The sky was dark, as the dragons flew towards the city of Dras Leona, which was soon to be besieged by the forces of the Empire. They flew quickly above tall trees, scaring the wild animals of the forests, for they wanted to be in the city on time for the battle.
The four dragons were flying in a rhombus formation, with Saphira at the front, and Arget and Firnen at the two corners while Gadaroth was flying behind Saphira. It was a formation they had learned in one of their many lessons, useful for both attacks and defense. The dragons scales shone in the sky, sending their colors to the trees below, like mirrors, and massive sounds were produced as they moved their huge wings.
The riders rode atop their dragons, dressed in warm clothes, heavy robes which had the color of their dragons, covering them, giving them warmth. Salador looked at Alaina's hair as they moved from the wind, and once more admired her beauty, as he looked at her beautiful eyes and at her perfectly formed lips and nose. If he was going to decide what part of her he liked more, he knew he would never be able to decide. He looked at her and smiled, thinking to himself that there was no sight more beautiful in the world. As Alaina realized that he was looking at her, their eyes met and for a few seconds they looked at each other before Alaina smiled too and Salador looked the other way, would have to keep a reign on these thoughts, he decided.
The Leona Lake was underneath them, its calm waters disturbed by the drops of rain falling from the sky. A distant forest full with naked trees as their leaves had fallen on the ground was on both sides of the lake, signalling the coming of winter and the imminent arrival of snow and ice. On the horizon, the city of Dras Leona, the second largest city in the Empire, could be seen. Massive tall towers and great brick walls surrounded the city, providing it with great and hard to breach defenses. Some of the houses were also visible, like small miniature buildings, with their red roofs, and the most prominent of all was the Governor's palace, its white brick walls shining even from this far off from the city.
Seeing the city in front of him, made Salador think of the coming battle. He had survived his first battle against the shade. Most of all, he remembered the sense of being alive, the sense of being threatened, not knowing where the next hit would land, where to block. He only knew he had to kill to survive, to live another day to see his dragon Gadaroth and the love of his life Alaina, the two people he cared for most in the world. He hoped the war would end soon and he would be able to live in peace again.
"A great sight" Alaina said and Salador agreed reluctantly.
He had no idea how to start the conversation, but he wanted to talk to Alaina very much.
"I am glad you and Arget are well. I was worried about you." Salador said and Gadaroth snorted. Worried did not even begin to describe what he had felt. His heart beat faster just at the thought of what had happened.
A sad expression came on Alaina's face, but then she smiled, her cheeks becoming bright. For an elf, she really did not hide her emotions well, but perhaps that was because she was young and it was something Salador liked about her. He hoped the bright cheeks meant she liked him. They had shared a kiss after all, but that had been right after Alaina and Arget had been freed from the clutches of Tenga. Perhaps she loved him, or perhaps it was just the tension of the moment?
"You are over thinking about this way too much., giving me a headache" Gadaroth said and Salador grimaced. Having someone able to read your thoughts and feel your every emotion had its down sides too. Sometimes all he needed was a little privacy.
Gadaroth laughed. "You should close access to your thoughts next time."
"...Salador did you hear me?" Alaina asked.
"Sorry, Gadaroth is in one of his chatting moods today." Salador apologized, lifting his shoulders.
"Perhaps I am in the mood for other things too." Gadaroth said to both of them as he turned upside down and flew with Salador towards the ground.
"I'm sorry!." Salador shouted and Gadaroth returned to his normal flying position. "So Alaina Could you repeat what you said?" he asked as Alaina looked at them.
" I wanted to thank you. I am very glad you came and rescued us. I did not know how long I would have survived as that...Being's prisoner." Alaina said.
"You know I would do it again if I had to. I will never let you again in the hands of enemies." Salador replied.
"That means a lot, Salador." Alaina replied looking at his eyes.
"You know he still blames himself for what he did?" Gadaroth asked, and Alaina and Arget turned surprised.
"You had no other choice but to run" Arget said.
"I understand. I lost consciousness during the battle." Alaina said.
"I should have attacked." Salador insisted.
"And die in the process?" Gadaroth asked. "I admire your bravery, partner of my mind, but that would be foolish." .
"Perhaps you are right Gadaroth. But I still will never forgive myself." Salador replied.
"Hopeless!. He is hopeless!. But I love him for that." Gadaroth said shaking his head laughing.
Alaina laughed too, a beautiful sound to Salador's ears.
