She shielded her eyes, looking up at the sun to calculate their position. It is surprisingly calm today, Fírnen remarked. Arya agreed as the dragon shifted, angling down towards the forest. Then suddenly he crowed, shooting into the sky. "Fírnen?" she said in surprise. She looked up, then blinked. The elf queen narrowed her eyes, extending her mental reach to the speck on the horizon.
Who are you? she demanded. The mental link was too tenuous at such a distance for her to be sure, but she thought there might be something familiar about the presence she sensed. Not that it was always a good thing - but as they drew closer she gasped. It was Saphira - as brilliant as the elf remembered. Her heart rose a little, only to plummet as she glimpsed a bare back.
Arya, the queen heard. The dragons drew level with one another, hovering on the strong winds. I have returned. Arya frowned. Saphira..? she questioned. The dragon bowed her head in acknowledgement. I am sorry… the courtesy you have taught us… it is difficult for me to recall after so long. Arya corrected her, It had only been seven months since we last met - where is Eragon?
Much can happen… in the shortest of times, Saphira said. Her voice was sorrowful, causing Arya to be concerned. What is it? What has happened? Where is Eragon? she asked again. The dragon keened softly. She and Fírnen nuzzled before Saphira answered, I can't… tell you. To put it in words… I can't. The dragon's tail swung back and forth. But… I can show you.
Arya stiffened before saying out loud, "Then please, do so." Saphira poured a myriad of images into Arya's mind, causing the elf to cry out in horror.
"Are you sure that is what Saphira said?" Jörmundur asked. Nasuada nodded. Farica suggested, "Ma'am, I don't think we should make this public." Nasuada nodded again, saying, "Yes, my thoughts exactly." She sighed. "However, I want the two of you to be careful - and keep an ear out, understood?" Each tilted their head in acknowledgement before exiting the room.
Sighing, Nasuada went to her mirror before hesitating. Though she had warned Jörmundur and Farica that Saphira had only said 'gone' and did not necessarily mean dead, she debated whether or not to share this possibility with the one she was about to contact.
She decided to do so - as High Queen, she had no obligation to share such information, and in fact should be in council with this news with those of higher status. However, as a friend, and as one who understood how difficult it was to keep a wide-spread secret, she felt this was the correct thing to do. She approached her mirror, knowing who she required.
To her surprise, the instant the image rippled over the surface she saw Roran entering the building. "Stronghammer," she greeted him. "Your Majesty," he replied. Nasuada began the conversation abruptly, "Saphira has returned." The man blinked, his shock evident. "Ah…" he said slowly. "Actually, I was hoping to speak to you about Eragon. I spoke with him just now."
"Where is he?" Nasuada asked urgently. The man shook his head, causing her disappointment. Her heart plummeted further when Roran said, "It seems he lost his memory. He could be anywhere now." The woman leaned back, her fingers tapping the wood. "When I saw Saphira," she said carefully, "she said he was gone. If what you say is true, perhaps that is what she meant."
"You doubt me?" Roran asked casually. A smirk tugged at Nasuada's lips. "Naturally - else I would not be alive." The two chuckled briefly, before Roran said seriously, "He didn't remember anything. Although… he seemed to recognize me a little. Enough to know my name. But everything else - he was like a blank slate." Nasuada frowned. "That is not good," she muttered.
Roran nodded in agreement. "Not at all," he acknowledged. "As a Rider, though, he was difficult to catch when he left." Nasuada smirked again. "I would imagine," she commented. They shared a laugh once more before they sobered. "She said she was going to speak with Arya," Nasuada added. "Once they finish, I am sure we will learn more." Roran sighed in irritation, turning away.
As the image vanished, Nasuada massaged her temples. She understood his frustration, even as she understood there are some things Saphira simply couldn't tell her. Still, at the moment, the woman was more sympathetic with Roran's impatience.
Stumbling among thick tree roots, I was lost again. It was dark once more, although I could still see fairly well. My breathing was slowing down - it was hard to be rushed in such a silent night. Though… not that silent. There was firelight and laughter to my right. Curiously I headed that way, breaking through the trees onto a road. Men were sitting around a fire.
I suppose it was difficult for them to see me at the edge of the road, still partially hidden by the brush. One of them spotted me, though, and laughed. "A traveler, eh?" he taunted, standing. The rest, about five total, followed suit. The first leered as he said, "All alone tonight?" I said as politely as I could, "Yes, I am." They laughed out loud at that, drawing knives.
…knives? Alarms went off in my head as they approached me. Slowly I began to back away. "Don't run away," one man said, chuckling. They picked up their pace, grabbing me before I fully comprehended what was going on. One held his knife against my throat. "Now how much money you carrying, and where is it?" another asked. The whole lot was guffawing.
I struggled, tearing free from those holding me. I heard a curse, even as something warm and wet splattered onto me as I took a few steps away. Someone hit me hard on the back of my head. It was difficult to stay conscious. A light flared in my eyes, causing me to close them instinctively. "An elf!" one of them exclaimed. An elf..? I wasn't an elf. I wasn't.
"No wonder! Too bad we didn't get a female, heh heh," someone chuckled. Disoriented as I was, I couldn't keep track of the voices. Pain exploded once more in the back of my head. It couldn't compare to Murtagh's words - nonetheless, I screamed. It drove me into a fury as I tore at the hands holding me. Instead of running, I turned on the men, instinctively destroying them.
When I calmed down, my hands were covered in blood, the remains of the men scattered around me. I stared at them, the shadows and light flickering over the grotesque scene. I sighed. They were gone - they couldn't hurt me anymore. I turned to the food they had had roasting over the fire, absentmindedly wiping my hands on my shirt. I felt the hunger now, after smelling the meat.