Well here's chapter four. Hope you enjoy.
Chapter Four
The feast was in full swing. Eragana sat at the top table with Lord Rickard Stark to her right and Arne to her left. Beside Lord Stark sat his son Benjen and beside him Lyanna while the twins sat to the left of Arne. All of Eragana's guards, but for two of the elves, Tarin and Halden, where taking part and enjoying the feast down at the lower tables mixed in with Lord Stark household. While most wouldn't see it, Eragana could see the difference in the behaviour of the humans in her guard to the elves. They were still slightly to reserved, especially with this crowd. The Northerners reminded her of Caravahall, of the nights spent down by the tavarn with Roran and the boys listening to the antics of the patrons. A loud cheer went up at the other side of the room and drew Eragana's gaze. It seemed a drinking contest had started. Eragana suppressed a smile as she notices the twins slipping away from the table in that direction.
Lord Stark noticed what had caught her gaze "I apologise for the racket they can make sometimes my Lady. My men work hard, and play even harder"
" No need to apologise Lord Stark, they remind me of where I grew up." Eragana replied with a soft smile in his direction.
Lord Stark looked slightly surprised before replying " I hope you don't mind me asking My Lady, but where would that be?"
"A long way from here. I come from a land called Alagaësia. I left it just over fifteen years ago, at the end of the war."
This got Lord Stark's attention "The War?" he asked.
In her mind Saphira spoke up 'Be careful little one. Telling him to much could be dangerous'.
'I Know, but not telling him anything will only make him suspicious' she replied.
"Alagaësia was under the rule of King Galbatorix. He was a mad man. The Whole country suffered under his rule. A rebellion group, known as the Varden, was started by my father to try to overthrow him. After many years of fighting and too many lives lost we finally won and Galbatorix was defeated. A new leader was elected by the people.
During the years of the war the Varden was secertly funded and supplied by the three other regions of Alagaësia outside of Galbatorix's rule. Surda was a region in the south of Alagaësia. It became independent from Galbatorix's Empire early on in his rule. The Beor Mountains, a vast and incredibly tall mountain range in the southeast of Alagaësia was the home to the Varden for many years in the city of Tronjheim. It's location, inside the hollow mountain Farthen Dûr, meant that it was incredibly hard for the king to attack. He managed it eventually, but it was a batle that he lost.
The people of Du Weldenvarden, which is a dense forest region which covers the north of Alagaësia, where also supporters of the Varden. The cities of Ceris and Ellesméra are located within the forest. Their Princess, Arya, was the Vardans ambassador for her people, and she became one of my closest friends. She is Queen now.
What was "The Empire" covers the west of Alagaësia and was the area under the control of King Galbatorix. The region is split by an untamed mountain range known as The Spine. Very few venture into it. Galbatorix lost half his army when he tried to tame it and never tried again. The Palancar Valley, a major valley of The Spine, is the location of my hometown, Carvahall. It's winters, like the North's from what I've heard, can be quite harsh.
The Hadarac Desert is a giant desert which covers the middle of Alagaësia. Northwest of the mainland lies the island of Vroengard, containing the city of Doru Araeba. Unfortunatley it is no longer inhabital."
"And how is it that you ended up in Westeros? I've never heard of anyone that has mentioned even one of those regions, so you must of travelled far."
"After the war I found that I'd become so used to constantly being on the move or doing something that to try and settle down in one place just didn't seem possible for me. My half brother had already disappeared as soon as the war was over and my cousin had a wife with a baby on the way, so I decided it was time to explore the unknown seas. I left Alagaësia with 12 guards and one ship."
Lord Stark looked at her for a few seconds before saying "But yet you arrived here today with a few extra."
"Yes" Eragana replied smiling," I have a habit of picking up strays", looking fondly over to Arne. "I've also added five ships onto the original one aswell. All of which have a crew.
Lord Stark looked like he wanted to question her further on that but was interrupted by his daughter who had obviously gotten bored.
"Why do you carry a sword?" the Lady Lyanna asked Eragana. Lord Stark sent his daughter a sharp look before scolding her "Lyanna do not be so rude"
"No Lord Stark it's OK, I know it is an unusual sight here. And to answer your question Lady Stark, woman of the Varden learned quickly that we could die just as easily with or without a sword in our hand. At least if we knew how to use a sword we were able to defend ourselves if we where ever attacked unexpectedly. My father began my training when it became clear that I wasn't going to sit on the sidelines. I'm also quite good with a bow and arrow."
Eragana could see how Lyanna's eyes lit up as she talked. This was a young girl who wished to be trained to fight, but Eragana suspected her father had forbidden it. Perhaps Eragana should organise a training session with the boys tomorrow, if Lyanna just happened to be watching there was nothing Lord Stark could say.
'Little One must you meddle' Eragana smiled at Saphira's resigned tone. She knew Eragana's mind was made up.
