Chapter 37: Campaign
The smell of pine needles and smoke filled the air all around them, forming a dense smog. In an enflamed forest they all stood, much like the vision that Valdr had showed him. Thick heat permeated the air as the fires licked the trees around them. It was a scene of hopelessness, fear, tragedy, but most of all, oddity.
Eragon stood before strangely enough, two Aryas identical in appearance and clothing. Neither were with child, instead they were as slim as he had first seen her. Both wore dark leather getups; unarmed, they both gave him their full attention. He pointed Brisingr at the left one nervously, every once in a while shifting his blade towards the other. Swallowing hard he pulled Brisingr back, readying himself for a killing strike on the left Arya. Yet before he could do more, the left Arya shed many tears, freezing him in place.
"Why do you do this?" she choked on her tears, her voice pure and innocent. "I thought you loved me!" she finished, her face growing wet. Similarly, Eragon felt a subtle collection of tears slide gently down his own cheeks.
"But I do love you Arya, I always will!" he responded to her in a caring and sad voice.
"Why then do you hesitate?" the right Arya asked him with a neutral face. Neutral save for the obvious frustration and disappointment in her eyes. "Look at me! I am a monster Eragon! If you truly love me, rid me of this accursed existence." Eragon nodded, gulped and grasped Brisingr more tightly, knowing that this Arya was in the right. Once more he readied the blade to slay them both; yet before he could do more, the left Arya spoke up once again.
"If you truly love me then why? What reason have you to harm me?" Again he hesitated as his hands trembled; Brisingr's hilt grew heavy in his hands.
"But you are a shade!" he said in a grief consumed voice, shedding a few tears. "You told Firnen yourself to kill you!"
"It is so," the Arya to his right said. "What you say must be done, it is the only way." For a moment Eragon reminded himself of his previous plan before arguing against this Arya's reasoning.
You fool! Eragon thought to himself. How could you have forgotten? He then spoke against the right Arya in retaliation.
"Is there really no other way? I think not," the eyes of the right Arya slightly expanded, perhaps in surprise or incomprehension. The one on the left however had a broad smile extend across her face and a bright twinkle formed in her eyes.
"You mean to end your pursuit then?" the left Arya asked in a hopeful voice. "To let me live as you should?"
"You cannot mean this!" the right one spoke with a resolute and firm voice.
"No I do not," Eragon said to them, resulting in confused looks from them both, more clearly from the left than the right. He then spoke to him of his idea, of using the Word, of stabbing her heart. All in an attempt to restore Arya to the way she was before the spirits had infused within her soul. At the end of his explanation the left Arya had a look of disbelief and anger to her. However, the one to his right bore a slim smile for the first time since they began their talk. And in her eyes shined a vivid brightness, the likes of which could rival the very stars above.
Now determined more than ever, for the final time he gripped the hilt of Brisingr tightly. No longer would he be subject to his doubts of what may be, but the hopes and realities of what would be. Like lightning he swung Brisingr in a horizontal arc, heading right for the left Arya's side. It was his intention to cleave both their hearts with one clean blow, though fate had other plans.
The hand of the left Arya instantly grasped the blade of Brisingr, holding it in place inches from her side. Gasping in shock, Eragon tugged at Brisingr in an attempt to wrench the sword from her hand. Though no matter how powerful he tugged, the sword was held in place with an iron grip. With nothing else to do, he then raised his head to view the arm of the hand which held Brisingr still. His attention moved up along the gruesomely thick muscled and veiny arm and across an enormous bulky shoulder. Along a large disgustingly strong shaped neck, and finally to the bloodshot and rage filled face of the one who defied his strike. For no longer was this person on his left an Arya identical to the one on his right.
Ashuna looked at Eragon with her demonic wine red eyes and hair, contrasting drastically with his calm, earthy brown features. Her breathing came in slow heavy spurts, a few veins bulging from her forehead. And once again Eragon felt a great fear overtake him, not for his own survival, but a fear of what his love had become.
