Celebration ((Varden/Nuetral Only))

[Nandon]

William was shocked to see Nasuada here…He expected her to be far from Dras Leona, But he bowed as much as the crowded position he was in would allow him before speaking.

“My lady! From what I have understood, My men mistook one of the Kings subjects for Galbatorix and Shurikan…As it is a black dragon and they have no idea how large shurikan actually is I think the mistake is justifiable. Then the king left and destroyed the battlements that we where being used to defend the city, Since they just so happened to be shooting at his subject. Then he went on to threaten to whip my men, That is what angered me the most seeing as I am in command here….Under you of course My lady…And I feel he had no right to threaten men who where just doing there job.”

William said in a calm voice relaying the entire situation to Nasuada, William may be a leader of men…But when It came to the Varden, And Lady Nasuada, he was utterly devoted, And he would abide by any ruling she had. William then took a deep breath and continued.

“When I asked Anurin, To bring him to me, he arrived and I was speaking with my apprentice, I told her of how The king had been threatening my men and destroying the battlements, And I looked at him as I said this…And I will be honest….My eyes may have betrayed some of the anger within me… Then he challenged me to a fist fight…Which I declined seeing as this is a celebration of unity…Not conflict… And that is all that has happened that ahs lean to these tensions my lady.” William said stating everything he knew on the situation…and being completely honest.

[Brenton]

Kelocias, who had just arrived about three minutes ago, saw the fighting arise and looked on with interest until she realized who the two combatants were. In the middle stood William, the knight who had just helped free this city, and the elven king Brenton Bromsson. It wasn't until the Ancient Language was spoken that Kelocias truly realized the threat to all of them. Calmly the daughter of Vrael walked forward and felt Istven's mind touch hers.

The large grey and red dragon was sitting just outside the city staring out at the rest of the land and knew what was going on. All she had to say was to tell her rider to be very careful in what was going on. Kelocias drew both of her rider blades and clashed them together, making the sound echo through the room.

It was right after Nasuada walked in that Kelocias walked over to Brenton and spoke to him calmly in a whisper. "If you will not listen to Nasuada or your dragons then please listen to me. It is not a good idea to have the elves withdraw for we are helping remove the threat who killed the riders and imprisoned you." Kelocias had known about the king being under Galbatorix's command and she was sympathetic.

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Brenton heard the noise stop and the clash of two swords just as he was getting ready to say the elves were withdrawing. Suddenly Nasuada and Kelocias were both next to him and William. It was obvious Nasuada was trying to hide her sympathy toward William but she still seemed honestly caring about what had happened. Finally Brenton spoke.

What actually happened was I had walked in willing to congratulate Sir William here but he didn't appear to want anything to do with me or my kind. So when I got the message that a rider who is under my care was being attacked I walked out and broke the bows and crossbows intending to fix them. What I had said is that they need not shoot at the rider who was innocent and that if they did not cease then I would make sure they were whipped. Not by me but by going to you or another official who did not already hate me and explaining it.

Brenton took a breathe and thought before continuing. Then when I came in here to confer with this knight he proceeded to act like I was a traitor to the Varden even though I happened to save one of your riders and kept another alive. When he showed obvious distaste I took all weapons off and challenged him to a fair fight that would have no weapons or magic and absolutely no outside help. He declined and I got angry. In my anger I told him that if he ever insulted me again then I would kill him without hesitation and that I could and would withdraw all aid from the elves. That was an oath sworn in the Ancient Language and I stand by what I said even if the insult comes from someone else.

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"King Brenton, I have come with word from the elven empire. We found a dragon's egg in the hut by the crags in the forest and it was said to bring it to you and the Varden." A messenger ran in the door and up to Brenton quickly carrying a large gold egg in his arms. When the messenger made it he bowed and handed the egg to his king. Brenton stared on in shock and then took the egg carefully. As soon as his hands touched the egg it began to rock back and forth and then shattered leaving behind a small gold dragon with dark red flames on its chest. The dragon squeaked and stared at Brenton calmly. The king gaped and took his gloves off, holding out his unmarked hand which was soon marked with a second Gedwey Ignasia by the small dragon.

Congratulations Brenton but now I need you to give my eldunari to Lady Nasuada for not even the king of the elves deserves to have two eldunari and a baby dragon. Saphira projected her mind to Nasuada and Brenton both. As soon as she finished Brenton nodded and handed forth the large blue eldunari that belonged to Saphira. He bowed slightly and kept his eyes averted from Nasuada. Lady Nasuada I give the Varden this eldunari of Saphira through you. Use her knowledge well for it is what my father would've wanted.

