Chapter 11
Eragon sat by the cave entrance, he was reading a small book with graceful writing scrawling across the page in neat lines of golden ink, outside the storm raged on as it had for the past two days. Suddenly he felt Saphira's mind brush his and he opened himself to her "Eragon he's awake." Those three words were enough Eragon shut the book and rose he walked over to the back of the cave where the elf was led and it was true he was awake his pale lavender eyes searched around him, his eyes finally fell on Eragon and he frowned, he tried to speak but his throat was parched so all he managed was a harsh rasp. Eragon grabbed a water skin from where it was hooked on a small jutting rock he removed the cork and handed it to the elf who drank gratefully once the skin was empty the elf tried to speak again and was this time successful "Eragon what are you doing here? And where are we?"
"It's ok Olwen you are free we rescued you from Gil'ead a little under a week ago you've been asleep since you fled the city, and as for where we are it's a small cave system some thirty leagues from Gil'ead." Eragon put one of Olwen's arms around his shoulders and helped the elf stand "let's get you to the fire and get you some food, and whilst you eat I'll tell you everything that's been happening that I know of since your abduction." Together the two slowly made their way over to the fire and once there Eragon helped the elf to sit on the empty log they had dragged in as a bench opposite them sat Roran and Katrina whilst Brom sat in surly silence on the stump.
Olwen looked around at them all "so what happened to bring you here and how did you know where to find me?"
Eragon looked at his companions and then at his father before he began "nearly five months ago my parents arrived at the place where me and Murtagh were hiding with them they brought news of the Varden and your ambush they also gave custody of your burden to us and a few days later we left our isolation to search for the people for whom the eggs are destined, we first decided to visit my uncle Garrow in Palancar valley." Olwen looked puzzled for a few moments "yes he is alive, he survived his fight with the forsworn and escaped north taking a young wife with him together they had a son and he seemed like a suitable candidate to try first and we were right what we didn't account for was that we would have two eggs hatch at once the second was young Katrina here. And so we began their training that was until a company of imperial soldiers arrived we did not stick around to find out what they wanted, we made our preparations to leave and as we made our escape under cover of night but as we neared the end of the valley we encountered Morzan. I managed to hold him off whilst the others escaped to the plains since then we have been headed for the Varden."
"But how did you know where to find me?"
"Well that was slightly easier." Answered Eragon "as I was leading Morzan away from the valley I skirted the edge of Du Weldenvarden and decided that of all places we would be safest taking a short refuge amongst the ancient pines, Saphira and I visited the knotted throne since we were within the queens borders, she told us that a wandering elf saw Morzan and his dragon flying away from the forest with a body across his saddle, it didn't take me long to put the pieces together and work out that you were being held in Gil'ead. We didn't know about the shade however otherwise I wouldn't have allowed Katrina to go alone."
"It was the shade who ambushed me on my way to Teirm, I was travelling with two of my closest friends Glenwing and Elderion they were killed by the urgals that the shade commanded. It took all my strength to send the eggs to Brom, just as I completed the spell the shade attacked me with magic it consumed my wards and I fell into unconsciousness. I never knew exactly where I was being held I never had contact with humans other than the shade when he tortured me."
Brom looked at his son "this is the second time we've heard of Urgals where they shouldn't be how sure are you of your friend?"
"I'm positive that they had nothing to do with it but I'll go and find out for myself. Will you be ok without me for a day or two?"
"We'll be fine but we may set off towards the Varden before you get back."
"That's fine I can find you if need be." He stood and looked at Roran and Katrina "I want you to do everything Brom tells you without question, he is one of the best swordsmen I know and I know he's already be helping you Olwen too can help you once he's strong enough though that may still be a few days off." Then he looked at his father and friend "keep them as safe as possible I'll be back as quickly as I can." Without another word he left heading to the second cave where the dragons slept. After a few minutes they heard the gently fading beating of great wings."
The black cloak of night was draped around the shoulders of the world the stars were just beginning to shine down upon the earth, mercifully there was no moon that night and quickly Saphira climbed to a height where she would be invisible without the effects of magic.
"Do you think Nar Garzvhog has anything to do with the things we've seen and heard?" Asked Saphira as she flew north west towards the spine.
"No I don't but I hope that he and his people are safe, if the shade has a hand in it then I'm worried for them."
