Chap 1 Surprises
"Eragon, are you in this meeting or not?"
Eragon looked up from his seat arranged in a semi-circle around Nasuada's throne. He'd been brooding for the last week; ever since Oromis had died; ever since Murtagh had killed him or rather Galbatorix had murdered him using Murtagh's body, in Gli'ead.
"Sorry, my heads somewhere else these days. Please, continue," he apologized.
Little one, you ought to listen more carefully, Saphira stated, I know what you are thinking but remember that Oromis died to protect what he thought was right. I grieve for him and Glaedr too, but you should leave those thoughts aside and concentrate on the meeting.
I will, Saphira, Eragon replied and turned his attention to the meeting.
"Now, the animals are going missing; mostly the bigger animals like the cattle, deer and horses. I've had several reports that war and food animals have disappeared overnight and the men do not know how. They have even had torches around the pens to see the intruder and several men keeping watch at the same time, but even then at least two animals are missing," Nasuada sighed.
"So what do we do, Milady?" Jormundur asked.
"I do not know but those animals have got to stop disappearing or if not we are all going to starve," she replied.
It is curious, Saphira thought to all of them, Nasuada, are you sure it's every day?
"Not every. At least every two days."
And no one has seen anyone go in or out of the pens at night?
"No, Saphira. And that is what is confusing the men. It has happened several times after both you and Eragon left for Farthen Dur and the Ellesmera but lately it has increased and no one's seen anything," Nasuada replied frustrated.
Intriguing. Lately, I've smelt something strange but I can't tell what it is. But I do know that it's part human.
"Do you think something's following the Varden?" asked Jormundur.
"It's possible," Arya replied from a dark corner, "If the person is strong enough they can make themselves undetectable with magic. Not many can though. It is very difficult to master a full concealment spell and possibly impossible to have it for more than a few hours. Whatever it is, it is either very strong or using dark magic."
Before anyone could utter a word a boy can running into the tent. "Milady, I am so sorry for disrupting the meeting, but the Empires soldiers are here!"
"Excuse me! Why didn't you tell me that the Empires solders were approaching?!"
"Milady, we did not know. The scouts came back saying there was nothing out there. One scout said that he thought he saw a large bird heading this way but nothing else," the boy replied meekly.
"A large bird?" Eragon asked, "Did he say what colour it was?"
"Yes. Red."
"Thank you. You're dismissed," Nasuada said and the boy walked out of the tent hurriedly. "Why did you want to know what colour the bird was, Eragon?"
Eragon smiled slightly as he looked at the table, "If a dragon is high enough in the air no one can tell it is a dragon."
"Of course! I can't believe I did not remember that!" Nasuada slumped in her chair looking older that her years. "What are we going to do if Thorn and the Empire attack at the same time?" she asked weakly, "We're still recuperating from Feinster and the Empire can't be killed unless we take their heads off and I doubt Murtagh is feeling up to a beating in Uru'Baen."
"Milady, please do not think like that," Jormundur said, "We have Eragon and Saphira to hold Thorn and Murtagh off. Hope is not yet lost."
"Let us discus this tomorrow. I cannot deal with this right now," Nasuada held her head for a moment. "Meeting adjourned."
Eragon stood from his seat and walked out as Saphira pulled her head out of the tent. This is excellent, Saphira, he thought sarcastically, we get to fight and kill someone who's not at fault. Isn't it wonderful!
Eragon, please don't be like this.
I've had it, Saphira! Yes, he is the Empires Rider but it's not his fault! Didn't you see the way he spoke of it that he hates the Empire? Didn't you see Thorn? The sorrow in their eyes?
Yes, Eragon, Saphira said sadly, I saw it. I could tell. The blue dragoness lifted her head to see the sun setting. Come, let us ride and leave our sorrows for now.
Alright, Saphira, Eragon replied as he climbed into her saddle. Blodhgarm? I am going to fly with Saphira. We will come back late.
Of course, Argetlam, the elf replied.
Saphira stretched her mighty wings and soared into the air, leaving their grief and sorrow on the ground. They rose into the clouds letting the water vapour cool them from the hours in the stifling meeting. They watched as the sun sank into the earth before they spotted the Empires soldiers. It looked to only be a hundred or more; each one was mounted. They turned back to the camp to tell Nasuada what they saw.
