Sounds of Joy and War
Roran was pacing around his tent. A map was on the table. He had ordered the Varden on a slow march to Dras Leona. They spent all the time in the world getting supplies from villages, recruiting, and taking anything they found useful. The empire had not done anything to impede the Varden's march yet, as they had twice on the march to Belatona. The war effort was going well. After taking Dras Leona, no major city stood between The Varden and Uru Baen. On top of that, The elves were supposed to unit with the Varden there. Dras Leona was the third easiest to defend city besides Uru Baen and Teirm.
As he thought about that, Roran's thoughts drifted to Eragon. Nasuada had only given him two weeks with the elves. Even with his capture which had not been made public, he still had not returned. It was starting to worry him. It had been about two weeks since he had last spoken with Eragon. He also knew though that Murtagh and Thorn were dead. However, he really wished he had a rider in the ranks to help him.
Roran stopped pacing when he saw the mirror in his tent start to show Eragon. What Roran saw shocked Roran. He saw Eragon in bed, with Arya by his side, with his back heavily bandaged. Eragon was unkempt and unshaven. He looked like hell to Roran. Roran approached the mirror. He was finally going to get an explanation on why Eragon had not returned.
"Eragon, what the hell happened to you? You look like Saphira just stomped over you!"
Eragon replied in a very rough voice. "Galbatorix's torture injured my spine, the elves have been treating it the last 2 weeks. The treatment has been very painful. I should be in good health soon."
"Ahh, that explains alot. Did his torture do anything permanent?" Roran asked with concern.
"No, aside from the spinal damage, there should be no lingering effects." Eragon answered. He then asked Roran, "I see you are on the march again, and I assume it is too Dras Leona. What has happened since the last time we spoke?" Roran knew Eragon did not know what happened at Belatona.
"Eragon, Belatona was a trap. When we attacked the city and were taking it with ease. When we reached the keep, we saw it loaded with explosives and evacuated. Galbatorix killed his own men." Roran saw the shock in Eragon's face. He suspected Eragon was about to have an outburst before Arya reminded him that if he did anything he might have a seizure. Roran then continued. "With Belatona in ruins, we began our march to Dras Leona. We are marching as slow as we can, building up our strength as we go. We our taking our time, marching only 3 miles a day. We want to time our march with when the elves arrive."
Eragon then nodded and replied, "How goes the situations with the council and spell casters in the Varden?"
"We have decided that we would make a council of Alagaesia, consisting of representatives of all the races when the war was over. As for the spell casters situation, I have the whole army trying to lift stones. I have not seen any results yet."
"Luckily the elves are the best magicians among anyone, and they will be there at Dras Leona." Eragon replied.
Roran nodded in agreement. He then gave a serious look to Eragon. "Eragon, when do you and Arya expect to return to us? Orrin and Orik are beginning to grow impatient on an explanation from me about how you were captured, and you should have been here a few days ago. I cannot fend off there questions much longer."
"I do not intend to return until we meet at Dras Leona."
"WHAT! Eragon! We need you here!" His cousin replied slamming his hammer. "Our numbers have been decreasing! While we have near 12,000 dwarves among us, our number of new recruits have only brought us up to 3,000. That is still short of our numbers before the ambush! If the empire attacks us-"
"Roran I have a more important mission." Arya showed her palm across the connection. "I must train Arya and her dragon as much as I can before we face him. It is my number one priority. On top of that I do not know how long it will be until I am completely healed. I was told I would take at least two weeks two heal, and maybe longer. It is easier to train her among the elves at the moment as I can have elven scholars help me so long as I am here. Among the Varden we would be too busy healing people and giving blessings."
Roran's heart soared at the news that there was a new rider among those resisting Galbatorix. It was even better that it was Arya, as Roran knew she was powerful. He wanted to run out and yell to the Varden the news. He lifted his hammer and let out a cry of joy. "Can I tell the Varden?" He inquired.
"Yes, but do not tell them of my injury. Tell them that Shadeslayer is busy training the new rider, the other Shadeslayer. It should increase morale and maybe even boost recruitment. I believe that would be a sufficient answer to Orik and Orrin's constant inquisition on my whereabouts. How is Nasuada by the way?" Eragon asked with concern.
