Ten Days
Like many others, I was disappointed with how Inheritance turned out. Even while I was reading it I had ideas of how the story ought to be forming in my mind, so I decided I would try to write it out. Hope everyone enjoys.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Inheritance series, CP does of course, I'm just rewriting it.
Eragon sat cross-legged on his cot, slowly taking deep breaths and trying to perform his meditations despite how distressed his mind was. He had been in the same position for nearly an hour and seemed to only be frustrating himself further. I can't even get some peace and quiet in my own mind! He snapped to himself. No matter what he tried to calm himself, his thoughts kept brooding over the events of the past ten days. The gathering that day had especially worn on him because of the endless procession of Nasuada and Orrin's court that inquired of him repeatedly about Oromis and Glaedr, and the things they had taught him. Circumventing them was a trying task as he struggled with concealing his grief from them while being polite and fulfilling the demands of his station. That Jirsk was the worst dullard of the bunch. Jirsk was an earl from Orrin's court who persistently pestered Eragon with a question of the rider's order, to which Eragon couldn't give a straight answer, but he persisted for almost half an hour asking the same question in different ways trying to ferret out a more satisfying answer.
His persistence was somewhat impressive you must admit. Saphira commented to him.
Yes, if only because he couldn't take a hint. Eragon thought.
The gathering started late morning and lasted until mid-afternoon and left him angry enough to take out his frustration on the next unlucky fool, so Saphira suggested he meditate to lighten his mood. It wasn't working, and his mind kept going over the events of the last ten days, replaying them in his head in a seemingly infinite loop, and so it started again.
Eragon woke in his tent after only a few fitful hours of rest, he was tired from fighting through the night and battling the shade Varaug, but he couldn't get much more after last night and he felt he must try to speak with Glaedr.
You know he won't speak with us yet, don't rush him little one. Saphira said to him.
I won't, but he needs to know we're here for him, and I want to try and alleviate his grief if I can, don't you agree?
Aye, I do, but this is his grieving and he will not accept us right now.
I would still try though. Eragon said.
Okay, little one. Saphira hesitantly stated.
Eragon took Glaedr's eldunarí from the sack cloth he kept it in and touched the surface to feel his mind. He was incapacitated by what he felt, a great well of sadness and loss mixed with as great a well of seething anger was filling him. Glaedr didn't say anything to Eragon and Saphira, he didn't even seem to notice them. Eragon withdrew after a moment and felt a wave of despair crush the hope he had chosen at sunrise that morning. We are not alone, he thought to himself after a minute, and Glaedr will realize that too. Eragon sat there looking into Glaedr's eldunarí for a short while before deciding to put him back by his cot, as he did he thought, I can't just leave him laying around where someone could steal him, and carrying him around with me will certainly raise questions about him. If I'm going to keep the eldunarí a secret I can't have people suspicious about them. Saphira suggested to keep him in her saddlebags because no one would dare steal anything from her. Eragon grinned at that and said, Yes, but you can't wear them all the time, it annoys you to wear it as much as you do. Eragon thought of something then, Where did Murtagh hide the eldunarí with him?
I don't know little one, maybe Glaedr will know something of it. Saphira replied.
Hmm, maybe. Eragon sat thinking it over for a few minutes before deciding on what to do. He gathered the elves guarding him to get oaths of secrecy from them regarding the eldunarí and told them. That was the most shocked he'd ever seen that many elves. Then he explained how he wanted to have one or two of his guard to stay with his tent at all times, to be sure and protect Glaedr's eldunarí as well as the other precious things within, to which the elves quickly agreed. Eragon then told Blödhgarm his plans for the day.
"Would that be acceptable to you?" he asked.
"It's not a matter of whether I accept your decisions Shadeslayer, but I must ask if Saphira will be accompanying you or not?" Blödhgarm asked to which Saphira answered directly.
I'm tired, and unless there's a fight to be had I would rather rest seeing I haven't slept much this past week.
"Then I will see six of us stay here to guard Saphira while the rest of us accompany you, Shadeslayer." Blödhgarm told him.
"Alright." Eragon said and asked, "Have you spoken with Islanzadí Dröttning regarding Oromis and Glaedr yet?"
"No, I have not yet, but I believe Arya would have by now."
