Remind me to punish A'mathea and Thornac tomorrow. I won't condone disobedient dragons.
Sapphira sighed just before curling up into a deep slumber. Eragon sat on the edge of the bed for a long while, staring at the ring Brom had left him. It had been twenty years to this date that Brom had jumped in the way of the old shade Durza, saving him from death. But at the same time, he signed his own life away.
Eros and Galaide had also retired to a room for the night, whilst their dragons had left to hunt. Galaide had decided to curl himself up on the bed as he watched his partner remove his travelling clothes; Galaide couldn't help but admire Eros as he strip with his back turned.
"When will you gain the confidence to take what you want?"
This had completely startled the shyer boy.
"What do you mean?" Galaide asked in return. Eros turned toward his friend and smiled. Galaide was in complete awe. Eros was in no way buff as people would say, but every feature on his body was toned and defined, it didn't help that the boy had a subtle tan that made every part of him look like the most stunning thing in existence. Eros strode over to Galaide taking his hand in his own.
"Relax, you get too nervous around this subject" Both boys ended up locking eyes and watching each other with intensity. It wasn't long before a kiss had broken out, and both pairs of hands were wrapped all over one another. The boys continued in their passionate embrace for sometime, their dragon partners had returned from their hunt by the time Galaide finally pulled away. Eros led him by the hand back toward the bed in which both boys curled in each others arms to sleep.
You are unwise to have left our sanctuary. Danger awaits you and all your friends that followed you on your Journey. I pray that you will return safely my son.
Thornac awoke with a start. His father had contacted him. This was not a good sign.
Twin Destiny
"My masters" Kulstagh bowed at the twin thrones of his masters. One a brilliant blue, the other a dazzling red. Orin – the male would sit upon the red, whilst his sister Tanniya usually sat upon the blue throne.
"Dear Kulstagh how is your mind today?" That was Tanniya, cruel, but kind without even knowing it. Orin was different, he was firm but fair.
"I am well my lady. I bring you news of the great Eragon's return to Alagaesia"
"Where is Mordin?" Orin asked in annoyance. He often grew bored of the mundane trivialities.
"My brother has gone to meditate. His mind has not become as settled as mine has since the transformation." Kulstagh replied.
"I have an idea. Why don't we go north, to that Eragon's home? Mordin has the scent of the red dragon Thorn." Both Kulstagh and Orin looked at Tanniya in surprise.
"A frontal attack. I suppose it could work, not to mention the fact that it will leave the great rider at a major disadvantage." Orin mostly liked his sister because her strategies were the best. That was how they worked, Tanniya made the plans of action, whilst he Orin would give the orders.
"Agreed, you and Mordin will go north, take some spell weavers with you. Kulstagh and I will take the rest of our spell weavers and strike at Carvahall, the rider's original home."
"Mordin, how fair you brother?"
The other shade, who sat meditating usually ignored uninvited guests in his room, but today was different. He had begun to keep a lid on his growing temper.
"I am good brother, you have news for me?"
"Indeed brother. Tonight you and lady Tanniya leave for the north. You are to track that red dragon Thorn and his rider Murtagh"
"The red beast will fall prey to my power this time" Mordin stood up with a defiant look upon him, "I shall enjoy this hunt" The more ragged of the shades twin certainly had enjoyed chasing after Murtagh and Thorn the last time that he had encountered them.
Elsewhere, a young woman sat with her legs together as she held in her palm a single flower that she had plucked from the field before her. The girl then mumbled an incantation just before a dozen more flowers lifted themselves from the ground and began to flow around in a spiral that matched with the girl's hand movements. The flow became a circle as the flowers rode the unknown force which eventually became a small hurricane that did no more damage than cause a gentle breeze for the girl, though scented due to the fragrance of the flowers.
At that an almighty beast swooped low, low enough to catch the deer that had hidden itself from the girl.
"Fla'ire must you make such an entrance as you hunt?" The beast or rather flame coloured dragon laughed at her rider's annoyance.
Must you show off your magic like this when we are alone in an empty field?
"There is an art required if you are to practice magic effectively my dear Fla'ire" The girl retorted.
Ashleigh if you are allowed to justify your talents with an art as you put it, then surely hunting should be the same for me?
"You have a point" Ashleigh responded.
Should we not go meet lady Arya now? Surely she's not still busy with the queen of Alagaesia.
"Impatient as ever Fla'ire, but yes I suppose we should introduce ourselves. Let's go"
Ashleigh climbed upon her flame red companion, before the duo burst up through the clouds in a way that could even impress Sapphira, though she'd never admit it.
Little more than a few hours had passed before the duo landed with a grace on the great balcony in which Nasuada had built for her rider friends.
"Young Ashleigh, please follow me" the guard on duty commented as he beckoned for Ashleigh to follow. She hated when the guards would say 'young Ashleigh' it made her feel irrelevant, and like some kind of stupid child. The guard took her through a few corridors before they came to a halt outside two large double doors that looked as if they themselves radiated death.
"The queen and the other riders await you inside. I will escort your dragon to where the other dragons wait" Ashleigh didn't like the idea of being apart from Fla'ire like this, but her queen Arya was inside the room ahead so she tried to hold comfort in that.
"Thank you" She bowed once before opening both doors with caution. The atmosphere inside was worse than she had expected, only three candles were there to light the room, and the queens bed was in the darkest area. Two men sat with her. A Blond man who looked defiant and headstrong, yet he was a leader in his own right. Arya sat closest to him. The other side of the queen sat a man with jet black and rugged hair. This Ashleigh recognised as Murtagh, he had taught her a few times whilst her mentor Arya had 'queen stuff' to do as she called it.
