Author's Note:

Hello again everyone! As several people requested, I'm trying to make the length of the chapters longer. While I usually don't write long ones, you all requested it, so I'll try to accommodate.

By now you all should have an idea of my update speed. I don't have a ton of free time to spend writing, which is why my chapters are usually short. Expect about a chapter a week. Anything more is bonus! :D

As always, read, critique, and above all, enjoy!

Atra gülia un ilian tauthr ono un atra ono waíse sköliro frá rauthr

Chapter 4

Later that night, after his spar with Yaela, Eragon sat beside Saphira on top of their tower simply observing the comings and goings of their city. It had grown so much since he founded it. It sat in a bay, white marble cliffs on either side of the bay that sloped down to the water in the middle. It was in that depression that Shur'tugal Du Lif began. The harbor to the south of them was a small one, as there was no commerce between Eldurna and Alagaesia, the former not producing much more than what was required of its inhabitants.

The arena, sparring grounds, archery range, and stables where off to the east, by the forest. Many an apprentice, off all races, became well acquainted with pain and frustration on their grounds. Mainly the result of a rough sparring match with their master. Eragon had not taken an apprentice in nearly 60 years in part because his last one had become so frustrated that he could not beat his master. Most apprentices had the satisfaction, before they graduated, of besting their master at least once. But for Eragon's apprentice, an elven male by the name of Falinor, that victory was never won. As such he saw himself as a failure that he, an elf, could not defeat his master even once in the 23 years of his apprenticeship. Eragon eventually convinced him that he was, by no means, less of a rider than anyone else.

Eragon turned his gaze to the Sky Towers, seeming to glow in the light of the setting sun, as the non-riders called them. For they appeared to touch the heavens, such was their height. It was within their brilliant marble walls that rider and dragon lived. The center tower was the largest and housed the apprentices and their dragons. From the distance that he and Saphira were at, it appeared to have pock marks all over the surface. In truth they were dragon holds, all varying in size. The center of the tower was solid marble. As several of the full riders had married other's within their order, Eragon had commissioned a fourth tower to be build, with dragon holds a full three times the size of the current ones to accommodate two dragons and their riders.

His tower, which was situated in the heart of the city, housed the great library that had sprung forth over the centuries and was located on the middle level of the tower. The bottom housed a great hall and kitchens for Eragon welcomed all his riders, both masters and apprentices, to dine with him every night. And he was rarely disappointed in the turnout. It was rare for less than half the order to not show up at his door.

The top of the tower was his. It was where his office and personal quarters were located, divided into two rooms. He kept a small table and some chairs in his room for more intimate dinners with his closest friends usually consisting of his former elven guards. They were his advisors, his companions, and his trusted lieutenants. Of the former twelve, eight remained. Three chose to remain behind when he left Alagaesia, and Wyrden fell during the siege of Dras-Leona in the catacombs beneath the city.

Then there was the North. A great forest, comparable in size and age to Du Weldenvarden. It was wild and untamed, with trees rivaling those within the elves home. Several elves that had come with new riders had made the forest their home. Though few in number, more arrived every year once word of the great forest spread to Alagaesia. It was called Du Boetkvarden, which roughly translated to "The Broad Forest".

"I do not think I shall ever tire of this view," Saphira interjected into his thoughts. "It is a testament to all of our hard work. To the sweat and the tears that make up the foundation of this city in all its rising glory. One day, little-one, this city will rival Ilirea and Ellesmera."

"Of that I have no doubts," Eragon said with a smile. "Though it had a slow start, more people are showing up each year. If the population continues at its current rate, we will have to expand the city. Not that Laufin will mind, I think," he chuckled. The elf was extremely fond of all forms of architecture and was one of the few to study with the dwarven master builders. It was his ideas that Shur'tugal Du Lif was built on.

"Yes, rather think that he will have a field day with the news. I expect we will not see him much until the building begins once he receives the news," Saphira mused.

Her rider laughed aloud at her statement. "I fear you are right again, partner-of-my-mind-and-heart. Perhaps I shall hold off on informing him until his apprentice graduates. Else the poor girl will be left to her own devices!"

Saphira's rumbling laughter caused the roof of the tower they were currently occupying to hum and vibrate.

They sat as the sun set, casting its dying glow over the city they had worked so hard for, content in each other and their current lives until the moon had reached its zenith.

Then together, they departed for their chambers, and descended into a peaceful sleep.

Quick note:

I know, this chapter is not any longer than the others, but as I am starting the next one, you all will receive another update before next week.

So, what do you think of Eragon's city? Was the description…descriptive enough? Let me know in the comments!

On a side note, I know that Wyrden was counted in the three that did not leave with Eragon and Saphira, mainly because he was dead. But I decided to have eight elves instead of nine. Mainly because that kept the number uneven (with Eragon included) and I prefer that.

Also, I would like to recommend a story that a guest reviewer recommended to me. Though I had already read it a few months ago. It's called "Brightest Star" by karldin. It's a very good story and happens to be an Eragon x OC. Though the OC is one of the unnamed elven guards that was developed rather well in my opinion. I draw inspiration from it along with several others for my story.

And always feel free to recommend Eragon stories that you all have come across. Especially Eragon x OC stories as those are quite rare.