Sees rooks and crooks

Sees rooks and crooks

Eragon gazed deep into the stone that he held clutched in his hand. The shiny dark vein of night-silver expanded, and pictures began to form in its depths. He allowed himself to lose sight of the 'now' and immersed himself in the stone, forgetting even Saphira. If he had looked at his hands he would have noticed black magic shimmering around the stone, but he did not. The stone was now the sole owner of his attention. The images whisked him away revealing to him a truth, a key to unlock the secrets of so much.

The surroundings were blurred as if being viewed through water. Colors ran and melted together, as if they were paint on some giant palette. Slowly, the picture sharpened and fine-tuned its self to fit Eragon's need.

A castle loomed up ahead, a dreadful phantom waiting for its prey. The rough grey stone that made up most of the castle gave way in places to a sleek black stone threaded with night-silver. The wind carried Eragon closer to the castle, and swirled around the castle, causing him to rise higher and higher. At the peak of the single tower a menacing figure stood outlined against the rising sun. Galbatorix. Eragon flinched in spite of himself unable to shake the feeling that this was perhaps more than just a picture, which perhaps it was at least in some way true.

Galbatorix looked up as Eragon flew past but did not appear to see him. A great wooden door stood before Eragon but the wind just hurled him into and through the obstacle as if it did not exist. Eragon relaxed believing himself safe for the moment. Glancing about him, he took up the task of memorizing the passages that he was hurled through. The wind carried him along swiftly though and much escaped his gaze.

Quite suddenly, Eragon found himself in a dark chamber that sparkled with mysterious promises. Thousands of voices rang in his ears, each whispering, each grasping for his attention. Clearing his mind of fear Eragon listened, and realized that each voice repeated the same thing.

Estel.

The colors began to blur again, and a sharp coldness struck him.

Gasping for air Eragon opened his eyes, he felt as if he were surfacing after being dunked in cold water. Blinking Eragon peered about and realized that it was no longer mid-day, indeed the sun was setting.

Little one! Are you back in the world of the living?

Yes, how long was I-

You have been staring into that stone for quite a while. This is the second setting of the sun, since you looked into that stone. I have been so worried; I could not contact you at all.

I'm sorry; I did not realize how long it had been. I doubt that even if I had realized that I would have been able to do anything about it. The stone seemed to have a mind of its own, and a purpose that it must fulfill.

Speaking of the stone, where is it?

What? Eragon looked down and to his disbelief found that the stone was indeed gone. He could not remember releasing it.

What do you mean 'what'? The stone that you have just spent two days gazing into. The stone I almost lost you too! Anger emanated in waves from Saphira.

"No, I just can not remember letting go of the stone," Eragon said out loud, unaware that he had switched forms of communication.

"It probably has returned, to the rest of the night-silver," Oromis said. Eragon jumped. He had not noticed that Oromis and Glaedr had been sitting across from him watching his reaction.

"Oh," Eragon nodded, hoping that Oromis's answer would satisfy Saphira.

Oh! How inarticulate can you get? Eragon you need to come back to reality! Saphira growled.

What is your problem, Saphira? Every since I got back from my… 'adventure', you have been being so snappy!

Oh, Eragon. You just frightened me so much. I can not bear the thought of losing you. Also, something about the stone began to frighten me. Black magic shimmered about your hands when you first gazed into the stone. I was afraid that it was a trap set up by Galbatorix. It also shone at night-

You mean it lit up?

No, it shone with black light. I do not know how to explain it. Somehow it glowed from the inside, not with white bright light, black light.

That is really odd.

Do you remember any of this? Oromis and I tried talking to you but you did not respond.

No, Saphira. I do not remember any of it. I was pulled out of my body, and I traveled to Galbatorix's castle.

You went to his castle! Did you see him? Did he see you? Did you discover a secret or some sort of key that we can use to defeat Galbatorix?

Slow down. I can only answer one question at a time.

Alright. Did you see Galbatorix when you went to his castle?

Yes, I did. He was standing at the top of the only tower in the castle.

Oh, did he see you?

I do not think that he saw me. He did glance up but I think that the magic of the night-silver shielded and concealed me some how.

I am so glad that he did not see you, little one. I was so worried you must promise me that you will not do anything like that again!

I am sorry Saphira. I really do not believe that I had a choice in the matter, but if it makes you feel better I will promise that to you.

Thank you, Eragon. That eases my conscience a lot, anything that happens to you is partly my fault.

Nonsense, Saphira. Now please be silent, I learned something that I believe will be very important. When I was looking into the stone, the wind carried me to a chamber deep within Galbatorix's castle. It was studded with night-silver, and I heard many voices crying out to me, practically begging to be heard. They all whispered the same thing. Estel.

Estel? What is it? What does it mean?

I am not sure, Saphira but somehow I believe that this is the key that we need to defeat Galbatorix.

A word, a single word. Eragon, I do not believe that this word will defeat Galbatorix. Did you learn anything else?

Yes, I believe that we are meant to go to Galbatorix's castle and find this dark chamber!

What?

Think about it! Why would the stone show me how to get to this chamber if I was not meant to go and seek it out? Please believe me; I am sure that we need to go to his castle.

Going there will be like walking up to Galbatorix himself and announcing our plans! Eragon, this is crazy!

Please Saphira! I am sure of it!

If Oromis agrees that we should go there then we will Eragon.

Eragon told Oromis of his vision from the stone, and to both his and Saphira's surprise Oromis agreed that they should head to Galbatorix's castle. Oromis told them that he had no more to teach them and that it was time for them to start making their own decisions. That said Oromis advised that they should head out soon, and the next day they left Ellesméra, to throw themselves into the path of danger.

Author's note: I hope that you enjoyed this chapter: please review!