Crossroads

[Tismri]

Xerra stood within the obscure valley, watching as the shimmering waterfall created a rainbow in the briefly present sunlight. The tribe was encamped about a league out, and Zee and a few others were making their way back to them. Xerra had decided to remain behind for a while; most of them probably thought that she was acting as her normal, sullen self. That was a likely part of it, but for the most part, she only wished for a few moments to herself.

She remembered being a young child--likely no more than six or seven--when Zee first showed this place to her. He'd told her that this was a special place to his family. Not only did his parents have a romantic moment here, but the cave behind the waterfall was where Lux had hatched. The great white dragon was like a shining beacon of their tribe, a pronouncement of their arrival. Xerra could not imagine life in the Ayati without him.

This place had come to be one of her favorite places in their travels. Hardly anyone knew about it, and it remained untouched, a statement of nature's glory; this was something most of their tribe appreciated. The flowers that dotted the grass and the crystal clear water were beautiful beyond most of what Alagaesia had to offer. And the solitude gave Xerra time to gather her thoughts.

As the spectrum of colors faded away with the sun hiding behind the high peaks, she sighed and stood, knowing her parents would be wondering about her soon.

What would they say if I just left, she wondered, contemplating the question that had crossed her mind many times before. It was difficult to remain indifferent when the people she loved were still so close to her.

[Trinn]

They had been watching the tribe for a while now, circling high above near the mountains. Do you think that one is lost? Joro asked, and Kili peered down to stare at the near invisible dot that was a person. She had stayed back away from the main group, and he wondered if she had fallen asleep. The others were a good league away now, and soon many more. He didn't doubt that the Ayati would return for their lost member, but he felt uneasy leaving a young girl alone in these mountains. The wolves, bears, and even boars were a danger here.

We had best head down to find out. Kili decided. Swiftly Joro closed his wings and began his diving decent back towards the earth. Kili hunched down, accustomed to the movements by now. He remembered how utterly uncomfortable he had been his first flight. He had even regretted, briefly, being chosen by Joro. It had taken a good year and a half before he could say with any certainty that he was comfortable riding through the sky. Now, however, the gusting wind and the speeding decent to the ground had little effect on him, other than to make him hunch down a little more.

Joro landed yards away from the girl, so as not to startle her. Kili undid his leg straps and hopped from the golden dragons back. "Hail, you there." he called to the girl, approaching her carefully. "Are you in need of assistance?"

[Tismri]

Xerra paused and turned when a large golden dragon landed near her. At first, she did not see the Rider on its back, although she could see the saddle. It wasn't until the dwarf hopped down that she realized the still fairly uncommon bond. She quickly became cautious, as most Ayati still were with strangers. Though slavery had been outlawed for most of her generation, their parents still remembered a time when their tribe would be attacked and abducted by the slavers; her father still occasionally suffered from nightmares of it.

She placed a hand on the hilt of one of her swords as the dwarf offered his help to her. "I am fine," she replied to him. "I was just returning home, to tell the truth." She glanced up at the sky, wondering where the dragon and dwarf had come from. It bothered her that strangers knew of this place, though she knew she couldn't have expected only the Ayati to have stumbled across this place.

[Trinn]

"Well then," Kili began, breaking out in a smile, "I am glad! You had me worried I admit. The wild parts of these Beor Mountains are more than a danger. I was afraid a Shrrg might happen upon you. Joro and I would have been quite bereft if we hadn't done our job to keep the citizens of Alagesia safe. Though you look a little lass, it does seem you are well prepared to use that sword. Peace, child, the dragon and I are not hear to harm you." He pointedly looked at her hand which rested on the hilt of one of her swords. He was impressed that she had put up her defenses so quickly. Kili was not surprise either that she didn't seem perturbed by Joro's beastly presence. He had seen the orange and white dragon ahead with the rest of the tribe. Large dragons they were, of greater size than Joro. Those two had been hatched before Galbatorix's fall. Kili wondered why they did not make their presence known to Eragon. Surely they could use them at New Doru Arabea, especially with the war against the shade! Perhaps he should pay a visit to the two unknown riders.

"Well,lass,I plan on flying ahead to meet your two dragon rider companions. Please, it would put mine heart at ease if you would fly back with me."

[Tismri]

Xerra gazed at the dwarf with an indifferent expression. She knew she could handle herself well against the creatures of the mountains, at least if there were only one or two. At the very least, she could hold them off until she made it back to the tribe. She raised an intrigued eyebrow when he mentioned her "two Rider companions." Myst was still too small to be easily noticed from above, and hard to spot anyway. Lux and Chatura, however, were like beacons to others.

