(A/N)
After last chapter i had to made up to you guys. So I wanted to publish this one as soon as possible. It sets the cards for the next few chapters and gives some teases. Enjoy!
After four days of flying the three dragon-back travelers arrived in Carvahall. They were flying with a greater speed than Díanel had anticipated. Even though Izar was strong enough to fly with him on her back for a day, she had trouble keeping up with the pace that Fírnen kept up.
Every night she was exhausted and after her hunt she fell asleep. She wasn't even to keep her eyes open to see Díanel get his lessons in the ancient language and mind controlling, which they now did in a competitive battling form.
The only thing that kept Izar from complaining was her pride. She was a dragoness bound to a rider. No way she would let him or their masters down. So she forced herself to keep going but she felt a big wave of relieve rushing through when Díanel announced that they were in the Palancar Valley and that he could see the smoke from the small city Carvahall.
It was a few hours before dawn when they arrived at the edge of the city. There was only one road that led in and out of Carvahall, save for the one leading into the Spine. At the western side of the road was a mountain wall and on the other side were cliffs. When Carvahall was just a small town it was used only by the farmers who lived outside of the town, and the traders that came once a year. Now that Carvahall flourished the road was always crowded and dangerous, for this reason fences were built on the cliff side, to prevent people and livestock from falling to their deaths. At the end of road, just before entering the city stood a mighty castle built against a mountain. Roran had this castle built just after the war, to secure his position and deal with bandits or rogue Urgals. It towered high above the road and was an intimidating sight.
During the flight over the road, they reached out and sensed the minds of others. They felt no danger, just a lot of awe coming from the people upon seeing the dragons. People were racing towards the city and it created a dangerous situation on the small road. Arya quickly send word to Roran's court mage to send guards to control the situation before people got hurt.
The dragons and their three riders landed just before the main gate. Díanel climbed off Izar's back and turned towards the crowd that gathered on the courtyard, just in time to catch his mother who jumped right at him. "Oh my son, how I've missed you. Your letter was not enough to reassure a mother's heart. I was afraid that you would leave for the east without visiting us after you didn't return after a month."
"Let us not dwell on that, Serinel, my love. Let us be proud of our son, who left as a boy and returned as a man, a Rider nonetheless."
Díanel looked up from his mother to his father, Baldor Horstson. His father was a bit taller than he was, and broader in his shoulders. His blond hair was tied in a tail and he had a rough beard. Díanel let go of his mother and stepped forward to hug his father.
After he let go he said: "Mom, dad, I want to introduce you to Izar, my silverlight dragon, who lights up the darkest of nights with her wisdom and comfort."
It is an honor to get to know the sire and mother of the partner-of-my-mind-and-heart. Izar spoke to all three of them, before she pressed her snout against Serinel and Baldor.
Serinel and Baldor both were lost of words. They were staggered by the beautiful dragon, that was now before them. Baldor murmured: "Mighty dragon, Izar, make sure to return Díanel to the arms of his mother with your strong wings every now and then, for she would never forget her only child."
I will, sire-of-Díanel. I have just met you but I've seen you in the memories of Díanel. You both have raised him well and I'm honored to be called your family.
At this Serinel cried. "You take away my son, but still I feel nothing but love and respect for you. I am torn between the pain of losing my son and the pride I feel for him becoming a Rider. A rider of such a beautiful dragon. You are my family, Izar, the brightest of all stars."
After a comforting silence fell upon them, Arya, Fírnen and Albreich came walking towards them. "Baldor-Finiarel, may I thank you for the armor for Fírnen that came from your forge. It is most well received and I could not wish for anything better. All elves honor your smithy. I take it the payment is received in good manner?" Baldor confirmed this.
Díanel hugged his uncle and introduced him to Izar. At the same time Fírnen told Baldor what he had already told Albreich: It is a shame to hide my beautiful scales, but your armor fits like a second skin and it is almost as strong as a dragons claw. You have my thanks, Baldor-steel-smelter.
"I am sorry to interrupt your reunion, but for now there are more pressing mattes we must attend to, Díanel-Finiarel. We are summoned into Roran's halls. Depending on the outcome of the meeting, we will see how long we will stay in Carvahall. Though I don't think it will be longer than one or two days. I'm sorry Serinel."
