Arya slowed to a stop with Eragon as they both approached the twenty league mark. Thu sun was high in the sky now probable three or four hours past mid-day, Arya now followed Eragon as he snuck though the forest, from the way he swung his head around she knew he was searching for tracks or any sign that someone has passed through here.
Not long after slowing down, until Eragon shot his head up as he heard a low deep rumble, it sounded like a very large animal trying to defend its self, or attempting to scare something away.
Eragon had done much tracking, and he could tell that it was from a creature that was stuck. Surprising Arya he bolted off in the general direction of the sound. When Eragon came to the top of a hill he saw her long, sleek body, but immediately cursed, as he saw that she was pinned with ropes and the four men standing on either side of her. Eragon felt rage extreme rage boil up as he saw her, and from the smug expressions on their faces, along with the occasional chuckle and finger pointing, that the man were talking about how to divvy up the reward money.
Not thinking, driven by instincts, Eragon took aim with his weapon and pulled the trigger, there was another loud thud as the bolt exploded from the barrel and embedded its self into the man's head, nearly splitting it in to from the force of the impact. Before they could react Eragon aimed on the second man and increased the weapon to full power as his rage burned with in him.
This time the low thud of was a loud bang as the bolt erupted from the barrel in a bight flash of blue light. Eragon watched with a mild satisfaction as he watched the spiraling blue light enter the man, but it didn't stop. The bolt was traveling so fast, that the fins on it bore a hole clean through the man.
Eragon decreased the power and in two single bounds was down the hill, facing the last two men and a surprised dragon.
"Get away from her."
He said in as deep, low threatening tone.
"And who do you think you are, this is our pri…"
Eragon didn't let the man finishes what he was saying, in a blink of an eye Eragon raised his weapon and shot him in the chest, the bolt didn't have enough power to cleave a hole in him but it had enough kinetic energy to knock him back several feet. Although, he was dead before his feet left the ground.
Eragon then swung his weapon to the last man who was trembling in his boots, Eragon kept his weapon fixed on his head for several moments, until trembling man threw down his weapons and stared at Eragon helplessly. It took a moment of thought but Eragon gave a twitch of his weapon and allowed the man to run off in to the woods.
Eragon waited several more moments before taking his sword and cutting the ropes that held the dragon down; as soon as it was free she immediately knocked him over and nuzzled him excitedly. Eragon could feel her radiate joy and surprise at seeing him again, but she also showered him in gratitude for him saving her life.
But she suddenly stopped her affection and thanks as Arya came down the hill but stopped at its base.
"It's alright; this is Arya, a friend."
Eragon then opened his mind to his dragon friend and showed her all his memories from the Varden and how they managed to kill Galbatorix. After Eragon finished sharing his memories she relaxed but still kept a wary eye on Arya. After several moments she turned her gaze from Arya and back to Eragon, and did something he never considered she could do, she spoke.
"You have remarkable timing Eragon, thank you again."
"After Brom told me there were rumors of you, and that others were looking for you as well, Arya and I left immediately. But there will be time later, do you have a name I can call you?"
"You may call me Saphira, Eragon. When we last parted I was still too young to speak, and I was just so happy to see you, I sort of forgot I could speak."
Eragon smiled and gently rubbed her neck like he used to when she was living with him, Saphira remembered how he would rub her neck the same way when ever her injuries hurt her, she found it comforting then and she found it comforting now. Eragon didn't have much trouble reaching her neck, unlike Glaeder, Saphira is much smaller.
Her shoulder is around the same height as Eragon's, her neck extends another two feet. Her body is more stream line, her scales aren't raised, but flat diamond shapes. Eragon could only guess that these features would make her a much better flyer, seeing she had a body that in every case was designed for flying and speed.
After several moments Saphira moved her neck away from Eragon and moved around to examine the bodies Eragon had shot, she looked at the bolts out of the two men then to the man that had a hole bored through his chest, then to Eragon.
"What did you do?"
"I killed them, with this."
Eragon raised his weapon sideways and held it out, so that she could see it. She looked it over from end to end, she noted the metal hole in one end, and how the wooden tube that houses the metal, gave way into a big box, that was connected to a handle, and what appears to be a trigger. Finally the flat top and handle gave way to a rectangular piece of wood with a flat end, she saw Eragon hold this end to his shoulder, before he killed the man who was about to call her his "prize".
Saphira raised her gaze so that she was now looking at Eragon.
"Now, who is that female elf that travels with you?"
"Arya, come on over and meet Saphira."
At first Arya was slightly hesitant but Eragon reassured her with a friendly look and a slow head nod. Arya was still slightly nervous as she approached the dragon called, Saphira, but kept her feelings hidden behind a blank expression. Unlike the dragons of old, she was much shorter, no higher than Eragons shoulder, but she was also much longer in ratio, compared the rest of her body.
