close bye. Good night Jex. Good night Draith. Jex fell asleep all most the instant after saying good night.

[Deleted]

5 Days Later...

Eragon walks up to the office door weary from his long ride. Yet, he was excited about a new rider. As Saphira was of a new younger dragon. Wow, someone as young as me. Said Saphira. Eragon nodded to the guard and awaited approval for him to enter. He fixed his green tunic until it was all arranged. He tightened his boot laces and shined them till they sparkled. Saphira on the other hand was different. She was, as odd as it is, cleaning herself. Now is the time... Eragon said, very excited.

[Merlin ~]

The guards bowed as Eragon approached with Saphira, muttering an assortment of "Shadeslayer, Argetlam and sir.". The guard knocked loudly on the door, and Raylborn looked up from a book. "Let him in." He called out, knowing exactly who it was. The guard pushed open the door for the rider and his dragon.

Ah, finally Eragon was here to take Jex to Ellesmera. But all in good time, they had two riders on their side which strengthened their odds. Raylborn had recently noticed that the riders were so young, he was yet to see one above the age of 20. Other than Galbatorix of course.

[Deleted]

Eragon entered the large chamber with a deep breath. "Good evening sir. I came as quikcly as I could from Ellesmera." Eragon said and nodded quickly to Raylborn. This shall be interesting. I wonder what he looks like, what kind of personality he has. I wonder... Eragon said to Saphira. She licked him on the face. Do not worry little one, all is well. Eragon looked around the room for signs of another person. None, damn he thought that the Rider might be hiding to surprise them. But...a dragon would be a -little- hard to conceal.

[Merlin ~]

"And good evening to you, Shadeslayer." Raylborn said and nodded to both Eragon and Saphira. "So, you got my message I see. And im guessing your willing to take the boy since you came. He might be a handful, he's only a bit younger than you but so naive." He finished off and stood up, walking up beside Saphira. He put a hand on her side and smiled. "Thank you two for coming, the faster we get him there the better. Guards!" He yelled out, and the door burst opened. The guards had their weapons drawn, ready for anything. Raylborn chuckled. "Nothing is wrong, I just need you to fetch Jex, if you will. And hurry up." One of the guards nodded, turned around and ran off. The others left the room, closing the door behind them.