Ummm… I'm suffering from S.I.L.D. Which is — Summer Induced Laziness Disorder. Sorry for the wait! But luckily for you all, I experienced a strange bout of the warm fuzzies when I got about 10 favourite story updates in my email, which is compelling me to write. Thank you all for staying with me! Trust me at this point… things get very… interesting. Let's just put it at that. R&R!
I'll have a picture of what Star's clothes look like on my profile, so if you want to look before you read, I encourage you to!
Chapter 9- A Surprise Visit
They were still alone on the island Star had escaped to. Star tried to wriggle out of Eragon's arms, but he was still in his trance-like state. Her face flushed when she realized his tunic was unbuttoned, revealing the contours of his chest, and chastised herself for the thoughts that followed. She closed her eyes, and laid her head on his big chest. She felt so small in his arms, and was about to wake him up when she felt him stir, and on a childish impulse decided to pretend she was still resting. Just to see what he did.
He kissed the top of her head, and drew her closer.
Star's heart stuttered, and picked up double time. She was glad he couldn't see her face, because she was blushing and the corners of her mouth were twitching- fighting a smile. After a few moments, she yawned involuntarily, and "woke up." This time, she didn't try to move away.
"G'morning," she mumbled softly. Eragon smiled warmly, and put a hand on the side of her face.
"Good morning Star, how did you rest?" his voice was soft and comforting. She smiled.
"It was pretty good, still worried about…her. How was yours?" Star had tried to say Nyra's name, but all that came out was air. A secret smile came on Eragon's face.
"Mine was... good. But don't worry, Nyra will be back. Don't fret." He smiled again, but his smile turned into an alarmed frown when tears welled up in Star's eyes.
"No…no she won't." Star choked back a sob, her voice coming out half strangled, "They've… captured… her for ransom! Nyra… I should've… I could've… I… she…" Eragon's eyes were wide with shock, and he crushed her gently to him. Star cried softly into his warm chest. She could feel and hear his heartbeat. The steady rhythm finally quieted her, and she slowly relaxed against him. With his strong arms wrapped around her, she felt as if she could survive the weeks missing Nyra. She heard a soft curse muttered under Eragon's breath, and she looked up questioningly. He looked apologetically down at her with those soft, brown eyes.
"Oromis wants me." he explained dryly. She felt sad and happy at the same time. Sad because he had to leave (among other things,) and happy because he didn't want to leave her. He still wanted to comfort her. Star nodded in assent, and he slowly stood up. He offered his hand, but she smiled a tight lipped smile, and shook her head.
"I'll be fine, now. Thank you, Eragon. Thank you." They held each other's gaze for an immeasurable moment, and then he turned around and left quietly. After a few minutes, Star sighed and stood up.
Then she was running.
--
"No."
"Yes."
"No, I can't."
"Please?"
"I…no."
"Why?"
"He'll kill me."
"He can't kill you. He's not that stupid."
"But..."
"Three days, three nights, that's all I need."
"No… I can't."
"It's vital for me to be there."
"What you're asking of me is pretty much impossible…"
"…Without magic. You have magic, I have magic."
"It will only tease Star, and make her sadder."
"Maybe, maybe not. Please? For me?"
"…I can't believe I'm doing this… this is madness."
"So?"
"You're insane."
"No, I'm an elf. We are very logical. You just cannot see the logic yet."
"Shut up. If I'm going to help you escape, we need a plan."
"You're a Rider, it should be fine."
"Says you."
--
A pure not rang out from Star's throat, and their hips started to turn again. The deep beat of the drums, and the wild magic she put into her voice had everyone completely intoxicated. Well, if they were untainted they wouldn't have such problems with incoherency from the traditional dance. Nyra and Star weaved around each other, moving in a way that should be both physically impossible, and illegal. Eragon couldn't tear his eyes from Star. Star's voice weaved through the music, high and low in ancient elvish words that Eragon could only dream of their meaning. Star had explained though, that this song was specifically designed for something like the Agaeti Blödhren, but in Alalea, they called it Serya or Spirit Dance. The song was about how their spirits were intertwined with the forest and sea, and the way they danced opened up the connection, because it symbolized how the spirits flow around the trees.
Eragon doubted the spirits were supposed to be so… well, suggestive. Oh well.
Star's hand met his, and she pulled him into the swirl of dancing. Everyone was dancing close together, their heads heady with the music, their senses acting purely on instinct. No one noticed that Star was pressed tightly against Eragon that she was moving her hands along his torso. Star slipped her ankle behind his, locking them together. She held the small of his back, and bent backwards until she was almost horizontal to him. This was for the sky spirits.
Eragon pulled her body back up, and they continued dancing. Her shirt (actually, lack thereof,) was a high collared neck that split in two at her collar bone, and swept around to connect in the back. Her skirt was split at each center of her thigh. On her upper arms were metal bands that resembled a coiled spring, and on her fore arms were two sleeves. Every inch of cloth was covered in ancient, elvish runes that shimmered and seemed to flow in the dim light of the torches. Her feet were bare save two more bands that had slivers of decorated cloth dripping down from them.
