Saphira's Question
Chapter One
Eragon hiked up the last part of Vol Turin into the dragonhold above Isidar Mithrim. He had just finished his daily exercise, which he always started before Saphira awoke, lest she ask to come with him. Saphira was in her sleeping area, eyeing him as he came up.
Good morning.
Good morning, little one.
He climbed up into the area that they shared and laid down on his bed, pouring sweat. He was exhausted.
Saphira looked at Eragon's shirtless, muscular form. She had always known she was the last female of her race, so mating wasn't a likely prospect. Yet she had never thought about mating itself. Now, she thought about it in detail as she stared at Eragon's attractive body. She knew mating felt good. She knew mating required a male and a female. She knew that offspring came about after a certain period after mating called pregnancy. Yet she did not know exactly how to mate.
Eragon, how does one mate? she asked.
Eragon bolted upright, startled by the abruptness of the question.
What? Where did that come from?
She showed him her line of thought, and he frowned.
It's like... well, you know that there are differing... ahem, differing organs depending on gender, right?
There are?
Eragon blushed and looked away. How was he going to explain this? Finally, with much embarassment, Eragon removed his pants, displaying his penis. It grew slightly under Saphira's scrutiny.
What is that?
It's a penis. All males have one.
What does it do?
Well... You have an... ahem, a depression where I have a mountain, so to speak. In essence, a male puts his penis inside the female and they mate.
Eragon rushed the last part of his sentence, looking down. His face was beet red.
Saphira pondered it for a moment, then said,
But how? You wouldn't just put it in and you get a child later, right?
No... erm... the male rubs his... erm, penis inside the female, and that produces the pleasure. When the pleasure hits a climax for the male, he releases sperm, which are tiny organisms that combine with some of the female's organs to make a child.
Oh.
Eragon started to replace his pants, but Saphira sent him a question that left him slack-jawed.
Could we mate?
Three distinct seconds passed.
Saphira, no - I mean, possibly - well, actually, no - it's just - it would be like if - AGH, Saphira, why are you asking me these things?!
Because it would be strange to ask someone I did not trust.
Eragon fell silent, then said carefully,
Saphira, we are different species. Our... parts do not match. I would be too small, and you would be too large. If you were to become with child, it would be an abomination, an anomaly, something that should never exist.
Then cast a spell to prevent pregnancy.
Er... I don't even know the words! Brom never taught me spells... of that nature.
Ask Angela.
Surely you're joking.
Saphira simply looked at him.
No! This is private business, and while I don't distrust Angela, I don't particularly trust her either. She is nice, and a bit eccentric, but I think we should keep this to ourselves.
Could you find the right words?
No.
...You answered too quickly. Eragon, I'll strike a deal with you. Today, you must look for the words in the ancient language that would prevent a pregnancy from occuring. You must really look, and I will examine your thoughts to make sure you do. If you cannot find the words among the libraries of Tronjheim today, then we will never discuss this again. But if you find them, you must mate me. Whenever I wish.
Saphira!
Take it or leave it. If you leave it, I will force you to mate me.
You'd rape me?
What is 'rape?'
...Never mind. Okay. I accept your terms.
Agreed.