44 The old princes

Author's note:

After rereading the next 5 chapters, I can't be satisfied. I will modify them and I might be a little late in the next chapters. At least for the next ones, I will publish some every two days to give me time to think about what's next and to have time to read it again.

--------------------

We meet in the throne room where only the queen's closest advisers, the queen, myself and Eldar are present.

Once installed on her throne, she speaks: "To ensure that the presence of Eldar and Egan are not a danger to our people, I have taught him the phrases to pronounce in ancient language in order to assure us of his good intentions and his sincerity. This is the condition that I imposed on him to have the right to stay among us. He accepted and is there to honor his word and to speak the words in front of witnesses. »

A silence now fills the room, but the councilors nod their heads in approval, apparently reassured by these precautionary measures. If Eldar makes a convincing, no-nonsense speech then we will have what we have been waiting for so long, a new generation of riders.

She speaks again in that language that only they here seem able to use and Eldar nods.

(Ancient Language) "I Eldar, son of parents whose names I cannot divulge, swear that I have only come to meet the elves and to find my place among those of my race. I also came to allow Egan to meet other dragons.

I have not come with any hostile intentions and simply wish to live in peace among the elves. I also wish to announce to you that I will not submit to any authority nor affiliate myself with any political party. If my terms don't suit you then I'll go with Egan to find a new home and cut all ties with the elves. »

A silence followed because of the outrageous words of his speech and before anyone could speak another mental voice was heard.

(Ancient language) 'I Egan, son of parents whose names I cannot divulge, swear that I only came to meet other dragons and to no longer have to suffer loneliness. We have no hostile intentions towards the elven people and are only looking for a new home.'

The silence lasted much longer this time.

Chief Advisor Dathedr stood up and looked at the queen. "My queen, don't you think of accepting his conditions? No one should be above the law, not even a dragon rider.

The queen raised her hand and Dathedr sat back down. "He will not be above the law, he will be subject to it like everyone else as long as he lives on our lands, he only wants to keep the freedom of his choices so as not to have to submit his future or his future actions to the orders from anyone. »

Dathedr "That is still unreasonable! No one has ever had such privileges in our history. »

"Very well, then let's admit that we deny his claim." We can't let him go because he could become an additional danger to us, especially if he has to go into exile from his own people after we tried to kill him. Galbatorix will not be long in discovering his existence and he will then throw himself on the occasion to get his hands on a dragon rider who holds a grudge against the elves. So that leaves us with only one choice. Do you want to kill the first living dragon rider since the last great war. Do you want to eliminate this symbol of hope that the people have been waiting for so long? Simply because he asks to be free in his choices and actions? »

Dathedr sighs "Since you introduced him to the people, killing him is no longer an option..."

The queen smiles "Obviously that's not an option, it never was since I've decided that Eldar and Egan are worth deviating from protocol and granting them this request as long as they do not cause problems.

Eldar confided to me that he made a bet by entrusting me with certain things and by placing in me a minimum of confidence required for our cohabitation. I took note of the risks he took and the trust he placed in me despite our welcome which almost caused the death of his partner. I then decided to bet on him in turn, I believe that the risk is well worth it. »

It's too much for us, Glaedr expresses his anger to Egan as I rise to speak.

"It is not acceptable, if you wish to exempt him from his obligations towards you, it is your choice, but as far as I am concerned, he is a dragon rider and no dragon rider has ever been able to escape the obligations of this function ! »

The councilors remain silent but the queen nods seriously. "Oromis, Glaedr are you sure you want to convey this message to them?" Are you ready to accept the consequences? »

"We have no choice, we have duties, and he inherits even more duties than us with his title of Next Generation Dragon Rider. He is the hope that all those who fight against the tyranny of Galbatorix await, he cannot escape it! If he insists then I would see myself in the obligation to apply our old laws and to remove the link which exists between Egan and Eldar to assign him a dragon rider more worthy of him. »

An exclamation of general surprise was heard but my attention remained fixed on the queen.

She stared at me for a long moment as if hoping I change my mind. When she understands that my choice is final she nods her head and transmits my message.

We heard Egan's furious roars from inside and soon Egan's expression returned to the same as when we confronted him. His pupils took on a draconic shape again and the heat quickly increased to the point where it became dangerous.

Each of the members of this room created a shield confining the heat that radiated from Eldar without seeming to really think about it or even be aware of it.

