Chapter 13
It was Askanir's rumbles that jolted Roran into wakefulness. The dragon still had his eyes closed his hind legs twitched, he growled again and Roran realised his dragon was still asleep, rising he slipped from under his dragons wing to see the others sat around a cheerfully flickering blue fire bone which was a magically suspended kettle.
"Good morning Roran." Said Olwen handing his a wooden cup
"You could have slept through a thunderstorm." Chuckled Brom
"How long have you all been awake?"
"A while." Answered Brom "that's one of the things I hate about this place you never can tell what the proper time is."
"No body has come to see us yet though." Said Katrina
"It can't be long now though" said Eragon who had just walked over from around the other side of his dragon and he was right not long after they heard the bolt on the door slide open and in walked Orik and the Bald man along with a dozen guards "You have been summoned by Ajihad." Said the bald man "if you must eat do so as we march."
"Where are our horses and the rest of our belongings?" Asked Katrina
"Your horses are outside the rest will be returned to you when Ajihad sees fit"
With that they were led outside to find only snowfire, Cadoc and Katrina's grey that she had named Mira you three riders shall ride on the horses Brom and the ambassador shall walk until I tell the riders to mount their dragons then you may choose whichever horse you want.
Once they were mounted they started out with the bald man at the front followed by Brom, Olwen and Orik then came the riders with Eragon in the middle with Roran on his right and Katrina on his left behind them were the dragons and flanking the whole group were over three dozen armed warriors.
Roran began to think back on their journey from Palancar Valley to the Varden. He felt Askanir touch his mind "you have done well, strong one, a true rider with the heart of a dragon."
Roran smiled to himself "stay close to me my friend, I may need you."
"I will always be by your side."
Once the bald man was satisfied with the column they began to move forward. The perfectly sculpted tunnel echoed the sound of the horses hooves and the dragons talons. The further they went the more nervous Roran became of meeting with Ajihad, he also wondered about Orik and the role the dwarves played within the Varden, then his thoughts drifted to the ambassador and wether there were any more elves here. They traversed the tunnel for over an hour
Once the bald man was satisfied with the column they began to move forward. The perfectly sculpted tunnel echoed the sound of the horses hooves and the dragons talons. The further they went the more nervous Roran became of meeting with Ajihad, he also wondered about Orik and the role the dwarves played within the Varden, then his thoughts drifted to the ambassador and wether there were any more elves here. They traversed the tunnel for over an hour following the bald man all the way, nobody made a sound except for the clearly irritated Brom. Roran estimated that they had traveled at least a league heading deeper into the mountain. Finally there was a soft white glow at the end of the tunnel which grew brighter as they approached it. As they reached the final quarter mile stretch of tunnel they saw stunning marble columns studded with gems, between each column hung a white lantern and before them were two marble doors inlaid with a massive gold seven pointed crown spanning both doors. The bald man looked at them coldly "riders on your dragons, Brom, ambassador take your pick of horse, do not attempt to escape or do anything suspicious people will be watching you, you must know your place." He laid an enfaces on the last five words with
malicious glee on his face as he looked at Brom and Olwen with and unpleasant smile. Once they were settled in their saddles the bald man moved to the side with Orik and their men at the same time Brom and Olwen moved to flank the three riders with Eragon in the lead they moved forward. The doors began to swing open on hidden hinges and soft sunlight began to shine through the gap momentarily blinding the group. When he could see again Roran was stunned the stood on the edge of a massive volcanic crater with the walls narrowing to an opening high above. Roran speculated that the opening could easily be over twelve miles away if not further, the opening bathed everything in the centre in pale white light and leaving everything else in darkness high above them were thousands of gargantuan icicles casting a hazy blue light that almost seemed to make the opening larger upon first glance, he knew not even a dragon of Saphira's size could fly to that height, before them was a laid cobblestone path that led to the centre of the crater and ended at the foot of a glittering white mountain that was easily a tenth of the height of the crater.
Next to them stood Orik "No rider has laid eyes upon this marvel for over a hundred years. This airy peak under which we stand is called Farthen Dur, our father as mine people call it. It was discovered thousands of years ago by the father of our race Korgan whilst he was mining for gold and before you stands the greatest achievement of our race Tronjhiem, the city mountain, hewn from the purest marble."
