Chapter 14
The young woman bowed before the king, her golden hair falling temporarily over her face. "You requested my presence, Sire?"
"Yes. I command you to find the location of a certain dragon egg. It was stolen from me and I suspect it is somewhere in Surda—Aberon, probably. Your task is to remain unnoticed while searching for it and then report to me when it is located."
"Your wish is my command," she said sarcastically, turning to leave.
"Wait, Goroth," He said. "I do not like the rebellious tone in your voice. Before you go, I want you to swear loyalty to me."
"We covered that in our last meeting."
"Yes, but it was not binding. Swear your fealty in the true language. I cannot trust you with even the smallest task until you do."
Goroth grimaced, saying, "Vel einradhin, eka atra waise skolir ono varda."
"Good enough. Leave us and travel as a spy to Surda. Go by the name Adriana. Goroth is a horrible name for you."
"Yes, sire." The maiden left, pulling the hood of her cloak over her head.
"A powerful ally," Galbatorix murmured.
Elva stepped out of the shadows. He always wanted her at his side during such meetings. "I still do not trust… her. Did the oath specify remaining loyal to you? I did not understand it, but got the distinct feeling that Goroth worded it with a loophole."
"The oath was to shield me. It did not state anything about following orders. But I am satisfied, and you should be too." He changed the subject. "I am just curious… what is it that Goroth wants most? You always can tell, even with the best defenses set up."
"To become powerful enough to destroy you and take up your position," she said without hesitation.
"Good. I don't want servants without ambition. No one will be my equal though. No one."
Saphira alighted in the sand, bending low to allow her passengers' exit. Nasuada unbuckled her legs and slid off, landing shakily on the dry ground. Eragon saw plainly she was suffering from the prolonged flight. After all, they had only stopped once that day. He even felt sore from the ride, though it didn't show as much.
Nasuada stumbled a few feet away and sat down abruptly, coughing in the dry desert air. She lifted her satchel and brought out the silver dragon, allowing him to roam. "What shall we have for dinner?" she asked. "He needs meat badly and hasn't had any water since our midday break."
Eragon took their bags off of Saphira and asked her to bring back food for the little one.
Of course!
"Saphira will bring meat. I have some bread and fruits, if you'd like some."
She accepted the offer, taking an apple from his bag and biting into it. "When will we be out of the desert?" she asked between mouthfuls.
"If all goes well, we will be in Du Weldenvarden before nightfall three days from now." Eragon brought out a water flask and gulped from it.
"Where will we get water? We're almost out!"
He smiled. "I'll handle that."
Nasuada looked skeptical.
"Why, is he thirsty?" Eragon nodded to the silver dragon, who was busy chasing a lizard over the sand dunes.
"Yes."
He reached down and made a hole in the earth, speaking the words "Reisa du adurna." Water seeped up from the ground, creating a pool in front of him.
The silver dragon stopped his chase and stepped towards Eragon, casting a hesitant look at Nasuada. She nodded, encouraging him to go closer.
Eragon watched as the hatchling thrust his nose into the water and then shied away at the ripples it made. Then, realizing that the ripples did nothing harmful, he jumped into the pool, splashing water everywhere.
Nasuada smiled a little. "I've been thinking… he should have a name."
"Yes, he should. I didn't get around to naming Saphira until she was months old."
"What did you call her before then?" She seemed surprised.
"Just 'dragon.' I didn't know of any dragon names." Eragon thought for a moment. "Have you heard of the dragon who fought the giant sea serpent?"
"Yes, actually. What was his name…" She stammered. "Gaslarb? Golord?"
"Roslarb."
She made a face. "I don't like that name. What about… Ohen? No, that won't do. I can't think of any more dragon names."
"Let me see," Eragon said, happy to help. "There's Vanilor and Ingothold; Ekorum, Beroan, Briam, and Hirador."
"I don't like any of those," Nasuada said. "They are strange, old names whose meanings have been lost." She bent her head in concentration, muttering a few different words. "Otho?" "Hefthyn?" "Urzhad?"
"Are those dwarvish names?"
She shrugged. "Many of my dearest friends were dwarves, growing up. I learned Dwarvish as soon as I could speak. Some of my first memories were hearing Father negotiate with dwarven leaders, hearing them curse the empire while I lay awake at night in my room…."
Suddenly, she began laughing.
"What?" Eragon asked.
"If I named him Barzul Knurlar…" she stopped to laugh more.
Eragon laughed too at the thought of a dragon named from a dwarven curse phrase. "Do you speak the Dwarf language?"
"A little, having lived among them. I think it an appropriate name for our circumstances, don't you?"
"I suppose so," Eragon said, still bewildered that she would consider that name. He had spent enough time with the dwarves to recognize their most potent curses. "But don't say it in the presence of a dwarf; you might be thought poorly of."
"No. They'd take it as a battle cry," she said. "I like it. And, even though it is a bit of a joke, it sounds dignified. It shows strength and boldness in the face of enemies!"
"Barzul Knurlar," he said, trying it out. It did sound like a fine name if you were ignorant of the meaning. "Shall we actually call him 'Barzul' for short?"
"Why not? He shall fulfill his name as Murtagh told you Thorn would fulfill his." Nasuada looked down a little and a silence came over the two. Murtagh's enslavement was still fresh in their minds and neither one was ready to bring it up.
Saphira returned with two snakes in her mouth. This is for the hatchling. I'm going out for my own dinner now.
While you were gone, we named him.
I miss out on everything! What did you decide on?
He told her.
She snorted a blue flame. Where would you get a name like that? Dwarvish curses are hardly respectable for a dragon's name. But Eragon could sense her approval.
He brought up more water for her and then set out a bedroll, falling asleep almost immediately.
Nasuada chased after Barzul and brought him to her own bedroll, laying down with him in her arms. It felt good to be traveling again. It was much easier a task than ruling the Varden. To concentrate on simple things like staying in Saphira's saddle calmed her mind even though her legs felt like mush.
The elation of defying the council had long worn off, and she worried for the Varden. Was it the right choice making Jormundor Leader? Would he act according to their best interest or his best interest? Yes… he cares. And he is competent, Nasuada assured herself. Jormundor had been her father's most trusted friend since her childhood. He would be good for the Varden.
Jormundor isn't the one I should be worrying about, she thought. He knows how to do his job. I have been thrust into the position of a Rider and I know nothing. What shall I tell the people of the Varden? What will be my excuse when I fail? She shut her eyes hard, trying to calm her worry.
Saphira's mighty wing beats interrupted her thoughts, bringing her back to the present. Suddenly, she felt the dragon enter her mind. She tried to block it, but Saphira said, Do not do that please.
Nasuada turned to look at the dragon. Her majestic scales were barely visible in the dark. Is this what it's like when you speak to Eragon? She had heard of the method of communication Riders used, but never dreamed it would feel so peculiar. It was much like when she felt Barzul's emotions… only more intelligent… more complicated and powerful.
Yes. But our connection is much stronger. Sometime, we merge our minds almost entirely. I would like to have refrained from entering your mind, but my Rider appears to have fallen asleep.
Nasuada asked, What is it you wanted to tell me?
That you shouldn't worry. I sense your troubled mind without trying. In order to perform your training properly, you must dedicate all of your time to studying. If you continue worrying like this, we will have a very weak Rider on our side.
I still can't believe… Nasuada bit her lip. It just would have been better for us if anyone else became a Rider.
Stop thinking that way. That dragon has waited for you since before Galbatorix's reign. Do not ruin his joy with your regret. Saphira's presence felt stern and borderline angry in her mind.
I will try, Nasuada gave in.
Good. Sleep well, Rider.