Reborn Ch 1

Chapter 1- New Beginning

The Sun slowly rose over the tree lined hills, giving a faint shadow from the rays hitting the trees.  Hundreds birds chirped their songs and flew into the air, sending their songs through the entire valley. Zayd lazily opened his eyes and yawned as he rose from his bed. He walked over to his sun lighted window and peered out into the valley. In the distance, he could hear the sound of rushing water of the stream and the sound of the wind blowing past his Ears, whistling to him. By his own stature, he is a fairly built guy. 6 ft tall, slightly muscular. His skin was smooth and shone like metal polished to the extreme. His eyes were a deep cerulean blue, the color of his mothers and had a face that had been through many hardships. "Another day…" Zayd thought and sighed as he put on his boots and reached for his bow and arrows. Ever since Mom died, Hunting is a pass time to think and focus. It also helped his father, giving him meat to sell to the village.

His Father stirred slightly as he quietly walked out of his house into the cool, sunny morning. Carvahall was rather quiet. Zayd made his way thru the village, listening to the birds chirping and cook fires crackling, the smells of smoke permeating the air near every home. Off in the distance, he spotted Roran's castle on the top of the hill. He enjoyed whenever Roran visited Carvahall. He would tell of stories 10 yrs ago: OF battles fought, Scary experiences and experiences of His cousin Eragon and his Dragon Saphira. Younger kids would eagerly gather around him whenever he came, anxious to hear a story. He felt Roran cared for everyone, not just Him and Zayd admired him for that. As he continued to walk through the village, he saw several of what Roran said are Varden Soldiers.  They were stationed in every province in the valley to protect the village from future attacks.

As he passed several guards who were keeping watch, he spotted a deer not too far away, sipping the cool waters of a pond. He notched an arrow and began to move towards it slowly, using bushes and trees as cover in case the deer gazed up. When he was not 30 ft in front of it, He raised his bow at the unsuspecting deer and released it. Zayd heard a "twang" as the arrow flew from the bow. He heard a resounding bray as the arrow struck the deer in the heart. It fell to the ground with a soft thump and took several deep gasps before it was silent. He walked over to the dead deer, pulled the arrow out, cleaned it in the stream and placed it back in its quiver. Afterwards, he spotted what looked like the mate of his kill not too far away. He snuck around, avoiding stepping on dead branches and leaves to avoid detection. When he was close enough, he quickly notched an arrow and aimed it at the buck's heart and released. The arrow hit its mark once more as he heard the buck cry out and fall over. He ran over and found the buck still slightly alive. He immobilized the deer and was moving in to break its neck when he felt something strange, something he never felt before, enter his mind. An emotion swept over him, something like a great fear and sadness like what he felt when his mother died. He looked down at the buck and realized it was still struggling and trying to bellow in pain. Before the emotion totally overcame him, he took an unnotched arrow and shoved the arrow tip into the beast's neck, killing it in several seconds. Afterwards, the emotions in his mind tapered off until it was snuffed out like a candle. He got up slowly, as if waiting for the deer to pounce up and strike him down. He pondered over what he felt, standing over the deer's corpse for several minutes. Afterwards, he dragged the bucks corpse over to the other deer corpse and he lugged the 2 deer back to his Father's shop, thinking along the way. When he reached his house, his Father was already outside, opening the shop. He was tall and muscular, like a butcher usually looks. He wore an apron stained in blood. He had shorter black hair and his skin was smooth and shone like a gloss. His eyes had bags, on account of his poor sleeping habits and were red from crying. His father cried for several days after his mom's death and would cry occasionally out of loneliness.

