Key:

Italics= Thoughts, spoken with thought. In chapter, used to describe event.

Underlined Bold= Time Skip

All ancient language words used in this chapter are improvised. As always, I use the inheriwiki database to find words, but it isn't exactly a dictionary.

In the medical scene, I would've used more detail, but I only have a high-schoolers knowledge of the human body. I also hated biology.

To Lightkit: I would never be angry at you, don't worry. I'll make sure to use all of your advice once I get to my edits into second drafts. I just give them to you in your basic form. You know, I was wondering, after I am done, start working on second drafts. You think you could help me out and be my editor? It would be a giant help, that way I don't have to really concentrate on not making huge mistakes when I'm rewriting the opening chapters.

I tried to personalize Saphira's memory segment in this chapter, meaning that I put words I think a dragon would use in there. I feel that I failed there though. Anyways, to the story!

Inheritance Book 4: End

Chapter 35: After the Conflict

Eragon became conscious all of a sudden, his head hurt un-imaginably bad. He felt warm, he was covered. A wet towel draped over his forehead.

I wonder where I am. Last thing I remember…

Suddenly, Eragon burst up.

"Clark!" He said.

He was in a small room by himself. A lantern glowed on a table beside him. He was covered by a blanket. He still had the worst headache ever. Suddenly the door opened. Angela entered.

"So, you finally awaken." She said.

"Yes… Tell me, what is going on…?" Eragon responded. "O, wait."

He reached out for Saphira and they embraced their minds together, Eragon shared his memory of his experience.

I was worried for you little one. She said. I apologize, but this canvas house is too small for me to put my head in. Worry not, for I am here.

I was worried for you to Saphira. I need to know what happened!

Fear not, Angela will tell you everything.

"Ok, now I'm ready." Eragon said. "Sorry about that."

"Worry not. I do not care." Angela responded with a detached air.

Eragon examined her, and saw that her eyes were bloodshot with weariness.

"I didn't know you could get tired, never seen you like this before."

"Eragon, there are many things that you do not know about me, and many things that you will never know about me."

Eragon nodded.

"Anyways," Eragon began. "What happened? How did I come to be here?"

"We found you up on top of that tower, unconscious. Along with the boy rider we had seen with you in the skies." She said. Eragon remembered the moment Clark had fallen. He closed his eyes in a slight horror. Finally… another dragon rider. But, as always, the meeting was short, but fruitful in many ways.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

"Clark… It's my fault he's dead." Eragon said.

"Fear not, he is alive."

Eragon glanced up.

"That can't be," He began. "I-I saw him go down. No one could have survived that, not even me."

"The boy is in critical condition, which is why we needed you to wake as soon as possible. There is not a single spell weaver among the Varden that can heal wounds of this extreme. The elves have tried, but their energy was depleted during the battle. Their spells are not powerful enough anyways. You Eragon are linked to a dragon. Thus, your magic is far more powerful. You are the only ones that can reverse such deadly wounds."

"But… how? How did he survive? I saw the sword; it was driven right through his heart."

"We have no idea, but for some reason. His heart still beats. He still breaths."

"Well, there is only one way to find out how he lived through it. Take me to him."

Angela glanced at Eragon with a slight disposition.

"Very well." She said. "Fly with Saphira to the tower, someone there will direct you."

"Thank you Angela." He responded, giving her a smile.

Eragon began to exit the tent, he turned.

"One last question."

"Hm?" She asked.

"Did we win? Or… is there still more to do for the battle. Is it still going on in separate parts of the city?" Eragon asked.

"Small fights still rage throughout the city. But, the city has mostly fallen under our will. The fighting force you released from the castle flanked the remaining enemy soldiers; they were helpless under our wrath. Although, we definitely wouldn't have won without your help." She responded.

"No. This day belongs to Clark, I only did one thing. But he saved me, he's the one who released the fighters, he gave me a chance. Sadly, I failed. I have no idea how I escaped this alive." Eragon said.

"What do you mean?" She asked, her interest piqued.

"When I was laying there, with no strength left… The man who was about to kill me, burst into flames." He said.

"How is that possible…?" She asked.

"I don't know, maybe Clark will know. He may have still been conscious when I was fighting with Galbatorix." He said.

"Wait! You were fighting Galbatorix!" She asked.

"I'll tell you about it later, get some sleep." He said.

She nodded. Eragon left.

When he stepped out of the tent, he immediately met Saphira. Eragon hugged her around the neck.

Do you always encounter trouble when you leave me? She asked.

It's just my luck. Eragon said. I always live through it, don't I?

Don't expect that to last forever little one. She said. Luck cannot be relied upon to get you out of every situation.

Eragon grinned.

It matters not, I owe Clark. Let's go save him, just as he saved me. Eragon said.

Eragon climbed aboard Saphira's back and they flew in silence, Saphira shared her experiences with Eragon.

The battle raged, long and grueling as Saphira and Zaelon helped the Varden fight many of the two-legs below. But, together, Saphira and Zaelon held out. But when victory was finally near. Zaelon felt Clark get hit. He roared and charged to the tower. His attempts to get past the barrier were fruitless though.

Saphira attempted to calm him, but he just kept raging at the barrier. Nothing was working. But then finally, a red flash of hot fire burst from the small glass barriers that lay on top of the building, and the barrier subsided. Suddenly, Saphira could feel Eragon again. He was hurt, but not badly. She remained calm.

But Clark was hurt very badly. Zaelon flew towards the building and crashed through the ceiling. Saphira followed, worried for her relatives quarry. Blood covered the floor under Clark. He was breathing, if barely. Saphira called to the Varden spell casters to help. They came quickly.