"Me too." she said after a few seconds.
Salador turned at her surprised but at that moment, Arget made a burst of speed, to save her rider from embarrassment. She was a shy dragon, she did not talk much, but she always listened and had a great sense of humor.
"Did you hear what Alaina said?" Salador asked, a wide smile appearing on his face. "She loves me!" Salador said
"I have a feeling my headache is about to get worse." Gadaroth said with a moan.
Eragon looked at the dragons and riders around him, as a father looking at his grown sons and daughters, proud of their achievements, of what they had accomplished and of what they were. For years he had trained the dragons and riders, with the help of Saphira and the elves who had come with him, until they had finally become riders in full. His gaze fell on Alaina, talking to Arget, silently. Eragon admired Arget's silver scales once more. Salador had a happy expresison on his face for some unknown reason. Eragon was glad Salador was feeling better. He had feared the whole story with Alaina and Arget would affect him in negative ways, but he saw that he was well. He only hoped his thirst for revenge on Tenga would not cloud Salador's judgement. He would have to talk to him sometime to make sure of that.
His gaze then fell on Firnen and the woman of his dreams, Arya. She had a graceful stance, her beautiful green eyes looking at the city of Dras Leona and the approaching encampment of the Empire around the city. Her raven black hair flew backwards as the wind passed through them. As always his heart beat faster as he saw her, and he felt the usual nervousness.
"What?" Arya asked as she realized Eragon was staring at her.
"You look stunning." Eragon said, smiling.
"Thank you Eragon." Arya said smiling back. As usual, his heart beat faster as he looked at her beautiful face and at her smile. If only there was a way to see that forever.
"Have you finished studying the scrolls?" Arya asked.
"For now." Eragon said. It would take time to finish studying and put everything to practice.
"I'd like to spend some time with you before the battle, perhaps for a drink."
"That would be a pleasure Eragon. Perhaps if we have enough time." Arya answered.
"Are you afraid to lose?" Eragon asked, a wolfish grin on his face.
"Me? When was the last time I lost? I always win!" Arya said with a laugh and Eragon joined her.
He wanted to spend as much time as possible with her, and talk to her and make her smile and happy, but unfortunately there were also other things that required his attention.
As they approached the city, Eragon's gaze fell on the great camp around the city. It seemed Roran had arrived at Dras Leona and had already besieged the city of Dras Leona, but the battles had not started yet. The two opponents looked at each other wearily, judging their strengths and weaknesses, deciding where to hit next.
A sea of tents surrounded the city, where the besiegers had made their encampment, and great sharp wooden poles had been lifted to prevent any attack on the camp, while soldiers were patrolling. Soldiers ran in the camp, others doing different chores, while others made their way towards the food tents for a meal. The smell of cooking meat was good in Eragon's nose as Saphira landed near the edge of the camp, along with the other dragons. He was hungry after the journey, he thought, and his stomach agreed with a loud noise.
"I'm so hungry I could eat a whole cow!." Eragon said and Saphira snorted, amused.
"I'd like to see that." Saphira stated.
For the whole journey he had studied the scrolls they had found in Edur Ithindra, Tenga's tower and he had practiced with spells. Of course he could not use all of them, while flying as it would be dangerous to do so, while for some he still did not know exactly what the spells achieved or how to achieve them. Still, the whole process had been hard and had left him with a lack of energy and a great hunger. He usually did not like to eat meat, as he had been inside the minds of many animals, but right now he was ready to eat anything that was served in front of him.
The camp in front of him was bursting with life, soldiers shouting, talking loudly, pointing towards him and the dragons, banging their shields and cheering. Great groans of desperation came from the defenders of the city, as they realized the dragons had arrived to fight against them.
The great gates of the city were closed, and grim faced soldiers looked towards the Empire camp. Some abandoned carts had been left outside, and the people who lived outside the walls of the city had also abandoned their homes.
Roran appeared from within the mass of soldiers, as they made way for their commander to pass through. Roran wore a bright silver armor, and on his richly decorated belt, rested his hammer. He wore no helm, but a cape was hanging from his shoulders.
"Greetings Eragon, Arya, Salador and Alaina. You are most welcome within this camp!" Roran greeted them and Eragon grabbed and hugged Roran.
"Brother, it is good to see you!" he said with a loud voice. Arya looked at Roran and nodded, as Salador and Alaina bowed and curtsied.