Everyone in this room is in disbelief! Eldar's energy is phenomenal! it is dense and wild. It has nothing to do with what he was able to expose during our confrontation.

He turned to me and spoke…for a long time without my being able to understand the meaning.

When he's finished the queen will look at me with a furious expression and act as interpreter.

"How dare you threaten us? You have just helped me to definitively choose my side. The queen has briefly explained to me the history of your war. You are no better than the human you face. I would not interfere in your war between dragon riders.

You delight in denouncing the treachery of those you call traitors and their leader Galbatorix, but you are just as tyrannical as the image the queen described to me about her. If this is how you treated yours then I have no trouble understanding the reasons for their rebellion.

If you attempt anything against us, I swear to you that Egan and I will do as much damage as possible to retaliate and that it will take killings to stop us. Make your choice Dragon Rider! you leave us free and you forget to impose yourself on us or we will face you in a fight to the death. Either way, we wouldn't join you. »

Like that wasn't enough, Egan's mental voice was heard by the whole room.

'I dare you to try to separate me from my brother! This time we are not completely exhausted. Become our enemies and we will remind you of the consequences of starting a war with the dragons and suffering their fury! '

The councilors are now extremely pale and the queen looks just as furious as Eldar.

"If you cause us to lose such a valuable potential ally, I give you my word that I will remove all political influence from you and future Dragon Riders. You will confine yourself to your role of teacher and soldier against Galbatorix. I would then explain to all the elves how Oromis the wise chose to have a dragon rider killed or banished to satisfy his impatience and his thirst for authority. »

How could this conversation have taken this turn? This accusation is outrageous!

"I don't do it out of a thirst for authority but I do it to make sense of all the sacrifices that have been made in this war out of a sense of duty towards all the dragon riders who died in battle, for the survival of the dragon species and above all I do it so that Alagaësia can one day regain its freedom. »

An caustic laugh was heard and the queen resumed in a tone full of anger:

"Do you do it for the dragons?" There are only two dragons here, one did not speak out and did not support you, which is enough to understand his position and the other is ready to go to war with us because of your shares!

Do you do it for Alagaësia? How do you intend to serve Alagaësia when you are about to transition from two formidable potential allies, who could at least defend us in case of attack, to that of new enemies?

How do you plan to justify this Oromis? »

….

'Oromis I communicated as much as I could with Egan, he refuses to lose his mate, he will support him until the end even if he has to die. The queen is right, it is better to have them on our side than to have them killed.'

"So you would rather support an unknown young elf who can finally balance the balance of power but who only wishes to remain passive during this conflict than me who has supported you and proven my loyalty to the cause many times over all these centuries. on duty ? »

"Don't make yourself a victim Oromis, it's not about who we prefer to support, it's about acting smart for the good of all Alagaësia. I understand your rush to be able to complete your task but Egan is not the only dragon, Arya is currently transporting a dragon egg to Ellesméra and you know it. You cannot condemn an elf and his dragon to death simply because he wishes to live in peace. »

I sigh in frustration and stare at Eldar "Since you do not wish to join the order of dragon riders, I will not claim any rights over you but you will never have access to the knowledge and training that is reserved for dragon riders. Think carefully before answering. The knowledge of dragon riders and the training that goes with it will guarantee you to become one of the greatest magicians and one of the best warriors on this earth. If you persist in your choice, you will not be able to change your mind later and you will be recognized as traitors to your own caste. Are you sure you want to make this choice Eldar, will condemn your dragon to the status of traitor to satisfy your ego? »

The queen stares at me as if seeing me for the first time before swearing and calling me a fool.

"Oromis you are going too far, it is your role to train the new generation of dragon riders! You have the power to deny them dragon rider status and banish them from your order, but we still need a new generation of dragon riders to support us and to have the power to challenge the king when he turns his knowledge of conquest to us. »

"I wouldn't train a person who refuses to assume his responsibilities, who puts his personal interest before that of his people, who refuses any form of hierarchy and authority. The Dragon Riders have already formed a Galbatorix, I wouldn't make that mistake again! »

She called me a fool again but ended up getting my message across. The tension eased as the queen spoke. Eldar's eyes went round again and his face relaxed. When the queen stopped talking. It was not Eldar who answered but Egan.

'We swear never to join the order of dragon riders and no one will ever be able to associate us with this title. We will henceforth be known by another title.

We are Egan old prince of the dragons and Eldar old prince of the elves if we have to bear a title, then it will be that of The old princes!'