Out of nowhere came a blurring fist that smashed into Ashuna's left side. A loud cry of pain left her as her grip of Brisingr loosened, allowing Eragon to be master of his weapon once more. He was about to use the little opportunity he had to strike once more, though he was distracted by the strangeness of the scene.
The Arya was to his right was the one who had swung the punch upon Ashuna, or rather the one who had been the left, false Arya. Yet she did not stop in her assault, the true Arya kept her resolve and unleashed a flurry of blows upon Ashuna. Knowing who he must destroy of the two, Eragon slashed furiously fast at Ashuna. Unfortunately none of their attacks even touched Ashuna, for she dodged each and every punch or kick from Arya and every swipe from Eragon with impossible speed.
In retaliation Ashuna simply grabbed ahold of Arya's throat while slamming her fist into Eragon's side. Eragon grunted in pain as he was hurled perhaps a hundred feet due to Ashuna's blow. He quickly healed himself while rising up to see how the fight fared. A hundred or so feet away, Ashuna still held Arya by the throat; and slowly she lifted her lithe form from the ground with a grin. Gasping in shock, Eragon sprung up from where he was and sprinted towards them while Arya continued to struggle.
Arya's hands immediately headed to her throat, trying to wrench away Ashuna's iron grip from it. After this failed, she began to punch the arm that held her whilst kicking Ashuna's torso repeatedly. Powerful as these strikes were, they did nothing to weaken Ashuna's grasp upon her throat. Now only twenty feet or so away, Eragon noticed that Arya's face was becoming a sickly purple. It was only a matter of time now before Arya would be choked to her death.
Now within range, Eragon released a cry of gargantuan rage he lunged forwards, Brisingr racing towards Ashuna's chest. Distracted as she was by trying to kill Arya, Ashuna was unable to dodge his attack. This however didn't mean that she did nothing to escape his blow, far from it.
Instead of jumping away from Eragon's stab, she moved Arya to be in front of Eragon's attack. As fast as his slice was, Eragon could do nothing to reverse it; he could only follow through with the strike. With intense force Brisingr ripped through the back of Arya, instantly its tip protruded through her front. So fast and strong was the blow that the entirety of the blade slide through her slim stomach. The very hilt of Brisingr then smashed into Arya's back as the last of the blade pierced through her. A scream of intense excruciation rang out in Eragon's ears, the likes of which shattering his very soul. Yet there was another, nearly identical sounding shout of pain, one which somehow disgusted him. In shock at this, of what he had done, Eragon's grip of Brisingr was loosened.
Pools of blood flowed from the grievous wounds as both Arya and Ashuna fell to the ground with a resounding thud. Protruding through them both was Brisingr; from Arya to Ashuna it stretched, for it had stabbed them both in the heart in a single strike. Both barely breathed as their life rapidly bled away, Eragon beginning to convulse and tremble in horror at Arya's fate. And then came to him a mental voice, one of the dying Arya.
It is impossible Eragon, I am her and she is I. Ashuna must be slain, I must be slain. There is no other way.
Do you have to kill me though? the bleeding Ashuna thought to him. How can you bring yourself to do this, to slay the one you love the most?
With a dry and shaking voice Eragon said to Ashuna "No, it will not be like this, I will see to that. Only your death will be brought that day and not of Arya."
Eragon gasped heavily as he shot up from the grassy earth, his weary eyes snapping open with alert. All around him stretched the pure, beautiful sapphire blue scales of Saphira. For a moment or two he breathed heavily with surprise, surprised that his emotions stretched this powerfully. It only took him a moment or two to gather his wits and bring himself back to the crushing reality before him.
"It was simply a dream" he whispered to himself. "But certainly not a premonition," he confirmed to himself, knowing it to be impossible for Arya and Ashuna to fight. It would essentially be the same for him to split into two identical beings and to fight himself. Arya is Ashuna, it is what she had become and whom he was determined to destroy.
"Arya will be saved, she must be" he finished as he rose up to his feet. For a moment he stared at the round wall behind him shrink and expand. Regulated sounds of loud breathing accompanied these motions as Saphira slept peacefully. He was unwilling to wake her, much like he was unwilling to wake Arya from her sleep months ago. But times were different now, and so with the destruction of the shades in mind he spoke with his mind. It is time Saphira!The blue walls of scales around him shuffled greatly around him as she responded.
