Chapter 3
Kareia awoke to find that she still lay where she fell. The moon was dancing among the stars and the waves of the sea could be heard crashing on the sand in the distance. She felt something small press against her side and looked to see the baby dragon curled up in a ball asleep against her chest.
About time! You've finally awoken. You've had me worried for quite some time.
Saveil? That you? Kareia said a little dazed.
Who else? Saveil asked warily. Saveil was laid out behind her. His glowing sapphire eyes dreamily watched the ocean as moonbeams bounced off his radiant scales.
Did you see what happened? When I was fighting those things? I shouted something and a really powerful green force leaped out of my hand! It was amazing! What do you think it was?
I think you involuntarily performed a very powerful magic spell.
MAGIC? How could I have used magic? I don't even know how to use it! I couldn't have used magic! But the more she thought of it, the more it made sense. It couldn't have possibly been anything else.
While Kareia thought of this, more questions came to her, Saveil, what of the soldiers? And those creatures? Where are they?
The soldiers are all dead. But I'm afraid a couple of those creatures still live. I've tried to hunt them down while you were sleeping, but they are clever. They slipped away in the forest and I have not been able to find them. But they will be back and there will most definitely be more of them.
How long do you think Saveil?
I'd estimate a couple days before they will be here.
Then we have to leave now!
You still need your rest Kareia, Saveil said in a parental tone, We will leave first thing after the sun is up. We would be out of here long before they arrive.
Trying to sit up, Kareia found her arms extremely sore. Her legs had stopped bleeding to her relief but they were not much better than they were earlier. She ripped off a strip of cloth from her blanket that she kept in her leather bag and began to tend her wounds. She poured some of her fresh water she collected a couple days ago, on her cuts and slowly began to wrap the cloth around only the major wounds.
Kariea's movement awoke the hatchling who grunted sourly for being disturbed.
"Sorry little guy—er—girl. You know, we have yet to give you a name."
The dragon raised her head showing slightly more interest than falling back to sleep. Kareia laid back her head on the cool sand and stared at the decorated night sky.
Let's see…a good name for you… Kareia mentally stroked the dragon's conscience and began listing names Kareia would attatch a certain emotion to each name she listed to let the dragon know her own feelings of each name she listed. Do you like… Mremil? Lafara? Narla...? Although the dragon was too young to communicate like Saveil, she could feel her distaste as she listed each one. After at least twenty names, Kareia was beginning to make some up.
Olivira? Akkaria? Alrien? Still more disapproval.
Saveil couldn't help staying out of it, Come on Kareia, does she look like an 'Alrien' to you?
Kareia ignored him but couldn't help feeling frustrated.
Melani?... Karian?... Arlensea?...Sophina? Kareia was running out of names, If only she could just tell me her name. She stared at the young ones bright green scales that practically lit up under the night's moon like Saveil's. Saveil hadn't been this difficult. He ended up telling me his name. She had gone on so long just thinking him a fancy, valuable pet. She hadn't realized that dragons held the intelligence equal to if not superior to humans. It was quite a shock when she had heard words that were not her own echoing through her mind one day, and realize that they were coming from him.
That was when she thought of a perfect name for the young green dragon. Kareia decided to list it, unsure if the dragon would accept it.
Kareia whispered under her breath, "Emeral?" First there was no response and then she felt her rub against her mind in satisfaction. Dismissing the conversation, Emeral laid her head back down and fell asleep. Saveil began to hum soothingly as Kareia laid back against her silver companion.
Ugh, Kareia thought to herself. What are we supposed to do? Run from them for the rest of our lives? No, that can't be what we are destined to do… there has to be something other than running. Maybe we should start fighting. Maybe we should actually start doing something helpful, like what true dragon riders are supposed to do?
The thought of exposing themselves frightened Kareia. She had long only been concerned with keeping herself and Saveil safe and hidden. Was she ready? She just couldn't picture herself on a battle field…it was just too strange.
There was one thing she was sure of however; she would never join the king. That filthy tyrant didn't deserve to be where he was now: comfortably sitting safely behind his giant castle doors wreaking havoc upon his people like the coward he was. She has heard enough stories of the King and Rider Galbatorix and his cruelty in the past to know that joining him was simply not an option. And knowing Saveil, he would rather dive into a volcano than serve under him.
