Chapter 25: Dragon Claws
For nearly an hour Fraethr and Luxor flew in circles, studying the city Gil'ead and the terrain surrounding it. Presently, Luxor wore his favorite attire for war, which was minimal. Upon his arms, chest and stomach he wore nothing, which gave him the freedom to swing his claymore Zaernan without restriction. From his waist to his feet he wore white cloth wrappings and a pair of large ebony boots. Like his master Eragon, he planned to rely mostly on wards during the fight and wouldn't allow armor to slow him down. Fraethr, his violet dragon, approved of this decision and thought it fitting for his Kull rider.
The entire situation looked hopeless, Fraethr and Luxor knew that it would be a difficult fight, even with the Elves. So high up they flew, to anyone looking from below, Fraethr would only seem to be a falcon or other large bird.
Luxor and Fraethr had done this routine for days, searching for cracks, weaknesses in the Nomad army. When the day came to a close, they would rest leagues away from the city, concealed with a spell or two. Though as often as they looked from above, they found no weaknesses in the army, at least none that could help them substantially in a fight.
Thousands of feet below them lay Gil'ead, a conglomerated collection of gray and black structures. The Eastern and Southern sections of the city were in the worst condition. Much of these areas consisted of destroyed structures, decimated by the Eastern invaders. Castle Gil'ead still held up, but was greatly damaged; nearly all of its towers were torn down and its interior destroyed. Innumerous rubble lay scattered in the moat and the cobblestone roads surrounding it.
Yet the tallest of the cone shaped towers, riddled with large holes and ruined as it was, still stood. At its very top flew the Empire flag, tattered, burnt and torn it was, yet still it flew. It seemed as if Fadawar did not care what standard was set atop his castle as long as the city was his.
Roaming about the labyrinth of streets were the conquerors of Gil'ead, the Nomad Warriors. They spat upon those of the city, treating them with disdain and indignity. Fadawar let his men do whatever they wished with the citizens, be it theft, murder or other unforgivable atrocities. And though Luxor was of a different race entirely, he could not help but feel sorrow overtake him whenever he looked upon the citizens.
To the North, the expansive Lake Isenstar stretched for leagues and leagues from East to West. Luxor was certain about ten to fifteen Spine Mountains could fit within its sheer volume. Upon Isenstar floated Gil'ead warships, now manned by the Hadarac Nomads. These ships blockaded other boats heading southeast along the Ninor River as well as any traveling North up the Ramr River. Oftentimes the Nomads would take to piracy and steal from the more desirable ships that would sweep by. In fact, the only vessels that traveled substantially were other Gil'ead boats filled with Nomads. Countless of these sailed South upon the Ramr River; they traveled to conquer the Capital.
Oftentimes when a Nomad would harass a citizen of Gil'ead, Luxor would grasp the hilt of Zaernan with frustration. He and Fraethr longed to liberate the peoples of the Empire, but they knew they could not. For Fadawar had kept the child of Lord Soren with him at all times in the mansion of the Meridian Family. In addition, Fadawar also imprisoned thousands of Imperial troops within the mansion. Now, if a sufficient rebellion began, Fadawar would order the place to be burnt down, killing all the Imperials along with the child.
And so in silence Luxor and Fraethr flew above the city and its surrounding waters, hoping to find something. Something that they could use against the Nomads, but neither rider nor dragon could find anything.
Was The War of the Mad King like this? Fraethr asked his rider in the Urgal tongue. Full of standoffs and stalemates?
"There was a time or two when things were like this" Luxor said to his violet dragon also in his native language. "Before we fought in Dras Leona for example."
And how was that?Fraethr asked in his low voice?
"It took time, but our leaders were able to figure out a plan to open the gates of the city. Once they were open, all of us stormed in and took Dras Leona that day."
Ah yes I remember that part of the tale. The Shadeslayers themselves entered secret tunnels underneath Dras Leona and worked their way to the surface. Once there, they fought their way to the city gates, which were soon crushed by the Master yes?
"It is as you say Fraethr."