Once inside the halls, Roran greeted Arya with the elven formal greeting and gave a strong hug to Díanel. Then he noticed Mina and greeted her in the elven way as well.
Roran led them to the grand meeting room, where some of his advisors were. Díanel knew most of them by either face, name or both. He also noticed some dwarves in the room. As the doors closed behind them, he saw three figures walking in from the other side of the room. The first of them wore a golden, sleeveless dress. Her skin was dark and on her forearms were six scars on one arm, and three on the other. On her dark hair rested a golden crown. The one behind her was a human of old age, though he still had a powerful step.
The third one was an Urgal. No, it was a kull. He wore a leather body which was partly covered by mail. His horns pierced right up his head and his yellow eyes, and his muscles where even bigger than those of Albreich.
Díanel was surprised that Nasuada, the High Queen, was here. The others must be Jörmundur and Nar Garzvhog. He now understood why Arya was suddenly in such a hurry. Though he didn't understand why they were all gathered here.
He saw the same look of surprise on Mina's face. As everyone was seated, Roran kicked off and introduced everyone. They first started to discuss matters regarding the trade between the different races and how they all wished for Carvahall to become an interracial city. This meant that Roran would stay the Earl of Palancar, but he would be advised by a council where all races had a seat. They also came up with a new name: Estenir, derived from Skölir, which meant shield and Esterni, good fortune.
During this talk Díanel listened with interest. This was the first time he was involved in politics and even though he didn't have to say anything about the matter, he was glad he was invited. But it seemed like much was already discussed before and they were just closing the last small matters, such as how the different houses would look like and in which part of the city the different merchants would find residence. Matters that were not resolved during this talk were how to deal with the problem of the small road. Even though Nar Garzvhog offered to build a road to Narda, through the Spine. It seemed like the remaining matters would be resolved in the next coming days, since Roran closed the meeting for this day.
Everyone removed himself from the chamber, except Roran, Nasuada, Nar Garzvhog, and the two Riders, even Mina was sent away by Arya.
This time Arya opened the meeting: 'Again a dragon has hatched for a rider from Carvahall, it seems the people here have remarkable features that the dragons favor. Though I do bring tidings of doubt with me. Izar was unwilling to hatch at first, not before she got some encouragement from my wise raven. I do not know the circumstances of Lokini's hatching for Ismira, but I think that there was something forwarding his hatching as well. For the last decade, every other dragon was unwilling to hatch. Not even the wild dragons are hatching. You all know this and we hoped that it would be over with the hatching of Lokini. It is not. Even though we have another rider in our midst the problem remains. I've listened to the eggs remaining in Ellesméra, and they show no signs of live, they are deep within their slumber. Deeper than usual for dragons in their eggs. I'm sure the same goes for the eggs amongst the other races and even the eggs on Gjarzla Hjarta.
I already know the answer, but still I must ask: did any of you had contact with the riders or others on Gjarzla Hjarta in the last three years?" Arya looked at the others, her gaze resting upon Roran, whose faced flickered with sadness for a moment. They all shook their heads.
"This makes the problem even more important. We do not know what happens on the island. Neither do we know where Murtagh and Thorn are at the moment. All we know is that the dragons refuse to hatch. And for the last decade Fírnen had no desire to take a mate, along with the other dragons I guess." She paused and everyone seemed concerned by her words.
Díanel hesitated before he stood up and addressed the others: "During the Fall the dragons decided not to mate right? For there was corruption amongst their own kind, do you think something like that could be happening again, Arya-Ebrithil?"
"No, that can't be it. All existing dragons are being monitored, even if Thorn and Murtagh would do something astray, we would know. Though the dragons must feel that there is something threatening their race."
Nasuada was listening intensely during this, but now she stood up. "But what can threaten a dragon? And what can threaten their whole race? We didn't have any big threats in Alagaësia for at least fifteen years. The races are at peace."
"It might be something in the east. Though I'm sure Eragon would have told us if something was amiss. I have to admit I do not have the answers Nasuada-Svit-Kona." Arya replied.
"Why do we not contact Flamesword and his riders?" Garzvhog spoke simple but true words.