That was what inspired her to risk her life taking another egg from the king. His overconfidence that absolutely no one could possibly know of the egg, let alone have the foolishness to go after it in his own castle turned out to be his weakness. The king was blind, and it had cost him dearly. At the time, Kareia hadn't known it was an egg. She had merely thought the them pretty stones that held some unknown value to Galbatorix. All she wanted to do was hit the king in some way. Stealing a seemingly valuable stone seemed the most doable. Once she had it, she had to get rid of it. She was going to sell it off in some small remote place. To her shock, the stone turned out to be an egg which then hatched to be Saveil. From there, she didn't quite know what to do. The power and friendship of a dragon was at her disposal. She knew there was at least one other egg in that castle. Perhaps if she got her hands on the other one she could hand it over to the resistance. It was her way of contributing to the war.
But the unthinkable happened. A second dragon had hatched and it had nobody but her. How they will react to her owning two dragons? For now, Kareia thought, it's probably best to try to stay hidden for as long as possible. With these last thoughts, Kareia steadily began to drift back to sleep.
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Kareia's eyes fluttered open. The sun had just risen over the horizon. She rose finding Emeral perched on a rock stretching out her wings enjoying the sun's warmth. Saveil was still watching the mesmerizing ocean waves. Kareia stood up stretching, enjoying the sound of the water. Emeral flew to Kareia and picked her perch on her shoulder. Kareia smiled. She felt good…which was strange. Kareia's eyes widened and then looked at her legs. She felt no pain. She slowly began to unwrap the cloth that bound her wounds and gasped. There were no cuts! No bruises or scabs…nothing! It was clear and mended where the skin should be broken. Somehow, in the last few hours, her legs had recovered.
Saveil! My legs! They're…they're healed!
Good. That would make this trip easier for all of us. Ready to go?
Kareia stared a him unbelievingly, Don't you think it's a bit ODD that they miraculously healed?
Of course I do. But we have better things to do than sit around here wondering about it. We have to go, remember?
That's you Saveil, always the sensible one. She took another glance at her legs in wonder and sighed, Alright, let's get moving. Fly hidden Saveil.
Of course, Saveil opened his wings and shot into the sky, kicking up sand that twisted and followed Saveil's path into the air and slowly began to decent scattering into the ocean. The last glow of Saveil's silver armor could be seen before he disappeared among the chain of clouds.
Kareia moved quickly along the ocean shore. Emeral perched on her shoulder eyeing her surroundings with interest. The cliff that used to be on their right slowly grew into a chain of mountains. Ocean spray licked against Kareia's face which cooled her from the constant beating of the sun. Their trip was delayed once because Emeral became hungry and began squealing and nipping Kareia's ear in hunger. Saveil caught a large rodent and Kareia cut it into small pieces for her to eat. Emeral chopped up every scrap of meat that Kareia presented her. They were off again soon after. Kareia talked to Emeral most of the time and kept frequent communication with Saveil. Emeral stared at Kareia with intelligent eyes as she absorbed her words and phrases.
They traveled well into the night and stopped to collect water from a lake and sleep. They reached the northern most part of the mountain range that had curved into the ocean and blocked their path. Their scenery hadn't changed much. In front of them and to the right was the range of mountains and the ocean on the left. During their traveling, Kareia couldn't help but feel that they were being followed. But she managed to shake it off as she slept.
They rose early and changed their route into the hills. It took them the whole day to cross over to the other side of the mountains when the town came into view.
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The morning after, they finally reached the town of Kausta. Kareia made sure Saveil would wait a couple of miles off with Emeral as she entered the town in search of more supplies.
Kareia wasn't exactly rich, but she had worked for many employers after her parents passed away to stay alive. She had no one else to go to, so she had to take care of herself somehow. Kareia wanted to have enough money to be able to travel and explore the land. She had been with Saveil for a couple of months now and is running low on money. Kareia wasn't sure what to do when she ran out. She'll have to sell something.
The dirt roads were lined with shops and people trying to catch your attention with merchandise such as necklaces that increase your beauty, hats that are sure to make you think more clearly and rubbish like that. People were bustling about trying to get to their own destination paying no heed to the desperate sellers.
Kareia was searching for a market that sold leather as she needed to make herself new pants, gloves to hide her green-silvery mark and needed leather padding for Saveil's back. She did not intend to take another unpleasant ride like the last one whether she heals quickly or not. She was also searching for a blacksmith shop; she was in need of a new sword. The blood stained, rusty one she had inherited from her father was of little use to her now.
She found the blacksmith first and traded her old sword and a couple of coins for a new one that fitted her grip perfectly. A pattern was engraved on the black handle.
