To Train A Bad-Ass
By Stargatesg1fan1
Disclaimer: I own nothing of any recognized characters or universes within.
Women Bonded to Harry Potter in This Story
Ros is Played by Esme Bianco
Leaf is Played by Kae Alexander
Ygritte is Played by Rose Leslie
Missandei is Played by Nathalie Emmanuel
Daenerys 'Daeny' Targaryen is Played by Emilia Clarke
Melisandre is played by Catrice Van Houten
Margaery Tyrell is played by Natalie Dormer
Sansa Stark is played by Sophie Turner
Tyene Sand is played by Rosabell Laurenti Sellers
Myrcella Baratheon Lannister is played by Nell Tiger Free
Cersei Lannister is played by Lena Heady
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Chapter 22
Carvahall
Harry watched through the snitch-probe as Roran inspected the remains of their family farm with despair. The wild plants were reclaiming the farm. The timber was all rotting. It would be hard work to reclaim the land for planting. Harry could help with magic. He may just do that. He also watched as Roran spoke to Katrina. Katrina was the butcher Sloan's daughter and the young woman Roran wanted to marry. They spoke of Roran approaching Sloan about marrying Katrina.
"I can't do that. I can't provide for you yet," Roran said with despair.
"You don't understand," Katrina said. "I love you Roran. Father has other plans for me. There are far more eligible men than you. He presses me to consent to a match he approves of. He fears I will become an old maid. And I fear that too. If I must take another I will."
Katrina looked to Roran and then left. Harry could see how much turmoil Roran was in. He didn't blame his cousin.
"I can help," Harry thought.
That night Katrina experienced very erotic dreams concerning Roran. Her father Sloan experienced a different sort of dream. Sloan experienced dreams of playing with his grandchildren who were the offspring of his daughter Katrina and Roran. Roran was a very good farmer with bountiful fields. Sloan then fell into nightmares that happened every time he wed Katrina to one of the other prospects he was considering. These same nightmares would be experienced by Katrina and Sloan every night for the next several weeks.
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Arya awoke from a very pleasant trance. Her kind didn't sleep perse. Rather they entered a trance-like state that was similar to sleep. The first thought that came to her mind when she came back to herself was Eragon. She had been thinking a lot about the Rider lately. It wasn't surprising really given how much time they had spent with one another. But she didn't think she should be entertaining such thoughts of him. He was handsome. Yet he was much younger than her.
"Yet he is more mature than his years would suggest," Arya thought to herself. "Perhaps with time he will mature into someone I should be entertaining such thoughts about."
Arya considered it her duty to keep an eye out for Eragon and his dragon. It was true what she had told him the day before. They were the greatest hope for those who opposed Galbatorix. She knew Eragon was very capable in battle as he had proven. But anyone could be surprised. She would do her best to make sure that didn't happen. She rose from her bed and went about her morning.
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"You're going to tell me this is another Daenerys situation aren't you," Harry said.
"Your greenseer visions may not be as strong as mine. But you're seeing some of the same possibilities as I am," Leaf pointed out.
Harry and Leaf had both started getting greenseer dream visions after coming to this reality.
"Roran will get stronger if I let him go through his struggles," Harry said. "Whereas if I do everything for him then he will not get as strong."
"That doesn't mean you can't help along the way," Leaf pointed out. "For example, while you probably shouldn't just give him a chest full of gold you can give him money when he really needs it."
A chest full of gold likely would solve Roran's problem with Katrina and Sloan. Sloan certainly wouldn't turn down someone so wealthy to marry his daughter. But at the same time the appearance of such wealth so suddenly would bring with it its own host of problems.
"I agree. It's just hard to see someone I care about suffer," Harry said.
"You wouldn't be the man I love so much if you didn't struggle with these things right now," Leaf said as she closed the distance and hugged him.
