Disclaimer: I do not own most of the characters in this story. I claim only Glanfel.
A/N: I apologize for my slow posting, Just as a heads up to my followers and readers. I recently got a new puppy and it has taken time from writing this story. Also, I am a teacher and we are closing out the year. Thank you for your patience and reviews.
Mind speak
"Regular Speaking"
Personal Thoughts
Chapter 16 – Ire
Ellesmera: Talidari Hall
She wanted to slam the elves that had done this treachery straight into Firnen's mouth. She wanted to have Menoa draw and quarter them with her limbs and branches. If Saphira had taken refuge in the city, she wanted to give them to here to play with as pray. While Queen Arya was not going to, she had to have restraint against these abominations to the elven race.
She briskly walked the length of the hall after having a restless night's sleep. Firnen had been unusually needy last night as they slumbered. While a natural sleeper who slept as soon as his eyes shut. He was pushed by visions all night though he did not describe them. All he kept saying was catastrophe was coming. She tried to get it out of him. What catastrophe was it? A dragon's visions when dreamed were not to be messed with when spoken. The last dream ignored lead to immeasurable destruction once upon a time. He would not say. His mind seemed overwhelming and distraught she had ordered him to slumber but did not put him under a sleeping spell due to the apparent terror.
As she neared the end of the hall, she stepped down the fall three steps of stairs that gave way to the entrance to the foyer of the Elven Palace. Two guards greeted her at the door, "Drotting, Attra du evarinya ono varda." She stopped and replied, "Vodhrs, Attra du evarinya ono varda."
"Where to milady?" the nervous guard of the two offered. "To Vanir's residence, then to the Place Where The Eye Does Not See."
She walked down through the elegant doors of the hall and straight out into the forested city. She was walking along the path that she had taken so many times. To a trusted confidant and friend. How could this have happened? How could she and Vanir not have seen through all of this? The crux of the matter, she and the elven kingdom's greatest minds were slighted. She thought of the errors that had been done a fake treaty by all standards, a rider and dragoness fleeing for their lives possibly forever; a group of elves participated in the potential capture of that pair. That last one had been the one that had made her clinch fists and walk with a determined place. While the emotions never played into her face's demeanor, anyone who knew the Queen knew not to approach her with small items.
Her guards behind her moved alongside the Capt., of her guard snapping his fingers, calling more guards to his side. As those guards fell into line, Arya moved to the home that Vanir was residing within—knocking three times to call the residences attention to her presence. She looked at the Rider's headquarters next to the abode. The reminders of the two forcibly exiled friends only made the situation worse. She put her gaze to the second flight of stairs, still marked by Saphira's attempt to get to her Rider after a horrible exchange of the then unhealed wound by Durza.
She wondered where Saphira's head was now. Panicked due to the unknown, joyous due to the mark she left on her attackers, encouraged to kill the betrayers. She knew Saphira would not return to Alagaesia as Firnen had been very satisfied with the matter. This thought also brought about an unfortunate realization that the pair would not trust the Elven Kingdom as far as they could throw it.
She heard a creak of the door and saw a brief motion of the door opening.
Vanir was still waking up; he offered the same greeting as the guards when he saw who was rapping on his door at this early in the morning. Arya returned the gesture in kind.
"Why do you call upon me at this hour, Drotting?" He looked at her with a probing look as he shuffled outside of the door and soon closed the door. "We had much to discuss yesterday and said we discuss these matters later today."
"New information, Vanir." She replied looking at him. "We have traitors within the elven kingdom, and their leader got captured this morning."
Vanir's expression hardened a scowl coming across his face. The information was causing him to become more awake as he waited for Arya to head to their destination.
"I assume that they are here already then." Vanir asked as Arya affirmed his query with a nod. "The Place Where the Eye Does Not See?" Again, a nod. "Well, let us get going then."
They set out at a brisk pace.
Any idea why this group would do this
They may have done it due to the purity of the dragon riders that home mixed up the notion that only elves can be dragon riders.
While pride is within the elven race, we abandoned such constructs hundreds of years ago.
Yes, but certain groups within our race still believe this way. He could very well be apart of that group. However, I think it would be best to wait.
I concur we will have to see what his motive is for this.
Vanir commented, "Who is the prisoner?"
"Lord Glanfel, of Silthrim," Arya replied, "Cannot say I am surprised though. Eragon and Saphira had visited the city during those trivial message runs, and he said something to Eragon about Saphira choosing a weakling."
"Mistake, given the fight he has in him," Vanir replied as his voice went low, and his usually expressionless face turned to a scowl, "Eragon could not have taken that well."
