Sky Riders: The Rising Sun
A Rider's Elements

Eliana awoke to replace a face hovering over her, but it wasnot the face she’d hoped to see. Messy, dark curls hung close to the woman’spale, violet eyes as she peered anxiously at the Rider. Eliana blinked twice,her confused mind trying to puzzle out the reason for the Healer’s presence.Then she remembered—the sorcerer, their fight in the sky.

Laurus smiled at her shyly. “You know, my lady, you reallyshould try to injure yourself less often.”

Eliana forced a grin back at her. “I’ll try to keep that inmind.” She looked around to see that she was back in her own room. “How did Iget here? And how did you get here?”

“Astrum sent me here yesterday afternoon and told me to stayuntil you awoke. I believe Prince Caelum brought you up to your room. He waswith you when I arrived, already Healing your shoulder.”

She moved her hand up to her shoulder and found that she wasnow wearing a nightdress. She pressed her fingers to her shoulder, which hadbeen punctured by the spike of Oriens’ neck. It was entirely healed, with nosign of scarring. She moved her hands under the blankets and felt the skin onthe inside of her knees. It was perfectly smooth and unmarked.

She looked at the Healer again as all of Laurus’ words sunkin. “Yesterday afternoon?” she repeated. “Have I really been asleep for thatlong?”

Laurus nodded and reached for the woven basket, which sat onthe foot of the bed. She pulled out a bottle of what looked like swirling, purplegas. “Here,” she said, pulling out the cork and holding the bottle towards her.“Breathe this in. It will restore your energy.”

Eliana looked at the bottle warily for a moment, not fond ofthe idea of breathing in what appeared to be noxious fumes. Laurus looked ather patiently. Well, Eliana thoughtto herself, Astrum did say she was the best there was… Notseeing any reason to doubt the Seer now, she reached for the bottle and held itbeneath her nose, breathing deeply. The gas had a strange, floral scent and wasuncomfortably warm. The warmth spread through her body, and she suddenly feltvery awake, like she’d drawn energy from the earth.

As she handed the bottle back to the Healer, Oriens spoke toher from somewhere outside. “You’reawake.”

“Yes. How are youfeeling?”

“Much better now thatI know you are well.”

“What about yourinjury?”

He gave a dismissive laugh. “You really should stop worrying about me. I’m a dragon. No sillyscratch will stop me.” She rolled her eyes and he apparently sensed it, becausehe said, “Caelum Healed it as soon ashe’d finished tending to you.”

She silently acknowledged this, then said, “I’ll be down to see you in a few minutes.”

She slipped out of the covers, feeling fully revived. Laurusjumped up like a skittish deer. “So,” she asked the Healer, “is there anythingelse wrong with me?”

Laurus looked at her nervously. “Um, no, I suppose not.Caelum tended to your legs and shoulder, and you don’t appear to have reinjuredyour ribs or wrist. You should be able to remove the bindings tomorrow.”

Eliana smiled at her. “Thank you very much, Laurus. You’vebeen a wonderful help.”

She gave a small bow to the Rider. “It’s been my pleasure,Lady Eliana.”

The Rider watched the Healer swiftly gather her bottles andput them in the basket, then hurry out of the room with another bow. Elianastripped off the nightdress and pulled on a pair of breeches and a tunic fromthe wardrobe before rushing towards the door.

A figure suddenly appeared at the top of the stairs. Shecollided with the shape in her haste, grunting in surprise. The elf quicklyseized her waist with one hand, gripping the railing of the stairs with theother to keep them both from tumbling back down the staircase.

Once he’d recovered his footing, Caelum smiled down at herwith a look of relief. “You’re okay.”

“Yes,” she answered, her heart jumping excitedly, “and Ihear I have you to thank for it.”

His bright smile dimmed a little. “Just… don’t make me do itagain.”

“What do you mean?” she asked.

His hands, which both rested on her waist now, pulled hercloser until their foreheads were pressed together again. “Seeing you thatway…” he whispered. “Not moving, bleeding... I didn’t know what had happened,and I… I was afraid I might lose you.”

She stared up at him, surprised by his words and the distresson his face as he spoke. She smiled softly and touched her hands to his chest.

“I promise,” she answered quietly. “No more stupid stunts.”

His smile returned to his face. “Good.” His hands fell backto his sides and he took a small, slow step back. “Now, where were you headedin such a hurry?”

“To see Oriens. He’s worried about me.”

“Well,” he replied, gesturing at the stairs, “let’s not keephim waiting then.”

