Disclaimer: I own nothing here but my OCs, World of Warcraft belongs to Blizzard and the Inheritance Cycle belongs to Paolini. This takes place in the however many year time skip between Legion and BFA (I remember hearing somewhere that the skip was two years but idk for sure). Enjoy this latest chapter and as usual feel free to drop a review (or PM me if that's more comfortable).
They forced themselves to rise early in the gray predawn hours, Myra shivering in the
cool air. With a plan for finding water promised by Eragon they were ready to cross the vast Hadarac. Myra however was wary of it, the deserts of Azeroth were among the most dangerous locations on the planet, which left her with little hope for this one to be any better.
"How are we going to transport the elf?" Eragon asked. "She can't ride on Saphira's back much longer without getting sores from her scales. Saphira can't carry her in her claws either, it'll tire her and make landing dangerous. A sledge won't work; it would get battered to pieces while we ride, and I don't want the horses slowed by the weight of another person."
"I won't be able to carry her and Myra, it'll slow us down too much." Wenowa said.
Murtagh considered the matter as he saddled Tornac. "If you were to ride Saphira, we could lash the elf onto Snowfire, but we'd have the same problem with sores."
I have a solution, said Saphira unexpectedly. Why don't you tie the elf to my belly? I'll still be able to move freely, and she will be safer than anywhere else. The only danger will be if soldiers shoot arrows at me, but I can easily fly above those.
"I doubt we'll come up with a better idea." Wenowa agreed, still getting used to the mental conversations started by the blue dragoness. Eragon and the others agreed, the boy folding one of his blankets in half lengthwise before securing it around the elf's petite form, then taking her to Saphira. Blankets and spare clothes were sacrificed to form ropes long enough to encircle Saphira's girth. With those ropes, the elf was tied back-first against Saphira's belly, her head between Saphira's front legs. Eragon looked critically at their handiwork.
"I'm afraid your scales may rub through the ropes."
"We'll have to check them occasionally for fraying," commented Murtagh.
"Indeed." Pausing for a moment, which Wenowa could guess indicated that his dragon was talking to him, he then turned back to the group. "Shall we go now?"
"Have you all forgotten about me already? I'm hurt." A voice called before anyone could answer. Reimar's large armored form emerged from the brush, helmet clipped to his belt. Eragon and Saphira recoiled when they saw his eyes, previously hidden behind the metal, for they were two balls of cold blue flame.
"Reimar!" Wenowa yelled in joy as she ran to him. They embraced tightly before Wenowa pressed their foreheads together, holding the worgen there. "You're ok!"
"Ha! After all we've been through you shouldn't worry so much!" Reimar laughed as they embraced again.
Murtagh and Eragon exchanged a confused glance with each other and turned to Myra. "Are they…"
"Yes, they are together." Myra said, faint smile on her face as she wiped dirt from her robes. "Oddest combination Azeroth could devise, but they've made it work so far."
I don't see how anyone could stand to be with that thing. Saphira said to Eragon, venom in her voice.
Saphira! What exactly is your problem with him? Eragon asked.
That thing is unnatural, shouldn't be. I can smell it.
"Where exactly were you?" Murtagh asked, tearing everyone back to the present.
"Taking care of the soldiers chasing you. They won't bother you, but we shouldn't test our luck by giving others time to catch up." He pointed to the faint smoke barely visible in the distance, likely another group of soldiers or a town.
"Agreed." Murtagh said as he mounted Tornac, the others doing the same. This time Myra climbed onto Reimar's mount to give Wenowa a break from her weight. "I always did like races." His eyes sparked dangerously as a smile crept onto is face."
"And now we're in one for our lives!" Eragon yelled. Murtagh swung into Tornac's saddle and trotted out of the camp. Eragon followed close behind on Snowfire. Saphira jumped into the air with the elf, flying low to the ground to avoid being seen by the soldiers. Reimar let out his own quick yell as he urged his deathcharger on, Wenowa following close behind in deer form. In this fashion, the group made their way southeast toward the distant Hadarac Desert.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
The group stopped at the crest of a small hill, water roaring below them as it tore over boulders and sluiced through branches.
"The Ramr!" Eragon shouted over the noise. They had ridden for the better part of two days now, stopping to rest only once and even running as the horses rested. Wenowa had several times ridden with Reimar to rest, during which Myra would ride with Eragon or Murtagh.
Murtagh nodded. "Yes! We have to find a place to ford safely."
That isn't necessary, said Saphira. I can carry you across, no matter how wide the river is.
Eragon looked up at her blue-gray form.What about the horses? We can't leave them behind. They're too heavy for you to lift. He also glanced to Reimar's heavily armored form. And I doubt you want to fly him.
As long as you're not on them and they don't struggle too much, I'm sure that I can carry them. If I can dodge arrows with three people on my back, I can certainly fly a horse in a straight line over a river.
I believe you, but let's not attempt it unless we have to. It's too dangerous. Eragon replied
She clambered down the embankment.We can't afford to squander time here.
Eragon followed her, leading Snowfire. The bank came to an abrupt end at the Ramr, where the river ran dark and swift. White mist wafted up from the water, like blood steaming in winter. It was impossible to see the far side. Murtagh tossed a branch into the torrent and watched it race away, bobbing on the rough water.
"How deep do you think it is?" asked Eragon.
"I can't tell," said Murtagh, worry coloring his voice. "Can you see how far across it is with magic?"
"I don't think so, not without lighting up this place like a beacon."
Before Murtaugh could reply a green flash appeared behind them, Wenowa shooting into the air like and arrow and flying to the other side, quickly dissappearing over the Ramr. After some time, she returned, stumbling slightly as she transformed back into her bipedal form. "The river is over a half-mile wide, we're at the widest bend that I can see. We couldn't have chosen a worse place to cross if we tried." The druid explained
"A half-mile!" exclaimed Eragon. He told Murtagh about Saphira's offer to fly them.
