Lord Eddison was much younger than Estara thought he'd be. He appeared to be barely in his twenties, with long brown hair and dark eyes that always seemed to be calculating. He had taken over his father's position as lord, when he had died from blood poisoning when Lord Eddison was only 15. His father had been a much more lenient man, and crime had been on the rise in Belatona for some time.
Lord Eddison put a stop to that almost over night. He was fair, always giving a trial and allowing the accused to present a defense, but his punishments were harsh and Eddison ran his town with military precision. His subjects adored him. They were no longer being shaken down by gangs, or beaten to near death by thieves in the streets.
As succinctly as he could Lord Eddison filled them in on the attack. Strategies that the Shade seemed to use. Military formations, tactics, strategies-it all made Estara feel like she was back on Vroengard in training. He gave an entire replay of the battle in, in Estara's estimation, the most boring fashion that he could have.
"But then," Eddison said seeming confused. "He just stopped. He appeared to argue with himself, as if speaking to another person, and then simply left." He paused, staring at his maps spread out on the table. "Another quarter of an hour, and he would have completely overwhelmed what little defenses we had left and then he would have had us all."
"But instead he just left," Eldwin said finishing Lord Eddison's thought.
"Yes," Lord Eddison confirmed. "His actions made no sense." Estara had a theory on the Shade but she decided to keep it to herself. It was just too wild of an idea. Tracker seemed to have other ideas.
Perhaps, Tracker said, his human mind is fighting the spirits. Eldwin and Lord Eddison gave the silver dragon a confused look.
Lord Eddison, Estara said, You know how Shades are made? The young lord contemplated for a moment, as if trying to access the memories of what he knew about Shades.
"A Shade is created when a sorcerer summons spirits that he or she can not control," he said
"Lesser known," Eldwin chimed in "Is that a human may simply submit to the control of the spirits for great power."
Right, Estara said. What Tracker and I were thinking, in regards to the odd behavior of the Shade, is perhaps the human mind of the host, is fighting against the control of the spirits. Creating two minds inhabiting the same body. When she finished, Lord Eddison stared at her with confusion.
"Is that even possible?" he asked. Before Estara could answer Eldwin jumped in.
"No," Eldwin said. "There is absolutely no precedent for this."
Just because there is no precedent, Estara said staring at Eldwin with venom in her eyes. Does not mean that it's impossible.
"That's ridiculous," Eldwin laughed trying to lighten the suddenly heavy mood. "What you are suggesting has no basis in science or lore. It's like saying that a dog could speak if it simply put it's mind to it." Tracker growled and Estara had to fight to keep her calm. She felt like an idiot to think that anything had changed between her an Eldwin, he was still the same pretentious, boorish person that she had met twenty years ago.
"Ridiculous as it is," Lord Eddison said jumping to her defense, "It is the only theory we have as to the Shade's behavior and it seems to fit." Estara gave the young lord a grateful look. "As it is, the last intelligence that we had showed the Shade heading toward Melian. We've sent them a warning and they have begun evacuating into the mining tunnels in the hills just south of the city."
Well, that's some good news, Estara said her anger creeping into her voice. If we can get to the village before the Shade perhaps we can find a way of crippling him. She knew there was no chance of destroying him herself, her vision had been clear to that point, but what she really wanted now, was a fight. She was so angry at Eldwin that she was willing to step in to a fight that she knew was pointless.
She could feel Eldwin's eyes on her but she ignored him, "We should rest tonight, and then leave as early as we can." Eldwin said.
"Of course," Lord Eddison said with a smile. "There have been tents set up behind the manor for your use." The Riders bowed and then walked out. Estara couldn't wait to leave Eldwin's presence. When they were outside she felt a hand on her arm, and spun to see Eldwin's eyes staring at her with confusion.
"What is wrong with you?" he whispered clearly not bothering to mask his anger. "You're acting as if I did something wrong."
Well, what can I say, Estara sneered I'm just ridiculous. Before Eldwin could respond they heard the horns, signaling that more Riders were approaching. Estara turned her attention to the sky, grateful for the distraction. In the distance she could see a black dragon and she knew that it was Broga. She was grateful that her friend had been sent as reinforcements. The dragon, black as pitch, landed barely ten yards away and the Urgal dame leapt of the back of her dragon.
Broga roared, the noise rivaling that of a dragon, a bared her throat in greeting. "How has been your journey so far, friend?" She said clasping Estara's arm, her teeth bared in a grin.
Trying, my friend. Estara said clasping Broga's arm in return. But better now that you are here.
The Urgal laughed in her rough voice, "I can imagine." She turned to Eldwin and clasped his arm as well. Eldwin returned the gesture but remained aloof. He excused himself, saying that he needed to contact Vroengard and left.
The rest of the day was the best that she'd had since before her father died. She a Broga roamed the city streets, helping where they could but mostly shared stories and laughed. She confided in Broga as to Eldwin's bizarre behavior. Broga just hummed in response.