[Quetzal]

Kelocias' appearance surprised Nasuada, who had not been expecting her. Perhaps the stubborn elf would listen to her. That made her feel more comfortable, some tension lifting as she had the impression she would prevent Brenton from withdrawing the elves from the Varden purely because he lost his temper in this one dispute. The powerful woman digested the information that had been told to her, knowing that both would tell her the truth but also knowing that each side here would be telling their own side and so would twist it so that they seemed in the right.

"I can assure you, King Brenton, that Sir William means no harm. He was simply being protective of his men, as you would defend the elves," she then spoke directly to William, "You should learn to know your place and hold your tongue, however. However you might feel, remember Brenton is a king," she would like to take the elf down a peg, but this was hardly the time. She now turned to Brenton, "You have our apologies, and in future, I would appreciate it if you would not destroy the machines defending a newly captured, and so potentially at risk of attack, city. There are far easier ways of preventing them firing at a dragon which do not involve risking not only your own safety, but that of the Varden and the innocent citizens of Dras-Leona. I see an offer must be made here. In future, if you have any problems with any member of the Varden, contact me or someone else in power as soon as you like, using your mind if you want, and we will correct any mistake. Punishment, I find, can be inefficient alone. It is far better to find the source of the problem and correct it; in this case, I see we must educate our ranks more about how to recognize Galbatorix and Shruikan. I shall have a word with the officers, too, so that they will listen to your judgement unless it will endanger the lives of anyone not with the Empire. That way you'll just have to say something rather than destroy precious machinery," she offered. Several of the officers around grew uneasy, shuffling their feet and grumbling to one another.

The reaction to the dragon egg hatching was a mixed one in the extreme. A few, mostly people who had not seen dragons much, watched in awe. The majority of people in the room knew Riders themselves and saw enough of dragons to be over that, not that it wasn't nice to see one hatch. This vast majority were rather annoyed that Brenton had suddenly, out of the blue, found himself with yet another dragon. It didn't seem fair. Of course, the arrogant man who was already a Rider, magic user, skilled warrior, king, possessing the speed of the elves, holder of two - well, one now - Eldunari, holder of influence over even the people who hated him, owner of power over all the elves and to some extent the Varden (although he acted like he owned the place), would be granted yet another huge asset and source of power. Muttered complaints shot through the room like lightning. Occasionally it was jealousy, but most of the time it was annoyance that he would have yet another reason to hold his head higher than everyone else's and make everyone else feel like dirt. They loathed that someone who did not need any more power than he already had, and not a very nice person at that, should be suddenly out of the blue be given one of the most powerful creatures on the planet. Brenton would find it much harder for people to listen to him now, despite what Nasuada said.

Isrydia was suddenly aware that a few eyes were on her, watching her reaction as the other new Rider. She took a couple of nervous steps back into the crowd. The dragon on her shoulder leaned towards the other hatchling, squeaking a loud greeting. Isrydia stroked its head gently. Well, at least she wasn't special anymore. Now that the king was a new Rider, she would go forgotten as she did not make herself a presence in the Varden and because he would not doubt show it off, while people would just ignore her as 'oh, right, that other kid that got a dragon'. It was a little disappointing, she had to admit, to her surprise. She had never thought she wanted attention until she became distinctly aware she had no hope of receiving any now. Brenton, a king, would overshadow her, a new and unheard of peasant-become-knight. She had for once in her life had something which might make people respect her, notice her, something which made her special, but she could already feel that slipping away as she was forced out to the space behind the crowd while they pushed to see the king's dragon, watching as he handed over the Eldunari. Nasuada thanked him and bowed as he left the room.

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[Brenton]

Brenton nodded and held out his still burning hand to William in a show of peace and understanding. Peace is all I can offer right now Sir William. I am deeply sorry for my mistake and I pray you forgive me for it.

As the king was turning around his baby dragon companion jumped down and squeaked in joy as it streaked across the tables. Brenton sighed and followed quickly That one is feisty Young One. It is best you follow. Brenton nodded and caught sight of another dragon hatchling that was with a girl. Brenton stopped in front of her and smiled. My name is Brenton but that isn't important right now. I see that our two dragons have gotten to know each other and I was wondering what your name was and why you are hiding right now. If anything you should be at the head of the crowd showing them your dragon since you are a new rider and deserve just as much attention for being chosen by a creature of power.

