Inheritance Book II Eldest

Prologue

Tragedy

Part 1. Twin Traitors

Part 2. The Burning of Aberon

Chapters

1. Politics

2. Message From the Grave

3. Roran

Part 1. Daven

Part 2. Plans

4. The Journey

5. Revelation

6. Captive

7. Tarnag

8. The Battle of Aroughs

9. The Spine

10. The Az Ragni River

11. DuWeldenvarden

Part 1. The Elves

Part 2. The Call of Silthrim

12. The Path to Ellesmera

13. Queen Islanzadi

14. Nausada

Part 1. King Orrin

Part 2. Golden Lace

15. Glaedr and Oromis

16. Elva

17. Training

Part 1. To Listen

Part 2. Sword of Opposition

18. Narda

19. Rhunon

20. Image of Perfection

21. Pain

22. Teirm

23. Jeod Longshanks

24. Agaetí Blödhren

25. Shield

26. Eragon

27. Gathering Storm

28. Flight of the Blue Dragon

Part 1. Riddles and Sand

Part 2. The Horror of Aberon

29. Murtagh

30. Renewed Hope

31. Elva's Council

32. Trianna

33. Battle of the Burning Plains

Part 1. Beheaded

Part 2. Clash

34. Reinforcements

35. The Red Rider

Prologue

Part 1. Twin Traitors

The smell of death still lingered in the air, but now it was mixed with the stench of burning Urgal flesh. Eragon looked from one burning mound of bodies to the next. Three in all and the Dwarves and Varden were building a forth mound. The whales of women over the deaths of loved ones who fought in the battle also filled the air. At times Eragon wished he could drown them out.

("Whoever weaves the great stories of honorable warriors and battle need to have their tongues pulled out…") Eragon says to Saphira who trails at his side.

("It was a good battle for me at least…I am a Dragon all my life is about life and death…Take comfort in the fact that you aided in stopping Galbatorix's plan to destroy the Dwarves and the Varden…")

As they walk people pass by and say hail Shadeslayer. Eragon had also gained a friend in Orick whose life he saved. After a mile Jormunder Ajihad's right hand came up and bowed, 'Shadeslayer Ajihad is returning and he wants you and Saphira to meet him…"

Eragon signals Jormunder to lead the way and he quietly follows. They are a quarter of a mile from the cave where Ajihad will emerge. ("I see him!") Saphira says to Eragon. Eragon relays her words and they quicken their pace. As they get closer something weird happens and from a cloud of smoke Eragon sees Urgals appear and two of Ajihad's guards become the Twins. There is a flash of light as Saphira leaps into the air.

When Eragon and Jormunder arrive the spellcaster that had been with Ajihad is dead and several dead Urgals lay beside the rest of Ajihad's guards. Ajihad himself is gone along with the twins. Jormunder falls to his knees roaring into the air. Soon they are joined by Arya, Angela, Solembum, Orrick, and Trianna. Jormunder stands up and looks at Arya, "Could you and Angela along with Eragon scan the minds of every human member of the Varden including the Du Vrang Gata…If there are more spies we need to find them…"

"Saphira would like to search above ground for the Twins…" Eragon says.

"If she likes…" Jormunder replies, "Orrick can you ask Hrothgar to organize a search party…Leave no stone unturned."

Over the next few days Eragon, Arya, Angela, and Solembum searched the minds of the Du Vrangr Gata. When they were found innocent they were allowed to search minds as well. Meanwhile Jormunder and Hrothgar lead the search through the tunnels for the Twins and Ajihad who was kidnapped. After two weeks of looking they find nothing. Reluctantly Ajihad calls for a meeting of the high council to choose the next leader of the Varden.

Part 2. The Burning of Aberon

Urubaen

Galbatorix was furious, Durza was dead and his plan to weaken the Urgals had worked, but the Varden and Dwarves had won a major victory. Eragon and his Dragon Saphira were still on the loose and he could not afford them to complete their training. Murtagh and Thorn were in the throne room and were joined by the Razac.