They carried on flying in silence for the remainder of the night during which time Eragon worked on a number of spells that he hoped would be enough to protect the urgals and their village. As dawn began to stain the eastern horizon Eragon became aware of where Saphira intended on landing, and he was right she broke through the canopy and touched down crouching low so as to allow Eragon slightly easier access to the ground, ahead on him was his and Murtagh's home. It didn't look right with no lights within any of the windows and the lightless lantern that had been lit for nigh on a century hung on its hook black and lifeless. He slipped the straps that held his legs in place loose and leapt from the saddle landing in a panther like crouch, his senses were preternaturally acute he looked around focusing intently lightly reaching out with his mind ready to snap back and be on the defence if needed though he'd much rather be the one to spring any trap that lay in wait, but with a dragon next to him he didn't expect to go unnoticed. Mercifully the area surrounding the clearing was free of enemies he loosened his position slightly and retrieved his bow from Saphira's saddle as well as six arrows that he held in the same hand as his bow he tread carefully toward the house casting a look at Saphira as he passed her snout she to was wound tight, he read her tension in the way she held her tail stiff and off the ground as well as her half unfurled wings, her head was low close to the ground though Eragon knew this was the most deadly place for it to be within relation to any two or four legged creature close to his height. Slowly he advanced a single arrow knocked against the bow string as he crossed the gate into internal courtyard, somewhere Saphira couldn't enter. He crossed the courtyard and through the front door, as he entered the entrance hall he could easily see that the house had been ransacked the bookcase that stood opposite the door lay splintered on the ground. Quickly, carefully and methodically he made his way through the house not a single room had gone untouched his bed had been torn open and the down filling that was inside his mattress was strewn across the room. Suddenly from outside he heard a terrible earth shaking rumble, followed by Saphira's angry disgusted voice "Eragon you need to get back here I found out who destroyed your house."
Without pause Eragon ran, first out of the house and then across the courtyard. He came to a dead stop by Saphira's head before them were two heavily cloaked figures, their hoods were drawn up so he couldn't make out their faces . He drew back on his bow which was still knocked "who are you?" He shouted
Neither figure answered, checking his mental defences he reached out to where the two figures stood and found nothing their entire beings including the brilliant spark of their life force was concealed, he withdrew and hissed "Ra'zac" he felt Saphira stiffen next to him. It had been generally believed that the Ra'zac had been killed off by the ancient riders. He examined the two, he had never seen a Ra'zac before outside of drawings and descriptions in books in the citadel library on Vroenguard, he aimed at the smaller of the two monsters and loosed his arrow. With a flash the Ra'zac whipped out a strange leaf bladed sword knocking the arrow off course, Eragon quickly touched a second arrow to the string and set this flying as well, with rapid succession he fired the four other arrows he was holding each of which was dodged by the pair of foul creatures before him. Once his ranged assault was over he dropped his bow and drew his sword he glanced at Saphira's saddle from which hung his shield. Ignoring the shield Eragon silently recited an ingenious spell of Murtagh's invention, a nimbus of crackling blue flames ignited around his free hand though the flames caused him no pain, as he finished the first mental spell he softly spoke a single word aloud "Brisingr!"starting at the hilt a tongue of blue fire rippled up the length of his swords blade. The Ra'zac looked slightly nervous but made no move to retreat instead from under its cloak the larger of the two drew a vicious looking black recurved bow an arrow already fitted at the string with a speed Eragon only associated with elves and riders the Ra'zac drew the bow to its fullest extent and fired.
