Inheritance Book III Brisinger

Chapters

1. The Rescue

Part 1. Dras Leona

Part 2. Blood of My Enemies

2. To Walk Alone

3. Trial of the Long Knives

4. Roran

5. Davan

6. The Elves

7. Lovers

Part 1. Intertwined

Part 2. Getting to Know You

8. Eragon Returns

9. A Day Off

10. Promise Fulfilled

11. The Wedding

Part 1. Vows

Part 2. Uninvited Guests

12. Nausada's Plan

13. About Urgals

14. Hunting party

15. Bregan Hold

16. Emergency

17. Insubordination

18. Captain Roran

19. King Orik

Part 1. Assassination Attempt

Part 2. The Vote

20. The Heart of Tronjheim

21. Answered Prayer

22. Truth

23. More Training

24. The Menoa Tree

25. Brisinger

26. Sloan

27. Blue Dragon, Gold Dragon

28. Siege of Feinster

Part 1. First Strike

Part 2. Eragon Arrives

29. Varaug

30. Lonely Heart

Chapter 1. The Rescue

Part 1. Dras Leona

Many people among the Varden's allies considered it a victory. Especially since the Empire retreated north following the Red Rider. Only the leaders knew that the Red Rider had shown mercy to the Blue Rider Eragon. The allies were still counting the dead and tending their own wounded and that of the Empire's left on the battlefield. Then there were those assigned to finding Eragon's sword Unbidtr. He had lost it during his fight with the Red Rider but the sword was nowhere to be found.

Saphira had gone hunting in preparation for their trip north to rescue Katrina, Roran's betrothed. After a quick breakfast Eragon, Roran, and Davan went to see Nausada in regards to her decision of whether or not to allow Eragon to go. When they arrived the captain of Nausada's guards announced them. When they entered King Orin, Arya, Jormunder, and Trianna were waiting as well. As usual Elva was at Nausada's side.

Nausada sighs, "Eragon I make this decision with a heavy heart…and the only reason I condone it is because Queen Islanzadi gave her consent…And…" She looks at Elva, "Elva says you will succeed…In any case I ask that you take no unnecessary risks…and I want you all to swear that if the worse comes you will return to us with or without Katrina…"

Everyone but Roran agrees, "Milady! I understand that Eragon is very important to your cause…That being said I cannot make a vow that will endanger Katrina…"

"Even so Stronghammer…" Orin said speaking up, "…You do Katrina no good by endangering your own life…If the risk is too great consider that Galbatorix will not bring harm to her so long as she can be used to lure you or Eragon into a trap…Take comfort in that and make the vow."

Roran sighs and makes his vow, then they pack for the journey. Saphira returns from her hunt an hour after noon. They wait until midnight before leaving as Saphira is big enough and strong enough to carry all three. They fly over the river high enough to be mistaken for a bird. In three days they near the city of dread…Dras Leona. Saphira lands at night and swims up river towards the lake while Eragon, Roran, and Davan walk the rest of the way. Soon they come upon a group of refugees so they sneak into camp and blend with the group. They enter the city without problems, but before heading to Selene's old safe house the trio stand before a board of wanted posters. Davan's picture is up as well with a reward for 50,000 crowns. Roran's reward is for 100,000 crowns and Eragon's reward is an Earldom.

When they reach the safe house Davan says the magic password that allows them to enter the house. When they enter Eragon gasps as there are five statues of people inside. "A trap spell left by your mother…These thieves paid dearly for their folly…"

"Can you change them back…" Eragon asked hopefully.

Davan shakes his head, "I am sorry no…"

Roran looks at Eragon, "Why don't you try…You are a Rider…"

Eragon checks the room for spells and then examines the spells on the thieves. He shakes his head, "I can't the trap spell drained all their energy to fuel the spell…They are dead…"

"We will put them in the cellar…" It took only a few seconds. Afterwards Davan cooked them a meal before heading out. "Listen…I will scout the city and see if I can learn anything…The two of you remain here…I will be back soon…" Davan places the hood over his head and vanishes from sight.

"Now what?" Roran asks.

"We check on Katrina…" Eragon says enchanting a glass mirror.

Roran smiles as she appears against a cell wall in chains. "She is in health…" Roran looks at Eragon, "Can I speak with her?"

He shakes his head, "No…We don't want to frighten her…Besides she may give us away to the Razac unknowingly…We will wait…"

When Davan returns a meal is waiting for him, "What did you learn?" Roran asked after they finished eating.

"Much! In two days there will be a slave auction…"

"Why is that important?" Eragon asks.

"Because the Priests of the Helgrind…The true rulers of the city will purchase slaves to make sacrifices to their gods…The Lethzberka…They worship those things…Anyway the slaves are taken to the base of the mountain and left there as food…The Lethzberak take the slaves into the mountains and imprison them for food…"

Eragon nods, "I learned as much in my studies while in Ellesmera…I also witnessed it first hand when Tornac and I were captured…Perhaps Roran and I can follow the slaves when they are left the two of us can take the place of two of the slaves…When we gain entrance into their lair we strike…And Saphira can fly up to help us…"

"A good plan…I can remain in the city to slow anyone who might go to the mountain to investigate the disturbance…"

"You can also lead the Slaves safely to the Varden…"

The next day the trio left the safe house to view the countryside in daylight. As they made their way through the city Eragon spotted his horse Snow Fire. "Snow Fire! Boy I never thought to see you again…" The horse acknowledged him.