You have nothing to say on his odd behavior since we left? Estara asked. Broga was always opinionated. She had something to say about everything. Urgal dames were knowing for being more outspoken than their ram counterparts, so for her to remain silent was strange.
"I have a few ideas," Broga said, sounding more like a bark. "No of which you will like." Estara glared playfully at her friend but allowed the subject to drop. Urgals were known to be stubborn, only surpassed by dragons. Estara had spent enough time around Urgals to know, that if they not forthcoming with information, than it was unlikely that anything you could say or do to get it from them.
At sunset they returned to their camp. Another tent had been erected for Broga, and they dined together before turning in early. The dragons had chosen to stay at the camp and rest, so when Estara returned to her tent, Tracker poked his head in and stared at her with his great reflective eyes.
I'm ridiculous, Estara said with a mixture of anger and sadness.
He didn't mean it like that, Tracker said. He just doesn't understand. He doesn't know what you can do with magic, he was not there when you explained it to Eragon and Arya. You can't be mad for him simply being ignorant.
Watch me, she said and rolled over on her cot. Estara knew that there was truth in his words, but she was not ready to accept it. They were supposed to be partners in this journey, not ridicule each other in front of the nobility. She felt betrayed, and above all foolish. She was so sure that his attitude had changed, that when confronted by the harsh reality, she felt a pit in her chest that she couldn't name.
She heard the tent flap be pulled back. She closed her mind, except for a small connection to Tracker. Tell him I'm asleep, she said to her dragon. She heard Tracker sigh and silence overcame the small tent. She heard nothing, but she could sense Tracker and Eldwin talking and could feel his eyes boring in to the back of her head. She didn't move, and kept her breathing shallow and slow. After a few minutes she heard the tent flap close and she knew Eldwin had left.
He says, Tracker said relaying the information to her. That Eragon does not support the idea of confronting the Shade. It may only serve to end your lives before the mission is complete. If you can glean any information, than go ahead, but do not confront him directly. You will leave tomorrow at dawn, Broga is to remain here to aide the city in reconstruction. Estara was disappointed that she would have to leave her friend behind, but understood that it was best to leave the city with extra defense.
Tracker bid her good night and withdrew, leaving Estara with only her own tumultuous thoughts for company.
The next morning they departed while it was still dark outside. She hadn't spoken to Eldwin since their confrontation after meeting with Lord Eddison. She kept her silence, choosing not to join in the conversation with Tracker, Gilda and Eldwin, not believing that she could keep control of her temper.
The ride to Melian was not nearly as long as their flight from the cave to Belatona. As they approached the city, they could see the Shades army far below on the ground. She cautiously cast her mind about to try and locate the Shade, but she felt nothing, as if he wasn't even there.
She tried searching the minds of the undead, who were slowly making there way to the city, but to her shock, they were empty. Nothing was in the minds of the undead, not hunger, not rage, it was as if they were hollow.
Puppets, Tracker commented. It's like they're puppets and we just can't see the strings.
They flew ahead of the army and made it to Melian about a hour before they guessed the army would arrive. The met, Caron, the elf rider who was overseeing the evacuation, and his green dragon Styx. He explained to them that the tunnels would form a sort of escape route, through the hills to the other side, where they could seek refuge in Cithri. Caron would attempt to lead the army in the other direction, towards the Hadarac Desert. Estara thought it was a good plan all in all, but right now they were very far behind in the evacuation.
Estara and Eldwin split up and herded the townspeople into the tunnels. Three quarters of an hour had passed before they started hearing the screaming. It was a horrifying sound, like wild animals attacking a horse. Estara shivered, and reached into her mind trying to access a vision, but there was nothing but darkness. Caron alighted in front of her and called,
"The undead are howling, like dogs on a scent."
We're nearly done here, Estara replied. But I haven't seen the headman of the town.
Caron cursed and glanced back to Styx, "He's been stubborn, he said he wouldn't leave the town until every resident had been relocated safely to the tunnels." Estara took a deep breath trying to calm herself, but the screaming intensified and got louder setting her nerves off again.
I'll find him and convince him to leave, She said You see if you can buy me some time. Caron gave her a curt nod and soared off. She cast about for Tracker and let him know to meet her at the Headman's home. She ran to the west end of town, and found a tall burly man, standing in his yard, screaming at the approaching army.
"Blasted bunch of corpses," he said as Estara approached. "Yellow bellied cowards" he screamed into the wind.
You words will do no good sir, she said gently as if trying to calm a child.
"What are you here for Rider?" the Headman turned to look at her. "Is the evacuation complete?"
Nearly, she said earning a glare from the Headman.
"I already told that blasted Caron," the Headman said, "I will not run while my people are at the mercy of those abominations."
