Chapter 10: From the Ashes

Saphira landed in the Varden camp, but she noticed that something was very wrong. Nobody, not even Arya, was in the camp. It was completely barren. Not a soul to be found anywhere. Saphira looked around in confusion.

Arya, she called out to the darkness, anyone?

Saphira slowly crept forward; looking in every direction. Trying to guard herself from the darkness that surrounded the camp. She rounded a corner, and a single torch lit up a small circle surrounded by an ever-advancing darkness. Saphira carefully walked toward the torch.

"NOW!" Saphira was startled by this sudden outburst and was quickly overrun by soldiers. She was tightly bound and tied to the ground within seconds. The lone torch remained mere inches from her snout. The torch also illuminated the face of her attacker.

Nasuada, what are you doing? Saphira demanded. This caused Nasuada to chuckle.

"You are in no position to demand answers, traitor," her words stung like a sword through the chest.

I am no, traitor, Saphira defended, I barely escaped Galbatorix's clutches with my life.

"I'm so sure," Nasuada shot back, "If that is true than where is your rider, surely you did not leave without him."

Saphira closed her eyes and let out a soft whimper. Arya then came into view and began protesting Nasuada's strategies.

"Nasuada, stop what you are doing," Arya ordered, "can't you see you are hurting her?"

"How do we even know if this is the real Saphira?" Nasuada asked, "For all we know this could be Shruiken."

"I know that this is Saphira because she never fought back when you were attacking her."

"Nonetheless, we still need to make sure she is not under Galbatorix's control."

Nasuada and Arya tuned back to the tied down dragoness, "Now, If you cooperate you will be fine," Nasuada explained, "but if you do not cooperate, or we find out you are under Galbatorix's control, we will do what we must. You will die."

"What?" Arya could not believe what she just heard, "No, you will not kill her."

Arya, it's alright, Saphira's voice was shaken but still calm, I am content with those terms.

Are you sure, the elf asked.

Yes.

"Very well, Nasuada," Arya said, "You may continue"

Nasuada turned to the soldiers around her and ordered them to leave. They obliged and walked back to their posts. Arya then stepped toward Saphira and began to rummage through her memories; doing her best not to hurt her. Arya saw many things. She saw a second Saphira which turned out to be Shruiken and Eragon swearing loyalty to Galbatorix after Saphira was tortured. She saw a silvery orb engulf Eragon causing him to fall to the floor. She saw a large silver dragon lying beside Saphira.

"Who's this?" She asked the blue dragoness, but Saphira remained silent. She found out that the dragon was Eragon. She saw Shruiken harassing Saphira. She saw Eragon protect her. She saw Eragon talking to Eragon-and telling him off by the looks of things. Then the next thing she saw horrified her. She saw Eragon ripping into his leg. She retreated from Saphira's mind and vomited, then-though shaky-saw the last of her memories.

"Well," Nasuada asked Arya after she finished.

"She is clean," Arya said shaking, "Galbatorix did not send her here."

"Are you alright, Arya?"

"I'll be fine I…just need to rest."

"Fair enough, you are free to go," Nasuada said, "as are you, Saphira."

Thank you, Nasuada, Saphira was released from her binds, and started to walk with Arya, I'm sorry you had to see that, She said to the elf.

No need for apologizes, Arya said while putting her hand on Saphira's shoulder, so Eragon was turned into a dragon huh?

Yes, She replied, he was quite ravishing. She looked down at Arya and could see that she took a few steps away from her, oh…sorry.

That's fine, Arya replied, So were you two…you know?

Mates, Saphira chuckled, no, but I had plans on asking him in a few days…that is…if he were still here, she began to sob, and Arya patted her shoulder comfortingly.

Its okay, she said soothingly, if it is a mate you seek why not Thorn or Shruiken…you know…after we free them.

They never showed me any compassion, Saphira rebutted, not even when I first arrived, Thorn avoided me at all costs, and Shruiken tried to take advantage of me.

Arya shivered in disgust, fine, forget about Shruiken, but Thorn was probably just avoiding you because Eragon attacked Shruiken for touching you.

Yes, that is true, but that makes him a coward, Saphira said defensively, I will not be seen with a mate who would rather give me up than defend me.

Arya remained silent. She had nothing to say that would change anyone's mind-especially one as steadfast as Saphira. She turned and headed for her tent.

Arya?

Yes.

Would you mind not telling anyone about Eragon…becoming a dragon and all?

I won't tell a soul.

Thank you, Saphira said, and lay down on the ground near the center of the camp. She curled up and began to drift into slumber.

Saphira

Huh? Saphira jolted up and looked around for the source of the feint voice. There was nothing to be seen. She sighed and lay back on the ground.