"You will forgive me if I do not trust you," she said, still cautious. "How do I know you are not allied with the enemies of the Ayati, to kidnap or kill me while I am alone?"

[Trinn]

Kili smiled again at the girls resistance. "Trust me, if I had wanted to kill or kidnap you, I could have already done so. There is no point parrying words with someone whom I wish to kill! Where's the sense in that!" He watched the girl, but it was apparent her distrust remained. He was saddened that dragon riders were looked at with distrust, rather than joy and peace. Before the fall that was all the dragon riders were about. They were not blood thirsty warriors out for power. Nay, they were peace-keepers, scholars, diplomats. Kili doubted if the dragon riders would ever truly be restored in the eyes of the innocent, such as this girl here.

"I see you still doubt. Barzul!" He exclaimed, throwing up his hands. "I would too, if I were you. At least I will tell you my name. Kili Skybound at your service, and the great golden beasty is Joro." Joro bent his head in admission when his name was called. "Now girl, I will not force ye to come with me. If you are set on remaining here, so be it. I will fly on without you. But, it would be ill of us to part without at least getting your name in return, eh?"

[Tismri]

Xerra thought it over for a few moments before conceding that the dwarf had a point. If he had wanted to take her, he would not likely bother to bandy words about. Still, it was not easy to overcome the distrust that had become ingrained into the Ayati over most outsiders over the years.

"Very well, Kili Skybound. I hear your words. Though I still do not fully trust you." She glanced between dragon and Rider for a moment. "My name is Xerra, daughter of Cyan and Ashod. I thank you for your offer to return me to my tribe." She took a couple of hesitant steps toward them. She had never ridden on a dragon before, though she had watched Zee and his parents as they flew through the skies on their dragons gracefully. The thought of those heights left her feeling somewhat ill, but it was still the fastest available way back home.

"If I may ask, though...what do you want of my...'companions?'"

[Trinn]

Finally, the girl was listening to sense. He remained stationary as she approached him. The closer she drew, the taller she became. Somehow it bothered him, if only because his height has always been something that others had made him feel badly about. He was knurlan though, and size mattered little to them! Where he may not be tall, he was stronger than most any opponent he came across. Except for those pesky elves... "Well met, Xerra, daughter of Cyan and Ashod. Of your dragon rider companions, that is a matter for dragon riders. But do not fear, I wish them no ill. I merely am curious as to why they have remained hidden with your tribe. Surely you all know of the war?"

As he spoke, Joro knelt down and tried to draw as close to the ground as he could so that the human girl could climb to his back easily. He had had much practice doing so for Kili before the effects of the bond took over.
~~~

Cyan watched as Zee ambled back into camp, and Xerra did not. A frown touched her lips. That girl knew better than to stay gone for that long. With her frown deepening, Cyan strode towards the young man. She reached him quickly and grabbed him by the shoulder. "Where is Xerra?" She demanded of him. "Why have you returned without her, Zee?"

[Tismri]

Xerra continued to eye the dragon even as he lowered himself for her. Even as she moved to mount, she could not quell the feeling of butterflies in her stomach. Still, she chose to show no fear and instead focused on replying to Kili's queries.

"The reason for that is simple," she replied to him. "Would you have two of our greatest leaders abandon us, especially with this impending war? But no matter; those are my feelings. Let us return to my people." She settled rather stiffly into the saddle, nerves combining with her lingering distrust.
~~~~~
Zee smiled as he strode home, happy to be returned. Although he enjoyed seeing what wonders the Beors had in store, nothing was quite as comfortable as home. He was about to walk to where Myst was settled with his parents' dragons when Cyan grasped his shoulder. He shrugged slightly at her query.

"She wanted to stay behind," he told her. "I think she needed a few minutes to herself. You know how she's been lately." He frowned slightly, more annoyed at Xerra's attitude than anything. Aside from Ian, she had been his best friend growing up, and her sudden distance was really getting on his nerves. Still, he wasn't really worried about her. "She'll be fine. She knows how to take care of herself."

[Trinn]

Kili remained silent. Whatever he had to say on the matter of the two dragon riders would probably not be agreeable with the girl Xerra. He waited for her to get settled before he hopped up behind her. "It will be just a leap and a bound to reach your people." He said to her. As Joro rose to his feet, Kili realized he didn't know where to put his hands. His face was facing the middle of the girls back, and it rather made him feel like a child. "Just hold onto the spike in front of you." He informed Xerra. Joro stretched out his wings and began fanning them. A moment later he bounded upwards, the sound of his beating wings like great thunder claps.

