Chapter 28-Deception
Disclaimer: I don't own the Inheritance Series, any of Paolini's characters, or the Ancient Language. I also haven't read Brisingr, so please don't mention it!
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Camouflaged in the foliage on a nearby ridge, Lenora and Eridor watched the group. Small shafts of light reflected off the smooth scales of the dragon, playing onto the dead leaves and pine needles that littered the forest floor. Though they could easily see Saphira and the small figures of the rest of the group, they remained too far to hear what was occurring in order to stay undetected. However with the advantage of sight, they were now able to use a scryed image and watch the processes unfold. Lenora found that upon her first attempt to scry Eragon, the image remained blank. Resorting to the next best option, she then tried Saphira and was able to gain an image from there. Despite this perplexing setback, the rest of the group was revealed thereafter. Having practiced using small quantities of magic for some time, Lenora now had the ability to conjure sound from the images. With this improvement, they eavesdropped on Eragon's plans in hopes to discover how to enter the mountain.
Upon listening to Eragon's description of the treachery involved in an attempt to navigate the falls, Lenora was disheartened. The knowledge of her physical inabilities to swim strongly enough or perform the same complex spell aggravated her as she watched with dismay as the rider parted the water in two with ease, allowing the group to wade through the middle safely. The image beyond the water showed a flat wall, which parted into doors. Though they could not see who it was that greeted the group, she watched as Eragon appeared to embrace someone with a smile before introducing Roran and Katrina. The reunion was brief and the conversation was soon taken inside. The background turned blank, and Lenora found that following them further would aid her little. The image faded and the effects caught up to her. Even with practice, the magic still took its toll. It would take some time before her body was used to the consequences, however insignificant a spell she used.
That was rather inconclusive, commented Eridor.
Thank you, my scaly, obvious dragon, Lenora retorted. How are we going to get in?
Don't ask me, I saw the same that you did. We both know that even if you could dive at the correct angle, with your leg you would never make in through that water.
I repeat, thank you--
Aye, your scaly, obvious dragon. I know, he said. Got to protect my title, you know. As she glanced up at him, she saw his face in a toothy grin-the dragon equivalent of a smirk. She lightly smacked his side.
What is it with dragons? Lenora thought to herself. We don't even know what's beyond those doors, but whoever came out to greet them was obviously a friend. I very much doubt we'll be regarded as such.
Well we cannot stay out here and wait for your vision to come true. While Murtagh was convinced the vision was fake, we must make sure it doesn't come to pass. Galbatorix could have instructed him to deter us from attempting to enter the Varden as it would hinder his efforts to capture or kill us. One way or another, we must get in.
Even if we do get in, we won't go unnoticed. Do you realize how large you've gotten recently? she asked him. In response, the dragon backed up and spread his wings between the trees, looking from one to the other.
I'm not that big, he said. But I guess you're right. People would certainly stop and gape at me were I to pass in front of them.
Well at the least, you're certainly big-headed, she joked.
Speak for yourself, he retorted, settling upon the ground next to her. When it comes to fighting, you've got enough confidence for the both of us!
Alright, enough! Lenora said, though she couldn't hide her smile. We need to figure out how to get in. That dwarf's life could depend on us, and that would be the perfect opportunity to prove ourselves to the Varden.
After sneaking into their mountain? It's doubtful that they will welcome us with open arms.
Aye, it's not the best approach, but you heard what Eragon said-they examine the minds of anyone who enters who has not previously been through and found acceptable. No doubt Eragon will soon tell them about us, being as "ruthless" as we are. They surely wouldn't listen to us, much less allow us to pass, she said. But we cannot allow that to deter us.
So what do you propose we do, mighty rider?
Lenora sighed, glancing up through the trees at the descending sun. I know not. Give me some time to think on it.
With pleasure, Eridor replied, rising again to his feet and opening his wings. The last shafts of sun filtered through the membranes, dulling the light as it shone upon his rider. I've an empty belly. Would you like something?
Remembering the massive rabbit Eridor had deposited at her feet the first time he had hunted with the mountains, Lenora was wont to ask for food. If you can stay your greedy instincts, I'll simply take a piece from your kill.
After a pause, the emerald dragon agreed, but the tone in his voice sounded like that of a young child forced to share a precious toy. As he leapt from the forest floor, leveling out directly above the canopy to avoid detection, Lenora lay back against a smooth rock and closed her eyes for a moment. To take the guards by force would be an endeavor surely met with injury and their discovery. But to attempt secrecy was assumingly impossible. To pass through the waterfall would require a great amount of strength, but she mused that perhaps Eridor was now strong enough to leap through the water with her upon his back. But that would prove incredibly careless and revealing; they may as well hand themselves over to the guards in ribbons.
