Chapter 26 : Fun before the Leave
Eragon was looking helplessly at Arya, for he knew that she would not listen to him if he asked her to stay. Arya was pulling off her gloves, as he looked at the scroll his master had given him.
And I can't say it's too dangerous, she really will get angry on me. Then what do I do? Just let her come with you, but don't let her enter the city. Saphira said.
That's a great idea, and she can't refuse it once we are there. Thank you so much Saphira.
Eragon, you have been acting so… distant from me lately. Ever since you and Arya have become close, you have mostly refrained from talking to me, except if it is for some work. That is why I was getting angry on you for the last few days.
Eragon was stung with guilt and regret when he heard her, and he knew that they were true.
I am so sorry Saphira. I should have realized it sooner. It's fine, little one. I should not have acted in such a way either, since you had finally gotten your heart's desire. That's no reason for me to behave in such a way. I promise, we will go flying for a few hours, alone, after I finish my business with Jeod.
He felt her enthusiasm and happiness.
Speaking of Jeod, there is a little request I have to make of you, I promised him to let him ride you for a while because of everything he has done for us. He is the one who ensured that you could be freed and he is the one who is going to help me enter Galbatorix's thrice blasted castle.
He sensed irritation from her at this, but she consented when he promised he would remove the collar bone of a doe that was stuck at the back of her jaws.
"Arya, why are you removing your armor here?" Eragon asked curiously, as she put the clinking pile on his table.
Arya blushed and said, "I thought it would be nice if we stayed together today, since you are going tomorrow."
"But aren't you coming with me?" Eragon asked again, even more curious due to her reply.
She didn't seem to have any excuse now, but she replied, "I just want to be with you, I don't know what I will do alone so I though it would be a little different, being in your company." She finished with an embarrassing smile.
Eragon was flabbergasted by her reply.
S-Saphira, what do you think of this? I am pretty sure there is more than idle friendship to this decision of hers. Yeah, she slept in my arms yesterday night. Did she really? Yes. Well then, forget about me and concentrate on her. It is obvious that she wants to be with you. But I want to be with you as well. I am with Thorn now, so you can get lost, you know.
Saphira? How can you do this to me? The same way you did it to me, and I am a hundred percent sure that Thorn has something for me in his mind.
Eragon didn't reply, but said, "i have to go to Jeod." to Arya and strode out of the tent to look at Saphira. Thorn was lying next to her and Eragon was sure that he was still sad by Murtagh's disappearance. Eragon was extremely disturbed that Ssaphira now had someone other than him to confide in, someone other than him whom she could love.
What is it Eragon, are you jealous? No, of course not! I am happy for you, and I am still going to fly with you. I was just wondering how many eggs a dragon can lay at a –OW!
Saphira had tripped him with swish of her tail, and walked to where he lay, her head looming above his. And she was laughing at his reaction.
Eragon, I think it is time I did lick you from head to toe.
Eragon's felt shivers run down his spine as he imagined the great barbed tongue licking his clothes off. He tried to back away from her, but she licked his head lightly, drenching it with saliva. He could hear Thorn laughing, and his guards joining as well.
Exactly what I am going to do, I am going to lick your clothes off and let you go inside your tent where Arya is sitting and reading a book. No Saphira, please, don't do that. And why not? …I don't know why, but please, you can't- Can't I?
Alright, I am outta here! Eragon thought and jumped to his feet. He ran past Saphira, who tried to trip him again, but he jumped over her tail, and climbed onto her back. He settled into the saddle, and pulled out new straps for it. As he finished repairing the saddle he said,
Let's fly partner-of-my-heart-and-mind. Let me reach skies with the most beautiful creature in Alagaesia once again. Sure, my Rider, it would be my pleasure.
And she took off.
They flew as fast as they could towards the clouds. Eragon whooped in delight, and grabbed the spike in front of him as Saphira cork-screwed. Then he let go, and held to her scaly back only with his legs. They flew on for almost half an hour after which…
This is great. Hold on, I am diving towards Jeod's tent.
Eragon grabbed the spike as Saphira tucked her wings to her sides, and dived at a tremendous speed. Eragon yelled in joy of the flight, and Saphira gave a delighted roar.
They landed after a while, and Eragon jumped down. In front of him, whom he was delighted to see, was Helen, Jeod's wife. She smiled at him as he walked up to them. She was sitting on a chair behind a table, and bent over papers. Sure enough, there were several barrels in a side yard of the much more lavish tent.
"Why hello Eragon, as you can see, I have used your gift to the best of my knowledge. I and Jeod don't have any problem with money now."
"It was my pleasure to help. Is Jeod there? I have a very important matter to discuss with him." Eragon said, smiling in return as well.
Eragon, I think I better go and hunt. My stomach is rumbling and I really could use a hearty meal.
As you wish, love-of-my-being.
And she took off; Thorn did the same from the other side of the camp.
"Yes, Jeod is in there, buried over his books and scrolls as always." Helen replied.
Eragon nodded and entered the tent. Jeod was sitting on a chair, running a hand through his hair while he intently read a scroll. He looked up as Eragon entered and stood up, smiling.
"Ah, Eragon, how are you? It has been quite a time since we met." Jeod said, and he offered him a chair. Eragon sat down and smiled, "I am fine Jeod, and by the looks of it, things are going well with you and Helen."
Jeod's smile grew wiser, "All thanks to you, would you like something to drink? A cup of tea perhaps?"