On second thought, Kili wrapped one burly arm around Xerra. It wouldn't do to let his new friend fall back to earth. Easy now, Jorro.

I am aware. said the dragon, and evened his flight out just above the treetops of the valley.
~~~

Cyan felt slightly annoyed that Zee was essentially telling her to relax. "I know she has been acting strange lately, Zee. That is why I am worried!" Before she could say much else, the wind picked up heavily and began whipping Cyan's hair about her face. That sort of wind was only created by dragon wings, and both Chatura and Lux were not far off. The Ayati sprung to action, unsheathing weapons and drawing bowstrings as a large gold dragon appeared. It circled above them serenely, as if to give them ample time to notice his presence and make their preparations. Cyan glanced over at the Ayati dragons and was not surprised to find Cirilai and Chatura already air born to meet the gold dragon. She watched as the orange dragon rose to the sky, and then circled around the gold. It was impressive the size that Chatura had grown. She was twice the size of the gold dragon.

After a moment, both Chatura and the gold dragon began to descend. It seemed whoever this new rider was, he was friendly.
~~

Joro landed next to the orange dragon. He sniffed at her curiously, and she merely looked back at him. Kili looked out at the sea of faces before him and felt rather unnerved. The Ayati certainly were a fearsome looking bunch, what with their tattoos and bristling weapons. He looked at the rider Cirilai, and she nodded at them to dismount. Kili obliged and slid back to the ground. He waited next to Joro, ready to catch Xerra if she had trouble in the dismount.
~~

Cyan's eyes widened and she nearly gasped when she spotted Xerra on the back of the gold dragon. It took every ounce of will power not to rush over to them. What was equally astonishing was the dwarf that had slid off the back of the dragon. It was an unusual sight. He did not look as elogant as the elves and humans did, though he was not disgraceful. What was he doing with her daughter!

[Tismri]

Xerra couldn't stop the blush that came to her face as the dwarf wrapped an arm around her, although she was more distracted by the sudden sense of vertigo as Joro took to the air. She clung to the spike of dragon's neck that lay before her, while her heart pounded fiercely. She kept her teeth clenched tightly and spent half the trip with her eyes closed. How in the world could Zee enjoy this feeling? Finally, the familiar tents came into view, followed by the familiar faces. Among them, she spotted Zee, and with him was...

Uh oh, were the words that came to mind as she spotted her mother, wearing her usual worried mother look. This was going to be interesting to explain to her...maybe she would just stay quiet the entire rest of the day. She dismounted from the golden dragon and gave a quick tap to her forehead in a symbol of respect and thanks, Ayati style, to the dwarf before walking toward her mother...and now her father.
~~~~~
Ashod heard the commotion of the dragon's arrival and walked out to see the huge golden beast with an abnormally short Rider. He also watched as his daughter dismounted from the newcomer's dragon, and his senses were on high alert as he stood next to Cyan. What was his daughter doing with this stranger? She was supposed to be out with Zee. He gave her a frown as Xerra approached them.

"You have some explaining to do, young lady," he told her. She only shrugged in that surly way she'd lately adopted and continued past them toward their family tent.
~~~~~
Kunin's meeting with the other elders was interrupted by the unexpected arrival of a new dragon. They all went to see; somehow, he was not surprised that Cirilai and Chatura had gone to investigate before anyone else. As he approached the landed dragons, he watched as young Xerra dismounted from the dragon and moved to join her family; and odd occurrence indeed. He glanced at his son, but Zee seemed just as confused as the rest of them. Once he stood next to Chatura, Lux moved behind him, beside his mate both protectively and jealously.

Kunin's red eyes gazed unblinkingly at the dwarf for a long moment before easing the tension with a greeting tap to the forehead. "Welcome, knurla," he said, using the name the dwarves called themselves, "and welcome, shur'tugal. What brings you here, aside from returning our wayward member?"

[Trinn]

Cyan resisted the urge to reach out and grab her daughter by the shoulders and shake her. The shrug Xerra gave infuriated and hurt her. To be so indifferent to her parents was frustrating to Cyan. Instead she let Xerra pass and retreat to the tent for now. She glanced over at Ashod. "That child is growing too insolent."
~~~

Kili had seen the gesture enough now to know the appropriate response to the red eyed man. Raising his own hand, Kili gave an unpracticed tap to his forward, and then decided a quick bow in addition to the greeting would suffice. He was impressed and appeased that the man knew the true name of the dwarves. The man in question was a rather fearsome looking fellow with his alarming red eyes and an abundance of facial markings. "Greetings to you as well, Ayati. I was on my way here when I noticed young Xerra off by herself. It was no trouble to stop and bring her along." He looked at the orange dragons rider, but she seemed content to let the red eyed man do all the talking. "Anyway, my real purpose here is to speak to you, and you my lady. I'm curious about who you are, because the riders of New Doru Arabea have no record of you."

