Chapter 38: The Lowly Pale Moon

The air was swift and cool as it swept passed the many riders and dragons on their journey. Up and down the great wings constantly flapped, propelling them westward. Below them lay the great endless fields and scattered woods of Alagaesia, dotted with occasional patches of black and red land. From above only Lyra and Eragon could see, but each of these patches were of villages that had been razed to the ground. Such had to have been the work of the elves, for their orders were brutal and executed without warning.

None alive were spotted in the lands below, only motionless corpses minced into many bloody pieces. And just as Firnen had predicted, not a single elf could be found upon the lands. One would see the dragons before the riders would see the elves, which would allow them to flee before they were intercepted. For if any elf was told the truth and the Word, the shades would have been in a bad state.

The corpses below appalled and sickened Eragon, he never thought that the elves would ever kill as they did. Such was a race that loved life, so much so that they had refused to eat any animal out of disgust. Yet as they were, by the will of their "queen" the elves laid waste to the lands and races around them.

Such events tore at Eragon's psyche; and he could only ponder. How much he know about the elves? If they were the wise beings they made themselves out to be, wouldn't they have simply impeached their queen? Given their horrific orders, why would any of them even consider committing such atrocities?

They have done so before you know Saphira said to him in a blunt tone. Surely you haven't forgotten your history? Elves can be just as severe and hateful as any other race.A moment later, images of dragons and elves annihilating each other swept from her mind to his.

Such is true he replied to her with his mind, for the winds were too loud for her to hear him if he spoke. But this time is different; they are allowing themselves to be led by this imposter. He sent a mental image of Ashuna to Saphira, They are committing unspeakable crimes in their queen's name! I am sorry Saphira, but I never expected them to sink this low. I thought better of them is all.

Just think for a moment from their perspective, as an elven warrior a new voice said to Eragon softly. The voice was female, turning his head Eragon saw the speaker to be Lyra. Upon Emerith she rode, looking upon Eragon with an expressionless face as all elves did. She continued saying One day the queen tells you to go and kill everyone in Alagaesia. Sure you may not like her order, but you are a soldier and she is your commander. And considering that as an elite officer of hers you have undoubtedly given your oaths to her in the Ancient Language. Even if you wished to disobey, such an act would be impossible. Add in the fact that she casted spells to ensure no one knew her identity. And so you are stuck with your suspicions, suspicions that Arya may not be who she is. Though every time you discover who she really is you forget immediately. For this is how it is; think not that any rational elf enjoys this war. Though I am sure there are some insane ones who do.Eragon sighed as he thought of what Lyra had said, knowing that she was in the right. And such a forlorn explanation it was indeed, of the elves being ordered to fight for a false cause. For a moment he spared a glance to Murtagh and Thorn, thinking of how they were likewise forced to serve a monstrous ruler through war.

Spare us your pity brotherMurtagh said to him when he noticed him.

How did you know what I was thinking?Eragon asked him, slightly smiling at his brother.

Just by the way you were looking at me earlier. It's the same expression you had when you initially healed Arya when we first saved her.Eragon raised an arm to his head as he reacted disgusted by Murtagh's comment.

What are you implying?Eragon thought back to his brother. Amidst her wounds and injuries Arya was still the most perfect and fine woman Eragon had seen at the time. And the fact that he looked upon Arya back then with the same expression he had used to look at Murtagh a moment ago was repulsive to comprehend.

In any case Murtagh laughed greatly at his brother's reaction while saying I meant no such thing! I apologize for giving off these raunchy implications!

Eragon gave him a cold look, What then do you mean?

When we looked upon her as she was, it was hard to believe. I am sure you recall the details more than I, but still I cannot forget how maimed and scarred she was. In any case there was probably much longing in your eyes that day, but that I also do not recall. What I do remember however was the compassion and devotion you displayed that day. And as you took your time healing her, I could not help but watch in amazement. For I had not seen such a miraculous display of magic before, nor such determination to save any one soul.