As he approached his father, he was unlocking the butcher shed. "Hey dad. Good morning." Zayd said, smiling slightly. "Hey son." His Father said, never looking up to him. "Hey dad, I got 2 deer today. They were not ¼ mile out of the village." Zayd said confidently. "Great son. Set them on the ground and I'll get to them in a second. Go open the meat selling area would you?" His dad replied, not looking at him again and throwing him a small set of homemade keys. He frowned again, dropped the deer to the ground and took the keys to unlock the shop. For once, he wanted his father to look at him and acknowledge him. Ever since the accident though, his dad couldn't bear to look at him. He walked gloomily over to the shop door and stuck the key in the lock, the mechanism lifting up to open the door. He walked in and began to set up shop. He grabbed a flaming stick from the firepot and lit the candles in the room. As he turned around, he ran into someone and lost grip of the stick, it falling onto his head and falling into the dirt. He rubbed his head. "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry… Are you ok, Zayd?" A female voice replied as he rubbed his head. He looked up to see it was none other than Katrina, Roran's wife. She had a light blue dress on with her hair nicely pulled tight. "Yeah. I apologize, Mistress Katrina for not paying attention. What can I do for you today?" Zayd asked as he got up off the floor. "I actually came because Roran wanted to talk with you. He would've come himself, but he has been busy since sunrise with several matters. He would like me to take you. Do you have some time?" Katrina asked. "Yeah. I'll go and grab my things. Be back in a second." Zayd replied, excited that Roran wanted to talk with him. Of all the people in Palancar Valley, He was hoping to get a chance to talk to Roran. He walked out with Katrina as his father was coming inside. "Whoa, where are you going son?" His dad inquired. "Roran has asked to speak with me. I will be back later." Zayd replied, equipping a short sword for defensive purposes. He always brought along a weapon in case of an ambush. "Be safe." His dad said as he patted his shoulder and walked into the shop. "Let's go." Zayd said. Katrina nodded and led them to a pair of Horses just outside the village. They mounted the horses and began the 30-60 min ride to Roran's castle.

They passed through several miles of forest, the trees rustling from the breeze and bringing a sense of calm and peace. He hadn't felt this peaceful in quite some time. It made his nerves calm and his heart beat normal. Katrina went over a few rules of etiquette he was to keep, considering this was his 1st time inside the castle. "The most important: Let Roran finish speaking before you say anything in reply." Katrina said, "A lot of people tend to interrupt him and that is what he doesn't like." After explaining the rules to him, except for an occasional question every now and then, they were silent for the journey. Zayd took time to think back on what he felt as he was about to kill the buck. He was curious to ask Roran about it. It had never happened to him before and he wanted to know why he felt that. After several minutes of thinking just of that, he began to feel several things touching his mind and giving him emotions. He felt Anger, Hate, and Malice. He looked around, but didn't see anything within sight. Whatever that feeling was, it wasn't a friendly being, that's for sure.
Soon enough, they were at the bottom of the hill leading up to Roran's Castle. They slowly made the climb and, after 10-15 min, reached the top. Katrina nodded and the guards stood aside and raised the gate. Once they were inside, the guards closed the gate. The castle was bigger up close than Zayd ever expected. The walls were thick and surrounded the castle's interior, which was easily over 100 ft tall.  Guards were stationed at every place imaginable. They were all garbed in armor from head to foot. They wore light green capes on their backs and had the symbol of a hammer on each of their breastplates. Katrina led him across the courtyard of the castle to a small stable, where they dismounted the horses and walked from there. Katrina took them a little ways down the hallway to a door with 2 guards on each side. "Open." Katrina told the guards as they pulled the massive doors open. Zayd and Katrina walked into the hall and Zayd spotted Roran consulting with the few magicians of his residence. As the guards closed the doors behind them with a resounding bang, Roran looked up towards him and smiled. "Zayd, Thanks for coming." His magicians returned to their spots beside his throne. "Not at all, my lord." Zayd replied, bowing his head in kind. Zayd walks up to the bottom of the stairs leading up to Roran and stops and kneels. "If I may do so, my lord, I would like to ask a question." Roran nodded. "Of course; what is it?" Roran motioned, shifting in his seat slightly. "Earlier Today, I felt what I thought was the mind of a deer I was about to kill. I could feel how scared it was to die. Then, not 20 min ago, I felt a powerful feeling of Anger and malice unlike anything I've felt before, like that of an assassin killing someone. It was weird because that has never happened to me before. Do you know what this is? Is it a curse?" Zayd said, feeling embarrassed to ask such a question to one such as Roran. Roran thought silently for several minutes, the hall as quiet as a morning breeze. After several minutes, he stood up and began to walk down the steps towards Zayd, his armor glistening in the morning light shining thru the room. "Only magicians are able to sense those kinds of things, Zayd." Roran replied. Zayd froze on the spot. "Wait. So are you saying I have the ability to tap into magic!?" Zayd asked, shock on his face. "It is possible. Is anyone in your family magic wielders?" Roran asked. "Not that I know of, unless my dad was related to a magician that he didn't tell me about." Zayd replied, scratching his head. Roran gets a serious look in his eye. "Be careful with that ability of yours. Use it wisely and it is quite useful. If you use it unwisely, it can lead to dire consequences." Roran warned, a hint of steel in his voice. Just as Roran began to speak again, Zayd felt the same Anger, hate and malice he sensed earlier. This time though, it felt a lot closer than normal.

