Chapter 6:

The Flames of Battle

Saphira raised her blade and struck the incoming wolf as it dashed towards it, slaying it as it fell limp to the side. Behind her three more were ready for battle, but Saphira quickly sidestepped behind her and slashed at them too. The wolves jumped back in fear of her blade. Using their hesitation, Saphira quickly jabbed at two with lightning-fast speed, slaying them in their wake.

The third wolf ran back to safe distance and snarled. He growled angrily at the human dragoness for killing his brethren.

"How dare you, human!" it spat. "At least kill with dignity!"

"Oh, and you have been killing likewise?" she taunted. The wolf barked at her, but regained its composure. It fixed his stature and stood up proud again.

"Hmph! You'll regret this." The wolf turned and quickly ran away. Saphira began to run after it, but more wolves jumped in to block her path. These creatures do not give up, she thought, impressed by their devotion. Taking her blade, she swiftly jumped on them, slaying the first with ease; the idiot animal had ran right underneath to meet her blade as she fell, while the two others rushed behind. Kicking the bloodied body off, she used the blunt side to push one of the females wolfs claws away. Using her bare free hand Saphira grabbed the wolf by the neck and killed her, tossing the body on the ground.

Before the last wolf even had a second to react Saphira flung her sword at it, but missed by an inch. She cursed and pounced on the wolf, using her body as if she were a dragon. She yelled angrily at the wolf, taking her tensed hand and clawing at the males neck. Unfortunately this did nothing and he flipped her off of him, drool dripping from his fangs as he snarled angrily. She did not waste anytime however and quickly grabbed her blade and swung at him, leaving a gaping wound in his ribs and through his heart. The wolf dropped dead.

Saphira picked her self up and brushed the dirt from her side where she fell. There were still enemies around, but she could sense that at the moment none had her in their intentions. She looked at her hand and sighed. I really do miss my talons, she thought. Saphira in fact missed a lot about being a dragon when battling. Being a human was interesting, but she felt much more comfortable in her natural form. Saphira looked up to the sky, seeing herself in flight, in control of the skies and the world, with envy. This was one thing she felt deeply sorry for Eragon about; how he was burdened to the ground.

I should really change back, she contemplated. There was not enough space where she was, but if she could climb the clock tower just east of her near the main water gate, she'd have plenty of room. Sheathing her rather flimsy sword, Saphira quickly began to climb the nearest two story house, able to get to the top with ease. A benefit of being born of dragon with dragons blood was her increased strength, speed, agility, senses, and everything else, no matter her form. But the tower was still a little further.

Saphira climbed the next house (this time four stories high), and reached the rooftop. However, as she looked back down behind her, she paused as caught glimpse of the wolf that ran away from her from before, talking to some others in an alleyway. Now looking at it, she could see that it was a dark grey timber wolf, with a white underside and fur tinged with wood brown. Saphira became locked in an internal turmoil of her interest and better judgement. I could change back into my natural dragon form... or, I could take this wolf down first! Saphira did not like the idea of being bested by an animal lower than a dragon, no matter her form. And especially not a mutt!

Letting go of the siding of the house, and kicking off with her legs, Saphira jumped down silently, landing with a soft thud behind her enemies at no pain to her. The wolf talking to her target showed a wave of fear in its face as she saw her land, and promptly began to growl at her. The timber wolf turned her body quickly, but relieved her tension when she saw who it was.

"Ah, I see you've survived so far. I'm impressed."Saphira could now tell that the wolfs voice was that of a females. The wolf began to circle her, licking her lips hungrily. "I'm afraid you won't make it much further, unfortunately." The other wolves she was with began to growl as well, circling to surround Saphira. She held her ground, hand on the hilt of her blade, studying the wolves. She was more than certain she could take on all three, but something about the timber wolf put Saphira on edge.