"Thank you." Eragon replied "I think I will see after Roran and Katrina's well being first, then see if Arya has learned anything I should know of. After that I will see if Nasuada could use my help in some way."
At which Blödhgarm just nodded.
When he arrived at Roran's tent, Eragon found he wasn't there and Katrina explained he was still helping to secure the city and should be back within a couple of hours to rest. She also gave Eragon the highlights of the past couple of weeks, which Eragon took with awe, shock, and anger. "He saved that bumbling captain's life and the mission yet he still had him whipped. If this Edric knew what was good for him he would've patted him on the back and said, "Good job, Stronghammer" and not let everyone find out what a fool he was in his command." Eragon nearly yelled, and Katrina simply agreed. After exchanging a few more words with her, Eragon set out to find Arya, but before he went more than a few steps, Saphira told him she was with her at his tent. Does she have something she wants to talk to me about? Eragon asked.
She would like to talk with us about Oromis and Glaedr.
I'll be there shortly. And he made for his tent.
When he arrived Saphira had been telling Arya about some maneuvers Glaedr had taught her. Arya was kneeling beside Saphira, still wearing her attire from last night, she captivated him every time he saw her and it was no different now except, now she seemed to be sad, even through her usually impregnable façade. When she saw him, she stood, gave him a weak smile and offered her condolences. "You have lost a mentor and friend as I, and we have all lost a great rider." She said and softly adding, "He will be sorely missed." Her eyes brimming with tears that threatened to trickle down her face, and Eragon wanted nothing more than to wrap his arms around her and hold her, but he refrained from doing so and walked up and sat next to her, and she knelt back down beside him. There was a silence between them for a time, until she asked what Oromis was like to him as a teacher. "He was...patient, unyielding, and persistent. I had wanted to give up once, but he gave me the wisdom and hope I needed to continue." He smiled softly before adding, "He seemed to come to understand me better than I do myself in our time together." Arya nodded comprehensively and said, "I greatly appreciated his wisdom as he helped me through several difficult choices." Her mouth twitched slightly before continuing, "Well, him and Glaedr. Their support helped me with my choice to become the ambassador to the Varden."
"Really?" Eragon asked.
"Yes," she said, "I had thought it over for quite some time, my mother, of course, was completely against it, and I had struggled with making the choice for myself. Then I spoke with Oromis and Glaedr, as I knew they would give me advice without fear of whether my mother approved of it, and Oromis told me that I must examine carefully what I wanted for my life and make my decisions accordingly." She smiled lightly as she said, "Glaedr told me I should respect myself as well as my mother and make her understand it was my choice to make." She paused and frowned slightly as she continued, "I didn't have as many opportunities to see them after being banished, but they were still there for me when I needed someone to talk with." They were silent for a few more minutes before Eragon asked if she had spoken with her mother about Oromis and Glaedr. "I have," she said, "Islanzadí sends her condolences to the two of you and is sorry that we cannot be there for their burial. She also told me to let you know that they have recovered Naegling and while the blade should be returned to Oromis's home, the energy contained within should go to you as it is quite formidable and would be useful in keeping you safe in battles to come."
"Aye, that it would."
"They are not to be buried as usual," she continued, "but instead their bodies have been entombed in sandstone so others may come to pay their respects in the future, and see them in all their glory."
"Thank you for telling me."
We should try to visit them soon. Saphira said, Eragon nodded.
Aye, that we should.
After another moment of silence, Arya asked if Glaedr faired any differently. Eragon immediately thought of how tortured he felt at seeing Glaedr's mind. "No," he said slowly, "he seems overwhelmed with grief. I even fear that he may not overcome it."
Don't say that Eragon. Saphira snapped at him.
"He just lost his rider and is in great shock, we just need to give him some time." Arya said. He looked from Saphira to her and feeling ashamed he said, "I'm sorry."
"I understand how you feel, the world has become dull and gray from losing them, but we must maintain hope, or we will truly be lost in our grief."