Eragon's decision was one born of hundreds of years training, in what appeared to be a single fluid motion Eragon took off with his right foot after he had taken two full steps he dropped and rolled forward as the arrow flew over his head, as he came forward once more he again pushed forward with his right foot and brought his sword up from the left hand side of his body, a blow that would cleave any ordinary foe from right hip to left shoulder but before he made it more than half way to his intended target a silver blade appeared in his path halting Brisingr's path. The strength of the Ra'zac shocked Eragon for it matched his own, as the second Ra'zac moved forward with a sword in its hand instead of the bow Eragon Reached out and delved deep into Saphira's immense strength, relinquishing his hold on the magical fire surrounding his hand he took hold of his sword with his other hand and heaved throwing the Ra'zac backwards. As the first monster stumbled backwards the second one leapt forward it's sword moving in a wide over head slash, Eragon dived sideways clear of the sword stroke that buried itself a third of the blades length into the ground, from behind him Eragon heard Saphira roar in anger. He knew that she dared not attack whilst he was in the way, he rose and ran back to her side both Ra'zac close behind him. Suddenly he heard Saphira's voice in his mind "Eragon get down now!" He didn't need any further information or instruction he could sense through their link what she was about to do and he knew he didn't want to be in her way so he dropped to the earth once more sliding on his side whilst above him Saphira arched her neck and drew in a mighty lung full of air before she opened her maw and let loose a enormous torrent of rippling azure flames that bathed the two Ra'zac after a minute the inferno ended with a snap of the great sapphire dragons jaws from where he stood next to his dragon Eragon saw that the two Ra'zac were still standing in the centre of where the flames had been, all around them the ground was blacked and charred and so were the robes and cloaks they wore the hoods had been completely incinerated and both of the fowl beasts clutched at their faces. As they moved their hands Eragon saw them properly for the first time. Though they were between five and a half to six feet and walked on two legs that was where their human likeness ended, they had great black eyes the size of saucers, as well as a foot long shiny black beak, their backs were crooked and hunched which Eragon knew was where their wings would sprout from when they matured. As one the Ra'zac tilted their heads to the sky and loosed a chittering, screeching ululation, as the noise came to an end Eragon waited he didn't know what was about to happen but he knew it couldn't be good. With great booming wingbeats two twisted, bald skeleton bat like creatures crashed through the canopy and landed on their two legs their large dinner plate sized eyes flashed with malice and their seven foot long beaks looked like deadly spears as the folded their bat like wings Eragon sighed "Lethrblaka" before he could do anything Saphira loosed another torrent of scorching blue flames, he watched in shock as the flames wreathed around the four monsters but to no avail and once again the flames stopped. Eragon began to think at a phenomenal pace his mind jumping between ideas and ways to kill the four creatures he decided to go simple to start with he raised his empty hand a barked "Jierda" the spell that should have snapped all four necks had no effect, in fairness he thought he hadn't really expected it to so he tried an indirect attack quickly reciting a short phrase he watched as the eyes of both Ra'zac and Lethrblaka alike turned milky white. Without pausing to think Eragon snatched up his bow and vaulted into Saphira's saddle he shouted at her both verbally and mentally "Fly Saphira!" And she did as they cleared the tops of the trees Eragon released the magic, within half a minute the Ra'zac and their mounts were in the air as well furiously chasing after them. As they drew closer Eragon stood and balanced himself on Saphira's back he drew his bow and pulled several arrows from the quiver from where it lay hooked to the saddle bow underneath his shield, when the Lethrblaka were within a hundred feet of Saphira's tail he drew back and fired the arrow streaked towards their rapidly approaching foes just before the arrow struck it veered off the side, just as he suspected he drew back and fired again, this time just before the arrow changed direction he shouted "JIERDA" and the arrow exploded in a shower on sharp wooden splinters. The magically charged pieces of tore tiny holes in the Lethrblaka's wing and he smiled and fired again this time aiming directly for the creatures face as it approached he repeated his spell and the splinters struck the beasts eyes sticking in the thin membrane that coved the creatures eyes as it flew. The Lethrblaka shrieked and the noise nearly made Eragon fall from his precarious position but as he looked he saw the two foul beasts back flapping in midair to maintain their altitude, he touched Saphira's mind "we did it now we need to fly back to the others I shall just have to try scrying Nar Garzvhog instead." Saphira's ascent was silent but she dipped her wing heading south east.
It took Saphira half as much time on the return trip as it did to reach the spine, the entire trip back Eragon cursed in every tongue he knew swearing reckless oaths of vengeance, murder and destruction though he was careful not to make any of these declarations in the ancient language, when the sandstone cliff was in sight he threw his mind out searching for his friends. He found them twenty leagues past Gil'ead heading south east straight towards Bullridge and beyond that the Hadarac desert, he felt a mental jab smash into his mind and instinctively he threw up his mental barriers constructed of images of Saphira's scales as hard as diamonds. The probe vanished instantly instead it was replaced by a gentler touch, Eragon examined the new probe and found a wall constructed of images of himself, his wife Arya, Brom, Selena, Roran, Katrina, Askanir and Luneria, he slowly lowered his walls and welcomed the touch of Olwen's mind "forgive me Eragon I wasn't sure it was you, we are being pursued by a legion of soldiers from Gil'ead. They saw us pass by as we made our escape from the cave, we weren't sure if Morzan was following above them or not."