Already?she asked him while releasing a loud yawn and starting to rise carefully around him. Eragon was now directly underneath her as she rose to her full height, allowing him free to walk where he wished.
Yes already! he said to her as he proceeded towards the other dragons, riders, children and women. All were huddled around a large smokeless campfire and spoke of many things. Though all became silent when they noticed that Saphira and Eragon had awoken.
What are we to say to them then? Saphira asked him.
I'll think of something Eragon said as they walked upon the fresh, dew filled grass. Once more his mind went back to the task at hand, to slay the shades. To slay Ashuna, to slay Arya; he barely held back a storm of tears by keeping his plan in mind. His plan to save Arya, this one idea that he was sure would be a success. They soon were only a few feet away from their students and allies, all sitting cross-legged around the fire.
Though some were absent; Katrina and the newborns were not to be seen in the group. The six dragons sat around them all perhaps twenty feet from the group, each one closest to their respective rider. And there were a couple new faces among them that greatly shocked both Eragon and Saphira.
In her own world sat Angela, who quietly knitted a small piece of clothing. Solembum purred gleefully at her cross legged feet as they sat by the fire.
"What in Alagaesia are you two doing here?" Eragon asked with a loud voice. Angela opened her mouth to respond, but Eragon immediately cut her off. "Never mind don't answer that!" he said, knowing that whatever her answer would be would only confuse him more.
"Oh that's nice!" she said sarcastically, Solembum quietly hissing. "I was thinking about fighting for you all, but now I am not so sure" she finished with a playful tone.
I apologize on my rider's behalf said Saphira. As you know, he often acts and sometimes speaks without thinking things through.
"Your apology is accepted Bjartskular!" said Angela. "I suppose we can stay and fight with you. After all, who can imagine how boring the world would be with a bunch of elves and only a handful of the other races? Tell me, where is the fun in that?" she finished with a slight laugh. It was then that Eragon felt remorse for speaking his mind the way he did.
"I'm sorry for my outburst" Eragon said. "And I thank you for the help, I am sure we could use your prowess in these times Angela."
"Indeed indeed as you were," Angela said nonchalantly as she continued to knit.
Slightly rolling his eyes, Eragon sat down next to Murtagh as Saphira settled next to Firnen on the outskirts of the group. All were silent, even Orson, which had surprised Eragon the most. From just by looking at the riders and dragons, he knew that none would speak unless he spoke to one of them individually. Eragon had grown used to such situations in Mirandel while training them all, so he was able to pick up on these ques.
Feels like a normal day does it not Saphira? Eragon asked her alone.
If only for a moment she responded back to him.
True enoughEragon finished their short conversation sadly, the task of what needed to be done returning to him.
Turning to Murtagh, he asked mentally Where is Katrina?
Behind a hill where no one can see her Murtagh responded. She left saying she would be nourishing your children, which I do not doubt. But, I am sure she had other reasons.
Eragon knew immediately what he meant; so as not to look weak in front of her children; Katrina surely wanted to mourn her husband's death on her own. For a moment Eragon felt a fresh wave of sorrow creep into him for the loss of his cousin. Though quickly he shrugged these feelings off, and then feelings of infinite gratitude overtook him. For Katrina to help his children now, amidst all of her suffering was astonishing. He mentally noted that he would thank her personally after this meeting.
Bringing his full attention to them all, Eragon said "How long was our absence? What did we miss?"
"Both of you slept like rocks" Murtagh said to him, this time verbally. "You never stirred once yesterday, only awakening this midday."
"Truthfully?" Eragon asked in a slightly angered voice. "Why did none wake us? We need to get a move on. Lives are at stake!" he finished with a barely annoyed sigh, more at the situation than what their actions. "Don't answer that please, I'm sure you had good reason" he figured more to himself than anyone. Why indeed would they disturb Saphira and he in their rest after what had happened? If he was one of them he was sure he would not have awoken the Lead Rider and Dragon considering the circumstances.