A quick thought lit up in Fraethr as he said Why do we not think of a similar plan then? One to rescue the Imperials and the child of Soren?
"Because the situation is different now. If we were ever spotted doing anything suspicious, it would spell doom for the prisoners." Luxor let out a great sigh "We can do nothing but wait for the Elves, Silverblade and Moonscales." Fraethr turned his neck around and blinked one of his massive purple eyes at Luxor.
Contact him again then, let us see how far they are.
"You are right Fraethr, more will be accomplished if we do that." Fraethr grumbled softly with approval, in a way that expressed just how correct he was. For a moment Luxor looked at his saddlebags and was about to look for his mirror, but then thought better of it.
It's a hassle to look for anything in those things he thought as he transferred his attention to Zaernan. Carefully he unsheathed the sword and held it up to his face, and for a brief moment he admired the expert craftsmanship of the sword. No scratch or sign of wear could be seen upon the iridescent sword. The blade itself was roughly two inches wide and reflected a perfect image of Luxor's features. Yes, this will work just fine.
Looking just above the silver crossguard where the blade was widest, he said "Draumr Kopa." Immediately the bottom of the sword turned pitch black, and just like before, Luxor had to shout Mathias's name to get his attention. Before long the image changed as Mathias fumbled with his mirror, which resulted with a grin from Luxor. After a bit more jostling of the image, Mathias's face filled the bottom part of Zaernan. Behind him Luxor could make out the blue sky and at times a flicker of silver. It was clear he was presently flying upon Kes'thara.
"Aye Luxor! This is amusing, I was just about to contact you!" Mathias said to him with a smile.
"Ha! What have you to say?" Luxor asked him with his guttural accent as he switched to the Common Tongue.
"The Elves, Kes'thara and I will be arriving in Gil'ead by nightfall."
"At last!" Luxor said to him with a relieved tone. "Should we stay still?"
"No by all means, you both should fly West to meet up with us. It should only take an hour or so for that to happen. Shouldn't be too hard to find us, a dragon and an army are both hard to miss."
"We will Silverblade" Luxor said as the image on Zaernan started to fade. "And Mathias!"
"What?" Mathias asked, the image on Zernan now fully clear again.
"Firnen and the gold one, they with you?" For a moment Mathias flinched when Luxor mentioned the gold knight.
"Chaos and Firnen will not be fighting with us in Gil'ead, they choose to liberate Yazuac and Daret with other Elves. If all goes well, the plan is to meet with them in Ilirea."
"I see" said Luxor. "We will do as you say Silverblade." Mathias nodded to him one last time as the bottom of Zaernan became amethyst once again.
Let us go thenFraethr said before propelling himself to the West.
Across the sky they flew above the Ninor River; the fast winds at times sent chills throughout Mathias's body despite the armor he wore. Kes'thara and he flew more slowly than they usually would, otherwise they would be much farther ahead of the Elves below. Gently her wings flapped, this sluggish pace almost bored him, but he knew it was necessary. Studying their new allies as well as their enemies was a smart use of their time Mathias figured.
Along the Ninor River marched thousands upon thousands of Elves prepared for war. As the multitude traveled, their armor and weaponry gleamed brilliantly in the bright sunlight, almost blinding Mathias. In unison the Elves marched, resulting in loud thumps each time they took a step. To him this seemed odd, a fact occurred to him that he overlooked before.
Aren't Elves supposed to be silent and light footed?he mentally said to Kes'thara.
It seems that their light footedness does make some noise after all small oneshe said to him.
Yes, only noticeable when they are in groups like this I suppose. Makes me wonder how loud an army of men would be.
Oh they would be much worse Kes'thara said. Not only would their footsteps be much louder, but they would never be able to quit jabbering!
With a short laugh Mathias responded saying True enough Kes! As far as I could tell when I walked with the Elves, only their commanders spoke.
They are a strange folkKes'thara said.