"I didn't see him as we passed, we could take care of the soldiers if you wanted"
"No it's ok you are both to tired right now though we could use your help down here."
"I'll be there shortly" he closed his connection and began talking to Saphira who had listening to his and Olwen's conversation, their discussion was brief but it ended with a steep dive towards their friends. It took the pair another fifteen minutes to catch up to those travelling on the ground, the horses looked like they were beginning to tire he drew upon Saphira's great reserves of energy as well as those that he had been storing up for the past century and channelled it into the four horses below he saw the change in them instantly with his enhanced vision, the horses gates became longer and more fluid as they stretched out their rippling forms. Soon Eragon and Saphira were flanked on either side by Askanir and Luneria. For hours the group's both airborne and on land raced on, slowly with the aid of Saphira and Eragon's combined might boosting them they began to out distance the soldiers and soon the lights of Bullridge began to wink on the horizon. To avoid any detention the group gave the town an excessively wide birth, finally the four riders on horse back stopped at the edge of the Ramr River with Eragon and the dragons quickly joining them. Brom looked at Eragon as he dismounted Saphira "I take it that something didn't go to plan"
Eragon looked at his father "you could say that yes, I'll tell you about it later though, right now we need to cross the river that should discourage most pursuit."
Without a word Askanir unfurled his wings and took off flying out over the river.
Whilst he was gone Roran looked at his cousin "but if we cross the river we'll be in the hadarac desert, how are we supposed to find enough water, could the dragons carry enough for all of us plus themselves and the horses?"
"No a weight like that would cripple any of them including Saphira, I do have a plan it was something I came up with a long time ago before the fall when Saphira and I along with her sire and his rider travelled to visit with her dam." He looked at his dragon and a silent few words passed between them before Saphira rose and using he fore paws she gouged a depression in the ground once the hole was deep enough to Eragon's satisfaction he drew upon his magic and spoke two words " Adurna Risa!" Slowly the hollow first became damp as water reached the surface and then slowly the bowl like depression filled with water until it overflowed and spilled back into the ground, he looked at them all "the water in the desert is deeper yes but with magic we can still bring it forward there are five of us and each can use magic, singly or in pairs we should be able to achieve our goal." Once he had explained he allowed each to drink from the hole and to refill the water skins they had with them, it required Eragon to refill the hole half a dozen times before they were all watered for the dragons emptied it once each, during the time when the horses were drinking Askanir returned "you could not have picked a worse space to cross, the river bends back on itself here and is at its widest and strongest, over half a mile to be exact."
Eragon pondered for a few moments but it was Katrina who spoke first "couldn't we simply fly across and the dragons carry the horses?"
"That would be an excellent idea Katrina but we don't have enough blankets or material to protect the horses from the dragons claws." Answered Eragon
"I have an idea. Eragon, Brom were you ever taught about the art of singing to plants and the earth." Asked Olwen
"Our master was an elf so he made sure that we knew the basics, though it's been years since I practiced the art." Answered Brom
"I am more recently practised though Murtagh has more skill, I can do fairly well, why what do you have in mind?"
Briefly Olwen outlined his plan before he Eragon and Brom stepped to the edge of the river. Slowly and softly they began singing, with every repetition of the spell the melody grew until finally the edge of the bank began to shimmer and ripple until finally it began to flow forming a low narrow bridge wide enough the a single horse, Olwen took the lead without a horse using his magic to complete the bridge on the other side, slowly one by one the others crossed the dragons circled overhead keeping a watch out for the approaching soldiers. As they reached the far side Eragon handed Olwen the reigns to his Palomino and walked back to the bridge in time to see Roran raise his free hand and say "Jeirda" and starting from the middle the bridge crumbled and collapsed back into the river turning the swirling water a murky brown colour before either Roran or Katrina could mount their horses Eragon called to them "fly with your dragons for a while and give the horses a rest for a while. I'll join you shortly." Without complaint they tied their horses behind Snowfire and climbed into the dragons saddles. As they took to the air Eragon watched them, then he walked over to where Brom and Olwen were checking the straps of the horses saddles "we've still got a ways to go yet."
"Aye some one hundred and thirty leagues yet by my reckoning." Answered Brom
"A most arduous trek especially through the desert."continued Olwen
"And with half of the imperial army not far behind us." Stated Brom
"We're going to have to push hard to cover the distance between here and the Varden."
"I'll stay on the wind with Saphira and watch from above, if we can keep Roran and Katrina airborne as much as possible it will allow you to keep changing mounts as you rider."