Hours later, Clark had been situated on a bed in the top of the tower, where Zaelon could remain close to him (It took Saphira a great amount of effort to convince Zaelon to let them pass). Saphira then waited outside the tent where they kept Eragon. Where over several hours, he passed through a fever.

"Wow… I was out for a whole 24 hours? Clark must be hurt badly. We do not need to be directed apparently. Take us directly to the top of the tower." Eragon said.

As you wish. Saphira said. She took them to the top of the tower.

When he got there, he found a few elves attending to him.

A young elf woman addressed Eragon in the ancient language.

"I apologize Silver Hand, but we have no time for the formalities and courtesy that we elves practice. The boy needs immediate medical attention." She said.

Addressing the woman also in the ancient language, he said, "Very well, stand aside."

The elves moved away as Eragon approached the bed where Clark lay. Clark lay there with a pale gray face. Alive, but only by a thread. Eragon held his hand over Clark's body and said, "Scannara."

He immediately saw within Clark's body. As part of his training with Oromis, Eragon had had to learn the anatomy of the 4 races (elves, humans, dwarves, and dragons). He also had learned the best ways to treat them.

What Eragon first saw immediately alerted him to why Clark was not dead. Clark's heart was on the wrong side of his body.

Eragon lowered his hand to Clark's body and felt his heartbeat in the side where it should be. He then moved his hand to shouldn't be, and felt nothing. It was an enchantment, obviously made by Clark himself to make sure he could not be killed by being pierced through the heart.

Good thinking… Eragon thought.

Now Eragon thought to the cause of Clark's condition. He had lost a substantial amount of blood. He would have to use a highly complicated spell to repair this damage, as it had also done damage to other parts that lay inside. It would take a large, complex spell to repair the damage.

Eragon took on the challenge readily. Reciting the spell from memory, and inventing a few things as he went along. The spell took hours to complete. When Eragon's energy reserves dwindled low, Saphira pitched in.

Finally, after hours, night fell, and Eragon completed the spell. The damage had been completely repaired; Eragon had also had to make more blood. He fell back and sat down on the floor, he was completely exhausted. Clark would not wake until morning fell, that was for sure. So, both Eragon and Saphira left, so they could get some sleep (or in Eragon's case, waking dreams).

The Next Morning

Eragon woke early the next morning; he wanted to make sure he made it to Clark's bedside before he woke. But first he bathed in a river outside of Belatona. But he was quick, Eragon then returned to the top of tower. He had to know if Clark knew what had saved him.

When they finally sat beside Clark, he had not yet awakened. But barely ten minutes later, he groaned as he returned to consciousness. Eragon gave him time, and he opened his eyes. Those eyes quickly turned to Eragon.

"E-Eragon?" Clark asked quizzically.

"Welcome back to the land of the living my friend." Eragon said cheerily.

"What happened?" Clark asked. "Oh, wait."

Clark did what Eragon had done when he had first awakened.

"Ok, begin." Clark said.

"You got stabbed where your heart should have been by Galbatorix." Eragon said. "Clever with your heart, I don't think I would've been able to bring you back otherwise."

"Thanks Eragon."

"No, thank you Clark. You saved me from years of torture by Galbatorix. He was planning to get me out of Belatona before you got here."

"No problem."

"But me healing you makes us even."

"Of course."

Eragon then bent over, and asked seriously, "Clark, do you know why Galbatorix burst into flames before he plunged his sword into me? I figure you must have been at least slightly conscious when that happened."

"Oh, that. I used the last of my energy to send a spear of fire at Galbatorix. Looks like I saved your life." Clark answered.

"Looks like we're not even after all…" Eragon said. "But, no big deal."

"It really isn't, you'll pay me back someday. I'm sure of it."

"I'll try."

"I'll hold ya to it."

Eragon grinned.

"You know, now that you're up and about. I think it's about time you met Nasuada. Leader of the Varden, and my liege lady." Eragon said.

"Wow, I forgot you were a vassal. You lead one hard life my friend. But, I hope she does know, I hope that they all know that I am your leader now, and that what I say over-rides them completely. We are the only riders left; I'm not going to sacrifice our legacy over some interracial spat." Clark said.

"Woah, you're taking over the riders again?" Eragon asked surprisingly.

"We'll do it together Eragon. We will restore the rider's legacy. But, I am technically far more experienced then you. So, I am leader of the riders. Though, I was always loose with those below me. I let them operate as they wished. I just want you released from these bonds of servitude they have strapped over you. You owe a debt to each, but riders exist to supercede all races. I'm sure this Nasuada will listen when I address her." Clark said. He hopped up from his bed and boarded Zaelon. He gazed down at Eragon.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Let's go!"

This cannot possibly end well. Eragon said to Saphira.

Who knows, maybe this will be a positive event. She answered, bemused.

Your to optimistic sometimes. He said.

Saphira didn't answer this, and they took for the skies. The two riders who remained, the ones who would continue the legacy.

Ha! Gotcha guys. You really thought Clark was dead. Clark has a lot of importance in the story to come. You will find out why creating this character and introducing it to the others is vastly important when we come to the end of the story.

I again thank you for all of the support you have given me Lightkit. Quoting you, "Sé onr sverdar sitja hvass! (May your sword stay sharp, or in my case, my pen. Although I'm not technically using a pen. :P)"

Looks like I'm finally getting back to 2,000 word chapters. Please, everyone R&R (Read and Review). You guys are my inspiration to write!