Magic is Force: Chapter 23 Part A
The first rays of light broke through the stained glass window pane illuminating the dark room. The room consisted of a large common room filled with ornate sitting chairs, and a long couch sat along the wall with the stained window. A stone table sat in the middle of the common room with papers and documents, traveling bags and other miscellaneous items scattered across it. Book shelves stood along one of the opposite walls along with a door leading off into back bedroom. A second door, directly across from the window led out into the quiet hallway, leading into the depths of Tronjheim.
The warm of the first rays of sunlight fell upon Karn as he slept upon the couch. Squinting, placing an arm over this eyes, and producing a grown of exhaustion, Karn rolled over on the couch to hide himself from the sunlight. Hours passed by the previous day as he and Meetra spent a great deal of time explaining their secret to Ajihad. The Varden leader at first believed that the two force-users were mocking him. However, as time progressed and Karn and Meetra continued to explain their world and how they came to be in Alagaesia, Ajihad slowly began to believe in their story.
Surprisingly, Ajihad had asked little questions during the discussion aside from a few to help clarify some misconstrued information. He was quiet and patient until the end when Meetra and Karn had finished delivering their other worldly tale. When the two were complete, it was Eragon that stepped in first, "Karn, why didn't you tell me, us," directing to him and Saphira, "that Angela was a Jedi? Why didn't you tell us that a Sith was here, in Alagaesia?" He possessed a look of betrayal as he spoke those words. Karn sensed the young man's feelings: a sense of distrust and deceit. He was shocked to know that Karn, his closest friend, had kept such important information from him - even after all the hardships and turmoil that the two went through.
"It wasn't his secret to keep until just recently, Eragon." Meetra spoke honestly. "When we first met at Teirm, Karn didn't know I was a Jedi. It wasn't that he intentionally was keeping information from you."
"And I assumed that I was the only Force-user to be transported to Alagaesia," Karn interjected. "When I fought Durza, he told me that he faced someone similar to me. At the time, I didn't pay much heed to it, and the events that followed afterwards caused me to forget about it. When I learned of Angela – Meetra – being a Jedi, it slowly dawned on me that my being here wasn't a coincidence. Which means that I may not have been the only one to come through that portal; the Sith must have fallen in as well."
Do not blame Karn for this, Eragon. Saphira's voice echoed throughout each of the individuals minds, trying to make her partner understand. He wasn't aware of what occurred when he was transported here, and how could he have possibly known that there were other force-users living here in Alagaesia?
Eragon remained silent, unable to rebuke Saphira's statement. He sat still in the recliner as he tried to cope with his sense of mistrust for Karn. The Grey Knight had hoped that Eragon would understand his situation and be willing to let his feelings over the topic subside. The room was silent for a few moments until Ajihad spoke out from behind his desk, "How powerful is this Sith?"
"If this is the same Sith I fought," Karn said coming to stand at the front of the desk, staring down at the man, "He is as strong as or even stronger than Durza."
"What are his powers compared to other magicians?"
"Limitless," Meetra jumped in. Her face grew serious as she came beside Karn, "We Force-users are not bound by words or incantations to use it. Our connection to the Force allows us to draw on it and there is no limit on how much of the Force we can use at one time. The Force rejuvenates us when we are exhausted or weak."
"One Force-user is worth a hundred soldiers," Karn stated.
Ajihad sat in his high-back chair, stroking his facial hair, contemplating the information. He began to tap the arm of his chair with his index finger as the minutes passed. What Ajihad was reflecting on in his mind, he could not tell; his mind was protected by defenses like that of reinforced durasteel plating on capital ships.
"If what you speak is true and this Sith is as powerful as you say he is, then Galbatorix has gained a very powerful ally." Ajihad spoke finally after a few minutes of silence. Both Meetra and Karn nodded in silent agreement.
"Who within the Varden is capable to combat this Sith? Besides the two of you?" Ajihad further questioned. He leaned over the desk with his elbows supporting his weight.
"It's difficult to say," Meetra replied. "Highly trained elves and Dragon Riders are perhaps your only bet. But even then, I would say that the odds would be against because-"
"Because they are bound by the ancient language, correct?" Ajihad spoke, finishing off Meetra's sentence.
She nodded in affirmation, "Yes. And regards to the ancient language, in order for magic to work, the magician has to speak out their will – what they want the magic to do - in order for it to work. Force-users can simply use the Force as we see fit."
"To correct Meetra's answer," Karn spoke, "I don't believe there is a person within the Varden, besides Meetra and myself, that can fight against this Sith."