"Very well it seems we have little choice fair winds to you all." Finished Brom. Without another word they all clasped hands before Eragon turned and vaulted into Saphira's saddle and once he had fastened the straps around his legs she unfurled he massive azure wings and took of ascending quickly to the same altitude as the others together Brom and Olwen mounted Snowfire and the Palomino and with the other horses tied to the saddles of the two horses in the lead they set off heading east. For four days the rode deeper into the desert, finally just before they stopped for the day on the fourth day Roran called over to Eragon with his mind "there on the horizon is that the beor mountains?"
Eragon looked to where his cousin was pointing and sure enough he could make out the blue-gray hazy outline of the great mountain range.
"Are we really that close?" Asked Katrina
"Some leagues yet lie between us and the Varden."
For the next two days they flew on Eragon never left his position atop Saphira's back he merely ate in the saddle and when he needed to relieve himself he stood and took care of his business off of his dragons back, Roran and Katrina however had to ride on horseback after a day and a half and due to their dragons relatively small size compared to Saphira though at nearly six months of age they were still a great size just over eight feet at shoulder height and thirty five to forty feet in length they were each formidable hunters. As the sun rose on the rose on their sixth day within the desert they woke to find that all around there were the sparse scraggly and stunted bushes that they had passed when they had first entered the desert, the mountains to seemed closer their form no longer hazy and vague. Not long after the group had stopped to rest the horses properly for the first time since entering the desert, Roran who along with Katrina had decided to fly with there dragons spotted a cloud of dust off to the north west and it was rapidly approaching "what do you think is causing that cloud there isn't any wind?" He asked the others
"I've no idea." Came Katrina's reply "shall we have a closer look?"
"There's no need." Came Askanir's deep powerful voice "those seem to be urgals, though they seem bigger than the ones you encountered previously."
"We need to warn the others." Said Luneria
And without another word the two dragons tilted their wings and plummeted down towards the earth. Landing Roran yanked on the straps around his legs before he tumbled from the saddle, ext to him Katrina too yanked herself free of the restraints around her legs and dismounted though considerably more gracefully together the pair made their way to where the others were just breaking down the tents. As they rushed into camp the three men looked up at them and all registered the harried expressions they saw but it was Eragon who spoke first "what's wrong you look like you've seen a ghost or worse."
"Worse!" Was Roran's single word reply
Suddenly Eragon was serious "what happened Roran tell me everything!" Roran however was bent double breathing heavily so Eragon looked to Katrina. Without words she mentally explained everything, first how Roran had seen a cloud of dust travelling through the desert with no wind, then Askanir's observations about the urgals. As she finished Eragon went pale and swore under his breath, Brom looked at him concerned "what is it Eragon?"
"A column of Kull are headed in this direction and no doubt they will pursue us soon they saw the dragons through no fault of their own and through Katrina and Askanir's memories I saw the banner that flies at the head of the column it is the personal crest of a very particularly nasty Urgal chieftain he takes great pride in killing dragons he had a personal hand in the death of one of the forsworn who flew near his holdings and there are stories that both Morzan and Enduriel had near misses with him as well when they ventured near his holdings."
"What can we do?" Asked Olwen
"We have to make a run for it." Said Eragon bluntly
"We have been running." Started Roran "We've been running since we saw Morzan in Palancar Valley."
"I know we have but we are within touching distance of our end goal. By my best guess we still have a little over thirty five leagues to go and if our luck holds out we should be able to cover it in without being caught."
After the discussion Eragon, Roran and Katrina mounted their dragons and took to the skies below them Brom and Olwen on horseback rode as hard and fast as they could. As they flew on Eragon kept looking behind them keeping an eye on the column of Urgals who were still steadily gaining on those below. Eragon could feel his cousins mind touch his "Eragon what are we going to do, those urgals are gaining on Brom and the ambassador."
Saphira saw the idea form in her riders mind before he voiced and it "this is a bad idea Eragon"
"We don't have any other choice, I don't intend on fighting them only to delay them for long enough for Brom and Olwen to gain a bit of distance." Beneath him Saphira growled and the vibrations traveled through him "fine but we keep the little ones out of it."