Harry had already started deploying a golem body or two to take care of things while his Eragon form was being in the Beor Mountains. There wasn't a lot else Harry wanted to do on that planet outside of the Beors at the moment. Mainly he just wanted to look after his cousin. Lily, James, Amelia, and Sirius were out exploring Alagaesia. They were currently taking a tour of the empire.
"Sit and watch with me?" Harry invited.
"Of course," Leaf agreed.
Harry and Leaf cuddled while they watched the feed from the snitch probe assigned to keep an eye on Roran. They watched as Roran went hunting with one of Horst's sons Baldor. Horst was the friendly local blacksmith that Roran was staying with. Roran and Baldor stumbled upon a group of about 30 soldiers accompanying the two Ra'zac that had caused Eragon and Brom so much trouble. They watched as the two young men hurried back to Carvahall and reported what they had observed. Horst had Roran take some supplies and head into the hills to camp. The soldiers came into the village of Caravahall and set up camp.
"Foul creatures," Leaf said with disgust as she looked at what the snitch probe readings were telling them of the Ra'zac. "I'm tempted to suggest you have the Harion disintegrate them from benath its cloak. But unfortunately they have their part to play for now."
"I would let you push the button when it is time to end them. Except I think I will kill them with my sword," Harry said.
"I can see why you would feel that way. You know, you could always use your metamorphmagus ability to befriend Roran," Leaf suggested.
Harry thought about it.
"It has possibilities," Harry admitted. "The ability is so new I sometimes forget I have it. I would have to be careful how I made the approach since Roran isn't very likely to be trusting of srangers at this point in his life. But it would give me the ability to watch his back in person."
"And magic users in this universe do have the ability to change their identities with illusions," Leaf added.
That would mean Harry wouldn't have to reveal a new ability. He could just say it was illusions that allowed him to change form. A metamorphmagus change was actually easier than an illusion to maintain.
"I'll give it some thought," Harry said. "I likely couldn't make the approach until after Roran leaves Carvahall."
Leaf could see her husband was in great thought about the possibilities her idea had presented him. She enjoyed watching him in another universe and was grateful for him bringing her along. She had managed to work out the fact that the real reason he had brought her along was so that he could hold off sexually until Arya was ready for him. He hadn't yet seemed to admit this to himself. Yes he could easily have sex with the sorceress Trianna. But a large part of him seemed to want to only sleep with Arya in this universe outside of Leaf herself. He was used to getting sex so regularly that she didn't think he would enjoy going without long enough to build a relationship with Arya. That didn't mean his subconscious mind didn't have fantasies when he was sleeping. Leaf had witnessed his fantasies. Having sex with Arya, Daenerys, and Hermione at the same time seemed to a particularly vibrant fantasy in Harry's subconscious. While Harry wasn't even having sex with Hermione or Arya yet it was something to keep in mind for the future.
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Tronjheim
Harry followed Orik to Hrothgar's throne room. Orik had explained the king requested to speak with Eragon.
"Good day Eragon, Saphira," Hrothgar greeted. "Much has happened since you last spoke with me. You are now a Shadeslayer. You both fought well."
"We heard the same of you," Harry replied.
Hrothgar nodded and said, "I wished to gain an understanding of your position on the matter of Nasuada leading the Varden. The clans were at first uncertain what to think of this. But after some time most have settled down after the Council's announcement. Do you support Nasuada?"
"We do," Harry said. "But for the most part we let the council make the decision. It matters little to us who leads the Varden as long as they aren't incompetent. From what we can see Nasauda is not incompetent."
"No she is not," Hrothgar agreed.
"Saphira wishes for me to personally apologize for the need to break Isidar Mithrim," Harry said.
Hrothgar grew sad and said, "Thank you Saphira. We understood the necessity of it. But many of my people feel it may have been better for us to be overrun by Urgals than for our heart to be shattered. It is a sad day in dwarven history."
"Saphira asks if your people possess the skill to put every piece back together. She says if that can be done without a sliver missing she can mend the gem whole again," Harry offered.
Hrothgar looked stunned and looked at Saphira with a look of awe.