As she gave thought to the ideas, she slowly drifted off to sleep. Eridor returned and ate quietly nearby to deter predators, saving a piece of the kill wrapped awkwardly in a cloth. He curled gently around both the rock and rider, yellow eyes bright and alert in the darkness.
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Lenora woke with a start, grimacing at the smart in her back from sleeping against a rock the entire night. She took in her surroundings, trying to remember when she fell asleep.
Morning, Eridor said. Do you do your best thinking while asleep?
Oh, and I suppose you came up with a few bright ideas yourself? she retorted. He yawned casually.
As a matter of fact, I have, he stated, gazing down at her. While you slept, I came up with a plan that just might work.
Surprised, Lenora cocked an eyebrow. And that would be?
After our discussion last night, I turned your comment around on you. While this scaly hide of mine may have changed, so has yours, Eridor commented slyly. She rolled her eyes, but allowed him to continue. Due to Saphira's gift, after only a brief time as a rider, you look nearly as if you could be an elf…a rough elf at that, but perhaps with the absence of a dragon, your pointed ears and fine features may pass.
Skeptical, Lenora pushed herself from the ground and grabbed the waterskin, glancing back at the dragon to ensure he wasn't playing her. She squeezed a small amount into a dish in in the rock against which she had slept and peered at her reflection. Her eyes shone with wonder, having not seen herself in months. The tips of her ears had taken to a subtle point, her face had become slightly less rough and the scars which marred her features seemed faded. Her golden hair framed this new face of hers in wavy locks. The emerald face of her dragon appeared behind her.
It would seem the fugitive has perhaps become wanted on more than one level, he commented. With a grin, she turned and wrapped her arms around his snout, letting the vibrations of his hum reverberate through her.
Now tell me, she said, pulling away from his warmth. What it is I might be able to do with these traits? What would an elf be doing in the middle of the Beors?
While Eragon was teaching you about the Varden and his time in Ellesméra, you did happen to catch the name of the Elvin Queen, did you not?
Queen…Islanzadi, she replied, as her stomach rumbled.
Aye. All you must do is tell the guards you are a messenger from Queen Islanzadi, come to give a message to Lady Nasuada, leader of the Varden, he said, sitting on his haunches and watching her for a reaction.
You listened to a lot more than I gave you credit for, Eridor. But what will I do when they plan to search my mind? She noticed the cloth with the meat, but in their close proximity to the mountain, starting a fire would be foolish. She dug through her pack and pulled out a bundle of berries and soft leaves she had found to be edible. She mused that she was turning into Eragon.
What will you do? Must you even ask that question? I think you know exactly what to do, he replied mischievously.
That would cause chaos! Besides, they must surely confiscate weapons in the name of safety until the visitor has been proven trustworthy.
Then leave your weapons with me. Use what you know of hand-to-hand combat, as you have always done, and leave them to live.
What of the others? While a few may fight, as guards, it is their duty to inform the leader of a disturbance and a threat to both her and the Varden's welfare.
Eridor sat in thought for a moment. There should be a way to attract the attention of all the primary guards without alarming them…
As she leaned against a tree and slid to the ground to eat, Lenora noticed the glint of light off the hilt of the dagger in her boot, and paused. I think I have it.
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You can't be serious! Eridor said, watching her suspiciously.
What other way is there Eridor? We don't have many options, nor do we have the time, she said.
Well we certainly have the time to at least give thought to a few other ideas, he said, standing to challenge her position. Simply because you think you can handle it doesn't mean you should. Even if it does work, what would we do after? Hide in a dark corner and hope the guards don't pass by?
She gazed up at him calmly. We can do it on the day of the coronation. I can scry Saphira again. Given that this is an election of a King, no doubt it will be on the minds of more than a few individuals. There's bound to be talk of it. All we must do is enter shortly before, and then we can apprehend the archer.
You make it sound as if it were the most simply task in all of Alagaësia, he said, his tone becoming exasperated. He knew once his rider had set her mind, there was little he could do to reverse her thoughts. What do you expect to happen afterwards?
That is where it gets tricky, she admitted, as he snorted in disagreement. I may be able to capture this mysterious assassin without drawing attention to myself.
And what, I just stand off to the side and allow my rider to put herself in harm's way, hoping for the best? I think not.
You can hold down and smother him once I take away his bow and arrow. Does that suit you?
Eridor grumbled in annoyance, but agreed. At the very least, there should be a few days until the coronation that we can use to think of other methods in which we can do this.
