Hey guys I am back for chapter 34!
Not much to say here other than I hope you guys enjoy this chapter!
As always review and let me know what your thinking as the ending of the story draws nearer!
Eragon's POV
Eragon stood at the front of the ship as Alagaesia came into view. The coastline looked nearly identical to when Eragon had seen it last and Eragon felt his nerves begin to swell slightly
"It is finally happening" He thought in disbelief as land grew nearer and nearer. The travel had been terrible on Eragon. His nightmares had been worse than ever in the month of travel he had experienced and Saphira's absence weighed heavily on his mind. This would be their longest time apart since she had hatched for him over 12 years ago.
Eragon had kept to himself in the small boat, He did not want anyone to recognize him and so always kept a hood up when not in his cabin. Eragon had spoken to Murtagh several times since he had left and was unsurprised to learn the elves were furious at his absence. Eragon knew he would have to face his decision whenever he returned home.
The dragons was surprisingly understanding and Eragon suspected Uramoth had spoken to them. Eragon was incredibly grateful for Uramoth's efforts at keeping his bond with the Eldunari intact.
Eragon smiled and looked around in wonder as the boat entered the Edda river and began to travel upstream. It would still be several days until they reached Silthrim and he could truly step foot on Alagaesian soil for the first time in over a decade. Eragon stared around at the familiar surroundings as though seeing them for the first time. So many memories flooded him as he recognized many places along the shore as they passed. Eragon saw the shore where he had last seen Roran and a little while later caught a glimpse of Hedarth where he had last seen his foster brother, Orik.
Eragon spent the next few days observing his surroundings as he continued to study the land he had left. The river opened several times into small lakes before closing again and on the final day of their journey they entered the massive trees in Du Weldenvarden. Eragon caught sight of several elves in the foliage as they passed and pulled his cloak tighter around him. He had no wish to be discovered until he was ready.
Finally, the boat crossed the final small lake and docked in Silthrim. Eragon nervously stepped off the boat and hesitantly put both feet onto solid ground.
He released a breath he hadn't realized he had been holding when nothing happened. He hadn't expected anything to happen but all the same he was relieved.
"I guess Angela was wrong" He thought as he stretched his legs
"That's a rare occurrence indeed"
Eragon smiled despite himself at the thought he could return to Alagaesia when necessary. He bought a small amount of supplies from a trader in the city and made his way to the edge of the surrounding forest.
He gathered his supplies and began his long trek through the forest toward the elven capital.
Eragon was growing frustrated. He had left Silthrim hoping to arrive at the elven capital in just a few days, but it had been nearly a week and he had only covered half the distance. Eragon knew that avoiding premade trails would slow him down but he hadn't expected how much slower it would make him. The terrain was hard to navigate on foot. The many trees around him slowed his movement to a jog and several times he was forced to find a new route when the way he was traveling was blocked.
Eragon ran into yet another unpassable mass of green and cursed.
"This is getting ridiculous" He thought
"At this rate I won't make it to Ellesmera for a month"
Eragon leaned against a nearby tree and thought about his predicament. He did not want to be recognized but this was taking much too long.
His thoughts wondered to ways to disguise himself further and an image from the very first time he had visited Ellesmera flashed through his head. He smiled to himself and began to chant in the ancient language. He felt his bones shifting and after a few minutes he withdrew a small mirror and admired his handy work.
The face staring back at him was nearly unrecognizable. The only remanent of the old Eragon was his eyes that had remained a dark brown. His brown hair was now a dirty blond and longer than before. His skin was paler and his face more angular and elf-like. A small scar ran across his left cheek and he smiled.
"No one could recognize me now" He thought triumphantly
He quickly made his way to one of the well-worn trails and began to run. He ran past a group of elves who barely gave him a second look. He began to pick up the pace and the woods around him became a blur as he hurried toward Ellesmera.
Despite his pace it still took him two days to reach the city. Eragon stopped and began to breathe heavily as he stood only a hundred yards from the entrance to the city. He began to walk and pulled out a few berries to eat as he quickly approached the entrance to the city.
Gilderien the Wise appeared at the entrance to the city when Eragon finally reached the entrance. The old elf surveyed him as he approached and without a word gestured for him to continue into the city.
Eragon was surprised at this. He had been prepared to be questioned and Eragon wondered if the elves had become more lax in a time of peace, but he doubted it. It was unlike the elves to be unprepared for danger. Gilderien gave him a knowing look and vanished, leaving Eragon to wonder if he knew who he had truly encountered.
Eragon shook off his doubts as he entered the city. He had come too far to turn back now. He kept an interested eye on his surroundings as he walked along the forest paths.
The city seemed to be unchanged in the time Eragon had been gone. Elves still wondered about as they went about their business, but something felt off. There was a tension in the air and Eragon noticed more weapons on elven hips than he had ever seen, even in times of war. he caught a glimpse of Rhunon as she sat outside her house. Eragon was tempted to stop and greet the old elf but decided against it. He had to remember he was still undercover.