"I know," Eragon replied, "it's just when I tried to contact Glaedr, he did seem to be lost in it." They were silent for a few minutes more, digesting what had been said between them and contemplating how Glaedr will fair over time, then Eragon simply stated, "I just wish I could have had more time to get to know them." Arya looked at him, and nodded in agreement before saying, "I believe Líyeen had known them most of her life." Líyeen was one of his guards, she had silver hair, features sharper and more angled than most elves, and carried only her bow and a knife to fight with. Her bow however, was unlike any other Eragon had seen. It was long and flexed like a straight bow except at the tips, which were slightly recurved. The mostly wooden bow was sung from a yew tree, but had a strip of metal running it's length that formed into blades at the ends. The string was enchanted so it would hold the bow's shape until at Líyeen's word the string would go slack against the belly of the bow, and the bow would straighten out so she could use it as a twin-bladed staff for close range fighting. They called her over and asked if she was close to Oromis. "Yes Shadeslayers, it is with an exceedingly heavy heart that I received the news, his companionship will be missed like the rain in a drought many years long."
"How long did you know him?" Eragon asked.
"All his life," she replied, "he was born fourteen years after I." Eragon didn't do a very good job of concealing his surprise at her words, noticing it she simply stated, "As the years progress you will learn to not be to surprised by the unexpected. Life is akin to finding yourself in a great garden in the dead of night, that no matter how little of them you can see, the flowers are there waiting for you to discover their sweet scent." Eragon accepted her words with a "Thank you" but grimaced in his mind over how she gave her advice. A garden doesn't only have to consist of flowers. He thought to himself, but then realized that may have been exactly what she meant. Arya looked amused as if she could read his mind at that moment. They continued to talk about Oromis for a while, they also had lunch, until Roran came up to see Eragon.
"Katrina said you were looking for me earlier?" he asked.
"Aye, I was wanting to see how you were after everything. Did you have any trouble in the city?"
He shrugged and said, "Nothing we couldn't handle, with Lady Lorana having surrendered, people have been calm enough, except for a few foolish men." He looked at Eragon oddly for a moment, then just said, "Brom huh?" A small smile broke on his face and Arya looked to him expectingly as he said, "Aye, my teacher Oromis told me last I was in Ellesméra. It seems that he was afraid of anyone who would have used the information against him or myself finding out."
"So he never told you?" Roran asked.
"No, I doubt I'll ever understand it, but no, he didn't."
"He was an honorable man and rider, you should be very proud to call him father." Arya stated.
"Oh, I am, I just wish I could have gotten to know him more as my father. Every time I learn something new about him, I have to reevaluate my entire perspective of the man." They talked for only a few minutes before Roran tiredly excused himself needing some rest, and just a minute after he left a messenger came to notify them that Nasuada requested their presence at the castle. Fairly certain it would be about Oromis and Glaedr, they readied themselves to reveal the identities of the fallen rider and dragon to the public.
They were admitted into the castle chamber by the Nighthawks and solemnly greeted by Nasuada "Eragon, Arya, I hope that both of you are well."
"Yes Lady Nasuada, we are." Arya replied.
"That's good to hear." she said, and continued softly, "I would like for the two of you to tell of Oromis and Glaedr to Orrin, Narheim, and some other commanders and advisors before we reveal the information to the public at large. Would that be okay with the two of you?" she asked.
"Yes my Lady, we will speak of them and answer what questions we can." Eragon replied.
"Thank you Eragon." She then sent for Orrin, Narheim, Nar Garzhvog, Jörmundur and the rest of the council of elders, Trianna, and several other warlords and advisors. About twenty minutes passed before they all arrived and Nasuada gave a formal address to them explaining the nature of the meeting, after which she asked Eragon to speak. Eragon started slowly, telling them of how his mentors had sequestered themselves among the elves in order to train them and of the other reasons why they remained thus. He likewise saw the reactions on their faces from frustration and anger at such a secret being kept from them, to shock and sadness as Eragon explained how they were killed by Galbatorix, Eragon finished with a small lump in his throat and he wished he had a cup of water or some other drink at that moment. Everyone was quiet for a moment before Orrin spoke saying, "Well, this is indeed sad news. I wished we would have met them." He paused in thought before continuing, "You've explained why they had to remove themselves from the fighting, which I can understand well enough, but, why then would they risk themselves as they did by joining this war at all?" Eragon was about to speak, when to everyone's surprise Garzhvog commented then. "They had kept himself from fighting the false-tongued-traitor to fulfill their other duties, once finished, they sought to rejoin the fight, not to remain hiding forever like cowards."