Saphira and Eragon were flying around the sky in elaborate twists and turns; flipping around each other flawlessly. Coming within inches of a collision only to pull out just in time and begin another. Eragon began to climb, with Saphira right behind him. She positioned herself underneath him. They latched their limbs together and began to fall at breath-taking speeds. Eragon looked at Saphira lovingly; Pressing his belly against her's. Then a gust of air rushed between them breaking them apart. They all the strength they could muster to pull out of the dive. Saphira finished and began to climb. Eragon had turned around and began to race toward his mate. Eragon caught up and Saphira nuzzled him gently. They began to search the ground below them for a suitable cave to start their new family.

So do you see any you like, Saphira, Eragon asked, moving closer to her; their wing beats timed perfectly to avoid crashing. Saphira surveyed the ground and motioned Eragon to follow her. They dove together elaborately spinning around each others bodies before pulling out of the dive; their claws scrapping the tops of the trees. Saphira bolted ahead of Eragon, and landed in a large cave. Eragon entered and the blue dragoness turned and buried her snout into Eragon's chest. Eragon lowered his neck and rested it on the base of Saphira's. They cherished this loving moment for an eternity. Then Saphira lifted her head and licked Eragon's snout affectionately.

Suddenly, Eragon began to change. His size decreasing, his eyes changed to amber and his scales darkened until they were black as pitch. It was Shruiken.

Hello, my mate, Shruiken said evilly. Saphira backed into a wall as the black dragon approached.

Wha-what did you do with Eragon, Saphira asked, her voice shaken.

Why would you want him, my mate, Shruiken said with a devious smile, WE are going to restart the dragon race; we don't need that worthless excuse of a dragon.

Stay back, Saphira said as the black dragon crept ever so closer, I don't want to hurt you.

I don't think that will be a problem, said a voice behind Shruiken. The black dragon stepped aside ant there stood the image of Thorn.

What are you going to do to me? Saphira asked, her voice was almost non-existent behind her fear.

We are going to make you conceive and then…well you can use your imagination for the rest, Shruiken said deviously. Then both dragons stepped toward the helpless blue dragoness.

No, STAY BACK, She ordered but they continued to approach, NOOOOO!

Saphira roared as she jolted awake; causing the entire camp to awake, startled.

"Saphira what is wrong?" Arya asked as she came running out of her tent. Saphira was panting, and extremely tense. She back away from Arya at first, but soon calmed herself enough to talk.

I'm alright it was just a dream, she said.

"What happened?"

I would rather not talk about it, the blue dragoness said and she shivered at the thought of it.

"It is okay everyone," Nasuada announced to the congregation that had gathered outside their tents, "Saphira just had a nightmare, there is no immediate danger." This was followed by quiet chatter and sighs of relief from the crowd as they retreated back to their tents.

Saphira looked up into the grey, early-morning sky, and roared in grief, I'm sorry, Eragon, she screamed, I cannot fulfill my promise.

"What are you talking about Saphira?" Arya asked. Saphira quickly lowered her head in embarrassment. She had just projected her thoughts to everyone in the camp. Saphira remained silent and turned her head away from Arya.

"Saphira, Please," Arya pleaded, "tell me what troubles you."

Besides Eragon's death, Saphira said angrily.

"Specifically your dream," Arya replied. Saphira spent the next hour to tell Arya about her nightmare, however reluctant. She never made eye contact, but could feel the elf's distress when she explained Shruiken and Thorn's…"role" in her dream.

"This is not good," Arya said after the dragoness finished, "something unnatural drove that nightmare of yours."

I am beginning to believe that the same force that drove my dream is the same that caused Eragon his distress before…well…you know.

I think you are right, Arya agreed, and that is a real problem, Eragon almost died from that.

What should we do?

I…I don't know.

"Miss Arya" a voice yelled from behind her.

"Yes?"

"A notice for you," the messenger said holding out a ripped piece of parchment.

"Thank you," Arya said taking the note from the messenger's hand, "you are free to go." The messenger bowed and continued back on his way.

What is it Arya? Saphira asked, looking over the elf's shoulder.

"It's…It's a ransom note."

"Very good Athena," Galbatorix said coldly to the kneeling elf in front of him, "so my 'message' was delivered correctly?"

"That is correct, my king," she replied.

"Good now I need you to do one more thing for me?"

"Anything my lord."

"Bring Eragon to me please," Galbatorix said with a sneer, "there are certain… plans we need to discuss."

"But, my lord," Athena looked up into Galbatorix's barren eyes, "Eragon is dead."

"Did I say Eragon?" Galbatorix said sarcastically, "I meant Shruiken." Athena nodded and sprinted through the open door. A few seconds later a large dragon appeared in the open door. Silver scales shimmering in the dawn's yellow-orange light.

You asked to see me, master?