A/N: Well, I did get this one out more quickly, though there isn't much action to it. I promise action in the next chapter though. Enjoy and keep the reviews coming. I like to know that others are enjoying the story. Thank you!! LM
Chapter 11
She had slept well that night but wasn't sure it was enough when Katrina had come in to wake her. She had brought a gown for Myra to wear.
"They've asked for you my lady," Katrina had said, barely above a whisper, "I volunteered to wake you. I think they want your opinion on something."
Jaydon made a sharp noise as he was not keen on being ignored. Katrina giggled and ran her finger along his nose while Myra dressed. She stepped from behind the screen in a flowing cotton gown of the same jade color of Jaydon's scales. Her hair glistened as she pulled the brush through it. She braided it down her head then pulled the remainder into a tight knot at the base of her head.
"You look lovely, my lady," Katrina said as she finished.
"Katrina, I've asked you-"Myra started, impatience in her voice but Katrina cut her off.
"I know you have. But to me you have earned the title through all you have endured, the sacrifices you have made, and the grace you have maintained. You are someone to look up to and I wish to honor that."
"You honor me with your kind words my friend," Myra bowed her head to Katrina, "But I do not wish to be honored, I just want a friend here in Alagaesia. To me, my friends are neither above nor below me. My friends are my equals. Please, Katrina…" Myra finished with tears in her eyes. She trusted no one above Katrina in Alagaesia, though she didn't know that would change once Jaydon could communicate with her. What wouldn't change, however, was that she would still require human friends and they seemed to be in short supply at the moment.
"Come, they are waiting," Katrina said without answering.
"Will you be with me?" Myra asked, "I am… apprehensive at the idea for being alone with the leaders of the groups here."
"I… am not allowed," Katrina replied, "I have been asked to fetch Jaydon's breakfast while they speak with you. But you'll be fine. Roran will be there. He will not let anything happen to you that is unfair or unjust."
"Thank you again Katrina," Myra mumbled and they walked in silence to the war room of the castle. Her presence was announced and she stepped into the room, shoulders square and chin held high. This was how she was always taught to enter a room full of leaders, as she was to be one herself in due course.
"Myra, Princess of Heiwa, and second dragon rider of the new era, we welcome you to our council," King Orrin announced in his most business-like tone, "We wish to ask what you and your dragon's plans are now that you have been freed from the clutches of the false king, Galbatorix."
She had expected to be asked this and had her answer ready. Jaydon shifted his weight on her shoulder. His claws squeezed gently upon her shoulder as if letting her know that she wasn't alone in this. She gained more confidence in her response as she began.
"My lords and ladies, Jaydon and I do not have a clear plan other than to work against Galbatorix and his armies. We feel his rule is unnatural and he has pulled much darkness into our worlds. This imbalance must be righted if we are to ever regain peace. Since he is also a dragon rider and with that seems to come an extended lifespan, we simply cannot wait for nature to take its course. He must be uprooted from his comfortable castle and be made to pay for his crimes against all the races of Alagaesia. Jaydon and I will do whatever it takes to ensure that the balance of power is restored and peace reigns once again. That being said, we'll need to work closely with you and your plans because we can't do this alone and fighting separately may cause more damage than good to our causes. We would like to hear what some of your suggestions are before making a choice."
Her words seemed to comfort some and embolden others. Still, King Orrin looked skeptical at best.
"Your words are noble, Princess," Arya answered, "We have decided that the two options that would fit best with our plans would be either for you to return to Ellesmera with Eragon for proper training on being a rider or for you to remain here to work on a plan for infiltration of the castle at Uru'Baen. I believe it depends on what weapon and fighting training you have received in Heiwa as to which may be the best course for you."
She paused for a moment and looked at the small dragon upon her shoulder. She didn't know much about dragons other than they could fly, were intelligent, and could eventually breathe fire. She also knew nothing of weaponry or sword fighting or even how to string a bow. Frowning she gave their answer.
"Then I believe the best course for us would to be to travel to Ellesmera, though I loathe being unhelpful in the plan to infiltrate the castle. Katrina may be helpful though, where I cannot be. She knows the way we took to escape."
"Very well," Eragon answered curtly, "We shall leave at dusk. We can fly on Saphira and we'll arrive more quickly than if we took horses."
"Agreed," Myra replied, her eyes narrowed at being cut-off mid-thought, "If that is all council, may we be excused? Neither of us has eaten yet today."
"Thank you Princess and Jaydon for your support in our cause," King Orrin finished formally. Myra nodded and left the chamber.
/\/\/\/\/\
Katrina sat with Myra and Jaydon in the kitchens as they ate, Jaydon ripping apart a bit of pig that was to be dinner that night and Myra quietly eating some chicken soup that the servants had eaten the night before. The cook had been rather upset that a princess was eating leftovers in his kitchen but she wouldn't hear of him cooking a meal only for her. Katrina eyed her suspiciously.
"I don't know what was said or decided in there, but you seem perturbed now my lady Myra."
"Jaydon and I will be leaving at dusk," she responded after a quick glance around to be sure they were alone, "Eragon and Saphira are returning to the elves to complete their training and we will accompany them."
"Well, that's good news then isn't it?" Katrina asked with a smile, "You might find why your magic isn't working with the elves' knowledge."
"Of course they may have the answer, but there may be a cause that cannot be worked around. Besides, I'd feel more useful helping to plan what to do next here," Myra replied. She was trying to hide something else that was bothering her but Katrina wasn't going to be fooled.
"There's more to why you don't want to go," Katrina said simply. Myra looked surprised that her friend was able to pick up on her apprehension.
