Every1's Beta-Sorry, but I think we all know who it's going to hatch for. Besides, it's all part of my master plan! Mwahaha! ...Seriously…. How do we ever get started? Pie in the Face-Vacuum cleaner? What? FlameWing41-Because you have to think about the return trip. Haha you can't have like five or six people on Saphira! Shilly gooshe! Here's chapter eight! Haa enjoy!
Chapter 8
"I Had Begun to Think You Had Forgotten Me."
Eragon caught a glimpse of Solembum's flicking tail disappearing into a crack between two moss-covered rocks. From an ordinary angle the crack appeared to be very small and almost non-existent, but when you moved closer and stood directly before the opening it actually turned out to be quite large. It was large enough at least for a human to slip through.
Eragon stooped slightly and made it through the entrance. He took a good look around and was amazed at what he saw. This was not just an ordinary cave. This cave was colossal sized. The rock floor was flat for the first fifty feet, and then it gradually began to descend deeper into the ground. The end faded into darkness.
"Oh, Hello Eragon," Angela said brightly. "I had begun to think you had forgotten me."
Eragon looked over at Angela who was sitting with her legs crossed beside a crackling fire, a joking smile on her face. A mass of fur, who Eragon realized to be Solembum, was curled up in a tight ball beside her.
As Eragon began to take in more and more detail he noticed the large emerald dragon egg in Angela's lap. It was about the exact size Saphira's egg had been, perhaps even larger, and it had ivory-colored tendrils running through it.
The last dragon egg…
Eragon took a moment to reply. "No, Saphira and I didn't forget about you, we just had to take a detour to avoid Thorn and Murtagh."
Angela shrugged nonchalantly as she gazed at the green egg in her lap. "Alright, I'll accept that as a valid excuse."
Eragon continued to look around the cave, but his gaze always wandered back to the egg every few moments. The very being that could tip the scales of the war against the Mad King and save the races of Alagaesia was in that egg, in Angela's lap.
"Sit down and I'll give you some soup," Angela said, interrupting his thoughts. "There's no meat in it, only herbs and such."
Eragon smiled and sat down by the fire. She handed him a bowl of steaming soup, which he took gratefully. He drank the sweet-smelling liquid slowly, savoring its good taste. It felt nice as it ran down his throat, burning slightly, though in the good way.
Eragon drained the bowl before asking, "So how did you manage to get the egg?"
Angela shook her head, her brown curls bouncing vivaciously. "I will tell my story once, and you will hear it if Nasauda decides to have you around when I do, but I will tell you this: when I said I like to be where important things are happening, I did not have this in mind."
This made Eragon curious. He wanted to know what had occurred during Angela's leg of the journey, and knowing her, it had to be something crazy.
"Well, I think we should be going, don't you think?" Angela said.
Eragon looked at her and noticed she was rolling up her bed roll and dousing the fire. Solembum stood and stretched before shifting into his young child form. He grabbed some small, dark brown leggings and a cloak and put them on.
"You want to leave now?" Eragon asked her.
Angela looked at him incredulously. "Eragon, you have kept me in this dirty and dingy cave for a week, of course I want to leave."
Eragon nodded and stood. "I see your point," He murmured.
Solembum took the green egg and put it in a leather knapsack. He held the bag close and tight to his chest, almost unwilling to let it go. Eragon wished that he could continue gazing at the beautiful egg. It was mesmerizing.
Would Angela be willing to wait in the meadow for a half hour or so as I finish hunting? My belly needs food, Saphira said to Eragon.
Eragon repeated the question to Angela, and she agreed.
She's willing, Eragon said.
Solembum disappeared through the opening and emerged into the forest. Angela followed after him. Eragon took one more look around the giant cave before ducking through the crack and walking out into the dense, green forest.
Solembum led the way, weaving nimbly through the trees. Eragon noticed how even in his human form he still had the grace of a feline.
Solembum turned his head and gave Eragon a pointy-toothed smile. He seemed to be sensing Eragon's thoughts. This made Eragon laugh.
Angela glanced curiously at Eragon, and then looked at Solembum. She decided to not even ask, besides, how would she ever get a straight answer from a werecat and a rider?
They made it into the bright clearing within a few minutes. Saphira was, of course, not there. She had left to go hunting after Eragon had followed Solembum into the forest. That had been about a half hour ago.
Angela smiled and stretched. "It feels good to be out in the sun again. I was actually beginning to fear that the nargles would find me and attack, but they didn't."
Eragon threw her a questioning look.
Don't ask, Saphira said. I made my catch early, and I'm coming back now. Are you guys ready?
Yes, Eragon replied. "Saphira is on her way back now," He told Angela and Solembum.
It was only a few minutes before they heard the mighty rush of wind from Saphira's wings above them. They watched as she dropped down to the ground, and folded her massive translucent wings.
Greetings, Angela, Solembum, Saphira said as she lowered her head to be level with Angela's.
"Greetings, Bjartskular," Angela replied. "It's good to see you again."
And it's good to see you.
Solembum purred and opened the knapsack he held tight to his chest. Saphira, her attention quickly captured, watched intently as the green egg was revealed to her. This was the first time she had seen another dragon egg with her own two sapphire eyes. She had seen other eggs, but only in Glaedr's and Eragon's memories. The sight was amazing.
The moment only lasted for a minute before Solembum closed the knapsack. Saphira wished that she could continue gazing at the beautiful egg. It was mesmerizing.
"Shall we leave now?" Eragon asked as he took Angela's pack and leaped onto Saphira's back. He put Angela's pack in one of the saddlebags.
Soleumbum followed after Eragon like an agile jungle cat, still holding the knapsack close to his chest. He sat down and Eragon helped him put his legs in the arm loops.
Angela climbed onto Saphira's leg, and then on up to her back. She sat down in the saddle, and Eragon had her buckle her legs into place. Finally Eragon sat down behind Angela. He had flown before without being buckled into the saddle, so he knew that he could stay on just by gripping with his knees.
Saphira beat her wings downward, creating a wind that pressed the grass and flowers down. She made a small jump into the air, not wanting to make many jerky movements, and slowly lifted higher and higher. The speed of her beating wings increased and they were soon flying high in the sky, heading south west back toward the Varden.
Okay, well I won't be able to work on chapter nine until 6/27/10 (Sunday), so I'll probably either have it up on Sunday or Monday. Your reviews make me happy:D
