The winters months passed in a haze of snow and weak sunlight. Harold and Eragon enjoyed the quiet months of little work spending most of there time with their dragons. The mental connection grew with time and soon they were able to contact over three leagues though Eragon's connection with Saphira weakened Harold found that if he concentrated hard he was able to keep a talk-able connection for over 9 leagues.
Roran had departed for a job in theronford at the mill there leaving the house oddly quiet. A consequence of Roran's departure was the fact that Garrow focused his attention on the two boys making it a lot harder for them to disappear for hours on end.
On one day of the week however they did spend several hours with there dragons and on returning to the farm and a curious Garrow explained it off as a long hike of the surrounding country.
The dragon's growth had been explosive and they were nearly the side of the farm. Emrys was slightly bulkier than Saphira and always won on their mock duels they had on the ground. Saphira ruled in the sky and could easily out-fly Emrys, Emrys had confided in Harold several times that she truly was the queen of the sky.
The two dragons had bonded better than Harold had dared to hope and rarely fought though they often mock-duelled to test their skill. The two had developed a sibling bond. Saphira was the more playful of the two and Emrys the more serious much like their riders.
Emrys had often asked Harold of his past life but Harold had remained tight-lipped on the subject much to Emry's fury. He had continued which had in turn infuriated Harold and caused a power to well up in him, making his eye's glow with hidden power scaring the young dragon.
It had taken a week for him to get over the fear and when he had confided in Saphira she had laughed at it. Three days later Saphira had returned after a confrontation with Harold shaking and as they lay there she said she could now see what he had meant. A power so powerful that even the Dragons would fear it.
From that day forth the dragon's had been careful not to get on his bad side by asking about his past as they didn't want to enrage him, making him unleash his power. They could still threaten to lick him if he did something bad but as long as they steered clear of his history they were safe. Eragon had noticed the Dragon's sudden change in behaviour around Harold and had pestered Saphira about it but she had remained steadfastly silent.
The two boys had made several more trips into town and had often spent the day with Brom talking with him about Dragon's and other legends and myths. Harold sensed something off about the man, he had mentioned it to Emrys who had just laughed at it and said he was paranoid.
It was on one of the trips into town when Horst approached them warning them of strangers in town. They had thanked him but hadn't paid much attention to him. Upon leaving Brom's they passed the butchers when they heard something of interest.
"when did you see this" a oily voice asked issuing from the butcher.
"About three months ago." Sloan's snide voice answered "The boy, Eragon along with another came wanting to buy food. In his sack was a blue stone". Eragon cursed at there ill fortune and Harold sighed praying that the men hadn't heard the oath.
No such luck. Harold recognised the scuffling of feet and before they cold move two men dressed in black with a silver insignia and hood shadowing their faces stepped out. Instantly the two boys felt as though they were paralysed, their muscles refusing to move.
It reminded Harold of the imperious curse and concentrated his will. Slowly the paralysing affect lessened but Harold realised the strangers would have reached them before he could fully move. Glancing over he saw Eragon fighting the affect but with little affect.
Freeing his arm he summoned his magic, a ball of green began to form in his hand. The strangers noticed and began...clicking amongst themselves. Summoning up his full mental might he threw of the paralysing affect and tossed the balls of light at the men.
They dodged the first ball, the second clipped the left man tearing his robe. He leaked blood only it was a sickly purple colour, only reaffirming his thoughts that they weren't human. The Third smashed into the right creature tossing him back. Harold felt himself growing weak due to the spells.
The creatures as if sensing rose and prowled forward though stopped when a man stepped between them. Harold vaguely recognised him as Brom and the fact that the creatures had stopped upon his arrival only confirmed his suspicions of Brom being more than a story-teller.
"Are you all right" Brom asked concern etched on his face.
"could be worst" Harold said bending over as he gulped in air hoping to sooth his weak muscles. Eragon seemed in a better condition, due to the fact he hadn't been fighting the affect. Brom turned his attention from Harold to Eragon and helped pull him to his feet inadvertently pulling of the boys glove. He swiftly bent down and picked it up but grasped Eragon's wrist and turned allowing him to see the boys palm and the Gedwey Ignasia.
Instantly Harold was on alert, Brom suspected them. The question remained however, what was he going to do with the knowledge? He could be a servant for the king though he doubted it considering his evident dislike for the king. He could be a spy for the group that called himself the Varden and if that were the case they could swiftly find themselves as weapons for Galbatorix's destruction.