'Arne, I think a training session is needed tomorrow' Eragana let Arne know her thoughts on Lyanna and he had much the same reaction as Saphira.
'Do you think she could be rider material ?' he went on
'You never know. We'll keep an eye on the eggs. See if any show any signs of hatching'
Eragana replied as she wondered on it a bit longer.
Before the conversation could go any further there was a huge cheer from the direction the twins had disappeared off to. Looking over she could see Olav going up against one of Lord Stark's guards in a drinking contest.
' Oh no' she thought to herself before turning to Lord Stark. "Lord Stark we thank you for your hospitality and the feast was fantastic but I'm afraid I must get the twins of to bed before they cause a scene. They don't let themselves go often but when they do it can get a little messy. I'd rather get them out before it gets to that point."
Lord Stark looked down to the crowd that had gathered around the duo just as an other cheer rang out "Yes, it may be a good idea to break that up. I would like to invite you to join my family in breaking our fast in the morning."
As Eragana stood up she dipped her head in acknowledgement and agreed to join them before turning back around to Arne to ask for his assistance with the twins.
By the time they got the twins away from the feast Eragana was exhausted. She spent a while catching up with Saphira, who had been scooping out the hunting area, before collapsing Into bed and falling into her dreamless sleep.
Swordplay
Eragana stood at the side of the training area watching Arne and Rolf spar. She would make the odd comment on their forms when needed but most of the time they knew themselves what needed fixed before the words where out of her mouth. This session was more for Lyanna's benefit. She'd arrived not long after the two had started practice and had been watching with rapt attention ever since. From watching the guards of Winterfell train Eragana knew the way the boys where fighting was completely new to Lyanna. She wasn't the only one watching either. Gradually most of the guards had abandoned their own practices to watch.
Finally in a move so fast that most eyes wouldn't be able to catch Arne was able to disarm Rolf and put his wooden practice sword to his throat.
"Good. Your getting there Rolf " Eragana said walking over to the pair. "Take a break and I'll practice with Olav"
Rolf walked away sniggering and patted his brother on the shoulder as he walked past "Good luck, you'll need it"
Eragana rolled her eyes before looking to Olav and saying "You'll be fine. It's just practice" As she got a practice sword she could hear Olav muttering to Arne
"Easy for her to say. She's not about to get her ass handed to her In front of all these guys"
She pretended she didn't hear him and tossed him a sword. For a few minutes they just watched each other before Olav got impatient and attacked. Eragana let him drive her back a bit before she spun away and danced around him and attacked his open back. He was able to spin round in time to catch her sword just before she struck a killing blow. This time she went on the defence before he managed to get his balance back, striking hard blows down at him, before eventually he couldn't hold her back anymore.
As she gave him back his sword she had a glance around her. Every guard in the yard was now watching and most of they're mouths where hanging open in shock. Lyanna was bouncing on the spot in glee.
Before they could start up again Lyanna came running over "Can you teach me how to fight like that please?"
Just as Eragana was about to reply Lord Rickard's voice came from behind "Lyanna why are you not in your lessons?"
Lyanna didn't even look guilty as she turned to look at her father and completely ignored his question. " Father, please can I learn to fight like Lady Eragana, please"
"Lyanna, we've been over this before. Now return to your lessons"
" But father" Lyanna started but was interrupted by Lord Rickard "Lyanna I will not ask again". She obviously realised she was pushing her luck as she turned back towards the castle, the very image of self-pity. Lord Rickard then turned to Eragana and said "I apologise for my daughter, please continue with your practice". Before Eragana could reply Lord Rickard had turned around and followed his daughter Into the castle, most likely making sure she made it to her lessons. Arne had walked up beside her by then and as Lord Rickard disappeared he muttered "huh, interesting" before walking over to Olav to give him a few tips.
'Please do not get involved Little One ' Saphira said to her having watched the whole interaction. ' Something is telling me she needs to know how to defend herself Saphira' Eragana said back to her before going back to Olav to continue practice.
Once she had thoroughly destroyed all three boys she left to their practice with the Stark guards. She walked towards the stables to check with Luke that Spartan had settled alright. On her way there something pulled her in the direction of a opening into a forested area. As she walked through the trees she could feel the age of them, they where old, very old. The oldest she could feel was a bone white tree with red leaves in the centre. As she got closer she saw a pool of water with the tree at its edge. The tree had a carving of a face on its trunk and from the eyes where red tears. She could feel the power coming of the tree.
"We call it the Heart tree and they are sacred in the religion of the Old Gods of the Forest, and the closest thing to a "shrine" that our religion possesses." Eragana turned round to see Benjen behind her.
"I'd heard of them but never got to see one" she replied
"I saw you in the training yard" Benjen said "I've never seen anyone fight like that before."
Eragana smiled at him before saying "I've a lot of practice and had some very good teachers"
Benjen looked at her for a few moments before saying " My father sent me to ask you to join him in his solar"
Eragana nodded her head before following him back towards the castle.