Eragon, I know this is I ridiculous question, but shouldn't there be more soldiers? Saphira asked.
That is exactly what I was thinking, Eragon replied. The Varden know that they can kill them by taking off their head. It's difficult but they can. Why would Galbatorix send so few men out here? To fight us? I think even he would know that is suicide.
Saphira flew over to the edge of the camp before something caught her eye. Eragon? Do you see that at the forest border?
Eragon looked at to where Saphira spoke of and saw a dead deer by the tree line. It was very close to the animal pens. Fly over there. Maybe it will come back for it, he suggested.
Saphira flew to the forest and landed quietly metres from the deer. They hid in the trees keeping the dead deer in sight. As they waited quietly Eragon strung his bow and pointed the arrow in the direction of the deer. It wasn't long before they heard a twig snap and a figure bend over the deer. As the figure bent down, they noticed that the figure had...wings! They looked exactly like Saphira's only much bigger and a dark amethyst colour. The wings were so dark they looked black and so large that they were dragging on the floor.
Eragon gasped and by accident, let the arrow go. The figure heard the gasp and turned in time as the arrow missed the wing but buried itself on the person's lower leg. It cried out. Eragon realized it was a female before her wings opened and she flew into the forest.
Eragon! That was the most idiotic thing to do! Saphira yelled.
It was an accident, Saphira! I was so surprised that she had dragon wings that I let the arrow go!
You are lucky that you only shot her leg! Didn't you notice her stomach? She is with child! I suggest we find and heal her before the wound gets infected.
Are you insane? She could be someone from the Empire.
Why would some female be this far out of the Empire if she is with child? Saphira asked as she started to go further into the forest. And if she is one of Galbatorix's, why was she in rags?
Eragon hadn't thought of that. Fine. We'll go and find her. He followed Saphira into the forest. The trees were very narrow and Saphira had difficulty walking through. Saphira how do you know where we are going?
She came walking towards the deer, leaving her scent behind. If she's going back to wherever she came from she would have taken the same route.
Eragon nodded silently as he carried on walking beside his dragon. Soon they were at the edge on a clearing. It was big enough to fit Saphira three times. There was a little stream trickling near the centre. The female sat by the stream looking at the arrow on her right leg as if she was wondering how it got there. She looked about eighteen but Eragon could tell she had seen more that what any man triple her age could imagine. As he looked closely at her he saw scars all over her body and her short hair didn't hide the whip scars on her back.
Oh my, whispered Saphira. Eragon was about to step into the clearing before Saphira stopped him. Wait! Do you hear that?
He strained his hearing and heard the sound of wings flapping. It became louder and louder until he saw a huge red dragon land near the stream. The girl looked up and her hair fell back showing a monstrous scar from her right temple to her chin.
He looked at the man dismounting from the red dragon and felt hatred yet pity for his former friend and his half brother. What is Murtagh doing here?
I don't know, Little one.
Eragon watched as the Red Rider approached the girl. She followed him with her golden eyes until he towered over her with his arms crossed. Eragon watched anxiously as they stared at each other not saying a word. He was worried Murtagh was going to hurt her or worse, take her to Galbatorix.
"How've been?" he heard Murtagh ask quietly as he bent down looking at her leg before lifting it.
"Lonely. Ow!" she said as he touched the arrow slightly. "I really want to go back to the Spine, but I'm forced to come out here to find out practically nothing because you can't tell me."
"I know. But it's not my fault, Kali. Do you honestly think that I want to be stuck in a war when I can be at home with you and Hunter and my precious bump here?" he smirked.
"You are really mean," Kali pouted.
"Yeah well tuff. This is going to hurt," he stated as he held the arrow. She nodded and Murtagh yanked the arrow out of her leg. She bit her lip to stop her screaming but instead it came out as a moan of pain. He quickly put his left hand over the wound before it sealed itself. "You ok, sweetie?"
"I'll live if that is what you mean. Thorn, for god's sake, just eat them already!" Thorn looked at her in surprise before he settled down beside the pile of leftover deer and started to eat.