"I have a group of handpicked soldiers waiting in the courtyard…The two of you will lead them to Therinsford and bring me this Roran…I want him alive and unharmed…Now go and do not fail me!" They bow and leave through a secret passage. Then he looks at Murtagh, "Vertau Sin'Ji Hauth and Elbashen Dartu …Go to the city of Aberon capital of Surda and burn it to the ground…" Murtagh salutes and leaves through the Dragonhold. They fly into the sky and head south. They stop in Furnost to rest and leave the next day.

Aberon

Surda, the small country was founded by Brom and ruled by the House of Larkin a cadet branch of King Abernost's family. Surda was formed after the Riders fell and has existed most of Galbatorix's reign. The citizens of Surda lived in constant fear that Galbatorix would invade them with his massive armies. It was only through unseen forces that he hadn't and the fact that Galbatorix wanted to use it to draw all his enemies together.

The city of Aberon was the capital of Surda. King Larkin the Second ruled Surda. He had one son Orrin who was as much of a dreamer as he was a good leader. And despite his immaturity his father believed he would be a good ruler one day. The sun was just rising and the capital was coming to life with bakers making fresh bread, stores opening, and the city guard was changing.

"Where is my son?" Larkin demanded with his advisors and aids following him up the hall.

"He has gone on patrol with Captain Lawson sir…"

He stopped, "More Urgals?"

"No milord…But we did spot a small band of Galbatorix's soldiers close to the boarder…"

Before breakfast every morning Larkin would meet with his advisors on the state of his country. As the meeting got under way the castle guard had just been changed when a gust of wind kicked up near the north tower.

THUD

"What was that?" The guard asked to the other man on the wall.

Before he could answer the roar of a great beast filled the air and both men were roasted alive in a shower of flames from Thorn's mouth. People ran and screamed as the red Dragon with a Silver armored Rider on his back looped up and around to dive on the wall again. As the west wall was set ablaze Murtagh pointed his hand at the tower. A ball of ruby red energy flew from his palm and struck the middle of the tower. It exploded in half and fell over to the side killing dozens of men.

Archers uselessly fired arrows into the air. As Thorn destroyed the last Dragon tower. Thorn stopped in the air and began flapping his wings as Murtagh recited a lengthy spell. The wind Thorn produced became a tornado because of Murtagh's spell. When the tornado touched down the unnatural weather anomaly ripped up the ground, tossed men like they were nothing and it destroyed homes.

Thorn swoops down on the fortress again unleashing fire from his mouth. "Sadar Skulbulba Garjla Brisinger Dathka…" As the burning curse consumed the casle Murtagh and Throne flew off to the North.

The smoke from Borromeo Castle could be seen in the distance as Prince Orrin leads his men across the countryside. He gasps and urges his horse into a gallop towards the city. When he arrived survivors were throwing water on the flames that would not go out. "My King no!" the Captain said holding Orrin back.

"My father!"

"Is dead!" They stare into each other's eyes, "You cannot help him…" The man steps back and drops to one knee. "You are king now. HAIL KING ORRIN!"

Everyone in ear shot drops to one knee, "HAIL KING ORRIN OF SURDA!"

Orrin wipes the tears from his eyes, "Commander Denner!"

He salutes, "My lord!"

"Send word to the Varden and tell them what has happened…Then send word to all nobles and people in my domain…Every able bodied man from sixteen and up…Their King marches on Aroughs…I need men to dig out the bodies of my Father and mother!"

Chapter 1. Politics

A week had passed since Ajihad was kidnapped by the twins. The Varden was an ant hill that had been kicked over by the traitors. Eragon sat alone in the kitchens picking at his food and missing his mother. Saphira kept a close eye on him as he was bound to suffer from the curse Durza inflicted on him. The last one was very bad and she was grateful that he was alone in his room when it happened. Eragon hadn't spoken in two days and it was starting to worry Saphira.

She beamed inside when he touched her mind, ("Who do you think is the best choice to replace Ajihad as leader of the Varden?")