"That is magic even beyond the elves," Hrothgar said. "We can do it. It may take many years. But we can do it. This is wondrous news!"
Hrothgar's whole demeanor had brightened at this news.
"That is good to hear," Harry said. "We appreciate your hospitality."
"You and Saphira are welcome anytime. I must tell the clans of this wondrous news. Feel free to tell any dwarves you see," Hrothgar said. "All should hear this news. I shall see you at tomorrow's funeral."
Harry and Saphira left to find Orik waiting for them. When Orik learned what Saphira had promised to do he kissed the ground at Saphira's feet.
"Come. This is cause for celebration," Orik cried and led the way to the dining hall.
What followed as a whole lot of dwarves getting drunk. Even Saphira got drunk after she was provided with some casks of ale. Harry drank a little. But most of the ale was banished back to the cask with a wandless switching spell. He had no desire to get drunk. Arya showed up partway through to keep him company.
"I heard from a dwarf that Saphira has promised to mend Isidar Mithrim. Is this true?" Arya asked mind-to-mind over the loud noise surrounding them from the celebrating dwarves.
"It is," Harry replied. "As you can see the dwarves are losing their minds a little," Harry pointed out.
"I can see that. I have experienced the dwarven animosity no matter how well they try to hide it after shattering Isidar Mithrim. This will be a relief," Arya said.
The two watched in amusement as Saphira toppled over backwards onto a table crushing it. Harry's back suddenly flared up with pain. Harry's right hand clutched at his back and he bent over forward.
"Is it your back?" Arya asked aloud as she reached out and caught him.
Arya was strong compared to a human. She was easily able to take his weight as he struggled to stay standing.
"Yes," Harry replied.
"Here. Let's sit you down," Arya said as she helped Harry to one of the benches.
She murmured a spell in the ancient language and suddenly it was silence around them. Arya knelt down next to him with concern. Arya didn't ask if he was alright. Because she knew with the cursed scar in his back he wasn't alright. Instead she just sat with him and conveyed her concern through her expression.
"Probably not the way you thought you would be spending your evening," Harry said with a half-grin half-grimace.
"We never know what way we will be spending our evenings," Arya said. "But this is certainly not a dull way to pass the time." It seemed the fit had passed. Harry's back felt better. "Are you better now?"
"I am," Harry assured. "Thank you for sitting with me."
"Of course," Arya said.
Harry and Arya spent the rest of the time during the partying chatting. They weren't going to be moving the passed out Saphira. Harry could lift the dragon with magic. But he wasn't about to reveal that fact right now. Lifting a dragon using magic from Alagaesia would leave most magic users passed out. Instead Harry sat and kept watch over Saphira. Arya stayed with him. Eventually he fell asleep against her and she went into her trance-like state.
The next morning it was Orik approaching that broke the ward Harry had set up. He came awake.
"Good morning Shadeslayer," Orik said quietly as Arya came out of her trance-like state.
"Good morning Orik," Harry replied.
"I came to tell you Ajihad's procession starts in an hour," Orik said.
Harry laid his hand on Saphira and nudged her mind with his own.
"My head feels like a thousand hot arrows. Why is everyone so loud?" Saphira asked as she opened her eyes.
"This is what happens when you drink so much," Harry said. "Never fear. I can help."
Saphira felt her Rider channel magic into her. Her headache receded to a low ache.
"Thank you," Saphira said.
"Allow us to get changed for the funeral," Harry said as he climbed onto Saphira and invited Arya with a look.
Arya jumped up nimbly on Saphira's back and landed behind Harry, wrapping her arms around his waist. Saphira soon had them returned to the dragon hold. From there Arya was able to disappear to her quarters and change while Harry did the same. Soon Arya returned.
"You look good," Arya complimented. Harry flashed her a grin and said, "As do you."
It might have been Harry's imagination. But he thought she looked pleased at that.
"We should go," Saphira said.