"Come, follow me, so we can talk privately. With a turning motion he started to lead the way, as the riders followed him. The dragons stayed at the edge of the camp, lying on the ground, resting from their flight. However, their minds remained connected to the minds of their riders, able to hear what they heard and see what they saw.
"We have waited for you. We must make plans for the upcoming battle." Roran continued, once they reached the central command tent. It was a large red tent, larger than all the others in the area.
"Of course." Eragon replied, as they entered the tent, the guards surrounding the tent, letting them in. Once everyone was inside, Eragon put a spell against eavesdropping around the tent. He would know if someone tried to eavesdrop in their conversation or alter the spell in any way.
For several minutes Roran explained his plan on attack, as the riders listened.
"We must pretend the main attack is from the left side of the city. For this purpose, we will move two battering rams and eight siege towers from that side of the city. Catapults will hurl rocks at the walls and we will march towards the walls as if intending to attack from there." Roran stated. "However, the real attack will be coming from the other side."
"Thrain and Gregorbak will go and open the gates of the city, with their dragons and the help of the elves. Salador and Alaina will attack the walls from the right side, along with the dwarves. Eragon, we have spies in the city who have confirmed that Tenga is inside the city. It is your job to find him and kill him." Roran said.
"A good plan." Eragon said and the others agreed.
"If that is all..I must go talk to my generals and inform them" Arya said, and slowly all the riders left the tent.
"Eragon! I would like a word." Roran said and Eragon remained in the tent. He wondered what was going on.
"What is going on Roran?" Eragon said.
Roran explained to him about the situation with his children. They had been kidnapped by Surdan men, in the city of Iliria by Malik.
"Katrina almost had my head on a silver platter when she learned. She shouted so loud, half the city of Iliria must have heard her." Roran said. A dark expression was on Eragon's face. He did not like when his family was threatened.
"A few days later, they came back to the camp of the Empire, full of blood and bruises. It seems they managed to escape Malik and his men" Roran said proud.
A sigh of relief escaped Eragon. "How?" he asked with amazement. In his mind he had already formed plans to help them escape, plans doomed to fail most probably.
"That is why I asked for your help. It seems...I mean Ismira...Ismira used magic to help them escape." Roran said finally. Eragon looked at him shocked. Ismira used magic?
"Are you sure?" Eragon said, a serious expression on his that was true, then there were many possibilities he needed to explore.
"Yes. Garrow confirms it, and he never lies. He's just like Salador in that respect." Roran said proud.
Eragon smiled. It was good to hear that.
"I will talk to her." Eragon said.
"Great. I will go bring her here."
A few moments passed as Roran sent one of his men to find Ismira. Ismira and Garrow entered the tent, their heads looking down. Normally, from what Eragon remembered, the two kids fought and created such a sound that even Saphira complained. However, now they held their hands together, as if giving strength to one another by holding hands.
"Uncle Eragon, Uncle Eragon!" Garrow shouted the moment he saw Eragon as he ran and hugged him.
"Garrow! My, you've grown!" Eragon said, lifting him and spinning him slowly. His gaze fell on Ismira.
"Ismira, it is good to see you well!" Eragon said.
Ismira didn't talk, she only looked at Eragon.
"I understand you used magic?" Eragon asked.
"Yes she did!" Garrow shouted. "It was awesome! It was the best thing I've ever seen! You should see the soldiers, they went poof! down from the sky, then that old guy Malik shouted and Ismira made another magic paf! and a ball of water shot from her and another soldier fell, then she lost consciousness and I had to carry her to safety. It was awesome!" Garrow said enthusiastically, with one breath.
"Is that so?" Eragon asked, surprised.
"Yes. What he says is true." Ismira said, her head down.
"And did you use any words, casting the spells?" Eragon said.
"I didn't...it just happened." Ismira replied. "I felt desperate and then..."
"I understand. You must not use that form of magic until I tell you to do so. From now on, I will be your teacher in magic. You'd like that?" Eragon asked.
"Really?" Ismira asked.
"Of course!" Eragon replied.
"I'd love that!" Ismira said and hugged Eragon.
"Eragon, it is time to rest. It's a long day tomorrow!"
"So, who is hungry? I'm starving! Let's go get something to eat and play a few game of cards eh? What do you say?"
"Garrow always cheats." Ismira said.
"I don't!" Garrow said loudly.
"Yes you do!" Ismira shouted. Eragon smiled, as they exited the tent and the two children came back to their everyday lives.