Several elves eyed him curiously as he walked the forest paths, but no one approached him or questioned him.
Eragon searched for Arya or Kayla throughout the rest of the day but did not have any luck. Eragon did catch sight of Dathedr late in the day which put to rest the slim hope that Arya had already overthrown him. He was surrounded by advisors and guards and Eragon kept his distance as Dathedr walked the streets. Eragon couldn't explain it but every time he put his eyes on Dathedr he felt a chill run down his spine. There was something unnatural that Eragon couldn't quite place, Eragon did not fear the new king but all the same he got the feeling that being discovered would be very unpleasant.
Night fell around him as his search continued. He couldn't help but stop at places that held significant memories to him. Several times he felt eyes on him as he made his way around the city, but he was never approached, which put him on edge. He eventually found himself in the gardens outside of Tialdari Hall. Eragon studied the various plants around him. There seemed to be every plant imaginable in the garden. Rows of roses, tulips and many other plants Eragon only knew by sight. Eragon wondered the garden and eventually came upon a secluded section that seemed to be separate from the rest of the gardens. Eragon had never seen this part of the garden before. It was surrounded by large hedges on all sides that blocked the view from outside. Eragon sensed that this was meant to be a private section of the garden and made to leave but a flash of gold caught his eye. He looked closer and to his surprise found a group of golden lilies, much like the ones he had given to Arya, planted neatly in a row. Eragon crouched and studied the flowers for a moment with a small smile.
"Arya took several of the flowers as well"
He couldn't explain why this thought gave him so much joy, but it did. Eragon sat for several minutes as he examined the flowers and he noticed several other flowers, one of which Eragon recognized as the very same flower that Faolin had given Arya. The air smelled faintly of pine needles and Eragon felt his body relax unconsciously at the comforting smell.
"This must be Arya's private garden" He thought as he studied the many plants that grew in this small, secluded plot.Although the garden looked well cared for, Eragon sensed the place was rarely visited.
Eragon was wondering how long it had been since Arya herself had been here when he heard footsteps behind him. The elf made no attempt to hide its' movements and Eragon did not even turn around when the elf stopped at the entrance of the garden.
The elf stood behind him for a moment before she spoke
"You should not be here" She said it politely, as though it was a suggestion
Eragon moved to his feet
"I was not aware this area was off limits" He said in a voice of calm surprise
He turned toward the visitor. She was a medium sized elf with bronze hair and brown eyes. Something was familiar about her, but he didn't place it right away.
She smiled slightly at him
"Anyone is allowed into the gardens at any time, but I would caution you to be careful at this time of night, given the circumstances."
Eragon frowned at her
"I apologize, I have not been to Ellesmera in several years and I am afraid I am not caught up in recent news. What circumstances are these?"
It was the elf's turn to frown
"I would have thought everyone in Alagaesia would know by now."
Eragon shook his head quickly and the elf began to speak in a sorrow filled voice
"About a week ago a dragon and it's rider were ambushed and killed several miles from Ellesmera."
Eragon felt his knees grow weak and he sat suddenly on the ground. Tears began to spring from his eyes and he suddenly felt the calmness he had felt moments ago be replaced by grief and guilt.
With tremendous effort, Eragon spoke, his voice quivering
"What color was the dragon?"
The elf looked at him with a concerned but sympathetic expression
"Red…. did you know them well?"
Eragon nodded numbly as he felt another blow to his gut. Veres was the dragon who had passed into the void and Folir had more than likely followed him.
"Who was behind the attack?" he asked as anger began to surge
"There is speculation that the assassins who attacked Arya Drottning were behind the attack, but nobody knows for sure"
The elf shifted at her own words and Eragon got the sense she did not believe the report but let it slide for the moment.
Eragon took deep breaths and shakily stood while wiping tears from his eyes. There would be time to mourn later, He still needed to find Arya and Kayla.
The elf watched him with a kind expression as he once again faced her.
"My apologies, I was not expecting such terrible news on this night"
Eragon realized that he still did not know the elf's name and asked her
"I am Niduen" She said with a small smile
"This is Arya's….." He started in surprise but then stopped, he had no idea what her relation to Arya was, all he knew she was related to Arya somehow. He looked closer and found she shared several characteristics with Arya such as they shape of their cheek bones and nose.
"Now who am I speaking to?" Niduen asked curiously
"I-"
Eragon was saved from making up an identity by a voice calling out to them
"Niduen! Where did you go?"
To Eragon's great relief, Kayla appeared around a corner.
"Niduen, what are you doing out so late?" She asked annoyed
"Speaking with….. well I actually don't know his name"
She turned to him
"Who did you say you were again?"
Eragon was at an impasse. He didn't mind revealing his true identity to Kayla but he had no idea if Niduen was trustworthy or not
An idea came to him and he gently pushed his mind against Kayla's. She immediately threw her protective walls up.