Eragon reached out to both Katrina and Roran who both allowed him access into his mind "Whatever happens in the next few minutes stay here and don't try to help." Before either could respond Eragon shielded his mind and Saphira aimed herself towards the column of Urgals. He landed twenty feet in front of the urgals, as his feet struck the hard packed earth he two dull thuds from behind him, he closed his eyes before looking behind him and sure enough there were Askanir and Luneria with Roran and Katrina sliding from there saddles and he sighed "so much for staying put" he muttered under his breath and next to him Saphira chuckled "did you honestly expect them to stay there?" He huffed and drew his sword and from either side of him he heard the steely rasp as Roran and Katrina drew their own weapons. Eragon dropped into his customary crouch with his blade extended ready to deal or counter the first strike, out of his peripherals he saw the other two take up their own positions. From within the column of Urgals a large brutish looking Kull shoved his way forward in his right hand he held an enormous double bladed battle axe, as Eragon looked at it he knew he would need two hands to even think of wielding the monstrous weapon which the Kull was easily carrying, as the monster pushed through the front rank he looked at the three riders in front of him "Our master wishes to speak to you humans." He spat in deep rolling gutturals
"Who is your master" asked Eragon though he already had a hunch
"His name does not deserve to be given to ones as low as yourselves. He rules the sky and holds dominance over the earth. You are no more than stray ants to him, but he has decreed that you should be brought before him, alive, take heart that you have become worthy of such notice."
"We'll never go with you nor any of our enemies." Declared Roran thinking of Yazuac "wether you serve shade, urgal or some twisted fiend I've never heard of."
"That is a grave mistake." Growled the urgal showing his fangs "there is no way to escape him, eventually you will stand before our master, if you resist he will fill your days with agony."
Eragon speculated who had the power to bring the urgals under one banner and wether there could be a third great force loose in the land along with Galbatorix and the Varden
Next to him Katrina spoke here voice as steady and hard as iron "keep your offer, and tell your master that the crows can eat his entrails for all we care."
Rage swept through the urgals, their leader howled and gnashed his teeth "we'll drag you to him then." He waved the axe in his hand and the urgals surged forward. Eragon raised his free hand and shouted "Jierda" from either side of him he heard the same word barked, the three bolts of sapphire, amethyst and silver light collided and just before they hit the urgal they shattered into hundreds of shards that shot in all directions away from the three riders striking dozens of urgals each of whom clutched at different parts of their bodies, on some the white of bone could be seen poking out of wounds others just looked to be in great discomfort. The urgal leader seemed completely unaffected by the magic instead he lowered his head charged towards Eragon, just before he made contact Eragon lunged out of his way and looked at Roran and Katrina "get back on your dragons and get in the air away from here." He commanded, they both stood there ground looking a little scared "MOVE NOW" he roared and shoved Roran out of the way of one the the giant urgals flailing arms. Without further discussion the two younger riders climbed on to their dragons who took off before they had started securing their legs in the saddle. As Eragon watched the dragons get airborne he was almost caught in the urgals massive embrace and it was only thanks to Saphira's split second warning that allowed Eragon to dodge the urgals grasp by diving between the creatures legs. He skidded to a stop in the dirt the wind knocked from him and his sword lay a foot in front of him it's sapphire blade shimmered in the bright sunlight.
"Get up Eragon he's coming for you." Came Saphira's worried voice.
It was these words that forced Eragon first to his elbows then to all fours finally he stood picking up his sword as he went. As he turned to face the on coming urgal who had his axe raised ready to attack he heard Saphira's voice again "you can't defeat them all Eragon and besides what good would it do to get your self killed, your father and Olwen have made it to the foothills and are now within the forest and cannot be seen, Roran and Katrina are safe it is time to retreat."
Scrambling Eragon dived past the urgals charge and ran for Saphira who reared up on her hind legs and began flapping her enormous wings causing a thunderous upheaval of dirt and sand. As he cleared the cloud Eragon saw his dragon had taken off and was hovering as best she could a few feet from the ground, he summoned forth his magic and spoke a single command setting him hurtling through the air until he caught hold of the saddle, releasing his hold on the magic he hauled himself into position and tightened the straps around his thighs. As the great sapphire dragoness began to gain some altitude a shower of arrows tore loose of the dust cloud and rained upon the skin tight wards that surrounded Saphira before falling back to the earth, angered she loosed a jet of crackling blue flames in the direction of the urgals before turning and flying off in the direction of his friends. It only took a few minutes to catch up to Roran and Katrina and then a further ten minutes to catch Brom and Olwen quickly the three riders dismounted and Roran and Katrina pulled themselves into the saddle Eragon didn't mount a horse but merely stretched his arms and legs and as horses set off and the dragons left to hunt Eragon began to run alongside the rest of his group. Later in the evening they stopped to rest the lathered and exhausted horses, they found an area with a mid sized pool of mountain water that was fed by a babbling brook in which swam a shoal glittering trout. Silently as the others set up a rude camp Eragon cut a willow sapling before retrieving a length of waxed cord from one of his saddle bags along with a hook, after acquiring some bread he retreated to the edge of the pool and began to fish for there supper. An hour later as the others finished he had caught several long silvery fish, he cleaned them before returning to the others and once the fish were cooking he retreated to the edge of the camp and sat leaning against a tree, closing his eyes he reached out with his mind. He felt when his father approached him and he opened his eyes.
