Will Of Fire
Disclaimer: Still don't own Eragon or Eldest
Chapter 1: Warrior's Fire
Arianna, Nolan, and Eragon were still holding their formation as they had for the last three days. They had passed the spine and now Carvahall was right below them but no one was out and about. That seemed unusual. Rapidly, they made their landing and the scene shocked them. Bodies laid all over, some covered in blood while others were clean. All of them had been killed in a gruesome manner. Horst nor Gertrude survived it. They all lost color in their faces but Arianna was the only one shaking. The blood was all too much. Nolan had to put a hand on her shoulder but that didn't steady her. That worried him but before he knew it, Urgals came out behind the bodies spearing them with arrows. Purple liquid dripped from them, poison. Arianna took out Finna and blocked most of the arrows but she felt one hit her wounded shoulder. She cried out in pain but like in a previous battle, she could still fight. Nolan had been unscaved but Eragon had gotten hit as well. Silently, Arianna and Nolan let green and gold fire from their gedway ignasia. It didn't cost them anything except a bit of their strength. The Urgals were dead.
"We have to get inside somewhere." Eragon said. "If we stay out here too long, we're dead."
Nolan nodded and saw another familiar sight, their home. Quickly, they got inside and looked at Arianna's wounds, it was a grevious wound. He had to get the arrow out before more poison spread. Before he could make a move, she pulled it out herself without a scream of pain. She could feel the poison in her veins, it was a boiling pain worse than her back. Arianna got up and went up the stairs and into her bedroom. She laid on her bed still and closed her eyes. The poison was taking its toll, making her fall into the darkness. Her brother saw all this and stayed up hoping that this would pass. He wished that on Eragon as well.
That morning, nothing had changed except that the poison was spreading further, especially to the scar on their backs. Fevers raged and Arianna muttered incoherently. Nolan had been up all night keeping her calm and wishing that Gertrude was alive still. He saw Codas outside the window looking worried as the fever raged. Nolan didn't know what to say to him but gave him a reassuring look. The dragon responded approperately then let out a low growl as something approached. He looked out then realized who it was, Roran, Eragon and Murtagh's cousin. He told Codas he was okay then went down the stairs. Roran stood there alone.
"Who are you?" Roran asked.
"I can't say out here, come in." Nolan replied quickly .
The two of them went inside and he explained everything. Afterwards, Roran had a look of shock on his face. He stayed in his chair as Nolan got up and looked up the stairs; everything was peaceful for right now.
"So you and Arianna are the two dragon riders?" Roran asked.
"Yeah but we're not as bad as they say. We work for the Varden." Nolan replied. "We were hoping to move everyone here."
"But how can you?" Roran said. "You have only one dragon."
"We have three. Mine, Arianna's, and Eragon's." Nolan responded.
"Eragon? You mean he's a..." Roran's voice trailed off.
Nolan nodded. "He has been for the past year. We've only been riders for a few months. Before we continue, what happened here?"
"There was an army of soldiers and Urgals. We all thought it was typical inspection but it wasn't" Roran replied. "They started attacking and everyone but me was dead. I don't remember much from there."
"So that's what happened. I'm just sorry we weren't here to fight them off." Nolan said with slight laughter.
"Maybe it wasn't such a bad thing. So what's this with the Varden?" Roran asked trying to pry any piece of information possible.
"Lady Nasuada thought it'd be easier if we moved some of the Varden here. So it's not suspicious." Nolan replied.
"I thought you said all." Roran commented.
"We can't not without it being suspicious. After all, we can't have another attack." Nolan said. "Some have already fled to Tierm and other cities."
"I see your point. How are they though? Eragon and Arianna?" Roran asked knowing he had changed the subject.
"They're in a stable condition but the poison will have to run it's course." Nolan replied.
There was another growl but this time it came from Codas and Saphira. There was another dragon as well but he couldn't make out it's size due to the darkness. Another rider peered in the door way this time with an indifferent expression. Nolan's eyes narrowed as he came in.