Did she just say she has a home in the Spine and that Murtagh visits them? Eragon questioned.
Before Saphira could answer, Murtagh said, "When is the baby due?"
"Two days ago," Kali replied quietly.
"What!" he yelled. He looked at Thorn for a second before he said, "We're staying."
"But-"
"No! I don't care what Galbatorix wants. I'm staying here, with my wife until at least, my baby is born!"
Eragon couldn't believe his ears. MURTAGH HAS A WIFE?!
Kali turned her head to look straight at Eragon. He saw her wings start to shrink before they disappeared. Murtagh stood up hurriedly and unsheathed Zar'oc looking in Eragon's direction. "Kali, who is it?" he heard Murtagh whisper.
Kali slowly stood up. "Eragon and Saphira."
"Eragon! Why I'm I not surprised," he sheathed Zar'oc. "You might as well come out Eragon!" he called.
Saphira, what do we do?
They already know we are here and Murtagh doesn't look like he's going to do anything, Saphira stated, but looks can be deceiving.
Eragon cautiously walked out of the cover of the trees. Murtagh stood in front of Kali, shielding her. "I believe this is yours," Murtagh threw the arrow at him.
"You never told me you were married," Eragon stated.
"You never asked," he shot back, "anyway, why would I tell you? So you can kill my wife and children? I don't think so, Rider."
"Wait. Children? As in, more than one?"
"Murtagh," Kali said softly.
He ignored her, "Yes, more than one. The one Kali's carrying and my two-and-a-half year-old son, Hunter."
Eragon, said Saphira.
Eragon ignored her as well. "I don't see a boy, Murtagh, or maybe I'm going blind."
"In all honesty, I think that you were blind a long time ago, Eragon. Or maybe just stupid! You always ran head first into danger without even thinking!" Kali once again tried to get Murtagh's attention without success. "I was always the one to save your hide and what do you do in return?! You left me when I needed someone to help me!"
"I thought you were dead, Murtagh! How could I have helped you if I thought you were dead? Do you know what I felt when both my companions died? First my father, then you? Or are you as heartless as you look?"
Before Murtagh could answer, Thorn and Saphira roared. Stop your bickering! Murtagh, look at Kali! Both he and Eragon looked at Kali and saw she was shaking and there was a puddle of water where she was standing.
"Help me, please," she whispered before she yelled in pain. Murtagh was by her side in seconds and helped her to lie down on one of the deer skins that were in the clearing.
"Easy, sweetie, easy. It's ok, I'm here," he said soothingly as he knelt down beside her. "Eragon, could you get me a bowl of water, please?" he looked over to where Eragon was standing. "Please?"
Eragon could see the plea in his eyes. He saw a bowl by the deer Thorn had eaten. He quickly grabbed it and filled it with the stream water before handing it to Murtagh. The Red Rider tore his sleeve off and placed it in the water. Kali tried to control her breathing before she roared. Eragon and Saphira were shocked; she had just roared like a dragon.
"Murtagh, shouldn't you take her to your camp? Like that a healer can check on her," Eragon suggested.
"No. The baby would come before we make it there, even if it is on Thorn," he stated as he washed the sweat off Kali's forehead with the cloth. "I don't want to risk it," he said as Kali roared again.
"Murtagh, birthing a child can take hours."
"Just, shut up, Eragon!" Kali screamed as Murtagh started removing her clothing.
"Dragon births take minutes, an hour at the most," he stated, "Get the two blankets from my pack, quickly!"
Eragon rushed to do as he was told. Saphira, why would he say that?
I don't think that she's all human. She doesn't smell like other humans. She smells like a human and a dragon combined.
She's part dragon?! Eragon handed the blankets to Murtagh. One of them he used to cover Kali with.
"I think I'm going to wait over there. If you need me, just call," Eragon walked to the trees and hid from view. He didn't want to see Kali giving birth; the screams alone told him he didn't. Over the next ten minutes he heard Kali scream and roar from pain until it stopped with a tiny cry. Eragon stood up and walked back to the clearing. Kali was sitting up and in her arms was a bundle of blanket. Murtagh sat behind her, looking over her shoulder into the bundle. Eragon had never seen Murtagh so happy before.