Harold, unlike Eragon was not naïve at the world around him. For his whole life he had been manipulated and forged into a weapon and upon arriving in Alagaesia he had sworn that he would never again be a weapon. If he were to fight it would be his own choice and not some 'leaders' decision.
"you should go" Brom said his eye's flitting towards the place were the cloaked strangers had vanished as though afraid they would return. Harold agreed and was relieved at the excuse to stay out of Brom's interest. The man had a knack for spotting the smallest of details and he had undoubtedly seen and recognised Harold's use of magic, even if it wasn't Alagaesian.
Grabbing Eragon he frog marched him out of the street aware of Brom's eye's on his back. Once they had reached the village boundaries they broke into a run. Ten minutes later they were back at the farm.
"do you think we should speak with Garrow first of Saphira and Emry's" Eragon asked breathless.
"the dragon's first" Harold replied and the two set off on a slow joy into the tree's and towards the Dragon's.
Arriving in a small clearing they were met by the two partners of their hear, the two young dragon's had grown remarkably from the time of there hatching. They now towered over the two boys and Harold guessed they would even be able to put their heads on the farm roof if they wanted to.
Dashing forward Harold opened his mental connection.
'What happened' Emrys growled, his strong tone reverberating through Harold's conciousness.
Quickly Harold relayed the days events to the dragon aware that next to him a similar conversation was taking place between Eragon and Saphira. When he got to the strangers Emrys jerked back sharply before raising his head to the sky and roaring, Saphira mirrored his actions seconds later. Harold fervently hoped Garrow didn't hear the roar.
'Oath-breakers, Enemies, Death, Murders' he halted his rant to let loose another roar
'Stop it, Garrow will hear. What's wrong' Harold urgently asked. He continued ranting and, trying to placate him he jumped up to the hallow behind his wings and wrapped his arms around his neck.
'Emrys. What's wrong' Harold asked both physically and mentally. Emrys didn't reply. Instead he spread his wings and surged forwards propelling them into the air. Harold let out a scream of shock followed by several curses.
Emrys climb was laboured, due to his weight and Harold marvelled at how similar it was to his flight with Buckbeak. The only difference being that he felt like he was partly flying with his bonded unlike merely being a passenger as he had done with Buckbeak, here he was free.
Glancing back he could see the blue hue form of Saphira following closely behind, Eragon holding onto her, his grip tight round her scaly neck. The dragon's flew through the silent evening and from atop the Dragon's backs the two boys watched in awe as the sun slowly vanished from the sky only to be replaced by the nights star dotted sky.
Just as Harold felt his hands go numb from the cold Emrys suddenly began descending causing his grip to tighten in shock, behind him he heard a startled exclamation from Eragon.
'A little looser please' Emry's mental growl coaxed, Harold instantly loosened his tight grip though he still kept a firm grasp incase Emrys pulled another surprise move.
'next time give me some warning' He retorted. Emry's growled.
'A rider should know what his dragon is doing just as a dragon should know his riders action' Emry's replied almost like a chant. Harold's eye's, watering in the cold wind that battered his face spied a clearing surrounded by burnt branches and assumed that was were they were going to land.
Shifting his body into a more secure position it was only then that he noticed the pain in his legs, glancing down he could make out in the moon's light the dark red that saturated much of the inner of his trousers legs. Realising it was blood he could only wonder at the damage done to his legs.
Emry's landed with a thump, his landing heavier than usual due to Harold's addition weight. Sliding down his partners side he landed awkwardly, collapsing as his weakened and pain-filled legs were unable to support him.
Peering up through the pain he was able to see Eragon jerk forwards as Saphira landed before sliding down her side and, upon reaching the ground collapsing to the floor. Focusing through the pain Harold spoke to Emrys.
'find someplace to rest for the night. Me and Eragon can use the beds provided in the trunk' Harold instructed.
'you'll be safe' Emrys asked
'perfectly' Harold replied 'the trunk can only be opened by two people and they will bot be inside the trunk'.
Emry's growled in approval 'very well but you shouldn't keep things from me, we are Dragon and rider and there should be no secrets between us' his tone was calm as he was trying to calm his rider and not make it a demand as he knew how touchy Harold was on the subject of his past.
Even though theoretically he should be able to see all of Harold's mind a large portion of it was sealed behind impenetrable walls and Emrys doubted even he could break them. The only memories he was able to view were those since Eragon found him in the woods.