Caelum followed her out of the tree and towards Oriens’cave. The anxious dragon waited outside, and she ran forward to meet him,wrapping her arms around his nose. He rumbled happily deep in his throat.

“It’s good to see youin one piece, little one,” he said.

Eliana laughed. “Littleone? Let’s not forget who hatched you!”

“Yes, but you could hardly call me ‘little’ now.”

“I suppose not,”she said with a smile, scratching him under his chin. “And it is good to see you safe as well.”

Oriens turned his head to look at Caelum. “I never did thank you for your help,”he said, projecting his thoughts to the elf. “You Healed my Rider and myself. How can I repay you for returning herto me?”

Caelum shook his head. “All I want is to know whathappened.”

Oriens looked at his Rider. “Perhaps you should tell him.”

Eliana sighed and nodded. The dragon settled onto the groundand she sat beside him, resting her back against his side. She motioned forCaelum to sit beside her. After he had done so, she took a breath and told himabout the pale stranger in as much detail as she could recall. After she hadfinished, he looked at her, and she was surprised to see anger in his eyes.

His voice was sharp as he demanded, “You flew off to fightsomething without knowing what it was or how strong it might be? With no help?When you are still learning magic, had only justlearned to fly, and were injured?”

She blinked at him, taken aback by the fury in his voice.“Caelum,” she replied as calmly as she could, though her voice was still tingedwith exasperation, immediately feeling defensive, “I was doing what I had todo. If that man had seen Iterum… who knows what could have happened?”

He stood suddenly and turned to face her, his face slightlyflushed. “Eliana, you could have been killed!You both could have been killed!”

She rose as well, prepared to stand her ground, even againstCaelum. “I am a Rider!” she snapped back, emphasizing each word. “You are the one who told me that thiswas my duty, my destiny. It is my responsibility to protect Iterum!”

Caelum clenched his fists tightly, his jaw clenching as heground his teeth. A strange red light began to grow around him—she recognizedit as fire. He was losing control. The light grew and pulsed, then Caelumsighed, unclenching his fists. The fire disappeared.

“I know,” he said tightly, looking at the ground. “I stillbelieve this is your destiny, and I know that you will do whatever you have todo.” He looked up at her again. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt doingit.”

She folded her arms and looked away from his blue gaze. “Itcould happen…” she said quietly. “I’m not naïve. I’ve realized how dangerousbeing a Rider could be. I know that there will be those who want to kill me.And there’s no guarantee that they will fail. But if it is going to happen…”she looked up at him, raising her head confidently, “then I am not afraid ofit.”

He stared at her for several seconds, his expressionunreadable. Then, with a slow nod, he turned and entered the palace. Elianawatched him go, pressing her mouth in a thin line, chewing on the inside of herlower lip.

“Do you think he’sangry?” she asked Oriens, staring at the palace door as it closed heavilybehind the elf.

Oriens’ golden head swayed side to side. “No,” he replied certainly. “He’s just worried about you. He doesn’twant to see you get hurt. The danger being a Rider brings upon you frightenshim.”

“He didn’t seemworried about it when he learned I had your egg.”

“His feelings havechanged greatly since then.”

She sighed and sat against Oriens’ side again, closing hereyes and soaking in the warmth of the sun. Caelum had only just returned, andnow it felt as if he was angry at her. As much as she hated it, she feltconfident that she was in the right. Whether she believed in the elves’prophecy or not, she was a Rider—the only Rider—and that made it her duty toprotect Iterum, no matter the cost.

~*~

That evening, she was still sitting against Oriens’ side,watching the sun set in companionable silence. It was in these moments that shefelt closest with her dragon, when they shared no words, only a feeling ofquiet contentment in their minds.

The palace door opened, drawing her gaze, and Denioappeared. He glanced around and, spotting her against her dragon’s golden side,came towards them. His smile was small and embarrassed-looking.

“Hello, Denio,” Eliana called as he approached.

“Eliana. Oriens.” He greeted each of them with a nod. Hissmile turned sheepish as he said, “I’m sorry this is such late notice. Iassumed that Caelum had told you when he was with you earlier today, but hesays he didn’t. And he… asked me to speak to you, for some reason.”

He gave her a questioning look. It was obvious that he wasaware of some tension between them, but she wasn’t about to elaborate on it forhim.

“What is it?” she asked, urging him to move on.

“There’s a feast tonight—to welcome the soldiers and presentyou with your Rider’s elements.”

“My what?”

“Mara’s been doing a lot of research in the archives, aboutRiders and traditions and such. She discovered that it’s customary for a Riderto receive his or her elements after their first flight together.”