Saphira flew them to the south gate of Tronjheim. They dismounted near the head of a column of mourners a mile long. Ajihad was born on a bier by six armored men. He was arranged like a dead king. He may not have been a king in title. You certainly couldn't tell from the funeral procession. Nasuada was near her father with tears on her cheeks. The council of Elders and Hrothgar were also nearby. Harry and Arya joined them with Saphira nearby.
"We must wait for the drum beat to walk," Arya sent to both Saphira and Harry.
It didn't take long before the drum sounded like a loud gong. The procession began to move into Tronjheim taking a step with each beat of the drum. The procession moved down a flight of spiral stairs into the tunnels below the central chamber of Tronjheim. They walked for some time through many tunnels until they came to a stop within a large cavern. The cavern was filled with hundreds of thousands of carved alcoves showing a name and a clan crest. This was the burial chamber for the dwarves. The bearers took Ajihad into a small chamber off to the side where a raised platform awaited. They took Ajihad into the crypt positioned there where it was carved "May all, Knurlan, Humans, and Elves, Remember This Man. For he was Noble, Strong, and Wise. Guntera Aruna."
After Ajihad was placed in the crypt the viewing of the body was started. Only those who had personally known him viewed Ajihad. After the viewing, Nasquadah sang her lamentations in her native tongue. Then a group of dwarves slid a marble slab over the crypt. After that Harry followed Orik and Arya to a massive amphitheater where the Varden's new leader would be announced. Harry sat between Orik and Arya. They were near the other leaders.
Jormundur stepped to the podium at the front when the amphitheater had filled.
"People of the Varden, Ajihad did more to oppose the Empire and Galbatorix than any before," Jormundur said. "It falls to us today to choose his successor to continue his work."
"Shadeslayer," Someone shouted from above.
"Perhaps in years to come. But Eragon has other duties and responsibilities at this time," Jormundur answered without pause. "We have thought long and hard. Who better to succeed Ajihad than his own daughter."
Jormundur stepped to the side allowing Arya to take the podium.
"The elves honor Ajihad this night. On behalf of Queen Islanzadi I recognize Nasuada's ascension. We offer her the same support and friendship extended to her father. May the stars watch over her," Arya said.
Hrothgar stepped forward and said, "We dwarven clans recognize and support Nasuada."
Harry stepped forward and said, "We recognize Nasuada as well."
Saphira growled her approval. The council of elders then was assembled at the front. Nasuada knelt in front of them.
"Varden. We recognize Nasuada as our leader. I ask you all. Have we chosen well?" Jormundur asked.
The overwhelming response of yes from the crowd was clear. Jormundur placed a circlet of silver on Nasuada's head and bid her to rise. The cheering of the Varden and dwarves lasted for ten minutes. Harry thought this a bit excessive. He had to endure the speeches that followed. Finally, everyone began to leave.
Arya departed for her rooms to rest when they returned to the dragon hold. It wasn't long after she left that Trianna showed up looking uncertain.
"Eragon," Trianna said.
"Trianna," Harry said. "Before this goes somewhere we both regret you should know that I have changed my mind about our last conversation. I have feelings for Arya. Even though we are not in a relationship I do not plan to pursue sexual relations outside of that simply for the relief it would give me."
Trianna looked relieved and said, "I am glad to hear that. I was planning on going ahead with it. But I did not relish trading my body for influence. You are a handsome man Eragon. That part would have been enjoyable. Something about our act would have felt teinted by the knowledge of the agreement we would have come to."
"I understand," Harry said.
"Until we meet again," Trianna said with a slight bow.
Trianna left. Arya waited until Trianna had passed by and slipped from the shadows her spell had concealed her in. She glanced up at the cave where Eragon was. She had been returning intending to spend some time enjoying the company of Eragon when she had hear the approach of someone else. Instinct had made her conceal herself in the shadows. The conversation she had just overheard was very enlightening.
"So Eragon does have feelings for me. It's nice to have that confirmed. And he just turned down laying with a woman for me," Arya thought to herself.