Everyone was so tightly pressed together, the ground rumbling with the stomp of feet pounding to the rhythm of the drums, one writhing mass of magic. Hers coursed through him, making his senses prickling sharp. Her hands ran down his tunic, around his arms and through his hair, every touch felt like fire. The scent of her hair wafted up to him, she smelled of wild flowers. Deep forest saturated with secrets. He could hear her every breath, and every time her left hand touched his right, a small jolt that reminded him of something.
Eragon had felt it several times now, and he suspected who she was, and in her state now, he could reveal her secret. His right hand entwined with her wrapped right hand. He slipped his other to the small of her back to distract her as he carefully untied it. With a final tug he yanked it off of her hand, and he caressed her gedwëy ignasia, keeping it hidden from sight. She gasped, awareness flooding into her eyes.
"No!" She gasped, and he wrenched her from the crowd. She found herself suddenly alone with Eragon.
Eragon pressed her up against a tree, and held up her hand for inspection. She tried to futilely tear away from his grip, but he held fast. Tears streamed from her eyes, and she continued to fight against him.
"Argetlam..." he whispered tenderly in her ear. Star shook all over, terrified and shocked.
"I… Eragon… I can explain why… I didn't tell you because… I didn't… I should've… but… I…" Star scrambled for words, but was silenced by a finger over her lips. She breathed in ragged breaths as he wrapped his free arm around her.
"Just tell me in the simplest way you can." He murmured, tracing her gedwëy ignasia with his fingers.
"Politics." Eragon chuckled and nodded in understanding. He leaned his forehead against hers and smiled. Star was nearly sagging for relief that he wasn't angry or shocked or hurt. That he accepted it so quickly made her heart light as a feather.
"Rider to Rider. I shall keep you're secret if you wish."
"I…do. I'm not ready to face them," she admitted with a grin.
"Well, now. It all adds up now, doesn't it! I can't believe I didn't see it. You surrounded by legions of the King's men, all tired and unconscious, suspiciously around the time the Rider told me she was escaping!" He smacked his head with the heel of his hand and rolled his eyes in disbelief. Star collapsed into a fit of giggles. "Let's go back to dancing. I have to admit I do like the traditional dance." Star grinned fiendishly, and took the wrapping from his hand, leading him back to the clearing with the Menoa Tree.
The forest went wild.
--
Eragon stroked Star's hair as they sat and watched Nyra step up to perform for the Agaeti Blödhren. She was going to tell a prophecy, and was very excited to be back momentarily for her to contribute. Eragon had a sinking feeling that she wouldn't be able to stay. For some odd reason she appeared at the edge of the forest and ran all the way to Ellesméra. She said she was here for the festival, but she hadn't mentioned staying. That she had escaped. His stomach twisted in fear for Star, but she was blissfully leaning against him.
The music quieted, and all eyes were on Nyra. Her eyes took on a vague, vacant look and she swayed slightly. Alarm shot through Eragon, but Star put a reassuring hand on his knee, which was very distracting. Nyra's head turned and her eyelids fluttered, finally she spoke, her voice coming out raspy and strained- as if two people were talking.
Neither can live without the other
But this be a warning to all and thee
Whoever leads the Night to think
That Day will never rise from sleep
Whoever tells her, they will then
See shadows reach across the land
Demons hold her with decree
'Till Day's compassion sets her free.
Be warned for she will see no friend
And thirst for nothing but your end.
Frightened silence filled the clearing. Star was the first to stir. She glided over to her sister, and smiled fondly, kissing her forehead. Nyra smiled weakly, having returned awareness, and cheers roared up from the watching crowd. It all became a dull roar in Eragon's ears as he watched the two sisters. Something about the way they were…
"Isn't it amazing? Simply confounding that she has those powers!" Star's voice broke through his reverie. He hadn't seen her move back to him, and now she sat quite close to him. She rested her head on his shoulder, making his heart throb. He could have sworn Arya had been glaring at them the whole time, but now it was time for the twins to do their dance…
Uh oh…
--
Thump. Their feet came down on the earth. Thump. Again and again they slammed their feet down, building speed, making dust rise. They started to spin, still thumping their feet to the heavy beat of the drums.
Oh no… I should not be here! Star thought franticly, casting nervous glances towards the twins that had that dragon tattoo. Saphira, Glaedr, and Ice all began to hum, a deep rumbling sound in her chest. Though Ice's was in her head, she was sure he was nearby. He couldn't resist the magic.
I think you actually brought it on yourself. Ice commented lazily, and continued humming. Star glared at the two with unjustified hate, and inconspicuously edged away from the two dancers. But the music drew her. She couldn't resist. All of her secrets were unraveling tonight. And there wasn't a thing she could do about it. The dragon was already off of the twins' skin, straining towards the black moon, loosing a savage roar of ages past.
The pulsing beat climaxed into a frenzy of chanting. A burst of flame erupted from the dragon's maw. Faster. Faster. The twins' voices weaving through the music, building upon the beat with their frenzied cries, their lyrics were verses of a spell Star had only heard about, but never dreamed could be wrought.
Star took a deep breath, and unwrapped her hand.
Haha! I left a bit of a cliffy! Now you will have to persuade me to write the next chapter. Laziness takes a lot to beat. I won't update if I don't get encouragement! Leave me some love!
