Chapter 9 Unease in The Wind
Saphira was kneading the soft-brown-ground beneath her talons. She could not reach restful-state-dream-stage as she was restless. As a dragon she was more in tune with the land around her. She could feel the same restlessness overpowering the land. The unease she sensed in partner-of-my-life-and-mind's-son-Ilian was a raindrop within a storm when compared to the sense of foreboding Saphira had. She had been having the feeling for a week now, thus meaning it had preceded her knowledge of the elven fleet.
Saphira could not describe it. She had never sensed as much unease within the land since the time of kicked-between-legs-beheaded-with-firesword-dark-king-galbatorix. It was preventing her from being able to rest, which she needed to do since she was going to be flying the next morning. She noticed jade-scales-nestmate-jadeir was also restless, probably for the same reason. She sensed unease in the wild dragons near her as well. She opened her wings for a moment as a powerful chilling breeze blew in from the west. The gusts of wind were becoming much more turbulent. It was an ominous, foreboding wind.
Unable to sleep, she touched Jadeir's mind.
Jadeir, do you feel that? The creatures of the land are restless. I do. What does it mean? I do not know. Perhaps it has to do with the dream partner-of-my-heart-and-mind-eragon had. How does the dream which he showed us this morning have anything to do with what the creatures of the land are feeling?
He was enraged and upset. And we both know what the dream implied.She thought with unease. The dream had implied something terrible.
Let us not think of that. I would not be able to bear it if that happened.Jadeir replied in turn. Saphira too did not want to think about the consequences of what was implied within the dream which Eragon had.
Perhaps it has to do with these ships which bring your grandfather and his rider. Saphira suggested. She was curious herself to see the mighty Bid'daum in all his glory. The first dragon riders were coming. She was excited to see them but wary of trouble at the same time.
But Eragon the First would bring feelings of peace wouldn't he? Why would the creatures of the land be upset at him returning? I think there is more than meets the eye to this enigma Saphira. Jadeir answered.
Maybe it has something to do with what Bosephus said to Eragon.Saphira suggested.
It is possible, but I could not make out what the werecat meant by the second thing he said about us staying in the forest and it burning down. The only thing I undestood was the first part, which inferred that the first Eragon was returning. The same holds true with myself.
Saphira began to lick one of her claws, as some brown-gravel-dirt had gotten stuck and she wanted to restore her claw to its pristine self. She then thought again, Perhaps, but what could be coming from Alalaea that frightens them? Maybe the question we should be asking is why would Eragon the First leave Alalaea. I dare say it is a short trip. He would not have left without good reason.
An apt question indeed. Saphira thought in agreement. Whatever had caused Eragon the First to leave the land he had been in for nearly a century must have been serious. Was it the Ra'zac? No, it could not be. The Ra'zac preyed on humans and were extinct. Urgals? Urgals were not a new problem to Alagaesia. It must have been some kind of new threat. Something was happening in Alalaea. Their brethren in Alalaea must have been dealing with something immense. Now it was spilling over to Alagaesia. Another thought then came to her mind.
What if this restlessness is because the creatures of Alagaesia sense something bad is about to happen to their greatest caretakers? By caretakers she meant Eragon and Arya.
I would not put it out of the question. Jadeir said hesitantly.
Eragon is going to meet them soon with me. And I do not think he intends to bring his flame-blue-fang. A hint of worry was in her eyes.
She then felt Jadeir's snout touch her in a sign of affection. He'll be fine. He will have you watching him, and even without a sword he is far from helpless. Saphira knew this to be true, but at times she could not help but worry about Eragon, especially now. They were about to embark on their most meaningful jouney since the fall of Galbatorix. Ilian and Linnea are far from helpless. The only people who can best them with the blade are the riders. I do.
What about his son and his son's mate? If someone in our family is hurt it will probably be one of them three, Arya and their daughters are going to remain in Ellesmera.
Perhaps. Saphira's mind then wandered to another thing she had pondered when she had brought it up to Eragon. Do you still remember when Eragon and Saphira saw that scroll written from the first Eragon regarding a level of bonding where dragon and rider could truly become one?
Do you think he will explain his theory to us if we ask? The notes he had left behind were cryptic, even to the intellect of a dragon. He has had nearly a thousand years to prove it.
I do not know. Perhaps we will. But how do we know if he even proved his theory?
Right. Jadeir thought back.
Saphira then yawned and started to stretch like a cat. She still felt the restlessness surging through her body. Even if she tried to shut herself off from the rest of the world she could still feel it coursing through her. As a dragon she and the land had a bond that ran deep through magic itself. She continued to think about the idea of another level of bonding. She wondered what it meant. Did it mean that the one could hide in the other's body if their own failed? She snorted as she thought the idea ludicrous. Did it mean nothing, and it was just a figure of speech? This, she found much more likely. It made much more sense to her. She had felt closer to Eragon the more the two of them had tried to achieve a higher sense of bonding with each other.
She then felt Jadeir end the conversation. My nestmate, it is getting late. And you have to fly far tomorrow. We should rest. Agreed.
She felt the foreboding wind once more gust through the needly pines of Ellesmera. She looked into the fortuitous dark sky and felt a sense of unease in her large bones. However, she had finally become tired. She let herself be overcome by the weariness and finally went into her images-created-in-mind.
While Saphira was able to drift off into sleep, Jadeir could not. He sensed worry and concern in the partner-of-his-life-and-mind-arya. She was worried about what may happen to Eragon on their journey. He let his powerful conscious flood her mind and wash away all of her fears as he boomed into her mind, Rest little one, I am here for you.
He heard her greatful, tired mind think back to him. I thank you Jadeir. I should be stronger than this. You are stronger than this. However, you have every right to be concerned Arya. You have not been parted from Eragon for fifty years, but don't let it control you. We still have to function day to day Arya even if our loved ones get put in the line of fire. I will be here for you. And Saphira can watch over Eragon. Now rest and clear your mind little one. Your unease is troubling mine own sleep. Sorry. Do not be. I would feel the same way if I was worried about Saphira.