New Legacy

Ch.10

I had to remind myself that Brom was an old hand at sneaking around and getting through issues that would stymie normal people. Our introduction at the Port Authority’s Registration Office was brisk with Brom whispering something to the clerk and suddenly we had dispensation to go about our day. Clearly the Varden was an open secret here in Surda, which is literally the Varden’s own nation so-to-speak.

What I was upset about, however, was we weren’t even staying in Reavstone for a night! “What do you mean we’re leaving already?” I huffed in frustration, some of Roran’s own disgruntlement bleeding into me as well. We’d been stuck out at sea for most of the month, the last bit of which was in a harrowing hail-mary hurry on a longboat with everyone sleeping in shifts and rapidly draining our stores of preserved meats and hardtack.

Saphira and I are still growing dragons damn it! We need more food!

“Goodness do you whine.” Kalameet rolled her eyes. There was also the fact that her ‘better-than-thou’ attitude was grating on us all.

“Have you been stuck out at sea with sexist sailors and nothing but preserved foods for a month?” Saphira demanded with a snarl and Kalameet nodded.

“Stranded on a lifeboat in the middle of interstellar space. It was cramped with a lot of herms and no interest in their advances.” Kalameet said with a shiver. “Or the noise they made.”

“Unlike us, you had the option of murdering someone who went too far, we weren’t so lucky.” Murtagh sniffed and everyone aside from me nodded in agreement, to which I felt a little sick. I had to remember that the sensibilities of this archaic magical world were different from the magicless metropolitan life I came from.

“Point.” Kalameet said as she walked to the gate where Brom and Roran were leading the bullboars Brom had procured with far too much ease to be anything other than an association with the Varden. “Your beasts look tasty.”

“They are. Sister and I can attest to that.” Saphira went with the tangent and I tried not to think about how delicious the beast I just climbed into the saddle of would be. I was riding behind Roran, clinging to his broad, chiseled, yummy back while Katrina sat in front of him. These were long saddles meant for travelling caravans and to act as hitches for carriages.

“Well, I’ll be flying once we’re out of the city.” Kalameet declared and I perked up at the realization that Saphira and I would be able to be in our birth forms like before Teirm and the travel by sea.

“So will the scaled sisters. They need as much time in their birth forms as possible. Their growth has been delayed from weeks in their anthro forms.” Brom’s grim input filled me with dread. Were we too underdeveloped to be able to deal with what is to come? I warned Brom about the Yaks, about them being cursed to follow the commands of Durza, by extension Sombra. I hope My involvement hasn’t doomed us all.

“If it’s quite fair, I’ll be joining you.” Roran declared and I felt my heart soar at his powerful desire to fly with me. He’s my Rider, yet besides the journey from Carvahall to Teirm, I have been unable to bring him into the sky with me.

“Yes!” I cheered and hugged Roran more out of joy than to stay on the saddle.

“You let others ride you?” Kalameet asked in confusion and possibly offense.

“If you bothered to learn more about the group you were going to be around, you’d know that the Dragon Riders are an important thing to us and the future stability of the world.” Arya stated from where she was riding behind Brom. I was still amused that Saphira was sitting in front of Eragon, who was shorter than her, with Murtagh riding behind him.

“I only passed information though the Blood Shard. I never really needed to memorize things.” Kalameet groaned and rubbed the red gem in her forehead before she awkwardly climbed into the saddle in front of Brom.

With us all saddled, Brom led us north towards Aberon, the capital of Surda.

🥚

It just felt so right, to be flying with my Rider on my back where he belonged. I rode the updrafts of the warm late spring day, looking down at the sprawling farms to either side of the road. Brom insisted it best that despite there actually being travelers on the road and farms along it, that Saphira and I fly with our Riders. Our ‘see-me-not’ charms will keep us unseen so long as we remain more than 50 paces above ground.

Eragon and Saphira were with us, but so were Murtagh and Kalameet. The pegasus was enjoying stretching his wings too while Kalameet was questioning Saphira and Eragon about ‘this Dragon Rider nonsense’. Originally they directed her to me for an explanation, but I told her that if she wasn’t genuinely interested in learning History, then I wasn’t going to waste my energy on her. I’m a teacher, yes, but telling someone something when they weren’t invested in what you had to say was the same as talking to a wall.