"He did not; however, he held his tongue and quietly tried to deal with the situation." She replied, "It was not Eragon that was the vocal one because they had the meeting outside." She stressed the last word.
"Oh no, in front of her," Vanir replied, his eyebrows, "he did not commit such a violation."
"He did," She replied, "incredibly do such a thing."
"What did Saphira do?" Vanir feared the response.
"Well, the way Eragon tells it," she explained, "the claw polish came off that morning. He had never seen her so angry. He knew it was righteous, so he did not say anything to her."
"Lord Glanfel was not thrilled with that I wager," Vanir added, "A dragon rider not 'controlling' his dragon, the madness of it." He ends in a high-pitched voice and very expressively gestured his arms and face.
Arya smirked Vanir was on rare occasion expressive and a tad bit out there. "Well, Lord Glanfel was not thrilled at all. Chided Eragon and then solidified it as Eragon put it 'proof of his inability to be a rider.'"
As they neared the destination, she continued her tale, "Saphira lost it and threw one of Glanfel's aides in Lake Ardwen. Then apologized to the aide afterward."
"She did not want to make a scene, but Lord Glanfel's actions forced her hand." Vanir offered, "the apology did not go over well, I bet."
"Astonishingly, the aide was fine with it," Arya simply replied, "I had to go down there myself afterward to talk to this cretin, and the aide was the first person I met. He told me that he was angered as well with the way Glanfel had derided Eragon. When Saphira set his sights on him, he knew that she was trying not to make a big scene."
"I guess that is positive and Glanfel? What were his thoughts on the whole thing?" Vanir shook his head; she knew he disapproved of anyone that disrespected a rider that had gone through so much. The Elven population in Silthrim would demand his removal from office and banishment from the Elven Kingdom for this. She wagered that the rest of the cities would as well.
"Glanfel wanted me to give the authority to separate their bond," Vanir, who had been looking at something off to the side in a stall full of wares for the home, quickly snapped his head back in response to that. "Yes, Vanir, you heard me correctly. He has a motive, he has a history with these two, and he has opinions that are unbecoming of the elves."
"Drotting, this is an unusual request for me. Can I please make him pay for this slight against our race? Saphira has done her punishments, but we have not." Vanir replied
"No, Vanir you may not, Arya crossed her arms and scowled at him as they reached the destination. "If I even sense you are trying such a thing, you will be taken out of this meeting. Besides, you are not the only one who cares deeply about the pair."
"What are you planning," Vanir knew when Arya was holding her anger back, "If you let me in on it, I can help." Just as he finished, Firnen flew a landing spot.
Firnen, I thought I ordered you to stay in the Hall, you did not have a very restful night last night. Arya furrowed her eyebrows and tensed her muscles as she looked at her dragon.
I would have, accept you left your mind open to me for a couple of minutes as you talked with Vanir. Firnen shot back as he looked to preening out a couple of loose scales on his flank. When the words Saphira chose a weakling came out of your mouth, I flew as quickly as I could. Why I heard that and had to be here, such a slight will not get ignored.
Firnen. Saphira already dealt with her punishment. Frustrated with his insistence and trying to persuade him to go back to bed. She thought of Vanir and gave him a look.
I have not. Firnen replied, looking at her with a big green eye and then.
"I am sorry, Vanir, give me a moment." She excused herself and looked to Firnen. "Come with me, Firnen."
She walked a distance away, and as Firnen got to her side, she looked at him. Get your mind off the dragons must defend each other idea and go back to bed Firnen. Your tired even now. Saphira would be telling you the same thing.
Arya pl— Firnen got cut off by a sharp NO!
Go back to the Hall. I usually would not be as persistent you dragons are too magnificent to order around like an ordinary dog. However, I need to get information, and I cannot have a dragon who is— HMMM. You know what Firnen I will let you stay out here and be the back up if needed.
I can agree with that. Firnen replied he padded over to the spot he landed and laid down I shall wait here if called I will come but not before, wise one.
Arya moved to the door and opened it. She walked in and said, "Lord Glanfel, your activities of late are troubling and have consequences."
"Do they Drotting Arya? I seem to be already dealing with those consequences." He motioned to the surroundings. The Place the Eye Does Not See was not a place that many elves wanted to spend time in very often. It was cramped and often made the occupants face their worst fears. For Lord Glanfel, it was a bare room and no one to talk. In his cell also though was a mural of Eragon and Saphira. The tree had thought it out.
"Yes, you do. So, I would do friendly introductions, but we are all aware of what you have done. You seem to have no remorse, however. Why?
"Oh, Drotting Arya, you know why. You had to come down to Silthrim yourself. That rider," he motioned to the mural, "is a weakling, and Saphira should have chosen better."