Eragon looked at him and said, "Love to Jeod, but I can't right now. I am in a hurry, I have much to prepare with very less time to do it, and I need your help."
"Of course"
"I need you to tell me about that secret entrance into Galbatorix's castle that you found out. I need to infiltrate the castle, and I am leaving tomorrow."
Jeod looked at him, a little surprised at his decision, or so it seemed. "Since that is what you want, the entrance to the tunnel is ever changing, though the entrance remains in the same place. It has some sort of magic upon it, which I believe is the remnant of the magic the persisted there when the elves inhabited that region." He paused for a while, his eyes closed and he seemed to be trying to remember something.
"The entrance takes the shape of the thing that is the most confusing to the person. I am sure it takes the shape of riddle asking statues or sparring warriors, or even a frightened rabbit. So, my advice is think logically and smartly, for it will probably be a riddle asking statue in your case."
"The entrance is about a league from the city, towards the west. There is a large, flat region, just east the Ramr river. In the heart of that region, there is a small hill, the only hill. At its western base is the entrance to the tunnel." Jeod finished, a small smile on his face, "There is no way I can forget that. I had recited it so many times to people; it's got imbued into my memory. I can remember it as if it were the fact that the Sun rises every morning."
Eragon gave a small laugh, stood up. Jeod did the same in front of him, and clasped his hand, "I hope your quest is successful Eragon." Jeod said, a light twinkle in his eyes.
"So do I," Eragin said, then he laughed again as Saphira returned. Jeod raised an eyebrow at him.
"A little surprise for you, come with me." Eragon said, and grabbed his arm, pulling him outside.
Jeod looked at the sapphire blue dragon in front of him with awe, longing and respect and touched his first two fingers to his lips, then twisted his hand over his sternum and said, "Atra esterni ono thelduin, Saphira Skulblaka."
Elves and their idiotic courtesies, Saphira commented to Eragon before replying directly to Jeod.
Mor'ranr lifa unin hjarta onr, Jeod-elda.
Tears of happiness came to Jeod's eyes when Saphira contacted him. H went so far to say the third line as well, "Un du everinya ono varda"
Eragon waited until they finished, then grabbed Jeod's arm again and led him towards Saphira, as if he was leading a little boy towards a bag of sweets.
"Jeod, she is going to take you for a lift." Eragon said.
Jeod turned around and beamed at him, Eragon smiled and patted him in the back.
"Thank you Eragon, thanks you so much. And thank you, Saphira, as well. It has always been my greatest desire to fly atop the most beautiful being in Alagaesia." Jeod said, and Eragon helped him into the saddle, then the straps around his legs. Jeod was shivering with excitement, and when Eragon was done, Saphira took off towards the skies.
I like him, little one, he is very nice. Saphira said.
Eragon laughed as Helen looked worriedly at the distant figure of Saphira.
Go easy on him, he is not used to flying, this is his first time. Sure
He then turned around and thought about what he could give Arya.
Jewelry seems a nice idea, but I can't just give her a normal jewel. It will have to be something special, or at least something that is useful. How about I make it as something that can show her whatever she wants? No, that's ridiculous, and the amount of energy it would take would be too much. Well then, I know….
He knelt and chanted, "Arget, rïsa lam iet un malthinae unin böllr." (Silver, rise to my hand and bind into an orb.)
In a few minutes a gleaming pure silver orb was in his hand. He was exhausted, but he regained his energy from his belt.
Now to make it into a chain
With a few words, the silver became a smooth and beautiful chain, with a clutch on both ends and a hook in the center.
Now for the gem, but how do I do it?
He remembered his past experiences in magic. He tried to recall any mention of it in Brom's or Oromis's lessons. And he hit the right place. He remembered Brom saying, "A true master could just say water and create something totally unrelated, like a gemstone. You wouldn't understand how he had done it, but the master would have seen the connection between water and the gem and would have used that as the focal point for his power."
Let's try that, what is the connection between water and an…which gemstone should I make?
He immediately remembered Arya's eyes and decided that it should be an emerald.
Now water shines in the sunlight, just like an emerald does. Water glistens in the moonlight, just like an emerald does. So I can imagine an emerald glistening in the sun right now, then say 'adurna' and make the gem.
He took a palmfull of water from the tumbler on Helen's desk after taking her permission, and stood in the sunlight. He closed his eyes, and blocked out every other thought from his mind. He concentrated hard on the image of an shinning emerald resting on his palm instead of the water. Then he let the image be filled with magic. When he was sure he was ready he muttered, "Adurna".
The was a blinding flash of blue light, and something solid rested on his palm now, instead of the liquid that had been earlier. He opened his eyes and saw a beautiful green jewel. Not a drop of water remained on his palm, his palm was completely dry. But the amount of energy taken from him was astounding. He had almost blacked out with the ending of the spell.
Again, taking energy from his belt, he began the complicated process of linking two jewels. He stood there, singing to the jewel for half-an-hour, by which time Saphira returned. He placed many wards on it, and stored half of the enrgy in his belt into the jewel.
Well, looks like Arya's gift is ready. Eragon told her as he attached the emerald to the chain, making it a beautiful necklace.
It is beautiful, she will gladly wear it. Of that I am sure. Saphira replied, as Eragon helped Jeod unstrap his legs. Jeod's hair stood on end due to the wind that had blown into his face.
"My whole being loved flying. I am indeed fortunate to be able to fly with the ruler of the skies." Jeod exclaimed as he collapsed onto Eragon.