[Quetzal]

Nasuada was relieved to see the tension seemed to have diffused with the hatching of the new dragon. She did not want to leave the room as she wanted to celebrate too and prevent any further disputes. Sapphira's Eldunari stayed in her hands, not trusting anyone with so valuable an object. Later, she would find a suitable hiding place for the dragon's heart of hearts, and find a suitable person to take care of it as well as herself. For now, she moved across the slowly dissolving crowd, people milling around now the argument was over. Conversation resumed, although there was now a vast amount of gossip about William and Brenton in the air.

Isrydia was surprised to see Brenton walking towards her, not knowing what merited the king of the elves talking to her. Her own dragon, much more relaxed and calm that the newly hatched dragon, was still highly curious with an energetic mind. It jumped carefully off her shoulder to investigate the tiny golden creature. It had never been bigger than another dragon before, so this was a new and exciting thing. There was a few centimetres between the two dragons, Isrydia's dragon being a week old and roughly the size of an average cat. It reached out eagerly with its mind, trying to contact the other dragon. As it was so young, it was still unable to use language, so it tried to send a feeling of friendship, kinship and happiness, along with a welcome.

Isrydia watched her dragon for a moment, then turned to the elf. She was nervous talking to him after his outburst, but he did not seem angry with her. "My name is Isrydia. I'm not hiding, I'm just... well, I was just an apprentice from Kuasta until a week ago. I've never had to deal with all these people before, and I don't think I want to. If these people want to look at my dragon, they can, but I don't want to go around showing off. I know I'm a Rider now, but I haven't actually done anything yet. Being appreciated is nice, and thanks for speaking to me, but I'd rather stay more low-key for a while," she shrugged, unsure herself of what she was feeling. There was a big weight on her shoulders and she did not know what to do or how to deal with it. Feeling appreciated was one thing, but attracting attention to herself was quite another.

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[Brenton]

Brenton sighed as he listened to Isyridia speak because he remembered when he felt exactly the same as her. Still he wasn't going to just let it go. Eragon, my half brother, was only a peasant when he was chosen by Saphira. Now look at him. He leads the army and from what I gather a search of other lands. If he weren't here then you being chosen would have had you sent into slavery to the mad king...like I was. I understand that you don't want a lot of attention but just know you don't have all of the responsibility upon your shoulders. At the last part Brenton had already looked at the two dragons and back up at Isrydia. He was really nervous for no apparent reason and all he could do was stutter the last few words.

The dragon knew sort of what its name would be as it tried to convey it to his rider but all he could do was squeak in annoyance. Suddenly he looked over at the other dragon in awe and sent a few emotional links of joy and friendship but his annoyance threaded through it weakly.

[Quetzal]

Isrydia found Brenton's words reassuring, although she was puzzled as to why he stuttered out the last couple of words. Eragon, often considered one of the greatest Riders around and the first of the new generation of Riders, was a prime example of how the lowest of peasants might handle the toughest of situations. It was interesting too that Eragon was Brenton's half-brother. He did look like he was a half-elf rather than a full elf, so it was possible. She thought she had heard somewhere that he was Brom's son, too, Brom being someone she knew much about since he was from Kuasta like she was. Many stories were told about him, since he was just about the only person of significance to come from the small seaside town. She smiled. "You're right. I've been chosen by this dragon, so I must have it in me somewhere to be a great Rider. All I need to do is learn and try not to be led astray. Eventually I'll be able to handle the responsibility, and I'll try and follow my own path," she was aware that Riders tended to live a long time, so suspected her life expectancy had just been greatly increased. There was a long and potentially important future ahead of her.

The dragon sensed the smaller hatchling's annoyance, and sent it an image of Isrydia asking it its name and it being frustrated too at not being able to answer. Some ideas were forming, but it did not know completely what it would be called. It had not even been able to tell its Rider whether it was a girl or a boy. Sending back a sense of patience and the idea that choosing a name was important so should be done carefully, the week-old dragon hopped about a little clumsily.

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[Brenton]

The younger dragon, having just hatched from his egg, squeaked and hopped up and down until he got his rider's attention. When Brenton leaned down and picked him up, the dragon nipped at his finger and sent a message to the king. It was two images and one emotion. The first image was of Isrydia and the second was of Brenton. Finally the emotion was one of affection or as close to it as he could get. Still new to the world, the dragon had sent that thought to both the riders as well as the other baby dragon by mistake.

When Brenton got the dragon's message he glared at the creature and then looked at Isrydia sheepishly. He knew that the dragon had messed up and included her but he didn't want to say anything. Finally Brenton brushed his hair out of his face and smiled at the girl before speaking. My dragon doesn't know what it's talking about. Sorry... Brenton tried to sound convincing but even to his ears he knew it was a lie.