Ajihad said nothing more as he let the new wealth of knowledge flood his mind, formulating new possibilities and complications this may pose. He closed his eyes, restricting the amount of distractions and for minutes he processed the information. There were times Ajihad would quickly shake his head as if shoving off poor ideas. His finger tapped the top of the writing desk and quickened or slowed in pace.
Without warning, Ajihad quickly spoke out, "I need to see this power, this Force, in person. Within a duel. If I'm to devise a strategy against this man, I need to know his power. The same power you both possess. In two days' time, once you both have rested and recuperated from your travels, I want you both to meet me at the training grounds to demonstrate your prowess. Once I've seen this power, I will have a greater understanding of our enemy." He stood up from his seat, overshadowing both Meetra and Karn, "Understood?"
Meetra and Karn both nodded in affirmation to Ajihad's order. Ajihad's eyes glazed over to Eragon and Saphira as the two had sat quietly, and patiently for the past several hours. "I would also like to see your skills as well, Eragon. I'm curious to know how much Brom has taught you in swordsmanship and magic. Be at the training field just before Karn and Angela arrive."
"Understood," Eragon replied in compliance. He stood up and inclined his head to Ajihad.
"Good," turning his gaze over to the large doors at the end of the room, Ajihad roared out. "Guards!" The two twin cedar doors swung upon by the watchmen outside and proceeded into the room. Upon arriving at the writing desk, the two guards saluted Ajihad by raising their right arm, and bringing their fist up to their left pectoral.
"Proceed to take the Rider and his Dragon to the dragonhold above Isidar Mithrim. Be sure they are given food and water and a new change of clothes." The two guards saluted their leader before beckoning Eragon to stand in between them. The boy did as he was told and went to stand in between the two. Saphira followed up behind as they left the library out the large cedar doors.
"Karn," Ajihad addressed, "we will find you a room to accommodate you and your belongings."
"No need for that," Meetra blurted out. "He'll be lodging in my accommodations."
Confused, Karn quickly turned his head and produced an alarmed expression. "Pardon?"
"Why waste Ajihad's time and resources to find you a room when there is a perfectly good sofa in mine that is currently available?" Meetra stated in a whimsical tone of voice.
"But well-that's just," Karn was taken aback as he tried to come up with a rebuttal but Ajihad's booming voice cut him off.
"That seems reasonable enough. Very well. Angela, he's in your care now. You are both dismissed."
Karn was close to letting his exhausted body take control and allow him to fall asleep when the door to the bedroom opened. The door creaked on rusted hinges and Karn tried his best to tune out the noise. The sound of someone walking across the stone floor and opening up cabinets distracted him; objects from the table in the middle of the room were pushed to the side to make room for something unknown to him. Karn was tired from the long journey from Gil'ead which spanned over a month. His time for a well needed rest was past due. In actuality, Karn couldn't recall the last time he had a break from the chaos that he was thrown into.
The sound of the footsteps proceeded to make their way over to Karn's direction and within seconds, he could sense a presence looking down upon him. He didn't have to use the Force to sense that, it was the nature of instinct that told him that. Regardless though, he tried to pretend that he was asleep, hoping that whoever was behind him would leave him at peace. The cushion at his midsection depressed as the individual sat themselves down and a hand was gently placed upon his shoulder. The touch spurred something within Karn, causing him to become increasingly awake. It wasn't the touch itself that made him awake, it was the person that touched him. Karn's heart doubled in speed as the physical touch to his person strengthened the Force-bond that was tied between him and the individual.
"Karn?" Meetra's soft voice spoke out, "It's morning."
He produced an exasperated grunt, "It's too early," he muttered as he buried his face into the side of the sofa.
"It's time to rise," she said and quickly shook his arm. Karn tried to bat her away with his arm, trying to gain a few more hours of rest. "Don't be stubborn this morning," she said with a condescending tone.
"Speak for yourself," Karn groaned as he curled himself up into a small ball. She continued to shake him attempting to annoy him enough to make him get off the couch. Karn struggled to keep his complexity as Meetra struggled to make him get up. He would not though; rest was something he deserved and the least he could do was to at least attempt to ignore Meetra's efforts.
After continuous shaking on Meetra's part to no avail, she stopped her efforts and rose from her spot from the couch. This surprised Karn - he had expected the woman to continue her effort at waking him up but she didn't. Puzzled by the sudden gesture, he wasn't going to let this sudden change in action divide his attention from gaining some rest. As the seconds rolled, Meetra made no more attempts to wake him; it gave Karn plenty of time to let his body become relaxed and fall asleep.