A few moments of silence, then Murtagh continued saying "As for what has occurred, you did not miss much, save for Angela and Solembum's unexpected arrival of course. Yesterday and now we have simply been discussing the hunt and how it will be orchestrated."
Smiling a bit, Eragon said "And what has been determined?"
"Nothing solid, we mostly spoke of you and Saphira and awaited your leadership" Murtagh finished. Eragon nodded to him, satisfied with his answers, and then brought his attention to Firnen.
"Firnen, what are your thoughts of their intentions?" he asked in a rough voice, hardly able to speak of the shades. It was only after taking a deep breath that we was able to continue in a more or less normal voice. "You were with them the most of any of us and are," he hesitated. "You are bound-" he said with a now heavy voice, unable to finish the statement. Firnen greatly shuddered for a moment, his eyes growing misty; it was obvious he knew exactly what it was Eragon was referencing. With noticeable effort, Firnen responded as best he could while keeping himself sane, much like Eragon had done a moment ago.
I don't think we need to worry about the elven army. From what I know of how they scheme, the shades would not want even a single elf to be within a hundred leagues of us. Everyone including the dragons noticeably reacted to this in surprise.
After my leave of the shades, I am sure they know I had searched for you all. And they know that if I found you, I would tell you all I knew. Because of this possibility I doubt that they would want anyone to speak to us. If an elf came into our presence, one of you could just speak the word to remove the memory killing spell. Then you could go on and tell them all that their queen is, he stopped, choking for a moment loudly.
It was obvious he could not finish his talk when thinking of her; and so Firnen's head drooped low towards the earth, his eyes becoming misty. Though immediately Saphira brought her head underneath his and gently nudged him back up to where he was before. Eragon could sense compassionate and kind emotions flow from Saphira into Firnen as they momentarily gazed into the other's eyes. However business needed to be tended to, and so Firnen brought his attention back to the group and continued.
And so if one came before us, you might even tell this elf the Word, with which he or she would tell their entire race the truth. This would be disastrous for the shades' plans; they would be hunted by their own army if that were to take place. Everyone seemed to sigh in relief upon hearing this, (especially Lyra) for none wanted to fight the elves. Even after what they had done, the elves were only being used, much like Murtagh and Thorn had been in the Mad King's War.
"Are you certain of this?" Eragon asked Firnen seriously.
It is the only course I can imagine them to take after what I've seen he responded in a grave tone.
"Well in that case we are fortunate" Eragon said to them all. "We will not have to fight an army, it will just be us and the shades alone" he finished with a half smile, hiding his melancholic feelings. Turning to Firnen again he said "Where do you suppose we can find them?" A puff of smoke came from Firnen's nostrils as he grinned with pride.
The Ramr River!
"What?" Saphira and Eragon asked while everyone else jolted in surprise.
When my true name changed, I grabbed your children and fled northwards. While flying, I saw Saphira traveling away eastward, leagues away from myself. I could have followed her, but then the shades would then search for me in the same area that you all fled. So instead, I did what I could to visibly fly along the Ramr River and slow down a bit while descending. All in all, if their vision is as good as an elf's, it would have looked like I landed somewhere along the riverbank. This was of course a ruse though. After a long while I was satisfied that the shades could no longer see me because of the distance I had traveled. So I simply changed course to head east, eventually picking up on Saphira's scent and then soon caught up with you all. A grin spread across Eragon and Saphira's faces.
So you tricked them into thinking that you are by the river?Saphira asked him.
Yes, it's a basic landmark for us to gauge where they are. If they are fools, which I think they are, they are probably searching for me and the babes all across the river right now. Everyone now looked upon Firnen with newfound respect for his genius plan. He had drawn the shades away when they were all most vulnerable. And not only that, they now had a lead on the shades' whereabouts.
"Firnen you cunning lizard!" Eragon said to him. "Amazingly done, truly!"
I try,he responded with a prideful voice, resulting in the laughter of many.
"Are they likely to be separated or in a group as you left them?" Eragon asked him after a moment of silence.
