Chapter Two

Hatchlings

With urgency in every step, the three figures approached the epicenter almost as quickly as Eragon and Dan noticing the door opening. The first of the three, a human rider named Amil that had skin rich and dark. He was older, which was intriguing because outside of elves, Eragon had noticed dragons, up til this point, normally hatched for young men, women or children. He was bald and had a short beard. His demeanor was stoic because before becoming a rider, he was a general in the Surden army. He wore dark clothes with a long coat that weighed heavy on his shoulders.

The second was an elf name Breáh. She hailed from the elf city Sìlthrim. Slender and headstrong, she was at Uru'Baen where she was one of the elf mages that helped conjure up the phantom Saphira during the great battle and now served both as one of Eragons top instructors of magic and liaison to Ellesméra.

Lastly was another elf that Eragon deemed one of his most trusted advisors. One who was always honest with Eragon. Not out of respect or fear like most others, but because his loyalties weren't necessarily toward Eragon, but rather to the dragons. His name was Blöghgarm.

"Eragon! We have an issue." Shouted the blue fur-covered elf.

Eragon responded "If its about Dimil, I've already spoke with him. And Saphira is already on her way back.

The group had just made their way to the balcony when Amil spoke next. "It's not about that sir. Alagesia has contacted us. Her highness has some troubling news.

Eragon turned toward the group while taking in a breath. "which one?"

Then like a bolt of blue lightning shooting over the hills and with a roar like a thunderclap, Saphira said through Eragon's connected mind "politics without me, little one?"

Everyone turned to watch as she hugged the tree line, speeding faster and faster. Wings tucked close to her body, until she got within range of the balcony. She spread out her wings to come to a mighty halt just past the group in the great hall. Her talons clinking along the mirror like floor. She had grown since they left Alagesia. But kept her slender build. She was agile and the fastest of all the dragons in all the countryside. She was built to chase her prey and overcome them. And since then, with the advent of new dragons, she had grown to love testing her ability against worthy opponents to have them realize they couldn't stand the chance to her maneuverability.

She let out a huff of smoke from her nostrils and said to everyone, "hatchlings. They're nothing but hatchlings! Wild dragons do keep you in shape though."

Breâh was the first to greet Saphira.

"And how goes the hunt? Are the winds fair to you, Saphira?"

"Aye, they are. For the wild ones would have you think our connection to the riders make us docile, fat and lazy, but I say it's our connection that drives us to be more fierce. For a dragon that has someone to lose, is a dragon who has someone to bite." Saphira Said as she walked over to Eragon to greet him.

"Well put, malady." Announced Amil

Saphira swung her head revealing her massive blue eye toward Amil. "I'm glad to see Kai's mannerisms rub off you, Amil. Though you are like her in that she carries a hot flame, she comes from a regal line. She is my cousin, after all"

Blöghgarm Interrupted, "I don't mean to cut pleasantries short but this is of an urgent matter."

Blöghgarm then led the group down the corridor to a large meeting room with a giant circular cherry wood table which sat twenty-four chairs and a window large enough for Saphira to put her head through. Before entering Eragon stopped to turned toward Dan

"Oh, can you do me a favor and make sure Dimil and Trunks are ok?"

"Busy work? Why don't you let me in there with you? I am not a child. Haven't I earned my place?" Said Dan

Eragon placed a hand on Dan's shoulder. "The only thing you have earned is a bath to wash off last nights festivities from your face. Do this and then come back... but not before that bath though."

With obvious disapproval on his face, Dan walked off as Eragon watched his nephew turn the corner. Even as he was sitting down, Breáh reached for her water skin and said a word in the ancient language... "stremà" from the water skin flowed a stream of water to create a wall that hovered right over the middle of the table.

Eragon spoke to Saphira as she came through the window, "Do you think it's her? I mean it's been 4 years and not a word... and 6 before that"

Saphira snorted with amusement. "...again, hatchlings."

As Breáh held the water still, Amil began to Skry an image of a medium sized meeting room. It was well lit with a purple rug on the floor and decorative furniture. As the figure came into view, it was obvious by the scars on her arms and the color of her skin who it was.