Harold closed his eye's and controlled his breathing in and out as he didn't want to lose control and hurt either himself, Eragon or the two dragon's.
'but some things are better left unsaid' He snapped.
They stared into each others eye's Emerald Green onto glistening gold. One of the differences to that of a normal dragon was Emry's eye colour. Normally the dragon's eye colour matched their scales but in this case Emry's forest green scales were in contrast to the gold iris's of his eye's.
Emry's snorted releasing a small cloud of smoke before nodding and turning to Saphira and Eragon.
"we need to go back" Eragon said his voice full of urgency.
"I agree Eragon" Harold smoothly replied trying to calm the young man "but we can't return yet" Seeing Eragon's frustrated and angered look he quickly explained "neither you or I are in any condition to travel at the moment and besides the dragons are exhausted and would not be able to fly us more than a league".
"but we have to return" Eragon repeated desperately "Garrow is in danger. Those strangers will be coming".
Harold knew he spoke the truth but also knew that they would be useless if they returned now.
"Eragon Listen" he barked causing Eragon to visible tense "there is nothing we can do for Garrow at present. The best choice would be to rest now allowing ourselves time to heal and let the Dragon's recover their strength."
Eragon sagged "but what of uncle, he's in danger"
"I know' Harold said sadly placing on hand on Eragon's shoulder "but there is nothing we can do, only hope" Letting his words sink in he reached for his pendant. Pulling it from his neck he commanded "enlarge", watching it increase in size until it came up to the boys mid-rift.
Saphira sniffed it interested, "don't even think about it" Harold warned as he noticed her fangs encase the box.
'what' Saphira asked straightening sharply ruffling herself much like the chickens did, her tone was a bit to innocent for the boys who let out a chuckle.
"don't eat it" Harold said forcefully "it's not something you would like"
Saphira looked affronted 'I know the difference between a wood and meat Harold' she said arrogantly.
"yes but don't use it as tooth sharpener either" Harold swiftly countered causing The boys and even Emrys to chuckle. Saphira rounded on him 'what are you laughing at'
Emrys sent his bonded a pleading look as the irate sapphire female bared down on him.
'help me' came the plead
'no you got yourself into this mess'
'only because you made fun of her' Harold shot back
'it was your fault you laughed'
'you'll regret this' Emry's growled
Harold merely waved before opening the trunk and climbing in wincing at the pain in his leg 'if only it were a slide it wou...whoo' he yelled as the lander vanished replaced with a slide. He slide to a halt at the bottom and gingerly got to his feet, Eragon joined him seconds later. "now that was fun"
Helping Eragon to his feet he saw for the first time in proper lighting the extent of the blood that clung to his clothes. The whole inside of both their trouser legs were caked in blood dyeing Harold's brown trousers a horrible black, Eragon's black legging to had darked, giving it a dark red crust.
"Come on lets get up to the room's they'll have a shower were we can wash this off as well as a bed" Harold said leaning heavily on the chair. "there might also be some blood replenishing potions we can use to help replace the blood we've lost" he added as an afterthought.
Leaning heavily on the furniture dotted across the floor they made there way over to the stairs. It was then that Harold noticed the circular space next to the stairs, glancing up he saw a circular hole leading to the floor above.
"Eragon over here". Bemused Eragon wobbled over and the two boys stood on the circular space. When nothing happened Harold looked around for inspiration before remembering the slide.
"up" he commanded. With an almost imperceptible jerk the circle began to rise lifting the two boys upwards. As the common room shrank Harold noticed Eragon's awe as he had never seen anything like a lift before.
Suddenly the room was cut from their view before being replaced with the circular landing that the sleeping room were connected to. The floor jolted to a halt and the two boys stepped off, Eragon throwing several glances back at the circular disk of floor that acted as the lift.
"Right you take that one and I'll take this one" Harold said, turning he entered the bedroom and marvelled at the luxury of the room. At the Dursley he had had the worst of accommodations, even at Hogwarts he had had the disadvantage of having to share. He though he had his own room with an incredibly comfortable looking bed. Sighing he started to explore the room and adjacent en-suite.
I took them over an hour to settle down, mainly because of Eragon's unfamiliarity of the equipment around him, even Harold had fun working out what a few of the things did. After showing Eragon how to use the shower he had returned to his room and taken a bath, the nice long soak allowing his muscles to relax.
