Empire: The final Battle
Chapter 10: Forest Fever
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Arya stopped running by the ocean that separated Surda from the rest of the world. She sat down and rested against a rock, her head pounding like mad. She reached up and gingerly touched the spot where she had been hit and found it too sore to touch. She examined the rest of her body, and found several scratches and cuts, including a fractured right arm. She sighed and waited for her dragon to arrive.
Barely a minute later, the emerald dragon swooped from the sky, descending in front of his rider.
Arya?
She stared at him wearily as he surveyed her wounds.
You are injured. She looked away. He sat patiently, waiting for her as Oromis had once done for Glaedr and Eragon for Saphira. She gazed off into the distance for several more minutes, then;
I am. Her eyes started to water, and her dragon moved slightly closer and curled up around her.
Why did you not tell him?
She looked away again, quiet for a few more minutes. I did not tell him, she paused. Because I do not trust him. He violated my privacy, and made no intention to keep it secret; his dragon, Saphira, knows what he saw.
The dragon bristled. The one with nice sapphire scales? Arya nodded.
Silence took them.
You must get your wounds tended to.
Arya shook her head firmly. I shall tend to them myself after I regain my strength.
The dragon snorted his distaste. I do not wish to see you suffer for this decision. Arya frowned slightly and struggled from her dragon's grip, heading towards the shore, and stood facing the island Parlim, just visible along the horizon. He raised his head towards her, watching her silently and patiently. Then, just before nightfall, Arya sat, using her good arm to position herself.
As if by silent permission, her dragon strode over and lay next to her, allowing her to rest upon his belly. Together they watched the sun set and the stars rise.
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Eragon sat in his tent, Saphira's head resting on the ground, the rest of her body continuing out the door.
He sighed. Arya! A rider! And she did not tell me!
Maybe she had a reason. You were a little harsh to her when you found out.
He snorted and shifted his position, wincing when it made his broken ankle flare up in pain.
And another dragon! And it is Galbatorix's egg too! He has none to put against the Varden, and we have two, with a possible third! Stated Saphira happily.
Aye, it is good.
Good! It is wonderful! The scales that balance the fate of Alagaesia have just shifted!
Eragon nodded. Aye, but how shall Arya learn dragon riding when war is knocking on our door?
Eragon, Arya has proved more than capable in battle, and knows much of the riders. I am sure she will do fine.
They were silent for a moment.
I am going to find her. He stated.
No. You need to rest and heal your ankle. Besides, I am sure that they are fine, and do not wish to be disturbed.
Eragon snorted his disapproval. I shall rest, but if they have not returned by noon, I go to find them.
She sighed, then Very well. But no earlier.
Eragon nodded, then lay down and drifted off to sleep.
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The emerald dragon stretched his neck and craned his head to the sky, taking in his surroundings. The ocean was quiet and cool, and the trees stirred with a bare rustle. His sleeping rider lay still and quiet against him, though he knew somehow she was not asleep.
He leaned down and touched her with his nose, avoiding her injured head and arm. She stirred and opened her eyes, staring at the sky, though not actually seeing it. They sat like this, the dragon willing to wait for his rider.
"Aiedail has set." She murmured finally. "We must go back." She sighed and stood. To the untrained eye, it would seem she had not been troubled by her wounds by this movement, but her dragon's eye was not untrained, and saw a brief tremor run her length.
Are you well enough to heal your wounds?
She looked at him with a piercing gaze that made him thankful he had talons and tail spikes at his disposal. She nodded, and set about healing various cuts and bruises, then her arm, then her head.
Good. He said, satisfied she was well. Now, get on my back before I put you on it. She smiled weakly and jumped onto him. He crouched low, then flew off into the sky.
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It was midday and Eragon was still asleep, Saphira watching the skies for the emerald dragon. Not long after, he soared from the sky, landing just in front of her. Arya jumped nimbly off his back, landing beside him, where she stood tall and patient
The two dragons greeted each other then Saphira turned to Arya; Are you well? I was worried.
Arya nodded, slightly distracted. Saphira studied her for a moment, then turned back to the other dragon. They had a short conversation, which Arya had, unknown to the dragons, hacked into.
… Is she all right?
That is not for me to discuss.
I am her friend! I have concern and I wish to know any problems she is experiencing.
It is for her to discuss. I am in no position to tell you of her.
You have yet to learn what being a dragon with a rider means! It means communicating, knowing their every thought!
As do you, Saphira. But do not tell me you and Eragon have kept things from each other? Like when you experienced the issue at the Stone of Broken Eggs.
She told you of that!? She reared up and growled at Arya in annoyance. She stared passively back at her as her dragon growled in protection.
All she told me was you had an issue at the stone, nothing more. I do not wish to know, she only told me this when she used this as an example for her belief of telling the other their feelings in given time.
Saphira calmed down slightly. Then, the male dragon felt a searing pain over his mental link with Arya. He hissed at the pain, then turned in alarm to view his rider. She stood impassively in the same spot she had the entire time.
Arya?
Yes.
Are you all right?
A pause. Yes.
Are you going to say anything else except yes?
Yes.
Like what?
Yes.
He reared back slightly in surprise. Arya had a sense of humor. He chuckled slightly.
What is it? Asked Saphira.
