Authors note :
Hello people. This is my first story. I have already poste dit on Shurtugal, but I wanted to see how well it would do here. Please review with your ideas and stuff. Even if they are to make fun of me.
By the way. The first few chapters are bad, but they get better by like, the fourth one.
A slight breeze brushed against his skin. The scent of burning flesh being carried with it. Filling his nostrils. Nauseating him. Tears welled up in his eyes.
Murtagh my brother. Morzan my father. How can this be?
Eragon was standing alone the morning of the burning plains. He was at the place where he fought the Red Rider. His friend. His Brother.
Saphira's voice filled his head Are you still moping about what happened yesterday. Did you not promise me that you would stop?
I'm sorry Saphira" cried Eragon I just can't get it out of my mind. How can I just live my life normally while I know who and what my father is. I've spent my whole life wanting to know who sired me and now that I know...
You wish you never did murmured Saphira.
That's not all Saphira. I also now know that my mother is forever gone. I have no chance of ever meeting her. My whole life I have waited and dreamed about seeing her. I have always wanted to know why she had to leave. I never got the chance to tell her I loved her.
Tears started to well up in his eyes.
Eragon, you and I are the same. We are both orphans. Besides, it's not all bad. You might meet your mother one day.
What!! Yelled Eragon.
What are you talking about? Are you trying to make me feel worse than I already am?
ERAGON!! Do you really think that I would do that to you? Roared Saphira. Think back to Teirm. What did Solembum tell you?
He thought back to the time in Angela's shop to when Solembum had told him two things.
"When the time comes and you need a weapon, look under the roots of the Menoa tree. Then, when all seems lost and you power is insufficient, go to the Rock of Kuthian and speak your name to open the...
The vault of souls! Eragon gasped. But what do you know about it.
I know as much as you. she sniffed But I have my own theory on what it is.
And that is...
I believe that the vault of souls is where souls go when they die. Spirits. We know that spirits have power. That's proven by sorcerers and shades. I believe that once the vault has been opened the one who opened it not only has access to their power but also the knowledge of every being that has lived.
So you think that if I open the vault I would be able to contact the dead. Eragon's eyes were as wide as plates when he said this.
I don't know. It is just a theory. We can ask Oromis and Glaedr when we go back to Ellesmera.
Yes. They would know what it is. But I guess I have to forget about it for awhile. I have to heal Elva and save Katrina from the Ra'zac.
That is right. Snorted Saphira. Leave the past behind and look to what the future will bring. The more you dwell on it the worse it will become.
I know. It just needed too do this one last time. Eragon held his head high. I have accepted the facts and will use it to my advantage. Morzan, although cruel, succeeded in doing the impossible. He was powerful. And as his seed I have inherited his prowess. I will not be ashamed by my sire. I will inform the men about my secret.
Saphira swung her head around to face him. Are you sure that is a good idea?
Eragon lifted his head up high. With determination in his eyes he said, it would be worse if they heard it from anyone else. They trust me and would follow me to death if I told them to. I know that Galbatorix is going to try to spread the word as far and wide as possible. He will try to create anarchy in the Varden.
Saphira rustled her wings. What if Galbatorix doesn't spread the word? He hasn't yet. He would not want anyone within the empire to know that his best friend's son is fighting for the Varden against him. He knows that will create anarchy within his ranks.
Then, he began to say slowly, we will tell everyone ourselves. Not only would the troops of the Varden know and accept, for they will eventually, but we might be able to create uncertainties within the people of the empire. Like you said yourself, it could start anarchy in his kingdom which would help us directly.
Eragon, Saphira started as a note of pride entered her voice, you have come a long way. You speak wisdom that I would expect from Oromis. Maybe we still have a chance after all.
He looked up into those giant sapphire eyes and showed his gratitude for her words by hugging her tightly around her neck.
Thank you Saphira, he told her as she hummed deeply.
Now it is time to inform Nasuada about your plan.
No. Not yet. But after I heal Elva. I also want the twelve elves here just incase.
Saphira crouched down low. Then let us go to Angela's tent
As he climbed onto her back he said, Do you think we are doing the right thing?
She jumped high into the sky with two powerful thrusts from her wings.
If it wasn't the right thing do you really think we would be here right now?
Probably not. sighed Eragon. I just wanted to make sure.
Of course. Snorted Saphira. Now stop making my scales itch and enjoy the flight or I'll throw you off.
I love you too.