Arya stopped several feet in front of her and allowed Saphira to close the distance and smell her. Eragon watched as Saphira slowly circled Arya then stopped in front of her, after a moment of thought, Saphira touched her on her forehead with her snout, a sign that she saw Arya as a friend.
While the two got acquainted with each other Eragon went over and pulled the bolts from the two bodies, and started to look for the last one. He was surprised to find it in a tree after it passed through the man, and ricocheted off the hard ground.
Eragon gave one mighty tug and the bolt popped free, unfortunately he didn't bring any extra tips so for now it was useless, when Eragon turned around to see Saphira approaching him, and Arya running up the hill.
"Where's Arya going?"
"She said something about guarding over your house until you return."
Eragon sighed slightly and placed a hand on Saphira's neck.
"I've missed you, you know."
"I've missed you too Eragon."
Saphira started too purr happily as Eragon started to scratch behind her jaw and head.
"Perhaps now we can find a place to catch up on al that has happened?"
Eragon stopped his scratching and removed his hand from her neck as she crouched down to the ground and eyed him keenly.
"I know of just the place Eragon, get on and I'll fly you there."
Eragon thought for a moment on whether or not he should go flying, but decided that he has faced far more dangerous cenarios than flying with his best friend. Eragon then took his weapon and secured it with his pack's strap. He was about to climb up and settle down behind her neck, but realized that wouldn't work due to her short neck.
Instead Eragon decided to sit behind her wings, where there was a gap between them and her body. Eragon didn't have any trouble getting on, but ended up lying down on her back and wrapping his arms around the base of her neck, before she leapt into the air.
At first Eragon didn't know what to think, he was riding on a wild dragon, A ferocious beast, which just so happens to be his best friend. The excitement he's feeling as she flies through the air is both exhilarating and terrifying, the weight that presses against him as she turns, as well as the sensation of the wind whipping past his face, throwing his hair in every which way has no description.
After a few minutes of debating Eragon threw away the excuses and rolled his head back and bellowed his excitement to the heavens above. Saphira was filled with joy as she listened to Eragon cheer, she had always remembered how much fun she had with him when she was younger, and when she became fully grown wondered what it would be like to fly with him. Yes he and she weren't bonded like the dragon and riders of old. But they shared a friend ship that equals in comparison to their bonds.
Saphira would do anything to keep him safe, just as Eragon proved he would do likewise. Saphira didn't know what happened during their time together, all she knew was that they had developed a friend ship that stretched down into their hearts, a friendship that could be broken.
It didn't take long for Saphira to reach her destination and as she descended Eragon spotted a river flowing underneath the tree canopies, it was a medium sized river, probably around six feet wide.
When Saphira landed Eragon removed himself from her back and looked around at the beauty of the river flowing under the tree tops, casting light in rays upon the forest floor and river. But most impressive was the clearing, somehow the trees grew out from the side of the hill, leaving the forest floor hidden from view. As Eragon circled around, taking in the beautiful sight of the clearing, he noticed a medium sized cave.
"Is this were you've been living?"
"It is it took me four days to find this area."
When Eragon turned back around he noticed that she was lying down on a sunny patch of grass, watching him.
"Now come and tell me everything you have accomplished, I can tell what you showed me is only a small part."
Eragon nodded and started to talk as he walked over and sat down next to her, bracing his back against her belly.
"Yes it is. Not long after you left I felt that I should do something that would help others, that's when I left for the Varden, the day before I left I told my cousin and uncle. I was expecting them to object but Roran was already planning on leaving, to join them, is worked to our advantage. Once Roran and I arrived at Farthen Dur we began training, Roran was good, but I took it much more seriously, every minute I had I spent it training. I would run ten miles every morning before training with my good friend Orick, who is now the Dwarven king, and my foster brother."
"How can a dwarf be related to you?"
"His adopted father, Hrothgar, adopted me into his clan, out of Ortho, respect for my dedication to their customs in battle and tradition."
"So your brother, foster brother, is now the king of the dwarfs?"
"Yes, Hrothgar fell in combat, during a battle with Galbatorixeses army."
"What will happen if he is no longer capable of ruling?"
Eragon chuckled at her question, he knew what she meant by it.
"They'll get another dwarf to take his place. I am no dwarf so I am not eligible for kingship. But because I am an adopted clan member, I have a say at their meeting one any topic of importance. Now where was I?"
"You would run every day before training."