True, Eragon said after a moment or two of silence. If anything it was an act of compassion, the likes of which I couldn't understand at the time.[/i] He laughed, The likes of which I still fail to clearly understand.

And that is the point I was getting at Murtagh said to him. I could tell it was mostly compassion that drove you to such lengths that day. Anyone could see such just by looking at you as you healed her. Your composure and expressions just screamed this.

Alright, what is your point then?

His point is Eragon, Thorn said to him. You looked to him a moment ago with a similar face, one that screamed of compassion and gentleness. And it was then that we knew you thought of our past times. Of being enslaved by the egg breaker, and we simply ask you to cast your thoughts elsewhere. We are fine now,Thorn finished with a deep chuckle.

Fair enough Eragon responded. Though those times still rung clearly in his head, of him healing Arya as he did. So to Saphira he laughed at his stupidity while saying What I did made no sense in hindsight when you think of it. Going to save a woman I never met out of impulse, it was an act of foolishness. If I was a sane man at the time I would have just had us continued on to the Varden.It worked out in the end though did it not? Saphira asked him. Though I must say it got rather itchy with her strapped to my belly the whole time.

You have no right to complain that was your ideaEragon said with a slight laugh.

True but still,she started.

Well I for one think it all worked out for the best!Firnen said happily.

Well of course you do she is your rider!Saphira said to him while flying a bit closer to the green dragon.

Yes, if it were not for Eragon's so called "insane" actions that day I would never have hatched!

Hm, now that you put it that way Saphira said. I suppose I do owe you my thanks for what you did that day little one. Albeit in a roundabout way.

Your thanks is appreciatedhe said to them both as they inched much closer and closer. Gradually the distance between Saphira and Firnen dwindled as they hummed together, their massive heads just about to make contact. They were about to nuzzle each other, that is if Angela didn't interrupt.

Bad idea alert! she said to them from Firnen's back. Not when we're riding you!Both dragons quickly broke apart at this with apologies to the ones riding them.

Eragon simply laughed while saying And you once told me to fly free with my instincts. Yep that seems to really help doesn't it? he said sarcastically. It got me in a strange situation if you recall at the performance. Not to mention Angela, Solembum and I could have died just now because of your instincts! Come now, let us fly professionallyhe finished with chuckles.

Sorry about that little one, it's just,she stopped.

She and I are both stunning and exquisite creatures are we not? Firnen said. Why should you be surprised that these things happen? When the both of us are around each other, it can be nearly impossible to resist sometimes.

Now you know how I felt during the warEragon said to Firnen nonchalantly. At this last exchange of statements, Eragon's thoughts inevitably returned to Arya once more. He knew he had this plan, the perfect plan to pry Ashuna from her and to restore her soul. It was a sound idea, for he had gone over the details maybe a thousand times already during their flight.

And yet, what if he should fail? What if Brisingr never finds her heart? What if he were to fail with the complex spells he would have to perform if it did? Then even if he did stab her heart and the spells were done correctly, what then? Would she still be Arya, free from Ashuna? There was no way to be sure, for nothing like this had ever been attempted before.

As these thoughts welled up in him, his breathing accelerated as he inhaled and exhaled in exasperation. Sweat poured from his hands and face, a tear or two threatening to flow from his eyes. For Arya to remain as she was, as a shade, was a thought that was unimaginably crushing.

Have no fear little one Saphira said to him. Your plans have always succeeded have they not?Eragon closed his eyes, tightened his hands into fists and tensed his throat as he swallowed. She was right; he couldn't doubt this idea now, not if it would have this effect on his psyche. This plan was all he had of Arya now and he was determined to see it through. Forcefully he calmed his mind as Oromis had once taught him, relaxing himself for the fight to come.

