Chapter 3: Duel

Evatross: you may be right, I do think I need to put more descriptions. I will be aware of it. But what I want to write in this story is quite a lot. So yeah.

Next morning came too quickly to Eragon's liking, last night he had stayed with Roran and Katrina well past mid-night; it was when Saphira blew his tent full of smoke, Eragon finally left the comfortable confine of his bed.

Saphira! Was it necessary to fill my tent with smoke? Exclaimed Eragon mentally to Saphira while coughing. Good afternoon little one. Teased Saphira. Very funny, what's the real time? Asked Eragon. Dawn has passed, not long ago. Saphira answered. "What! Why did you wake me so early?" Eragon shouted out loud. Do you not want to accompany me on a morning flight? I found a beautiful clearing yesterday on my hunting trip, with reasonable sized lake where we can bathe. Answered Saphira unfazed by Eragon's outburst. Oh, well, t-that does sound nice. Answered Eragon thoughtfully. Then, get dressed! And we'll be on our way. Commanded Saphira. Eragon quickly donned a new white tunic with blue rim, a pair of black breeches, plus a tanned leather jacket and dark brown leather boots. Eragon also strapped on Brisingr and exited the tent. Eragon leaped on to Saphira with practiced grace, once he is strapped in, Saphira bolted skywards. Little one, do you want to experience some of the new dodging techniques that I've been practicing under the guidance of ebrithil Glaedr? At the mention of their master, it still brought sorrow to Eragon's heart, but he know he need to set his eyes solely on defeating Galbatorix, it's the only way to honour his masters. That reminds me Saphira, I must remember to consult Glaedr about the dream, and maybe he will recognise the creatures which I have seen. Now let me see how your skills have improved.

It was after the sun past its peak when Eragon and Saphira made their way back to the Varden camp. Fully bathed, Eragon proceeded to the Varden's dining area in order to fill his grumbling stomach. As he neared the dining area, with Eragon's enhanced elven bearings, he picked up the faint scent of crushed pine needles. Arya Eragon thought. Eragon increased his pace wanting to speak with Arya again after their confusing conversation with her yesterday. Eragon spotted Arya alone sitting in the less crowed section of the dining area as most parts are filled with Varden soldiers, drinking, talking, laughing, or making crude jokes about the women which they have bedded.

As Eragon walked through the dining area, some soldiers greeted him with, "hail rider" or "hail Argetlam" but most did not bother to even lift their heads up from the food which they are stuffing down. Which Eragon found both annoying and grateful, he did not like attention, but he also felt annoyed at the fact they did not bother to acknowledge his presence.

"Mind if I join you?" Eragon requested.

"No, I was just finishing, enjoy your meal." Arya made to leave, but Eragon quickly shot out his hand to grab her wrist. Arya stared at his fingers around her wrist, and raised a delicate eyebrow.

"I will be consulting ebrithil Glaedr on the matters of the Orcs; I was hoping you would accompany me."

Arya did not reply immediately, she stared in to Eragon's eyes as he stared back unflinching, finally after five minute of the intense staring competition, Arya returned to her previous spot at the opposite side of the table.

"Thank you"

Eragon called out to the chef, and requested some salad, bread, fruit, and mead. Once the food arrived, Eragon proceeded to stuff the food down his throat, almost mirroring the other soldiers.

"Why do you eat in such an unpleasant manner?" Arya questioned after a few minutes of watching Eragon stuffing his food.

Eragon looked up and frowned at Arya's question, "Do you not wish to leave this place quickly, I find hearing about the size of women's breasts or their behinds rather disturbing; I find it disrespectful."

Eragon could make out approval in Arya's eyes, she smiled faintly.

"You are different from the rest of your kins." Arya stated.

"My kins? You mean the humans? I was longer human the moment Saphira hatched for me Arya. I am more elven then I am human."

"Perhaps… Perhaps"

Once Eragon finished, they quickly made their way to Eragon's tent.

"Atra nosu waíse vardo fra eld hórnya." Eragon muttered the spell to ward any unwanted listeners he rid off Glaedr's disguise. Ebrithil, I am in need of your wisdom. Speak Eragon, what ails you? Eragon proceeded to tell Glaedr about his dream, and of the creature he witnessed.