"Who are you?" Saphira asked cautiously. The wolf only laughed. "Why don't you answer that yourself first?" Taking a slow breath, Saphira spoke strongly and clearly. "I am Saphira Brightscales, daughter of Iormunger and Vervada, dragon of Alagaesia." The other two wolves began to laugh with disbelief. "You dare claim to be a dragon? You're insane!" The mocked.

The timber wolf eyed Saphira with interest though. "Saphira, hm? Could you perhaps be the same Saphira that visited Ivailo's army the other night?" Saphira nodded. "Yes."

"Well, isn't this a treat! I've had the pleasure of battling personally with a dragon!" The wolf bowed her head, half mockingly. "I am the wolf Pandora, loyal general of Kain."

The mention of Kain's name sparked Saphira's interest further and her eyes widened. "You know of the white wolf Kain? Where is he?"

"Oh, he's around." Pandora's eyes sparkled with her tease, and with that Saphira leaped on her, knocking the wolf to the ground. She fought with all of her strength to hold the wolf back while trying for it's neck. With only two hands however, this proved impossibly, as she already had trouble trying to block Pandora's angry fangs as well. I really wish I had a tail, Saphira thought regretfully. Finally, becoming frustrated, Saphira knocked Pandora in her head and quickly jumped back up, unsheathing her blade. She could sense the other two wolves behind her ready to pounce, and in a swift movement struck at their forelegs, disabling both. Down at the end of the alley another grey wolf was running towards her. With a swift change of her weapons, Saphira drew her bow, cocked an arrow she had at her side, and took the wolf down in motion.

'Rrraaaghr!' came a snarl from behind her. Pandora had jumped on Saphira and clung to her back, intending to rip her head off. Anticipating this, Saphira smashed her back into the nearest wall with all her force, ramming the wolf into it as well. Pandora yelped as her body struck the wall and she hit the ground with a thud. Saphira jumped on her again, but this time stabbing her left shoulder with her blade. The wolf screamed in pain as the sword struck through bone and reached the ground, pinning her down. Saphira grabbed the wolfs face, now wrenching in agony, and brought it to her own.

"You should not be so arrogant, little mutt!" she growled. "Especially to those superior."

The wolf coughed as blood left its mouth. "Do you really believe.. to be the superior here?"

A loud screeching roar broke through the noise of battle, and Saphira looked up, very distracted by this sound. She heard another roar let out, and heard the sounds of men screaming in terror. Light erupted from the streets of near the next corner, and more screams erupted as she head the flap of wings above. Saphira stood up, her mind in disbelief, trying to see the source of this. Pads of the paws wolves surrounded her, but she did not care anymore. Her mind was still attempting to wrap around what she was hearing, how it could even be possibly. All this time becoming used to the cold hard fact that she was one of the few last of her kind, and now there might be another?

"Did you really think Alagaesia had the only dragons?" Saphira looked down to her prey, having been helped to have the sword removed and being supported on either side by her wolves. "I think you should go and find your rider now, shouldn't you?"

Saphira looked at the wolf with bewilderment, her mind still roaring in a whirlwind. At the thought of Eragon however, she gained her bearings, and quickly jumped to climb the building. Her battle was insignificant at this point; all she cared about was seeing this sight for herself. Climbing as fast as she could, she made her way to the top of the clock tower, and could see atop all of the town.

She looked all over the rooftops of the town, but she could see nothing. There was evidence of destruction and battle, as there were fire sets and rooftops destroyed, but Saphira could see no dragon. No! She thought angrily. This is NOT fair! You HAVE to be here! Saphira stretched out with all of her mind, but could find no entity, no conscience of a dragon. She cursed with anger, feeling betrayed by the world for being teased with such cruelty.

She began to climb down, furious. A sound caused her to slow down however. She could swear that she head the faint sound of wings. Saphira looked back to the town, yet saw nothing. Before she could turn the other way though, she felt powerful talons grip her body and rip her from the building.