Through many clouds they continued to fly, ready to kill their foes. With the power of the Eldunarya they covered much ground in mere hours with Ilirea only a mile or two away now, the Ramr River beckoning them northwards. Ilirea itself was unrecognizable, resting upon the earth as a blot of charred ruin. It was utterly decimated, its peoples' blood staining the streets forevermore. Immediately Eragon turned his face away from the scene, unwilling to examine the most unspeakable of tragedies. A tear or two fell from his face as he once more thought of Roran and his fate.

"We will return for you brother" he said to himself, then he looked upwards to the greater reaches of the darkening heavens. "If there is anyone up there, and if Roran's spirit still lives somewhere. Please, tell him that Katrina is safe as well as her children." There was no response as Eragon expected, and so he brought his head down towards the lands north of them once more.

You honestly didn't think anything would happen right?Saphira asked him.

Not really he said. Though it's nice to think that they may still be alive in some form or another. Roran, Brom, Garrow and Oromis. And no one honestly knows what happens when people die. The elves all say that we go to a "void," but they understand death the least of any of the races. No one has returned from the grave to tell us what occurs after one fades. How then can we be so sure that all souls go to this "void" in any case?

Keep thinking like that and you may end up conforming to one of the mortals' religions Saphira said to him. For why else would they believe in such drivel? They don't live forever, so they think up stories and philosophies to claim that they will. And of course they think up deities to have everything make sense.

Ah you are probably right, as usual he said to her in a slightly defeated voice. Yet still there is no proof either way, for all we know the gods above are simply shy.

That's a ridiculous assumption she argued. No being with that kind of power would fear us. It's almost like saying a dragon would be shy around an ant.

Fine then, crush my hopes. At least the "void" is a place of eternal rest. There will be no more discomfort, pain or displeasure to be felt by the dead.As he finished this statement the southernmost portions of the Ramr River were perhaps a league or two away. The enormous mass of water snaked about the landscape with gentle sounds of flow.

With a signal from Saphira, all the dragons began their descent towards the river. Eragon quickly removed the spells which increased their speed, much to the relief of the Elduarya. From then on they would be using the energy from Naegling and would only fall back on the few remaining usable Eldunarya if absolutely necessary. Yet despite the removal of the speed spells, the dragons still fell at a great pace.

In a span of perhaps a few minutes they found themselves only a few thousand feet from the edges of the river. For a moment or two the plan was for them to rest a bit and stretch their legs in case the shades immediately found them. And so the river beckoned them with its soothing flow as the dragons gradually glided to the shore. Reflections of the bright starry sky mirrored upon the surface of the flowing waters. If not for the harsh events that occurred recently, Eragon would have loved to fly here freely with Saphira.

Soft as they could, all six dragons landed upon the earth with dull thuds. All the riders then jumped off of their dragons and landed right next to their partners. Everyone dispersed into two groups, those of the old generation of riders and those of the new generation. And as soon as he was sure the other riders or dragons couldn't hear, Eragon spoke to Murtagh.

"What of you and Nasuada now that Orrin is dead? I swear I saw her kiss you after you left Ilirea."

"Your elf-like eyes do not deceive brother!" Murtagh responded with a slight laugh.

Well then? Saphira asked him. You had a few days to yourselves right? Did anything come about?

Oh you have no idea!Thorn said to them. Solembum snickered, Angela was unmoved, but Eragon, Saphira and Firnen smiled widely.

"Thorn!" Murtagh nearly yelled with annoyance as he turned to his red dragon. "I thought you said this "affair" was safe with you?"

What you do not trust your brother and his dragon?

"No they and Firnen are fine." He then addressed to Angela and Solembum while saying "But how am I to know that they won't tell anyone?"

"Tell who?" Angela asked him. "Anyone that would honestly care is dead or close to it by now" she said to them with a winking smile.

"Well in any case congratulations brother!" Eragon said to Murtagh with a smile. He reached and grabbed Murtagh's right shoulder, "I am very glad for you and her. Yours will undoubtedly be a fruitful and beautiful companionship."