At this point, I would figure they would stay together while looking for us. They are likely to assume that we will stay in a group as well. In that case they would want to stick together to survive. After all, one shade could not hope to beat us all if we all fought him. But as a group they will be a greater threat; of course they will remain as one unit.
Eragon thanked Firnen before facing everyone all once more, and then he changed the subject saying "Now we know where to look. But what we will do when we find them is another matter entirely." He then got stood up and summoned Naegling from Saphira's saddle with magic. The scabbard lost, he caught the naked golden sword's hilt effortlessly as it flew at him.
Holding it to his side, he continued "The shades have us beaten when it comes to strength and power, this much is true. However, we have the advantage when it comes to magic. For one, we have the Word, rendering their spells useless. And, Oromis elda once said that the energy stored within Naegling was enough to move a mountain. With this," he said while raising the golden sword high, "we should be able to fight for a long while before they exhaust our wards." He then gently placed the blade upon the ground, "In short, we should split up into small teams of two or three to fight individual shades. Saphira, Firnen and I will face Ashuna, there will be none to interfere in this fight." He then looked upon Murtagh saying "As the second most experienced, you and Thorn will be against Kaxon. The rest of you may divide up into teams as you will, but please keep among your partners. Each team will fight against one of the other four shades."
Now he looked at the children, Elva, and then Nasuada. To them he said "You must all be taken to Mirandel." Now he looked upon everyone saying "Any volunteers for this?"
Mathias raised his hand while saying "Murtagh had asked us to take them two nights ago."
"Really?" Eragon asked while turning to Murtagh. It only took a moment for him to figure that Murtagh had taken temporary leadership, a move he was thankful for his brother to take. Now facing Mathias and Kes'thara Eragon said "And you two are fine with this?"
Twitching his hands with a sigh, Mathias said "Someone of us has to right?"
A pair of us has to you mean, Kes'thara said while rolling her eyes.
"Yes of course I meant that," Mathias said to her quickly.
A second or two of silence, then Eragon said "Very well then" to no one in particular. "Does anyone have any questions?" Gradually Lyra raised her hand; a bit surprised Eragon asked her "Yes Lyra?" With a seemingly emotionless voice and expression the elf responded curiously.
"If you and master Murtagh know the True Name of the Ancient Language, why then would we not want to tell the elves of these times? Surely they would not only cease their attacks, but they would also rally to our side. Victory would be undeniable."
It would not be so easy, Firnen said to her. Like I said, the shades would not want any elf within a hundred leagues of us because of this.
"Exactly" Eragon said. "We have no reason to disbelieve Firnen's information. Therefore the elves will likely do their very best to avoid us. Yes we could use a concealing spell, but they would still be able to sense our minds. Because of this, simply finding and telling an elf of what has happened will be difficult. And even if we do, it would be best gather them all in one group. That way we could use the Word to eliminate the memory spell on everyone in their army at once. Otherwise we would have to use the Word on each elf individually. Think about this, we cannot simply gather the elves in one place right now, not if they are avoiding us as they are." He stopped for a moment to let them think of this, and then continued.
"Our time would be wasted by simply searching for them or thinking of ways to gather them in one place." He then put much emphasis on his next statement, "The fastest way to end the war would be to kill the shades as soon as possible. Once they are dead, the oaths the elves have undoubtedly sworn to Kaxon and Ashuna will be no more. Therefore the elves will be able to search for us; it is then that we will tell them what has happened. It is then that this war will be ended. Understood?"
"Yes master," Lyra said to him. Eragon waited a bit to see if anyone else had something to add, though none did.
Lastly, he said in closing "The energy at our disposal is immense. So much that we will have much time before our wards will run out." He unsheathed Brisingr, "Do whatever you can to get a shot at their heart," he finished while stabbing the air in front of him. "Whatever it takes."
With Saphira Eragon walked down a tall grassy hill, quickly disappearing behind view from the other riders and dragons. Before them, perhaps a good thirty feet away at the foot of the hill sat Katrina. She sat at the bottom hunched over; vividly her weeping could be heard with their keen hearing. Hers was the greatest of sorrow, comparable to that of Eragon's own suffering just a few days past. And how could she not be, for her husband had been killed.
