The Riders' Rebellion (Scarsmate and DH)

[Dark Huntress]

Rhinnëa quickly cut in, flashing the queen and king a very realistic, white smile and saying "No, you misunderstand her. Rivera feels as if her previous actions have affected the aura of our dinner, which is very fine and we thank-you for the honor!" She hid a smirk behind her goblet as the queen gave her a polite nod, she could do it as well as any elf! Perhaps better than some.

Zaq came to Rivera's aid as well. "Also, Rivera has been quite silent since a violent encounter yesterday where she was injured." He shared a small smile with the elven Riders, for nobody had told him and he had judged solely from the wound itself.

A few moments of awkward, abrupt pieces of conversation flowed. When it seemed the subject of Rivera's flight was imminent, Eyulf surprised Rhinnëa by speaking up. "I was examining your elegant city as we journeyed to this fine hall and I observed several structures which appeared to be libraries. I hear the elves write the most beautiful poetry and histories."

"Your have heard correctly!" The king turned to the dark young man, obviously eager to give his race's works good words. "We have written some off the most extensive, unbiased histories, and the poetry is, indeed, very beautiful. I could prefer no other, I'm sure, though I may just be preferring and patriotic."

Eyulf continued without missing a beat, "It is admirable to be patriotic! Though, I'm sure your majesty could never be in the wrong and the verses are beautiful. I can only hope I have a chance to read them." He gave the king a polite nod and glanced at Rhinnëa, whose eyes were riveted on his handsome face, out of the corner of his brown eye. I can only hope I've led them into deep enough water it will take a while for them to swim back, he told her and Rivera.

The queen spoke this time. "I do hope you do too. Unfortunately, many of the elves qualified to give you the proper lessons are employed or otherwise engaged. Perhaps Rhinnëa would kindly do the honors."

Eyulf gave her an amused look and his brown eyes twinkled as she said, very politely, "I would be only too glad." She sighed, but addressed Eyulf coldly, I thank-you for your distraction and assistance.

Will you show me the libraries?

Yes, when you want. She turned to the queen. "I heard you are quite a poet yourself, Rivera has praised many of your pieces." She smiled and gave Rivera a meaningful glance.

[Scars Mate]

Rivera grimaced internally, but gave a modest smile.

'I was never particularly gifted with these things, so when Rhinnëa inquired, I directed her to your pieces,' she said smoothly. It wasn't a lie as such, but it was far from the truth.

The Queen glowed with pride (most likely because she only chose to hear what she wanted), but the King held his goblet up to his lips, unimpressed.

'I wonder why you never excelled in poetry,' he said languidly, his eyebrows arched.

Oh dear, muttered Rivera, here it comes!

Under the table, Nellas absentmindedly slipped her fingers into Rivera's hand, feeling the strong emotions radiating off of her.

'Perhaps,' he carried on, tracing the edge of his cup with his little finger, 'it was your human blood, far too dominant in your personality.'

Rivera's hands clenched, but Rhinnëa lightly placing a hand on her shoulder stopped her from doing anything rash.

'What do you think?' He asked her, lifting his gaze to stare her in the eye.

[Dark Huntress]

"I think it was because some beings are not so gifted in certain areas as they are in others. Besides, Lyrea found her worthy despite what you may call her 'weaknesses'." Rhinnëa's bold statement caused many of the surrounding elves to color. She rose slowly, "If you will excuse me, I'm quite tired."

"Of course. Shur'tugal," the king inclined his head.

Rhinnëa returned the gesture, playing along with the battle of politeness. Lets get out of here, she told the others and together they all strode out of the hall. They returned to their housing and Rivera and Rhinnnëa disappeared into their room.

"This is ridiculous!" Rhinnëa exclaimed once she'd changed into a jet black tunic and leggings and belted Ignasia to her hips. "We are going to tarnish our reputations if he remain here much longer! We must move on in a day or two. Perhaps the humans will stand with us, maybe the Duke of Carvahall?" She sighe and collapsed on their bed. Their plight seemed hopeless indeed, with their own people against them.

[Scars Mate]

Rivera frowned.

'Perhaps...' She began, as an idea came to mind.

'Yes?' Rhinnëa replied.

'If we can get Nellas to convince them... And show them why they need to help... Because if they don't, the king will soon attempt to overthrow Ellesmera... And the elves will not want that.' Hope bloomed over Rhinnëa's face as the plan folded out.

'What do you need me to do?' Came Nellas' voice. She was leaning against the door frame, Eldárwen next to her left shoulder.

'Convince them,' Rivera said.

'How do we do that?' Nellas inquired.

Rivera swallowed, not too pleased by the answer.

Let them look into your mind, Lyrea boomed.

Nellas nodded.

