Straight Disclaimer: I DO NOT own any of these ideas aside from some character and not even those are truly mine for they were created by me for this book which is not my idea. Just for reiteration… Not mine. Some Oc's. Enjoy, Rate and Review. I appreciate honesty because that's the best kind of criticism.
Quit fidgeting! Thought Durok sharply.
The large Granite dragon ruffled his wings once more before replying to him with his baritone thoughts. You would fidget also if you had to remained hunched over as I have.
Lie down then. Durok suggested.
Durok smiled as he felt the dragons distaste and displeasure at the prospects dirty his scales after spending the morning meticulously cleaning each and everyone. A displeasure the dragon soon voiced.
And dirty my scales? I think not.
Durok felt the dragon staring and turned to meet his gaze full on. He felt a rush of hot air ruffle his hair. The Dragon ruffled his wings once more and settled on his stomach on the floor stretching all the way out and almost brushing his hand.
There, was that so hard Knurlnien? Thought Durok reaching out and rubbing his snout. Knurlniens low rumbles filled the corridor.
Durok began to feel uneasy as he leaned there next to throne room doors. I wonder what grimstnzborith Orik wants. You haven't been eating the Feldunost again have you?
No thought Knurlnien. They are too hairy, all that wool gets caught in my teeth.
As Durok continued to think they both became aware of a low clacking sound. Ahhh… that must be Galdhiem and Delva.
I wonder what it was that deterred them from being on time. Replied Knurlnien.
I am sure they will share if we need to know. Durok said silently. I wonder if they know what Orik wants.
Knurlnien cared not for what the Dwarf-king-Orik wanted with him, or his partner-of-his-heart-and-mind. Only that they were safe, alive, and more importantly together. As Durok's discomfort continued to grow however, he sent him reassuring feelings, soothing his agitated thoughts.
Durok turned and smiled, thank you friend. Knurlnien lowered his head and resumed his humming.
It wasn't long before Galdhiem and Delva came into view, when Galdhiem rounded the corner Knurlnien raised his head and loosed a resounding roar that echoed throughout Farthen Dur. A few seconds later Galdhiem responded in kind.
When they were at last face to face Durok greeted Delva even as Knurlnien and Galdhiem greeted each other.
Durok placed the first two fingers of his right hand upon his lips and greeted her in the ancient language.
"Atra esterni ono thelduin, Delva Shur'tugal."
"Atra du evarinya ono varda, Durok-finiarel" she replied in kind.
Durok and Delva took turns initiating the greeting whenever they met, this way neither felt lesser or unimportant to the other. They were truly equals.
"Have you been waiting out here long?" She asked gazing at the closed doors next to them.
"No, not long. Now that you are here I imagine that we will gain audience much quicker."
He turned and began scratching the scales just behind Knurlniens horns.
Before either of them had the chance to carry on the conversation, the doors opened and a reader of the law stepped forth to greet them.
"Grimstnzborith Orik will see you now."
Durok waited for Knurlnien to rise while Delva and Galdhiem entered. The four of them quietly walked to the center of the room and stood upon the Heart of Stone. Orik was absent from the throne however, Durok took the time to examine the room and its occupants.
The readers of the law stood off to one side, gathered around there table piles with scrolls. Delva was humming a tune and slowly rocking in place. Duroks eyes finally settled on her dragon, Galdhiem.
Galdhiem was a magnificent beast, he back and wings were the color of pure gold freshly forged, bright shiny. His underbelly and paws were a lighter shade of fiery gold, like leaves in the autumn. His eyes were a bright green that demanded attention. His spikes were black which added an extra measure of ferocity to the dragons presence.
Knurlnien in Duroks eyes was a complete contrast to Galdhiem. Knurlnien was a gray color, his scales were a deep inky color that made him look plated in large sheets of metal. Knurlnien had no difference in color, his underbelly and body was a solid mass of color. His eyes were reminiscent of a forge in full swing, a deep red with bits of fiery orange tinged throughout.
Knurlniens ivory teeth and talons marked him a formidable foe indeed.
