Chapter IV
A Surprise
Disclaimer: See Chapter One
As usual, Eragon was awake shortly after dawn, and wasn't surprised to find Arya and Angela also awake.
The curly haired witch was busy practicing with her hûthvir, the twin blades flashing in the orange sunrise.
Arya was performing fourth level Rimgar with an ease and balance that made Eragon feel like an uncoordinated fool when he considered his own skill level.
Shaking his head to clear such thoughts aside, Eragon quickly found a clear patch of ground, and began the Rimgar himself.
An hour later, Gringlok awoke, and immediately woke Joed and Noelfavrel.
Out of preference, they had slept outside, underneath the stars, alien as they were.
And now, they paid for this luxury, and their habit of early rising:
None of them had the temerity to awaken Laurence, as he was all but playing host to them.
So instead, Gringlok set to sharpening his axe, Eragon roused Saphira,-much to her annoyance,- and set removed her saddle, before setting about cleaning it.
This occupied Eragon's attention for the better part of another hour, before he was finished, and still, Laurence was yet to awaken.
So Eragon used the time to set about oiling his chain mail hauberk.
By now, Gringlok had polished his axe's haft as well as sharpened it's twin smiles, and was also oiling his armour, and Murtagh and Thorn were also awake.
Half an hour later, Temeraire's growling stomach woke him up, and roughly fifteen minutes later, Laurence emerged from the cottage.
Upon seeing them, he developed a frown, then his expression became one of utter mortification, and he apologised several times, explaining that he thought he must've been dreaming the events of the day before.
Gringlok muttered something under his breath in dwarvish; something probably not complimentary.
The breakfast Laurence's temporary servant, a local man named Fernao provided, did a great deal to improve the dwarf's mood, and also went down well with Joed, Noelfavrel, Murtagh and Angela.
Eragon forced himself to eat the first few pieces of bacon, and when he'd overcome his acquired distaste, ate with reserve.
Arya, however, refused the offer of bacon, and accepted only a bowl of plain porridge, before going off to try and find an orchard, or wild fruit trees.
'What was all that about?' Wondered Laurence, when he saw Arya walking off, wearing the dress she'd 'acquired' while searching for Eragon after the raid on Helgrind on Laurence's advice.
'The elves do not believe in consuming the flesh of an animal, even in the direst need.' Explained Eragon.
'That seems foolish to me, why let yourself starve if there are cows or fish plentiful around you?' Asked Temeraire.
Eragon looked at the young, black dragon.
'Because they have minds of their own as well; they mightn't be as intelligent as dragons or humans, but they have thoughts and feelings of their own.' Explained Eragon.
Temeraire didn't look convinced, but nodded his head anyway.
'You'd have to have been inside the mind of the animals surrounding you to understand.' Said Eragon, earning him a look with raised eyebrows from Laurence.
'Mind reading isn't so hard a skill, Will, I could try and teach you if you would be interested in learning,' added Eragon, looking the disbelieving man in the eyes.
Laurence's look instantly lost the practical disdain for the fantastic as he remembered Eragon was a dyed-in-the-wool magician.
That he was also an incredibly powerful magician was a moot point.
The morning was cool and clear, so Laurence and Temeraire decided to fly for the sake of it, before going to see Sir Edward Howe,-Laurence's old friend, a naturalist who was something of an authority of New World and Oriental breeds of dragon.
Naturally, wanting to show off a bit, Ornthrond decided he would also go flying, much to Gringlok's annoyance.
'Really, I enjoy flying, but not right after breakfast.' Grumbled the dwarf, fingering the head of his axe, but he relented in the end.
From there, Saphira decided to go, flying also, mainly to avoid the snide taunts that Ornthrond would inevitably have to say if Saphira decided against it.
And not wanting to be out done, Thorn went also, eager to prove himself to Eragon and Saphira.
As a precaution, Eragon also tucked the unhatched egg into his saddlebags, and made sure it was secure.
What followed, for the next hour or so, was an enthusiastic display of highly intricate aerial acrobatics from Saphira, which left Temeraire and Thorn in stunned awe, and left Ornthrond grumbling about what a show-off Saphira was.
For their parts, Gringlok, Murtagh, Laurence, and even Eragon, who had a good idea of Saphira's abilities were suitably impressed.
I'm a lot more than just a pretty sight. Said Saphira smugly.
'That was very well flown,' commented Temeraire, who had only refrained from trying to imitate Saphira's manoeuvres when Eragon had warned him that he was liable to kill Laurence in the process, either by shaking him off, or from buffeting him against his back.
Saphira hummed with contentment, and projected an image of her dipping her head in recognition of the complement.
'You'll have to teach me how to do that,' said Temeraire, as they continued to wheel through the air.
They then proceeded too the bathing pools near Porto Moniz.
When they were spotted, coming in to land by the bathers, and the vendors on the shore, they scattered in terror back towards the town.
Idiots, as if we were mere animals that might eat them as soon as we saw them. Said Saphira in disgust.
Thorn snorted his agreement as Murtagh climbed down his foreleg.