It was in this moment that he could not help but feel his eyes grow wet much like hers. Gradually sadness began to overtake him again as he once more thought of Roran. Of the times he spent with him as a child in Carvahall. The greatness of his skill in battle, but most of all he thought of Roran's love for Katrina. All of these feelings of Roran culminated in Eragon's mind, of who he was and how he had died. It was with immense empathy that he and Saphira sat down next to her.
I am so sorry, he was the greatest of men Saphira said to her in a sad voice.
"I'm sorry too," Eragon said while slightly choking as he thought of Roran's demise. He then quickly glanced upon the babes Katrina held. Both were covered by blankets, sleeping peaceably in her arms despite her crying. From the looks of things it seemed that their nourishment had been finished for the day.
With a heavily choking voice she said to him "He should…have…ied in…eaceime."
"Aye, he deserved better than this" he said while remembering Roran's fate. How Kaxon laughed as he brought down his blades without warning. "If he were to die in battle, he should have fallen while fighting."
He was killed by a coward, make no mistake Saphira finished for him.
"He will b…urried…ight?" Katrina asked them.
After thinking about it for a moment, Eragon reassured her saying "When this is all over. When the shades are slain, peace will return and Roran will be buried as he should."
"Thank…ou ragon" she cried slightly less fiercely because of his promise, clearly thankful for the support.
He will not be forgotten, you can be sure of that Saphira said to her.
"Yes," Eragon said quietly. A few long moments passed as the three of them mourned Roran's passing. That is, until Katrina turned to Eragon and slowly handed him his children. His tears briefly subsiding as he gently grasped the babes, boy in his right and girl in his left. Eragon's breath was all but stolen from him as he once more gazed upon the most precious of children. Of him and Arya he was sure, not of Ashuna; for how could such perfect and beautiful creatures come from such filth?
"Before we…eave, na…name em" she said with difficulty through her cries. Nodding, Eragon once more brought his attention to the twins he held. He then began to think of all kinds of names that he knew of, both for men and women. Saphira did what she could to assist in this process by thinking up names herself. In a moment Eragon thought of a name for the boy he thought suitable considering the situation.
"Are you alright if we named the boy Roran, after all that has happened?" he asked Katrina. "In order to remember and honor his sacrifice?"
A moment of silence, then "No...give them…new ames." Understanding, he and Saphira began to rack their brains for ideas.
Should their names sound elvish or human? Eragon said to her.
If we can, I would say both.
A name both elvish and human sounding? How do you propose we think of one like that? he asked her in an interested tone.
Well, Saphira said to him. You could take a human name, then an elvin name, then sort of mix the sounds to make a hybrid name.
Seems sound, Eragon said as he tried to think of two good human and elven names. For a minute or two both feverishly thought of possible names to give them.
Before Eragon could come up with anything concrete Saphira asked him Why don't we just use your name and Arya's for this?Eragon sighed when he heard this.
You know my name is elvish though right? he asked her, remembering the first Eragon before him.
Yes, but I think yours and her name would be perfect to mix up for them. Call it symbolic if you will. Thinking about this, Eragon could not help but mentally agree.
Do you have anything then? he asked her curiously.
After a second of silence Saphira responded saying Something like Arion would be nice. Sounds like your name and Arya's. It's like yours except without the guh sound in it. And it is like a continuation of Arya's name, ending with the awn sound.
Eragon gaped at Saphira in shock while saying "How do you know so much about naming?"
She snorted with pride, All dragons are good at naming. We have to be in order to agree with the name the rider gives them!
Ah that's true he said with realization. In any case your idea is genius; Arion is a very good name for the boy I would think. What of the girl though?
What do you think of Evryn? she asked him quickly.
You thought of one already? he asked her with amazement.
Well yes. It's a simple thing to do really, do you not like it?
No it's fine, they sound very similar to each other though.
Would not be the first time a family has used similar sounding names though Saphira argued.