"Nal, Argetlams" Orik intoned entering the chambers form a door on the right. "How have you been keeping?"
"Delva, I hear you have been repelling advancing Kull from the South. Durok, you have been on official business subduing rebel magicians in the empire. Can you discuss the doings of their magic that caused concern?"
"I believe I have found and eradicated the last of the remaining priests of Helgrind. Rumor tells they were attempting to summon a shade so as to better locate the Ra'Zac. However Knurlnien and I were able to slay them before they completed their spell." He finished feeling a sense of pride for himself ans his partner-of-his-heart-and-mind.
"This is most troubling news indeed. Was their anything unusual about this encounter?" Orik asked him.
Durok though for a moment "I believe their were also Urgals present… Red Urgals Grimstnzborith."
"Hmmm..." The king leaned back kin his throne, running his hand through his beard.
"Delva, what is your report?"
"The Kull are advancing from the South, though they have been deterred for the time being. We closed off all the northern passes and most of the South Eastern passes as well. These Kull are peculiar though, they are more level headed and calm during battle. Another noticeable difference is their skin which is red, versus Nar Garzhvog gray skinned rams."
Orik sat in silence and thought for a moment, the dwarf king had changed much since Eragons absence from Alagaesia. His beard was now home to a number of grayish white hairs and his face had become deeply lined. Durok could also see that the king took great pleasure in his job, for even though his face was lined his posture on the throne was rigid and alert. His face also had deep lines of mirth and cheer, even though he now sat looking serious. A number of moments passed before he spoke through clenched teeth.
"Brazul" It was barely a whisper barely audible to the dragons, Durok was sure he only heard it through the link him and Knurlnien shared. The Dwarf king sat up straighter and looked down on the both of them and spoke again, this time in a carrying, and commanding voice.
"Listen, and listen well. If what I believe is happening, is indeed happening then Alagaesia is no longer safe for you, or your dragons. The timing of these event however could not have been more fortunate, for today you leave Tronjheim. Yours and the other riders dragons are large enough to traverse long distances. Therefore it is time to seek out your kin in the east, you must seek out Eragon Shadeslayer and the other dragons."
Durok and Delva were speechless at this announcement, equally the dragons were just as shocked. The king took advantage of their silence to continue.
"You and Delva are to travel to the spine and meet up with the other riders to depart. The earl of Palancar Valley is familiar with dragons so you will find your stay more than comfortable." he had added this last part to the dragons.
"Who is this earl?" demanded Delva sounding defiant.
"Roran Stronghammer, Bane of the Ra'zac, Hero of Auroughs, and He who slew nigh on Two Hundred soldiers. Mine fosters kin." Roran concluded looking at her.
Delva had remained impassive until the end, when her eyebrows rose upon hearing his feats, and when her mouth parted slightly when he revealed their relation.
"Hasn't his daughter-" began Delva but the king cut her off.
"Yes, she has, and that is exactly why you are all heading there. You will meet up with the Urgal riders in Dras-Leona and continue to Palancar Valley."
Both Durok and Delva had opened their mouths at this outrage. Meet up with the Urgal riders? The very though disgusted Durok. He had never personally lost someone to an Urgal, but he, like all dwarf children had heard of their deeds.
The fact that they had sided with the Varden in the Rider war helped lessen their statuses as mindless killing brutes. But only a little. He could feel Knurlniens displeasure at him judging someone he never even knew so harshly, but it was mind boggling that anyone could ask this of him.
Ahh, but you are the only ones they could ask. Interjected Knurlnien.
The other human and elven riders are sure to distrust them immensely, if they were to approach with dwarves as their companions. It would make things all that much easier.
Or we could kill each other before we even arrive in the Spine Durok fumed.
Orik let them leave soon after that and Durok and Knurlnien lingered in the hall to allow Delva and Galdhiem to catch up.
"What do you think?" She asked seriously.
"About what?" He replied, trying to avoid the issue.