Weightlessness quickly filled Karn's senses as he felt himself begin to float off the sofa. His eyes shot wide open and he uncurled himself from his ball, struggling to gain a sense of clarity. His body was rising into the air, away from the sofa and up to the cold, hard ceiling. His body laid flat against the ceiling, nine feet above the floor. Swiveling his head around to gain a look, aggravation gripped him as he peered down to see Meetra with her hand outstretched to him, a smirk appearing on her face.
"Are you mad, Meetra?" Karn shouted out at her. "What do you think you are doing?" He tried to push off against the ceiling but the pressure around him pressed harder on him, keeping him flush to the roof of the room.
"Are you willing to get up now?" she asked with a teasing note to her voice.
"This?" Karn exclaimed trying to push off against the ceiling. "This what you do to get someone up?"
"Hey, I used a more mild method earlier and you didn't respond to it." She stepped across the floor so she stood almost directly underneath him. "Now are you willing to get up now and partake in having breakfast with me?"
Karn attempted to physically push himself off the ceiling but each attempt was reinforced by an increase of pressure. His arm and neck muscles bulged due to the strain. After a few hopeless attempts, Karn ultimately gave up and let himself fall back onto the ceiling, his body lax. "Fine, I give up."
A victorious smile spread across Meetra's face, "Now was it that hard just to say that?" Karn grunted disgruntledly as a reply. Slowly, Meetra lowered her hand and Karn began to descend from his spot on the ceiling. Karn corrected himself, straightening himself, as he was being lowered. He felt his feet his solid stone and the pressure surrounding him dissipated.
Karn stretched out his arms and neck from his exertion, "Next time Meetra, just jostle me. That'll be easier than go through all that effort."
"Perhaps," she said as she went over to the table, "We shall see." She sat down on a stool and motioned him to join her. Karn followed suit and sat down on a seat next to her. The table full of scrolls and miscellaneous items were pushed aside to make room for plates of fruit and slices of bread. Two large mugs of water sat to the side to which Karn take several quick gulps before breaking into his breakfast. Meetra and Karn sat in silence for some time as they both ate their food.
As Karn pulled a part a piece of bread, the touch of something furry scraped across his leg which sent him jump in his seat. Meetra glazed over at him with a confused look as he bent down to take a look at what rubbed his leg. Two red eyes met his sapphire ones and Solembum jumped up onto his lamp. "Solembum!"
The werecat jumped from his lap over to Meetra's then finally on top of the table. His big furry body padded over the plates of food before sitting itself down in the center of the table, observing the two. "Where have you been since we first entered Tronjiheim?" asked Karn.
The werecat licked its paw and began to bathe itself across its head and jaw. Is it necessary for me to tell you my every intention? The werecat answered back. We werecats are not bound to answer to anyone being. We come and go as we please.
Karn took a bite of bread before replying, "It would at least be nice to know in case we need you for something."
If I felt that my presence would be needed, I would inform you of my whereabouts. However, seeing how my presence wasn't needed, I felt that my location and my business was none of your concern.
Meetra produced a slight chuckle as she sat up from her stool, walked over to the cabinets and withdrew a platter of fish. Instantly, Solembum flicked his head sideways to her direction, his tongue licking his lips. She returned to the table and sat the plate of fish in front of Solembum and he began to nibble on his own breakfast.
"Normally, I don't ask Solembum where he goes," stated Meetra taking a sip from her mug of water. When she and Karn were done, Meetra took the plates across the room to a sink basin and washed off the plates then returned them to their original spots in the cabinet. "So what would you like to do today?"
"I'm not sure," replied Karn as he moved back over to the sofa. He rubbed his face feeling the beard that was growing and smelled a ghastly odor from himself. "I suppose a bath wouldn't be too much to ask for. And a shave."
"I would say you are in desperate need of one," Meetra said as her face cringed. She retreated into the back bedroom and Karn could hear her rummaging around, searching for something. After a few minutes, she returned carrying a pair of dark grey trousers and a loose white linen shirt. A simple blade sat on top of the pile. And hanging from her hand was a bar of soap suspended inside a knotted rope. She approached him and placed the pile of fresh clothing and bar of soap on top of Karn's lap. "Follow me, I'll show you where the baths are."
Meetra headed for the door without looking back at Karn. He quickly sprung up from his seat and followed her out of the door into a dark stone hallway. Red flamed lanterns lit up the hallway, casting it into a red hue. Meetra led Karn down the hallway past several closed doors – each leading off to unknown rooms. It wasn't too long before Meetra veered off to the left for a worn oak door. Pulling on the iron door handle, Meetra swung the door upon to reveal a dimly lit room with a giant circular depression in the middle. "Here's the bath," Meetra indicated to the depression. She placed the clothes, razor, and soap on the edge of the basin and walked around the bath where a large stone pipe protruded from the wall. A chain was situated off to the side of the stone pipe and stretched up into the darkened ceiling. "Pull on the chain and water will soon pour out of the trough. Water is normally kept warm so ease your way into the bath," finished Meetra as she headed for the exit.