Alright then, Eragon said with submission. We will give them these names, thank you for them Saphira. Instead of responding, she hummed to herself in the only way she could. Once more Eragon brought his attention to Katrina, who still wept greatly. He could not help but feel his eyes wet as he was reminded of Roran briefly.
Softly as he could, Eragon said "We have come up with suitable names." Katrina slowly lifted her head to face him, revealing a red tear stained face. He could not help but wonder if he looked like her during his suffering just two nights earlier. Though instead of thinking more on the matter, he looked upon the babes.
"Evryn," he said while pointing to the girl, "and Arion," he finished as he pointed to the boy.
"They are grand names," Katrina responded for the first time without weeping. And Eragon could not be too sure, but he swore he spotted the edge of a smile upon her. Then for the first time in perhaps months; Eragon felt glad, if only for a small moment. He had two beautiful children, Saphira was there and Arya would most certainly be saved. Wonder and the greatest of gratitude then swelled within him as he thought of what Katrina had done. Throughout her grief, she was able to care for his children and would continue to do so.
"I do not know how to thank you Katrina. For caring for them, for everything. If there is anything I can do in return, I shall."
"All I ask," she said in a shaky voice, now of noticeable anger. "Is that you give Kaxon and his followers a sound thrashing!"
We will do much more than that, they will all be destroyed Saphira said to her in a voice filled with certainty. For a few long moments they were all silent, thinking of all they had been through with all kinds of emotion. Till at last Eragon gradually stood up, his children in his arms as he spoke to Saphira and Katrina.
"It is time we got moving then."
Once more Eragon sat around the roaring fire of his allies, Arion and Evryn in his arms. They had all finished a meal of deer and rabbits, courtesy of Thorn's hunting, Murtagh's gutting and readying. Their skill came as no surprise to Eragon, for they had lived years off of the land and its creatures. Bits of spice and other mysterious seasonings were added to the meat by Angela.
Of course Eragon had not forgotten his oath to refrain from eating meat, but he could not deny their offer. In any case it tasted delicious, that much was for certain even if he thought his consumption of the meat was immoral. Everyone feasted upon the food that was given to them, especially Saphira and he. For they had not eaten for days; and considering the situation they were in, they figured that this could be their last meal for a great while.
When their eating was over all was silent save for the crackling and roaring fire before them. Eagerly they all seemed to focus their attention upon Eragon and Saphira, patiently awaiting the orders from the Lead Rider and Dragon. Both slowly rose to their feet on the afternoon dried grass with an air of leadership.
"It is time then," they both said at once. "Pack your things, sharpen your swords, ready your spirits. We fly to war."
Right as they said this everyone began to do so. They readied their equipment, such as their saddles, their weapons, everything to prepare for the fight ahead. The most dangerous and important battle any of them were likely to face. It was a scene of feverish intensity as everyone moved about to do what was needed to be done. Such a sight reminded Eragon of the times of the Mad King's War as the Varden prepared for important fights.
Throughout all of this however, Katrina, Nasuada, Elva and the rest of the children approached him. All three of Katrina's children, Ismira, Harris and Boyd cried without a sound. Much like their mother, it seemed that they were able to hold in their sadness longer than most.
However, their faces and state were nothing when compared to Elva's. It was true that she was able to ignore the suffering around her due to Eragon's editing of the 'blessing' he gave her. Though after all she had seen, she could still recognize grief and sadness just by looking upon others. Because of this Eragon was sure that she was still likely affected by those around her, just in a different way. More than any alive she knew what it was that they were all going through, what Firnen was going through, and what he himself experienced.
Nasuada herself had a different look of suffering than the others. She did have a look of sorrow upon her, that much was true. And yet there was great hope in her eyes as well, the reason for which he could not place. Her people were all but dead, why would she be the way she was? Barely shaking his head, he forced the thought from his mind and refocused on Katrina and what needed to be done.
Reluctantly Eragon brought Arion and Evryn to Katrina, who carefully took them from him. It was then that a feeling of deep loss spawned instantly in his mind. He let out a soft meaningless utterance of grief, already missing them nearly as much as he had longed for Arya. They were the most precious of creatures, the greatest of all young ones. Eragon held out a trembling hand towards them, reaching for both with longing. Momentarily he thought of blessing the children, including those of Katrina and of Orson. Though out of the corner of his eye was Elva, and he found that he was unwilling to do such a thing in front of her.