Nothing. But he knew that 'something' was not 'nothing' when Arya suddenly turned around and ran deep into the forest.
Arya! He cried out, taking to the air and following her. He could not locate her with his mind, as she had shielded him.
He soon found her in a small glade, leaning against a tree, eyes closed.
Arya. She wearily opened her eyes then dropped to the ground. He felt pain seep through his mental link once again and tried to soothe it, but without luck. Arya sat on the floor, face in hands, shaking slightly. He curled his body around her, and she fell back against him. Her face was glistening with sweat, and her hands were clenched. Her breathing was quick and short, like she had run a long way.
He surveyed her for a moment, then reached out with his nose; the most sensitive part of him. He could feel the heat radiating from her, and the slight tremors that ran her length. It finally occurred to him that she could be gravely ill. At a loss as what to do, he reached out for Saphira.
Don't. Arya's voice came through his mental link, weak and breathless.
You need help, Arya! I do not know how to help you.
I will be fine.
No! You will not! I am calling Saphira no matter what.
She paused. Fine. He nodded, relieved. He knew that she would have been able to stop him contacting her, and he was gravely concerned for his rider's health.
Saphira?
Are you the green dragon? Why have you not told me your name? Why did you fly off?
Aye, it is me, and I have not told you my name because I have not wished to. I am in need of your assistance.
What is it?
It is Arya.
What is wrong!?
She is very ill. I fear for her health.
He sensed her alarm. I shall come. Where are you?
He sent a mental picture of the glade.
Very well, shall I bring Eragon?
He paused. No, I do not think she would want that.
I shall come. She ended the conversation.
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A few minutes later, Saphira landed in the glade. She walked over to the Elf and her dragon, stooping to examine the elf in his care.
She is not well. She stated.
I know, but I do not know what is wrong, and she refuses to go back, or seek help.
Are you willing to obey her wishes?
…No.
Arya coughed, bringing up blood upon her elven shirt. Saphira reared back in alarm.
She needs human medical attention immediately.
Aye.
I shall fetch Eragon.
He hesitated.
Do you wish to help Arya?
Of course. He paused. Go and get him.
She nodded and flew back to camp.
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Saphira arrived by Eragon's tent as fast as she called, yelling out to him mentally.
Eragon!
Saphira?
Eragon, I need your help.
What for? He asked whilst throwing on a shirt.
Arya is ill, we need your help.
Startled, Eragon asked. What does she need?
Water, but otherwise I cannot think of anything else. She has a high fever and she just coughed up blood.
Eragon quickly grabbed some empty water skins and blanket and headed out to Saphira. He jumped onto her and she took off.
We need to find a river.
Aye. She altered her course a bit and landed near a stream. After filling the water skins, they headed to the glade.
Eragon immediately went to Arya and felt her forehead and cheeks, which were both burning. He then checked her stomach for any hidden wounds, despite a protest from the emerald dragon.
She would not want you to do that.
Do I have a choice?
Silence.
Eragon tore off a strip of cloth and covered it with half the contents of a water skin. He placed this upon her forehead, holding it there with his hand. He repeated the process and placed one across her stomach, which contracted slightly under the coldness.
Eragon then used the method Oromis taught him to detect his foods for poison, except on Arya's body. He discovered the same type of poison given to her in her first imprisonment. He told the two dragons of his find. He then quickly departed to find Angela on Saphira, leaving the other dragon to care for his rider.
Will Angela have any Tunivor's Nectar?
We better hope so.
How would she have gotten that into her in the first place?
The poison was placed inside her a month ago; The time she was imprisoned. I am guessing that Galbatorix gave it to her so that if she got out of his control, it would kill her
It seems possible.
Aye.
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Saphira landed in front of the herbalist's tent, running inside. He was relieved to see Angela inside, stirring a pot.
She looked up, smiling. "Hello, Eragon, I was just-"
"I am sorry, Angela, but I am in a desperate hurry. I am in need of Tunivor's Nectar."
She looked startled, then nodded and headed to a supply cupboard, searching around.
"Aha!" she withdrew with a small bottle in her hand. "My last bottle, the antidote is from the mushroom I found in Farthen Dur, do you remember it?" She asked handing him the bottle.
"Aye, and thank you, but I a must rush." He raced out the door and back to Saphira.
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Arya had coughed up more blood by the time Eragon and Saphira had arrived. Eragon unsealed the tiny bottle and placed it between her sculpted lips, letting it drip down her throat. After the whole bottle was empty, Eragon placed it in one of the empty water skins for safe keeping, then tore off fresh strips of cloth, wet them, and replaced the old ones on Arya's stomach and forehead.
The group sat in silence.
Now we can only wait. Stated Saphira.
Aye. Eragon turned to the emerald dragon. What is your name?
He raised his head to gaze at him.
My name, is Vanilor.
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Author's Note:
This chapter's plot came to me whilst I was writing it, as I wasn't feeling to well when I wrote it, so I made Arya ill!
And no, I did not just make the chapter without naming the dragon, I just wanted to wait to the end to reveal it. Dunno why. Well, cya next time!
PS: I was gunna name Vanilor Vanillin, wata ya think? Tell me if u like it betta or not.
PSS: I am jus getting tha slang outa my system afta writin a whole 11 page document in full gramma! Tha horror!