There was a long silence after Eragon finished. I had never heard of the Orcs or the Dark elves nor know anything of this hooded figure, but describe to me this dragon like creature; I want to hear every detail. May I show you master? Asked Eragon. You may. There was another silence after Eragon showed Glaedr the creature. My fears are confirmed, Eragon, what you saw was in fact a dragon. Suddenly Saphira interrupted. Are you sure master? That creature did not have horns, or scales. I am positive Saphira, that dragon had been corrupted by powerful dark magic. Galbatorix's foul beast of burden is very similar to that creature. So what you are saying master, is that Galbatorix has created a new species to fight us? Eragon asked alarmed at Glaedr's words. Nay, that dragon was not Shruikan. Long ago, when the riders were at the height of their power, a tribe of wild dragons left Alagaesia, seeking adventure, and new lands. The riders supported this idea, they agreed to let this tribe of dragons leave the land, but under one condition, they must return within a decade. The dragons agreed, and they left Alagaesia. But they did not return. I suspect that, those dragons encountered something both evil and powerful, and they were corrupted by dark magic. Suddenly, Saphira let out a deafening roar. WHO DARES to turn dragons into something so foul and evil? I will tear them to shreds. Saphira, calm down, you will alarm the Varden. We will find out when the Orcs arrive. I have a feeling the Orcs were something different once upon a time. Master may I rely this information to Arya? Eragon asked. You may, but do not let this become common knowledge. May the stars watch over you. Glaedr terminated their link as he continued to grieve for his fallen rider.

Eragon informed Arya of Glaedr's information.

"This is unfortunate indeed." Arya said.

"How can we deal with this new threat?" enquired Eragon.

"I know not, we do not know any information about the Orcs; we can only hope our soldiers will be strong enough to repeal their attack." Replied Arya.

Dread filled Eragon once again, he knows when the time comes Saphira and he will have to face both black king and this corrupted dragon. Eragon cleared his mind of these unholy thoughts and said.

"We have not duelled in a long time Arya Svit-Kona."

A faint smile tugged at Arya's lips. "We have not, are you finally confident in your abilities to best me?" teased Arya.

"Let us duel." Said Eragon grinning as he exited the tent, Arya following closely after.

They did not go to the training field, not wanting to attract the Varden's attention; Saphira flew them to the clearing where Eragon had bathed before. Eragon and Arya warded their blade to not harm either of them, and they assumed a ready stance.

They circled each other, calculation each other's strengths and weaknesses, then as if on cue, both of them charged in sequence. Their swords met in a shower of sparks, Eragon used his superior strength and pushed Arya back, and he quickly swung Brisingr at Arya's shoulder, Arya only manage to block the strike at the last second. Going on the offensive, Eragon swung again, this time he swung at Arya's head but at the last second he feinted to attack her right side. This caused Arya to jump back and she lost her balance when she landed on a pebble. Eragon allowed her to retaliate.

"What do you think about my abilities now?" Eragon teased with a smirk playing on his face.

Arya only smiled and said "This only the beginning."

Arya then charged at Eragon, and swung her sword over head at Eragon, only to meet Brisingr in its way. Arya then flipped back while kicking Eragon on the chin. This time Arya landed gracefully, and she grinned at Eragon. Eragon spat out dirt and blood, then gave Arya a bloody grin. Once again both rider and elf charged at the same time, they traded blows, thrusts, and parries at lighting fast speed, their strikes equally vicious. Neither of them backing down, they engaged in a deadly sword dance, both with grace that will put a warecat to shame. Their body appeared to be a blur, too fast for the eyes to follow, suddenly their beautiful yet deadly dance halted, and Arya found herself disarmed, her sword lying a few feet away from her, with Brisingr at her throat. Neither of them moved, they initiated another stare competition, this time neither of them looked away; finally, Eragon took a step back and bowed.

"Well fought Arya Svit-Kona." With that Eragon sprinted back towards the direction of the Varden camp, not even bothering to see Arya's reaction or Saphira.

Thank you for reading, and special thanks to those who reviewed, favourite, and followed my story. I'll see you next time in my update; again hopefully will be in a few days.

~Six