'And show them what will happen?' Her voice was inquisitive, trying to lighten the mood, but everyone knew the answer.

'Yes. But I don't like it,' grunted Rivera.

[Dark Huntress]

Eyulf stood at the door and let Nellas by as she walked out promptly. "I'm here for the tour," he informed the remaining girls. "Or, if this isn't a good time."

Rhinnëa shrugged. "It may be the only." Wordlessly, she led him out of the Riders' Hall and into the wooded street. "Which do you want to see first?" she asked, struggling to stay blank.

"Show me your favorite," he said, smiling at her.

Rhinnëa started away instantly, each step fluid. She led him to a large building. It was engraved with elegant carvings in the oiled wood both in and out of it and it stood tall. The inside was filled with bookshelves housing books. Light filtered in from windows placed near the top of the building and caught the dust from the beautiful books.

Eyulf stood behind Rhinnëa as she stood in the doorway, eyes darting from bookshelf to bookshelf, a smile smile forming on his face. She eventually moved forward and, after inhaling the sweet, papery smelling air and running her fingers longingly over a few worn volumes, she turned to him. "What would you like to read?"

"Just history and poetry, please," he answered. "I disagree with the elves' philosophy in many respects."

Rhinnëa shrugged and buzzed around the large rooms, piling her arms and hands high with books. Once she was fully laden, she led him out a back door to a small, open garden. Ivy grew all around it on the trees, fencing the area in. Flowers bloomed in every color and there was a little trellis and bench, both of which were ivy-colored. "This is why I love this library," she whispered as not to disturb the peace of the garden.

He nodded, taking it in. "It's like fairyland," he whispered breathlessly.

"Let's find some books and there's a nice tree in the back to sit on," Rhinnëa grinned at him.

*£*

Zaq shadowed the doorway. "Eldárwen, come here," he ordered gently.

[whoo! Giant Zaq part, right?! Lol]

[Scars Mate]

Eldárwen glanced at where Nellas had left, and then at Rivera, who nodded minutely and slid out of the door, following her sister.

She skipped down several flights of stairs, encountering (much to her relief) no other elves. Nellas had run to the gardens, according to Lyrea, so Rivera travelled down the winding paths, not stopping to admire any of the elegant plants or wildlife that surrounded her.

She found her sat on a tree stump, curled up, and staring into the distance. The sun light caught her hair and threw it back out again, the glare almost too difficult to look at.

I'm sorry, Rivera said gently, kneeling next to her sister on a patch of moss.

It's fine. I just don't want them to hurt you. Or any of us.

Rivera smiled, gently placing a pale hand onto Nellas' forearm.

No harm will come to them, she said firmly. Do you think Lyrea would ever let anything happen to us?

Nellas shook her head in response, a small smile gracing her lips.

See? Rivera said gently.

---

'What is it?' Eldárwen asked, her eyes following Rivera go own some steps.

[Dark Huntress]

Zaq looked around the room suspiciously. "I just want you to be careful. I don't trust any of these elves and I know you are capable of having your own back." He smiled gently. "Just remember what Mum said: 'Your life isn't worth taking a chance on'." He felt a little sad mentioning his mother, but, hopefully, it would get through.

He sighed and walked out onto the terrace where he could feel everything. He closed his eyes and ge could see Gweir and Lyrea chasing eachother through the clouds, Rhinnea and Eyulf bent over a large book, Rhinnea staring at the book and Eyulf's eyes riveted on the side of her face, and, the image he loved the most, Rivera knelt by Nellas and gently stroking her arm.

*£*

"Of course, many famous works were destroyed two hundred years ago when the King, then only a lesser conjurer, launched his attacks on the library at Ceunon," Rhinnea tapped a city on the map. "The destruction of knowledge was the least of our problems though, for the Riders became so corrupt they killed many of each other. Slowly over the course of two hundred years, the wild dragons migrated far beyond the Hadarac. Now it's only a matter of time before Algaesia is beyond saving." Her green eyes grew sad as she finished, running her fingertips over the soft pages.

Eyulf frowned deeply. She'd been summing up the history of Algaesia for him for the last fifteen minutes as they looked over the map. "What would it take to kill him?" His question was vague, but it made perfect sense to Rivera, for she'd often pondered it herself.

"The Name," she replied, the edges of her lips turning upwards as she set an opened book over the book of maps. "The magic in this world, the harnessing of energy, is controlled by the Ancient Language, or, what the elves speak. It is one of the few languages that has remained unchanged, for no one durst do so. Now, the Name is the very way to control the language itself. It was discovered, by Galbatorix, and passed into the knowledge of Eragon and Murtagh, half-brothers and the defeaters of Galbatorix. Eragon died with the knowledge, but I believe that perhaps, if we go north, we may find nomads that are descendants of Murtagh and in possession of that knowledge. If we could somehow discover it, we would render the King's spells benign."