I understand that sir, Estara said with a sad smile But if you do not leave now, then who will be there to calm the people who have escaped. Who will be there to lead them to safety? If you die, how will that serve your friends and family, other than as a cautionary tale? The Headman bristled at her words, but then hung his head in defeat.
"You are too right Rider," he said with a grim smile on his face. It was then that the screaming stopped. Estara pulled Seitherblads from it sheath and peer around her suspiciously. The town had become ghostly quiet. She strained her ears and heard a dragon roar in the distance. Panicked she cast her mind out for Tracker. He told her that he was fine but the attack was beginning.
We have to go now, she said to the Headman. Follow me a quietly as you can. Estara had always been light on her feet, and even now, walked without a sound. But the Headman, he was used to lumbering about in the mines all day, and his every step seemed to echo on the silent streets. They crept along the city, which was thankfully empty, on the look out for the army. A flash of movement caught her eye, and she spun her head, but saw nothing.
When they were little more than a hundred yards from the entrance to the tunnels, the Headman screamed. Estara spun to see him not ten feet from her, in the clutches of one of the undead. She leapt back knives gleaming in the light and slit the throat of the undead. It was only as she drew close that the putrid smell of rotting flesh overwhelmed her, made her dizzy. She choked back bile, and grabbed the arm of the Headman.
Run, she cried in his head. She turned to face the undead army, knives comfortably in her hands. The undead man that she had struck, began to lumber back toward her again, reaching out clawed hands. She took a great swing and loped off his head, and finally the body ceased moving. She turned to look down the street, and nearly wept, fifty of the undead were lumbering slowly in her direction.
She glanced back at the Headman, he had reached the tunnels, and they were beginning to close off the entrance with a great steel door. But it moved slower than the undead. She braced herself, Well, she thought at least I get that fight I wanted.
She dove into the on coming hoard, slicing, kicking, punching, anything to keep the undead back, anything so that the villagers could close that door, and be safe. She tried not to look at the faces of those that she was fighting, she was terrified that she would see someone she knew. One of them landed a blow that knocked her to the ground. Three of the undead jumped on top of her, trying to claw at her, rip her to pieces. She wished she could scream.
She heard Tracker's unmistakable roar in the distance and she sensed him take off. She thought of her spell, and blasted the three undead backwards. She leapt to her feet and continued her assault. She cut off the head of three more undead before Tracker finally arrived. He entered the fray, crushing two bodies with his mighty legs, and reducing twelve to ashes with a spurt of sliver fire.
And Tracker bellowed. She looked at him, but he seemed unharmed. She suddenly felt a slimy presence touch her mind and she recoiled. She looked around, the ground was littered in the bodies of at least thirty of the undead lay scattered about several more piled of ashes. But the remaining undead soldiers were retreating.
Estara looked around and a tall horrific figure stood a hundred yards down the street, watching every movement she made with great interest.
"So," the Shade drawled, his voice sending shivers of horror to run down her spine. "This is the dragon-child, come to ruin my fun." He began walking towards her with deliberate, heavy steps. "I pictured you," his eyes roamed over her body appraising "bigger."
Estara desperately wanted to say something, she even had a couple of witty comebacks, but she dare not open her mind to the Shade. He was powerful, and she wasn't sure even with her prowess that she could fight him off for long.
"So quiet, little girl," the Shade hissed, drawing ever closer. The Shade suddenly stopped moving, and shook his head angrily. "Not now," he growled to himself. Estara narrowed her eyes, watching the odd actions, had this been what Eddison was talking about?
"Not now you little brat," the Shade screamed. Estara watched entranced, forgetting all about the army hovering behind the Shade "But you can't hurt her," the Shade's voice changed, was warmer, softer, familiar somehow. "But she is one of them," the voice hissed. The Shade stopped moving, he was suddenly still. There was a sudden movement, and the Shade called out to her,
"Run, Estara, I can't hold him back much longer." The voice was the warm one, the familiar one. Estara was frozen to the spot with recognition. No, she thought, Please it can't be him.
"Run," the Shade called out again. "Sister, Run!" In the blink of an eye she felt a sharp pain in her belly, she looked down and saw a knife, buried to the hilt in her stomach. She looked up with pain in her eyes, not from her wound, but from a sense of betrayal. She heard Eldwin call her name, but she couldn't take her eyes off of her brother. His final words echoed in her mind as her vision went black, I will become more powerful than you, I will become a thing even the Riders fear. Mark my words, 'sister'.
Authors Note: I'm not satisfied at all with this chapter. I plan to go back and re-write it sometime in the future. I know lots of you saw Gavnar, being the Shade coming from early on. But it's so hard to veil something like that, and not have it come out of nowhere. Hope you all enjoyed! Review please! I hope you got a good laugh at the Rider and dragon's name in this chapter. I'm re-reading the Percy Jackson series and just thought it would be fun to name a Rider after the ferryman and the river in the underworld. How many of you caught that?
