Twin2: So close, and yet so far.
You may interpret that comment in quite a few ways. Twin1 is still in Poland… and these two are so utterly clueless yet on the right track. It's sort of funny, really…
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Chapter Eleven: Doubt It
"The four renegades travelled swiftly, staying close to the edge of the Spine, walking alongside their horses to give the creatures a breather every now and then. Escape was imperative. Who knew what could happen if they were caught."
"Your imagination is running away with you," Kiera interrupted. "We aren't renegades. We haven't broken any laws. Yes, escape is crucial, but we know exactly what will happen if we get caught. We shall be dragged home kicking and screaming, to marry some low-life each who doesn't deserve more than a pig for a wife."
Razi and Daine both laughed appreciatively. Tria just scowled. "My story! Don't interrupt!"
They had just passed the Toark River, and they were swapping stories, riddles and jokes to pass the time. Tria had decided to retell their story, because, as she put it, "If we pull this off we'll be famous! The two Riders who escaped from engagements to… I don't know what comes next. Have to wait and find out."
The dragons flew overhead, quite high, but still within hearing range of their mind-connection in case anything went wrong. Also so that they could hear riddles.
"What goes on four legs in the morning, two in the afternoon and three in the evening?" asked Tria.
-May I?- asked Razi.
-No! I haven't gotten it yet!- Daine wailed. -Give me a minute!-
Tria muffled her laughter. -Need a hint?-
There was a moment as the young dragon considered this proposition. -Yes, please.-
-Morning, afternoon and evening are metaphors.-
-Aha!- the dragon shrieked. -Got it! Razi, would you like to say?-
-It's a human,- said her brother. -They crawl on all fours when they're young, walk on two legs as they grow and use sticks to balance when they are old.-
"That's the Sphinx Riddle, isn't it?" said Kiera. "I heard it once, but never got the answer. Here's another: 'Only one colour, but not one size, stuck at the bottom, yet easily flies. Present in the sun, but not in the rain, doing no harm, and knowing no pain.'"
Tria giggled. "I know this one! Do you two?"
Razi growled frustratedly. -It doesn't make sense! How can something be stuck, but still fly?-
Daine laughed. -Even I know the answer to this one, brother!- She did a loop in mid-air.
-Oh, sister? You know the answer? Pray tell me then, what in the name of the sky is it?!-
-Oh, it's all too simple,- said Daine loftily. -Look below.-
He complied, even swooping close and spooking the horses until Kiera warned him back. -Silly beasts,- he sniffed. -Daine, there is nothing down there but the twins, their horses, the ground and our shadows.-
Kiera and Tria laughed. "You've got it, Razi! Shadow! The answer is your shadow!"
Razi sniffed disapprovingly. -The answer is always obvious in hindsight. Well, I have a riddle for you: 'What force and strength cannot get through, I with a gentle touch can do. And many in the street would stand, were I not a friend in hand.' Well? Do you know?"
Kiera smiled softly – she knew this one. Her sister screwed up her face in concentration. They rode on in silence for almost a half hour. Every time someone tried to speak, Tria would shush them and return to thinking, staring intently at her saddle. Finally, as they rounded a hill, she looked up at the green splashes that were dragons and called, -Is it a key?-
-Yes,- was the amused reply. -Did it take you that long to work it out?-
-Yes, I'm afraid so. Riddles have never really been my strong point, but I do get them eventually… Usually.-
This was the pattern of their days for the next week – riddles, jokes and stories. The horses didn't seem to mind, although the dragons reported boredom.
-When will we get there?- asked Daine repetitively. Razi's preferred question was, -Have we reached Dras-Leona yet?- By the time they rounded the riverbank to reveal the hazy smudge of Dras-Leona, both girls were very willing to scream their lungs out.
"I feel grateful we never had any younger siblings," muttered Tria. "Or any long trips to argue with them on."
"Our dragons pretty much make up for that. On both counts."
As they came closer the air cleared, allowing for a full view of the city and surrounding earth. Tria whistled softly. "That looks like it was one hell of an earthquake."
The earth was ripped and torn, with chasms slashed into the soil. Kiera edged her horse towards one and said, "I can see rock down there. The quake ripped straight through it."
-The dirt has been shredded all around the city and mountain to the south,- called Daine. -The damage is quite extensive, but none exists inside the city. The shifting of the earth did not bother it.-
"Mountain to the south?" asked Tria confusedly. "I saw it on the map. What was it called again?"
"Helgrind," Kiera informed her. "The citizens of Dras-Leona built an entire religion revolving around that mountain. It's pretty complex, and a bit demonic."
"Really?" said Tria. "I haven't heard about this one."
"I'll have to tell you it then. The whole religion is pretty grisly. Believers make flesh or blood offerings to the mountain. The priests believe that the more flesh, blood, bone and sinew you give up, the less you are attached to the mortal world. It's quite common to see them missing hands or arms."
"Erk," said Tria with a disgusted look. "Sounds horrible, really."
"It is. Just don't say it in Dras-Leona. If a believer picks you up, you'll lose a hand."
"I'll make a note not to mention it. Wait. I didn't think we were even going in there. I would really rather not, with this creepy religion thing."
-Humans are peculiar,- said Daine. -Why have they built such a massive building in the centre of town? It's mostly black, with strange stone creatures on the roof.-
-Sounds like a cathedral,- said Tria. "Is that right, Kiera? It's the cathedral of Helgrind?"
"Probably. I think we can skirt the east side of the city… Or maybe just go straight through. We'll be able to pick up some news, and the dragons can fly straight over."
"Good thing, too," Tria joked. "I somehow don't think Daine will fit in my pack anymore."
-Nor do I think you are strong enough to carry me,- said Daine, amused.
"No, I don't think so either."
The twins rode their horses calmly through the gates of Dras-Leona, ignoring the stares of the guards. The pair only looked about fifteen or sixteen, and even if one was a boy, it wasn't safe to be wandering around.
Once they were well past the gates Tria let out a breath. "Whew. I didn't know I was so nervous. Those guards gave us a good glaring, didn't they? I thought they'd refuse us entry for a minute there!"
"You worry too much," Kiera informed her sister. "Why wouldn't they let us through? We're just another pair of young adults on horseback, wandering around the countryside."
"Yes, but Kiera, didn't you listen to the gossip in Therinsford?" Tria leaned in to her sister and whispered, "The Varden stole one of Galbatorix's dragon eggs, and it hatched. Before the new dragon who serves him now. And no one knows the identity of the Rider. To them, maybe he was one of us, trying to sneak in. But they say he's allied with the elves, the Varden and Surda."
Tria straightened again, with an excited glint in her eye. "I wonder who it could've been. A noble, maybe? Or just someone who was in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Kiera giggled. "I know! It was Brom! Brom stole the egg from Galbatorix, and it hatched, so he decided to vanish before anybody could tell the king. Eragon caught him sneaking off and made Brom take him."
"Ha, yeah," said Tria. "As funny as that would be, I doubt it."
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Twin2: See? So close, yet so far.
