Chapter 6: Another Journey Begins.
Murtagh stood in front of Eragon, a hand on the pommel of Zar'roc, and he was astounded. He was at Eragon's house, along with Arya and Nasuada. The dragons were outside.
"So you are saying this Heslant knows something important, and that we must find him." Murtagh said.
Eragon nodded, "Not just that, Crugan is still a threat, and we must be ready for him. He can attack us anytime soon, he might be planning it even now. A hundred years, I thought he will attack and that we will be defeated. Fortunately he hasn't come, but I am sure he will. We must be ready before that." Eragon told them all.
Nasuada scratched her chin thoughtfully, "So, we are going to leave for Kuasta today?"
Eragon and Arya nodded.
"But isn't Heslant in Tierm?" Murtagh asked. "You said so."
"Yes I know I did, Murtagh. Yet we need to know more of this Helsant before approaching him." Eragon told him.
The gentle and soothing voice of Saphira's voice broke the conversation as she said in all their minds. Nesmrial approaches, and Solembum and Laun are with her.
Thank you, Saphira. Eragon replied, and they waited. Sure enough, after a minute, footsteps could be heard on the oaken floor. The door knob turned and a short woman, with a cloud of curly hair behind her face, and garbed in dark leather shirt and leggings entered the room. It was Nesmrial (Angela), and with her were Solembum and Laun.
I believe I can add some light to this dark matter. A voice said, which Murtagh recognized as Laun's.
Eragon stood up and greeted them, as did everyone else. Nesmrial was almost the same witty self as before. Solembum had grown larger and Laun was the same. Nesmrial lived in Doru Araeba, along with Solembum. Laun was Eragon's advisor, but he always spoke in riddles which annoyed Saphira (who was one of the best at riddles) and Arya.
Murtagh turned to Solembum, who was staring at all of them impassively.
So, what is this light that you wish to project? Murtagh asked the werecats, who looked at each other.
Solembum, you were the one who lead Heslant to Teirm, weren't you? Eragon asked suddenly, and there were gasps from the surroundings.
No, I was not. Solembum said calmly, and began licking his paw.
It was me. Laun said, and looked at Eragon with great interest.
So, what did he look like? Eragon asked, and the eagerness in the room grew.
"First of all, hear what I have to say!" Nesmrial said suddenly, and they all turned to her.
"Heslant the monk was the old man who was able to talk to Solembum, and who refused my offer to read his future. I did mention him to you, Eragon." Nesmrial said, looking at him sternly. After a hundred years, her face had begun to get lines on it now, though they weren't too prominent. Her eyes were deeper than before, and her hair was longer.
"So, that was him, he must still be in Teirm right?" Arya asked her.
Nesmrial nodded at her, then said, "He must be, but he was half crazy then. He didn't know the difference between a man and a woman, and he kept on ranting about some white, bald head. He didn't even seem to notice his surroundings. He is probably dead by now, either starved or beaten to it."
Murtagh saw Eragon's face turn from hopeful to somber.
"Well, we have to go to Kuasta anyway. We will journey there first, and then we will go to Teirm . . . is that fine?" Eragon asked them.
"Yes, it is." Murtagh said, and he was imitated by almost everyone else. The dragons were silent, and were probably having a discussion of their own.
"I am coming with all of you!' Nesmrial said suddenly.
So, when are we leaving? Thorn asked.
In a few hours, I better get your and Draumr's saddle, and all the other things that I need. Murtagh said.
He rummaged in the cupboard of his room, and cursed foully when he dropped a heavy book on his head.
Spells of magic . . . By Nasuada, Rider of Draumr? Murtagh thought as Thorn snorted. He looked at the book for a few more seconds, then threw it onto the bed and pulled the saddles out.
I really can't believe Eragon hid all that from us. He is a daft! Murtagh said, grabbing some saddlebags.
He did what was right, informing us of that backstabbing-cowardly-useless-Shade would have just incensed and irritated us. We won a great victory, and it was time to celebrate, not to be tense and jumpy, thinking that the enemy will attack us anytime. I really admire what Eragon and Saphira did, even if Saphira is my mate. You are so optimistic!
It's a matter of perspective, my good Rider. Thorn said, and he could be heard laughing at the balcony.
Probably. Murtagh grunted, and finally placed both the saddles and a dozen saddlebags at the balcony.
After a while, he picked up Zar'roc and belted it on.
Best be off in style. Murtagh told Thorn.
Nasuada will be impressed . . . with the mess you have made over here. Thorn agreed.
Murtagh grunted in reply, then waited for his wife and her dragon to come.
They did, after several minutes.
Nasuada looked around the room, a little exasperated. She was wearing lilac dress, and at that moment Murtagh couldn't think of anything that would suit her better.
She gave a sigh, then placed her hands on her hip, just as Draumr landed next to Thorn.
"You call this packing?" Nasuada demanded, glaring at the mess on the bed, and at the open cupboard. Murtagh gave her an apologetic look when she turned to him, then she walked over to the saddle bags and emptied all of them.
"Seriously Murtagh, you should leave this type of work to those who know how to do it." Nasuada told him.
Murtagh grinned, and hugged her tightly. "That's what you are here for."
That's really not what I had expected. Thorn told them, and he and his daughter laughed.
Finally, after an hour and a half, they were all ready. The dragons were saddled; Eragon had talked to the other elders and informed them of their impending departure.
The four of them were atop their own dragons, at the balcony of Murtagh's house.
"Now, begins another journey . . . may it be fruitful." Eragon said.
With three great flaps, all the four dragons flew off towards south-west.
How long do you think this might take? Murtagh asked Thorn.
A couple of days, at the most. Thorn replied.
Let us hope that Eragon is related to that monk. Otherwise, this will be a waste. Aye.