A/N blah blah I own nothing you get it
"The Queen was a strong leader but I suspected even then that the stresses of her position would eventually be her downfall. Excerpt from the journal of Lord Decklan Valdis
Ilirea finally came into view as the sun descended on the second day since Narda. The city was almost glowing from light reflected by the white stone comprising most of the structures. The dragons and their Riders circled the city twice before descending towards the keep.
Decklan searched with his mind until he felt the mind of Commander Triana inside a new complete just outside the walls of the city. The complex consisted of a stable several barracks and a tower. This was the magician academy. Trianna cautiously lowered her barriers and Decklan communicated who they were and requested safe entry into the city.
The pair of riders landed on a massive stone balcony jutting from the rebuilt keep. When he killed himself Galbatorix had destroyed most of the keep but the elf and human magicians had purged the poison from the area and rebuilt the keep. Decklan jumped off Lenora and straightened his attire.
He and Galvaz and dressed in their finest clothing for the meeting with Queen Nasuada. Decklan wore a fine purple silk shirt over his mail with a silver vest over the shirt. His legs were covered by a pair of black leather pants and black polished leather boots rose to mid calf. His purple sword was held by a black belt with silver buckles. His black bracers were still present on his arms.
Galvaz was dressed in a bright orange coat to match the color of Onduri with black pants. Decklan did find it odd to see the Urgal dressed in essentially large human style clothing but appreciated the attempt the Urgal was making at respecting human customs and clothing while here.
The dragons were threw off a kaleidoscope of colors and light as the evening sun reflected off their scales onto the balcony. The balcony was white stone with a stylized railing surrounding the edge. Where the balcony met the keep were two huge wooden doors designed to allow a dragon entry into the throne room.
Decklan squared his shoulders and mentally made the switch to the "Lord Decklan". The wooden doors slid open on silent hinges as two rows of soldiers burnished steel armor marched out in perfect precision. The chest plates of the soldiers bore a hawk in flight. These were the Nighthawks, royal bodyguards. The soldiers formed a line of ten on each side of the door.
A man walked briskly down the center of the guards in fine clothing. He wore a short sword in his hip amd had an air of command. He had a short grey beard and short grey hair on his balding head.
The man introduced himself as General Jörmundur commander of the royal army. Decklan bowed with respect for the man as did Galvaz.
Decklan introduced the group and said he bore tidings from Eragon. Jörmundur invited the four inside and Decklan walked next to Lenora into the throneroom followed by Galvaz and Onduri. Decklan said to Lenora, "It appears the years have not been kind to Jörmundur. He looks to have aged several decades. I wonder if the same will be true of the Queen."
The throne room was a tall large room with pillars of stone at least ten feet thick supporting the ceiling. Between the pillars were large tapestries depicting the city and the flag of the Varden. Jörmundur stopped at the end of the room and stepped to the side, announcing their visitors.
Queen Nasuada sat on a black marble stone throne flecked with white throughout. The throne had been a gift from King Orik. Around the throne stood several high nobles and military officials. Nasuada wore a beautiful royal purple dress without sleeves showing her scars from the trial of the long knives. The purple contrasted well with her dark skin. If appearences were an indicator, she seemed to handle the pressures of state better than had her General.
Decklan dropped to one knee as did his apprentice. Even the dragons lowered their heads in a sign of respect. Queen Nasuada rose and descended the few steps from her throne to stop in front of Decklan.
Nasuada said, "Rise Riders. You need not bow before me. I am glad to finally see riders once more fly the land. You have been missed Shur'tugalar. I am especially glad to welcome you Galvaz. I am pleased the dragons have seen fit to choose Urgal riders"
The Riders rose and Decklan said, "My Queen I thank you for meeting us on such short notice and apologise for any inconvenience our arrival may have caused. We bring greetings from our masters Eragon and Saphira." Decklan reached into a pouch on his belt and withdrew the letter for Nasuada. She took the letter and ordered the room be cleared of all but her guards and the riders.
Nasuada visually relaxed when the room cleared and asked the Riders to follow her through a door off to the side of the throne room. She apologised that the room was too small for the dragons to follow.
Decklan followed into a resplendent study with plush red carpet and a crackling fire to stave off the chill from the stone walls. The room was lit by flawless lanterns. A couch sat in a corner across from a couple of voluminous grey chairs.