Once this is over we will all fly back to Mirandel Firnen said. With our riders and mates returned to us after so long, and we will be at peace.All were silent for awhile as they thought of this blissful possibility, of life and peace returning to the land and within themselves. For a few moments they all sat that way upon the still grass until loud thumps sounded behind them. Immediately they all turned to see that it was Luxor running towards them. Though he didn't have to run for long because of the small distance between the old riders and the new.

He stopped before Eragon saying to him "Master! We have spotted an elf along the riverbank cloaked in black. Before we could pursue however he quickly disappeared from our view. What do you make of this?"

"Oh don't mind them!" Angela said before Eragon could answer. "I'm sure it's just Corbin and his squad."

With a blank look Eragon said "Who?"

"Oh him!" Luxor said with initially a broad smile, but then formed a frown.

Angela then stood up saying "Oh come now you cannot mean to say that none of you noticed them!" All continued to look at her with blank faces, confused as to what she meant. Solembum brought a hand up to his face and sighed.

"Are you all really this blind?" Solembum said through his shaggy teeth, adding more to the confused looks of the riders.

After sighing once more Angela said "Come on out Corbin!" A blur of darkness flashed before Eragon's eyes and before he knew it an elf stood before them all. Cloaked in black and hooded, similar to the getup of the Ra'zac back in the Mad King's War. Before he could ask any questions, the elf brought a hand up to his hood and yanked it back all in one graceful and lithe motion. His hood drawn back, his midnight black spiky hair contrasted greatly with his bright sky blue eyes. The angular and cat-like features of his were common amongst the elves, but somehow this elf looked extremely familiar and he could not figure why. Before he could think more on the matter however, the elf gently grabbed onto one of Angela's hands and knelt before her. Bowing his head he said to her with a surprisingly expressive tone full of feeling and a love for living.

"Oh how I have missed you my sweet rose among the thorns!" he said to Angela as he gently kissed her hand. "Too long it has been since I have seen you last!" he said as he rose to his feet again, never once taking his eyes off of Angela. "So long that I had begun to fear we would never meet again my dragon amongst the fanghur! But here we are again! For I am the lowly pale moon forevermore caught in your grasp in an endless orbit. Why then should I be surprised that our paths have crossed once more? For you are the magnificent and glorious sun!"

"I am sorry," Eragon said while drawing Brisingr. With great speed he brought up the blade to the elf's throat. "But I am sure you can understand my mistrust of you." Right as Eragon did this however, he felt a small blade against his side. A fleeting glance proved that it was a hidden knife the elf carried and he had somehow brought it to his side instantly. Only a few feet away, spread out in a circle stood a group of similarly clad elves. All had knives in their hands in a throwing pose, each one aiming for Eragon should the situation go awry. Much like Corbin's fast reflex, these elven spies had appeared quickly and silently to their master's aid.

"Hey hey what's your issue?" the elf asked him in an annoyed voice. "We had a moment there man!"

"Put that pointy thing away Shadeslayer before you hurt anyone" Angela said. "I was just about to tell you all about him and his elves anyway. Eragon kept Brisingr where it was however, the memory of the elven betrayal still fresh in his mind.

Stay your hand little one Saphira said to him. It will be alright.Swallowing, Eragon forced himself to relax and to sheathe his weapon as he mentally agreed with her.

"Not very kind are you?" the elf asked him while removed the small knife from Eragon's side. As a set of blurs each of the dozen other darkly clothed elves vanished. Corbin then instantly hid his knife somewhere within his black clothing. Crossing his arms, he then brought his full attention to Eragon. Eragon was very much annoyed with the situation, why would such an elf be among them after Firnen suggested otherwise? Why wasn't he attacking them at this time? And what did he have to do with Angela? So many of these questions swam through his mind as he thought of a way to ask Angela one of them. Yet amidst all of these swirling thoughts of curiosity, all he got out was

"What's an orbit? And what does it have to do with the sun and moon?" Saphira guffawed in the only way she could as she fell to the earth and clutched at her sides.