Eragon then slightly clenched his fingers into a fist before lowering his arm, forcing himself to part from the babes. Not until now had he realized how much he felt for them and how much they had helped to keep him sane in these times. If nothing else, they gave him more of a reason to fight and save Arya. It would be the greatest of crimes for her to never see Arion and Evryn, the most perfect of beings.
Tearing himself from these thoughts, he said to Katrina, "I am truly thankful for this. For all that you have done and will do for us."
"We are family right?" Katrina asked him normally now that she was with her children. "It's what we do."
"Absolutely," he responded, and then turned to her children. "You all be sure to take care of your mother alright?" he said with as much joy as he could muster.
There were a few responses such as "We will!" or "Yessir!" or "You got it!" from all forcing what little happiness they had into their responses. He was then about to speak to Elva of something, but instead Saphira beat him to it.
If you sense any danger at all, don't hesitate to tell Kes'thara and Mathias. None of us could bear it if any of you were slain on your journey.
"It will be as you say," Elva responded in her usual monotone and overly low voice. Mentally Eragon thanked Saphira for this as he turned to Nasuada, one burning question remaining within him.
"If we are victorious, what is it you plan to do? Most of the Empires' people are all but dead; will you return to lead them in their troubles?"
Nasuada noticeably flinched at his question before saying "Truthfully, I know not what I will do when you proclaim victory." His eyes widened with surprise at this statement, he thought for certain she would do what she could to restore the Empire. He was about to ask more of the matter, but right as he opened his mouth Murtagh interrupted them all from a distance.
"Brother! We are all set to leave on your command!" Immediately Eragon turned around and found quickly that Murtagh's statement was true. Every rider sat upon their dragon and was fully prepared for war. Murtagh in his silvery armor upon Thorn; Lyra wore a similar suit on her turquoise dragoness Emerith. Grifka wore heavy plate armor as he sat tall as he could upon the orange dragoness Jileen. And finally lay Luxor, wearing only a tan set of wildly shaped trousers. With claymore at his side he sat upon the dark violet dragon Fraethr. It was a magnificent sight, seeing a rider from each race as fit as they were.
Lastly Eragon brought his attention towards Saphira and Firnen. And odd as it was, Angela and the human form of Solembum sat upon Firnen. Momentarily Eragon was again reminded of the true green rider and her fate, though he immediately pushed the thought from him.
Both Saphira and Firnen were pressing their necks upon each other gently as they quietly hummed together. A few moments passed as they did this until Saphira realigned her attention towards her rider. She gazed upon him with her huge, bright azure eyes, and temporarily Eragon found himself lost within their beauty.
Come now little one, she said while letting tender emotions of love seep into him.
Very well then he said while as he walked towards her and he to him, in no time at all they were next to one another. With the speed and muscle memory he was so accustomed to, Eragon quickly climbed up her side. Nearly a moment later he was on top of her saddle once more and felt the invigoration of hunt from Saphira. Lastly, Eragon turned to face the remaining pair of dragon and rider. Mathias leaned against Kes'thara with folded arms as she lay upon the earth, both probably waiting for the order to leave.
Pointing to the silver dragoness, Eragon said with a loud voice, "Make sure he doesn't slack off Kes'thara!"
Oh he won't, that you can be sure of she said to him with a twinkle in her eyes. Mathias meanwhile slapped his face with a hand and left it there with noticeable annoyance.
"I wasn't going to slack off," he mumbled.
Of course you won't Saphira said assuredly. Both Lead Rider and Dragon then turned to those around them and spoke with a mighty tone.
"You all know what must be done! We have spent enough time here in peace. No longer can we stand here as our countrymen suffer and die by our foes. For the restored peace of our fair land! Let us be off!"
With this last statement Saphira launched herself powerfully from the ground, the others soon following. The powerful strokes of the dragons' wings reverberated around them all heavily as they flew onwards to their destiny.