The clang of metal hitting metal was heard throughout the training field as two young men started to spar. Eragon sat down to watch as Murtagh and Harry began to spar, exchanging blows with increasing speed. Harry was using his Rider sword, the black one that he had received from Rhunon in the past. It had taken the rider of Shruikan a long few hours but he had explained everything to Eragon, Saphira, Arya and Oromis. Harry had also told the queen of his time in the capital and as a dragon rider of the past. Granted, it had been rather confusing but Eragon had been more than ready to accept another Rider. Especially since Harry and Shruikan were a fully trained pair.
Harry had told them that he had named his black blade, "Sundavar", for shadows. Both Arya and Eragon thought it an apt name, for one whose dragon was as black as a shadow. Eragon watched as Murtagh blocked a blow with a borrowed elven sword and attempted a strike but Harry met him blow for blow. The sun was shining out and the day had started out cloudless but Eragon could see a few clouds in the sky. Arya was sitting next to him, with the newly named Firnen in her lap. The baby green dragon was already starting to grow, the white spikes on his back increasing in size. Firnen's amber eyes glowed with excitement as he watched the sparring. Thorn, Murtagh's red dragon, was sitting closer to Murtagh and Harry and eyed them with muted interest, watching Murtagh closely.
Eragon's mind was half on the spar and half with Saphira, where she was training with Shruikan. The big black dragon had offered to split the training with Glaedr to offer Saphira more variety in her training. And at first, Saphira hadn't wanted to. Eragon remembered her mentioning that she still was a little wary of Shruikan and his new Rider.
I did say yes eventually, Eragon.
Eragon smiled at her thought, feeling her draw him to her mind. He blinked once or twice and then he was flying, his mind with Saphira's as she flew a loop. Shruikan was flying next to her, his big, black bulk easily three times as big as her. It had been a week since Harry, Shruikan, Murtagh and Thorn had flown their way over Ellesmera and Firnen had hatched. Eragon had suddenly had to realize that he didn't bear the burden of defeating the empire alone now. Now, there were suddenly three more Riders to join the fight.
Harry's not even sweating a lot! When I sparred with Murtagh, I always did sweat. And now, I can't even do much, what with my back.
Shruikan's Rider is not human, Eragon. I thought I mentioned that to you.
Eragon raised an eyebrow, glancing down at Zar'roc, then up to where Murtagh and Harry were at an impasse. Their blades were crossed, black blade against silver blade. What? So you mean that Harry is an elf? I'm pretty sure that Harry does not have pointed ears.
No.
Eragon watched Shruikan dive right in front of Saphira, startling her enough that she fell out of the wind current that she was flying in.
What do you mean? Harry's clearly not a dwarf or an urgal. What other species is there in Alagaesia?
You should ask Harry. Us dragons have a heightened sense of smell as we grow so I could smell it right off. But if he has not told you or Arya, then he kept it secret for a reason. I also think that Murtagh and Harry are closer than friends.
Eragon's mind returned to his own body and he refocused on the spar. The two young men were bowing to each other and he watched as they walked off of the field, with Murtagh scooping up Thorn. They walked over towards Eragon and Arya, with only a minimal amount of space between them. Eragon could see that Harry had his arm around Murtagh's waist and both young men were smiling. Though he could see that both men had a haunted look to their expressions which reminded him of how Arya sometimes looked when she was reminded of her captivity at Durza's hands.
Closer than friends? Do you mean in the way that maybe… Arya and me?
Perhaps. I could ask Shruikan about the two of them. Though he's been a little grumpy today.
Grumpy?
He did not explain why. Are you still working on what you're going to do for the Agaetí Blödhren?
Eragon winced and said that he wasn't. He had no idea what to do. And it was in less than two weeks! I don't know what to do for the ceremony.
The answer will come to you. I must return my attention to Shruikan now. He calls. Maybe… he would be a good match for me.
Saphira!
I wasn't being serious, Eragon. I can see now that Glaedr had no interest in me and Shruikan hasn't shown any interest in me either.
Okay. Happy flying.
"What did the queen ask you to do?" Murtagh asked as they walked through the forest. Elves ambled along their path, smiling at them as they passed. He glanced at Harry, who had stripped off his shirt to cool off after their spar. It took Murtagh a minute or two to tear his gaze away from Harry's muscled back and the scars there. Some were old while others were newer but still healed. Harry had put on light, comfortable breech like pants and had worn a shirt that had short sleeves while sparring, clothing which had made Murtagh ask Harry about since they had looked very comfortable.