Eragon certainly agreed with that but added, "He sought to undermine Galbatorix's confidence and that of his soldiers, as well as raise the Varden's hopes."
Garzhvog grunted and commented, "It was a good tactic." Orrin just slowly nodded his head, as if agreeing and slowly comprehending what they had said. Then Narheim asked with some disdain to his voice, "How do you know Galbatorix killed him using Murtagh and it wasn't just Murtagh himself?"
"They had relayed the information to someone before they were slain." was Eragon's answer, as he couldn't let the eldunarí be known about. They spoke for a little while longer before ending the meeting and the information was taken out to the public by the leaders.
Eragon and Arya were walking back toward the city gates, heading for his tent and Saphira who was resting, when Eragon saw Solembum sitting on a rain barrel, playing with a tassel hanging from an herb shop. He stopped and glanced at Eragon and Arya, as if greeting them, then continued on. Angela came out of the front of the shop a second later with a full shoulder bag hanging at her waist. "Ah, fancy running into you two today, or maybe it's not, but I doubt that."
Eragon politely smiled and replied, "I believe it is. Are you collecting herbs?"
"Well I have to keep myself stocked, who knows when I might contract an incurable disease, or become injured, or catch a cold."
Eragon chuckled lightly before asking, "What good does herbs do if you have an incurable disease?"
"Incurable doesn't mean untreatable." she simply stated. Then she looked between the two of them solemnly before saying, "Oromis was a good rider and I'm sorry to hear about his passing." Arya's features softened as she spoke and Eragon shook his head slightly. He knew he shouldn't be surprised about her knowing, but still he was a bit.
"He said he met you once." Eragon stated.
"Then he was lying," she replied, "we met a few times actually."
"Did you know him closely?" Arya asked.
"No, we just met some times in passing. If you two would excuse me, I must continue my hunt." And with that she took her leave with Solembum trailing a moment later. Arya continued to walk with Eragon toward his tent, then she took her leave stating she needed to report to Islanzadí. Eragon then went to sit alongside Saphira, his guards moving back into a full formation, and he relayed the meeting to her. They continued to share thoughts and emotions as the sky began to darken, and they fell asleep, getting some much needed rest.
Over the next two days, Eragon helped Du Vrangr Gata find those in Feinster who had sworn oaths to the Empire. It was a frustrating task as it turned out that Galbatorix not only had military commanders bound with oaths, but also scores of foot soldiers and more than a dozen citizens of note, and Eragon suspected there were still more in hiding. The oaths of the citizens were just against them assisting the Varden in any way and to hamper them wherever they could. Galbatorix knew we were going to take Feinster and let it happen. Does he not care how much this war ruins the Empire?
Apparently not, Saphira replied, whatever his reasons though, we should be glad that he doesn't fly out against us as it gives us time. Eragon's stomach tightened at the thought of fighting against Galbatorix. We need to be stronger, he thought, and we need to know more about magic, as well as defending our minds better and learning to fight better period. He suddenly felt despaired at his own thoughts of inadequacy, as if they wouldn't be able to change anything.
We are skilled fighters, Saphira growled, and we are the most capable of standing against him Eragon.
I know Saphira. He thought to himself for a few minutes before saying, We need a regimen-
-to continue our training and become more powerful-
-and learn more about magic.
Who do you think we could have teach us, Saphira asked, besides Arya?
Why not Arya? Eragon asked defensively.
It's not that I wouldn't want her, little one, but I'm sure she has other obligations other than just seeing to us. Eragon realized she was probably right in that regard and said, Well, what about Blödhgarm, or any of my guard?
Maybe you should ask them?
