This takes place right after Brisingr.
Chapter 1
Eragon Shadeslayer looked below him as he and Saphira Bjartskular stood, looking around the surrounding green countryside, mourning over the battle that had taken place. So many deaths... was there truly a point to this loss? He shook his head, attempting to clear his head from the gloomy thoughts that had pervaded his mind after the battle. Eragon looked down at his hands, stained red by the blood of soldiers, of humans whose life he had extinguished. They were alone. As alone as they could be. The clouds drifted above, blocking the sun partly from view. Suddenly, out of the corner of his left eye, Eragon saw a glint of gold much too bright to be the sun. He turned to look as the glint grew larger and larger. Small breezes pulled at his hair as he lifted his eyes to get a closer look.
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
Once again, Eragon was awed by the telltale wing beats of a large dragon. The breezes grew into larger, colder winds as they buffeted the pair, as a hurricane plays with a bird. Saphira blinked one sapphire eye at him and covered him, protecting him from being swept away. From his vantage point under Saphira's wing, Eragon froze when he saw something golden, and obviously a dragon's wing.
Glaedr? Why is he here, now? Saphira lifted her wing and allowed Eragon to step out. The dragon, obviously noticing Saphira on the ground, circled closer and closer like a descending bird of prey. Eragon gave a small bow as the dragon approached, hand resting on the sapphire hilt of Brisingr. He opened his mind to that of the dragon, before calling out in the most respectful tone he could muster, Master, welcome.
The dragon continued to circle overhead getting larger and larger as it came, keeping ominously quiet. Eragon continued his bow as the dragon landed, a figure in cream stood there regally, face covered by a white hood.
The dragon… is whole. Saphira's voice was uncharacteristically hesitant. Then who is it?
Do you think that it is yet another pet rider of King Galbatorix? Eragon reached for his magical powers and very quickly placed wards around him and Saphira. We should have been more careful, Saphira. One day, the king himself will attack us one-on-one, and I intend to win. Saphira shared Eragon's concern and bared her fangs, in case this encounter ended up with the shedding of blood.
Saphira, we will never lose our free will, unlike all of the other riders. This will be our strength for we fight because we truly believe. Eragon lamented the choices of destiny that had forced riders against riders, destroying themselves in the process.
A strong mind started to wrap around Eragon's at this moment. Quickly, Eragon started to conjure up an image of Arya, his beloved, although she would never accept him. The strange mind would be no match against his strong feelings of love, as love does conquer all. It was a brief tussle with the mind slipping into his quickly. Eragon groaned in anger. I'll have to practice that more.
"Where is Vrael?" the strange rider asked. The rider's voice was soft, and lilting with the slightest trace of pride, weariness, and anger. However, the most remarkable detail was the higher pitch of a female.
"Vr – Who are you?" Eragon looked at the strange rider in shock as Saphira tossed her head, irritably. We might not be as alone as we had thought, Saphira. Think of it. Another rider has appeared, someone who might be able to help us lift our burden.
Eragon, now that depends on her loyalties. Saphira arched her neck, challenging the larger dragon.
"Answer first, youngling," the strange rider seemed to have no interest in Eragon's queries.
"These are dangerous times we live in. You cannot get angry at me for being cautious," said Eragon curtly.
"I am Stella. Answer now please," ordered Stella, not moving from her position.
"Vrael has been dead for quite a number of years, Stella. Stella? Female? I did not know that female riders existed," continued Eragon.
"Vrael – my mate? – dead? It can't be!" lamented Stella, before squeezing her hands into fists at her sides. Blood started to drip from her arms slowly, causing a red stain on the green grass. The dragon seemed startled and started beating its wings, causing yet another whirlwind. However, Stella continued to stand tall without ceasing her motion.
What is she doing?
It is said that it is impossible for a dragon's rider to continue after the dragon dies... likewise, mates should be bound just as tightly as dragon and rider. Saphira closed both her eyes. This is senseless. Enough life is lost during battles; is there truly a reason to take your own?
The dragon stopped flapping and glared at Stella, irritably. Are you truly a rider? It suddenly rose into flight, sweeping Stella off her feet, onto its back. You can't leave your dragon alone like that, coward. The blood stopped falling, and the cuts on her arms healed themselves as she shook herself. You are simply scared you will be alone, Auria.
Her mate? How old is Stella? Maybe we really are not as alone as we thought. Eragon and Saphira conversed as rider and dragon.
The sweet smell of pine drifted through the air as a familiar golden dragon and elegant elf rested through a clearing filled with large dropping white lilies. The elf leant against a tall pine tree, hands balled at her sides as the dragon stared at her with her solemnly.
"Auria, this cannot be. I knew that I should not have stayed that long." Stella balled her hands into fists. "I cannot… survive without him… You should understand. You were the one who witnessed our bond, our joining. We were about to -."
"Stella… it will be fine. Our absence was needed for the survival of our race… and that of the Riders. It was good for you to complete Vrael's wish, Stella. He would have wanted you to do so, even with this unpleasant end."
"It is not that simple, Auria! You don't understand!" Stella cried, tears falling slowly from her elven face. "It's this hole inside of me, that won't go away no matter how I try to plug it. Why don't you let me join him in the soft earth, without thought, without pain? I've had enough of this, this curse to stand apart from time even though there is no more to live for." She crumpled to the ground in a heap of white cloth and black hair, sorrow etched in her timeless face.