"Can I help you?" A muscular man said eyeing Eragon suspiciously.

"Maybe…How much for the horse?"

"He is not for sale…"

Eragon reaches out and touches his mind, ("Sell him to me!") He commands, "Come now…name your price…"

"Three hundred!"

"DONE!"

Eragon entrusts the horse to Davan who will meet them in Surda with the freed slaves. After all their preparations are made the trio returns to the safe house. The next day Roran and Eragon attend the slave auction. The two cousins are dressed as high born nobles. They place a few bids on slaves to keep up appearances all the while watching the Priests of the Helgrind. Davan releases the three salves Eragon bought. The Priests leave the city immediately unbeknownst that they are being followed. To their disgust Eragon and Roran watch a performance of their grotesque ritual. Then when called upon one of the acolytes comes forward and cuts off his own right hand as a show of dedication to the gods of the Helgrind.

Part 2. Blood of my Enemies

"When we attack Dras Leona I will make it my personal business to end this perverted religion…" Eragon says whispering to Roran under the invisibility spell. When the Priests are out of sight Eragon and Roran appear to the slaves. "We mean you no harm…" Eragon frees two of the slaves and points for to run and hide. Eragon gives them a mental image of where to hide until Davan comes for them.

Eragon and Roran are dressed like slaves and as they wait Eragon assures them mentally that they will live through this. When sun finally sets The Lethzberka descend from the mountains with two Razac on their backs. One of the Razac inspect the slaves before helping the other secure the supplies. It takes two trips to bring up the supplies and five to bring up the slaves. Roran is taken in the second group. Eragon is taken in the last, but they still wind up in the same cell.

"Where is she?"

Eragon points to a wall, "In a cell on the other side of that wall…" As Eragon places a spell around Katrina's cell he senses Sloan four cells down from Katrina and still alive. ("Damn!") He says to himself. "Slytha!" Eragon whispers putting him to sleep after placing wards around his cell.

"Everything okay…" Roran asked.

"Yes just fine…" Eragon replies not knowing what to do about Sloan.

"Is Sloan alive?"

Eragon flinches inside, "I don't sense him…" Then Eragon touches the minds of the slaves, ("Listen to me all of you…I am Eragon Shadeslayer a Rider of the Varden…I placed wards around you all…The Razac can't harm you…Remain here until it is safe…Then go here…A friend is waiting he will take you all to Surda…")

"Vaco…" Eragn said releasing the lock instead of destroying it. Roran and Eragon's clothes vanish in a wave and now they are fully armored. Eragon's tattoos are actually Roran's hammer and his hand and half sword. As Eragon pulls at the tattoos the weapons become real. They sneak up the tunnel to find three Razac feasting on the last slaves to inhabit the cells they just left.

("Now Saphira!") Eragon can feel her leave the lake and fly into the air.

Eragon raises his left hand, "Nin garjzla bjar…" Eragon said give me bright light…A bright ball of light zipped from his unmarked hand and hovered above the Razac. The small sun blinded the Razac for a minute. Eragon leaps across the cave swinging his sword and decapitates one of the Razac in one swing.

The other two leap out of harm's way covering their faces with their hoods. Then the closest to the wall leaps the rest of the distance and snatches a sword off the wall. He throws it to his nest mate and turns just in time to block a swing from Roran. The Razac counters and tries to sever Roran's arm, but the blade is stopped by the wards Eragon placed around him.

Roran swings for the Razac's head but he is too fast for Roran. Meanwhile Eragon and the other Razac fights at a speed too quick for the human eye to watch. However Eragon is the better swordsman and severs the Razac's arm then he slashes his throat. Its filthy bluish grey blood splatters Eragon in the face and shirt.

"Eragon looks out!" Roran screams as the Lethzberka tackles him. Eragon would have busted his head if not for his wards. When he looks up the Lethzberka is trying to impale him on its beak. Eragon's wards are holding, but with each blow the energy from the jewels in his belt are depleting at a fast rate. Soon neither he nor Roran will be protected. The cave is filled with a roar as Saphira flies in and tackles the Lethzberka. Eragon sits leaps across the cave and stops the sword of the Razac who has Roran on his back. This allows Roran to break the legs of the Razac. As it goes down he raises his hammer and bashes it in the head.

Saphira tussles with the Lethzberka and pins it to the ground. That is when the other Lethzberka emerges and tries to attack Saphira from behind. She holds the first Lethzberka down with her front paws pushing her claws into the flesh of the beast. Saphira raises her hind legs and kicks the other beast in the chest. As it goes flying across the cave Saphira wraps her mouth around the neck of the Lethzberka she has pinned and snaps its neck with a twist.

