And the chapter is finally done! Yay! Okay, so the next chapter will be about the same update speed (hopefully).
Chapter 12 - Teirm
Islingr instantly noticed the difference when she woke. Though that was likely from the darkening of her snout so it was a dark red instead of the crimson colour she'd been previously.
Then there was the different feeling throughout her body, a strength she hadn't felt before which she realised had been because of her holding onto her human part. She couldn't feel Morzan's dragon anymore, instead the area he'd been residing was… something else. Like a heart beating, but not a heart.
There was also the new link between her mind and Brom's. Brom? she asked tentatively as she slowly slipped into his mind. Barriers were immediately thrown up to stop her progress. Please, Brom?
Islingr, I have to return to Teirm, Brom stated.
She snorted, a small jet of fire escaping her maw. Do not think distance will prevent me from finding out, old one.
I wouldn't dare, Islingr.
Good, she said, uncurling from around him and lifting her wing. But lower your mind-barriers. You will not enter Teirm without me to keep an eye on you.
Brom's response was to open his mind to hers. Do try to not draw attention to yourself, young one.
Do I ever? Islingr asked, already busying herself with Brom's memories. Glaedr and Oromis are still alive?
Yes. And I don't suppose you can give me a life down? Brom requested.
Do I look like a horse to you? She sniffed, but she moved so he could get onto her back where the saddle still lay. As she rose to her feet she realised that she'd shrunk slightly, probably due to Morzan's dragon no longer increasing her growth. But she was still nearly three times the size of Saphira, instead of four times the sapphire dragon's size.
"Thank you, Islingr," Brom said as he dismounted.
Islingr nudged him. Once you are done sticking your noses into places where they will be bitten, we will go flying. If you argue then I will tie you there and never let you go.
Fair enough, Brom conceded.
Keep me updated, she said, backing up before shooting into the sky and back onto the cliff. And please try to not be harmed.
You have no need to worry about me, Brom stated.
I do the worrying for both of us, she rumbled, watching him walk back to Teirm with a bounce in his step that hadn't been there the day before. She knew this would be good for Brom. One of us has to.
Saphira studied Islingr curiously. Your hide has changed.
I know, Islingr thought, tilting her head to look into a puddle. I barely even recognise myself. Her crimson hide was now so dark it could barely be called red and seemed more like a bronze colour when the sun hit it.
Are you a dragon now?
Yes, Islingr crowed, I am. I feel… different. She settled down beside Saphira, folding her wings on her back. She turned her attention to Brom's memories, his mind still completely open to her, and started searching through them. She paid special attention to his memories of Morzan, her –apparently former – father and quickly became pleased that since she was now a dragon, he couldn't be her father any longer.
The week was spent with Islingr searching Brom's memories, with breaks to hunt whenever hunger seized her.
Brom slowly started conversing with her to fill the daylight hours, even as Saphira and her had the occasional mock fight. Fights which Islingr would win if she got above Saphira, due to her superior size and strength, but Saphira's speed was faster than Islingr's. The two dragons were generally evenly matched.
It was after eight days that Eragon and Brom finally left Teirm, having found that the Ra'zac were likely staying in Dras-Leona. Islingr, Brom called, can you find us?
Of course, she replied even as Saphira roared beside her and shot off into the sky. Islingr moved to the edge of the cliff and launched herself off the edge, her wings snapping out and catching the wind. She shot up after Saphira, flying above the clouds over Teirm as she located Brom and Eragon with Brom's mind. Saphira dived down through the clouds, twisting as she did so.
Islingr followed, landing on her hind legs and dropping down as Eragon clambered onto Saphira's back. "Hello, Is," Eragon greeted with a nod of his head before Saphira took off.
Eragon, Islingr snorted. Remember to stay out of sight, Saphira.
Saphira roared in response, already shooting off.
Islingr lowered her head towards Brom, causing Snowfire to shift nervously. Can we fly later?
Once we have made camp, Brom agreed.
I will hold you to that, she said, backing up before leaping into the sky.
At noon, Islingr and Saphira re-joined Brom to give Eragon time for a meal. Islingr settled down beside Brom, her wings folded snugly against her back, and her head on the ground. How long until we reach Dras-Leona?
Many weeks, Brom answered. It depends on how many obstacles we come across.
Islingr sent acknowledgement along their link before closing her eyes and resting as they ate.
Brom? she suddenly thought. Did you know who my father was when you adopted me?
Yes. And I suppose it did influence my decision, he admitted, sensing what her next question would have been. But I am incredibly grateful for that decision, so do not think otherwise.
Did you know how much of an irritation I would be? she asked, her tail curling around Brom.