The other man was pensive, looking up at the sky every so often in what was probably conversation with Shruikan. Harry's sword was strapped to his waist and when Harry suddenly turned back to look at Murtagh, he didn't have enough time to pretend to look elsewhere. Harry raised an eyebrow at him and Murtagh could feel his cheeks redden, licking his suddenly dry lips.
"See something you like?"
Murtagh stared at Harry and watched as the other man winked at him.
"Uh…"
Harry grinned softly then turned to look up at the sky again to where a shadow had passed under the sun. Murtagh looked up too, seeing Saphira and Shruikan flying towards the cliff where Oromis and Glaedr lived.
"The Queen has asked me to fly with her forces," Harry commented as they continued to walk. "They need a Rider there to back them up and you and Eragon are still learning and Thorn is still growing. Arya's Firnen is too small for them to leave Ellesmera so it's either Shruikan and I go or not."
"Or not?" Murtagh repeated, glad that Harry had changed the subject. He was new to this, new to being able to like people without worrying about consequences from Galbatorix or his father. When he had talked to other people at court, before he had fled, Galbatorix would always take note of it and dismiss the servant or noble lady or lord before Murtagh could see them again. Tormac had been the only person that he had been able to talk to without him getting dismissed.
Now you have me and Harry, Murtagh. You aren't alone.
He glanced down at Thorn, who had migrated to his shoulders and grinned. He reached up to stroke Thorn's neck, digging into a spot where Thorn enjoyed.
Yes, now I have you. We will be a thorn in the empire's side.
"The other option is to go to the Varden and help them," Harry said. "But I don't know if… I think I would need someone beside me. Everyone would probably think Shruikan was still under Galbatorix's control. Besides, the Varden don't know me. The Queen has also told me Galbatorix has increased the size of his armies, drafted thousands of people into his army by force."
They climbed up the short hill that led up to Oromis' hut and saw Eragon and Arya already there. Oromis was standing in the doorway of his hut, watching the two Dragon Riders. Glaedr, Saphira and Shruikan were lying curled up around the land.
"But if the Varden need you… would you go help them?" Murtagh asked, stopping when Harry stopped at the circle of logs that had been moved into the center of the clearing. Harry slipped his shirt back on before turning to look at him. "I remember you saying that you wouldn't swear an oath to either the elves or the Varden."
"Yes, of course I would. I want to be rid of Galbatorix, same as you," Harry remarked idly.
Shruikan got up and ambled over to Harry's side, glancing at Murtagh.
We will all do what we can to stop the king, Murtagh. Harry and I have had bad experiences with the king and he has had bad experience with people in authority. He does not take this on lightly.
Murtagh looked up into Shruikan's pale blue eyes and nodded, reaching up a hand to stroke Shruikan's neck as the black dragon lowered his head. Shruikan arched into his hand for a few seconds then drew away, walking over to curl around Harry as the other Rider sat down on one of the logs around the fire pit.
"He doesn't let most people touch him, you know," Harry remarked when Murtagh came over to join him. Thorn leaped off of his lap and jumped up onto one of Shruikan's big, limbs, chirping up at the much bigger dragon. Firnen stayed where he was, sitting next to Arya. Firnen's green wings were growing and even though he was the youngest in the group, he was still big. Murtagh had learned a few days ago that dragons never stopped growing and it had taken him a while to process that, knowing that some dragons of the past had been mistaken for small hills. "Not even Eragon or Arya or any of the people we met in the past could touch him without him growling at them."
Murtagh looked at Harry in askance, his heart stopping briefly at the look Harry was giving him.
"Not anyone?"
"There was a woman," Harry said, raising an eyebrow when Oromis started to challenge Arya to harder and harder magical feats. "Angela, I think her name was?"
Eragon turned toward them, blue eyes wide. "Angela?"
Harry turned to the youngest Rider in their group, tilting his head a little in confusion. "You knew her?"
"Knew? She's still alive," Eragon offered in a faint voice, bewildered. "She told my fortune a few months before the battle at Farthen Dur."
Harry's eyes widened. "Huh."