Brom looked down at his son "what is going on Eragon you've barely spooked since you dismounted Saphira."
"It's nothing father."
"Now that I highly doubt, talk to me and share the burden."
Eragon sighed and closed his eyes again "the urgals knew about us they told us that their master wishes to speak with us." Brom frowned so Eragon continued "I'm worried that there's another great power loose in the world it is bad enough having to think about fighting Galbatorix and what remains of the Forsworn never mind facing another foe."
"We will face whatever comes together as a family. Now come and get some food and some rest we've got a long way to go and not a lot of time to get there."
It was just as they were settling in for the night that the dragons returned the younger two curled around their riders and covered them with their wings whilst Saphira curled around the other three. It was the middle of the night when Saphira woke Eragon "Eragon the Urgals are catching up they're only five leagues behind and they aren't stopping" without another though he rolled out from his blankets and pulled on his boots before he shook Brom awake, quickly he explained the situation before ducking out from under Saphira's wing and walking over Askanir's and Luneria he quickly roused the dragons and their riders before he began breaking down the brief camp. Once they were ready Eragon looked at Roran and Katrina "go with your dragons and keep watch on the urgals." Just before they took off he said "keep me informed of what's happening"
Once the three dragons were airborne Eragon pulled himself into the palomino's saddle, whilst Brom pulled himself into snowfire's and Olwen pulled himself into Cadoc's and once they were settled they set off at a canter swiftly becoming a run, for over an hour they rode with Roran and Katrina keeping them fed with information about the urgal columns movements. An hour after first light they slowed to a trot as Katrina told them that the urgals were ten miles behind them, as they passed by a side valley Eragon heard a faint whistling sound and pulled sharply on his horses reigns forcing the animal to rear up on his hind legs with a squeal of protest, looking down Eragon saw a grey fletched arrow sticking out of the ground. As the horse settled again Eragon saw his father and Olwen with swords drawn looking around warily, suddenly a dozen men burst from concealment all around them and from the side valley rode another eight men.
"Slavers." Hissed Brom
From above Eragon could feel the three dragons begin to dive and he cast his thoughts out to them "stay where you are let us talk are way out of this." He felt Saphira pull up and start to back flap to maintain her altitude as did Askanir and Luneria. As he refocused on the situation around him he spotted Olwen who now spotted rounded ears and softer less almond shaped eyes and he cursed under his breath, though his eyes were still relatively human his ears were far from and the slavers were to close now for him to conceal his looks with magic he would just have to hope his hair covered them enough.
As the men who had been hiding in the surrounding bushes stepped out with arrows trained on the three men the lead rider reigned in his and crossed his arms looking at them critically with his eyebrows raised "well these are better than the usual dregs we find, at least we got healthy ones this time and we didn't even have to shoot them. Grieg will be pleased." Around him his men chuckled "now if you would be so kind as to drop your weapons you'll avoid being turned into living quivers by my men." The archers grinned suggestively and the other men laughed again.
Brom shifted his sword but did not relinquish it he looked at the leader "who are you and do you want, we are free men travelling through this land you have no right to stop us."
"Oh I have every right." Said the man contemptuously "and as for my name slaves do not address their masters in such a manner unless they want to be beaten. Now throw down your swords and surrendered." He said staring at them coldly. None of them made any move to give up there swords.
Eragon's palm tingled and he heard a rustle from behind him then a loud curse, startled he spun around one of the slavers had crept up on him and gaped at him in astonishment "Torkenbrand this ones an elf I can see his ears." The men stirred with surprise, whilst the leader spurred his horse over to the palomino he looked intently at Eragon and whistled.