Four days later, the Varden's presence seemed to be accepted in Feinster, as they had little trouble keeping order, many citizens traded with them and some even had joined the Varden. It was obvious that most people favored the Varden over the Empire. The one emotion Eragon had to describe the past four days however, was frustration. Blödhgarm had been training with him to increase his mental defenses and breaching capability, his reward was frustration. He would spar with Wyrden or Braëda, two of the three of his guard who fought with swords, while at the same time battling Blödhgarm and Líyeen or another with their minds. He could only last a few minutes before losing either the mental battle or the physical one. While sparring he might see an opening and when he moved to take advantage of it, Blödhgarm would slip in and quickly cause him to lose one of his battles, they continued thus for at least an hour or two during each session, but he made no noticeable progress over the past few days. Eight days after taking Feinster, Nasuada had Eragon fly ahead to inspect Belatona so they might see how their defenses were being established. Eragon was happy for this, thinking it would give him a suitable excuse for dodging his training for a day, but Saphira had planned otherwise, after they set out she attacked his mind and forced him to defend himself while they flew toward Belatona. The problem however, was that they knew each other so well that neither could overcome the other, they battled in a perpetual stalemate until Belatona came into sight some hours later. As they neared the city, Saphira commented to Eragon, You shouldn't be frustrated with yourself little one, you have made much progress.
Oh yes, I'm ready to battle Galbatorix now. He sarcastically replied.
Saphira growled in annoyance, We won't become all powerful overnight, but you're starting to hold your own against two elves mentally and another with your blade.
But I haven't made any real progress since the first day.
Yes you have, yesterday I could see the concentration on the two elves painted faces as they struggled against you mentally, and the other elves had to switch once more than the previous day. I also believe if you didn't let yourself get so flustered you would make better progress still. Eragon just groaned and accepted what she had said.
They flew high over Belatona, so high Eragon had to cast spells to keep himself warm and breathe easier, and another to enhance his vision so that he could see the layout of the city better. There were only a few large farms around the city, as Belatona was mainly a city of craftsmen, smiths, and artisans, or at least he remembered as much being said by the traders when they came through Carvahall. The citadel was in the center of Belatona, with the outer walls protecting the city in a large circle that abruptly ended at Leona's lake front. The city was built open to the lake to keep from hampering commerce, but they had since built a wooden wall barricade to prevent an attack from the waterfront. They have more forces along the water front to discourage attacking there, if we could draw some of their forces away from the lakeside, we may be able to get a small battalion through before they sounded an alarm. Eragon thought.
Aye, but short of entering the city, we won't draw enough men away, which defeats the purpose. Saphira suggested. As they continued to study the city, Eragon noticed a group of refugees, perhaps forty people, leaving and making their way north and east around the great lake. He looked on this with some relief and disgust. Leaving is probably the best thing for them, but I hate the fact we're forcing people from their homes. He tore his gaze back to the city, trying to find some indication of a weakness in their defenses for nearly an hour. Come on little one, Saphira said, you've seen enough to scry the city later, let's head back.
They arrived back at Feinster with a couple of hours of daylight left, Arya greeted them as they landed and asked about the city, "They seem prepared, mostly, I only estimated seeing about twenty-hundred troops though." Arya cast an inscrutable expression at this. "So few?" She asked.
"Yes," Eragon replied, "but I imagine more will soon arrive by ship, even while we were observing the city two ships of supplies were arriving. I'm sure their numbers will increase before we arrive." Their numbers confused Eragon when he first counted them as well, but upon seeing the ships he arrived at this conclusion. "Well, shall we go inform Nasuada?" To which she nodded, and they began making their way to the castle, while Saphira flew on ahead.
When they arrived, they were admitted by the Nighthawks and greeted by Nasuada, then Eragon gave his report. Nasuada had an expression similar to Arya's at the number of troops, and agreed with Eragon's explanation, but still seemed unnerved by the news. "So the city is ready for us." She started, and after a moment in thought continued, "If we hurried things we could have some forces arrive within a week's time. Certainly Galbatorix realizes this yet, he has so few currently guarding the city, while readying troops and sending them across the lake won't take as much time, it would still be close. This news worries me." They continued to speak about possible explanations and what surprises Galbatorix might have in store at Belatona till dusk. Nasuada told them to return an hour after sunrise for a council on possible strategies for Belatona, and bade them goodnight. At the city gates, Arya took her leave saying, "Rest well, Eragon, and I shall see you in the morning. May the stars watch over you."
"I will, good night to you also." Eragon replied then adding, "It seems we will begin the march again, so soon after taking Feinster." He hesitated slightly before adding, "I just hope we will be able to endure and end this war soon."
She moved closer and put a hand on his arm, and said, "It will not be easy, but we will have each other, and we fight this war for those we love. Isn't that worth enduring?"
