Chapter Four everybody! I was awesome enough to get two chapters done in one day! Yay! So, I hope you liked the last chapter. Not to intense but I hope it got you awake. It did me. This one has a mysterious figure (it is obvious who it is). Pay close attention because a bad omen is appearing! Ooooeeeeooooo! : ) Also, Jade finds herself attracted to someone she only just met. Will it flourish into something or whither away? You will see! (in upcoming chapters!) Anyways, thanks for the reviews guys and I strive to get chapters done everyday (neglecting my schoolwork). Well, here's chapter four! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own any Eragon characters or places, words, and phrases for I am not Christopher Paolini who is way more awesome than I am and better at grammar. XD
Warning: May be a spoiler?
Rated M for future scenes. (Don't worry guys. It's only the beginning of the story. There will be some love later! 3)
Chapter 4: Omens
A beautiful scene played out before Jade. Trees surrounded her as she sat in a forested glade. Birds chirped their spring songs as they flew from tree-top to tree-top. Bumble bees were bursting with pollen as they buzzed along, stopping at only the brightest of flowers in the glade. Several species of flowers were growing from the seductive red rose bushes to bright yellow daisies. The arm was warm and sweet. Sunlight filled the glade, making the small stream that flowed to the side of the glade glitter. All was calm. All was beautiful.
Jade found herself walking to the middle of the glade, where a thick patch of grass grew. She seated herself, her long brown hair falling around her. Slender hands clasped in front of her chest, Jade began to sing an elf song she learned as a child. The glade seemed to sing with her. As Jade finished her song, she smiled happily. If only the whole world was so peaceful and beautiful. Jade relaxed, enjoying just being in this magnificent place.
As if some kind of plague ripped through the serenity, the birds cried out in warning, then became quiet all together. A large black cloud rolled over the sun, and thunder rumbled in the distance. Jade's happiness fell away, and tears brimmed her eyes as the beauty disappeared. The glade seemed to become totally quiet, as if hiding from some evil. A tickling feeling on Jade's neck made her easily.
A twig suddenly snapped behind Jade and she jumped up. As she whirled around to face the intruder, she pulled out a Dragon Rider's sword from her hip. The blade flashed, the amethyst stone glittering. She didn't marvel it as her face turned to horror. Before her stood a magnificent dragon with his Rider clad in armor. It was a stunning sight, but also sickly. Instead of lean muscles, skin, and scales, there were only bleach white bones. A horrible scent filled the glade, making Jade want to retch. Her eyes watered as she looked to the rider, who also had the same fate as its dragon. Her stomach twisted as she saw fiery pits where its eyes should be. A few of the skulls teeth were missing. There was a large split in the helmet, as if a sword had jutted through it. The armor looked as if it had been hard battle. The metal no long gleamed but was covered in the filth of battle. There were several dents in the breast plate, but in the center, was a red twisted flame stitched on a piece of tattered cloth.
Jade's eyes widened and she took a step back. She knew that flame from the stories her parents had told her. The dragon rider chuckled at her terror, the laugh raspy and painful. "You should be afraid," the creature sneered, its voice male. "I am the one who used to strike fears in the hearts of children. I used to control a mighty empire. That was, until an illiterate, country farm boy magically got a dragon. Without that dragon, he would have NEVER been able to defeat me." The man paused, as if taking a breath. "Your father defeated me twenty years ago. He may have killed my body, but never my soul. I will return, spawn of Eragon. I will return and the Empire shall rise again." He raised his arm, and Jade felt a strong pressure on her chest. She let out a scream as she tried to break free with Ancient words, but could not remember them. Tears stained her cheeks as she slowly began to loose consciousness. The skeleton dismounted his dragon, and walked over to her. Jade began to struggle again, but all she managed to do was fall on the ground. The dragon rider leaned over her, his skeletal face forever grinning. "I shall return and you shall help me. You will birth a new age of Riders who will rise the Empire again." Jade managed to shake her head. "Never! I will never do such a thing!"
The skeleton chuckled at her. "You will because if you don't, you will die." Jade stopped struggling for a moment. I am going to die? She then resumed her fighting. "I will die for Alagaësia! I will die for the Riders!" The skeleton seemed not to hear her as he ran his hand down her body, over hers breasts, to her stomach. "You womb will bear a great evil. Perhaps, worse than myself." Jade looked to him in disbelief, tears flowing from her eyes. The skeleton began to laugh insanely, until it became a loud trill. Jade recognized the trill. She felt a light tickle on the back of her mind and she let it in. Jade. It is Amethysia. Wake up! You must wake up!
Jade's eyes shot open only to stare into large violet opals. Amethysia was lying on top of her chest, unknowingly suffocating her. Jade sat up, gingerly rubbing her chest. She looked down to her stomach and fresh tears stained her cheeks. She wiped her eyes with the back of hands, which were shaking violently. Amethysia sat in front of her, looking worried. What is wrong? Jade looked to Amethysia and sent images of her dreams to her. The dragon reacted with a fierce growl and a roar that was half a squeal. Armos looked over the back of Nightshade's back as he groomed the horse.
"You are awake, Argetlam." He patted Nightshade's neck and stepped around the horse. He stepped towards Jade but stopped as he saw how upset she was. Slowly drawing his sword, the elf looked around suspiciously. "What is the matter? Is someone here?" Jade stood up, her legs shaking. "No there is no one. I wouldn't cry if there was," she snapped, not meaning to. Armos stared at her for a moment, and then bowed. "My apologies, Argetlam." Jade said nothing as she began to saddle Nightshade. Amethysia jumped onto the horse's rump, watching Jade. Are you sure you should be riding so soon after almost drowning in the river, the dragon asked. Jade could feel her worry but blocked it away. We need to get to Farthen Dûr as soon as we can. I need to speak with Father. Amethysia nodded her slender head, turning her gaze to Armos, who was putting out the fire. The older elf showed no emotion, but the dragon could tell he was just as worried as she was.
Well, that is the end of Chapter four! I hoped you liked it. Remember to review. I'm not going to write a chapter tomorrow probably, so there won't be one up for maybe two days. Later everyone! Thanks for reading!