Eragon had the opportunity to witness Gareth's true skill at the front gates. The man possessed great power, and slayed the wolves with ease. Eragon barely had a chance to do any fighting himself. What more, the man seemed to be enjoying himself immensely.

"Ragh!" he yelled, piercing his axe into several wolves at the same time.

Eragon continued to fight, easily slaying the wolves with his blade with control. Finally, after what seemed like an age, the wolves began to retreat.

"The wolves retreat! The battle's won!" The morale of the soldiers raised immensely as they realized this, storming through the remaining wolves, and killing the last of them. The men began to rejoice, including Gareth, and they all cheered hurrah. The Akuran guard captain walked over to Eragon, and gave him a slight bow. "I am sorry I underestimated your skill," he spoke sternly.

"Think nothing of it. I'm only glad I could be of help." Even still, Eragon wondered where Saphira could be. I really hope she's okay, he thought with worry. He was about to contact her, but he was interrupted with a screeching roar from above, and the figure of a flying beast above.

At first he thought it was Saphira, demonstrating her power. When he tried to reach her mind however he found nothing. Perplexed, he yelled out her name. The dragon ignored him however and flew to the other side of the city. Releasing another roar, it released a jet of flames into the town square, and Eragon could hear the screams of men burning alive.

"That's not Saphira," Eragon thought out-loud with distress. Gareth turned to look at him, exclaiming "You know that thing?" "Not that one," he replied. The guards were now panicking, running around to try and get in cover, into some kind of building, and most of all get off the streets. Eragon on the other hand began to run after the dragon. He spoke the words 'risa!' and quickly rose to the rooftops of the building in front of him. 'Saphira!' he called out desperately with his mind. He found her conscience atop the clock tower at the other side of the city, but she was too distracted to even notice him. He watched with horror as the dragon being flew in from behind her and grabbed her.

"Saphira!" he yelled, preparing to shoot the dragon down with a ball of fire. It was quick though, and in a flash of speed it had swooped past him and over the main gates, into the forest and mountains.

Eragon climbed down the house and reached the ground, instantly running for the gates. He ran and grabbed Gareth. "Is there a quick exit out through these gates?" He demanded. "What, you're going after that? Yeah, its in the armoury beside the gates." Eragon nodded and quickly ran to the armoury.

He broke through the door to the empty room, stocked full with the city's finest standard weapons. Rows of spears and swords, shields and bows, arrows and maces, and other weapons filled the room. Across these rows on the other side of the room was the exit door. Jumping over the obstructions, Eragon made his way as quickly as possible to the door. Speaking some words of the ancient language, he unlocked the massive door and broke his way through.

Cool air of the night rushed to meet his face as moonlight basked the mountains and treetops in an eerie glow. Eragon looked all around, but could not find where the dragon went anywhere. He began to run, unsure of where he was going, but devoted to finding Saphira and saving her. "Saphira!" he called, both with his voice and mind. He felt a connection, but it was too weak to tell from which direction. Eragon worried relentlessly whether this were from distance or her health.

"Reeeaaaarrghhhhh" Eragon stopped running to listen to the screeching of the dragon again. I'm sure that came from the north! He thought with hope. Using a few spells to increase his speed significantly and to scale the mountain, Eragon began to run to save his dragon from this new threat.

Didn't see that curveball coming, did you? :p

Wow. it's late. I spent way too long on this. I don't know why, it just took a while. This battle is also being spread out much longer. I suppose reorganization of my plans must have been expected though. Silly me :p

Anyways hope you enjoyed! Stay tuned to learn more about this new threat. Who is he/she? Is it purely evil, or good? If evil who does it command under? Kain? Galb? Or another threat? Maybe it's the aliens from mars! :O Just kidding. But seriously, well see. Man, I gotta start keeping a detailed character list. :p

As always, reviews are welcome. Like i said before, any ideas for directions or events for this story let me know. I'd love to incorporate others ideas into this :) Or maybe a character idea? I can definitely see it come to life in my story :D

~Dragnerz