"Lord Roran?" Zayd spoke, grabbing the hilt of his short sword. "Yes, Zayd?" Roran asked, pacing back and forth. Soon, there were sounds of fighting and then screams and then silence. "Magicians, 2 of you go and see what is happening." Roran commanded, grabbing his hammer from his belt as 2 magicians left and 1 stayed behind to guard Roran and Zayd. "Lord Roran, these are the feelings of Anger I felt not too long ago." Zayd said as he drew his blade. Roran's grip on his hammer tightened.

Soon after the magicians exited the hall, there were screams again and then silence again. "Be on your guard Zayd. This assassin is no novice…" Roran whispered, on the defense while he and Zayd looked around. All of a sudden, he felt the feeling approaching fast. He jumped and parried a blade aimed at Roran's chest and knocked the assailant back. Zayd peered into the shadow of the hall and saw a tall creature (not human in any sense) with blades in its wrists. It emitted a screech. "How dare you Humanssssss! You will pay for thisssss!!!" the creature hissed at them. "You got to be kidding me…." Roran whispered. " What is it?" Zayd asked, shifting his blade to both hands. "That creature is a Razac. I thought Eragon, Saphira and I finished them off, but it looks like they are still alive." Roran whispered as he rolled out of the way of a RaZac strike.  The Razac hissed at Zayd.

"Ssssily boyeeeee. I don't know how you knew I was here, but you will die!" the razac rushed Zayd and Zayd parried him, barely able to keep up with the creature's speed and ferocity. Not too much longer later, the razac hit him hard and knocked him to the ground. Before he could kill Zayd, Zayd screamed and the razac went flying into the wall. Roran took that opportunity to rush the Razac and slammed it several times with his hammer. Zayd, still a little dazed from what he did, stood up and walked over to Roran and the barely alive Razac. The creature hissed menacingly, baring it's fangs. "Sssilly humanssss. I may die, but My master Sssarin will Kill you!!" the Razac uttered what a laugh from him would be. Zayd took his blade and stabbed the Razac in the chest, killing it instantly.

Zayd sheathed his blade and stood in shock, not knowing how the Razac flew from standing above him into the wall.  "You are special, Zayd. Ramsey?" Roran said, summoning the last magician to his side. "Yes, my lord?" Ramsey asked, bowing his head. "Ramsey, I want you to Get a hold of Queen Arya of Du Weldenvarden and have her meet me on the edge of Du weldenvarden between Palancar Valley and their forest. Tell her to bring the eggs with her. I think we may have found ourselves a Possible Dragon Rider. If she has questions, tell her I will answer them when we meet." Roran explained. "As you wish, my lord." Ramsey replied, running out the door and down the hall. "Whoa, whoa, whoa!! Hold on a second. How can I be a dragon rider? Those eggs have faced thousands of people and haven't hatched for anyone. What makes you think I am one?" Zayd said frantically.  "Because…-puts his hand on Zayd's shoulder- from what you told me today and what you just did to that Razac. Eragon wasn't able to use Magic like you did today to that Razac until he fought Galbatorix. That is not easy to do. It is worth a try."  Roran explained, belting his hammer.