He looked up and saw Eragon staring at them. He smiled, "You want to see your half-niece?"
Eragon smiled and looked into the bundle. Inside he saw the most beautiful baby he had ever seen. She had her mother's face but Murtagh's hair and eyes. "What are you going to name her?"
Kali looked at Murtagh, "We promised." Murtagh nodded and got up to look in Thorn's saddle bags.
Might I look? Saphira asked. Kali nodded and she stretched her neck to look at the baby. She's beautiful.
"Thank you," she replied quietly.
"Is this one it?" Murtagh asked as he showed her a ring. Kali nodded again. He touched the orange stone set in the middle. "Hunter? Do you want to see your baby sister?"
Eragon looked at Murtagh like he was insane before there was an orange light and a two-year-old boy appeared beside Kali, "Let me see, let me see."
Kali showed him the baby and he sat down. "Did you name her, mummy?
"No," Murtagh replied, "We promised to hear what name you thought was good first, remember?"
"Oh, it's true! I liked the name Rose and River but Rose River doesn't sound nice. I wanted it to be like mine, Hunter Moon," he suggested.
"Well, instead, what about River Rose?" asked Kali. The baby in her arms made a noise, like an agreement.
"I'm guessing its River Rose then," Murtagh laughed.
"Eragon? Do you want to hold her?" Kali asked. Eragon stared at her in astonishment as she held the baby. He didn't know the first thing to do with a baby. "Here," she said as she placed the baby close to him and guided his hands so he was holding the baby right. Eragon looked down at the baby's innocent eyes.
"I think this little lady is going to have you wrapped round her little finger, Murtagh," he stated as he looked up.
Murtagh laughed. Hunter looked at Eragon curiously, "Daddy, who is he?"
"That's uncle Eragon."
He looked at Murtagh in surprise, "You told him I'm his uncle? I thought you hated me enough to never even consider me a friend."
Murtagh smiled grimly, "I know. I did at one point but I could see where you were coming from and I hated myself for that...sometimes I still hate myself, like now...knowing that I have to go back to the army unless I want them to catch my family."
"Murtagh, why can't you just go with your wife and children to the Spine and live there. Thorn would go with you to. It's like I said, you just have to change to change your name," said Eragon.
The Red Rider looked longingly at his wife. She just smiled sadly before turning to Hunter, "Honey, why don't you go to the pack? I'll let you see your sister tomorrow, ok?"
Hunter looked like he was about to protest but held it in. "Ok." He stood up and gave his mother, father and little sister a kiss, "Now listen you," he said pointing to the baby, "I want you to be a good girl, yeah?" The baby smiled at him and he gave her another kiss. He turned to Eragon and kissed his cheek, "See you, Uncle." An orange mist surrounded him before he disappeared.
"We should go to before the elves come to find me and Saphira," said Eragon as he stood up and handed River to her mother. "It's was nice meeting you, Kali."
"You too, Eragon."
He looked over to Murtagh who stood up. "Well I guess I'd better go."
"Yeah, you should." He hesitated before hugging him. Eragon was so shocked it took him a while to react. "I swear you tell anyone about this and they're going to think you're crazy or that I'm going too soft," he said as he pulled away.
"Maybe you are," said Eragon as he climbed onto Saphira.
"Be careful of next time we meet Eragon. I don't know how but this time I can let you go. I can still feel Galbatorix at the back of my head but go before I have to capture you," Murtagh warned.
"I will." With that Saphira took into the air and flew towards the camp. After a few minutes he said, That was very strange. I can't believe Murtagh has children; I can't believe he has a wife for that matter.
I know but they loved each other you could tell it from their eyes, Saphira stated, and no one can act that happy unless it was true happiness. What I don't understand is that how can Murtagh keep it a secret from Galbatorix if he can get in his head?
I don't know, Saphira, Eragon replied as Saphira landed outside his tent. He climbed down and settled in his bedroll. If we ever speak with him again I'll ask but I'm probably not going to get an answer. Good night, Saphira.
Goodnight, Little one.