The blacksmith saw her examining it and said, "That there is a symbol mean'n 'bravery'. Good choice."
Kareia gave him a smile and went off to find her last item. She found a market that sold what she was looking for. After a few minutes of bargaining, she got enough leather for her gloves and Saveil's padding but the pants will have to wait.
She was heading out of the town, relieved that nothing terrible bad had happened when suddenly screams could be heard around the southern part of town. A slow accumulation of panic enveloped the town. Kareia turned around in curiosity. What was causing them to freak out like that? She unsheathed her sword and headed for the source of the trouble.
People were trampling over each other in desperate attempts to escape something. From the mass of bodies, she heard them all screaming one word, "URGALS! URGALS!"
Panic spread like a wildfire. People were running right and left. Dust was kicked up into Kareia's eyes and she became temporarily blinded to her surroundings. Squinting through tear-filled eyes, Kareia gasped at the sight of about twenty stocky, pig-faced creatures attacking the towns people.
The creatures were attacking everyone and everything within their reach. They charged the alarmed towns people with smug expressions. Bodies collapsed on the roads, dirt mixing with the free flow of blood. It was the most terrible thing Kareia had ever seen. She couldn't just stand here and watch them slaughter these innocent people! She had to do something!
Men fumbled for their weapons and began to resist the attack. Only a couple Urgal bodies fell but their numbers were overwhelming. The men who were able to collect their wits were actively fighting against the beasts. There was one man in particular that caught Kareia's eye. He moved so swiftly among the monsters slicing their necks in such smooth motion it was almost inhuman. He didn't seem to tire or need to catch his breath. His face was hidden under a hooded cloak that seemed glued to his head. It did not fall.
Realizing that her distraction could become disasterous, Kareia called out to Saveil.
Saveil! Those creatures! They're back! And there are so many more of them!
I'm on my way! .Saveil reported urgently. Kareia looked up and saw a silver blur race across the sky and dive upon one of the creatures, sinking his claws into it's chest. Saveil whipped his powerful tail around at an Urgal and swiped his claws at another.
Thinking of nothing else to do, Kareia lifted her new sword and charged the Urgal closest to her. With it's back to her, it turned to find her sword piercing through it's belly, and with a faint grunt, it fell dead.
Three had gotten by Saveil and were running toward Kareia with raised swords. Saveil was immidiately at her side. Back turned, Saveil was ready to whip his tail at the one at the far left. Sensing his intents, the Urgal was prepared and ducked. Kareia took advantage of this distraction and swung at it's neck. But it was blocked by the blade of the middle Urgal which sneered while bringing down his other sword. But Saveil aimed well this time. Kareia almost smiled in approval as she watched the creature fly four feet in the air and land on it's head. Saveil and Kareia then turned their attention on the remaining two. Neither of the creatures showed any signs of fear as Saveil raised on of his deadly claws and in an almost unseen motion, swiped at the right one's throat. It attempted to dodge but failed to be quick enough and fell dead on the bloodstained dirt. Meanwhile, Kareia had blocked an assault from the left Urgal and swung at it's side. It blocked her attack with relative ease and pushed her back making her stumble. It wasted no time and raised it's sword and brought it down. Saveil's tail whipped out and thrashed the Urgal out of the way before the sword hit its mark. Like all the arrows, spears, and swords before, the sword just bounced off his brilliant scales and with a triumphant roar, he watched Kareia stab it through the belly.
Throat parched from the dust being kicked into her mouth, Kareia looked up panting for air. She scanned the area for more Urgals but saw no others. Then her eyes rested on the many bodies that laid sprawled across the road. It was terrible. These people had done nothing and look what happened. The sight became too painful to bear and she choked back tears.
Kareia froze, she was suddenly aware of the many eyes from house windows and shop doorways watching Saveil in awe. They seemed completely oblivious to Kareia standing merely ten feet away. She slowly backed into a shop hoping no one will notice her presence.
She desperately called to Saveil, Fly! You're attracting the whole town's attention! I'll catch up with you later when everyone is out. Make sure no one follows you!
Fine. But you better call if more of those creatures show up.
The town gasped as Saveil flapped his wings so rapidly, dirt consumed him in a large dust cloud that whirled around in a small twister. When the dirt settled, everyone stood speechless as the silver dragon was gone.
Kareia smiled to herself. What a show-off. She decided to leave when the sun began to set.
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- Dragons4eva
aka: Temeraire00