A interesting addition was the dryer which did exactly what it said. You stepped in and instantly a beam of hot air would travel from head to toe in a matter of seconds totally drying you, the feeling was not uncomfortable merely strange.
His legs strengthened by the bath he made his way down to the potions room and found dozens of ready made blood replenishing potions in the storage room. Grabbing two he returned to the first floor. He had found Eragon lying in the bed dressed in a similar pair of pyjamas to his own no doubt he had found them in the bathroom drinking in the feel of the luxury that surrounded him. Handing him a vile he bade him goodnight and returned to his own room where he downed the vile's contents wincing at the test.
Slipping into bed he pulled the blankets around him falling asleep almost instantly due to the days excitement but not before sending one last message.
'Goodnight Emrys'
'Goodnight little one' came the reply and with a small smile upon his lips Harold fell into the realm of dreams.
Daniella POV
She had been travelling for the last four days mainly at night. She was passing close to Gil-ead and due to her weakened state she could only run at the speed of a human and tired easily. Also the poison that remained in her system servilely weaken her making it unwise for her to use powerful magic such as the ability to alter her features, she couldn't even use magic to help her to hunt her prey. She had to rely on her stealth and elven bow.
Due to her close proximity to the human city the surrounding countryside was largely populated making her travels even slower lest she become discovered and in her ill state she would not last long against the army of Galbatorix or the shade that had ambushed her group.
It seemed that the poison was specifically designed to weaken elves bringing them down to human level, all other poisons would weaken them but still leave them faster and more powerful than a normal human.
Now on the fourth day since the ambush near the mountain known as Marna she had crossed the river that flowed from the Isenstar and was approaching the city of Gil'ead. Her elven hearing caught the first sign of trouble when she heard a twig snapping. Jumping to her feet she lunged for her bow.
Three arrows flew out of the dark burying themselves in the log she had sat upon while another two passed through the space where her chest had been and thudded into a tree on the far side of the small clearing.
Coming out of a roll she grabbed the bow filching and arrow from the quiver and fitting it in the bow all in on fluid movement. Turning she spied 12 Urgals emerging from the surrounding tree's. They were tall creatures, over six feet and were incredibly strong, almost as strong as an elf though they didn't have the elves speed. A pair of horns sat atop their heads.
They were armed with a mixture of weapons. Two grasped bows, swords strapped at their waist while four hefted great axes. The final six wielded wicked swords.
Calculating that the bowmen were the most imitate threat Daniella lined the arrow up and fired, the arrow shot through the air before lodging itself in the Urgals neck, the beast crashed to the ground. Seeing there wasn't time to nock another arrow she reached for her belt pulling her hunting knife from its sheath and with a flick of the wrist sent it flying at the second bowman.
The knife flew true and sunk into the creatures face killing it instantly, Daniella even felt slightly sick as she saw the knife's tip sticking out the back of the creatures head, covered in blood. Even though she had served as Arya's guard for over a decade she hadn't yet killed another creature, except for the animals she had hunted. To kill a creature in such a...gory manner made her feel sick.
The Urgals seeing two of their number cut down roared and charged. Daniella rose dropping her bow and pulling her sword from its sheath. She felt a mental invasion and spotting the urgal that hung back she guessed it came from him.
She knew she would have a tough time blocking him and fighting the urgals but if she solely concentrated on the battle she might be able to hold the urgal off as all her willpower would be focused on the battle giving the magician no chance to enter. 'well there's only one way to find out' she fought ruefully.
Next second the urgals were upon her. Ducking the blow aimed her head she lunged forward spinning mid air to dodge a blow aimed at her legs and another at her chest. Rising she slashed at one of the back urgals and felt her blade sink into flesh and bone. Spinning she blocked two blows, lashing back she cut the throat of the right urgal before feinting and ducking under the head blow to sink her sword into its chest, it let out a grunt of pain before sinking to the flour to join his defeated comrades.
Pulling the blade from his body she saw the incoming blow, diving to the side she avoided losing her arm but the blade still cut deeply into her right forearm. Screaming in pain she instinctively dropped her blade and clasped the cut with her left palm. 'blast it you fool' she though cursing herself, she had just dropped her only means of defending herself.