"Greetings Eragon, Saphira. And to the rest of you also." Said Nasuada

Her hair was pinned up as she wore a velvet dress. Her crown sat proudly on her head she sat with poise and strength. Time had started showing its marks, but Eragon wondered if the burden of running and ruling a kingdom had accelerated her aging.

"I'm sorry about Jormundur. I know that he was like family." Said Eragon

Nasuada turned her face down for a moment, then back up. "Thank you for your condolences. The kingdom will sorely miss him. You all look well. Did you get the gifts I sent you?

"Yes, but if you wanted a map of what our land looks like or any information, you don't have to send a scout dressed as delivery boy. You know we are still friends, right?" Eragon inquired.

Nasuada gave a slight smirk. "Was it that oblivious?" She asked. "You are still my friend Eragon. It's just you and I both know power can change people and I have to take precautions regarding how powerful you've become."

Saphira looked over at Eragon before turning her attention toward the mirror again. "Saphira Says, it's wise to know how many eggs lie in your neighbor's nest, but it's also wise to remember how sharp the nest mothers talons can be. And although I agree, don't forget I have no ambition for power and everything I do is for the good of Alegasia and the dragons."

With a coy expression, Nasuada said, "I'll try to keep that in mind as you gain more and more faction-less warriors and magic users. Now, the reason why I've called for you is we need your help to deal with what's been going on in Belatona, New Illerea and the surrounding countryside. It seems there were more Ra'zak eggs then we originally thought. According to sources, that religion responsible for the raising up of the Raz'ak is spreading across Alagasia. Which makes it hard to track where they are keeping the last of the eggs"

Amil spoke next. "I thought Murtagh and Thorn took care of the last eggs 7 years ago?"

"As did I. It seems that even after all these years, Galbatorix and that dark cult of his is still having influence over the land."

Breáh was the first to break the silence. "I knew something's been off. Reports from Ellismerà say the forests is feeling different in certain areas and theres sightings of new creatures we've never seen before."

With a concerted look Eragon asked "Blöghgarm, did you know of this?"

The blue-fur elf responded. "I only said nothing because It had nothing to do with what we do here."

Nasuada put her fingers to her temples. "But it does have something to do with Alagesia! Are we not close enough ally's with the elves that your queen wouldn't communicate with us what's going on in her realm? First, your people stop showing up at the trade outposts and now you won't send any elves to help with our epidemic."

Eragon looked over at Saphira with concern. "Thats the first any of us have heard of this... I'm curious, has Murtagh said anything to you about the flow of magic feeling 'weird' lately?"

At that moment a door opened where Nasuada was and a voice rung out. "Is that uncle Eragon!?!" A young boy the age of 14 came into view. He had black hair in a braid and a complexion that wasn't so pale and wasn't so dark. He wore a squires tunic with a hand and a half sword around his waist and a gold necklace with a red dragon scale as a pendant.

Earagon Asked "AHA! And how is my miracle nephew doing?"

"A miracle prince, I am indeed! Mother says I can't let anyone know because of how father is still thought of. I guess that will change some day but I'm okay with being a divinely gifted future ruler of the largest kingdom ever! Most people actually believe I'm sent from the Gods."

"Is that why you won't let the dwarf prince in these meetings?" Asked Amil

"Unfortunately yes. His father killed the previous king. I believe king Orik suspects, but is wise in keeping it to himself. The dwarfs are a hard people to let go of the past." Answered Eragon

Nasuada then said. "Adonis, ill have your uncle speak to you later. For now, leave us."

As Adonis began to protest, Nasuada rose her hand, revealing the scars on her forearm from the trial of the long knives. Adonis stopped as he noticed her scars, then turned toward the mirror, grin on his face, then departed saying, walking backward in a bowing position,

"Until next time kingkiller and crew."

Nasuada showed a hint of a smile as the door closed behind the prince. Turning back toward the group she went on to say.

"I am told he carries his grandmother's spirit... Murtagh and thorn are the ones I am leaning on the most right now for information and he had mentioned there is a shifting that has happened but it is a slight one. He also suspects that a group of mages called 'The Revenant' may have something to do with the growth of the cult. He and thorn have gone north to hopefully confront them."

Nasuada said In a more serious tone. "...Eragon, people are starting to disappear and there are rumors that a ra'zak has been spotted moving between the shadows."