[Tismri]

Ashod watched his daughter stalk away without so much as a glance back. His brow knit together in concern. He knew teenagers could be trouble, but he still never really expected to deal with something like this.

"I wonder what brought this about," he said, glancing at Cyan. Xerra had been a caring child, sweet and affectionate. But over the last year or so, she seemed to be growing more and more distant. Part of him dismissed it as a normal stage of adolescence, but he couldn't help but wonder if there was something else going on with her.
~~~~~
Kunin listened to the dwarf's explanation in silence, allowing him to explain himself fully before replying. He couldn't help but wonder if he was using Xerra's wandering as an excuse to confront him and Cirilai. Though the dwarf likely didn't see it that way, bringing the girl home was something of a peace offering to prevent the chances of the tribe attacking him on sight.

"Thank you for bringing her along," he said. "I am sure Ashod and Cyan are much relieved to have their daughter safely home." Kunin crossed his arms as the dwarf revealed his true reasons for approaching them, though his face remained placid. "The Rider order has no official record of us because we are generally a private people," he replied. "Our place is with our tribe, our family. I am Kunin, and this is my bond, Lux." The great white dragon dipped his head in greeting, eyeing both the dragon and the dwarf with care. Kunin glanced out over the Ayati, some of whom were already losing interest in the newcomer.

"So long as you mean us no harm, you may remain as our guest for the time being. I am sure you would rather a more comfortable setting if you wish to learn more about my wife and I." He turned and beckoned to Cirilai, with a smile. "You didn't leave our meal on the fire again, did you?" he asked her with affection and teasing in equal measure.

[Trinn]

Kili wasn't sure what to make of Kunin. At times he seemed friendly enough, and at others his eyes cut through him as if searching for deceit. It made Kili wish that his battleaxe were in his hands. "I think I would like to remain as guest for a little while. I am curious about you and m'lady." he said, and bowed slightly to Cirilai. The woman merely stared and dipped her chin a little in return. She was definitely a quiet one. However, when Kunin spoke to her in a teasing fashion, the girl smiled and pinched at her husband.

"The meal will keep." She said in return, and beckoned for Kili to follow her.

They made there way through the Ayati camp, and Kili noticed the gestures of respect given to Kunin and Cirilai. Clearly they were highly valued members of this tribe, and for good reason. Their two giant beasties, for one. You will be alright, Joro? he asked his bond.

Right as rain, brother. The orange one entices me. But her mate stares at me quite scornfully.

And with good measure, you great rascal. The she-dragon will not have the likes of you! Ha! Play nicely please? We want to remain as guests and keep our heads after all. Joro agreed, though Kili could sense a playful note taking hold the dragons demeanor. He glanced over his shoulder to see Joro inching closer to Chatura.

"Here we are." Cirilai said, bringing Kili back to attention. "And see, the meal is just fine." Some sort of poultry was sitting on the fire, roasting and giving off a pleasant aroma. It was a rather large bird, but then again, the only kind of birds in these mountains seemed to be of the large variety. Cirilai set about preparing the meal, and gestured for Kili to have a seat on a log. He did so and was grateful the dead log was close enough to the ground that his feet weren't dangling off.

"Thank you, friends." he said graciously. "Perhaps I will save my questions for after we have eaten?"

[Tismri]

Kunin guided their guest to where their meal sat waiting, giving slight nods to the other members as he passed by. When they arrived at their tent setup, he looked around. He gave his attention to Kili for a moment.

"Of course," he replied. Then he resumed his vigil until he spotted who he was looking for. Zee was curled around next to Myst. Kunin recognized his expression; the two of them were talking, probably about the events of the day. "Zee!" he called, "Dinnertime!" The boy stood and gave the dragon an affectionate touch before joining his family for the meal. He gave a tap on his forehead to the dwarf before grabbing a bowl and leaning over to kiss his mother on the cheek.

"Smells great, Mom," he told her, sitting down to dig in.

As Zee ran to join his family, Myst stretched, and then flew to find Lux and Chatura, wanting to spend some time with her kin. As she landed, she grew intrigued by the new dragon, sniffing him curiously. He seemed to have Lux on edge for some reason.

Hello, she commented politely to the gold dragon. I'm Myst. What brings you and your Rider here? We don't see a lot of other dragons.