Eragon and Gringlok quickly followed suit.
'What shall we do now, laddie, accompany you, or shall you go and find your friend and bring him here?' Asked Gringlok from beside Ornthrond.
'Wait here, and I shall go and see if I can find Sir Edward,' said Laurence, to the assembled, but laying a hand upon Temeraire's neck as he said it.
'I will,' said Temeraire absently, already peering at the bathing pools in interest.
Eragon sighed in contentment and settled himself beside the pool, and began to clear his mind, and reach out, meditating.
He was simultaneously aware of Murtagh pacing back and forth, already impatient with the current goings on, Saphira slipping into the water and submerging herself, Thorn gazing with interest at the rippling reflections, Gringlok wondering about whether it'd be worth taking out his short sword to sharpen, and also of Temeraire deciding to follow Saphira's example and enter the water.
Which he did by pouncing into it.
Eragon only just managed to avoid being soaked by the resultant wave of displaced water, however, Ornthrond, who'd been sitting by the water and listlessly watching the waves, along with Thorn, were both hit by the wave created by Temeraire's entrance into the water.
Eragon stood wearily, and couldn't help but chuckle at Ornthrond, hissing in indignant fury, and growling a long stream of invective in dwarvish.
Gringlok prudently went and lead the angry Fanghur away from the pool before he had the notion to launch a mental assault against Temeraire, who'd just resurfaced and began paddling around the pool, oblivious to the minor drama he'd caused.
Saphira cast a sideways glance back at the shore when she resurfaced,-she'd stayed under the water twice as long as Temeraire,- and couldn't help chuckling when she saw Thorn, sodden and sulking out of range of the pool, should Temeraire create another wave, along with Ornthrond who was indignantly beating his wings in an attempt to dry them off.
It wasn't long after that Laurence reappeared, along with Sir Edward.
At Laurence's concerned call, Temeraire exited the water, leaving Saphira to continue swimming alone, although she, like Eragon was more interested in why Sir Edward had wished to see them.
They approached, along with Temeraire, and Eragon heard Sir Edward mention something about internal air sacs, which made Eragon frown; none of Oromis's scrolls or texts on the subject of dragon's had mentioned any such thing.
It must be something more associated with dragons of this world, remember, Thorn and I fly partly by magic. Said Saphira, and Eragon set his confusion aside.
'Ah, you must be the man responsible for raising that ruckus in Funchal yesterday,' said Sir Edward, upon seeing Eragon.
'Sir Edward Howe,' he said, offering a hand.
'Eragon Bromsson,' replied Eragon politely, 'if you don't mind my asking, why were you so anxious to meet Saphira and I?' Asked Eragon.
Sir Edward had been looking intently at Saphira, but he answered anyway.
'When I heard the description given of your dragon, I couldn't help but be interested, a dragon with iridescent blue scales? I have never heard of any species possessing such a trait, so I had to see for myself.' Said Sir Edward.
Saphira growled low in her throat, and, despite it not being her usual form, spoke directly with the man.
Sir Edward, my name is Saphira, and I am not some idiot-sheep to be talked of as if I did not understand a word you were saying. She said, not bothering to hide her seething irritation.
Sir Edward paled slightly, and swayed, but kept his composure.
'My apologies, Saphira,' said Sir Edward, abashed, and averted his gaze from Saphira for a moment.
'If you would be so kind, might you go and stand by that tree over the way, and spread your wings so I might see you better?' Asked Sir Edward.
Saphira nodded once.
I could, and I shall, but I believe that if you leave Temeraire waiting much longer, he is going to explode with anticipation. She replied.
With a start, Sir Edward turned back to Temeraire.
'My apologies, Temeraire.' Said the man, sounding slightly embarrassed.
'It does not bother me at all, having to wait, and it was an honest mistake on your part, but could you please tell me what breed I am?' Asked Temeraire.
That dragon has got all the subtlety of Roran's hammer. Said Saphira with amusement.
Aye, but he's honest at least, but it doesn't appear as if hereditary memory is something to be found here either. Said Eragon.
There does seem to be a lack of uncanny wisdom to that one. Agreed a new voice, it was definitely a male dragon, but it seemed hesitant, as if unsure of it's welcome.
Glad to see you finally decided to say something Thorn. Said Saphira with a hint of amusement.
An astonished exclamation from Sir Edward brought the Alagaësians back to the here and now.
'Laurence, my god, those wings!' Said Sir Edward, and quickly crossed the distance between them and Temeraire, who'd gone to stand by the tree Sir Edward had pointed out to Saphira.
Eragon, Murtagh, Saphira and Thorn, also came forward, just behind Laurence.
When they caught up, Sir Edward was gently stroking one of the six spines that divided the delicate membrane of Temeraire's wing, gazing at it with a greedy passion.
Temeraire had craned his head around to watch, and didn't seem to mind having his wing handled thus.
'Do you recognise him, then?' Laurence asked Sir Edward hesitantly; the man looked rather overwhelmed.