Two people waited in the room. The first was a young boy, about seven or eight years old, with caramel colored skin and unruly brown hair. He was dressed in a fine doublet and breeches. The Queen introduced him as Prince Brom, named for the Eragon's father and the founder of the Varden. The prince's father was not common knowledge but Decklan suspected the father was Murtagh.
The second was a striking woman with Violet eyes and a scar on her forehead identical to those on a rider's palm. Her chocolate hair flowed down to her shoulders and contrast her violet eyes
She wore well made grey pants and a blue blouse. The queen introduced her as Elva Farseer.
Decklan bowed deeply to the Prince and kissed Elva's hand with proper decorum for a Duke. Galvaz simply bowed to both. Decklan smiled at Elva and said, "I have heard much of your legendary abilities Lady Farseer. It is an honor to meet you."
Elva greeted him but looked disturbed. Decklan knew it was because she could not see into his being like she could with others. The Shadestone he hid around his neck ensured his thoughts remained his own. She eyed him suspiciously and Decklan smirked slightly as he met her eyes. Her eyes widened slightly as she realized Decklan was intentionally blocking her somehow.
Nasuada gestured for the riders to sit in the chairs across from her while she slumped, appearing drained, into the couch. Decklan almost chuckled at the sight of his kull apprentice trying to fit into the chair. Nasuada ran a hand across her face as the Prince poured drinks from a decanter on a table next to the couch. He handed one to each of the Riders and one to the Queen. She smiled at him and he bowed before leaving the room.
Nasuada sighed and said, "Thank you for coming. The people are restless. There have been strange reports from all across the land. Reports of people going missing, grave robbers, bandits on the roads, and relations with Surda are tense as Orrin has seen the same troubles in his country. I do not think it's something serious but rather a rise in crime that may be put to rest by riders and dragons again patrolling the land."
Decklan said, "We have a missive for Surda as well. I intend to fly to Aberon and deliver it but my apprentice and I will visit many of the town and villages along the way. I have examined the reports and noticed most if the incidents are in the smaller and more isolated villages so we will not stop at the cities but will instead patrol the lesser settlements on our way south. That should reassure the people and also deter some of the criminals."
Nasuada smiled and said, "Thanks you Lord Valdis. It is a shame you will not be a part of my court. The Council of Lords could use the voice of a Rider but I understand your reasons for not joining."
The three talked for a bit about the happenings in the Empire and the riders. As the conversation drew to a close Decklan rose and removed an item from a pocket in his vest. He handed Nasuada a beautiful gold necklace with a white diamond in the center of a basket shaped gold wire frame.
He said, "I enchanted this necklace as a gift to you. While it is with you, even in a pocket, you cannot be poisoned. It will also protect you from nearly any physical attack such as a sword or arrow. I also enchanted it to stop spells but that is only effective against spells I thought to ward against. All the same it should be very useful. The diamond is from Vroenguard and will store energy. I have placed much energy into it so it will not need to draw from your own energy for most attacks. When it is depleted it will then draw on your own energy. Any magician in your army can place more energy in the jewel when it is depleted."
Nasuada thanked him for his gift and asked if there was anything the Empire could provide them or their dragons. Decklan simply asked to visit the kitchens to restock their food because he intended to leave in the morning to begin patrolling south.
The next morning as the sun peeked over the horizon the dragons and their riders left the capitol headed south. A few minutes into the flight Galvaz asked, "Ebrithil would you teach me to enchant an item. I would like to strengthen my sword and the armor in my pack." Decklan looked over at the Urgal flying next to him and asked in surprise, "You do not know how?" Galvaz shook his massive head.
For the next two weeks the group formed a new pattern. During the days they would visit towns on their southern path and learn any news from the area before healing those who needed aid. In the evening Decklan instructed Galvaz on imbuing his sword and armor will spells from strength to resistance to rust. Then they would practice their swordsmanship and mental defences. The dragons would often be asked to join the mental battles or they would join forces to try and resist Vadlr. The ancient dragon nearly always broke their defences even with their combined might. Valdr also showed mental images about the history of the towns they passed through or taught them about the animals and plants they discovered.
The news from the towns the group passed through was never good. Odd disappearances, crops dying, and raided cemeteries was common. Decklan began to suspect something more was happening than a simple rise in crime. Valdr also stated something felt amiss in the land.
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