She snorted smoke from her nostrils, ("Jormunder! Maybe…You wield much power as the hero of the battle of Farthendur…The Dwarves will not be ignored in this…They will want someone they can influence…So will this council…Whoever is chosen will want and need our support…")

Eragon nodded in agreement, ("Maybe we should make the first move and summon the Council of Elders together…")

That is when Saphira growled trying to scare someone away. Eragon ignored the exchange as usual. ("Eragon there is someone here to see you and I cannot scare him away…")

Eragon looks up to see a young boy of 14 maybe nervously looking at Saphira for slightest hint that he should run if she decided he was a snack. Eragon smiled to keep from laughing, "What's your name?"

The boy jumped and looked at Eragon, "Um…Uh…Its Jarsha sir…" He replied nervously returning his attention to Saphira.

"Come here Jarsha, Saphira won't harm you…Unless you are an assassin…You're not an assassin are you?"

"No sir!"

"Then come closer…"

He cautiously walked up and stood next to Eragon, "I was sent sir by the council of Elders they wish to speak with you…"

Eragon looks at Saphira, "About what?"

"I wasn't told sir…"

Saphira touches his mind, ("Eragon! You cannot allow the council of Elders to think that they can summon you at will…You are a Dragon Rider…Remember your mother's words…")

He smiles, ("I do Saphira! I remember everything she taught me…") Eragon looks at Jarsha, "Return to the council and tell them that I will meet with them on tomorrow…At sunrise…"

Jarsha stood there gasping like a fish, "Y…e…ee…yes…sir…"

Eragon smiles, "You carried your message well young Jarsha…I will wait here for a reply…"

Four hours passed before Jarsha returned, "They agreed sir and will see you at sunrise tomorrow…"

The next day Jarsha came and showed Eragon and Saphira to the council chambers. Jormunder was there waiting along with Trianna the new leader of the Du Vrang Gata. Over the next two hours the other members arrived at different intervals. There was the two females Sabrae and Elessari. Sabrae was a stout voluptuous woman her cleavage on display for all to see and enough jewelry to feed all of Palacar Valley for five years. Elessari was more conservative with her fancy dress and snobbish heir of right. Then there was the two men Umerth and Falberd. Umerth had a ring on each finger and a heavy money belt on his waist. From what Eragon mentally gathered he liked money and lots of it. He also liked to eat from his size. Last there was Falberd a skin flint if Eragon ever saw one and he had seen many among the traders that came to Carvahal. Brom had taught Eragon how to recognize a con man on sight. Despite their differing abilities to keep Eragon out of their minds Eragon could still slip past their defenses and glean some information. Selene taught him to use their emotions to get inside an opponent's head. Eragon determined this by the way they spoke and dressed.

"Atra nosu waíse vardo fra eld hórnya…"Trianna said before the meeting started and walked out.

"Thank you Shadeslayer for taking the time to meet with us…" Jormunder said. "As you know Ajihad was taken by the twins…The Varden needs a new leader and we asked you here to endorse our choice for leadership…"

Eragon smiled inside, it was time to play the game of words as his mother taught him, "Why do you need my support?"

Falberd cleared his throat, "Well you are the hero of the Battle of Farthendur…The Dwarves would want someone they can manipulate…And the Elves well Queen Islanzadi doesn't have a say as she cut off all contact…If you endorse our choice there will be no objections from the Dwarves or the Elves…"

"And who do you have in mind?"

"Nausada of course!" Sabrae said in her seductive tone of voice.

("They think the offspring of Ajihad is weak and can be easily manipulated…") Saphira said. ("She is not…The girl has a fire in her that will consume them…")

("How do you know?") Eragon asked.

("I am a hunter dear one…And a hunter recognizes a hunter when she sees one and I see one in Ajihad's daughter…And remember she disobeyed her father's orders and disguised herself as an archer…")

Eragon patted her on the side, ("We shall see!") Eragon smiles, "Why not Jormunder? Ajihad did say that he is his right hand…"

The Council members squirmed as Jormunder answered, "That would be unwise of me to promote myself above the others…And when Ajihad said that he was referring to matters of the military forces…"

"You could resign and appoint someone else…"

Jormunder smile, "I could Shadeslayer, but I prefer the sword and action to political power…"

Eragon sat back and looked at each council member, "Then perhaps I should take command…"

"That would be unwise!" Falberd said in a threatening voice.