'If by, you mean have I ever seen his like before, then no, there can scarcely be three men in the entirety of Europe who have, and just from this one glance, I could have enough material to address the Royal Society,' Sir Edward answered. 'But the wings are irrefutable, and the number of talons,: he is a Chinese Imperial, although I have no idea which line.'
Eragon was left blank by this.
Laurence had shown Eragon a world map, which Eragon had made a fairth of, before returning it, but much to his annoyance, had been unable to make head nor tail of the alphabet that the names on the map were written in.
Joed, Arya and Gringlok had been likewise perplexed.
So he thus had no idea as to which regions Sir Edward was referring.
As to Temeraire's breed, Eragon couldn't see what all the fuss was about:
A dragon was a dragon, whether it was black, red, green, gold, silver blue or brown, unless it was a large Fanghur.
'Will I be able to breath fire?' Asked Temeraire, once more snapping Eragon out of his thoughts.
'Dear creature, the very best possible, only the Celestials are more rare or valuable, and were you one, I suppose the Chinese would go to war over our having put you into harness, so we must be glad you are not,' Sir Edward said.
Saphira hissed in distaste.
How can you speak of rarity? A dragon is dragon, whether they be large, small, bright or drab, and should be equally respected. She said.
Sir Edward looked startled at this, and enquired as to what she meant.
Which left Eragon trying to find a way to explain Galbatorix's brutal rise to power without having to spend a long time over it.
Eventually he settled on giving the simple version.
'In our homeland, dragons have been driven to the brink of extinction, Saphira, Thorn, an unhatched egg, and a black dragon by the name of Shruikan, who is in the service of the tyrant Galbatorix are the sole survivors of their…breed, after Galbatorix nearly wiped them out during his rise to power.' Said Eragon, stumbling slightly with having to use 'breed' instead of 'race'.
A look of profound sorrow crossed Sir Edwards face.
'That is terrible, and I see now why your dragon sees it so.' He said.
'It is a sentiment shared by her rider, Thorn, myself, and many others in our homeland.' Commented Murtagh icily.
'I am sorry to interrupt, but will I be able to breath fire?' Asked Temeraire plaintively.
Sir Edward looked thoughtful for a moment.
'I will not rule it out,' he said a t last, 'but I think it unlikely, the Chinese breed first for grace and intelligence; the Japanese are more likely to seek such abilities in their lines, but the Chinese have such overwhelming air superiority that they have no need t seek such traits.'
'Oh.' Said Temeraire glumly.
I'm sure you would be able to if you truly wanted too, stranger things are known to happen around dragons. Said Thorn encouragingly.
Temeraire cocked his head at the red dragon, before raising his head fractionally.
'Temeraire, do not be so glum, it is the most famous news anyone could imagine.' Laurence said, now sure that it could be no joke.
A stray thought struck Eragon, and he couldn't help but smile.
Perhaps you would like to see what 'breed' you are? Eragon asked Saphira sardonically.
Why not? Agreed Saphira, with a hint of amusement.
'Would you be able to try and identify what breed Thorn and Saphira are?' Asked Eragon, carefully.
Sir Edward glanced away from Temeraire for a moment.
'I can try, but I can't promise that I'll be able to help you.' Said the naturalist.
At Sir Edward's prompting, Saphira and Thorn walked back to where they'd been standing a moment before, and spread their wings, looking as they usually did in such whether, like incandescent gemstones.
When they spread their wings, and held still, Sir Edward made a spluttering gasp, and his mouth fell open, he mouthed stupidly for a moment, then a couple of synapses connected in his brain.
'I don't believe it- it can't be, it's only a myth…' He broke off, and shook his head in disbelief.
'What is it?' Asked Eragon, anything that shocked a learned man to such a degree was usually a long way out of the ordinary.
'I have never seen a dragon like that pair before, and no European in history has I daresay, and only a scarce handful of the Chinese could claim to have seen one of their kind before,' whispered Sir Edward in stunned awe.
'My boy, your Saphira, I have only ever heard of her sought in an old Chinese legend of when the Chinese drove the Mongols from their lands after the coming of Genghis Khan; even among the Chinese, she would be considered a myth given life.' He said.
'But what breed are they?' Asked Murtagh in irritation.
'The only dragon of their kind known in legend, is called by the Chinese Fei lung: 'Ethereal dragon'.' Answered Sir Edward still in a voice of awed quiet.
'I think you should tell us this legend.' Said Gringlok gravely.
Sir Edward nodded.
'Considering in the legend how this dragon's rider claimed to be from another world, and I daresay you have a similar tale, I think I had better.' He said.
This came as a real surprise to Eragon.
Yes, I have gone and glued a couple of IC characters to the Temeraire storyline.
So shoot me.
The story will turn out quite different in the end, I can assure you.
And it is just plain fun to write, my only cause for Writer's Block here is in plot deviation and character deviation.
Consider this a mid-week treat.
Review after reading, if you would be so kind.
Today's special mentions: Hideout Writer, my sole consistent reviewer, and also Bobbish for the Favourite Story add.
Much as I like Favourite adds, Reviews really make my day.
No One-liners.