"What do I not understand, Stella, about you, about us? We are two, bonded into one." As usual, Auria's was the word of wisdom. "Time will heal all – isn't that what you have always told those who had the fortune of studying with you?"
"Auria, you know… it's not the same. I wonder whom that impulsive little Rider was doing in there. The smells of battle filled the air."
"Battle has become for common. I, for one, think it is your pesky younger brother who caused all of this," said Auria thinking back to their time with the elves.
"He has always been power-hungry, and I fear that my absence may have allowed him to actually act on his plans, " continued Stella. "If only Vrael did not command me to see if you or I could make it across the ocean..."
"That trip opened up new horizons for the Riders... dragons of that certain type had become increasingly rare here," replied Auria. "If the Riders needed to survive, we needed to find more."
Stella reached into her saddlebag and took out a dragon egg. It was larger than most, and the design was purple. "All that time looking and all we found was this. It's not worth it!" she shouted angrily.
"We can now rebuild the populations of the wild dragons," replied Auria, "If you don't understand how important this is for my race, then..."
"I do not deserve my position as Guardian of the Dragons. Not that they need guardians," Stella said cynically, standing up again.
"Stella!" shouted Auria, blowing a stream of golden fire ten feet forward, singeing the trees. "Stop."
The scene in the Varden was one of both common confusion and perfect planning. Warriors dashed this way and that, sure of exactly where they would go next and how they would go about their path– no serious accidents happened this time. As Saphira landed in the clear space cleared for that only purpose, Eragon swung off the saddle and strode off purposely in the direction of Nasuada's tent. However, hidden under this calm exterior was a mind hindered by confusion.
Saphira, should we tell Nasuada? asked Eragon quietly in his mind, attempting not to betray his secret thoughts through a careless display of emotion. About Stella, that is.
She is your lord, and you, her vassal. Do whatever you find the most wise, under the circumstances, replied Saphira nonchalantly, before taking to the air again, slowly circling around Eragon's position on the ground. The normally poised and graceful movements that a dragon possessed in the air were reduced to a shambling gait on the ground. Soldiers scattered, giving him a clear path – the crowds, however, continued to gather. He was the Varden's prize rider – giving him the status of any hero.
As he entered Nasuada's tent, she looked upwards, disturbed from some negotiations from yet another warrior with shaggy brown hair and gleaming light-brown – nearly golden – eyes. He gave a brief, curt bow before looking at the warrior with a keen gaze. Then, he approached Nasauda's right shoulder, positioning him slightly behind her, in the position left vacant by Elva.
"Seems okay to me," he muttered quietly in her ear. "The Varden cannot afford to lose a potential member."
Nasuada glanced at him before whispering back. "That's not what he's here for."
Eragon stepped back slightly, shock appearing slightly in his face.
"You are dismissed," called Nasuada down from her throne. "I shall get back to you on our decision."
The warrior flashed a smirk before giving a low bow – nearly mocking – and exiting the room.
"What did he want?" said Eragon abruptly, as soon as he saw the flap to the tent return to cover the entrance.
"He claims he has information about the king – he's supposedly a confidant in the Empire. Close to the king, some decisive evidence or something. But he expects to be paid – quite dearly too," Nasuada explained in a quieter tone. "Issue is, he refuses to compromise on his price and there's no way for us to confirm the truth behind whatever information he throws us."
Eragon grimaced, before slipping his hand on Brisingr's pommel. "How much does he want?"
"The chance to bond with the first dragon egg the Varden finds," Nasuada groaned loudly. "You saw him – his insolence would make him impossible to work with as a Rider."
Eragon nodded. "Accept it. There's very little chance a dragon would accept anyone like him anyways. Not to mention, he'd probably forget about it the time that we were able to obtain one. They're far too rare nowadays.
Nasuada nodded. "Very well. So, what did you need to talk to me about?"
Eragon grimaced before going into a detailed report of the new troubles. As he expected, Nasuada was shocked. "Another female Rider has appeared? Galbatorix must have hatched his egg. Call my council, we have to deliberate over this issue."
"Wait! Let me deal with her!" he shouted out after her. "She's not all that she seems – her dragon's even larger than Glaedr. She's an elf!"
Nasuada turned to look at him before nodding wearily. "Very well. But report to me if anything happens."
Eragon gave a low bow as he landed in front of Auria. "Drag-."
My name is Auria, youngling. The golden dragon stated with a slight smile.
"Auria," corrected Eragon. "I have some things that I must ask Stella."
Then ask. Stella projected her thoughts straight into Eragon's mind.
"Where do your loyalties lie?" He asked, forcefully.
With myself and Auria. And sometimes the Queen. Stella stated quietly but firmly.
"Just who are you?" he said, quietly.
The tinkling, bell-like sounds of an elf in merriment filled the air. "You should have started with that question from the beginning. I am Stella, mate of Vrael, and this is Auria. I am Ridress and Guardian of the Dragons. I am who I am."
And I am myself.
Eragon gave a mental shrug of annoyance. "Will you serve the Varden?" he asked finally.
"No. Absolutely not. I will not serve anyone for I am superior to all of you humans. But I will go to you to meet this Varden of yours. I am surprised who would hold a Rider as their puppet." She leaped onto Auria's back. "Would you lead us?"