“And what exactly area Rider’s elements?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Well, according to Mara, a pair of gloves, a jacket, asaddle, and…” He paused, then smiled to himself. “Actually, I’ll allow the lastone to be a surprise for you.”

She smirked and gave a short nod, her mind lingering on theidea of a saddle. It would be a welcomed addition after the damage the last flighthad done to her legs. A thought occurred to her and she looked up at theprince.

“Denio,” she said slowly. “did you hear about the sorcererthat we saw coming towards Iterum?”

His young face looked grim. “Yes. Caelum told me and Mother.And I’d like to personally offer both of you my deepest gratitude for what youdid to help protect this city.”

She gave a small smile. “Apparently, that is what I’m here for.”

“Still, flying into battle without knowing what couldhappen? It was a terribly brave thing to do.”

Eliana made a face and muttered, “Caelum said it was aterribly stupid thing to do.”

Denio sighed and squatted in front of her so that their eyeswere on the same level. “Eliana,” he said, “my brother is occasionally foolishand consistently stubborn. But he cares deeply about you—perhaps more than heshould. So whatever he may have said to you, know that he said it with yourbest interests at heart.”

She forced a small, tight smile, and he stood, holding ahand out towards her. “You should probably prepare for the feast,” he said.“It’s in half an hour.”

She took his hand and he pulled her to her feet. “I supposeso. I’m supposed to wear white, correct?”

He shook his head with a smile. “The elves are supposed to wear white, but you are much more than an elf now. You are a Rider. I had a newdress made for you for the occasion. It should be on your bed for you.”

Curious, she entered her quarters and climbed the stairs toher room. Just as Denio had said, a dress lay across the foot of her bed. Itwas more beautiful than any dress she had seen before—more beautiful, even,than anything she’d seen Queen Ivi wear. She softly and reverently touched thedelicate green fabric and traced the golden stitching across the bust and alongthe hems of the dress. The thread looked as if it were spun from real gold, andthe fabric was a smooth, emerald-colored silk.

Eagerly, Eliana stripped off her tunic and breeches, castingthem aside to pick up the dress. She slipped it over her head, marveling at howthe silk seemed to perfectly hug her body. Nobody—not even her own father—wouldrecognize her. Then again, shethought, I doubt I would recognize myselffrom who I was a few short months ago.

She hurried down the stairs and into the courtyard to showOriens. She twirled in front of him like a silly little girl, making the dressfan out around her legs in a swirl of green and gold as she giggled foolishly.

Her dragon gave her a teasing grin. “What happened to my Rider?” he chuckled in her mind.

She stuck her tongue out at him. “Haha. Very funny.”

“Oh, don’t be sosensitive,” he laughed. “I willadmit, my colors look well on you.”

Eliana looked down at the dress, realizing suddenly what hemeant. The silk was the same emerald green as his eyes, the golden stitchingperfectly mirroring his shining scales. The elves had dressed her to match herdragon. She smiled.

“Well,” Orienssaid, standing from his spot on the grass, “areyou ready to go?”

“You’re coming?”

“Of course!” hescoffed. “You don’t expect me to staybehind while my Rider receives her elements, do you?”

She shrugged. “Well,I’m certainly not going to argue with you about it. Let’s go then, or we’ll belate.” She turned to walk away, but Oriens didn’t move. She looked back athim. “What are you waiting for?”

He grinned toothily. “Youdon’t expect me to just walk into afeast, do you? I think we deserve a much grander entrance than that.”

Eliana gave a sharp laugh, realizing immediately what hemeant. She gestured down at her gown. “You don’t really expect me to Ride in this do you?” she asked, exasperatedenough that she forgot to speak her thoughts silently.

He tilted his large head to one side. “Women ride in dresses all the time,” he replied innocently.

“On horses Oriens,not on dragons. Do you really expect me to sit sidesaddle while flying hundredsof feet above the ground?”

He grinned. “Yes.”

“Oriens, you—!”

“Better get onquickly, Eliana, or we’ll be late.”

She scowled at her smirking dragon and huffed. “Fine.”

She could feel his smugness as he bent his knee to give hera step onto his back. She carefully settled onto his back, ensuring that shedidn’t snag the fabric of her dress on any spikes or scales. She percheduncomfortably between his shoulders, her ankles crossed tightly together.

“You know,” shesaid a little anxiously, “I never didquite get the hang of riding a horse sidesaddle.”

“Good thing I’m not ahorse then,” he laughed.