"Ah, yes, after weeks of constant training with the dwarves, the elves took notice of me, and I eventually started training with them as well. I knew what people thought about, I don't know why, what I saw was a proud race, who like any other race cherished their secrets, but I also respected them, for they where warriors of untold skill. After a while they came to respect me, they were expecting me to be like any other human, but where pleasantly surprised when I treated them with respect, Arya and I grew to be close friends and she eventually offered to take me to Ellesmera to further my training. While there, that's where I developed my skills in mechanical engineering and discovered, what I call circuitry. While there I increased my training dramatically, from morning till noon I would do sprints, after that would train with some of the finest elven swordsman, archers, and melee combatants. On the days I didn't have training, I would find other ways to increase my skills, over time and through constant exorcise, I naturally gained their strength and agility. When I was finished more than most of them came to respect me just as I respect them, Islanzadi even introduced me to Oramis and Glaeder, the last dragon and rider of old. Oramis explained to me that he was cut off from magic before the battle that secured Galbatorixes future, and Glaeder lost his leg during their escape, even in his old age he still managed to teach me everything he knew about sword play and hand combat, most of the things the elves didn't even know."
As Eragon finished he could faintly sense Saphira's surprise at his accomplishments and deeds. Eragon waited patiently as Saphira processed everything he told her.
"So within a three year period, you managed to master all fields of combat train with the greatest master of both the Elves, and Dwarves, and aided the Varden to their victory over Galbatorix. Where after wards you took to being a mercenary and from what I can tell a more than successful one?"
"Pretty much, I would be lying if I said I wasn't proud of my accomplishments. But my biggest accomplishment was coming up with a new ballista design that used gears and pulleys to reset the bow string back, making it possible for two men to reload it, one to crank the bow, with another to load it and fire, taking the average five man crew and reducing it to two."
"And now you've made a weapon that has all the power if not more as a ballista and put it on your shoulder."
Eragon slowly ran his hand over the side of his weapon as he thought about what she said.
"It's kind of humbling, to know that I created a weapon with such power. But also kind of scary to know what I could do with it. When I increased it on full power, and shot that man, the bolt had drilled a hole clean through him, before ricocheting off the ground and imbedding its self two inches an Oak tree"
"You have become a warrior that the gods could respect Eragon, you didn't allow yourself be weakened by flesh and bone, it is only appropriate that you have a weapon that matches your strength and abilities."
Eragon nodded absent mindedly as he thought about several new modifications he could add to it, Eragon then snapped back to attention as he felt Saphira nudge him gently with her snout.
"I'm glad we are together again Saphira, I was heartbroken to see you leave, but knew that It was the right choice, although I did hope you would at least visit after the war."
Saphira let out a regretful sigh, yes it also hurt her to leave Eragon, not only did he save her life but also accepted her as part of his family. He sheltered her, fed her, and helped sooth her when she was in pain. After all this, how does she show her gratitude, by leaving.
"Not a day goes by Eragon that I regret my decision to leave, you brought me into your family Eragon, you gave me the family I never knew, but I left out of fear, I feared, if someone saw me with you, that it would bring harm and trouble to your family."
"Our family Saphira and I understand why you left. But now you don't need to fear what people might do if they see you with me. People respect me for everything I have accomplished and fear me as an enemy. Please come back home with me, where we can enjoy the friendship that is ours."
Eragon could feel the hesitation emanating from her, even though they weren't dragon and rider, a close sense of friendship had bonded them together, Eragon asked Glaeder about this before and said it was because Eragon brought her back from the brink of death.
He then went on to explain how some wild dragon have been known to bond themselves with human and elves, but only if the dragon found them worthy.
Glaeder finished by explaining, because Eragon stayed with her until she was well again, and treated her with tenderness during her recovery; this was the reason why she chose to bond with him. It isn't a bond like a rider and dragon share, but both shared similarities, such as feelings and thoughts.
"Tell you what why don't we sleep on it, take an afternoon nap like we used to."
For emphasis Eragon sent her his memory of her sleeping in the nook of his armpit, while lying on a warm patch of grass somewhere in the woods.
Saphira has missed sleeping with him; she had always a sense of comfort when she was with him. Even now she is feeling an ease that she hadn't felt in years. Like a weight had been pressing down on her was removed.
"Alright Eragon."
Saphira then stretched her body out and allowed Eragon to lie down against her. Bracing his head on her right foreleg, she then took her left foreleg and placed it over Eragon. As they fell asleep in the late mid day sun they were over taken by a comfort they had forgotten about, but now that they're feeling it again, wondered how they could have forgotten a feeling this fantastic.
Later that day both Eragon and Saphira woke around the same time. Eragon blinked several times and rubbed his eyes, Saphira yawned widely, she then allowed Eragon to get up and stretch as she did so as well.
"I have to say Eragon; I never knew just how much I missed you until now."
This confused Eragon slightly, he had hoped Saphira would have missed him. But there was something in her voice that reminded Eragon of loathing. Then he thought of something.