"About us meeting up with the Urgal riders? What do you think?" She persisted grabbing his upper arm and forcing him to stop. "Durok, talk to me." She pleaded.
"What do you think I think? I think they're despicable creatures. Less, I think we're fools to comply to this order and that we'll kill each other well before we reach the spine." Durok spat angrily.
Delva looked at him seriously. "You don't believe that. To believe that means you doubt Eragon and Saphira's decision. They saw something worthy in the Urgals during the war. Perhaps you will also."
She released his arm and stepped back.
"Galdhiem and I shall be ready to depart within the hour. We will meet you a Knurlnien in the center or Farthen Dur and we shall depart."
"Sounds good" he replied trying to sound cheerful. It seemed to work, her eyes softened just a bit before turning away.
Do not fret little one. I will keep you safe, and I would trust any of my flesh and blood not to do you harm. No matter who they be beholden to. And may hap Delva is correct and these Urgals are great riders. Dragons are not fooled easily. With that the dragons grinding voice retreated from Duroks mind.
Durok and Knurlnien met Delva and Galdhiem at the center of the city, not far from the Isidar Mithrim. The market bustled with hundreds of bodies, and for the first time in decades not only dwarfs roamed these hall. Humans from both the Empire and Surda were present in the mountain both for trading and the mining of precious jewels. Like wise, many dwarves and humans had traveled to the elves forests and many elves to their each respective homelands. Alagaesia was once again a land at peace and united.
All of them parted and gave the dragons and riders room to stand and pack their saddles. Suddenly the crowd was parted and King Orik strode forward and beckoned to the two rides.
When they were close enough he spoke. "Delva you have your Huthvir correct?" She nodded in consent. "And Durok you have your hammer correct?"
"Yes, Grimstnzborith." Durok replied.
Orik thought for a moment. Then reached for Volund strapped to his waist and held it out for Durok to take. "Orik… Are you sure? Absolutely sure about this?" Durok asked, too shocked to even use the proper honorific. Orik looked him in the eyes.
"Volund was forged by Korgan, fist grimstnzborith of the Dwarfs. It was forged with techniques taught to him by the Elf Rhunon, the greatest smith to walk Alagaesia. This hammer was forged with the last of the remaining brightsteel used in making the first rider swords. It was forged to honor Korgan taking power and uniting the clans. He was first if the Ingeitum clan to rule and you are the first of the Ingeitum clan to become a rider. It is fitting that this hammer should belong to you."
Without further ceremony Orik placed Volund in hid hands and relieved him of him hammer. Volund was heavy but no heavier than his hand. It felt like a weapon should, where his own hammer had been lighter he had often found it wearing and his wards being exhausted from his combat. But with Volund he could no longer worry, it would act as a riders sword. It was impervious to most spells and magics, it would never break nor dull. It was a magnificent piece of work, to be wielded with reverence and respect.
Knurlniens head rose over the Durok and touched Orik on the brow. Thank you, Dwarf-king-Orik. I cannot tell you how much this means to my rider.
Orik stepped back and gestured before saying, "and for you and Galdhiem, we have the finest dragon armor we could fashion. It is true that we have fashioned armor for all the riders dragons, these are the best. We hope they serve you well."
With that Orik and his entourage departed and they packed their armor. Delva looked at Durok and their surroundings once more. The twilight city looked beautiful, the lanterns flickering all through the city.
The dragons let out mighty roars and opened their wings, eager to be off and in the air. Delva ran up Galdhiems foreleg and strapped her self in. While Durok sat and waited patiently atop Knurlnien.
Durok felt Knurlniens legs tense as he jumped, he grabbed the spike just in front of him to held himself steady. The dragons began gaining altitude and began circling each other roaring happily. When Knurlnien and Galdhiem circled each other he could see Delva doing the same thing.
Over the sounds of the dragons wings he could hear the dwarves of Farthen Dur shouting farewells and wishes of luck from it's various inhabitants. The dragons circled one last time before heading straight up and out of the hole in the city's roof. The dragons angled themselves North West and flew quick for Dras-Leona, and quickly towards their new companions.