Arya walked off processing all that she had just learned. She had some thinking to do.
Omake
"Eragon," Trianna greeted. "I've done some thinking about what we talked about during our last meeting."
"Oh," Harry said.
"I've come to the decision that I would like to take you up on your offer."
Her dress fell from her shoulders revealing her nude form. Harry grinned and gladly stepped closer.
Smut Scene Redacted (See AN at End) – End Omake
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Inside the Dragon Hold
"That was really good," Leaf said as she stroked her fingers across the hairs on her lover's chest. "Turning down Trianna got you very worked up."
"It did," Harry agreed as he enjoyed the company of his nake wife.
"You could have taken her up on her offer," Leaf pointed out. "I wouldn't have minded."
Leaf knew why he didn't. She wanted him to work it out on his own.
"It just didn't feel right," Harry said.
Saphira stirred in her sleep. A complex illusion had hidden the fact from Saphira that her rider was not in fact sleeping but had been having sex and was even then lying with Leaf.
"Well in the meantime until you bed Arya I am happy to relief the stress waiting causes," Leaf said playfully before slipping beneath the blanket and using her mouth to revive part of his antomy.
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The Dragonhold
"Shadeslayer," Nasuada greeted after making the climb up to the cave where Harry and Saphira bunked down.
"Nasuada," Harry said, surprised Nasauda had made the journey up. "You could have asked to see me and I would have made time. You didn't have to come all the way up here."
"It gave me the chance to get away from the dismal state of affairs I have been reviewing since I took over," Nasuda said.
"How bad is it?" Harry asked.
"Our supplies are low. We are poor in resources. And we have few recruits from the Empire. The dwarves have had a lean year for farming and cannot support us for long. I intend to move the Varden to Surda," Nasuada said.
"I take it King Orrin has changed his stance about openly defying the empire?" Harry questioned.
"Yes. The defeat of the Urgals has changed his mind. He will shelter and feed us as well as fight by our side. Your arrival I think more than anything prompted that," Nasuada said. "That's actually why I am here. I was hoping to use your name and growing fame to rally support in the empire by spreading word about you."
"It's too dangerous," Saphira replied.
"Saphira is concerned. But Galbatorix already knows about us through his servants that pursued us. I have no problem with you spreading word about me," Harry said.
Saphira nodded her consent.
"Thank you both," Nasuada said. "I would also ask you to convey this to Islanzadi," She said as she held out a scroll that was sealed. "I hope it will convince her to help us once more along with Arya's safe return."
"I can convey it," Harry agreed.
"Thank you," Nasuada said. "This could mean the difference between victory and defeat. King Hrothgar has asked that Orik be allowed to accompany you on your journey to represent the dwarves."
"I have no problem with that," Harry said even though it would have been nice to spend time with Arya without the dwarf.
"I believe Orik asked Arya when they might depart. She responded as early as tomorrow if you are agreeable," Nasuada said.
"I'll let her know that we can leave tomorrow," Harry said.
"I shall let Orik know," Nasuada said.
"Ask her what happens if Galbatorix himself flies out and obliterates her army if she attacks," Saphira sent.
Harry relayed the message.
"Our intelligence suggests he won't fight until we reach the capitol," Nasuada said. "When that occurs I do not know what will happen. Between you and the elves we are hoping he can be defeated by that point."
"I understand. Time will tell," Harry said. "I have left a parting gift in your study. Consider it a contribution to the cause."
Saphira looked at her rider curiously as did Arya.
"Let's just say many things are possible with magic," Harry said.
"I look forward to seeing what it is," Nasuada said as she rose. "Good luck Shadeslayer until we meet again."
Harry bowed his head in acknowledgement and Nasuada left.
"What did you leave her?" Saphira asked.
"A few bags of gold I managed to loot from the empire during our adventures," Harry replied.