Diving she heard the dull thunk of the urgals axe sinking into the earth. Delivering a spin kick she kicked the urgal flying, she heard the distinctive crack of bones and guessed she had broken some of the urgals ribs. Wrenching the axe out of the ground she turned clumsily blocking the sword thrust , not used to the axe. Shoving the handle of the axe into the urgals stomach she capitalised with a downwards slash and shuddered as she felt the axe cleave the creatures bone and the life of the creature die.
Turning her eye's landed on her sword lying on the grass, she knew it would be foolhardy for the to continue to use the axe and came up with a daring plan. If it failed she would undoubtedly die. Lunging forwards she charged at the urgals pulling back the axe, at the last second she launched the axe, jumping skywards.
The axe spun through the air, decapitating the first short urgal before befalling the effect of gravity and sinking downwards only to tearing through the urgals merger chest protection and sinking into the urgals chest. The urgal let out a wheezed gurgle.
Daniella landed next to her sword an picking it up she turned, raising it defensively. She was relieved to notice that half her opponents were down though six remained, including the magician. As if to reaffirm that belief she felt another mental thrust and due to the lull in the battle he was able to gain some ground.
Returning her attention to the battle she angled her sword deflecting the blow the foremost urgal attempted. Suddenly she dodged, the lack of a counterbalance against the blow sent the urgal flying forwards and Daniella swiped at his exposed back ending his life.
Turning he frantically raised her sword to block the twin blows glad that her sword was elven, a human sword would have buckled under the blow. Trying the same manoeuvre as before she was surprised when one fell for it and she quickly plunged the sword into him.
A fist slammed into her sending her flying. She collapsed heavily against a tree. Looking up she saw the urgal raise his axe in triumph. Moving on instinct she raised one hand, the magic swirling around her. The urgals axe was feet from her when he was blasted off his feet. He flew through the air and smashed into one of the tree's with a sickening crunch.
The other urgals were similarly affected though the magician was unaffected due to the wards he employed, Daniella wondered why the other urgals hadn't been protected from magic but she wasn't going to curse he good fortune. She felt the massive drain on her body as the magic took affect and her vision became slightly fuzzy, though thankfully the magic hadn't killed her in her weakened state.
Seeing the panting magician draw his sword she staggered to her feet and fumbled for the weapon. Finding it she curled her fingers around it and turned to face her final opponent. The two observed each other and Daniella could tell the urgal was unused to physically fighting, Daniella could visibly see he was thinner than the other urgals.
Fuelled by this knowledge she bounded forwards her movements sluggish due to her lack of energy, arching her sword down it was blocked by the urgals curved blade. Testing there strength they found they were evenly matched. Trying to break the stalemate she jabbed out with her mind and the urgal winced.
Using the momentary lapse of attention she shoved forwards before retracting and aiming for his side. The urgal shakily blocked the blow and she stabbed him in the stomach with her elbow, winding him. Swinging upwards she knocked the urgals feeble block aside and stabbed him through the heart. She watched emotionless as the urgal gurgled before falling still.
Once she was certain that the urgal was dead she turned, falling to her knees and throw up at the bloodiness of the battle. Purging her stomach she rose shakily and surveyed the corpses. She added several wounds to the blasted urgals so they would have appeared to have been killed by a sword rather than magic.
While it repulsed her to defy the dead she did so else the Empire would know it was something ore than a simple Varden attack, she knew she didn't have long as whoever controlled the urgals, most likely the shade that had attacked them, would notice they were gone. A shiver of fear ran down her back at the though of fighting the shade.
Moving methodically through the pile of corpses she added a cut here and widened another their making it appear that it was simply archers and swordsmen that had killed them. Having completed her task she gathered up her belongings pleased to see her brothers bow had remained unharmed, apart from the pendant it was all she had to remember him by.
Studying the sky she headed west, her trek increased her fatigue and a league from the battle she sunk to the floor in a small clearing and finally surcome to the call of unconsciousness.
Harold awoke next morning to the feeling of something wet licking him on the face. Blinking blearily up he saw the jet black form of Padfoot towering over him, tong wagging.
"urgh" Harold groaned straightening sharply and furiously rubbing his face trying to get rid of the dog's slobber. A bark of laughter made him turn sharply. There sat casually in his chair was Sirius, he had jumped off the bed while Harold had been trying to clean himself of dog slobber and transformed back into his portrait state.
"well it would have been a bucket if I was able to use magic" Sirius said disarmingly though Harold saw through the facarde. Grumbling revenge Harold pulled on the dressing gown he hadn't noticed the night before. Knocking twice on Eragon's door he shouted "Eragon get up we need to go".