"Yes, there is…" she mumbled, "Saphira seems to understand and believe what I have said and shown them, but Eragon doesn't trust me. I think he's too arrogant too. He acts as though he just goes through the motions to appease Nasuada and Orrin, as if he knows the best course of action immediately and without a doubt. It appears also that he doesn't think Jaydon choosing me as his rider was what the Varden and allies needed."
Katrina took a deep breath and looked directly into Myra's eyes.
"I knew Eragon before he became a rider. He has grown much since then but I believe he wants nothing more than to see the fall of the empire. He has had a hard road too, though I've yet to hear all the details. He has lost his father, his friend and mentor, and who knows what else on his journey. He has learned much and been changed by the dragons. He may have reservations about you as he doesn't know you, but if he believes you to be good he will defend you and work with you until you reach your full potential. Eragon is a good man Myra. You can trust him to do what is right and what is needed."
Myra vaguely registered the use of her name alone in Katrina's words. She nodded and finished her soup, "Very well. I'll trust him to guide me as well." She stood and placed her bowl by the cleaning basin then looked at Jaydon who was chewing on the thigh bone of the pig.
"Are you finished?" she asked. He chirped in response and nosed the remaining bones toward the refuse bin. "Good, I think I'll go for a walk in the rose gardens. I need some time to think."
"Forgive me, lady Myra, but I have items that require my attention before dinner," Katrina excused herself, "But I'll see you at dinner?" Katrina waited for Myra's acknowledgement then hurried back into the depths of the castle.
Myra and Jaydon showed themselves to the gardens and found a secluded corner with a bench.
/\/\/\/\/\
Eragon found Arya perusing some tactical maps alone in the library of the castle and approached her quietly.
"Arya svit-kona I wish to apologize again for my foolish actions. I wish to deliver your mother's longing for you to return to Ellesmera, "he began cautiously, "but I also need to ask advice from you."
Her features had gone from stony indifference when he started speaking to guarded curiosity as he finished.
"My mother knows I cannot stay in Ellesmera, "she said, glossing over his apology, "and what advice do you need Eragon?"
"I fear it may be," he paused searching for the right word, "unwelcome news in Ellesmera that the last dragon has also chosen a human rider. How must I present her to the queen and to the rest of the elven race so as she may be accepted by the greatest number of your people?" he asked quickly, "And I know you know of her condition. How will they react to that? It can only be hidden for so long before becoming quite apparent to all…"
"Eragon, this must be done delicately. I trust you remember when I took you through the forest I had asked that you keep your ears covered for the same reason?" she paused as he nodded, "Have her do the same. Also, since Jaydon is still small you might ask that he stay hidden beneath her cloak during the day so as not to be seen. There are currently no festivities going on between the edge of the forest and the city so you need not worry about that. Once you have arrived in the city, see Queen Islanzadi immediately. She will know exactly who Princess Myra is and will understand the situation once told of the main facts. If you can while traveling, teach her of our suffix system, it would be proper for her to greet the queen as such." She stood and they continued speaking as they walked through the castle. "As for her condition, that does not need to be discussed. Elves are a more private people than humans and will likely not inquire about the child's father. Tell her to be sure to keep her wards tight around her mind lest any of that information leak out. Do you have a route planned out to return to Ellesmera?"
"We're planning on flying to the edge of Du Weldenvarden near Kirtan. I was hoping to enlist two of the fastest guides Kirtan has to offer," he replied.
"That would be wise," Arya responded and gave Eragon the names of two elves to ask for who would be able to expedite their travels. Eragon looked around and found that he and Arya had arrived in the rose gardens of the castle.
"Arya svit-kona, please be careful in your duties with the Varden," Eragon continued, his heart running away with his mouth yet again, "I count you among my dearest friends and I do not wish to hear of your demise or even just an injury." He tried to cover his true meaning behind friendship. Her eyes narrowed ever-so-slightly and her chin rose slightly at his words.
"I thank you for your concern Eragon," she replied stiffly, "but my duties are important to all the people of Alagaesia and I'd gladly give my life for them." She turned and walked away, almost floating through the bright greenery.
Eragon allowed his head to fall and a gigantic sigh to escape his lips. A noise behind him startled him back to attention. He turned to find Myra looking at him with half a smile on her face.
"May I help you lady?" he asked. She quickly removed the smile from her face and flushed.
"Oh no, thank you, I was just enjoying the serenity of the gardens before our journey," she said quickly, "I shall see you at dinner Shadeslayer. Please excuse me." She hurried off toward the castle.
/\/\/\/\/\
Myra strode quickly toward the castle, Jaydon running beside her to keep pace, glad to escape from the awkward situation. She noted to Jaydon that there was more to Eragon's feelings for Arya than merely friendship. She smiled to herself thinking about the love they could share between them if they'd only allow themselves to. Her smile quickly slid from her face as she realized that she could never share that. Her one dream had been brutally murdered by Galbatorix for who would want to love tainted goods, let alone her son. She felt Jaydon's love for her emanate through their connection, trying to reassure her that no matter what he would always be by her side. She allowed her gratitude to flow back through the connection, though couldn't suppress a certain sadness from flooding her thoughts.
Taking a deep breath to cleanse her mind of the depressing thoughts, Myra set out to find King Orrin or Lady Nasuada to request garb appropriate for travel and training.
/\/\/\/\/\/\
Briefly puzzled by Myra's odd expression, Eragon started back to the castle to finish the preparations for their trip to Ellesmera. He was angry with himself for his lack of control around Arya. If he couldn't learn to control his actions, it would cost any chance he might've had for a relationship with her, friendship or otherwise. He sighed again and decided to find Saphira. She would scold him for his thoughtlessness, but he needed her support.
To be continued in Chapter 12…
