Chapter 25. Return of Eragon Shadeslayer
Eragon sat with Sapphira in their old tree house which had once belonged to Vrael. Elva was there watching him to both comfort and support him. She wanted so much to rip his clothes and make love to him for they had been seperated ever since the emperor captured Eragon and Sapphira. Elva was also concerned for Sapphira because her mate and Elva's bond partner Galmore was dead. His Eldunari was apart of her as he had given her his Eldunari and told her to bond with it.
Eragon finally stirred turning to look at Elva, "I have missed you!"
She smiled, "And I you-Share your thoughts me-Is there something I can do?"
"Your being here is enough."
"Your plan worked-Roran descendant became a Dragon Rider-She is very clever in magic and I feel she will defeat the Emperor."
Eragon smiled and looked away, that is when Sapphira spoke up touching Elva's mind, ("Tell me Farseer-How did my mate Galmore meet his end?")
"He died thinking of you-He died fighting an Emperor Scorpion-They live in the desert and were created by the Emperor."
("The Scorpion he fought-Is it dead or do I need to go hunting?")
"Katrina killed it."
("Then we are indebted to her twice-once for freeing us and second for killing the Scorpion.")
Eragon tried to get into a routine, but it was hard when all the things the Emperor forced him and Sapphira to do weighed so heavily on his mind. All those years of standing by and watching his friend Arya be a sex slave to the Emperor.
Evander was in his office going over the latest supply reports for the Nu'Varden. He had also received a report that his miners had discovered another batch of star metal. The doors to his office opened and in walked Eragon and Sapphira.
"Eragon! Sapphira! It is honor to finally meet you both." Evander said after they exchanged the customary Elven tradition of greeting.
"The honor is ours as I see Arya's eyes staring at me from your face."
He smiled, "Thank you-My only regret is that I couldn't rescue her from the Tyrant Emperor."
("Let us focus on defeating the Emperor.") Sapphira said speaking up.
"Yes of course-The Emperor is tightening his grip on the world-I am receiving reports from my spies that several villages have been burned to the ground and people are forced into slavery-Even the rich are suffering from his wrath-The people are rebelling all over the place-But they need strong leaders and warriors-I was wondering when You and Sapphira could take up your mantles again as Rider and Dragon-I have contacts in Shynendar but other factions are forming-If the two of you were in Shynendar the people will rally behind the Nu'Varden-I am not trying to consolidate power I am trying to avoid warlords popping up among these groups."
Eragon and Sapphira exchanged words before they replied through Eragon, "Sapphira and I are still recovering mentally from our experiences with the Emperor-So much has changed in the world-Not to mention that my sister-in-law and friends are still name slaves-We are not ready yet-but soon."
Evander sighed in disappointment, "Is there anything that can be done to hasten your recovery?"
"No!" Was Eragon's dry reply.
"Well if you have need of anything the Nu'Varden stand ready to serve."
"Thank you for your kindness." They shook hands and left the room.
As Eragon and Sapphira walked up the street many people human and otherwise bowed to them. They were polite in return but the two of them said or did nothing no further than hello or a wave to someone who spoke. The people respected their privacy as Evander had standing orders not to overwhelm the pair. When they reached their tree house Katrina was waiting.
Eragon smiled, "You look like my brother's wife from long ago-You look like Katrina of old."
Katrina seemed angry, but she was polite as she could be, "Thank you-I have been told that many times-I came here to see the both of you since neither have come to see since I freed you from the Emperor."
("Be careful little one!") Sapphira said touching her mind.
"Of what? Its been nine days-The entire world has suffered at the hands of the Emperor-Your pain is no greater or less-All my life I have dreamed of being a great warrior like Eragon Shadeslayer or Nausada Nightstalker-Imagine my disappointment when I learn that my friend only told me those stories because it was apart of some ancient prophecy or plan to get me to kill the Emperor-Now here I am in front of the great Eragon Shadeslayer and Sapphira Brightscales and they can do is mope around-You are a Rider for goodness sake-Pull it together-People need you!"
"The people need you and Soarren-Sapphira I were needed during the time of Galbatorix and the Emperor Shau Ming-This is your age now and the Dragon Rider Katrina Strong is needed."
"You have great power and the two of you can help."
This time Sapphire spoke, ("We are helping-We have been trying to figure out a way to help you defeat the Emperor, but perhaps we should give you this!") They entered her mind and Sapphira and Eragon gave Katrina the true name of the ancient language.
When Eragon entered his bed room Elva was there on the bed crying. "Do you love me?"
He sighed and ran to the bed kissing her passionately. Two hours later they lay next to each other. Sapphira had gone hunting to give them privacy. "I love you-Its just been so hard."
"Let me help you!" Elva pleaded.
"You are-just be there! You don't have to say anything or do anything-Just be there."
She kissed him, "I can do that."
The next day Eragon got busy helping the Nu'Varden where ever he could. He used his magic to heal, he gave advise and became a personal advisor to Evander. He and Sapphira educated Katrina on the Emperor and sparred with the two. Katrina won as many matches against them as Eragon and Sapphira did. Eragon Shadeslayer was back, but the person everyone looked too-to kill the Emperor was Katrina.