By now the other Lethzberka is on its feet, Saphira twists her head and bathes it in fire from her mouth. The Lethzberca emerges from the flames unharmed and tackles Saphira. They tussle across the cave bighting and clawing each other as they roll to the mouth of the cave and vanish falling over the side. The last Razac grabs a bottle of Seithr oil and throws it at Eragon. He raises his hand, '"Letta!" The bottle stops in mid-air, then with a wave of his hand it is sent back at the Razac. She dives out of the way only to be wounded by Eragon's sword. The Razac limps down the tunnel trying to open Katrina's cell, but she is unable to.

"Katrina!" Roran screams

"No! She is safe remember…I need your help with the slaves…" Eragon points his hand at the light, "Brakka ne garjzla ien Tuathr eo…" The light decreased in strength and followed Eragon and Roran to the cells. They release the prisoners, then Eragon gives them an enchanted rope he made himself and hid among the Razac's supplies.

"What of Saphira…" Roran asks as the Slaves descend the mountain via the rope.

"She is fine and is returning now…Come Katrina awaits you…"

The light flies ahead of them to keep the last Razac from jumping out at them. Eragon stops at Sloan's cell, "What are you doing come on?"

"Go ahead…I want to see if there is anything in these cells…" Eragon waits until Roran vanishes into Katrina's cell. Then he opens the cell containing Sloan. Eragon is tempted to kill the traitor and be done with it. His lips part to cast the spell, but his conscious won't allow him to speak the word. He looks toward the wall as Saphira returns then he calls to Davan.

("I sealed the main gates with magic but my spell won't hold them…I am off to meet the slaves…Be safe…Also you should know that the Red Rider has been contacted…") Eragon bids him farewell then he seals Sloan's cell.

When Roran entered the cell, Katrina stands up, "Roran?"

He runs to her arms and they hug, "It is me my love…"

"How did you get here?"

"Eragon my cousin…The Blue rider…He helped me to rescue you…Come me must go…"

"My eyes!" Katrina cried closing them when she entered the hallway.

Eragon joins them having decided what to do about Sloan. He heals her eyes so that she can see properly. But when she spots Eragon she takes a few steps back. "Eragon is that you?"

He smiles unoffended, "Yes…Let me check you for injuries, spells, oaths…"

"What?" She asks confused.

"Can't this wait…We should be getting out of here…"

"No!" Eragon says touching Katrina's mind. She gasps at the touch of the alien mind. Eragon gently probes her mind, then he casts a spell of detection. "She is clean…Let's go…"

Katrina jumps and covers her mouth at the sight of Saphira who sniffs her. Katrina reaches out her hand and rubs her snout. First they put Katrina in the saddle then Roran climbs up. When Eragon hesitates Roran looks at him. "Come on Eragon stop dawdling…"

Eragon takes a step back and says with his mouth and mind, "I am not coming…" When Saphira realizes what he intends to do she leaps at him with her claw, but Eragon is too fast. He is in the hallway that is too small for Saphira. "Ganga! Go I will be fine…"

("I am not leaving you!") Saphira says whimpering.

"Go and don't come back…"

"Eragon don't be a fool come with us…"

Eragon sighs, "Look…There is still one Razac here...alive…I must kill him and destroy whatever secrets the Razac hold…Now go I will be fine…"

("And what of Murtagh and Thorn…They are on the way…")

"Go I will be okay…"

Saphira backs away, ("Five days…I will give you give days from this hour then I am coming after you…")

("Take care of Roran and Katrina…I love you!")

Saphira roars and leaves the cave with Roran looking back. Eragon waits to make sure they are gone, then he extinguishes the light. "RAZAC!" He shouts in the ancient language. "Hunter of men's flesh…Come out and let us end this…You are hurt I am tired…I will not use grammyre…Come let us end this in fair combat…" Eragon repeated the same line five times before the Razac showed himself.

"Zhadezlayer!" Eragon nods, "You have grown ztrong…"

"I had too…"

"Let uz make a pact Blue Rider…" Eragon sighs drawing his sword, feeling as if the Razac is trying to waist time. "Wait! Make a pact with thiz one and we zhall tell you a zecret…"

Eragon pauses, "What secret…"

"Firzt promise…"

"Tell me and I shall consider it…"

"He haz almozt found it…"

Eragon sneers, "Who found what?"

"The King haz almozt found the true name…Zoon he will be all powerful…No one be able to ztop him…"

"You speak in riddles found what…"

"No Rider…Zwear you will zpeak of uz in your tailz…Promize uz you will remember uz in your hiztoriez so that we are not forgotten…"

"Why would I do that…Certainly you are not the last of your kind?"

"We know not…Thiz one hatched three weeks ago before the King…Our nezt matez brought this one here to meet parentz…"

"Then Galbatorix has more of your eggs in his treasury perhaps…"

"The King told uz there are no more eggz…Now zwear…"

Eragon shakes his head, "No!"

The Razac shrieked in rage, "A curze on you…Rider…May you leave Alagaezia and never return…"

Eragon sneers remembering Angela's prophecy, he swore that nothing and no one would ever make him leave Alagaesia. In anger Eragon leaps at the Razac and after five moves he kills the Razac. Eragon grabs up Sloan from his cell, "Brisinger!" Eragon yells turning the light into fire and setting everything a blaze.