Hearing movement behind the door he waited. It opened to reveal a tousle-haired Eragon who looked half asleep.
"what" he half yawned.
"get dressed we need to go. The suns rising and we need to warn Garrow". At the mention of his uncle Eragon visibly straightened, nodding he vanished snapping the door shut.
30 minutes later the two boys were in the kitchen after a quick shower and dressing. They were dressed in the same clothes they had warn the day before though the trunk had cleaned them overnight, one of the many features the boys had discovered.
"we'll have to ride Saphira and Emrys back" Harold voiced breaking the silence.
"I guess we will" Eragon agreed somewhat reluctantly. "what else can fly the same speed as a dragon" he added with a rueful smile. Harold nodded though he felt he was missing something. A memory of a life-time ago rose to the surface, flying through the sky being chased by a jet black dragon.
"of course a Firebolt" Harold exclaimed standing. Eragon blankly looked at him. "A firebolt is a broomstick which has been enchanted. I once used one in the tri-wizard tournament when I was escaping a dragon".
"we know that part Einstein" Sirius retorted "you told us remember" Harold ducked his head, his cheeks burning. "but how does it help us. You don't have your Firebolt"
"The trunk may have one, even a cleansweep or a nimbus will do" Harold replied.
After a quick search of the trunk he found the storeroom which thankfully was piled high with equipment both magical and muggle, and lying against one wall was two broom sticks, Nimbus 2000.
Climbing out of the trunk he found Eragon pacing like a caged beast, Saphira and emrys were following him, there Sapphire blue and pure gold iris tracking his path. He could sense amusement from Emrys 'what' he queried 'Eragon paces like a caged beast' Emrys replied echoing Harold's earlier thoughts. 'Saphira tried to calm him down but he does not see her logic and is worried of his uncles fate'.
Turning back to his friend he saw Eragon freeze before turning to stare at Saphira in horror before she pounced on him, pinning him to the frozen ground. Harold laughed and the two's heads whipped round and gazed on him, one pleading the other furious."
'do you want to be pinned down and licked' Saphira asked and Harold instantly paled before stuttering "no thanks I just came to wish the Queen of the skies good morning and to tell her that we shall be off". Saphira stared at him intently for a second before lifting her scaled claw of Eragon and lowered one side to allow him to climb up.
Eragon, rising to his feet brushed off the dirt from his tunic before shaking his head a small smile on his face "no Saphira I'll be flying using a contraption of Harold's. It will be easier on both of us, it won't hurt my legs and you can't comfortable take my weight". Saphira made a weird sound, it took Eragon a second to realise what it was, it was a whining sound.
"don't worry Saphira we'll fly again but I need to let my legs heal" he said reassuringly, patting her on the snout. 'very well but break your promise and I will pin you to the ground and lick you from head to toe'.
A small wave of relief swept through him as he knew he wouldn't have to ride Saphira for a while though he kept her warning in mind. He had cleverly made no mention of a deadline rather he said he would ride but not when.
Harold turned to him "here" he said offering one of the two broomsticks. Eragon took the broom and wondered at the absurdity of it, brooms were used for cleaning not flying yet here he was holding a finally crafted broom which obviously had never. Saphira edged closer and took a sniff 'why use these sticks when you have me' she grumbled rhetorically.
Glancing over he saw Harold casually place a leg over the broom before kick off, he soared skywards to Eragon's shock as up until that moment he had been sceptical of Harold's idea of broomsticks. Placing a leg over the broom he kicked into the ground feeling slightly foolish.
Next second he was flying up making his stomach rumble uncomfortable as it tried to adjust to the sudden sensation. Tentatively he angled the handle of the broom and found that controlling it was easy. Soaring higher he stopped next to a hover Harold.
As Harold kicked off he felt the rush of adrenaline that filled him whenever he was flying, here up in the sky he was free and master of the air though he was careful not to let Emrys hear those thoughts lest he licked to death. Turning the broom mid-air he watched as Eragon shakily kicked off and rose higher.
As his friend pulled up alongside Harold let out a small chuckle "well I always wondered whether brooms would work for non magical people and apparently they do" Harold said joyfully.
Eragon looked up sharply "you mean it might not have worked for me"
Harold's smile widened "correct. As far as I know a non magical person has never used a broom, for you a person without magic to use one shows that you don't need magic to fly a broomstick".