"Indeed they are" Mathias finished as he watched the army below advance. He brought his attention towards the Du Weldenvarden forest from which the Elves came. From where they flew, Mathias saw the Southwestern edges of the great woods. And odd enough it seemed, a few mountains lay scattered upon these parts of the woods. So out of place these mountains looked, it was as if a child had thrown a large rock upon a field of grass. To Mathias they simply didn't seem to belong there among the trees, as if they were out of place. Though his observations were soon interrupted by Kes'thara as she roared with pride and joy.
There they are Mathias!she said to him happily while pointing East. Quickly Mathias turned his gaze in the direction she gave. It only took a moment for him to notice a violet figure approaching them; Kes'thara's pace increased. A second later a deep and mighty roar echoed across the lands, coming from Fraethr himself. Relief poured throughout Mathias as he let out a relaxed sigh, it was great to see a familiar face or two amidst this insanity. And so Kes'thara flew as fast as she could towards the pair ahead, both she and Mathias were curious as to what they found out. Slowly and slowly Fraethr seemed to grow in size as they flew towards him. Gradually this continued, till after around a third of an hour had passed, the two pairs met up with each other.
"Ah Silverblade" Luxor said,
and Moonscales!Fraethr finished.
And hello to you two!Kes'thara said merrily while Mathias chuckled at the way the pair spoke.
"What amuses you Mathias?" asked Luxor.
"You said something, stopped, then Fraethr finished your phrase. Yes, all riders and dragons do so, I shouldn't have laughed. Sorry about that."
Ah yes that does tend to happen sometimesFraethr said as he started to fly towards the Elves.
Where are you going? Kes'thara asked them. Weren't you going to show us any weaknesses the Nomads have?
"Not much can be said of that" Luxor said. He and Fraethr then explained how the situation in Gil'ead presently was.
"This is unfortunate" Mathias said after his tale was done. Newfound sorrow began to overtake Mathias, which initially surprised him. He had never before cared much for anyone, why would he be feeling this way now? Before he could think of this more, Kes'thara interrupted his thoughts as she spoke to Fraethr and Luxor.
I take it you wish to talk with Dathedr? Of tactics and plans perhaps?
"Yes" Luxor simply said.
"Well I wish you good luck with that" Mathias said to him. "I have a feeling he won't tell you very much."
He's bound to tell us something Fraethr said. The four of us will need to know what the battle plans are so we can properly fight with them.
I'm not so sure, but we will see how open he isKes'thara responded.
For another fourth of an hour or so, the dragons and riders temporarily flew back towards the Elves. This time, Mathias looked to the South as they flew, examining the ocean of green plains stretching across the land. He was thankful in times like these that he was lucky enough to be a dragon rider. It was a joy beyond all others for him to be able to ride upon Kes'thara. If it wasn't for her he would still be a despicable street rat just barely scraping by. Thoughts like these floated in his head for quite some time until finally the Elves came into view. Another few silent minutes of flying passed as the dragons began their descent. In time the Elves grew closer and closer as the four beings fell towards the earth.
When they were about two hundred or so feet above the ground, Mathias spotted Dathedr among the Elves. He walked in front of the legions, leading them at a fast Elven pace. Only a few more moments passed before Fraethr and Kes'thara landed in front of them. The Elves momentarily stopped their marching, but immediately resumed. To Mathias, they showed no signs of surprise or fear as they continued to march around the dragons. That is, all the Elves except for Dathedr, who himself walked towards the riders and dragons at a much slower pace. Dathedr spoke a word or two, and soon afterwards Mathias could not hear the marching of the soldiers. For Dathedr must have muffled their sounds with magic once again.
"Greetings again Silverblade and Moonscales!" Dathedr said to Mathias and Kes'thara with a grin. "Greetings Darkwings and Fiercerider!" he said to Luxor and Fraethr. "As you can see," he said with outstreatched arms, "the Alfakyn will do their part in these dark times."
"How do you plan to take Gil'ead?" Luxor asked him. "Fraethr and I have flown for days and found no flaws in their armies."
And much of their army floats upon the Isenstar Lake Fraethr added. How do you plan on taking the city without a navy of your own?