"Thank you, Meetra. What will happen to my ragged and torn robes?"
"I'll see to it that they get washed and patched up as well. I'll see to it personally."
Karn nodded and waited for her to walk out, closing the door behind her, before he began to disrobe. His unclasped his cloak, letting the long black cape fall to the ground. Unbuckling his belt, leaving his lightsabers still attached, he gently laid it off to the side of the basin close at hand in case he should have to quickly grab for his weapons. Reaching around his back, Karn found beginning of his waist-wrap and began to untwine it – the cloth falling right beside his cloak. He tore off his vestments and leg-wraps, the cool air of the room sent chills up and down Karn's spine.
Approaching the chain, Karn grasped hold of the cold, rough metal and pulled down. A series of grinding gears and mechanisms from somewhere unknown grinded and groaned against each other. The sudden sound of running liquid caught Karn's ears and quickly warm water gushed out of the trough and fell into the water basin. Karn let the water rise in the basin before it nearly reached the brim before releasing his old on the chain. The water ceased from pouring out of the wall and the grinding of the mechanisms fell silent.
Karn approached the bath and proceeded to quickly enter into the warm water. His senses went into shock upon touching the warm water as he managed to submerge his entire being into the basin. It took only a matter of seconds before his body became adjusted to the temperature of the water before Karn was able to relax and kneel upon the bottom of the bath. For minutes, he sat still letting the warm water melt his tense and sore muscles; a slight moan of relief escaped Karn's lips.
Moments passed before Karn reached over to the tied bar of soap and untied it. Dropping the bar of soap into the water, the Grey Knight proceeded to scrub off the grime and dirt that was encrusted upon his body. Once Karn had believed he had scrubbed away the grime off his body, he swapped the bar of soap for the razor that sat on the pile of clothes.
The razor was simple and small but the blade was fine and deadly sharp. Dipping his face into the water, Karn let the whiskers on his face become erect, making them easier the shave. Then ever so carefully and slowly, Karn made the first pass of the razor. The blade glided across his skin, skinning off the whiskers. He made several passes along both sides of his face and down his neck. Karn took great care to not cut himself along the neck or risk fatally injuring himself.
By the end though, he rubbed his face feeling the smoothness of his skin. The razor did a fine job making a close shave. Karn cleaned off the blade before laying it next to bar of soap then carried on to exit out of the bath. The cool air now chilled Karn upon his exit – his body tensed up immediately. Swiftly dawning the new grey trousers and white linen shirt, some warmth began to return.
Karn gathered up his old clothes, bar and razor then exited the dimly lit bathroom. He followed the hallway back, passing the multiple closed doors along the way before making his way back to Meetra's dorm. He entered to room to find the main common area empty. The sound of movement in the backroom informed Karn that Meetra and perhaps Solembum were there.
Approaching the door to Meetra's bedroom, he exclaimed, "I've finished with my bath, Meetra. I can't recall the last time I-" As Karn opened the door, the words that he was about to speak were halted in his throat. He gazed out into the back bedroom to find it littered with unrolled scrolls, foreign plants and greenery; the bed, dressers and wardrobes in a state of disarray. But most importantly which left Karn in a state shock, was to seeing Meetra disrobe herself. Her hair was tied up into a messy bun, and her travel-worn clothes were replaced with a green see-through nightgown. Her breasts shown against the thin fabric, revealing a perfect outline of her bosom – smooth, tender, yet quite curved.
Wide-eyed, Karn was left for words and immediately went into a case of mental shock. He couldn't believe his eyes. It only took Meetra a second to register and see him standing there at her door. Instinctively, her face quickly contorted into a case of shock and embarrassment. Her ears and cheeks flushed a deep shade of red. But her eyes shown with a deep fury. "What are you doing!?" she cried out, her voice amplified by the stoned walls.
"I didn't mean to barge in!" Karn replied trying to explain himself. "It was an accident-"
"Get out!" she shouted.
Before Karn could make even an attempt to follow her orders, Meetra quickly outstretched her arm and a pressure forcefully pushed Karn out of the door making him fall to the floor. The door to the backroom slammed shut with a loud crash. Karn sat dazed on the floor, attempting to register what had just transpired. For a solid minute, he couldn't find the words to say anything. But as he reflected back upon the image of Meetra in her nightgown, Karn's pace quickened slightly. His ears began to grow warm and a sensation began to sweep over him. What have I gotten myself into?