As he sailed over the burning plains he could not stop the anger that welled deep inside him. Bodies were skewed left and right, most of them mangled beyond recognition by the crows feasting upon them. The corpses not damaged beyond repair were staring out into the oblivion. Every one of them seemed to look into his soul while he flew passed and accuse him.
It is not your fault little one.
I know. But it does not stop me from caring.
Nor should it, snorted Saphira. The tents are close. Do you still want to go see Elva?
Yes. But first I want to inform Nasuada that I will try to be healing her.
Why. You do not have to tell her. It is a personal problem that involves only you, me, and Elva.
I know. Nasuada knows this. But I will inform her so she will have more trust in me. Then maybe it will help in my argument to go to Helgrind.
True. There is your nest mate below.
Land. We can walk the rest of the way with him.
Roran was standing alone in the middle of a group of tents that he had not seen before. It wasn't until he felt the minds of the people around him that he realized that this was the villagers of Carvahall that had arrived only the day before during the battle.
As he landed the villagers came out of their tents and started at Saphira's and him in awe.
"Eragon" began Roran "How are you. We must speak soon"
"I am fine as is Saphira. We do need to speak and that is why I am here now. Will you accompany me to Lady Nasuada's tent?"
"Of course I would."
"Then let us walk."
"When are we going to go to Helgrind? Time is running out"
"I have a few things to take care of first. Then I must ask Nasuada for permission"
At seeing Roran's quizzical look he elaborated
"Months ago, after I defeated Durza, I swore my allegiance to Nasuada when she was chosen to lead the Varden after her fathers death" he paused "I cannot do anything without informing her first."
"So we are going to inform her now?"
"No" he stopped walking and looked deep into his cousins eyes "you must understand, I cannot do what I want. I have responsibilities that I cannot ignore. Can you understand that?"
Roran slowly nodded.
"Good"
As they continued to walk Roran spoke up again
"So what are we going to be doing at the Varden leader's tent?"
"I will be informing her that I am going to attempt to heal Elva."
"Elva?"
"You will not understand until you see for yourself."
"Which is going to be now?"
He sighed and turned around slowly to see Angela standing behind them. She was cracking her knuckles menacingly with a look of anger glinting in her eyes.
"Do riders not keep there word" she started "The battle has been decided and you have still not healed Elva. What nonsense is that you sickle celled blockhead"
Roran stood there gaping between Angela and him.
"Angela, I was on my way now to inform Nasuada that I am going to try to heal Elva."
"Oh..."
"That is an understatement" said Roran, the beginnings of a grin forming
Eragon smiled.
"Well then I shall be waiting for you in my tent. If you take too long I will come find you myself."
"I will not keep you waiting"
Saphira snorted, Wasn't that interesting.
I must say that it was. They had started walking again to Nasuada's tent. We really shouldn't take too long or...
His conversation stopped abruptly when a voice pierced the sky. A terrible cry that even the crows stopped feasting and listened.
He started to run as fast as he could to the source of the cry. His enhanced elven speed allowed him to outstrip every living being there. Roran was left far behind and Saphira was flying above. He felt a multitude of minds surrounding a single tent.
As the soldiers saw him they parted respectfully. As he entered the tent he saw what would haunt him for the rest of his life. It was worse than killing all those men in the battle. He would have gladly fought hundreds of battles to not have seen what he was seeing now.
Angela was bent over a small figure, tears leaking from her eyes. Softly whispering to the small little girl that was lying motionless in her arms. A knife protruding from her fragile stomach.
Elva had committed suicide.
The battle of the Burning Plains had been too much for her.
Eragon fell onto his knees beside Angela, tears flowing freely down his face. He had taken an innocent life. All her life was spent in pain and it was now over. He was a murderer.
As he looked at Elva's motionless body he thought he saw a slight movement. So slight that is elven senses barely noticed it. He saw it again and this time he was sure of it because Angela felt it.
"She is alive" yelled Eragon.
He quickly removed the dagger and used all his knowledge and power to heal her.
I cannot let her die.
Nor will you.
And with those words Saphira bolstered him with her strength. He watched as her stomach slowly healed.
Why not now?
He thought to himself.
Do it.
So then he started the words of unmaking that he tried his hardest to learn. Energy slowly left his body. He was getting weaker by the second and even Saphira was having a hard time keeping up with the spell despite all her strength.
Is this too much for me? He asked himself as he slowly started to lose conscience. Then he felt the throb of a new life in his mind.
You've done it. Roared Saphira into his mind.
No, we have done it.
Elva slowly stirred under his palm. Then she sat straight up and started to scream.