This seemed to light a fire in the dragoness, so she went back to Saphira and Eragon and started learning from them, which caused me to smirk in victory. Reverse psychology works every time. She may not like me, but so long as she improves in some measure as a person, so be it.

“Your vindictiveness is showing. From what I remember from your memories, you weren’t quite this decisive with other people.” Roran observed and I reflected on that. He’s right. I wasn’t this stern or short-tempered like I was with Katrina back in Teirm. Perhaps my rebirth has had a more subtle impact on me than I’d assumed.

“So long as I do not become someone I cannot recognize in the mirror, I am fine with a few outbursts of anger and vindictiveness.” The irony of my statement wasn’t lost on me. I’m not the woman I used to be, I know, but I’m still me. New body and life be damned, I’m still...still…

“Milly. You’re still Milly Miller.” Roran gently reminded me and the name out of my reach snapped back into place over my memories of my human self. I couldn’t see any name other than Shimmer when I looked back. Am I forgetting?

“Thank you. Please, keep writing everything I dictate to you in the evenings. Even if I forget, I want someone to remember.” I psychically nuzzled my Rider and he patted my neck comfortingly.

“I’ll always remember. My writings will make sure of that.” Roran assured me and I felt my insecurity fade and be replaced with warmth, Love for my Rider that defied anything I ever felt before I became a dragon. “Don’t look away, Shimmer. I think those are highwaymen up ahead waiting for the others.”

“Oh? Let’s give them a scare, shall we?” I crooned at my Rider and prepared to dive, only for Murtagh to zip in front of me and I pulled up to avoid him. “Blast you, Murtagh! I almost shattered every bone in your body!”

“You’d best leave them to us. We don’t want to leave bodies and if they see dragons they’ll go blabbing at some tavern, then suddenly the Empire marches south on Surda.” Murtagh gestured to Kalameet, who nodded and followed him down to the road, where they pounced on two of the bandits and knocked them unconscious.

Grr! I want to do something! I understand Saphira a bit more now. She’s always got this fire, this itch in her to act. No wonder she and Eragon are perfect for each other. Blasted adrenaline junkies. Why now of all times do I need to feel it too? Perhaps being cooped up in a city and a ship for nearly two months has done horrible things to me. Oh dear. I just realized I’ll be stuck underground a good deal of time soon. Swell.

🥚

Aberon was a beautiful city. It was huge, easily twice the size of Kuasta with walls all along the edge of the bluff the city sat atop in the middle of open plains filled with farms. It was both a fortress and a beacon. It could be seen from miles in all directions. It may be made of boring old stone like all the other places I’d seen, but the quality of the construction and the location easily held it above the rest.

It was also old. I could see moss growing all over the walls where people couldn’t easily reach to scrub them clean, which lent the city a certain character to it. The city itself was impressive too. The buildings were sandwiched together, all well-constructed and none shorter than three floors. The first floor was always stone, the second and third were timber with whitewashed wattle and daub walls with roughly a foot of overhang from the six inch extensions each floor had beyond the one below. It also only faintly stunk of feces! My nose thanks you, craftsmen!

“So, how big does an Everlasting get?” Eragon asked Kalameet after nearly killing Brom by asking so many questions about Aberon already. I hadn’t known that Surda was where ponykind first landed on Alagaesia, effectively making Reavstone the oldest pony settlement on the continent. It’s a shame we didn’t get to stay in such a historical city. It also told me there had to be lands to the south for Surda to be where ponies first landed.

“The largest ever recorded became a mountain range after passing. Though that is talking about my breed. The originals were immortal, only able to die from spears of lightning or sunlight. Since our rebirth with the help of my Goddess and mother, we are ageless, but have many more ways to die.” Kalameet answered quietly while avoiding the passing crowds from touching her.

The sight of other winged lizardfolk helped calm me, but the fact they all had wings irritated me. Wyverns aren’t as rare here as they are in the Empire, but so are all the griffins, hippogriffs, bug ponies-? “Slow down, Twilight!” A purple Wyvern shouted before a similarly coloured mare smashed into Arya. “Dang it, sorry miss!” The nice-smelling Wyvern male grabbed the unicorn and hauled her to her hooves. “What have we talked about?”