I'm sorry! she said to everyone. If you knew him like I did you would understand!she finished while forcing herself to quit laughing. Slowly she calmed herself and got back up, but occasionally chuckled at bit as Angela spoke.

"You wouldn't understand it" Angela said to him. "Though really, Corbin here and his spies have been following us since we began our flight today."

We were heading at a great pace, how did you keep up?Thorn asked Corbin.

"It wasn't hard" Corbin said with a shrug as he brought an arm around Angela. "Especially with the sun here," he gestured to Angela "giving us a fair trail to go on by."

Alright, but what are you to us? Firnen asked. Are you a friend or foe?

"Whatever it is the fair lion among the house-cats wants of me, I will do so" Corbin said. At his comment however, Solembum hissed at him in a noticeably angered way. "Sorry my friend I meant no offence!" he said to Solembum in reaction. Eragon understood his meaning and couldn't help but compare himself to him. Strange as Corbin was, if he was to do anything Angela asks of him then he was an ally in Eragon's eyes. Only there was one slight problem to all of this that he needed to bring to light.

"Are you not bound by your oaths to the elven ruler? And you do know what has become of her yes?"

"To answer your first question, of course not!" Corbin said. "Why would I ever swear allegiance to my sister, let alone her daughter? Doing such would greatly limit the freedom that us spies have. We do what we want whenever we wish for all the races of the land as long as we are appropriately compensated. And to answer your second question, yes we do know what has happened to Deadpine. When your friend here" he gestured to Murtagh "spoke to Angela of what had happened my elves and myself of course overheard. It really is a pity, poor poor neice. It is a shame this fate has come upon her" he finished with a slightly somber tone. Squinting his eyes slightly, Eragon once more studied Corbin's face and at last found why he looked so familiar.

"Wait Arya's your niece?" he asked with great disbelief. At this question Corbin opened his hands and brought his arms in front of him and shook a little with frustration.

"Why does that matter?" he asked Eragon with annoyance, confusing Eragon even more. "Everyone always seems to think differently of you when they know you are related to a royal. I wouldn't be lying if I said I wasn't a bit relieved to hear that Zadi had died. Don't get me wrong though!" he said with an air of trying to reverse his previous statement. "Of course I was sad, I'm not a monster or anything I was depressed for years. It's just that I was looking forward to less people reacting to my being the brother of the queen."

"But Arya told me she had no other family" Eragon said with an air of curiosity.

"Good!" Corbin said with a smile. "That's what I like to hear! Deadpine never really saw me as family and neither did Zadi. But of course being disowned by them both would have that effect I guess."

Intriguing, but we are straying from the mission at hand Saphira said to him. I assume you and your hidden forces wish to fight with us?

"Can you?" Angela said while cocking her head to an angle with a fake smile. Clearly she was acting, forcibly giving off an air of gladness.

"Anything that you ask of me my rose, I will but do" Corbin finished with a bow. "Now can I please return to my elves? They are getting," he moved to her ear and whispered "antsy."

"Very well if you must leave then you must, be off chip chip!" she said to him. Corbin turned about and was about to dart away, but before he could get anywhere Eragon grabbed onto his shirt and held him in place. Thoughts of Arya were once more clearly fixed in his mind.

"My my you are too kind" Corbin said sarcastically while shaking his head.

If you are to fight with us, we must ask you to never call her Deadpine againFirnen said to him, speaking Eragon's thoughts for him. Such a name was appalling and he never wanted his love to be referred to in such a manner. Judging by Firnen's statement, he was of the same opinion. Corbin's eyes shifted in Angela's direction with an air of questioning, to which Angela had no reaction.

Turning his attention back to Eragon he said with a shrug and an emotionless voice "I will make no such promises." With a dark glare Eragon shoved him away, though only enough to knock him back a few feet. Never once did Corbin loose balance and fall, instead he used the momentum of the push to continue his walk.

"Very nice he is," Corbin said to himself sarcastically, but Eragon could still hear him with his elf-like ears. "I can see now why Deadpine chose him. Very nice man indeed."