Jormunder places his hand on his shoulder, "We have considered you Shadeslayer, but you are a Rider and of what I know of Riders they do not age…And the Elves will not sit still for it…"

"I know…I just wanted to see where your minds were on the subject…" Eragon sighs and asks Saphira a question, "Very well I will endorse Nausada as leader of the Varden…"

"Good!" Jormunder bellows.

That is when he is cut off by Falberd, "One other thing Shadeslayer…We were wondering if you would swear fealty to the Council…We only ask because…"

Eragon raised his hand cutting him off, "Really fealty…The Riders of old were beholden to no one…They served all the people and races of Alagaesia…A tradition I intend to uphold…"

For the first time in the meeting Elessari spoke up, "See things from our point of view Shadeslayer…If you go to the Elves there will be opposition as they always wanted the egg to hatch for an Elf…If you swear fealty to us the Elves will see it as an act of good faith on your part…And they will be less inclined to force you to swear an oath to them…"

Eragon leans his head on his hand, "Whatever awaits me in Ellesmera…will not force me to make any oaths of fealty…"

They press him with fine words, subtle threats, and even rewards and benefits of swearing fealty, but Eragon retains his resolve. "Perhaps it is time we summoned Lady Nausada and Lady Arya…" A few minutes later Arya arrived first giving Eragon and everyone in the room a stern look of disapproval. Then Nausada arrives.

"Yes…" Nausada says after they tell her why they asked for her presence, "I would be honored to serve the Varden and continue my father's work…" As they were explaining to Nausada, Eragon asked Saphira to tell Arya what occurred.

("Arya will speak with you afterwards…") Saphira said.

"We will do all in power to try and rescue Ajihad…" Falberd assured.

"My father…" Nausada said interrupting, "Would not want anyone to throw away their lives needlessly to rescue him…There are far more things at stake here…" She said in an authoritative voice.

"Of course…" Jormunder said cutting off Falberd.

"Is there anything else…" Nausada asks.

"No milady…" Jormunder says.

"Then please leave me I have many plans to make of my own if I am to lead the Varden…"

("Told you!") Saphira says in private to Eragon who smiles at the indignant faces of the Falberd, Sabrae, Elessari, and Umerth of being dismissed.

Even Arya cracks a smile, "Of course milady…We live to serve…" Jormunder said in a diplomatic tone, "We shall see to all the arrangements for the coronation."

"Shadeslayer will you stay please!" Nausada says as everyone starts to leave the council chamber. Some of them pause wanting to know what Nausada wanted with Eragon. Even Arya hesitates and is the last to leave.

Nausada sighs and slumps in her chair, "Politics!"

Eragon smiles, "I think I would rather face a legion of Kull…" Then he feels Trianna's spell end, Atra nosu waíse vardo fra eld hórnya...Triana ended her spell but I placed another so we can still talk freely…"

"Freedom! No one is ever truly free…" Silence and they stare at each other for a few seconds, "So Shadeslayer we meet again…"

"Aye!" Eragon sighs, "I am sorry I wasn't fast enough to save your father…I should have known it was those twins…"

"No need to apologize to me…My father still lives for now…If the gods see fit I will see him again…" Eragon wipes away a tear thinking on his father and mother, "I am sorry for your loss…I wish I had met your father Brom…My father spoke very highly of him…And Selene…Well I tried to help her ferret out the spies…She was a strong woman…I hope to be half of what she was…"

Eragon smiles as Saphira walks around the table, ("Tell her she is her father's daughter…And that when I look into her eyes I see a kindred spirit…She must be a strong leader if the Varden are to survive…")

Nausada laughs after Eragon relays Saphira's words, "Strong Leader, but I am to be a figure head if the Elders have their way…"

This shocks Eragon, "You knew!"

"Of course I did! My father has been training me ever since I could walk and talk to take his place as leader of the Varden…"

"You won't let them control you will you?"