Nasuada replied: "Why would we, he has forgotten about us. The island only seeks contact on matters regarding the eggs or new riders, and it is never Eragon who appears.. He does not care for the fate of Alagaësia. Apparently he is fine with staying our war hero. Not someone who helps us rebuild. Just as the other riders show no interest in Alagaesian matters."
Díanel felt himself shame for his fellow riders. "When I have fulfilled my training, I will return to assist the people of Alagaësia." He thought of the words to repeat this promise in the ancient language. When he stated the first two words, Arya realized what he was about to say and quickly cast a spell on him to stop talking and froze his tongue in its movement.
"Never take a promise in the ancient language you can't fulfill, Díanel. The riders might have their reasons for not returning.
I agree with Garzvhog, I need to inform the island that we have a new rider among us. But I wanted to wait for this meeting, so that we could all attend. Roran, can you call for a mirror so that we might scry them?"
Díanel felt himself embarrassed in front of so many leaders. He stared at his feet until two servants arrived with a big mirror.
Arya said the words and the surface of the mirror rippled, until a library appeared. It took a few seconds before a dwarven female appeared in front of it.
"Arya-Elda, I'm surprised." It seemed she only now saw the others in the room, and all addressed them by name, except Díanel. Herna, for it was her of course, seemed a bit angry at the sudden appearance of so many leaders, only king Orik wasn't there. "This surprises me even more. What matters do you wish to discuss?"
Arya swallowed before she answered: "We would like to speak to the First Rider, Eragon."
"Of course, I'm afraid he isn't available though. You'll have to do with me."
Díanel noticed a mixture of relief and anger on Arya's face. He had no idea what happened, but it seemed like the relationship between the Alagaësians and those on the island were tensed.
"We have concerns of the fate of the race of the dragons. Which I'm sure you'll have too, Herna-dvergr."
"We do, Arya-älfa, though we don't have any knowledge to share about this topic, once we have figured out more, we will contact you. It seems you have a new rider among you, so the concerns might be ill-based. Is this rider ready to be trained with us?"
"He is, he shows great promise. But do not trouble yourself with escorting him. I will come to the island myself. You can inform your master of this. Goodbye."
Arya let go of the magic and the mirror your reflected their own images again.
"Ah the arrogance on that, that, child." Díanel had never seen Arya this angry before.
Neither did the others ones, according to their surprised faces.
"What do you hope to achieve on the island, Arya-Svit-Kona?" Roran asked the elven queen.
"I want answers. Answers to the problem regarding the dragons, answers to why they ignored Alagaësia and answers why they ignored the ones who love them."
At the moment she said the last words, she seemed to regret it. Though everyone in the room knew of the romance that could have been there between Arya and Eragon. Instead of thinking about them, they all thought off their own beloved ones who weren't seen for years. Ismira and Eragon for Roran. Eragon and Murtagh for Nasuada. Ismira for Díanel. Of all the gathered, only Nar Garzvhog had no one he loved on the island.
After the meeting was dismissed. Díanel spend the nights with his parents and invited Mina along too. It was a long time ago that he had so much fun, and he was sad that he would leave in two days. He had convinced Arya to stay one day longer than she had wanted. He told her that they should talk to Katrina, Orik and the other leaders again, if they wanted to ask the right questions once they got on the island.
The days flew by and before he knew he found himself in his mother's arms again. This time saying goodbye. It struck him hard to do so, but he knew that he must. He looked towards his teacher, who was very determined. He started to see her as an ally, and rare enough, the other riders as a kind of enemy. It was up to him and Arya to convince them to come to the right side again. A new sense of determination and duty fell upon him. He did not want to become a rider if that meant leaving the ones he loved behind.
Whatever we do stargazer, we will come back here, as I've promised your mother. We will not rot on the island like the others. Whatever keeps them there, it will not keep us. We have the queen of the elves and big-pine-Fírnen on our side. The stars will guide us back to Alagaësia again. I can feel it.
I wanted Roran's mage to be Carn, but i looked him up and found out he died. I totally forgot. I liked him :(
I hope this chapter was good enough to make up for the last one, let me know what you think of it!
We're finally going to the Island and see some other huge characters. But why are they ignoring Alagaësia?! :O
Keep following and find out.
Lots of action promised as we arrive on the island!