Here is the next chapter I'm updating with. Thanks to those who reviewed the last chapter. To those of you who go directly to the newest chapter, I updated with a chapter before this one, both at the same time. Enjoy this chapter.
Vakna Unin Alagaesia
Chapter 12
Opening the Gates
If it doesn't, then may I tear them to shreds? Saphira asked, licking her fangs.
Yes, then you may do what you want with them.
Do you want me to help? I asked
No! Eragon said. Remain on Saphira, whatever may happen.
He then walked toward the soldiers with his sword and shield held out to either side. Someone from above shot an arrow at him, but it stopped suddenly three feet from his chest, and it dropped to the ground. The expressions on the soldiers' faces changed from apprehensive to downright frightened.
"My name is Eragon Shadeslayer! Perhaps you have heard of me, perhaps you have not. In either case know this! I am a Dragon Rider, and I have sworn to help the Varden remove Galbatorix from his throne. Tell me, have any of you sworn fealty in the Ancient Language to Galbatorix or the Empire…Well, have you?"
The same man, who cursed at us before said, "We should not swear fealty to the king even if he held a sword to our necks! Our loyalty belongs to Lady Lorana. She and her family have ruled us for generations, and they've done a good job of it, too!" The other soldiers murmured assent and I narrowed my eyes.
"Then join us!" Eragon cried. "Lay down your weapons, and I promise no harm shall come upon you or your families. You cannot hope to hold Feinster against the combined might of the Varden, Surda, the dwarves, and the elves."
"So you say," shouted one of the soldiers, "But what if Murtagh and that red dragon of his were to come here again?"
Eragon hesitated before saying, "He is no match for me and the elves who fight with the Varden. We have already driven him off once before."
To the left of the soldiers, out of the corner of my eye I saw the two elves sidle out from behind a staircase and creep to the left guard tower. Lowered my gaze, so none of the soldiers followed my eyes and saw what I saw.
The captain said, "We might not have pledged ourselves to the king, but Lady Lorana has. What will you do to her? Kill her? Imprison her? No, we will not betray her trust and allow you to pass, nor the monsters clawing at our walls. You and the Varden hold nothing but the promise of death for those who have been forced to serve the Empire!"
" Why couldn't you have left well enough alone, eh, Dragon Rider? Why couldn't you have kept your head down so the rest of us could live in peace? But no, the love of fame and glory and riches are too great. You had to bring wreck and ruin to our homes so that you could satisfy your ambitions, and ruin also those who blindly or madly follow you, as the young woman does. Well, I curse you, Dragon Rider! I curse you with all my heart!"
"I do not wish to kill you, but I will if I must. Lay down your weapons!"
Arya silently opened the door of the guard tower and slipped inside; Blodhgarm crept behind toward to the other tower and was opening the door before I looked away again.
The captain of the soldiers spit at Eragon's feet, though he missed horribly.
"You don't even look human yourself! You're a traitor to your race, you are!" The man picked up his shield and slowly walked toward Eragon. "Shadeslayer," he growled, "Ha, I'd as soon believe my brother's twelve year old son killed a Shade as a youth like you."
Positive these were fighting words; I took a firm grip on the dead soldier's sword, but Saphira told me to wait. When the captain was only a few feet from Eragon, Eragon stabbed his enchanted blade right through the captain's shield, armor, and body until it was out his back. When Eragon was sure that the captain was dead, he pulled his blade free of the carcass. Chains began to rattle, and none other than Blodhgarm and Arya flung the gates open.
"Lay down your weapons or die!" Eragon yelled as around twenty soldiers ran at him, yelling, with their blades drawn. The rest either fled or did as Eragon had commanded them. Eragon cut through the running soldiers, and I tried to dismount Saphira to help, but she ordered me Stay where you are! It's safer!
Saphira knocked two of the soldiers over, and set another two on fire while I did all I could to decapitate them or at least distract them while Eragon finished them off.
Arya and Blodhgarm emerged from the guard towers as the gates creaked and swung outward, revealing the Varden's battering ram. The archers on the parapet above yelled and ran to more defensible positions even as dozens of hands and arms appeared on the edges of the gates and pulled them further open, revealing hundreds of the Varden's soldiers.
Hope you liked this chapter, I promise to update with the next one by this weekend. Please Review.