No, though I suppose without you my recent life would have been rather different. I have gladly accepted my decision, he added. "We must be off, Eragon," Brom said as he stood. "We have many leagues to cover."
In the evening, Brom sent Eragon to find some water as he set about making their dinner.
Islingr rested in the shade cast by some trees, watching as Brom started a fire with a muttered, "Brisingr," before turning to face her. "Hopefully Eragon won't be too long."
When he returns will we go flying? Islingr asked eagerly.
Brom smiled faintly. "After dinner we will."
Good. How were Eragon's questions?
Brom sighed. I didn't tell him I was a Rider. I only told him of my involvement in acquiring Saphira's egg. And how I killed Morzan.
The Varden?
That too. Though we're not going there immediately. He and Saphira need more time to mature.
Have you told him that you're my Rider?
No. I thought perhaps that would be better to reveal when we were out of Teirm, Brom explained.
So he didn't reveal the two of you, Islingr mused.
Exactly. I will tell him soon though, give him-
Brom cut himself off as Saphira suddenly leapt up and curled around Brom, pinning him to her side and covering him with her wing. "Saphira, what are you doing?" he demanded. "Let go of me!"
Saphira? Islingr asked.
Keep Brom safe, Saphira responded, causing Islingr to growl.
I will keep him safe, she snarled.
I'm only trying to help, Saphira growled.
There was a sudden crashing in the bush and Saphira's tail lashed through the air, only just missing Eragon's head. "Stop! It's me!" he cried. Saphira apparently responded, because he growled. "Oops? You might've killed me if your tail went any lower! Where's Brom?"
"Right here," Brom snapped, his annoyance leaking through to Islingr. "Tell Saphira to release me."
"Let him go! Didn't you tell him?" Eragon asked. Saphira lifted her wing and Brom angrily stepped forward. "I found an Urgal footprint," Eragon explained before Brom could say anything. "It's fresh."
Brom immediately became serious. Urgals? Blast it. "Saddle the horses," he ordered as he put out the fire. "We're leaving." He paused when Eragon didn't move. "What's wrong?"
"My wrist broke," Eragon said.
Brom cursed and saddled Cadoc for Eragon before helping him onto the horse. "Try not to move your wrist until we can put a splint on your arm," he said. "Saphira, it's almost dark, so you might as well fly overhead. Any Urgals will think twice before attacking with you overhead." Islingr, stay overhead too. Two dragons will dissuade the Urgals far better than one.
Stay safe, Islingr said before she shot into the sky, levelling out almost immediately. It wasn't long before Saphira suddenly dropped, diving down to Eragon and Brom. Islingr circled as she waited for the sapphire dragon to join her again.
The horns sounded close behind Brom before falling silent. Minutes later one trumpeted in the distance and Eragon and Saphira relaxed, Eragon resting forward against Saphira. Brom slowed the three horses and Islingr cautiously relaxed.
Then a horn abruptly sounded directly beneath them and Brom urged the horses on again. When she saw the Urgals chasing after Brom she started to dive, only for Brom to say, Don't! Don't reveal yourself! She sharply pulled out of the dive, circling back up into the sky.
They'll catch you! she protested.
I will be able to fight them off, but if you are seen the consequences may be severe.
Saphira suddenly dropped out of the sky beside Islingr, hovering above the trail for several moments before dropping to the ground. What are they doing? Islingr ground out angrily.
Has he just revealed himself and Saphira to the Urgals? Brom demanded.
Unfortunately, Islingr growled. Keep going, Brom. I'll ensure they both escape this alive.
Ensure you return alive too, Brom said shortly before he urged the horses on again.
Islingr circled above as Eragon talked with the Urgals, waiting for Saphira to re-join her in the sky. After several minutes there was a sudden yell of, "Jierda!" Stupid boy! Islingr roared, tilting down into a dive.
She landed on an Urgal which was about to stab Saphira with its sword as the other Urgals fled, tearing into it with her claws until it was only a bloody mess on the ground. She scanned the area briefly as Saphira picked Eragon up, but none of the Urgals were within killing distance.
Islingr rose into the sky after Saphira, following Brom's trail from above. The two dragons caught up to him when it was dark.
They are alive, Islingr said to Brom, but Eragon tried to throw the twelve Urgals back to Teirm. He's unconscious now.
Follow above for now, Brom responded, see if you can find a stream or creek to stop by. Then I believe it's about time we had our flight.
So I know this chapter wasn't as long as the others managed to get, but that's because I'm still trying to figure out the little details I'm going to need, and a shorter chapter is better than nothing.