"She was alive when you were training in the past?" Eragon questioned, glancing over at Saphira, who was sitting between Eragon and Shruikan. Saphira emanated confusion too, her blue eyes lit up with interest.
"Yeah, does she still have Solemnbum with her?" Harry asked.
"Solemnbum?" Murtagh echoed. "Who's that?"
"A werecat," Eragon explained. "He was still with her. I didn't… What is she?"
"I have no idea. She's not an elf though, no pointy ears," Harry said.
"No one knows what Angela is," Arya commented, breathing slightly faster than before and walking over toward their group. Oromis was leaning up against Glaedr, breathing even more heavily. Harry narrowed his eyes and stood up, walking over to pair and stopping in front of Glaedr to examine the stump of his left foreleg.
"How… did you receive that injury?" Harry quietly asked, looking it over thoroughly before glancing up at Oromis.
Oromis studied him, the elf's gray eyes roaming over Harry. "It was as we were escaping from Galbatorix and the Forsworn. I..."
Harry, the elf Rider that I recognized in the past, Kialandi, I believe she had something to do with it. I should have raked the side of her dragon!
Harry inwardly agreed, listening as Oromis described their desperate flight from Illirea. The two had been caught in a magical trap, one that caught and held them to the delight of the Forsworn. Oromis had had an episode of his illness that had caused Glaedr to have to chew off his foreleg in order to escape the two Forsworn.
Glaedr studied Harry through golden eyes and Harry stared back, coming to a decision.
You and your… What was it that your friend, Hermione, said you had?
Harry snorted at the reminder of what Hermione had said he had. A people saving thing.
Shruikan laughed silently, the bond brimming with bemusement.
What? Do you not agree that we should try to save them?
No. I wholeheartedly agree, firebird. If you want, I shall lend my strength to yours when the time is right. Or we could…
What?
You said your friend is a healer, back in England?
Yes? Were you thinking-
Going back to England once this is over and seeing if your friend can heal him? Yes. I know you can heal Glaedr. You have the abilities.
Harry pondered that idea, smiling at Shruikan having faith in him. It definitely had benefits to it, like him getting to see Hermione and Ron again. Hagrid would sure get a kick out of seeing Shruikan too.
Maybe we could invite Murtagh to come with us too? He would certainly enjoy that.
Harry nodded, grinning at the thought of Murtagh getting to see Hogwarts. Alright, I'll make the offer. We had just better keep the two of them alive.
And the rest of us alive.
"Oromis, Glaedr, if it's not too forward of me to say, I would like to see if I can try to heal Glaedr's leg," Harry suggested.
Oromis' eyes widened, his mouth opening and closing. Glaedr lowered his head to Harry's level, looking into his eyes.
Are you sure?
Glaedr's deep voice rumbled in Harry's mind. The dragon sounded cautious, weary, like he had met with several elven healers but who had been unsuccessful in their past attempts. Shruikan ambled over to them, with… Harry laughed out loud at seeing Thorn amble about on Shruikan's back. The combination of a small red dragon on a giant black dragon was so adorable that Harry couldn't stop smiling and laughing. Shruikan glared at Harry, who abruptly shut up.
Shruikan looked up into Glaedr's eyes then bowed his head.
I must apologize for the forsworn, those dragons who had every choice in the world to not betray our race. I also apologize for-
Glaedr swatted Shruikan with his tail, bringing the big and long golden limb back to curl around his body.
You should not apologize, Shruikan. You had no choice in the matter. Listen to what your Rider tells you.
"I've been telling him that for ages," Harry muttered under his breath.
"You really think you can heal him?" Oromis spoke in a shaky voice.
"Well, Shruikan seems to think I can," Harry remarked idly. "I did good work on Murtagh when I rescued him and hell, it's just regrowing a limb. I can work with this."
Oromis and Glaedr stared at him incredously then Glaedr looked over at Murtagh.
That young man is going to be glad he has you for a partner.
Harry yelped, hearing the under current of Glaedr's voice. The older dragon knew what Harry was thinking in regards to Murtagh and was quite amused. Eragon, Arya and Murtagh all turned to look at them. Murtagh raised an eyebrow and Harry grinned at him.
"Alright," Oromis said hesitantly. "If you want to try, I don't see why not. We have met all of the elven healers and none of had any success but I did hear rumors of you before the fall…"
Harry nodded and returned to Shruikan's side as they returned to the fire pit.