Eyulf stared at her, brown eyes steady. She tossed her bangs. "I've never told anyone about my theory and I would apprecaite it very much if you would remain silent. I got a little carried away," she looked at the ground, embarrassed.

Eyulf gently pulled her chin up. "I promise," he swore, then leaned forward to kiss her.

"No," Rhinnëa said flatly and held him away.

[Scars Mate]

Rivera rose to her feet, taking in her surroundings.

'We used to play here as children,' she realised. Nellas sniffled, and smiled again, flicking some strands of her long brown hair over her shoulder.

'It was the best place to go. And it's so beautiful here,' she added.

Rivera nodded. They were in a circular clearing, trees of all different shades of green around them. Flowers sprung up from the roots, different types of red, blues, pinks and yellows. Moss grew everywhere, lining the floor like a large cushiony blanket, which would have been very easy to sleep on, it was so soft. Vines also gripped the trees, like snakes, with small leaves flicking out every so often. The hum of life filled the air, of bees buzzing, of bugs trundling along the floor, of rabbits thumping along. The air was earthy and muggy, but calming.

'I so loved this place,' murmured Rivera, watching a line of ants crawl up a large sycamore.

'We hid here when we wanted to get away,' Nellas noted, almost regretfully.

'Away from their stupid rules,' Rivera said ,'and expectations.'

'I suppose. It would've been easier to stay, to have a regular life,' Nellas mumbled sadly.

'I'm sorry. I feel terrible for making you grow up so fast.'

'Oh, no! I came along. It's not your fault.' Nellas gazed at the sky, a mix of pink and blue.

'Lets go back,' Rivera said, motioning to the narrow path she had come up. She linked her arm into her sister's, and they made their way back to their room.

'Uh oh.' Nellas said, looking to Rivera.

'What?' She responded.

'Eyulf.' Nellas replied, and Rivera could feel it.

'He's tried something on her,' she groaned, her thoughts flitting to Rhinnëa. 'I should have known!' She cursed.

[Dark Huntress]

Rhinnëa continued the lesson, though stormy inside. As soon as possible, however, she stalked back to her room in a fury. Without casting a glance at Nellas or Rivera, whom were in the room, she dove out the patio door and off of the terrace.

Of course, Gweir was there to catch her and she settled onto the saddled and buckled up. Go somewhere high, she told him.

He obeyed, taking her to the highest place she could stand, where the pink and blue sky was clearly visible. She sighed heavily and leaned forward to lay her head beside the large spike on the base of Gweir's neck and wrap her arms around his neck.

Fair One, do not act so surprised.

You should've told me, came the hard reply.

And yet you did not much care when Zaq did the same thing.

That was because I know he didn't care about me, but, supposedly, Eyulf does. If he really did, he keep his peace and let me have my space!

You know each race shows their affections for one another differently.

Humans show it the dumbest way of all, she replied sullenly, then closed her eyes as they glided along.

[Scars Mate]

Rivera lay back on the bed, realising how emotionally exhausting her day had been; the queen and king ganging up on her; the realisation of what she would have to allow the elves to do to her sister. All of it seemed to wrap around her chest, squeezing and squeezing, trying to make her burst. It would happen; she just didn't know when.

'Rivera?' Nellas called from across the empty room.

'Hm?' Was her response.

'Do you want to spar?' Nellas said hopefully. It always cheered Rivera up, and it should've done then.

'Alright. Get your sword out,' Rivera instructed, slipping off of the bed. She drew Adurna, cast the protective spell, heard Nellas do the same, and got into the correct battle stance. Nellas was already opposite her, a michevious grin gracing her face, as they began to circle each other.

'Hit me with your best shot!' She teased her older sister, who laughed in response.

'You'll wish you hadn't said that!' Rivera replied, trying to stab at Nellas' ribs, who easily parried the blow.

'You've lost touch!' Nellas squealed as Rivera brought down Adurna, only to have it blocked again.

'HUH! We'll see about that!' She snapped, avoiding Nellas' sword and blocking it with a harsh clang of metal on metal. Nellas swung her sword low, intending to hit Rivera's shins, only to have her older sister leap over the blade and lift hers up to kiss Nellas' neck.

'Who's lost their touch?' Rivera threatened jokingly. Nellas grinned and lifted the weapon away from her, placing her own on a pack of clothes.

'I'm going to find Eldárwen,' she said to her sister, who absentmindedly nodded whilst flicking imaginary lint from Adurna. Nellas skipped through the door as Rivera sat down on the edge of the extravagant bed, stroking a finger along the fuller part of the sword in awe.