"She is still bedridden. the healers are saying that she is healing very slowly. However, the trial of the long knives amplified the amount of time it would take for her to heal as she was already wounded. They say I am in charge for the long haul. Eragon when can we expect the elves to reach Dras Leona?"
Eragon had to think for a minute. It was Arya who answered. "We are waiting for Eragon's wound to completely heal before we begin marching. Once we start marching we will be able to reach Dras Leona quickly. Elves can march faster and for longer amounts of time in the day."
"Very well. How are you two by the way?" Roran asked with a curious look on his face. Eragon and Arya looked at each other for a minute. Arya put an arm around Eragon as Eragon replied cheerfully,
"We are fine and happy. How is Katrina?"
Roran answered with a glow in his voice at the sound of his wife's name. "The last I heard her pregnancy was proceeding very well. She is not in any pain or sickness."
"That is good." A thought then came to Roran. He had been thinking about it for a while but had been forgetting to ask Eragon about it.
"Eragon, Angela told you your fortune yes?"
Eragon had a surprised look on his face. "Yes she did, why?"
"Because when she told my fortune one of the things she told me was she needed to brush up on her signs as she might have misread one of yours." A wave of fear, shock, concern, and excitement all brushed across his cousin's face at the same time. 'What?"
"Nothing. It's just that her fortune has been truthful so far."
"Fair enough, Eragon were about to start about marching. Be careful." The spell terminated. Roran picked up his hammer. The dwarves had reinforced his hammer with their own dwarven style of weapon making. The weapon seemed slightly lighter, but also packed more punch in it. The weapon also looked more elegant. Orik had also given Roran armor that was fit for a king. Only two other people had once been given that style of armor: Ajihad and Eragon. The armor was shining, and had etchings in gold. Roran donned his dwarven armor and left the tent. He saw the army assembled. He stood beside Orik and Orrin. He then murmured to them, "Today you will finally get an explanation to Eragon's absence. The Varden and yourself better be pleased.
"This had better be a good explanation."
"Aye, we need one."
Roran then got on Snowfire so he could survey the Varden. He paced back and forth as he spoke.
"As some of you may have noticed, Eragon has not been here the last few weeks. Before we march, I give you an explanation." The Varden were silent. "Shadeslayer has been busy training the other Shadeslayer. The third egg has hatched for Arya, and we now have two riders to oppose the lone king. You wonder why Murtagh has not attacked us? Over two weeks ago Eragon vanquished him! He is no more!" Roran had forgotten his oaths only prevented him from saying anything about Eragon's capture.
The Varden and the dwarves around roared in excitement. Swords and hammers clanged on shields and chestplates. Warriors of the urgals roared a cry of victory as the humans yelled in joy. Roran heard Orik yell, to the dwarves, "Hrothgar has been avenged! Just as Eragon promised!" The dwarves cheered even louder." Roran then continued.
"The next time we shall see Eragon shall be at the walls of Dras Leona. There Dras Leona will quiver in fear at the arrival of two riders!" The Varden continued to roar as one. "The sooner we reach Dras Leona the better! Now march!" The Varden began to march slowly. Orik and Orrin approached Roran.
"A wonderful explanation, though why was I left out on this wonderful discovery?!" Orrin asked. He was clearly irritated that he had been left out of another decision or he thouht.
"I did not know myself until a minute ago." Roran said cheerfully, though he left out that he had known of Murtagh's death for a time now.
"A wonderful day indeed, news of the death of the one who slayed Hrothgar and the hatching of a new dragon!" Orik said gleefully.
"Aye, recruitment levels will soar." Orrin said.
The three leaders continued to talk cheerfully. The day had only begun and it was already turning out to be a good day. The sun was glowing with pride. There was no cloud in sight, and the land was not rough. It was easy to march onwards.
The day soon took a turn from the worse, as up ahead Roran heard a sound growing stronger. it was repeating. He was starting to grow irritated by it. It was like a bug buzzing near someone's ear or a the single cloud in the sky on a sunny day.
"What is that!" He said tersely.
"I do not know." Orik and Orrin answered.
Roran thought about it for a moment and realized what it was. His smile then turned to a scowl as he drew his hammer. "Assemble the troops into battle formations, Orik I suggest you do the same for the dwarves and Orrin you for the cavalry."
"Why?" The two asked in bewilderment.
"That sound you are hearing is a war drum. There is an army up ahead. Send a scout."