I am so sorry everyone! I lost interest in writing, and no new inspiration came to me. I am back though, so expect new chapters sooner than this one.
...
"You knew?" Eragon couldn't believe it.
"I had no idea. Grandmother, yes? I should have guessed you to be related, but I never thought that it would be this closely. You have, or rather, had similar scents." Saphira laid down, letting Angela lean on her leg.
"Had?" Angela asked. "Has his scent changed?"
"Quite a bit. Ever since the transformation started, his scent has changed slowly."
"If I don't smell human anymore, what do I smell like now?"
"A mix between human and dragon." Eragon was taken aback.
"Dragon? Why would I smell like that?"
"Perhaps that is what you are becoming." Angela suggested.
"Shadeslayer!" Blodhgarm came wandering over to them from between the trees. "Are you coming back soon? We should keep moving on." His eyes fell on Angela, and they narrowed. "Why is she still here?" he spat.
"Eragon, he of all people should know." Saphira said.
"I do not like it, but I agree. I will come with you though, even if he doesn't approve." Angela said, causing Eragon to sigh.
"Blodhgarm, she is here because I will not my grandmother be left alone here, exposed to the dangers of the unknown."
"Grandmother? Her? No, no, no!" Blodhgarm turned away, clenching his fists in anger. "I will not allow this! Even if I have to tie her up and send her back on a piece of driftwood! I refuse to let her stay!" he shouted.
"That is not your desicion!" Eragon shouted. "I don't care what has happened between you, but you need to remember your own words! 'Do not dwell on the past, for that cannot change', do you remember telling me that? Whatever feud you have with her, you have with me as well. She will come." Blodhgarm stood still and silent.
"And you are certain of this?"
"More certain than if the sun will rise, more certain that the crops will grow in spring, more certain than if there is water in the sea, more certain than if time will pass."
"I see." Blodhgarm walked off, head slightly hung, with a somber air around him.
"Eragon." He turned to see Angela next to him. "You should know what happened. He does have a reason to hate me."
"I don't care. I won't abandon you."
"Eragon, he hates me because I couldn't save his love." Eragon sat down, realizing that it was inevitable to try to avoid this conflict again, and that knowing more about it would help. Angela sat next to him, and began telling him what happened.
"It was forty years ago, almost to the day. His love was sick with a fever, worse than anything I had ever seen. I had to whip up a potion to help, but I was running out of time, and she wouldn't last more than an hour. I rushed through it, and made it anyways, bringing it to her only a few minutes before I had predicted her death. I quickly gave it to her, and I thought she was getting better, but she died, in his arms. He blamed me for her death, but I realized that she was dead even before I had gotten there. He's hated me ever since."
"Did you try explaining it to him?"
"I tried, but he drew his sword and chased me out of Ellesmera." She chuckled. "Come, we should get back to the Talita."
"How did you..." Eragon started, before realizing the answer. "Right, it's painted on the side." A low rumble filled the air as Saphira chuckled, causing Eragon to blush slightly as he mounted her. He held out his hand to Angela, pulling her onto Saphira's saddle. With a mighty roar, Saphira took flight soaring just above the treeline.
...
As Saphira approached the deck of the ship, Eragon saw Blodhgarm standing at the far railing, gazing over the water. Before Saphira even landed, he slid off, walking over to Blodhgarm. "I know why you hate her. She told me what happened." Blodhgarm sighed, not turning to face Eragon. "Come, I have not sparred since just after we left, and my arms are growing weak. I will try not to beat you too badly." Eragon smirked, knowing that Blodhgarm couldn't resist a challenge.
"You remember last time, don't you? You will look good with bruises covering you again." Blodhgarm said, drawing his sword as he turned around. Blodhgarm's sword was long and thin, designed for speed and accuracy over power. It was better for attacking, rather than defending.
"Then take your place." Eragon said, moving to one side of the boat, drawing Brsingr. Eragon's eyes locked onto Blodhgarm, watching the elf intensely. With unspoken agreement, they both rushed forwards, locking swords. Eragon broke the blow, spinning off to the side, letting Blodhgarm fall past. Blodhgarm, however, was quick, recovering and facing back at Eragon. With a quick lunge, Blodhgarm battered at Eragon's defenses, pushing him back with rapid blows. Eragon saw his opportunity, and struck back with a powerful downwards blow, forcing Blodhgarm to take a more defensive stance.
"You are slow still. I have been training every day since we left, yet you have not. I think that the winner shall be clear in only a moment." Blodhgarm smirked as he went for a left side blow, then feinting, and changing to a curved lunge. Eragon leapt backwards, doing a flip in the air, and landed on his feet. A heat surged up his throat from his lungs. Eragon opened his mouth, and a burst of black fire shot out, singeing Blodhgarm's cloak. None of the elves moved, not even Saphira blinked.
"Eragon? What has happened to you?" Blodhgarm asked.
...
Cliffhanger, yes. Apologies again for not posting sooner. I will try to post more often.
