Eragon downed his third pitcher of dwarf ale, and already he was starting to feel the dizzying effects of the strong brew. Saphira rested her head next to him, shards of barrels surrounding her drunken self. Eragon had been in a foul mood since the destruction of the only other good dragon rider, Oromir, and his companion Glaedr. Even Arya had taken to staying clear of the bitter rider, finding his company depressing and unappealing. The city of Feinster was much more compliant after the capture of their leader, Lorana, and Eragon was not needed to help keep the peace. He was not needed to help clean up the city, help make weapons, help fortify the walls again. In other words, Eragon and Saphira were, as of this moment, completely useless in their mourning state. He stood angrily, pounding his fists on the stone table and sending spindly cracks shooting in an outward spiral from his impact. Saphira looked up lazily, trying to focus on Eragon but giving up as five of him danced around her vision. Eragon! Eragon... Eragon.. Eragon blinked as his name echoed in the hall. "Hello?" He called out, eyes wary for someone lurking in the corners. "Saphira, did yo hear that?" He asked, a hand resting on her scaly hide for balance. His only response was a thick hiccup from his friend. Still suspicious, Eragon rubbed his eyes and tucked himself into a nook between Saphira's shoulder and neck bone socket, slowly nodding off into a drunken slumber.
A woman stood over the rubble of a battle, the single survivor. Two dragons, black and opaque, stood on either side of her in a threatening pose, eyes blazing with the fire of the battleground. Her long raven hair stirred in the slight breeze, and a black sword stained red was clutched in her delicate hands. Suddenly she stiffened, turned slowly, and Eragon saw an eerie resemblance to someone he couldn't quite remember. Her stern, blood-smeared face with fiercer eyes than even the dragons' flocking her suddenly broke into a smile. "Eragon!" She cried, waving. "Eragon, wake up..." "Wake up, Eragon!" With a start Eragon sat up, cringing when his eyes met the light. "Are you alright? You are an idiot for drinking so much. Both of you." Arya scolded, earning a snarl from Saphira.
Explain what you want before I decide you are a worthy snack. Saphira snapped, shaking her head in agitation. "Nasuada wants to see you. Now." Arya said, ignoring Saphira's comment. Eagon moaned. Great, that was all he needed, more orders from Nasuada.
"Fine." Eragon moaned, straddling Saphira. I'll care you this time, little one, but next time we get hangovers I get to ride you. Eragon chuckled. Deal.
When the pair reached the main hall, where Nasuada had set up her gathering area, mostly so Saphira could fit comfortably, Eragon's seven Elven guardians were present, along with Nasuada. Arya walked in behind Saphira and took a seat at the left of Nasuada, nt to show rank, bt simply because it was the most comfortable chair available, the rest being stone benches. Eragon slipped off Saphira's back, but kept his weight against her haunches less he fall over from his unbalancing headache. "Eragon, thereis someone who claims to know you." Nasuada said firmly. Eragon looked around.
"Where?" He aked finally, seeing no one but eight elves and Nasuada.
"Er, well, There was something off about her. She had the look of an elf, but Blodhgarm was convinced she was not."
"I tried to search her mind, but it was guarded like none that I have ever encountered before. Even more fiercely than the most practiced elf." Blodhgarm finished. Eragon nodded.
"Perhaps she new you were going to search her mind and threw up every defense." Eragon said. Saphira nodded her great head in agreement.
"Yes, that would be logical, if not for her age. This child is no more than ten years old in appearance. However her eyes..." Blodhgarm shuddered, and it was the first time Eragon had ever seen fear in him. "Her eyes spoke of a hard-lived girl. It was he eyes that made me first doubt her intentions to see you. She came from outside the city, wandered in looking for you. Currently she is locked up with the dissagreeable prisoners o the city to see if thy recognize her. So far she has said nothing. She just sits there, smiling." Blodhgarm said.
"So why am I here?" Eragon asked. His foul mood swiftly returning as his hangover dissipitated.
"We can get no information from this girl, and I feel she is more than she appears. I was hoping you would agree to see her, find out what she wants, and perhaps with our combined efforts we can penetrate her mental blockade." Blodhgarm said. Eragon shrugged. Are you sure, little one? It sounds to me like they are just curious and using you to get what they want. Eragon sighed. So what's new? Verbally he said, "Sure, why not?"
When the girl walked in, Eragon stared at her, flashing back to his dream. She was most definately a younger version of the girl in his dream, her raven hair slightly shorter, her eyes the same fierce dark mystery of his dreams. "Hi." She said shyly, a strong voice for such a frail looking child.
Eragon forced smile. "Hi. For such a little kid you sure are causing a lot of trouble. What's your name?" The girl was silent for a moment, and Eragon felt a slight pull at his mind. After a brief hesitation, he let down his guard. Instantly his mind was filled with the excited chatter of the girl, though her voice was much more mature, like the voice in his dream. Calm down. Eragon coaxed, trying to decipher the jumble of information she had given him. My name is Evalin. If you promise to listen to me fully, without judging, then I can tell you why I am here, and who I really am. If you cannot trust me, then all hope for a Galbatorix-free future is lost. Eragon stared at the child standing in front of him, wondering if it was a prank, this child. He decided it couldn't be, and minutes went by as he seriously considered the girl's words. I wil hear you out. He said at last. Evalin smiled and took Eragon's hand, walking him out of the hall without a glance back at the gaping elves and elected Queen.