"Saphira, I hope you don't mind me asking, but isn't there any other dragons here for you? A beautiful dragoness like you should be happy."
Saphira eyed him curiously, he called her beautiful, and not only that but he also referred to her as a dragoness and not a dragon. Saphira felt her sense of loneliness dissipate with Eragons kind words, yes she might not have a mate but she has someone who cares for her, and that is more than she's ever had.
"No Eragon, there was one male, but he left for parts unknown three years ago, and hasn't been seen since."
"I'm sorry Saphira; it must have been difficult living alone for so long."
"It was Eragon, but now I'm not alone any more. Now I get to rejoin the family I should never have left."
Eragon couldn't help but chuckle slightly as Saphira nuzzled the underside of his jaw, in show of her appreciation. Although it was more of a gentle nudge now, but the meaning was the same.
"Come one you. Let's go home."
"And were exactly is home?"
Eragon then sent Saphira images of his house that he built over looking Carvahall, and its clear view of the falls to the east. Saphira wondered at why anyone would ever build a house so large on the inside. Eragon sensed this and sent her an image of him holding a blue print of his house while looking up at its wooden frame, then he transitioned to him walking through his house and wishing Saphira was there.
When Eragon showed her this she knew that he built it extra-large so she could reside there comfortably. He planned his house around the hope that he would find her again, and indeed he did.
"Alright Eragon, let's go home."
Home, it was a term she never thought to use before, even when she lived with Eragon before she didn't consider his house a home, but in truth it was her home. There she was their adopted family member, there she meant something. On the flight back Saphira recalled all the great times she had while living with Eragon and all the ones yet to be had.
When Saphira flew over the ridge the first thing she noticed were all the burning lights from people's homes, they looked like a swarm of fire flies against the dim glow of the moon, Saphira then noticed Eragon point to a house settled on a ridge. It was easy for her to spot as she noticed several lights on but knew that it was Arya keeping watch.
She didn't know why but there was something about the elf that she didn't like, for some reason she felt threatened by her. But Arya is Eragons friend, so she will keep her feelings to herself. Saphira adjusted her wings as to glide in for a silent and easy landing.
She knew that she was smaller than other dragons, and much more streamed line to, when an average dragon could fly thirty leagues in an hour she could do that easily with in fifteen minutes, but she refrained from such speed as Eragon had no way of holding on, and would be undoubtedly thrown off.
She crouched and allowed Eragon to get off before following him up to front door, where he opened it and allowed her to step in. Saphira slowly walked inside the house taking in every inch of detail and artistry that crafted the room, as she looked around the large room she noticed Eragon walk over to the large fire place and push in several stones, suddenly the fire place broke into the pieces and receded in to the walls
Saphira curiously examined the places the fire place disappeared into as Eragon walked into his work shop, where he placed his weapon on a bench before covering it with a thin sheet. Saphira waited outside the room as Eragon resecured the entrance to the hidden room.
"Eragon, what is that room?"
"That is where I make my inventions." Eragon gave a quick glance at the fire place before refocusing on Saphira. "It's late, and Arya is most likely asleep, why don't we call it a night as well?"
"That sounds like a wonderful idea."
Saphira proceeded to follow Eragon up the stairs and to a hall way, Saphira followed Eragon down the hall until he reached the door on the end and pushed it open. The first thing Saphira noticed was the large circular shaped cushion, and then she noticed there was another bed roughly the same size but this one was rectangular.
While Eragon walked into his closet to change Saphira gently climbed on the circular cushion and after circling a few times eased herself down onto the soft material.
"Comfortable?"
She heard Eragon ask, but when she looked at him she froze slightly. Eragon was standing in his closet door way shirt less, and attractive? Each one was clearly visible and defined, each one seamlessly transitioned into the next one, his chest was broad and very muscular and had more than a few scars from past injuries, and his abbes, he had a full set of abdomen muscles, clearly out lined and defined, and to her slight surprise, quite attractive.
Why she felt this way, she had no idea, Eragon was a human, even though they are very close there is no reason why she should be attracted by him.
"Saphira, is everything alright?"
"Oh, yes, thank you Eragon, it is quite comfortable."
Eragon wasn't blind to Saphiras change in behavior but connected it to her comfort, Saphira watched as he climbed into his own bed, but didn't get under the blankets, Saphira thought for several moments before getting up from her bed and climbing in with Eragon.
When Eragon felt Saphira join him he felt relief, he didn't want to say anything before but he hoped that she would have joined him, so they could sleep together like they used to. Eragon maneuvered his body closer against Saphira so that the soft scales of her belly warmed his back; Saphira then laid her head across the pillows and started to hum contently as they fell into their respected dreams.