Shall we find out? Lenora turned again to the water and murmured the words.
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Darvar's rough hands stacked the slips of parchment carefully, knowing they were essential to the future of his race. Having gone through rigorous mind examinations to ensure he held no intentions other than those he professed to the board, he had been given the privilege to handle the ballots, along with a group of other dwarves who had gone through the same processes. After each of the dwarves had voted for their candidate, their slip of parchment was placed in a magically sealed box that required a password in the ancient language that was changed daily in order to open. As the proceedings concluded for the day, Darvar and his group would gather these and bring them to the council where they would be again placed in a larger container and sorted by these elect dwarves who would ultimately determine the winning candidate, based upon the majority of votes within the council after reviewing the votes from the dwarves of Farthen Dûr.
The clans tended toward different candidates, premised upon who took to heart their values and who supported their beliefs. Given the circumstances of Hrothgar's death, it was to be assumed that a leader who supported the dragon race would likely not win the election. While Saphira and Eragon's efforts had certainly not gone unnoticed, all the dwarves knew that this election was going to result in a narrow range. Should the votes happen to produce no majority, these results would be sent to a new group of dwarves who would then decide who became King. The coronation was to be held the following night and the tension was becoming increasingly clear. Some of the members of Dûrgrimst Ebardac had expressed a deep loathing for Orik's values and assured whoever would listen that they would secede from the Varden and move to Tarnag should he win.
Darvar was certain that despite the lingering sadness from their late King's death, the next day was certain to be telling as to what the dwarves truly held sacred.
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Easily discovering both the date and place of the election by listening to the conversations that swirled about Saphira and Eragon, Lenora and Eridor were ready to set their plan in motion. Inside the mountain, a lone archer was under the impression that, disguised in the crowds of the audience, he would be effectively hidden and remain undiscovered. The emerald rider and dragon were determined to prove otherwise.
Coming to the conclusion that there was little other way to gain access to the fortress of a mountain, Eridor had finally agreed to Lenora's plan. Now she stood in the middle of their camp, ready to begin the first step of their rescue. Leaning down, she took hold of her dagger and pulled it free of its sheath, placing the blade to her arm. Then Eridor flared his wings, the motion catching her eye and causing her to pause.
Wait! he said, approaching her. I can't let you do this, you're too unpredictable. I have no idea how far you'll take it, when only a little should suffice.
Eridor, this is not the time to second-guess ourselves. Have you suddenly devised a new plan?
Nay, but…let me do it. I know I will be more careful, and it should look more genuine. She shrugged, but replaced the dagger in its place, holding her arms out, closing her eyes. When she felt no pain, she opened them again and looked around. Eridor hovered above her, holding the dead deer from a recent kill.
What are you doing?
I have found a better way, he said. Look down and close your eyes again. Doing as he asked, she then felt warm drops spilling upon her head, sliding down her neck and under her tunic. The sensation made her shiver in revulsion, but she allowed the work to be done. She heard a thud, and saw the carcass upon the ground, the throat slit. Eridor dipped his tail in still more blood and flicked it at her in quick succession. Then he approached, and carefully hooked a claw in the fabric of her clothing and tore, leaving long gashes and tears. Lenora admired his creativity; without being slashed by dagger or claw, this would allow her to fight at her peak and appear as if she still had been attacked.
How do I look? she asked.
Bloody, he said.
Aye, that was the point, she remarked. Flick some on my quiver; I'll take only that and a few arrows to appear as if I had to escape without my bow and pack.
An hour later, Eridor had taken his spot upon the ridge, using his similarly colored scales to hide within the leaves but watch what happened, ready to protect Lenora should the need arise. They had determined that a certain few guards upon a high ledge stood hidden unless a figure approached, as the group had a few days previously. This Lenora used to her advantage as she had approached the mountain from around the lake, limping as usual, but appearing bedraggled and as if having been attacked. She glanced quickly up at the guard post as she reached the edge of the waterfall, leaning against a small tree that had embedded its roots near the water.
"Aí varden abr du Ellesméra gata vanta!" she yelled, coughing to add to the effect. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the motion of the topmost guards and hunched over, repeating the words weakly. The blood that covered her was easily seen from the distance and she hoped that the guards would investigate. Within a short period of time, she heard the creaking of the stone doors and the waterfall revealed a passage along the edge, created by the opening of the doors. Several guards hurried out, swords or arrows at the ready.
If they shoot you, they will discover a new meaning to the term "minced meat," Eridor said.
"What is your name and what business have you here?" one of the guards demanded, ignoring her injuries.