"Of course," he quickly replied, "but still, we have to fight many who never asked for this." He thought of the refugees he saw earlier then, "I wish we had a way to avoid those caught between us and him."
She nodded thoughtfully before saying, "Yes, if only those between us could see the goals we all have, they would part ways so we might have our path, then Galbatorix would do best to surrender." She finished with light humor to which Eragon smiled at, and she smiled in kind and said, "Until morning, goodnight." Then she turned and left. He watched her go, the warmth that had blossomed in his chest suddenly turning to a dull ache, and thought, For those I love, I will endure. He continued to stand there lost in thought for a few minutes before Saphira shook him out of it and told him to come and get some rest.
Eragon woke an hour before sunrise to perform the Rimgar, which took about an hour for him to finish, then to bathe and have breakfast before heading to the council Nasuada had called for that morning. He had a large, rectangular mirror from the castle brought into the chamber so he might scry the city and show those present the defenses of Belatona. Nasuada thought this was brilliant and seemed almost abashed for not thinking of it herself sooner, while some of the other leaders present appeared disturbed by this display of magic. They discussed different stratagems involving the city's structure, it's lakeside defenses, the number of occupying troops, and, of course, whether or not they'd face Murtagh and Thorn at Belatona. Eragon had a hard time convincing them it wasn't likely since Thorn was injured at Gil'ead, and it should take at least a month for him to be battle ready again, even with magic. Everyone appeared more relieved and confident after he explained this. A Martland Redbeard then suggested that Galbatorix figured they would use Eragon to scout the city and then scry it later, so the troop numbers were to cause confusion among them and that he would possibly have tenfold there when they arrived in order to crush the Varden, or have a great number strewn through the countryside and ambush them when they approached the city. Eragon hadn't thought of this possibility and it made some sense, after he suggested this theory though, every plan thereafter had taken into account much greater numbers than were likely and caused the meeting to drag on much longer than necessary. After the meeting had finally drawn to a close, Orrin had invited Eragon and Nasuada to a banquet being held for the nobles of his court the next morning, Eragon wanted to politely decline but knew it wouldn't be wise seeing as Orrin has expressed feeling slighted before, so he accepted as did Nasuada. The banquet was being held for those who where staying to help keep the Varden's hold on Feinster, and, as Eragon had expected, he was on display for them to meet and inquire what they thought would be valuable information from him, hints his distress now, and his meditations only seemed to worsen his state. This isn't working. He thought, he took one more breath, going over the techniques to clear his mind as Oromis had taught him, but still wasn't successful. I wish we had more time together. He thought giving up on his meditations and staring off into space, thinking over the time he spent in Ellesméra and learning under Oromis. He took another breath and gazed over his tent, which was pretty bare, as he didn't keep to many possessions and those he had he kept packed and ready for moving, say for what his eyes fell on, the fairth of his mother. He had erected wards to keep it safe from breaking and hung it on his tent pole to give it a personal touch. I wish we had some time together. He thought as he gazed on her. I wonder what you would think of me now.
Very highly, I would imagine. Saphira commented in response to his thoughts.
Thank you. He gratefully replied. He continued to try to figure a way to lighten his mood when he realized there was something that had calmed his mind many times when his cursed back ravaged him, reading. It's better than just sitting here. He thought as he reached under his cot to pull out Domia abr Wyrda, the book Jeod had given him, and let loose the stress clouding his mind as history began to unfold on the pages before him.
He had been reading about the many different theories on the beginnings of Alagaësia for a little over an hour when there was a knock on his tent pole. "Yes?" He asked which one of his guards replied, "A man named Baldor says he needs to speak to you. He said he's from Carvahall."
"Let him in" Eragon replied and put the book aside. Baldor burst through the front tent flap making Eragon jump at his urgency. "Is something wrong?" He asked, but Baldor was out of breath and gasping for air. "Baldor?" He asked again, worriedly.
He looked up at Eragon and said between gasps, "It's mother," he took a couple more breaths and said, "the baby is coming."
"Alright, let's go." Eragon said, and they started heading for Horst's tent.
Okay, so quick question, when I uploaded this, everything italicized got crunched together and I had to go back through and space it out in the editor. Did this happen to anyone else or is it just me?