"No way no how…After my coronation I will be leader of the Varden and you will go to the Elves to train as agreed upon…"

Eragon smiles and touches Saphira's mind, ("She will make a great leader…")

("Yes and with your endorsement she will be powerful…")

Eragon sighs, ("Even with my endorsement the Elders will still challenge her…I have an idea if you agree…") Saphira agrees and Eragon stands up drawing his sword Unbitr. Nausada doesn't move, but she does slip her hand under the table as Eragon walks around. He drops to one knee, "Nausada…Daughter of Ajihad…You have shown great kindness towards me and Saphira…As such…" He offers her his sword hilt first. "I pledge you my fealty and service until death take me or you release me from my vow…"

Nausada couldn't believe it and hesitantly took his sword, "I…uh…I accept your vow Eragon Shadeslayer…Rise as my vassal…"

He obeyed and took back his sword, "I swore fealty because the council asked me for it to gain power over you…Now my fealty combined with my endorsement gives you great power…No one would dare challenge you now…"

Nausada laughs, "You are a quick student of the game of politics…I will make note to not underestimate you…Will you swear before the Varden at my coronation?"

Eragon smiles, "Absolutely…"

"Go now Eragon and get ready to leave for Ellesmera for after the Coronation you will leave…"

Eragon bows and leaves with Saphira trailing behind, ("So what did Arya want?" Eragon asked as they walk up the hallway.

("You will see.")

("Saphira please…At least tell me if she is angry…")

("We have never dealt with an Elf in regards to politics…You outmaneuvered the Elders lets see how you fare against an angry Elf…")

Eragon grunts, ("Thanks a lot…")

He finds Arya by the bridge alone, "What have you done?"
"I am sorry I don't know what you mean?"

"For seventy-five years I have been an emissary of my people to the Varden, The Dwarves, and Surda…" Eragon gasped when she said that and wondered how old she was. "Great joy filled our hearts when Brom your father stole Saphira's egg from Galbatorix…And how I am rewarded? I find you planning and scheming with the Elders to control Nausada… WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!"

She said the last part projecting her thoughts. Eragon's anger started to rise, ("Be careful!") Saphira says, ("Think before you speak…")

"I don't know you…I would like to…I hoped we could be friends…You don't know me…I have fought a Shade and was fathered by a Dragon Rider…Trained and lectured by Selene the Black Hand…do you hate Galabtorix…No humans so much that you would think I would plan and scheme with the Elders against Nausada…"

Arya raised an eyebrow and sighed, "Forgive me for the way I approached you…"

"I am young, but no fool…" She listened as he explained what transpired before and after.

She nodded in approval, "Well…You are wise beyond your years…" She looks at Saphira, "You gave fealty with a purpose…Nausada will be able to bring the Elders in line with that kind of support…But do not forget Eragon that it is through Elven magic you are a Rider…"

"It is branded on my hand Arya and in my mind…"

Just then Orick walks up, "There you are…Shadeslayer…Hrothgar wishes a word…"

Eragon sighs, "More politics!" It was the good kind as Hrothgar praised Eragon for killing the Shade. When he learned how Eragon outmaneuvered the council of Elders Hrothgar laughed a belly laugh that echoed through the throne room.

"Perhaps I should place you and Saphira on my council…" Hrothgar said. Then he grew serious at the mentioning of the star sapphire. It was Saphira who shocked both Eragon and Hrothgar by offering to repair the fabled heart of Tronjheim. Hrothgar stood up, walked up to Saphira and did what no Dwarf in the history of the world ever did, he bowed to Saphira and kissed her clawed feet. Then he warned them both to never tell another living Dwarf what he did. News quickly spread and a joyous celebration broke out throughout all of Tronjheim.

The next day the Coronation was held in the underground amphitheater. The gathered people roared Nausada's name when Eragon endorsed her. Then it grew quiet when he drew his sword and dropped to one knee. Through Saphira he could see the faces of the Elders. They were enraged as he swore fealty to Nausada. Jormunder smiled like the cat who swallowed the canary.