She added a roughness to her voice and looked into his eyes to appear as truthful as possible. "My name is Lenwë. I…have traveled from Ellesméra. I carry a message from Queen Islanzadi to Lady Nasuada." The guards took note of her ears and her unique features. There were few others who looked as such.
"What does this message contain?" he continued.
"It concerns matters of the war and strategies through which my Queen feels should be shared with the Varden in order to strengthen our forces," she replied, coughing and shaking slightly. "Beyond that, I cannot tell you. These are confidential plans that must be reviewed prior to their exposal."
Coming to the conclusion that should she be lying, they were to examine her mind once she entered the fortress, the guard finished his interrogation. The others lowered their weapons for she had none of her own. "What has happened to you?"
"My horse and I were attacked by a cave bear shortly after we passed into the valley," she said, gathering more of the guards as they became intrigued in this lone, injured elf. "It managed to kill him upon the first blow, striking him in the dark of night, but I managed to escape, leaving my bow and pack behind. I've been at the mercy of the forest for days, traveling here on foot with many an injury. My message is urgent and I mustn't give up. Please grant me passage for I require a healer-I've been dizzy from loss of blood."
"Right away, let us help you inside. You must subject to the mind screening before we proceed."
"Aye, I know of this," she said, taking a step forward, her right foot dragging and causing her to trip. Two guards caught her and held her up.
"Come now men, we need a few of you to escort her in. She is in no shape to walk!" the head called. As several others came to hold her upright, she noticed the empty entrance to the mountain. No guards appeared past the small passage beside the falls and now was her chance. As they drew nearer to the water, she murmured a simple spell to close the door nearest to them until the water cascaded down upon the few men before her. Taken by surprise, the others took a step back, taking her with them. She planted her feet and caused them to both lose their balance, then threw an elbow to the chest of one, pivoted and delivered a punch to the other. Five out, five to go. Noticing the rest of the guards had their attention focused upon her, weapons again out and ready to fight, she smirked as she watched Eridor quietly drop down behind them. After the bows of three had been suddenly smashed, the remaining swordsmen turned around and gasped in horror. Lenora took this opportunity to wrap an arm around the neck of one and poke a knuckle on a pressure point below his ear, sending him to his knees, scrabbling at her hands. She added pressure and he lost consciousness. The rest of the guards had succumbed to Eridor's tail, all lying upon the ground, scraped, but not dead.
"Come, we must hurry," she said, motioning for Eridor to approach. He crouched and she climbed on. His muscles bunched and she prepared herself. Then, with a powerful leap, he propelled himself through the water. For an instant, Lenora thought they might not make the other side as the weight of the water pushed the dragon back to the earth, before they crashed into something on the opposite side. What greeted them was not was they expected. Eridor had collided with one of three Urgals whose clear intent was to block the doorway to the mountain. The sight of the dragon shocked them as much as it did to the dragon and rider, and Eridor was able to swipe his tail at one to his side and knock it down. However, these attacks did little to the Urgals, whereas to the guards, it would be crippling. Lenora unsheathed her sword that was strapped to the saddle and prepared to fight.
Lenora you must go! I can handle the Urgals, Eridor said, growling at the third brute who swung his own sword before him. The spines upon the dragon's back seemed to bristle and extend in preparation to fight.
I won't leave you here, you've never fought Urgals before!
How much different can they be? he said, slashing at the one.
They're a whole different species-they take a lot more force to defeat, but we don't want to kill any. We already don't have a good name within the Varden, she replied.
Alright, I can handle them. You must complete what we have done all of this for, otherwise it will all be for naught, he said, growling and using a wing to hit the Urgal while attacking with his claws. He blocked the entrance to the mountain to make sure she passed through safely. As Lenora started to dismount, the second Urgal had begun to rise and she jumped from the dragon's back to land upon it's chest, throwing it back to the ground before she took off at her fastest limp toward where she knew Orik's life was in danger.
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A/N:
Sorry for the REALLY late update, once again. I've had this chap halfway done for a few weeks, but have been too busy to finish it until now. I'm assuming that by scrying Saphira, Lenora can see Eragon and the group. As well, the political side to this is vague for a reason, so just ignore my naiveté in this aspect.
Smileysun: Sorry for the wait-please don't haunt me! ;-) I'm writing as quickly as I can, but college rules my life and updates will come when they come. Thanks for the feedback and the motivation to make me write faster, it really helped.
Thanks to Echizen-Ryoma, Winged Vampire Girl, Smileysun, Blogger X, Sandstorm, Lulu and Eragon's Baby Mama for the reviews!