"Ashleigh, come I would like you to meet an old friend of mine' Arya had spoken in a soft tone 'this is Eragon, grand master of the new dragon rider order" The blond man seemed to flinch at the words 'grand master'
"Good day Ashleigh, Arya has told me much about you. I have long since waited the time when we would meet." The blond – Eragon stood and offered his hand in exchange for her own; she nervously offered hers in return. Eragon clasped it gently in both his hands and closed his eyes for a second before reopening them.
"A fine rider you appear to have become, Arya has trained you well" He smiled as he released her hand.
"Perhaps we could get back to business?' Murtagh sighed 'no disrespect to young Ashleigh" The ragged man amended. At that Ashleigh gave a scowl to Murtagh, he of all people should know that she hated being called 'young' after all she was in her mid twenties, her cleavage at its fullest and she was rather proud of that, she'd often catch most men's eyes wonder after her until they saw Fla'ire standing beside her. Her hair was of a deep red that excited and scared most, as her hair colour was of the same as blood. Her eyes were also a deep red which was unusual even for an elf, but the younger men enjoyed that sight. Finally her figure; she had more curves than most women, and she was the slimmest female that wondered around Ellesmera. Plenty of women awed and envied her as Ashleigh's figure was almost stick thin, yet just at the right size as to never show her ribs or any other bones. It made her the perfect temptation to all the males of Alagaesia. Her only issue there was that she didn't look half as good standing next to her queen and rider mentor Arya. Focusing her attention back to the room, Ashleigh noticed that Murtagh's hand was laid on top the queens own.
"So there are two shades, and both are brothers?" Eragon had questioned.
"Aye, there was a third, but I think he was purely a cultist with his own band of soldiers in hiding since the war"
Ashleigh shifted her gaze to lay eyes upon two new men approaching the queens' bed. Why she hadn't noticed them enter was a mystery to her. One was lean and blond; he wore only bandages on his upper body that revealed most of what Ashleigh would describe as finest features. On his left shoulder sat a tattoo of the symbol of fate. Ashleigh had never seen this before on a man. Next to the blond stood a shorter young man he too was a sight for saw eyes. His body was covered in fine but casual clothing and he wore a constant scowl on his face which was cute thought Ashleigh his hair was long and brown.
"Ashleigh these are two of my top students' Eragon spoke up 'Eros' the blond bowed to Ashleigh 'and Galaide' the scowling boy looked up at her and nodded 'both of whom should be back at the academy rather than here in Alagaesia."
"Yet our teacher hasn't sent us back?" Eros retorted.
"True but maybe he thinks that since you're both here, you can be given some actual field experience" Eragon retorted back at his student.
"I have nothing" Eros shrugged.
Eragon laughed at his student.
"Is the third shade dead?" Murtagh asked the boys.
"We're not sure; we infused a spell we created with both our energies and our dragons. It pulled the army and the shade underground, we think they'll suffocate before getting the chance to break free" Galaide responded.
"Where about did this battle take place?" Arya spoke this time.
"I could show you my lady" Said Eros.
"Very well. My queen Nasuada, I leave you now to ensure this third Shade is dead."
"Go with haste Arya, and do be safe" The frail queen responded.
"Murtagh, where were you when you were attacked?" His brothers' question had bothered him, but he knew it had to be answered sooner or later. This was Eragons' style.
"Come Thorn and I will take you" Murtagh kissed his love gently on the lips before before the grand master and his dark haired brother left as well. As Eragon was about to leave, he turned to his student.
"Galaide. I place you as the queens' personal guard"
"Yes sir" Galaide nodded at his mentor.
"Kulstagh is Alik'r alive?" Tanniya asked. Alik'r being the shade who fought against Roran and Eragons two students.
"He is my lady shall I give him any more suggestions?"
"Yes. With any luck the riders will be parting ways to deal with different situations. Eragon will be drawn back away from Alagaesia when I leave whilst the queens only Rider that elf queen and rider Arya will be headed to Carvahall shortly after she meets Alik'r to deal with my brother who will also assist Alik'r. I want you to storm the palace with the rest of our forces slay the queen and let our power be shown to all of Alagaesia." The girl Tanniya ordered with passion.
"Indeed my lady"
"Let my father's name not be defiled any longer, Orin and I will rise under the banner of the great Galbatorix. "
The plan was set and Tanniya saddled her dragon Senka her dragon was pitched black in colour wore icy blue armour and Senka's eyes were also an icy blue shade.
"Mordin let us ride" Tanniya called to the shade below who was in the process of creating his own nightmare create to ride.
"Let us ride!" Tanniya roared as she soared into the air followed by Mordin, and half a dozen of their vanguard who rode on pterodactyl like birds that had been created by the twins' years before.
It wasn't long before Eragon and Murtagh arrived at a clearing that looked to Eragon like it had been cursed for a thousand years. The site was mostly smouldering black, with fallen trees everywhere.
"This site looks horrible" Eragon commented
I'm amazed that Thorn was able to save both Murtagh and himself, given the state of this place. Sapphira said in response.
"I don't remember much myself' Murtagh said 'I was knocked unconscious at the start, it was Thorn who had to fight them all off"
Not something I ever intend to do again whilst alone
The great red dragon responded
You won't be alone next time Eragon and I will be here beside you for this war
Sapphira soothed her oldest dragon friend.
"Sapphira's right. We won't let you face this alone again" Eragon's eyes radiated fury as he said those words.