The boys were buffeted by a blast of air as the two dragons soared passed. Harold had merely altered his balance to compensate while Eragon clung on afraid he would fall. "right no we are all in the air" Harold started shooting a glare at the two dragons which replied with grins and small puffs of smoke "we can head back. Emrys, Saphira will lead and we'll follow". The two dragons turned before picking up speed. Harold and Eragon adjusted their course and followed behind slightly below so as to avoid the drag affect of the two dragon's.
It was mid day when the farm came in sight and the boys hopes instantly dropped as they beheld the thin trail of smoke rising from the farm. The two swooped down and landed running, Harold's was graceful while Eragon stumbled and fell flat on his face, in another time Harold would have laughed but he didn't given the seriousness of the situation, instead he merely helped Eragon to his feet before continuing on to the smoking farm.
They began searching through the wreckage for any survived and were often halted by a heavy beam though either Emrys or Saphira soon helped to move it thanks to their strength. Shoving the remains of the kitchen cupboard away he froze in shock as he found a pale and bloody hand moving weakly.
"Eragon over here". Eragon stumbled over the ruin and stopped beside him freezing as he beheld the hand. Then he moved like a berserk, sending twisted and burned wood flying as he tried to uncover his uncle. Harold helped though Eragon's frantic action made it harder as he had to dodge flying wood.
They quickly uncovered the arm attached to the hand and found that to be equally bloody. One of the many oak beams that supported the house lay across his chest and two boys heaved against it but it refused to move. 'please Saphira' Eragon begged.
The sapphire dragon hooked a claw in the beam before flicking her claw sending the beam flying before splintering against one of the tree's surrounding the farm. The two boys stared in shock at the power displayed by the young female 'remind me never to get on your bad side' Harold joked.
Pulling the remaining wood of him the stared down at the body form of Garrow. His tunic was ripped and bloody revealing great cuts in the skin which were oozing white puss. He appeared asleep but occasional twitched as though he was in pain.
"Uncle are you all right. Can you hear me" Eragon asked fearfully as he clasped one of his uncles clammy hand. Garrow moaned but gave no other signal that he had heard. "we need to get him to Gertrude" Eragon said "she will be able to treat him. Can the brooms manage two" he asked shooting a sideways glance at Harold.
"they should be able to though speed and manoeuvrability will be severly affected". Eragon waved them aside, he didn't need to worry about the, loss of speed and manoeuvrability weren't a problem as long as it wasn't to slow, he only need to make the league or so to Carvahall.
"We'll use the brooms, I'll take Garrow on mine". Eragon placed Garrows hand on his chest before he turned his attention to the surrounding wood. He and Hraold cleared the wood away and Eragon gently hoisted Garrow out of the wreckage. With Harold's help he positioned his uncle on the broom in front of him and gently kicked off, the broom rising sluggishly due to the extra weight. Glancing behind him he saw Harold rise along with the Emrys and Saphira.
They flow low following the road so as not to get lost, Saphira and Emrys voiced their concerns that they could be seen and halfway between the farm and the town the two broke off and climbed off to the west towards the spine.
The two boys flew on, Harold alongside Eragon so he could keep an eye on Garrow who had moved several times and murmured words he couldn't hear though thankfully he hadn't fidgeted or woken. The two boys dipped as they approached Carvahall and landed in a small patch of woodland by the roadside.
Harold quickly shrunk the brooms thanks to his limited wand-less ability and slinging one of Garrow's arms round his shoulder the two boys made there way to the road and towards Carvahall trying to ignore the burning pains in their legs thanks to the dragon's scales.
They reached the edge of the town before Eragon sank to the floor exhausted due to carrying Garrow and the blood loss from his newly opened wounds that caked his inner thighs. Harold gently set Garrow down.
What should he do next he wondered, he could continue on into Carvahall and raise help or he could stay with Eragon and Garrow seeing as they were both practically unconscious.
Eragon was barely responsive, his blue eyes were clouded with pain and unfocused flickering from one object to another randomly. Thankful he didn't have to make the choice as a man came out of the town and seeing them rushed forward.
As he got closer he recognised the man as Brom, waving his hand he felt strangely light-headed. He hear Brom shout something before the ground suddenly pitched forward, he landed hard though he felt practically no pain, as his vision darkened he noticed the bloody wound on the side of Brom's head 'well it looks like we're not the only one in the wars' Harold though with amusement before his brain drifted of into the world of nothingness.