The Note

[Nathaniel & Thadrin]

    After Nathaniel had slept in his chambers he awoke to hear a knock on the door. He walked to door and opened it. On the floor was a note of parchment and in it was wrote:


                    Dear Nathaniel,

    I visited your village this week only to find bodies of dead people. But, there were some of them that were not there. Thadrin and your parents were no where to be found. Dark magic was in the air, I suspect that a shade had been the cause. Also, Rosalie's grave was dug up and the body gone. The houses were in ruins and every thing had been taken. You might want to investigate this ,for I know how much Thadrin and your parents mean to you.


                                                                                                                                      Hope to see you soon, Your master

  P.S. I have not put my name on this note  in case this would be intercepted by our enemies.

    What was he going to do. He may be smart but not smart of enough to find the enemy. Wait, maybe that lady that helped him in the training field could help him again because she was quite smart. but how would he find her. 'Hm.... wait I know"

"Quicksilver help me find that lady from the training grounds"

"On it"

"Good"

A few minutes later....

"found her!' said Quicksilver.

"Good show me and I will meet you there" said Nathaniel.

Quicksilver showed him were to find her ,then Nathaniel ran with urgency to the lady.

[kinok]

Mind if I join in?

[Nathaniel & Thadrin]

occ: why not

[kinok]

In a room full of young boys and men one stood out of the others. True many had magical alterations to there bodies in one way or another. But only one had a reptile tail, and the end of it was currently swaying back and forth like a cats. One boy about twelve winters of age cracked a eye open and reached over to tug on KiNoks tail. "Quite it" The mage apprentice whispered in hopes of not attracting attention from there elven teacher in a chair not far away reading a book. Feeling nothing else KiNok continued his attempts to clear his mind in accordance with elven meditation training. Feeling another tug he repeated himself a little louder. This time the elven master noticed. "Is there a problem?"

The young man opened his eyes and out of irritation stated loudly. "yeah, this meditation stuff sucks dragon" he did not get to finish the sentence as the elf said his name sternly. After a silence the elven teachers voice grew calm and collected again. "Meditation is important. You must clear your mind and feel not only yourself, but everything around you" The same boy tugging on KiNoks tail earlier interjected. "To clear your mind you have to have something on it. KiNoks head is pretty empty" With that everyone laughed.

With rage building at having all his peers laugh at him KiNok jumped onto his feet out of the cross-legged meditation position. "This class is stupid! I'm gone!" Ignoring any protests from the teacher he left the class and slammed the wooden door shut. Placing a boot and his back against the corridor wall he looked at his hands that were covered in white tattered cloth with loose strands that fluttered in the hallways breeze. After a moment he started to fidget with the black dragon like talons that were the only thing visible.

He was angry at his so called friends that always gave him a hard time. But most of all he was angry at himself for being so vulnerable to petty emotion. He was a member of the dragon rider order. Mind you he was no rider blessed with a dragon. But a mage with the riders Du Vagr Gata. The wandering path. A order who was closely linked to Eragons prophecy. Born with magic by magic's will. Not blessed with magic like a rider. Born with it. He held himself to higher expectations.

"Power comes at a cost" he mumbled as he continued to examine his magically altered hands. Glancing down the empty hallway he noticed someone much younger then him running. And following a young dragon to boot. "Hey kid!" KiNok called out. "You ditching class to?" Not even waiting for a response he added. "Never mind. Anywhere is better then here. Mind if I come with?"

[Nathaniel & Thadrin]

    Nathaniel froze and turned around and said " if you like looking at crime scenes then come , I need as much help as I can get cause I think a new shade has arose from the shadows. Then, Nathaniel decided not  go to the lady just yet , but he was going to find help then he might go to her unless someone wiser would help him make a plan. then he thought " of course lets go to the training grounds, people there would help him. Finally, he continued hoping the older guy would be right behind him.

[kinok]

What?" KiNok managed to say after the boys quick words. After a pause for his mind to collect its thoughts around the boys word of "help" and "shade" KiNok made his decision.  Of course the boy did not wait for him. But KiNok held no grudges. He understood the desperation that was going on. Since joining the riders he had studied the shades. As much as the library could offer. He even dabbled in necromancy. A magic the shades used. But only because he wanted to discover ways to combat and counter the shade threat.

It was a secret he had told no one. KiNok had been told magic was as evil as its intention. Just like fire. Just like a sword. Yes he used necromancy on dead animals and on a rare few occasions intelligent beings. But he was old and wise enough to know his teachers would assume him a dark mage. A shade in the making just waiting to be possessed by a spirit. KiNok knew better and was to cautious to call upon a spirit that was malevolent. KiNok preferred the spirits that there benevolent that he knew by name.

If a new shade threat arised. He was bound. No, duty sworn to assist this young rider to conquer and overcome this threat. Even if it cost him his life. Unlike his mage peers. He was more mature and took his vows to the dragons riders seriously. Had KiNoks master been present, she would have been proud to read her students mind.

KiNok ran after the boy only stopping when he did. Breathing heavily he rubbed his arm against his face as his clawed hand was not up to task. "So... What.... Do..... we.... do..... now" Chuckling a bit he added. " I think we mages train our minds to much. Perhaps we should take up physical training like you riders cuz you kicked my tail in that run.

[Nathaniel & Thadrin]

    Ounce Nathaniel reached the training grounds for the riders. He turned around and showed the guy the Note his master had sent him. "Now can you make any interpenetration of this, and by the way my name is , Nathaniel Cairoson."

[kinok]

"What's this?" The mage asked as the not was offered to him. Taking it gently with a cloth covered hand he stood upright. "Its a pleasure to meet you young master Nathaniel of house Cairoson. I am KiNok of the Du Vagr Gata. Apprentice to master Meera" KiNok found himself a little surprised at how cultured he had gotten. Examining the note the features on his face slowly changed to one of sadness. He gently folded the parchment of paper taking special care not to puncture it with his black curved talons.

"I am so sorry" KiNok said. Looking at the folded note in his clothed hand he patted it gently with the other and handed it back to the young rider. Putting a palm on the boys shoulder in comfort he squatted so he could be eye level with Nathaniel. "You must steel your heart. There is still hope some of your family and friends still yet draw breath. Perhaps they have been taken to labor camps" KiNok did not feel comfortable to comment on the empty graves. He had his suspicions. And he imagined the boy had them as well.

"I would suggest you bring this to the attention of your elders and confer to there wisdom. But if you insist on investigating....." KiNok paused and stood up to close the flaps of his meditation robes in front of him before adding with a confident voice. "I will support you, dragon rider"