Upon returning to this reality, Harry had cast the Fidelius charm on the knowledge that he was from another universe. He had used a variation on the Fidelius to make it so people didn't take notice of things he did as a result of being from another universe unless he wanted them to. He didn't want Saphira asking questions at this time. So the magic kicked in and she ignored it.
Arya turned up later just as Harry was leaving with Saphira for a night time flight.
"You are agreeable to leaving in the morning?" Arya asked.
"I am," Harry agreed. "Saphira and I were just about to enjoy a night time flight. Do you care to join us?" He asked as he held out his hand from Saphira's back.
Arya took the offered hand and climbed up. Saphira leapt into the air.
The trio flew for a while when Saphira spotted something interesting. Harry and Arya saw it too as Saphira flew lower and landed. Angela was on some type of mound. She carried a whicker basket filled with mushrooms.
"Good evening Eragon, Arya, Saphira," Angela greeted.
"Good evening," Harry replied while the other two inclined their heads in greeting. "That looks like quite the colorful assortment," He said while he eyed the colorful mushrooms in the basket. "Can you tell me what each of these is and what they are used for?"
"I would be glad to," Angela said before she started naming mushrooms. "And this last one is very special," She said.
"Fricai Andlat," Arya supplied before Angela could.
"I was wonderfing if you would recognize it. It saved your life after all," Angela said.
"The stalk is instant death. The cap can cure most poisons. Tunivors nectar is made from it. It grows only in caves in Du Weldenvaren and here in Farthen Dur," Arya explained.
"Yes. And it would die out here if the dwarves carted their dung elsewhere," Angela added.
Harry realized that was what they were standing upon, a mound of very old dung.
"Interesting," Harry mused as he windlessly performed some switching spells.
"I know what you are thinking and I believe I know some magic that will allow it to grow in your pocket dimensional storage," Salazar sent in response to Harry touching the journal in his pocket.
"Excellent," Harry responded.
He wanted a bigger access to these mushrooms just in case he needed to use them in the future. Having them only grow in two places was inconvenient even if he could apparate or portkey back here now that he had been here.
Solembum arrived at that point trotting up with a rat he had caught and began eating.
"You're off to Ellesmera then," Angela said. "How exciting for you."
"Yes. I'm quite looking forward to it. I am curious if Arya is representative of her race," Harry said as he glanced aside at her.
All he got from her was a raised eyebrow in response.
"I can tell you now she is not. Arya is different than many of her race," Angela said. "But I'm sure you will see that. I want to give you a bit of advice. Arya will probably fill you in on this. But always remember that even though elves don't often show their emotions that doesn't mean they don't experience them. They can hide the things that anger them for years before acting."
"That is good advice," Arya agreed with a nod.
Harry, Arya, and Saphira chatted with Angela for a bit longer before taking their leave. They enjoyed a little more flying before returning to their respective quarters to rest up.
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It was just before dawn the next day when Harry, Saphira, and Arya met Orik at the north gate of Tronjheim. Eragon's horse Snowfire was also waiting on them saddled and provisioned with supplies. Orik was not mounted. Arya had filled Harry in on the planned route which wouldn't require a mount before a certain point.
"My king, Hrothgar, wishes me to offer you this gift," Orik said as he removed a helm from his pack decorated with the hammer and stars of the Ingeitum clan. "It is a symbol of the friendship he bears you. It comes with an offer to adopt you as one of Durgrimst Ingeitum, as a member of his own family. I must tell you that the arguments he had with the other Ingeitum families continue for a day and a night before they gave in. This has never been done for a human before. This gives you full rights as a clan member. You may attend our councils and express yourself on any issue. It also gives you right to be burie with our dead."
That for the dwarves was a big thing.
"Will you accept?" Saphira asked.
"I'm considering it," Harry said.
The bottom line was that this somewhat tied Harry to the dwarves. It wasn't anything he couldn't choose to ignore if he wanted to.
"What do you say?" Orik asked.
"I accept. I will thank Hrothgar when I next see him," Harry said as he accepted the helm.