"It is of little concern my friends" Dathedr said nonchalantly. With a slight grin he said "Before the start of tomorrow, the Hadarac Nomads will come to us. The only plan for us is to wait for them in the fields south of Gil'ead." Mathias's mouth opened in shock upon hearing this, what he said was nonsensical.
"What makes you think that they will abandon their defenses to attack us?" Mathias argued. "They are perfectly safe and wish to live off the good peoples of Gil'ead for years!" He then waved his arm to eccentuate his point.
He is right Lord Dathedr Kes'thara continued. What you are proposing is an impossibility, a fool's plan. The Nomads simply will not leave their fortresses and vessels.
"I wouldn't be so quick to assume such riders and dragons" Dathedr said with a smirk. And in the Ancient Language he said "Believe me, before the night is finished, they will meet us in the fields!" Immediately confusion welled up in Mathias and he opened his mouth to voice his thoughts. Though soon he was interrupted by Fraethr, who proved to share Mathias's opinion.
For what reasons would they do this? Fraethr asked Dathedr. What makes you so certain they will attack us this way?A few long moments passed where Dathedr said nothing, but only grinned at them in a strange way. Though it did not seem like he grinned at them, but beyond them, perhaps he smiled because of what was about to happen? Mathias could not decipher what it was the Elf was planning, for he was sure Dathedr was crazed. Nothing he said made sense and it made Mathias and Kes'thara worry for the battles that were to come.
As if nothing had happened, Dathedr began to march again, doubling his pace to reach the front of the army. Though he did not make much progress before Luxor asked him an odd question.
"Dathedr?"
"Yes Fiercerider?" Dathedr asked as he stopped in his tracks.
"Your weapons, two swords? Why? Isn't one enough?" Luxor said. Mathias was surprised at this question he asked of Dathedr given the situation they were in. Why he did not ask Dathedr more about their battle plans he knew not. Though an instant later he figured out Luxor's intentions. If Dathedr refused to directly answer their questions about the Nomads, the least he could do was figure out about the way he fought. And it was a fine idea, after sparring with the others in Mirandel, Mathias knew that much could be learned from someone just by their fighting style.
With this in mind, Mathias's attention was directed towards Dathedr's attire and weapons. He wore silver plated armor that protected most of his body. This meant he would depend more on his physical strength than his magical defences in a fight. Oddly enough though, he wore no helmet, in effect leaving his head free to an attack. He wondered why Dathedr would forget that vital kind of equipment for a fight, one could simply lop his head right off.
After examining the armor, Mathias took a good look at the sheathed swords at Dathedr's sides. They were identical twins, slightly curved much like his own sword Tyrfing. These two blades appeared to be katanas, both a foot or so shorter in length than Tyrfing. Though he knew the length of one's sword had nothing to do with the wielder's skill. He only had to think of Arya and Lyra's abilities as proof of this. Yet there was one other curious feature that made the swords unique when compared to others. Short spiked chains extended from both of Dathedr's gauntlets, connected to the hilt of each sword. The chains from his right gauntlet were connected to his right katana and vice versa. Mathias simply assumed he did this so that he would never lose his weapons in battle.
All of these examinations of his took only a few quiet seconds. In answer to Luxor's question, Dathedr put his right hand over the hilt of his right katana.
"Being riders yourselves, you ought to know that a dragon does not have one claw." He then placed his left hand on the hilt of his left sword, "But they have many." With a smirk he looked upon them with startling pride. "Back away now, it would be a shame to go into battle with weakened wards" he said with a cold voice. Without a word the two dragons and riders stepped back from the Elf. The Elves marching around them changed their course like flowing water when the pairs changed their position.
Dathedr gave them an unsatisfied look, "Spread out further if you will." Both dragons and riders slowly backed away from the Elf, giving him plenty of room to demonstrate. When they were about fifty feet away from where Dathedr stood he told them to stop.
Why would he need so much space to show us what he can do?Kes'thara asked her rider.
I know not Kes, but whatever it is, I don't like it.