"I'd rather not try it, for the horses' sake. Tornac isn't as accustomed to Saphira as Snowfire. He might panic and injure them both. Ask Saphira to look for shallows where we can swim over safely. If there aren't any within a mile in either direction, then I suppose she can ferry us."
"I can cross with the horses" Reimar said as he extended his hand for their reins.
"Impossible." Murtagh said. "I don't care what you claim to be able to do, you're-"
"Do you want to get captured by the Empire?" Reimar growled. "Because right now you're giving them a golden opportunity."
Murtagh's face contorted with anger for a moment before he took a deep breath. "Fine. Do what you wish, but no harm shall come to Tornac." He turned to Eragon. "I'll fly over first to meet with the horses and untie the elf." He said as he scrambled into Saphira's saddle, who took off into the air. Wenowa likewise reverted to her bird form and followed after the blue dragoness.
Grasping the reins of both horses and tying them to his saddle the death knight urged his steed onward towards the river. As its hooves made contact with the river the water began to change into small patches of ice beneath its hooves. Reimar extended his hand, blue front gathering around his arm as the ice rapidly spread outward, freezing the rushing river into a platform suitable for the horses.
"How has he not kneeled over already?" Eragon asked Myra while keeping an eye out for the telltale torches of the Empire's soldiers.
"What do you mean?" The priestess asked.
"From using so much magic." Eragon said as Reimar broke into a gallop, quickly disappearing from sight. "No one can have that much energy for such a spell!"
Myra looked at him curiously. "I'm sorry but I still don't understand. Does your magic have such a requirement?" Seeing his equally confused face Myra held up her hand to stop him. "Look, once we cross the river and get into the desert we will have time to figure out what the hell has happened. Fair?"
Finally Saphira came for him, and they were soon on firm ground once more, with the Ramr to their backs. Once the horses were calmed and the saddles readjusted, they resumed their flight toward the Beor Mountains. The air filled with the calls of birds waking to a new day.
Eragon dozed even when walking. He was barely aware that Murtagh was just as drowsy. There were times when neither of them guided the horses, and it was only Saphira's vigilance that kept them on course.
Eventually the ground became soft and gave way under their feet, forcing them to halt. The sun was high overhead. The Ramr River was no more than a fuzzy line behind them. They had reached the Hadarac Desert.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
A vast expanse of dunes spread to the horizon like ripples on an ocean. Bursts of wind twirled the reddish gold sand into the air. Scraggly trees grew on scattered patches of solid ground—ground any farmer would have declared unfit for crops. Rising in the distance was a line of purple crags. The imposing desolation was barren of any animals except for a bird gliding on the zephyrs.
"You're sure we'll find food for the horses out there?" queried Eragon, slurring his words. The hot, dry air stung his throat.
"See those?" asked Murtagh, indicating the crags. "Grass grows around them. It's short and tough, but the horses will find it sufficient."
"Already this is better than Silithus or Tanaris, at least there is food to be found." Wenowa said.
"I hope you're right," said Eragon, squinting at the sun. "Before we continue, let's rest. My mind is slow as a snail, and I can barely move my legs. And," his voice dropped to a whisper now, "we can find out who they really are."
They untied the elf from Saphira, ate, then lay in the shadow of a dune for a nap. As Eragon settled into the sand, Saphira coiled up next to him and spread her wings over them. This is a wondrous place, she said. I could spend years here and not notice the passing time.
Eragon closed his eyes. It would be a nice place to fly, he agreed drowsily.
Not only that, I feel as though I was made for this desert. It has the space I need, mountains where I could roost, and camouflaged prey that I could spend days hunting. And the warmth! Cold does not disturb me, but this heat makes me feel alive and full of energy. She craned her head toward the sky, stretching happily.
You like it that much? Mumbled Eragon.
Yes.
Then when this ordeal is over, perhaps we can return. . . . He drifted into slumber even as he spoke. Saphira was pleased and hummed gently while he and Murtagh rested.
It was the morning of the fourth day since leaving Gil'ead. They had already covered thirty-five leagues.
They slept just long enough to clear their minds and rest the horses. No soldiers could be seen to the rear, but that did not lull them into slowing their pace. They knew that the Empire would keep searching until they were far beyond the king's reach. "Couriers must have carried news of my escape to Galbatorix." Eragon said. "He would have alerted the Ra'zac. They're sure to be on our trail by now. It'll take them a while to catch us even by flying, but we should be ready for them at all times."
Murtagh scratched his chin. "I hope they won't be able to follow us past Bullridge. The Ramr is an effective way to lose pursuers, there's a good chance our tracks won't be found again."
"Who exactly are these Ra'zac? They sound like they would be a good fight." Reimar asked.
"Galbatorix's elite servants." Eragon spat. "I am sure they are not human, but they have been chasing me and Saphira since I found her egg. They were the ones that ki...killed my uncle an-and Brom." Eragon's voice was heavy with grief.
"I'm truly sorry." Myra said, eyes filled with understanding. "We've all lost ones close to us."
"Yes." Eragon agreed. "But I believe you three owe us some explanations. What are you? Where are you from? And how can you do such feats of magic," he gestured to Wenowa's deer form, "without dying?"
"Well, technically mine did." Reimar laughed, a harsh sound. "But the story of our world is a long one, and while I know most of it there are many pieces missing."
"We certainly not short of time." Murtagh replied, gazing on the vast expanse of desert.
A/N: Feel free to vote in the poll on my profile page if you haven't, I'll be closing it once the chapter after this one goes live.