Dawn of Hope

[Max452]

Hot, night wind blew through Roland's hair as he stood on one of the highest towers in New Doru Arabea. The summer heat had been unbearable lately, but the weather was least of Roland's worry. No, it was much more focused on the land beyond the one he currently inhabited. His one eye gazed out into the night, toward the north, where Aeglaesia laid. The whispers of the land was growing more unstable...more fearful as the Shade Rider grew into power. His grip against the stones of the tower tightened. The news he had been hearing had not been well. More and more were joining the Shade Rider and less and less were able to gather together effectively. The older generation was spread too thinly with their own duties and the training of the younger generation. The politics of the various lands weren't reacting quickly enough to aid their citizens, much less their armies; the Shade Rider was attacking relentlessly and in multiple locations.

The elf sighed, knowing that he shouldn't give into despair, but he had to be a realist, if better to react and help in any way possible. Roland fisted one of his hands, wishing that he was out aiding Aeglaesia with the other Ancients. He had sworn he would no longer be idle! And yet here he was, unable to do anything! Even his teachings was not enough; those of the younger generation had suffered greatly from this growing war! Young Teza Mae, tortured by the Shade Rider herself. Gloriann and Sundavar's betrayal! Seth's departure from the Order. Eva and Eos near deaths by a mass of Shades! (If not for Trinn and Tismri, they, along with Antien would have died!) Ian and Castiel forming a small rebellion! Maude and Aradan seemed to be the only ones returning to the Order after their missions...and yet, even then their duties dragged them into dangerous and unprepared situations. It was complete chaos. They needed to band together! This was how Galbatorix tore them apart! From the inside!

"What has become of us? What will become of us?" Roland wondered aloud, fearful and losing hope the longer he reflected upon their circumstances. He closed his eyes, shaking the thoughts away the best he could. He wished he had prepared the new generation better. He wished that the land had at least known peace for a more than a decade. Was the Riders destined to be no more? Roland had always believed in the balance of all things, but lately, with all the chaos and destruction, he wondered if they could survive. He was losing hope, he knew it. Losing that faith that his dragon Faith had once invoked in him. Where could he turn to rid himself of these doubts? Where was Hope?

[Tismri]

Tismri slowly took the steps up to the tower, pausing every once in a while to catch her breath. Though the child was still several months from arrival, the changes in her body were something she was not used to. She didn't feel as mobile or graceful, and she took care with most every move she made.
"I thought I might find you here," she said to Roland as she entered the crown of the tower. Old habits were hard to change for those as old as they were. She could also guess what had brought him up here. Concern for the young Riders clouded her mind often, the fear that the children might not survive this approaching ordeal. Thoughts and worry came to her, and she couldn't help but wonder how they could have better prepared the new generation. She stood quietly as the warm wind tickled her face gently.
"What we failed to teach them was the importance of working together," she finally stated, leaning slightly against the tower wall as she stared out to the west. "We were so concerned with strengthening the bonds of Rider and Dragon that we ignored the lesson of relying upon one another. There was discord among several of them that I could see, yet I thought it was a childish worry that would pass with time. Many of them don't trust each other, and that is why they have fallen apart." She sighed and closed her eyes, thinking of all the pain that her students were suffering now.

[Max452]

Roland turned quickly to the voice that had entered. He blinked in quick recognition of Tismri. She was beginning to show more of her pregnancy and it made the elf have some marginal of hope; children were precious. It saddened him that he could not find a mate as Tismri and Sidhion had found within one another. He had sacrificed much for the Order...and yet, he would do it again in a heartbeat. His eyes followed her as she waddled toward him. How long had she been there? His face turned solemn as she shared her thoughts, so equally matching his own concerns. Yes, Tismri was right. The Riders lacked the trust that was necessary between them all. Trust was a hard thing to come by; one that had plagued them even centuries ago. "I feel useless Tismri, let alone hopeless in these coming dark days. The world has suffered and I feel that I have already failed before we had truly begun. I wish Oromis and Vrael were here; they would know what to do...what to say. They were much better in training and teaching the Riders." He shared his shortcomings with his friend, knowing that after so many years they were still able to talk freely as they did in their youth.

[Tismri]

Tismri contemplated the landscape for several long moments, her emerald eyes reflecting the starlight. Her lips twitched slightly as a thought crossed her mind. "Even teachers must learn," she commented to him. "This was our first generation of Riders to teach of the old ways. We don't have the guidance of our predecessors to show us our mistakes before we make them. And I doubt even they could have predicted the catastrophe that has befallen our land, any more than they had predicted Galbatorix's rise to power." She reflected sadly on how they had lost Vrael and Oromis. They were dearly missed. As were so many others.
"You should not despair, Roland," she told him, turning to look at him. "We have made a mistake. Now it is our duty to learn from it. I still feel that we have done well regardless. All our Riders have strong bonds with the dragons. They have learned well how to survive on their own, and have strong wills. We must continue to train the Riders that are still here, and when the Shade is dealt with, we will do better for our students."

[Max452]

Roland nodded to Tismri's wise words, feeling some calmness and clarity that he had not felt in awhile. "You are right; we are not perfect, but we must learn from our mistakes and weaknesses. It is what we have taught, and thus we must practice. Although," He gazed up into the sparkling sky. "I wish I could do more. I wish..." His thoughts lingered on his dragon. "...that I was out there, doing more to help." He sighed, shaking out the thoughts of being a Rider. "Thank you, Tismri, for your counsel. I am glad that you are here. If not to keep me sane." He gave her a wry smile before discussing what else had been troubling him. "I received a missive today; no doubt you received it too, as the other teachers have as well." He began as he pulled away from the tower edge. He gestured for them to return inside. "Another war counsel is being called. I am not sure if Lord Eragon will attend personally due to his duties here, but I feel he desires one of the Elders to attend in his stead." He tilted a semi-amused head at her. "No doubt you have heard, for your mate has some important news to discuss." He gestured for Tismri to enter the fortress first, out of courtesy. "I am still weary of his allegiance, Tismri, but I trust your judgment and Sidhion has helped us in the past...but it cannot wipe out his stained ledger completely." He expressed. "Nonetheless, he claims to have news from young Rider Seth."

OOC: Well then, shall we begin progressing the plot? We can start a new thread for the counsel in the Empire forum if you all want.