"A city?" Breathed Katrina
As Askanir leaned forward to have a better look Roran spotted the crowd assembled haphazardly before them made up of both humans and dwarves. Thousands of expectant eyes watched them as the three dragons stepped through the doors into the crater Katrina raised her hand and waved quickly taking her hand down feeling foolish, then a single voice from within the crowd cheered. It took a few moments but then the entire crowd began to cheer.
"Very good." Sneered the bald man "now start walking"
Stepping forward Saphira loosed a jet of azure fire towards the the sky, the crowd cringed back but when the flames vanished the cheers redoubled there were some amongst the crowd though who looked at the riders with looks of resentment, these turned away and left.
As the group began to move the crowd surrounded them and followed them deeper into Farthen Dur towards Tronjhiem. As they approached the city Roran marvelled the entire city looked like liquid starlight poured into place, all over the mountain of marble were elaborately carved windows filled with myriad coloured lanterns. The gates were two great wooden affairs flaked by a pair of golden griffins. As they approached the gates the bald man motioned for them to continue, almost silently the two great doors opened over each was over four stories high. As they reached the end of the mile long hall they entered a large hall a thousand feet wide looking up Roran saw a glittering pink sapphire Orik was still beside him and he saw Roran's look of awe "behold" said the dwarf raising his hands "Isidar Mithrim, the star rose, the heart of Tronjheim and the heart of every dwarf."
The bald man looked at them "you must walk from here." He ignored the boos from the crowds that were watching from the many tiers that surrounded the central chamber, the bald man led them to the right hand corridor, they walked for several hundred feet before turning down another corridor after another turn Saphira had to stop she couldn't fit into the smaller corridors so they left her behind, Eragon knew she would most likely retreat to the dragon hold high above. Finally they arrived at a large set of solid oak doors the bald man opened them and led them inside past the guards who stood sentry outside.
Inside the room they saw the walls were lined with bookshelves half twenty feet up was a fairly wide platform in the centre of the room was a large mahogany desk behind which sat a bald man with curiously dark skin Roran had only ever met one other man with skin like this he had come from the Hadarac desert as the man behind the desk looked up he took in the meticulously trimmed beard that was cut close even sat down Roran noted the well developed physique of the man his muscles were powerful but it was his eyes that captivated his attention they were a curious golden colour, full of wisdom and knowledge.
As they entered Roran spotted another bald man stood in the shadows he was an identical copy of the bald man who had led them here, his heart dropped one was enough to worry about nevermind two.
Roran's attention was returned to the first bald man when he spoke "greetings I am Ajihad leader of the Varden." He gestured at the nine chairs arranged before his desk "please seat yourselves we have much to discuss."
They each took a seat though nobody asked about the other empty seats, sitting Ajihad returned to the piece of paper he was writing on ignoring his guests, Roran fidgeted he knew the twins were staring at them from where they stood by the stairs up to the surrounding level. After ten minutes there was a knock on the door, Ajihad looked up from his writing when he heard the sound "Orik please would you get that for me?"
Without a word Orik opened the door behind it stood Murtagh and Selena as they entered Eragon rose and pulled his brother into a bear hug. "I see you finally made it and in one piece" laughed Murtagh
"Well it was touch and go at some points but yes whole and well though I wouldn't object to a days bed rest." Joked Eragon who then looked at his mother "Mother it's good to see you well, I hope Murtagh hasn't driven you to do anything rash."
She laughed at "not yet but now that the pair of you are together again who knows what I may have to do."
As Eragon released his mother Murtagh cleared his throat "Brother may I introduce you to the lady Nassuada, daughter of Ajihad, and rider of the dragon Solaris." He gestured to a young lady of about eighteen
"Well met Lady Nassuada."
"Hello." She seemed shy but he could sense a core of steel within her
"And I'm sure you remember Arya, Daughter of Islanzadi." Smirked Murtagh
Eragon looked at the elf next to Nassuada and his heart fluttered he bowed gracefully "the pleasure is all mine drottningu."
"It has been to long master rider." Said the elf her voice rich and melodious, Eragon felt his pulse quicken and his cheeks flush.
