Secret of Doru Araeba
Disclaimer: I do not own Eragon
Chapter 2: Moonlit Scripts
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Eragon awoke with a chill running throughout his body though the air was not cold under Saphira's wing. He had had another dream of the battle. It horrified him ever more as it haunted his sleep increasingly. Before he slept he would shield his mind so that Saphira would not have to endure his pain of the lives he felt extinguished that day while he could do nothing to stop it and only watch from the sidelines. Whether they were on the 'good' side or 'evil', it didn't matter. Most of the soldiers had families and children. The pain of those who had lost loved ones by his hands, their screams and crying would forever haunt him until the very end.
With a long deep sigh, he reached into his bag and pulled out a cloth to wipe his forehead of sweat. The scroll given to him by Oromis fell out. He looked at it and gave another sigh. The moon could not be seen last he looked. Large grey clouds were moving in from over the mountains and they seemed to be bringing the first snowfall. But yet he wondered if the sky were clear by now. He shifted quietly as not to disturb Saphira and peered out from beneath her great wing. It had indeed snowed while they slept and Saphira's forearms were beneath the fresh blanket. A small gust sent shivers down his spine.
The sky above was clear and the moon shining brightly. The clouds had passed and were moving south over Therinsford. They had already hidden it from view behind a massive white curtain though black smoke could be seen rising in the distance. Eragon smiled and he stepped out into the cold. His body began to shiver immediately, longing to be back under the protection and warmth of Saphira's wing but he denied it that and stepped closer to the edge with the scroll in hand. Eragon took in a deep breath and unraveled the scroll.
He waited for a moment but nothing happened. He looked at the moon and then back to the scroll. Was their a certain time that he had to view the scroll and had missed it? Was it the wrong day? Was it… Eragon's thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a presence in his mind. it was like nothing he knew. It was neither Saphira nor Arya he felt. It was different from anything he had ever been in contact with. He tried to shield himself from it but it had no effect. A wave of burning pain coursed through his body and he dropped to his knees in agony. The pain was so much that he could not contain it and it rippled to Saphira.
Saphira awoke in a blaze of rage thinking they were under attack and that Eragon had been injured but she froze upon seeing him on his knees and a tall figure standing over him cloaked in an eerie green mist. "I have given you all that you need, now go and fulfill the prophecy rider! With the wings of a dragon you shall succeed." The figure spoke in the ancient tongue and held out his hand with a golden amulet in the shape of a dragon that hung from a glowing chain. Eragon reached out and once it was in hand the figure disappeared. Eragon collapsed.
Eragon! Saphira called across their link but received no response. She quickly scooped him in her right forearm and he fear was eased slightly. He was alive and alright from what she could see but unconscious. She felt his heart beat beginning to slow from its rapid pace and a slight movement though his limbs. Eragon? She felt his presence in her mind strengthen.
Saphira? He questioned weakly across their link. What happened? He listened without interruption as Saphira explained what she saw after waking. Eragon sighed and lifted his hand with the amulet still clutched tightly in a fist. He looked down and saw that the scroll now lay partially buried in snow. Saphira, the scroll! Once he was set down again, he staggered to the scroll and picked it up from the snow.
Before him set into the scroll was a map of Alagaësia and beyond. He saw the extent of the lands to the north, east, and south. Lands that lay far beyond any of the maps he had seen in his life. Even those shown to him by Oromis lacked the detail this one did. What shocked him most of all was that the map showed a large continent far off the coastline that he knew and it was at least the size of Alagaësia if not larger. He looked at Saphira to see her staring with no interest at the scroll. "Saphira, do you know what this could mean?"
Saphira tilted her head slightly. What do you mean little one, I see only the scroll. Eragon looked at her, how could she not see it? He tried to show her the image in his mind but it became too difficult to concentrate and he couldn't. With a sigh, he looked back at the map to see it changing. Some kind of text appeared next to an island not too far off shore on the other side of the Spine. It was written in a language he could not understand nor even hope to pronounce. But one of the words stuck out most of all, one that he did understand, Doru Araeba.
He explained the best he could to Saphira what he saw and told her that for some reason that he could not show her across their link. His attention returned to the map. "Perhaps it means that we should go there," Eragon said tentatively. He remembered the many dangers that plagued the island nowadays and how it was nearly suicide to go. "I wonder what prophecy the person spoke about. Oromis never spoke to me about a prophecy of any kind so I have to wonder if he knew about it. Why did he give me this scroll anyway?"
I don't know either little one, perhaps he couldn't use the scroll himself and so passed it on to you incase you were able. Saphira used her wing to shield Eragon from the wind while he continued to look at the scroll. Maybe the Queen would know what it is? Eragon thought about the idea silently.
I guess we could give it a try, she may not know however but it's worth a try. Eragon reached out with his mind but she was not within his range. Saphira tried but still she could not be found. Maybe we should try Arya? But that idea was soon dismissed because of awkwardness in Eragon since he had tried once more to ask her out. She seemed to avoid him unless it was an important matter but this might not be considered one. Eragon walked over to Saphira and placed his marked hand against her side. "We should just wait for now until we can contact the queen about this. If anyone would know it, she would."
Alright little one but you should get some rest, we have to start the clean up tomorrow for those that wish to return and you'll need your strength. Saphira brushed snow from the ground and settled down so that he could sleep again. Once he was safely under her wing, she tucked her head under it as well. Good night Eragon.
Good night Saphira, Eragon said and placed the amulet around his neck and closed his eyes. It was not long before they were asleep and the wind outside died down. The amulet began to glow and a small golden sphere emerged from the dragon's chest. It slowly drifted in the slight breezes before it touched Saphira's forehead and disappeared. Minutes passed and a light like liquid silver emerged from the dragon's forehead and returned to the amulet. Eragon's marked hand began to glow but soon faded…