Eragon sat at the edges of her mind and repeated the phrase.
"I am Eragon Shadeslayer"
In the ancient language
Cautiously, her walls began to drop and Eragon spoke to her freely
"Is Niduen trustworthy?"
Kayla seemed shocked it was really him but nodded slowly.
Eragon smiled and released his spell that disguised his features. He felt his bones shift in his face and his hair reverted to its shorter brown color.
Niduen looked frozen in shock as his features returned to normal.
Eragon gave a short bow and said
"I am Eragon Shadeslayer, my friend"
Niduen still looked shaken but was able to utter the first part of the elven greeting and Eragon responded in turn.
Eragon turned to Kayla who was smiling slightly
"Come Shadeslayer, we are too exposed here"
Eragon followed the two elves through the garden and to his surprise they entered a small, hidden door, on the side of a statue of Evander. They walked along a cramped underground corridor lit with lanterns. They walked for about ten minutes and Eragon's back was starting to ache from bending over for so long. Finally, they emerged into a small room that Eragon guessed lay several dozen feet below Tialdari hall.
The room reminded him of the rooms he had stayed in at Farthen Dur. It was modestly furnished with a desk that was overrun with scrolls and maps and a large bed. The walls were bare, and a small door lay open which seemed to lead to a study.
Eragon registered all of this subconsciously as his eyes found a figure pouring over maps and scrolls in the corner of the room.
Kayla cleared her throat
Arya turned toward them
"Kayla, I told you not to bother me unless it was imp-"
But she stopped as she caught sight of Eragon
They stared at each other and Eragon felt his sorrow dampen as his eyes met her emerald ones. Eragon slowly walked forward and Arya did the same.
Once they were face to face, Eragon smiled lovingly and slowly wrapped his arms around her. His nostrils filled with the smell of crushed pine needles and he felt her melt into his body. Just being next to her made him relax and Eragon held the embrace for a moment, savoring her warm body against his own before slowly pulling back.
"Eragon…. How did you?..."
She started but he cut her off
"Later, Arya"
He turned toward the other two standing near the entrance to the room and spoke to all three women in the room.
"Folir and Veres, what happened?" He said his voice barely a whisper
Kayla stepped forward
"Eragon maybe we should wait…"
"No" Eragon said forcefully, his voice still deadly quiet
"You will tell me all you know… now"
They shifted uncomfortably but didn't say anything
"I am" He hesitated for a moment "was… their teacher and mentor and I failed them! I deserve to know how they died!"
Arya looked at Eragon with concern but Eragon hardly noticed
Eragon took a deep breath
"Were any of you there when they were found?"
Kayla moved forward more and nodded, looking uncertain and apprehensive
"Show me everything"
Kayla looked as though she would rather not but slowly open her mind to him for the second time that day and Eragon was encased in her memories.
Kayla walked along the forest with several other elves. They had fanned out in hopes of finding the missing rider and dragon. Kayla was searching a small clearing several miles from Ellesmera where they had been last seen when a shout came from one of the other elves. Kayla hurried through the thick forest and emerged into another clearing. There had clearly been a battle, several trees had fallen and much of the grass was ash as though a fire had swept through. She began to search and quickly found a trail of blood that could only be dragon blood leading back into the forest. They hurried as the followed the trail. Blood spots became more numerous as they continued until pools of blood surrounded them. They finally emerged near a small cave and laying just outside was a massive red dragon. Kayla recognized him as Veres. It was immediately obvious that the dragon was gravely wounded. It lay unmoving in a pool of its own blood. Gashes ran throughout its body and as Kayla cautiously moved closer an elf next to her gasped and muttered
"Do you see that?"
Kayla looked closer and felt revulsion fill her. Next to the dragon lay its own mangled wing, that had been torn from the dragon's body forcefully. They moved toward the dragon and two of them attempted to heal the dragon but Kayla could already tell they were too late. Kayla and another elf began to search the area. The only sign of the dragon's rider was a single footprint in the pool of dried blood. There was no sign of any attacker"
Eragon pulled away in horror, It had been so much worse than he had thought.
"No more" He croaked hoarsely as grief threatened overwhelm him again. His breath was coming in short gasps and Arya grabbed his hand with one hand and rubbed his back soothingly with the other.
"Breathe, Eragon" She whispered
His breathing slowed some but did nothing to halt the tears that fell from him.
"What being could single handedly destroy a dragon and rider?" He wondered to himself
A few ideas ran through his head, but each seemed at unlikely as the last.
He glanced up as Kayla pulled out a scrap piece of paper and handed it to him
"This was found tied to Veres talon, it is the only thing we found that links to the attacker."
The partchment was torn and bloody but the fancy scrawl was still easily legible in the faint light
"Dreams never seem real, until they are"
Hey guys
Sorry this is out late, its midterm week so my time to write is limited.
I hope everyone enjoyed the chapter even if it was more transitional.
Final confrontation is coming!
Thanks for the support!
Stay safe guys!