Chapter Text
It was quite some time before he heard anything from Ninian again. After a brief visit to his master's home, he was sent back home feeling quite pleased. As he rounded the last corner however, he blinked when he saw a fairly large golden dragon standing with someone who looked very familiar. Well I guess I better welcome them for once, he thought.
Grinning, he called, “Miklós!” It would be interesting to see his reaction. I was wondering when they would show up.
His twin brother spun around when he heard Galbatorix's voice.
"There you are! We were starting to wonder, since no one was home. We thought we would come and visit you, since our instructor's given us the day off due to being sick."
"Of course I am here, brother. I was just visiting my own trainer, had to go see the results of the test I took some time ago. As for Jarnunvosk, she's taking the last of her own tests at the moment, and will be home soon. It's good to see you both."
“Last of her tests?” Miklós asked, raising an eyebrow in some confusion.
“Yes. We’ve almost finished all our training,” Galbatorix replied, feeling a little smug. Just a little smug, not overly so. “What did you end up naming him?”He looked at the gold dragon.
“He is Flavius,” Miklós replied. “You’ve certainly been busy since we last met." Miklós grinned. "We've not been here all that long, but we have been very busy with training. They sure don't give much time to us to do as we please, do they?"
"I guess not, but it’s all interesting things to learn at least, huh?" Not to mention he had been taught some things that he knew most of the riders likely were not. Special training that only the Moon Goddess could give him. Things he needed to learn in order to be able to help her when the time came. He was very eager to learn those things indeed. "Apparently, once there are a few other riders who have past their tests I'll be heading with Oromis and Glaedr as well as those other riders to Ellesmera in Du Weldenvarden to get my Rider's blade."
"That's pretty cool, Galbatorix," Miklós replied. "Any idea what you will name it? After all, all the blades have names."
"Metnaðr," Galbatorix replied. "Seems fitting since only some people are fated to become Riders after all, it is a 'glorious' thing to be a Rider. I've heard it’s a word no one has dared to use yet, so I think it’s the one for my sword."
He knew it was not only just fate that had given him Jarnunvosk, but he had the feeling in his stomach that he should not tell Miklós about the Moon Goddess.
Why do I feel that way about my twin brother? he thought, wondering if She would answer him. It felt strange that he did not know that he could trust his own brother anymore.
‘He is one of those who will be sworn to my rival,’ the Moon Goddess replied. ‘I saved you from that fate because you are the stronger of the two of you. There is no doubt in my mind that I chose the right one of you. His training is taking much longer than yours has. He refuses to hear a word about me.’
Thank you for elaborating, Galbatorix replied.
"Interesting name choice, I can say that much, brother," Miklós replied. The younger of the two twins was grinning. "Perhaps when you get back we could have a bit of a spar? Or you could at least come and visit."
"I think I would rather the first option," Galbatorix replied. He grinned. "Something tells me I will be very busy when I get back from Ellesmera." Most riders were these days, and he knew he too would have a part to play.
It was then that he saw someone else coming toward his house, and they were hurrying.
Galbatorix stepped back to wait for the hurrying human to get to him. "Looking for me?" he asked.
The older man nodded, smiling at him. "As soon as she has returned, Jarnunvosk and you are to report to Oromis and Glaedr. Another one of the new riders who has passed the test is ill, so you're going in his stead to Ellesmera."
Galbatorix barely stopped his mouth from falling open at those words. What an ill stroke of luck for that other rider, but he was very pleased that he had been chosen to take his place! "I will be there with Jarnunvosk as soon as I can."
I'm coming back now, Jarnunvosk said. I heard the news at the same time as you, little one.
Exactly who is the little one here? You're younger than I! Again she chose to call him the one thing he did not like being called. I am not the little one here. Only in size and that is hardly my fault!
'Calm yourself, Galbatorix. Soon she will be no more, and you will have a much better dragon to handle, one that will not dare to challenge you in any way. Trust in me, and soon all our dreams will come true,' the Moon Goddess suddenly spoke to him.
Yes, Goddess, Galbatorix thought to her. He was not sure that he liked the idea of losing Jarnunvosk. He had only just gotten her after all, and he was very happy with her.
'She is too devoted to the way she is. She is only a means to an end. I gave her to you so you would be noticed by the riders, and would get the training that you need to be able to stand up to them eventually.'
Galbatorix would have groaned out loud if his brother was not there. "I guess I will see you soon, brother. Keep training and one day you'll catch up to us."
His eyes watched the sky for now, waiting for any sign of the green dragon whom he cared about so much.
It was not long before a loud roar sounded from somewhere above them, and Galbatorix saw Flavius flinch, looking around for the dragon who had roared.
You made Flavius flinch! Galbatorix said, mentally laughing. His eyes lifted up toward the sky, spotting the great green dragon gliding down toward them. It was good to see his dragon once more, he cared about her greatly and would never want to lose her, even if the Moon Goddess said that he would someday lose her.
Oh did I?
Yes. How'd your tests go?
Jarnunvösk landed with a slight thud beside him. Been a long time since we last met, Miklós, Flavius. The green dragon smiled, lips slightly drawn back revealing her teeth.
Galbatorix was pleased to see she was still bigger than Flavius. It would never do for his brother to have the bigger dragon. “I swear Flavius needs to fill out more, Miklós. He never seems to catch up to Jarnunvösk in size. She’s not that much older than him, really.”
His twin brother laughed. "We will see you both soon, I guess. By then I reckon Flavius will have grown to a much more considerable size. You'll see."
Galbatorix chuckled. "Yeah, we'll see alright. He'll never catch up to Jarnunvosk in size." He ehaded into his house to get the dragon saddle out. This was something he ahd been looking forward to for some time.It only took him a few seconds to get the sadde onto Jarnunvosk, and climbed up into it.
Not taking anything with you? Jarnunvosk asked as he tightened the straps around his legs.
I can't think of anything I might need. We're travelling in a group after all, and its not like you can't help me when it comes to finding food for us both.
Jarnunvosk snorted, before she leaped into the air. Galbatorix smiled as she carried him toward where they both knew Oromis and Glaedr were living. As they continued on through the air, the two of them were lost in their own thoughts. Galbatorix was thinking about the sort of blade he wanted, as well as what the first thing was that he would do once he had his sword. He wanted to know what his mother was hiding from him, and he knew there was something.
Perhaps he was too eager to find out, but maybe he wasn't. Only time would tell when things came down to it. He wanted to see what he could do, now that he was a Rider in his own right. Things were looking up, and soon he would be off to stay somewhere else in their homeland. He could only wonder at where he would be sent to watch over, if anywhere.