Wait!Firnen said to him.

"Yes yes what do you need?" Corbin asked him while turning around.

Do you or the other spies know where the shades are?

"Of course we do!" Corbin said with a slight laugh. "They have been relaxing at the westernmost part of the river for a few days now. From what we have gathered they are well, plotting."

You didn't tell us this till now?Saphira asked him with an annoyed voice.

"Well you never did ask" Corbin said nonchalantly.

"They never learn, tisk tisk" Angela said.

"Never could have said such better myself" Corbin said with a wink to Angela. A moment later he disappeared as a blur into the night.

Turning to Luxor Eragon said "Tell the others to get ready for battle, we are to leave immediately!"

"Right away master!" Luxor said before darting off to the other riders and dragons. As fast as he could Eragon climbed upon Saphira to her saddle once more. He looked upon the dragons and riders around him likewise ready themselves for the last ride before the fight. At the end his attention rested upon Angela whom was atop of Firnen; right as he did this she met his gaze with an emotionless face.

"You never once mentioned him you know" he said to her.

"You never asked of him so I never spoke of him" she responded. Eragon brought a hand to his face in frustration at this comment.

"How long have you two been together then?" he asked her curiously.

"What in Alagaesia are you on about?" Angela asked him with an emotionless tone.

A bit taken aback, Eragon said "I was assuming that you two were very close, just by the way he spoke of you."

"Oh that!" she said with understanding. "I hardly even noticed! Though it is nice to have a loyal servant around I suppose" she finished as Firnen launched himself from the ground. Eragon quietly laughed to himself as he thought of Angela's words.

She's just using him!he said to Saphira.

Of course, did you honestly think otherwise?she said as she propelled herself from the ground with the others.

For a moment he thought about it before saying Actually no, if there is one thing about Angela, this is something that surprises me the least when you think of it.

She's a magician, it's what they do.

That's what I was thinkinghe finished as they once more climbed to the sky, all determined once more to face their foes. Quickly they gained altitude, but not too much altitude for this would be a much shorter trip than before. All they had to do was head a few leagues west to reach the westernmost part of the Ramr River. And so they flew with a great speed unaided by magic this time because of the short journey it would be.

During this small flight, innumerous drops of rain began to fall from the heavens. In response Eragon quickly cast a spell to keep himself and Saphira dry during the torrent of rainfall. The trickling soon evolved into a raging storm, the likes of which sent powerful winds and rain hurling in each and every direction. It wasn't enough to send the dragons off course however, for it wasn't that great of a storm. Soon enough however the end of the river was in sight, the view sending chills up Eragon's spine.

They are here! Firnen yelled to them all. She is here!For a few moments Eragon's breathing became random and sporadic after hearing this. He still was not sure if he was ready for this, but he knew it had to be done. So as the edge of the river grew closer he forced himself to relax once more, to focus on the plan he had in mind.

The edge of the river was perhaps half a league away now and the dark silhouettes of man and beast could be seen on the river's edge. No one spoke as they flew towards the monsters before them, the shades and their accursed mounts. Closer and closer they came, and in time a great flash of thunder lit across the sky, illuminating everything for a few seconds. It was in this moment that Eragon saw Ashuna in her golden armor once more, fully protected and concealed as she usually was. All save for the helmet, which she currently lacked. Her raven black hair flew wildly in the winds of the storm, her eyes filled with craze as she bared her teeth in a sinister smile.

"Ashuna!"Eragon yelled with both mind and spirit.

Greetings Heartslicer, I pray you do not disappoint again.Eragon trembled for a moment as she spoke to him, but quickly shook it off while drawing Brisingr.

Come riders of Alagaesia! Kaxon said to them with an exited tone. Let this be done with already.

Are you ready little one?Saphira asked him.

I am not sure SaphiraEragon said as the distance between them and their enemies lessened. "We can only hope," he finished as he tightened his grip on Brisingr.

This was it.