“Not to speed walk and read at the same time?” The unicorn mare swaddled in scholarly robes replied with a sheepish smile from where the male was holding her by the collar of said robes. “Sorry about bumping into you, but I was a bit disoriented by your glamour’s drastic difference from your real appearance and I didn’t fully look up in time to see you. I’m Twilight Sparkle.” The unicorn politely apologized and nodded at Arya, who nodded in return with a faint smile. Huh, Twilight didn’t try to shake her hand or bow or anything. She actually must’ve noticed-.

“Hold. Twilight Sparkle? King Orrin’s assistant and court wizard?” Brom suddenly questioned intently and the two purple people looked at our guide with surprised nods. “I am Brom, I have urgent need to speak with either the King or his Steward to expedite a trade agreement with the Wargs.” The fact the Dwarves here are actually canines with innate terraforming magic still greatly intrigued me.

“Trade agree-?” Twilight’s horn shimmered and suddenly there was tree resin or something gluing the wyvern’s lips shut.

“Of course. Hold still please.” Miss Sparkle immediately answered with cold seriousness before the world suddenly became a field of purple stars in an infinite cosmos before I fell on my ass and took in the wobbly stone chamber we had ended up in. “The teleportation sickness will pass momentarily. Please remain seated.”

“I’m good. Sombra loves to summon people to him randomly, I’ve gotten used to being yanked through time and space to another location by now.” Murtagh muttered and I looked at him to see him, Arya, Brom and Kalameet still standing.

“Well, your magic is not as limited as I thought.” Kalameet muttered with a crack of her neck.

“The pursuit of magic as a science is a very rare and new concept. Before Star Swirl, ponies believed everything was magic, but it wasn’t until the Elk came and introduced logical thought to our societies that we even considered that the world around us doesn’t use magic to power everything.” Twilight stated with a piercing yet friendly gaze at Arya.

“Yes. If it wasn’t for Star Swirl, you ponies might still be living in a tribal society despite our attempts to civilize you.” Arya smirked as her glamour fell for a moment. “You’re quite gifted to see right through my glamour.”

“It’s my Talent. Magic that is. I was tapped by King Orrin the moment I showed promise as a filly. I’ve read every book he has, learned from every scholar he can find and turned magic into a science!” Twilight declared proudly and I blinked at her in awe. She can’t even be in her twenties! She looks about Diane or Rarity’s age back in Carvahall. Despite how respected they were, they were only 17! “I aim to be the Star Swirl or Clover the Clever of this generation.”

“You’ve already succeeded, young Twilight, no worries there.” Brom chuckled fondly and relaxed. “I haven’t seen you since you were a little filly. How are Velvet and Night?”

“Mom and dad died at the hand of the empire. Now, how do you know me and them? Also, what is your connection to the Varden? That pass phrase is only to be known by members of the Varden.” Twilight demanded with that friendly professionalism she had displayed the instant she’d gotten over bumping into Arya. “The only reason I’m not diving into your minds is because you have an Elk here and you’re clearly capable mages in your own rights.”

“Thank you for that. My mind is one of the few places I’ve had any sense of security before I joined these fine folks.” Murtagh commented and Twilight nodded in his direction with a measure of understanding.

“That is also why I haven’t pried. I respect people’s right to privacy, but when it comes to matters of security, mine and other’s sense of comfort come second. Please tell me what this is about.” Twilight requested and Brom gestured to Saphira and I while she helped me to my claws. Eugh, still so dizzy...I hope Roran doesn’t figure out how to use teleportation like a unicorn.

“These beautiful young ladies are Saphira and Shimmer. Newborn bonded dragons only a few months old.” Brom declared. Gee, thanks for reminding me I’m still an infant by normal means. “These two strapping lads are their Riders, Eragon and Roran. Colts, show your proof.” Twilight was clearly sceptical, at least until the colts took off their right gloves and displayed their Gedwey Ignasia. She looked both hopeful and fearful when she saw it, rubbing her chest for the briefest of moments.