The man on the ground looked at him "well how much is he worth?"
Torkenbrand was quiet for a moment then spread his hands "at the very least fortunes upon fortunes, the empire will pay a mountain of gold for him." The slavers yelled in excitement and pounded each other on the back.
A roar filled Eragon's mind a Saphira dived over head he caught Brom and Olwen's eye and nodded ever so slightly and they responded. Swiftly Brom smashed one of the mounted Slavers from his saddle with his elbow before releasing his hold on Snowfire reigns allowing the horse to leap forward before it twirled round and reared, Brom brandished his sword as Snowfire plunged back down driving his fore hooves into the back of the dismounted slaver. Before any of the slavers could react Olwen scrambled out of the commotion and raised his hands invoking words in the ancient language a globule of emerald fire struck the ground in the midst of the fray bursting in a fountain of molten drops that dissipated like sun warm dew, a second later Saphira dropped from the sky next to Eragon, she parted her jaws displaying her massive fangs and bellowed.
"Behold." Cried Eragon over the noise "I am a rider." He raised Brisingr over his head and set the sword a blaze with azure fire then pointed it at the slavers "Flee if you wish to live." The men shouted incoherently and scrambled over each other in their haste to escape, in the confusion Torkenbrand was struck in the temple with a javelin, he tumbled to the ground stunned. The men ignored their fallen leader and raced away in a ragged mass casting fearful looks at Saphira, Torkenbrand struggled to his knees blood ran from his temple branching across his cheek with crimson tendrils Olwen dismounted and strode over to him sword in hand. Torkenbrand weakly raised his arm as if to ward of a blow Olwen gazed at him coldly, then stuck his blade into the ground and knelt before the man he laid one hand on either side of the mans head and closed his eyes, the pair were fixed and silent for over a minute then he let go and stood, as he retrieved his sword Torkenbrand stood with glazed eyes and ran off. At the same time Askanir and Luneria landed, Roran pulled out his water skin and took a long draft before he corked it and tossed it to Katrina he then looked at his cousin who was stood next to Saphira "the urgals have gained on you again they were no more than a league away, they just entered a stretch of woods and we lost sight of them."
Eragon opened his mouth to reply when suddenly the sharp call of a hunting horn sounded behind him, he looked startled "quickly go stay in the air until one of us calls for you and stay safe." He looked Saphira in one sapphire eye and something passed between themselves before she unfurled her wings and took off, once she was high enough the others leapt skywards and began to climb higher, without pause the three men left behind swung once more into their saddles and set off at a run again. For awhile they heard no sound nor any sight of the urgal column and once more they began to slow their horses when suddenly the call of the horn was heard again, this time it was louder and closer forcing them to spur the horses into a final run, Eragon knew that unless they made it to the Varden soon the horses would play out and they would be stranded at the mercy of the urgals. Suddenly Brom turned Snowfire and plunged into a small valley with a river branching out of it, as they progressed the river widened until finally the valley opened out with a lake taking up most of the valley down one side was a small pebble strand wide enough for a single horse on the other side was a grass verge maybe ten feet wide and at the end was a sheer cliff face with a crashing waterfall the plunged into the lake. They ran up the stone side of the lake reaching a small area where they could dismount but it was for naught there was no where to run and as Eragon swung his left leg over the saddle to dismount he saw the urgals making there way into the valley splitting to cover both banks, he looked at his father "call the others." He commanded as he drew his bow and quiver, he barely paid attention to Olwen who had stooped down as he dismounted and picked up a stone as large as his two fists. As he stepped around the horses nocking his first arrow he saw the three dragons plummeting towards the lake making the urgals stop and look up the few who had bows shot arrows at the three dragons though the missiles struck the diamond hard scales of the dragons hides and ricocheted off, Eragon took the opportunity to loose four arrows felling an urgal with each passing the smaller dragons reached the end of the valley Roran and Katrina dismounted and leapt to the shore as the dragons dived into the lake to take cover from the still raining hail of arrows as Roran stepped up beside his cousin with sword drawn he asked "what is Olwen doing back there?"
Eragon frowned and glanced over his shoulder to see Olwen pounding on the mountain side with the rock he picked up "I haven't a clue but right now we have a job to do." He tossed his bow and quiver to the side and drew brisingr gripping it in both hands. As the urgals came within reach of the small group with their spears the four riders began to hack and chop their way into the column which was spreading out as the reached the wider area of the gravel bar.