As soon as Mathias finished this thought, Dathedr pulled out both of his swords blindingly fast. Those marching closest to him broke rank and cautiously marched as far away from him as they could. All these Elves seemed to know what was about to happen and wanted to keep their wards intact. Dathedr looked upon the dragons and riders with a slight smile. His steel katanas pointing towards the earth at a diagonal angle.
"Observe and learn much Silverblade and Fiercerider!" Dathedr said with a proud voice. He then closed his eyes and exhaled deeply, his mouth then forming a small grin. Steadily he opened his eyes, a cold expression of malice forming upon his face. For a few collected moments he stood there simply staring at the riders and dragons. And then, he began.
Dathedr swung his twin blades in unison at imaginary foes, taunting the air as he did so. He fought impossibly fast; Mathias wasn't even sure if Master Eragon would be able to keep up with him. Mercilessly Dathedr's blades hacked at the air with fervor, tearing apart the imaginary foes surrounding him. Oftentimes he would block imaginary attacks from his foes as well as hack away at them. It was a dark, but very precise dance of war that Dathedr performed for them. And with one last twirl of his katanas, Dathedr stood still for a moment, his two swords pointing at the ground again. He then did something Mathias never expected any warrior would ever do: he let go of his weapons.
Yet they did not just fall to the ground; the chains upon each of his gauntlets held the swords in place. For a moment, Dathedr smiled at the four beings again, then he resumed his demonstration. This time, he brought both of his arms behind him, each sword held in place by the chains on his gauntlets. Then with blinding speed he swung his arms over his head in a vertical motion. Mathias expected the two swords to simply slam into the ground in front of Dathedr because of the chains. Though this was only partly true, as Dathedr did this move, the chains in his gauntlets extended. By magic or some sort of machinery in his armor Mathias knew not the reach of the chains were greatly expanded. With a speed like no other these dragon claws were hurled through the air. Still connected by the chains, they soared down and buried themselves into the earth with deafening thuds. With a swift flick of his gauntlets, Dathedr pulled back the chain/sword/whips back at him. He then twirled them about him with great skill at such speeds Mathias knew the chains alone would tear apart a man. Like a berserker Dathedr swung his chain/swords around him, cleaving the air and earth with equal ferocity. A few more moments passed of this, then with a few quick adjustments his attack style changed again.
Dathedr dethatched the chains on his gauntlets, then reattached their ends to each other this time. What he had now was a singular chain with two katanas on each side. With a precise tug, Dathedr pulled one side of the chain to bring back one of his blades. When he caught it with both hands he held the sword in a reverse grip, ready to use the entirety of the weapon. Flawlessly he swung the now giant chain whip sword all around him. Now that the chains and swords were combined into one weapon, its reach was lengthened even moreso. Yet not only did he simply swing the massive weapon, he also twirled the katana in his hands to kill any imaginary enemies that got too close. A dark and chilling laughter came from Dathedr, one that frightened Mathias even more than the way he fought.
Then with a quick word in the ancient language, the chains began to decrease in size. With great speed the blade furthest from Dathedr was pulled back to its brother. In time they were connected, hilt to hilt, though chainless this time. Because of the curve of the two katanas, the huthvir-like blades formed a slight S shape. He then began to swing the huthvir without pause, continuing his imaginary massacre. Oftentimes he taunted after his strokes and victories, obviously he believed himself to be the greatest. Moreso than his other three styles he blocked with his huthvir; clearly it was his defensive style.
Long moments passed where he continued to slash and hack at the air until in time he uttered a new phrase in the Ancient Language. Immediately the huthvir split in half into two separate katanas again. They were then reconnected by a chain, but it was not as long as it was before. Without pause he sheathed his two blades and said another phrase in the Ancient Language. The chain connecting the two hilts then was split in half once more. Both chains returned to their respective gauntlets to rest. His display finished, Dathedr walked back up to the four dumbstruck dragons and riders.
"Before all else," he said to them in a vain voice, "be armed." Soundlessly he began to briskly walk with his army, determined to reach the front again.