“So the rumors are true...come. I’ll take you to a private study where I’ll bring King Orrin with all haste. We may not be properly willing to go to war with the Empire at the moment, but he won’t pass up the opportunity to meet the hope the Varden have been waiting so long for.” Twilight thankfully physically led us out of what turned out to be a special chamber in the dungeon specifically for zapping criminals or potential criminals into and up into the castle proper.

Borromeo Castle was magnitudes larger than any castle I’d had the pleasure to see virtual tours of. It had three concentric rings of walls surrounding the central keep with multiple towers all around it. I only knew this because when I asked, Twilight was eager to supply such information, possibly realizing I was a scholar myself.

Anyway, she did mention the towers were all topped with constantly-manned ballista emplacements due to the sheer number of flight-capable citizens and the pegasus-based military of the Broddring Empire to the north. Left implied was that such artillery would be used against rogue dragons if need be.

“Wait here. I’ll let the King know you’re waiting and he’ll promptly tell his advisors and court functionaries to take care of things for him before rushing here or having me teleport him.” Twilight told us with fond exasperation and left us all to sit in the rather large study. The shelves were crammed with books, alchemical odds-and-ends and other assorted old science brikk-a-brakk.

I was in historian geek heaven~! “Um, is she okay Roran?” Katrina whispered to my Rider as I rabidly dove at the nearest shelf, scanning through books written in Latin and Italian! Sure, plenty of them were in English since it was the spoken language, but the older books weren’t! I’m so glad my Language Studies course in college included Latin~!

“She’s just...having a moment.” Roran fondly snorted and I whipped the floor with my tail at his mild slight against my reasonable hunger for knowledge! Oh! This one is a history of the founding of Surda! I took it to a corner seat and began reading properly.

“Fat asses.” Kalameet huffed and rubbed the stone on her forehead.

“What is the gem anyway, you rub it almost religiously.” Sapphire snarled, glaring at Kalameet for the fat comment. I don’t care either way. Our butts are pretty big, I blame being stuck without the ability to properly exercise in our birth forms. However, our butts are also hot so I take no offense to the athletic dragoness’s comment.

“The Eye of Kalameet, all of her power focused into one single point. Mother said I would be able to become her if I learned how to unlock the soul held within, but I don’t know how. Kalameet could at one point be called godlike, though Everlastings are something different from gods.” Kalameet replied idly and I continued to ignore the byplay for the history text in my lap.

Some time later, the door practically slammed against the wall before in strode a handsome blond-maned white unicorn with sharp blue eyes. He wore regalia fit for a king and a crown that sat atop his head and braced against his horn, indicating he was King Orrin.

“It is...why is the blue one trying to rip jewelry off the black wyvern?” King Orin asked and I turned my gaze to see my sister fighting with Kalameet and the others trying to stop her. How much did I zone out? “Everyone! Order everyone! I understand that you are important guests with important business, please do not fight in my home!”

“Sorry about them. I don’t know what my sister is upset about now.” I rolled my eyes and approached the king, who looked at me with such awe that I blushed a bit. Or at least I felt my face warm up. “I am Shimmer, the dragoness bound to Roran, the tall and powerful earth pony stallion.” I pointed out and he approached once the scuffle broke after King Orrin’s demand.

“A pleasure.” King Orrin took my right hand and kissed the back of my hand, which made me perk up hotly and meekly smile as my heart raced. I can’t tell if he’s flirting or just being a gentleman. “To think dragons are so radiant. I have read histories and heard tales, but to see one of you in person. It’s hard to think you could be mistaken for a wyvern. Your scales shine too brightly like gemstones to be the same race as your cousins.” Orrin proclaimed as he looked between Saphira and I, my sister visibly preening on his praise while I shyly tittered.

“That said, we come here to tell you, our ally, that things are in motion once more. I’m bringing them to Tronjheim for training and equipment.” Brom informed the king and held up his ring, which King Orrin widened his eyes at.

“I’m not a Wyvern.” Kalameet huffed in the background, summarily ignored while King Orrin gladly shook Brom’s offered hand.

“Well met! I haven’t seen you since I was but a colt, Brom. Let’s talk business and then I’ll show you my lab before you go.” A historical science lab~?! Eeeeee~!