With that, he jumped into the air and beat his wings twice,lifting them over the walls. He tilted and directed them over Iterum so thatthey soared low over the city. The streets below were lit with the magic orbs,but were empty of elves; they were already at the feast. She could see thecluster of lights from the plaza ahead of them and heard the wild, enticingcall of the elven music.

Soon, they were over the square. The music stopped abruptly,and the eyes of every elf in Iterum looked up towards them. They were seated atthe long tables, which were already laden with food; Eliana and Oriens werelate. The elves stood when they spotted the dragon, but to Eliana’s surprise,there was none of the bowing and muttering that normally accompanied herappearance. Instead, the elves erupted into a chorus of cheers.

The applause thundered even louder as Oriens carefullylowered himself into the middle of the plaza. Eliana slid off his back andlanded beside him. Almost at once, the elves rushed forward, leaving theirtables behind. They pressed in around her, hundreds of hands reaching out totouch her. Her hands were shaken and kissed repeatedly, and several peoplepounded her on the back, jarring her ribs uncomfortably.

Nobody attempted to touch the golden dragon who hovered overthe scene. Eliana glanced back at him in confusion, and he returned theexpression, looking uncertain.

“Oriens,” shecalled out to him silently as the crowd continued to press in around her, “a little help here?”

“What do you want meto do?” he asked anxiously. “Bitethem?”

Then, to her relief, she saw the crowd parting slightly,giving her room to breathe as they made way for Caelum and Denio. When theyreached her, the crush of the crowd retreated a few steps, giving the princes arespectful amount of space. The two elves stood on either side of her andguided her through the crowd. Oriens followed a few steps behind, clearing aneven wider path between the elves.

At last, they reached the table at the end of the plaza,where Queen Ivi stood beside her chair. She smiled at Eliana. “Perhaps weshouldn’t have announced your brave battle until after you arrived,” she said.“It got them all into quite a stir.”

That explained the unusual and overwhelming greeting she hadreceived. She forced a smile back at the queen and gave a short nod. She and the two princes moved to stand besidetheir chairs as well; Oriens stood at the end of the table, beside Eliana. Theelves returned to the tables and the queen raised her hands, motioning forsilence. The noise ceased as all eyes turned to her.

Queen Ivi was smiling more than Eliana had ever seen hersmile before. It made her hard, regal face look kinder, and less intimidating.“My dear friends,” she said to the crowd, “as you all know, Iterum now has a dragonRider for the first time in nearly five centuries.”

The crowd erupted again, and this time, it took the queenseveral moments to quiet them. When order was finally reestablished, she spokeagain. “Today, Rider Eliana had her first flight. Only minutes after she firsttook to the skies, she flew into battle against a Dark sorcerer. If not for herquick and brave actions, he may have very well seen Iterum and exposed us tothe human armies.”

There was another outburst, but it settled more quickly thistime. Eliana glanced at Caelum standing to her left. Unlike his mother,brother, and every other elf in the square, his face was serious. His arms werefolded across his chest, and stared flatly out at the cheering crowd, as ifdisapproving of their excitement. He seemed to feel her faze, and he glancedbriefly at her. His expression did not change.

“To commemorate this moment,” Queen Ivi continued, “we willcontinue with the age-old tradition of presenting our Rider with her elements.”

The queen motioned with her right hand, directing everyone’sattention to the aisle between the tables. Four elves filed down the centertowards the head table, each of them cradling an item in their arms. They linedup in front of the table, bowing low in unison.

The first elf in the line stepped forward, extending a smallbox towards Eliana as Queen Ivi said, “The first Rider’s element—Ridinggloves.”

Eliana took the box with a grateful nod and opened it.Inside rested a pair of fine, black gloves. She picked one of them up, feelingthe soft, supple leather. They were fingerless, which would make it easier tohandle a bow or sword while wearing them. In the palm of the right glove, aflame-shaped section of the leather was missing; it would perfectly align withthe mark in her hand.

“The second element—a Rider’s jacket.”

The second elf in line stepped forward and extended an itemmade of the same black leather. Eliana took it and held it up before her for amoment, examining its fine craftsmanship. It was a short jacket, and would onlyfall to just below her rib cage, making it easy for her to reach a sword at herwaist.

“The third—a dragon saddle.”

Eliana set the jacket on the table and looked up as the nextelf stepped up and presented her with a large, black item. He set it on thetable beside her, and she ran her hands over it. It, too, was made of soft,black leather. It was smaller than she’d imagined it would be, and had a tangleof long, complicated-looking straps attached to it.