Ajihad cleared his throat "very well we are all introduced, please be seated we have much to discuss" once the four new arrivals were seated he looked round his study "I want everyone apart from my guests to leave immediately." The towns nodded and swept out of the door, Orik however hesitated "sir there's the matter of my insubordination?"
"Ah yes, very well wait for me outside. And don't let the twins get away I haven't finished with them yet."
With that Orik left closing the door behind them, as the door closed Ajihad slumped into his chair and rested his head in a hand, he then looked at the group gathered before him "I apologise I have had to listen to the twins complain all morning about Orik's actions yesterday." He smiled at them "well here you all are the final great hope of Alagaesia, the last free dragon riders in all the land." He looked at Eragon "I was astounded to learn of your existence when your brother and mother arrived at our gates just under of seven months ago and then to learn that you travelled with two new riders…" he looked at Roran and Katrina "I felt that all my prayers were answered, and further to my disbelief the eggs that your brother brought with him hatched as well for non other than my daughter Nassuada and for the Lady Arya who has been here for nearly year now doing her best to maintain our treaty with the elves. Now we have eight riders and six dragons, not nearly enough to defeat the Forsworn and the king head on but with the right planing I think it can be done. If you wouldn't mind I would very much like to hear your story."
Eragon looked at the others before he began starting from when his parents had arrived at his and Murtagh's sanctuary in the spine, he skimmed over the more gruesome parts aided by Roran, Katrina and Brom when needed. He completely cut out his side trip into Du Weldan Varden.
When he finished Ajihad leant back in his chair "it seems that you have had quite the journey to get here my young riders" he said looking at Roran and Katrina "I believe that you are due some rest after your past few days." He paused and looked at Brom "would you fetch Orik for me?" Brom nodded and rose moving to the door he opened it and spoke softly, as he stepped back he made room for Orik to enter the room. As the dwarf approached the desk Ajihad observed him before speaking "you've put me in a difficult position Orik, I've had to listen to the twins complain all morning about your insubordination. They won't let it rest until you are punished, unfortunately they are right it's a serious matter that can't be over looked." He sighed and steepled his fingers under his chin "an accounting is due."
Orik's eyes flicked to the group sat in front of Ajihad's desk, his face betrayed no emotion whatsoever he spoke briefly in rough tones "the Kull were almost around Costa Mirna, they were shooting arrows at the dragons as well as Brom, Ambassador Olwen, Eragon, Roran and Katrina, but the twins did nothing to prevent it or aid our allies, like sheilve they refused to open the gates even though we could see the ambassador shouting the password on the other side of the waterfall, and they refused to take action when Roran didn't rise from the water, perhaps I did wrong but I couldn't let a rider die let alone three and our other allies."
Roran felt like he should interject "I wasn't strong enough to pull myself free of the waterfall, I would have drowned if Orik hadn't jumped in and saved me."
Ajihad glanced at him before he asked Orik seriously "and later why did you oppose them?"
"It wasn't right for them to force their way into Eragon, Olwen or Brom's mind. Perhaps I was wrong."
"No, you did the right thing though it may have been simpler if you hadn't. It isn't our place to force our way into other people's minds." Ajihad touched a single fore finger to his lips in thought "your actions were honourable though you did defy an order from your commander the penalty for that has always been death." Orik's back stiffened
"You cant kill him for that he was only trying to help me" spoke Roran
"It isn't your place to interfere." Retorted Ajihad sternly "Orik broke the law and must suffer the consequences." Roran bristled and was about to argue again when Ajihad raised a hand "but you are right the sentence will be mitigated because of the circumstances, as of now Orik you are removed from active service and forbidden to participate in any military activities under my command, do you understand?"
Orik's face darkened but then he only looked confused, he nodded sharply "yes."
"Further more in the absence of your regular duties I appoint you to be Roran and Katrina's guide for the duration of their stay, you are to make sure they receive every comfort and amenity we have to offer. The dragons Askanir and Luneria can stay above Isidar Mithrim, Roran and Katrina may have quarters where ever they wish."
Orik bowed low "I understand."
"Very well you may all go, send in the twins as you leave."