The Magician returned several minutes later. "My lord, Queen Arya will meet you there tomorrow morning. She says "Don't be late!" Ramsey explained back. "Thank you Ramsey. Now, go tend to any who are wounded. Also, have my chief researcher report here immediately. " Roran said. Ramsey bowed in respect. "As you wish, my lord." Ramsey replied and ran off once again. "Why don't you head home and get some rest? There is a horse outside the gate you can use.  I will meet you at the entrance of Carvahall at 1st light." Roran said, patting his shoulder again. "Alright." Zayd replied and walking out the door as a stout burly man walked in the door and walked up to Roran. "You called for me, Sir?" the man asked, bowing in respect. "Yes, Madar. I need you to do some research on a Guy by the name of Sarin. –points to the dead razac- That creature cried out Master Sarin. I would like to know who this Guy is. Report to me once you have any information." Roran explained. "At once, Sir!!" Madar replied and moved quickly out of the hall. Roran stared at the dead razac for several minutes and studied it briefly. "Who could've gotten control of the Razac? This master of theirs must have magic skills like that of Galbatorix in order to control them…." Roran thought.

The journey home for Zayd was long, but he didn't mind. Luckily, he remembered how to get back and refused the need for a guide. He thought about the events of the day as he rode down the forest path, wondering what happened. This morning, he was just a normal son of a meat seller. Now, he had fought a Razac, a creature he'd only heard about as a kid, heard and felt strange sensations from animals and the like and even used some sort of magic, according to Lord Roran. He also was shocked to hear that he might be a dragon Rider.

  "Me? A dragon rider? How is this possible?" he thought. He was still in a slight shock as he approached the village. As the sun set below the valley, it cast a dim light and the shadows of people and buildings alike were visible. Many families were outside, enjoying the wonderful weather and having their individual family dinners.  Zayd dropped off his horse by the side of his house and tied it up next to some grass so that it could eat as well. He patted the horse's neck as he jumped off and tied it off. After he tied it up, his Father walked up to him, dirty rag in hand. "Dinner's ready son; Why don't you come in and eat?" his father replied, patting him on the shoulder. He sombered inside, sitting at the small table in their home. He enjoyed the meal of Venison he killed that morning along with some corn and carrots from their small garden. After the dinner and little to no conversation, he stepped outside and walked around the village, watching the Kids of the village run around and play with each other.  Before he knew it, he felt 2 hands on his shoulders. He turns around to see his 2 friends: Garr and Coren. Coren was a little taller than most people, but had a gentle heart towards friends and family. he had several injury marks for which he was prone to. He had a medium build. His other Friend, Garr, he could relate to more, considering his life was more like his. He was a bit of a loner himself and would usually only talk to his parents and Zayd. He was skinnier and taller than Coren, but also slightly muscular. He carried a bow and sword with him at all times. He had freckles all over and a scar over his left eye. "How is my friend doing this evening?" Coren asked. Zayd sighed. " Have a lot on my mind is all." Zayd replied, smiling slightly. "What is it Zayd? You can tell us." Coren responded, patting Zayd's shoulder.


After a long sigh, he explained the day's events to them: the deer's thoughts, fighting the Razac, meeting with Roran and being told about possibly being a dragon Rider. Coren and Garr fell backwards when they heard that news. "What!? A Dragon Rider!? Why do they think that?" Garr asked with surprise in his voice. "Because, when I was at Roran's Castle, I did something that flung the Razac away into a wall. I didn't say any words and I somehow managed to do something to it. I am meeting with Queen Arya tomorrow morning, but do not tell anyone, even your parents. Got it?" Zayd said seriousness in his voice. "Don't you worry. I won't." Coren said patting his shoulder again. "I won't either." Garr replied, back to his normal shy self. Zayd and his friends talked for a little while longer before they took off and left him standing by a firepit, thinking. He then gazed up at the stars and their brilliance in the night sky. He was soon mesmerized by the stars and sat staring at them while sitting on a log perched in front of the fire. A tear or 2 escaped as he thought of his mother, but he quickly wiped them away. He looked up at the stars again and smiled slightly. "Love you mother…" Zayd thought as he stood up and walked back to his home. When he came in, his Father was already asleep. The table and house were clean as well, leaving a sense of peace behind in the gloomy darkness. He pulled up the covers over his father and then went over to his bed. He set down his things quietly as to not disturb his father and took off his boots. He then settled into his bed, the blanket a comfort from the day's events. His last thought was of his mother as he dozed off into a peaceful slumber, sleep overtaking him.

End of Chapter 1