The group swooped down and landed in the thickly wooded forests a league outside of Gil'ead, "Oy my rump is ever grateful to be off that infernal saddle."
The dragon swung her head around and growled sharply, "Oh not that you are a bad flyer but dragons should have more comfortable saddles."
"And they do, during my time at the Castile I've seen my father's dragon with a much nicer saddle than the typical travel saddle." One of the men paled drastically. "Are you alright?" said Anton
"No no it's nothing, could you leave me and my friend for a few minutes," clarified the taller one, his eyes told Anton that he would not be swayed.
"Sure, why not." Anton grumbled.
Grabbing his swords he sat next to the dragon. What is your name dragon?
I am Saphire. She said mentally and rolled her massive shoulders. Huffing she again threw her thoughts to the boy next to her, ahh something is wedged in my scales, I can't quite reach it.
Would you like me to get it for you?
If a dragon fly.
He stepped back, is that a yes?
She snorted in affirmation, blowing a thick cloud of smoke over him.
He reached over and touched her back, trying to feel anything that would cause irritation between the scales. He found a small lump, he tugged a small stone from between the thick scales, and here you go. Anton held the stone out to show her.
A mental presence momentarily pressed against his mind, he drew a great breath, tasting the air, and then the sensation was gone. Utterly and completely.
He gasped as his knees suddenly gave out as he could not support his own weight. Wincing he let out a few choice cruse words. He flopped over into the sand and laid out. "I'm alright!" he exclaimed, grinning like a mad man.
Saphira's only response was to snort and proceed to making a bed in the still warm dirt. The elf was sagging against the hard scales on Saphira's back, let me get her off your back, Anton laughed. He untied the elf from her back and then laid the elf out on one of the bed spreads.
I wonder why she hasn't woken. It's been hours since we left Gil'ead
Who knows what they did to her. Anton said grimly.
The other two men seemed to have finished their conversation and began walking back over, " we have decided to trust you," said the taller of the two, and then he swung his bow off his back and pointed it threateningly at him, "don't make us regret it. I am Murtagh and that is Eragon the new rider."
He bowed, "thank you for trusting me with your names my name is Anton, master of sverdar and vanyali," pausing he thought it over, "It translates to 'son of dragons, master of swords and magic.'"
Eragon grinned, "Perhaps some time we can duel. The more pressing matter is that once everyone is ready we must go." Facing the whole group Eragon spoke quickly, "I can't thank you enough, you risked your lives to save me; I owe you for that. I would never have been able to escape on my own." But even with just meeting the two slightly older young men he felt a bond forming between them, it was a bond of brotherhood foraged with the heat of battle.
"You would have done the same for me and our new friend would you not?" said Murtagh who regarded the other man with a cold tone.
"Yes."
"Then think nothing of it."
If you are done making amends then we need to get going, the solders are closing in on us fast.
Anton frowned, "Your rider must have rest."
"I can sleep in the saddle, we must get moving." Protested Eragon, who had already mounted his horse.
They rode though the better part of the night, till a wind storm hit rattling the tree tops and they were forced to stop at day break they were a good twelve leagues away from the empire.
"We should make a bed for the elf," Murtagh said gesturing toward the prone form on Saphira's back.
Anton ran over and pulled out the bed roll he had used previously, Murtagh and Eragon looked quizzically at him. "What? I grabbed a bed roll for the elf when we ran." They looked at one another and then proceeded with un-tying the elf from her back then placing her on the mat. Eragon reached for the leather tunic and gently pulled it back.
They all gasped, the elf's arm was mottled with a layer of bruises and cuts; some were half healed, while other were fresh and oozing. Eragon shook his head with anger and pulled the sleeve higher. The injuries continued up her shoulder. With trembling fingers, he unlaced the back of her shirt, dreading what might be under it. As the leather slipped off, Murtagh cursed. The elf's back was strong and muscled, but it was covered with scabs that made her skin look like dry cracked mud.
Where her skin was intact it was purple from beatings and branded with sharp hot objects in the shape of claws. On her left shoulder the same sign on Brom's ring was harshly engraved with indigo ink. Eragon silently swore an oath of revenge on whoever had caused the elf such pain.
"Can you heal it?" asked Murtagh silently.