There were no stirrups on the saddle. Instead, she spottedtwo loops on the sides of the saddle, which had cinches for tightening aroundher legs. There were two more, smaller loops at the top of the saddle, whereshe could secure her hands for any complicated maneuvers.

“Like that trick wepulled on that sorcerer,” Oriens thought in her mind, and she sensed hispride as he remembered looping up over the top of the man before descending onhim again. She smiled a little.

“And the fourth and last element,” the queen said. “Wepresent you with a Rider’s sword, crafted from the finest materials in all ofIterum, to help to defend you as you have defended us.”

Solemnly, the fourth elf stepped up to her and bowed hishead as he held out a sheathed sword to her. Eliana’s eyes widened as she tookit, admiring the sheath of black leather. Intricate detailing decorated thesurface in golden reincarnations of flowers and animals. The hilt protrudingfrom the sheath was the same inky color. A thin band of golden wire wrappedaround it, providing a surface for a more secure grip. Two, shining emeraldsstudded the end of the hilt—one on each side.

She found herself holding her breath as she slid the bladefrom the sheath. Where she’d expected to see shining silver, she foundbrilliant gold. The blade was so perfectly smooth and unmarked that she foundherself staring at her own startled expression. This was the gift that Deniohad wanted to keep a surprise.

“That is truly a greatblade,” Oriens said, looking over her shoulder at it. “Mara once told us about elven blades. Do you remember?” Shedidn’t. Oriens often paid better attention to their lessons than she did. “It cannot be broken,” he explained toher, “and it will never be dull. It is apart of their magic.”

The queen spoke again, but all of the elves had their eyeson Eliana. “Oriens,” the queen said. “Rider Eliana. The elves of Iterum giveyou these gifts in the hope that you will be our guardian and protector, and tothank you for the things which you have already done for us.”

Eliana looked up, meeting the expectant gazes of hundreds ofelves. She knew that they wanted her to say something, but her mind was blank.Oriens entered her thoughts, and she repeated the words he spoke to her mind.

“As a Rider and an elf, I swear my allegiance to Iterum, andpromise to protect its inhabitants, though it be with my very life.”

The elves cheered at her words, and she looked at Caelumagain. His face creased even deeper when he heard her words, and he didn’t lookin her direction. Over the din, Oriens pressed his mind against every elf,projecting his thoughts to them. Silence fell as his voice rumbled in theirheads.

“And I, as a dragon,pledge my own life to the will of my Rider, as well as to the protecting ofthose she is sworn to—the elves of Iterum.”

There was a pause as the elves recovered from the shock of hearingthe dragon’s voice in their minds. Then the crowd erupted once more, rising totheir feet with uncontrolled cheers. Queen Ivi, still smiling, motioned to themusicians at the end of the table and they began to play. Several elvesabandoned their seats and grabbed partners, dancing wildly around the tables.The rest returned to their plates, laughing and talking happily.

The music didn’t bother Eliana as it had before. She washardly even aware of it. Her mind was too preoccupied, but not by the fourwonderful gifts that rested on the table before her. She slowly turned her eyesto Caelum, hoping to see some change in his countenance.

There was none. Not even the close proximity of theintoxicating music could dispel the clouds in his blue eyes. He turned towardsher gaze, and this time, he did not look away. He stared at her, his blue eyesholding her purple ones unwaveringly. For a long time, his eyes remained stonyand blank. Then suddenly, pain and anxiety clouded them, and he turned awaywith a sigh, sitting heavily in his chair.

“Caelum,” she said, just loud enough for him to hear herover the music. She sat in the chair beside him, watching him intently. “Whatthe matter with you? What did I do?”

He shook his head slowly, his expression tight. Then, hefinally said in a quiet voice. “Did you even think about the words you justsaid?”

“No,” she answered honestly. “I didn’t know what to say. Irepeated what Oriens told me. Did I say something wrong?”

“No… and yes… You spoke the Rider’s oath. It used to berecited by every new Rider after their first flight. Mara showed it to me inthe archives some time ago.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

He turned his head towards her again, looking frustrated.“Would you really die for them?”

She paused, surprised by the question, and looked around herat the cheerful, dancing elves. They had accepted her, as she’d never beenaccepted before in her life. They trusted her to defend them. Iterum had becomeher home, when she’d had none.

After a moment, she looked back at Caelum’s steady gaze.“Yes,” she said confidently. “I would.”

He looked away from her, at his untouched food. She barelyheard him over the music as he whispered. “Then I will have to be sure it nevercomes to that.”