Darkness was starting to close in her. He briefly felt Roran crouch at his side before he welcomed the darkness.
His dreams were tangled and confusing. He had concise flashes of Murtagh and Thorn. Of Elva and Nasuada. Of Brom and Oromis. He saw Galbatorix and his dragon, Shruikan. Then darkness swallowed images altogether and he slept.
Eragon was first aware of a dull whispering. Saphira was close by – he could feel him. Something cold and wet was being smoothed over his forehead. He opened his eyes just a fraction and could see Roran, Nasuada, Arya sitting by his bedside.
Eragon stirred and let out a groan. He felt utterly drained and exhausted. The wiping of his brow ceased and a curly-haired woman entered his range of vision.
"How are you feeling?" Angela asked.
"I feel……exhausted" he answered.
Arya leaned forward "I expect you would. Performing that spell almost drained all of your strength. You should have listened to Saphira. You should have waited at least four days before you went using that amount of magic. Eragon Shadeslayer, you need to learn some common sense. You are the only hope that we have of defeating Galbatorix". She stood and took her leave.
Eraon was stunned by her words. Arya had been slightly cold to him ever since the Agaetí Blödhren, but he never thought that she would act this way toward him. He knew what it meant to her to over through Galbatorix, but he had made a mistake. Every one made mistakes at some point in their life.
His pondering was interrupted when Saphira thrust her head through the flaps of the pavilion. She loomed her head over him and gazed at him, worry evident in her sapphire eyes.
How are you little one, she asked. Eragon's answer was the same one he gave Angela.
Well, you should be. That spell nearly killed you. Eragon, you've been sleeping for two days!!
"What!"
Yes, two days. Hopefully you have learnt you're lesson - take my advice every now and then, instead of acting like I'm as dumb as a deer.
Yes, Saphira
The mopping of his brow ceased as Angela put a cup to his lips. "Drink" she ordered. Eragon obeyed, the cool water trickling slowly down his throat. Then Nasuada spoke.
"Eragon, I shall take my leave also. I have some issues that I need to attend to, but I will come back and see you later". He nodded as she stood up and exited the tent.
Angela also left the tent. As she left, Roran dragged his chair closer to Eragon's side, hammer swinging on his belt.
"You gave me quite a scare there, Eragon. Everyone was so worried, you should have seen Saphira –she wouldn't eat, she wouldn't sleep". He informed the young Rider.
Eragon nodded slowly, before asking, "What happened?"
"Well, I don't know much about magic, but from what Nasuada, Trianna, Arya and Angela have told me, the magic drained most of your energy – almost enough to kill you" Roran replied.
"Is that all?"
"No, after you had finished speaking, Elva fell into a deep sleep. You swayed for a few seconds before you collapsed".
Eragon digested this new piece of information, then inquired "Is Elva alright?"
"Yes, Elva is fine. Her age has not decreased and she woke from her healing sleep yesterday morning" replied Roran. When Eragon remained unconvinced he said "It's true –Angela told me this morning".
"Good" Eragon sighed.
At that point Angela entered the tent again. "Ok, that's enough. Eragon needs to get some rest now".
"I'll see you later" Roran told his younger cousin, before leaving the pavilion.
Angela laid a cool cloth over Eragon's forehead, before putting a cup to his lips and ordering him to take several sips. She then left the tent, and Eragon fell into a deep, resting sleep.