First Flight & ? (UPDATED)

'Now. Put on your clothing and go for your first flight. Ēborisk is growing impatient.' Teacher said as I started taking off my clothes.

After strapping my new swords to my waist I ran outside and jumped directly onto Ēborisk's back. Not waiting for me to strap in he took off immediately.

After being in the air for a few minutes I said "This is amazing. I wish we could have done this sooner."

'You haven't seen anything yet partner. Watch this! Deila sýn!' Ēborisk said the last part in the ancient language.

(I'm using Icelandic because Risa still means rise but Eldi means fire. I can't win them all and I'm not going into deep translation for Old Norse)

The next thing I know, my eyesight changed to see how Ēborisk saw the world. The world changed to a darker place. Not more dangerous and deadly. Just as if the blue sky was purple and the darkness under trees became more vibrant. The most shocking change was wherever there was movement, the world lit up to an almost normal state for me, within a few feet of the target. When a tree branch moved in the wind, the area around it seemed to glow.

"This is truly breathtaking. Is this how you see everything?" I asked.

'Yes. Cast the same spell on me so I can see the difference.' Ēborisk said.

"Deila sýn!" I said.

After a few minutes of looking around he said "It's beautiful in its own right, but not as useful as my own vision.'

Releasing my spell I said "I agree. If I could I would trade my sight for your own any day of the week."

'Your sight has its own appeal. You can see colors I can not. You also see things more clearly that aren't moving. The world looks more alive if it's not in motion through your eyes. It looks rather dead by comparison through mine own eyes. But I don't think I'd trade for your sight.' Ēborisk said.

After a few hours of flight we started to fly higher before Markai invaded our minds again.

'Stay below the highest peaks. They protect this place from sight and mental probes. Neither of you are ready to deal with the people outside of the valley.' Markai said seriously.

'Thank you for the warning, Teacher.' Ēborisk said.

'No need. I still need to train you on the intricacies of this magic. It's unique to the elves. Not even the dwarves can use it.' Markai said.

'What kind of magic is it Teacher?' I asked.

'Wards.' was the only answer I received.

...

One year later

"Finally done with Wards, Swordplay and even my mind training." I said to myself.

'Yes. Unfortunately, we can't do distance training for your mind. The valley is far too small. But by my estimation, you are more than passable for completing your dragon and rider training. Congratulations. We have unanimously agreed that you are officially a dragon and rider with full privileges that come with the role...or that's how it was before the fall.' Markai said.

'Thank you Teachers.' Ēborisk said while bowing his head in the direction of Teachers Eldunari.

"Thank you Teachers. We are forever in your debt." I said with a bow.

'Nonsense. It is now time for us all to leave and head to Ellesmera. It is there you will find out about your heritage, young rider. But first you have to bring us all into the ring.' Markai said.

"Ring? What ring?" I asked.

'You were so distracted by the eggs and Eldunari that you failed to notice the doors on the bottom of the cabinets.' Teacher said with a laugh as I started running for the hidden chamber.

As soon as I entered the room I noticed the barely visible handholds to open the bottom of the cabinets. Rushing to the first one, I gently opened it just to see a black ring with a ruby embedded on the side. Just below it, on another shelf, was a box of plain silver band rings.

'Those are storage rings that were invented just before the war started. They were never taken out of the village due to the timing. Your father made the one on top for you using your favorite colors at the time. They are made of a metal that is formed in a dragon's blood. It took years and a lake's worth of willingly donated dragon blood to form these rings. There are just over one thousand and they were meant to be for Riders to reduce the weight a dragon had to carry so we would be used as pack animals less. You can also store your swords in them and bring them out into your hands instantly.' Markai said proudly.

"How much can each hold?" I asked in awe.

'Roughly ten cubic feet, so ten feet x ten feet x ten feet. Yours, on the other hand, can hold approximately one hundred cubic feet, or a hundred feet x a hundred feet x a hundred feet. Your father used the best small gem that has ever been found to empower it and its enchantments allow it to gather magic out of the air, at a very slow rate. It can be half full before it starts to use as much magic as it consumes.' Markai said.

"My father has given me an amazing gift." was all I could say before putting the ring on my right-hand pointer finger.

'Yes. He spent more than a month making that one especially for you. Now onto the next cabinet.' Markai said.

I stored the silver bands in my space ring before moving over to the second cabinet and opening the doors, I saw crates filled to the brim with perfect gems.

"Well. These will come in handy with enchantments and wards." I said.

'Yes. They were kept here because almost anyone else would just sell them. They're the remnant of the gems to be used for any new rider's blades that would have been forged.' He said as I looked down at the hilts of my blades to look at the perfect black gems that crested the pommel.

I just touched each crate before bringing them into my ring next to the empty rings.

"Question. How can these space rings go into another space ring?" I asked.

'That's simple. They are inactive for one. When they get a gem embedded into them they will have their own space. After that, so long as they are empty, they can still go into another space ring.' Markai answered me.

"Huh. You learn something new every day." I said as I moved toward the third and final cabinet.

'Hmm...words of wisdom from the mouths of babes.' Markai praised me.

With a small smile, I opened the final cabinet to see two rows of books on two shelves.

'This is all the clan knowledge on enchantments and warding. It belongs to you now. Learn it well, young master.' Markai said with respect.

"Young master? What are you on about?" I asked.

"Your father was the clan leader. That makes you the young master of the clan and the current clan master.' Markai said.

".....okay. So tell me about my father." I said as I stored all the books in my ring.

'Your father was the leader of the last surviving clan that specialized in breeding and raising dragons, both wild and tame. Ēborisk was hatched from a wild female dragon. That's why his egg wasn't smooth like some of the others here. You were brought here to learn the clan customs. Unfortunately, all clan members left to deal with the oath breaker, leaving you alone here to be watched over by the village elder.' Markai said after some hesitation.

"...so...I'm the head of a dead clan now? My only responsibility is to guard these eggs?" I asked.

'Actually, you were brought here to learn how to be a proper Elf and learn politics and how to act in certain social circles. Your father had accepted a marriage proposal for you when you were young.' Markai said.

"...are you telling me I'm engaged to someone out there?" I asked quietly.

'Yes. The Princess Arya of Ellesmera. You are the future King.' Markai said respectfully.