Next Chapter's up for you guys. I've got a bit of free time as I'm submitting this so I'm going to plough straight through and get a start on chapter 21. Hopefully I can get that one up by mid-week and win back the delay on this chapter.
As usual, thanks have to go out to all your comments. I always read through them as I submit a chapter and I'm glad I could make your days that little bit better. As for Scorpord; your comments about Lan and the WoT struck a chord, I wasn't specifically thinking about that passage you mentioned but it was that kind of statement I wanted to get across and I'm glad for the comparison and the link.
Enough time-wasting though, so enjoy!
Chapter 20 – Sounding the War Drums
Ilirea was in uproar as word of the attack at Aroughs spread. Though the rumours spread fast, on account of the loose tongues on some of the nobles and their staff, it wasn't until the following morning that Serai ordered the war-drums to beat from within the citadel. This was followed by a brief proclamation by the Queen and the recall of all soldiers in the outlying lands. Nobles were asked to give up their men-at-arms and personal guardsmen for the potential defence of the city as the army was brought onto full alert.
As Eragon surveyed the city, he saw the tension all around him; a roiling miasma of fear and anticipation in the minds all around him. Even the dragons and their riders had things to do in and around the city.
"The students must stay here, they are too inexperienced and vulnerable in battle at the moment," Murtaugh was telling him as they marshalled the distribution of weapons and kept a visible presence in the midst of the preparations.
"Agreed, I will have them continue their studies in the time they still have, perhaps give them a taste of battlefield strategies, scryings and meetings lest any of them try and follow after we've left." Eragon replied.
"What of the more experienced of our students, have you managed to contact any of those who have actually finished their training?"
"Coalan, Tov and Berwyn are in Belatona; I will send them to Feinster and make sure the enemy cannot control the coastline. Same goes for Jennsen and Ruben, as of yesterday they were at Orthiad so we'll send them to Aberon and Reavstone to join Grodin and keep the breach contained. As for the two of us, we will fly to Dauth and join with Gadrinne, Ragnar, Gerak and Kirgan out of Dras-Leona," Eragon explained.
"I have sent a message to Ceunon and the settlement outside the wards of Kirtan, the elves and the Riders who are there need to know of our need as well," Murtaugh said.
"Good, but we cannot delay much further. Have everyone else rally between here and Bullridge with instructions to distribute themselves amongst Serai's forces. I fear our first confrontation will be a probing attack to test our strength, though a clever one with the use of the Jiet river to see our reaction," Eragon pressed.
Murtaugh nodded in agreement as the two brothers walked through the crowds, the crowd gave way to the striking image they presented. Indeed, dressed as they were, they cut an invincible image of power and grace in the eyes of the nervous onlookers.
Only hours ago, the hoard of treasure collected in Galbatorix's reign had been rummaged for the machines of warfare used in the deep past. Over clothes of the finest make, Eragon and Murtaugh now wore gleaming sets of chainmail, the individual links shaped like dragon scales, burnished dragons also adorning the greaves and vambraces on their arms and legs. The best collection of dragon and Rider attire in the whole of Alagaesia was being brought up for use once more from the bowels of the citadel.
As for the dragons, they were not spared either. A whole line of soldiers had the hapless job of struggling under the weight of several sets of dragon armor brought up as well. The rare and priceless armor would still have to remain in Ilirea though as the journey to Dauth, due to start in the evening, would require speed in order to reach it in good time.
"What of Arya?" Murtaugh asked, as Eragon grimaced.
"She will stay here, though it wasn't easy convincing her and Firnen of that. Her guards were in uproar over the possibility of her coming along without them, and she is their Queen as well as a Rider."
"Dathedr and Gilderien must know their queen is safe. With the Agaeti-Blodhren so close, they were loath to let Arya come in the first place, and the council moves slowly to any decision were it not for them three." Murtaugh agreed.
It helps when your queen has a dragon, Saphira chimed in, as Murtaugh and Eragon caught her coming into sight above them. She went on, though the fact that the elves can't say no to a dragon apparently doesn't go so far as to allow said dragon to go where he will when he is needed.