"What?"
"I SAID CAN YOU HEAL IT, ERAGON!" he yelled loudly.
"I don't know, yes usually but there is so much damage," he said looking down at the elfs prone form.
ERAGON! She is an elf and cannot be allowed to die! Hungry or not tired or not you must try to save her, I… she was cut off as Anton entered in on the conversation. You know that it would be simpler if I healed her.
Then get to work fool she may not have much time left! Said Saphira rather loudly.
Alright I'm hurrying, the oddest of sensations went through his mind at Saphira's close proximity turning a shade of crimson he went to his work.
"Waíse heill!"
He labored through midday, newly formed skin flowed over all previous cuts and blemishes. "Is it done?" his heart beat did not change in its pace, and his magic reserves were still incredibly high. "It's done," he said taking in a deep breath. "Now let's be off before the Empire catches us."
The day was un-eventful, deer walked lazily through meadows, and men from the Empire were distracted by Anton who sent large gusts of wind behind them that made it impossible to see them, by the time it was night they had stopped on the edge of a large cliff, Anton was sitting precariously on the edge keeping a watchful eye for all that intended to harm the dragon or her ridder. How is she? Eragon asked.
No worse than before, Saphira growled, but I grow restless, when will she wake?
"Soon, or I shall learn what ails her." promised Eragon aloud.
"You three must get some sleep, I'll take first watch." Said Anton who had just gotten off w
Alright, she folded her wing over her rider and Murtagh, wake me if anything happens.
The hours drooled by at a creeping pace, but he didn't grow tired, and instead he passed time by tracing his swords in the stone on which he sat, eventually a likeness of the sleeping dragon appeared. He smiled and stood back to examine his work. He felt something slice open his shoulder, a single scale of the purest icy blue floated into the deep cut and it sealed itself over again. He felt something touch his mind, I grant you the gift in your blood.
His body felt those of a powerful dragon and then the sensation was gone. But the mental presence had left him with a phrase, Alkinufa and Huatan.
Saphira opened her eyes, good morning little ones.
Eragon was sprawled out underneath her massive wings. Good morning Saphira did you sleep well?
Very, I was having some of the weirdest dreams.
"We have something that we need to discuss, how we are going to find the Varden? And we aren't making ground on the solders, but the elf must make it to the Varden, and in a day or two the empire will overtake us." Growled Murtagh
"What else can we do?" snapped Eragon. "If it were just the two of us and you were willing to leave Tornac behind, Saphira could fly us out of here. But with the elf too? Impossible."
Murtagh looked at him carefully. "If you want to go your own way, I won't stop you. I can't risk all your lives just for the sake of mine."
"Don't insult me," Anton muttered, "you three provided the distraction that enabled me to escape, and we are all part of the same group with one goal, to survive."
Murtagh bowed his head, "your words hearten me." He paused, "But they don't solve our problem."
"What can?" Eragon asked. He gestured at the elf. "I wish she could tell us where the elves are; perhaps we could seek sanctuary with them."
"Considering how they have protected themselves, I doubt she'd reveal their location. Even if she did the others of her kind might not welcome us."
They would accept us, said Saphira confidently as she shifted her wings to a more comfortable position.
Eragon shrugged, "even if they would protect us, we can't find them and it's impossible to ask the elf until she regains consciousness. We must flee, but in what direction-north, south, east, or west."
Anton cracked his neck, "We should cross the Hadarac. That is to the east."
Murtagh raised an eyebrow. "So you want to cross the desert?"
It would be safe, remarked Saphira, as long as we did not encounter any Urgals.
"If we reach the other side of the Hadarac safely," said Murtagh slowly, "where will we go? Those lands are well outside the boundaries of the empire. And what do you know of it?"
"well. . ."
Thank you everyone who has reviewed, I was half considering dropping the story till I saw all the positive reviews! Thanks for the support, the chapters shall become more frequent if time and school finals allow *Shivers* but this week I should have plenty of time to write :D.
Next time leave names with your reviews and I will send a thanks
To: unknown
Yes the Varden will be *coughs* shocked about that, as well as the elfs. (and don't worry about his power, he is buff :D) you know who you are.
Till next update and reviews!
-SirCraftOBooks