"Eragon is no weakling I assure you that." Vanir crossed arms and showed the scars from when he had insulted Saphira. "He defends his own, and he fights well."
Aye, he does, and yet, he cannot control his dragon." Lord Glanfel said, "he did nothing as she roared and threw a tantrum. Then, I picked up my aide and through him into the Laka Ardwen. Tell me, Drotting, what rider allows his dragon to do that."
One that had just had his status as a rider challenged, also I might add Saphira is not known to pick weaklings in anything." Vanir replied, "Armor, Eragon's sword, her taste for the finest meats, and so much more."
"Ah yes, the novelties in life, quite pampered is she not. Almost human." Glanfel stated, "Preposterous, I say. Scale shine, claw polish, towels. Being pick about everything she gets. If she were with an older aged elf, she would not have got such treatment."
"You think I would believe that older age elves are better for the dragons because they know how to handle them" Arya slammed down her palm, a window opened to the outside. "Firnen is cared for as much as Saphira. He gets treated just the same, allowed to make his own decisions." An immense roar came right through the window. You think that dragons like Saphira get pampered too much. Well, then good luck with your scheme, Elf. It is a wonder this forest is not burning from her fire.
My name is Lord Glanfel, and you will respect that dragon. He looked at Firnen; he then turned to Arya. "Now, onto you, are you prepared to be a rider and queen."
"Oh yes, there is no doubt about that," Arya shifted to a chair nearby reserved for non-prisoners. "Kvista" as she sat down a branch wrapped around the Lord's waist.
"What is this, release me right now, Drotting, or I will— he was cut short by a roar right within his ear.
You would do well to listen to 'Lord Glanfel' if I were you. My rider has my respect and has my full services. Firnen growled and bared all the left side of his fangs.
"The Elven Kingdom respects me and my lineage. Far than I can say for you, my friend Silthrim all but rebelled the moment we sent word of what you did." Arya looked at him with a narrowed gaze as she watched him, "Lord Glanfel, I hereby remove you from power, and place you under arrest with punishing of death."
"What you cannot do that the only way an elf can get killed is by unspeakable crimes," The man now disheveled from his constraints, "I have done no such thing."
"Mmmmm," Vanir had his turn at the man, "let us examine that, shall we. The following things that are unspeakable in the elven world: One, endangering the elven kingdom in any way. Two, knowingly participating in any event that could shame the elven race. Three, attacking a dragon ally. Oh, what do you know you hit the first three on the dot, and all at the same time."
Arya looked to the man and said, "We know you and the band of thieves as I call them were attacking Brightscales castle. That shames the elven race, you threw a Jurgen Piercer at Saphira, ally and to underscore this: Firnen's earlier statement, it is a wonder that the forest is still standing lush and green is quite correct."
"Well then, you have got me there," Glanfel said, "although, where are they now." The former Lord smiled, "Have you any idea what Saphira or that blasted rider of yours intend."
Oh, I do Firnen replied to be far away from you. To lick the wound that has gotten created. He got low and hissed. Arya looked at Firnen in surprise. He instantly sent a feeling of assurance; he was not going to do anything. She mentally gave him the go-ahead as the former Silthrim head was shaking.
"Drottnig, control your dragon please," the man replied.
She does not control me like an ordinary dog you imbecile. Firnen bellowed a roar that was heard in a meadow far to the north. I can show restraint, but for a wound to the dragon race, I will not. Your actions Former Lord Glanfel have troubled me, and I assure you would disturb any dragon. If it were not for the fact that Saphira has given her punishment, I would take it upon myself to do it.
"He is actually correct there." Arya stood in unison with her dragon. "Now, good day Glanfel, I hope your work does not lead to any unintended consequences."
Tronjhiem: Dragon Hold
Oriks raged over the dwarven clan's participation in a secret agreement to separate the dragon and Rider who had done so much.
"Alright mold the piece into position" Orik called down to the craftsmen working on the frame for the Isidar Mithrim. It had been a few years since the battles of the great rebellion, and the dwarves were happy to be getting their Star Rose almost completed.
"Yes, your highness," the expert metallurgy craftsmen called out. "I have last piece ready to place into the frame."
"Good, Good. Saphira should be able to get this right." Orik replied as he thought of the dragoness' promise after the Battle of Farthen Dur. It was a fantastic gesture that had many a dwarf wondering if the dragon race could become allies. Saphira was the last female, and she favored peace with all creatures of Alagaesia with her own. Her visitations with the dwarves and the occasional drunken night were hilarious. A dragon, let alone a female dragon getting drunk, was hilarious.