In Saphira's claws were several of the massive boulders used by the catapults and trebuchets on and behind the outer walls. The other dragons followed suit in a long line as soldiers rushed to provide places to put them even as they kept their distance.
You must rest Saphira, we have to leave soon and I would not have you tire so soon Eragon told her.
Even a journey to Dauth requires a brief stop if we are to arrive battle-ready, Murtaugh added as he saw Thorn with a load of his own.
But our presence here reassures people, and the work is easy enough Saphira replied.
Then be careful, you may need the energy before long.
It was not long before all the preparations were made and the time to go was upon them. Saphira and Thorn were both saddled and ready to leave as Murtaugh and Eragon joined them in the light of the descending sun. There was also a sizeable contingent of men, elves and dwarves to see them on their way as they arrived. Kastin, Lilliana and their children were doing their best to remain obscure next to Tenga, an impossible task as the remnant of the grey folk easily stood out amongst all the richly dressed nobles.
"I wish you did not have to make this journey so early as there is much I can teach you on your abilities. So all I will say is trust your magic and who you are as a person, all elementals must be at one with themselves or they are only as powerful as a normal spellcaster." Tenga said as Eragon paused on his way past him.
"I only wish I can thank you for the help you have already given. I would be forever in your debt if you remained here and helped where you could," Eragon said.
"I have already decided to remain here for the time being. I will keep an eye on your family as well if I can spare it," Tenga replied as Orik approached.
"As will we," Orik said, overhearing the conversation, "in your absence, they will be protected as my own family and clan by the blood-bond we all share."
Eragon nodded solemnly even as he felt pride and awe at the implications of such protection. He had no idea that his foster-brother would grant the honour of acceptance into the clan to the rest of his family.
Queen Serai was sharing a few words with Murtaugh as he moved towards Saphira and managed to catch her eye as he ran into Arya and Heimdaln. As Firnen and Saphira were making farewells of their own, her emotions mingled with Eragon's as the goodbyes suddenly became intolerable and all they wanted to do was remain.
"May the winds favour and return you to us swiftly," Heimdaln murmured as he quietly moved away from Eragon and Arya.
"And may that day come soon," Arya added as she looked into Eragon's eyes.
Eragon removed Undbitr from its placement on his back and gently placed it in Arya's hands, "Now I have more reason not to stay away," he said as he enclosed his hands around hers and the lighter twin to Brisingr. "I promise I will return for this," he said before he let go, not only referring to the sword in her hands.
Twin pools started to shimmer in her brilliant green eyes as they moved apart, both of them wishing they could say or do more at their parting. Firnen, sensing Arya's anguish amongst his own, stepped away from Saphira and took up station at her side as he brushed up against Eragon.
May you prey quiver at the sight of you and your swords and claws stay ever sharp Firnen growled in his deep, grating voice.
And the mastery of our race keep you safe Saphira replied, as melancholy as Eragon had ever seen her.
Murtaugh and Serai separated as Eragon made his way into his saddle, the Queen looking pale in the setting sun as Murtaugh mounted up. Saphira spread her wings and shivered in anticipation as everyone took a few steps back.
"Lord Alaric will be in Dauth by now if he has not fallen, but seek out the Lady Ylena when you get there and she will do as you command," Serai said to Eragon before they could leave the ground.
Eragon nodded at her before a wash of air rippled across them as Thorn took a gigantic leap into the air. Saphira followed a beat later as they circled the group below once before setting for the south. The small loop was enough to see every dwarf and elf raise their weapons to the sky and bellow "Argetlam!"
Eragon could feel Saphira's sense of loss almost immediately turn into a kind of frustration as she let loose with a massive ROARRR! and spewed forth a torrent of fire. The city turning deathly quiet for a beat before Firnen replied in kind and the younger dragons roared in unison.
The ensuing silence was briefly broken by three single beats of the cities war drums, the beats informing its people that scouts had gone forth from the city.
Saphira and Thorn rose steadily until they were high into the clouds, where the eddies of warmer drafts would aid them as they flew south on steady wings. Both their Rider's lost in thought as the city fell out of view behind them.
Again, I'll try and get the next chapter up ASAP.