Sorry for the wait, guys. I wrote half this chapter on Sunday, and then I spent Monday developing Eragon's true name (which I did, and I think it's a pretty darn cool name. I could tell you what it is now, but then it wouldn't be a surprise in the big moment, so I shan't). Tuesday I had a lot of homework, and today I had barely any homework… So that's obviously why I'm updating now. Restrained. Freedom, lol ohh, big words, I like. The sad thing on my part is that I had to look up the definitions for half of them. RAARasaurus, the only reason I love pancakes more than waffles is because you can put corn in pancakes. Pie in the Face, haha I have a new favorite song now. One of them is Hey by Backseat Goodbye and the other is Saltwater Room by Owl City. Demonic Hope, I can't wait to see how you react to one of the coming chapters. Loll! And I know, Murtagh shall have his chance to speak. Azura the Blue Dragon, you always make me laugh, especially Thorn's request. It reminds me of Doug from Up. Every1's Beta! You're alive! I wonder where FlameWing41 is…
Chapter 38
"Galbatorix Must Be One Incredibly Lucky Man"
Nasuada glanced at Murtagh, who had been watching her. Nasuada nodded in understanding, as Murtagh had mentioned his gifts earlier.
"King Orrin, Jormundur, please pardon me, but I must speak with The Riders and dragons alone," Nasuada said kindly. Jormundur nodded and headed back to the Varden camp, though King Orrin remained
"Whatever must be said may be said in front of me, Lady Nasuada. I am tired of you giving me orders as if you are superior."
For a moment, Nasuada looked insulted, but she quickly brushed it off and smiled. "I am sincerely sorry King Orrin if I have seemed ill towards you. It was never my intention. If it were possible for you to stay for this meeting, believe me, I would want you to. But I have made oaths, and if you were to stay, then I would be breaking them." On her face was a genuine apologetic look, which managed to convince King Orrin in to understanding.
He sighed. "I apologize, Lady Nasuada. I was hasty with my words." And with that, he turned and walked back to the camp. The Elven guards also left for the camp.
Nasuada looked at the remaining dragons and Riders. The Riders were giving her somewhat inquisitive looks. "Secrets will be shared. It will be best if less people know."
So what are the secrets? Andaer chimed excitedly, forgetting that he was supposed to be serious.
Nasuada smiled at the little dragon, and then looked at Murtagh. With a nod, Murtagh climbed up onto Thorn's back so that he could untie the saddle bags. Once he did, he slid back down to the ground.
Eragon, Saphira, Arya, Andaer, and Nasuada watched the long-haired Rider's movements, eager to see what he held in the bulging bags. Murtagh set the bags on the make-shift table, and slowly began to untie the straps.
He is making us wait with his slow movements, Saphira said, her voice a mixture of amusement and annoyance.
Be patient, little one, Eragon said, doing his best imitation of her.
Saphira couldn't decide whether or not to growl at him or laugh. She suppressed the urge to do either.
Finally, Murtagh began pulling things out of the bags. First he pulled out a thick, leather book with old, yellowed pages. The front cover was dusty, but Eragon was able to make out the words on it. They were from the Ancient Language, and they said Words of Night. Eragon thought about the title. Night, maybe as in darkness. Do you think he could have brought a book of dark magic? He asked Saphira.
Perhaps, but I don't know why he would, Saphira replied.
Next, Murtagh pulled out what looked like two large, sparkling gems, but that is not what they were. They were Eldunari! One was a soft bronze color, the other was chrome yellow, and they were both about the size of a tomcat.
A quiet gasp escaped Arya, and Eragon's eyes were wide with surprise.
What are those? Andaer asked Arya.
That will be explained later, Arya replied.
Murtagh began to pull out more Eldunari from the saddlebags. Eight more to be exact.
The next three Eldunari were smaller than the first two; about the size of Eragon's helm. This meant that the dragons had disgorged their Heart of Hearts at a younger age… or that they had been killed and the Eldunari stolen from them at a younger age. One of the Eldunari was a deep indigo. Another one was a striking crimson, exactly like Thorn's scales, and the third was a light grey.
The next four that Murtagh pulled out were biggest so far. The first was a deep, deep emerald, even darker than Andaer's scales, and the second was a bright blue sapphire that matched the color of Saphira's eyes. The third Eldunari was a heavy grey, almost black, and the forth was an orange red color. Murtagh had to carefully lay these on the ground because of the lack of room on the table.
Finally, Murtagh pulled out the last Heart of Hearts. This one was bigger than all the rest, and though its color was simple, its beauty was immeasurable. This had to be one of the most stunning Eldunari in the dragon and Rider history. Those that gazed at it could only imagine how the dragon itself must have looked. It was the pure, flawless, angelic, and utterly stunning color of white that made you want to squint your eyes. The orange sun on its perfect surface made a dazzling picture as technicolor beams sliced through the air
This has to be Bid'Daum's Eldunari, Eragon thought to Saphira.
Although Saphira refused to admit it, she believed that the dragon that had once belonged to the Eldunari must have been even more brilliant looking than she. If it is, Saphira said, Galbatorix must be one incredibly lucky man.
I enjoy everyone's guesses for what's going to happen, but so far none of you have come close. Please review and keep guessing.