As he oversaw the last pieces of the frame, a motion off to his right caught his attention. He had been expecting this, a messenger, which had come from the weapons hold. The dwarves had not done an inventory of it since the rebellion had taken place. Hrothgar had intended to do so but did not order it before his death.
"Sir," the messenger replied but was visibly shaken at what was to be said, "the inventory has been completed; however, there was one great piece missing."
"What is it?" Orik replied, now alarmed great pieces of war had not used since before the war. He looked at the messenger, who was trembling at the news he was to give. After what seemed to be awhile, he spoke to get the message "Well, out with it lad. I have not got all day."
"The Jurgen Piercer, my liege." The messenger replied. His boldface went pale. The only dragon that was even moving about was Saphira.
"Brazul!" he thundered his voice booming across the dragon hold. He looked to the cavern that Eragon and Saphira had customarily slept within. It was sure to be maintained with the most exquisite adornments for her. The clan Durgrimst Ingeitum had been very lavish in their embellishments. Now, if Saphira even spotted the dwarven craft, she would have words for him. He could see it now.
Why did you send that loathsome, foul weapon at me? Your kind went back on your word. None shall be fired at the dragons again. Good Luck, mending your Star Rose, as your penance, I will go back on that promise. She would say
If that were the case, he would have to back up his claim and show that he had no part. Saphira was one of the few dragons that were able to get to the bottom of a situation without throwing a tantrum. Harsh words would be there, and a body on the floor pinned to the ground as she interrogated them. However, she was not murder and then ask questions. It was making a scene, and after she had your attention, then came the questions.
"Are they certain that it is missing" he replied, hoping for another answer.
"Yes, my liege. I wish I could say otherwise." The messenger replied.
"Excellent, they are not going to trust us again." Orik mumbled to himself. As he looked at the inventory, he saw a great deal of armor that had recently made for the human and elven body format.
"Why was it made? I had not cleared such orders." He questioned the messenger.
"My liege, the order came down from you a few weeks ago."
"I do not recall writing it, nor asking in person." Orik replied, "I know the things I have asked for, and mostly it has been the Star Rose that has had my attention."
The Star Rose would have to wait; however, he had to look at a specific treaty that he had signed. Now he was questioning everything. Had the wool of the feldunost been pulled over him, he prayed to the Gods that was not the case.
Later that day, as he returned to his hall and the personal desk that had all his essential writing, communications, and plans for the city, he found the treaty and read it. "Enslavement … Eragon and Saphira" his eyes closed and he, unbeknownst to him, had signed his foster brother into a form of slavery. He sighed, looking at the treaty, shaking his head. This separation is not what was to happen. He prayed the pair had already figured it out before anything else happened.
"What have I done?," he spoke aloud to himself walking back into the empty hall, "I have betrayed my foster brother. I must make it up to him, but how surely the elves have some clue to what this has done."
"Bardagul, get an orderly to run to a message to the Elven Kingdom," Orik called to an Aide, though they are sure to be ahead of us at least they will know that the Dwarves had not intended to participate in this blatant attack on the dragons and their riders."
Uru'bean: Palace
Disbelief, a lack of comprehension, total denial were the emotions running in Nasuada's head. All could be summed up in how Nasuada felt about the news she had gotten from the Trianna, who had told her that the portion of the army that had been sent up there had been killed. The castle that was there and then gone. Not a chance of the pleasure of ordering its destruction. "The whole thing just collapsed your majesty. It just collapsed." The Trianna was in complete disbelief.
"The rider and his beast?" she demanded an answer from Trianna, her voice erupting in anger over the loss. A thought trickled in her mind "This was their doing. The had to have known weakness in the castle."
"Fled milady to the northeast." The Trianna replied with certainty. "Though it is probably little consolation, the dwarves had almost struck Saphira with their lance."
Nasuada closed her eyes and sighed 'the Northern lands' she slammed her fist down on the table. "We will never get to them now. The other information is no conciliation to me. If she received a wound, I would be happy. I would be far happier knowing that that DAMNED beast was hit and wounded."
"Thank you, Trianna I will consider this information and respond appropriately." Might as well order the rest of the detachment back. "Also tell the commander to march back to the capital and get ready to help with the clean up of the city." Nasuada left the communication piece, and when to her desk, she looked at the plans that she had been sent by various city advisors to rebuild the city. Her blood boiled that crafty, vain dragoness had done it again. Her arms trembled as she forcefully cleared the desk of everything. She would pay for this how she did not know the Northlands as they were too remote.
Eragon's family was in the Elven Kingdom, Ellesmera, more specifically. Not a viable option. She would have to be patient and wait for the right time. If Eragon and Saphira ever graced Alagaesia again, it would be at their peril.