Harry was guided through a short adoption ritual that involved a small bit of blood.
"Now that we are done are you ready to depart?" Orik asked as he produced a red lantern.
"Aye," Arya said.
Harry and Saphira nodded. The group set off north along the road. Orik led them to Farthen Dur's base to a pair of open doors that stood thirty feet tall. The three dwarven guards bowed but did not bar the way. The first fifty feet of the tunnel beyond the door were lit. Beyond that it was darkness. Harry strode into the tunnel.
"So Orik, tell us about yourself," Harry requested.
"Well my mother was Hrothgar's younger sister, my father Thrifk. They both died when I was young of the pox. Hrothgar adopted me and made me his heir," Orik began before proceeding to tell them more of his life.
Harry asked questions. The walk through the seemingly endless darkness was a mixture of conversation and silence. Harry spent the silence imagining what Arya looked like naked. He didn't have to imagine too hard given how many beautiful women he had slept with. It was a fun way to pass the time.
One conversation that stood out with Arya was on the religious beliefs of the elves.
"Do elves believe in a higher power?" Harry asked.
"If you mean do we believe in a god? No. We do not," Arya said. "We believe in our race, in dragons, and magic. These beings have power. There are some elves who also believe nature has its own magic. I have heard mentions of some elves who do believe that nature is a higher power. But they are not a large portion of our population."
"Do you think the lack of religion for your people is because of elven immortality?" Orik asked curiously.
He had never heard this about elves.
"We aren't truly immortal. We can die. Deaths are only through illness and injury. This does not happen often. I personally could see why our potentially endless lifespan could contribute to no religion," Arya said.
"Because you don't need an after-life if most of your population never goes there," Harry said.
"Just so," Arya said.
The conversation continued on that topic for some time.
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Carvahall
Back with Roran, Harry had also been using his snitch-probe to keep an eye on developments down in the village. Roran remained camped out in the hills over the village. Two of the soldiers had gotten into a fight. One of the villagers, a man named Quimby, had trie to break them up. A soldier had thrown a pitcher at Quimby hitting the man in the temple. Quimby's death was instant. Harry had been able to replace Quimby with a golem corpse, heal the damage, and revive the man using medical technology he had access to onboard the Harion. Quimby was currently sitting in a stasis pod onboard the starship. Brom had been moved to the same type of stasis pod. Harry would decide later when to awaken Quimby.
Baldor came up to see Roran the next day explaining the incident. The Ra'zac had taken Quimby's body and ate all the flesh off including the marrow in the bones.
When Roran learned exactly of the fate that befell the false corpse he said, "Something should be done."
Things got worse the following evening. After being banned from the local tavern the soldiers got drunk on their own beer. One of the soldiers dropped a lit torch into the town's hay barn where all their feed grain was stored. The barn and several houses burned down by morning. Harry could have avoided it. But his greensight told him not to interfere in this. It was almost instinctual to follow his greensight by this point. Horst's son Albriech explained this all to Roran and asked that Roran attend a meeting to discuss removing the Ra'zac and their soldiers from the village. Slipping into the town and into Horst's forge for the meeting was a risky proposition. Harry was on guard in case he needed to intervene. But it proved unnecessary.
"Good, Roran is here. We can proceed," Horst said as Roran took in the other men of the village.
Many of them were still boys including Quimby's son Nollfavrell who was thirteen years old.
Loring, the shoemaker, said, "All attempts to reason with these invaders, these Ra'zac, have failed. They must be made to go."
"We've agree to drive these Ra'zac away from Carvahall. Will you join us?" Delwin asked.
"They could return with reinforcements. We cannot hope to defeat the entire empire army on our own," Roran pointed out.
"We will have to address that when the time comes. For now we cannot simply watch them kill our people without repercussion," Horst said which caused Roran and the others to nod.
"I am with you," Roran said.
"First we must fortify. Then we fight," Loring said with a laugh.
What followed was Horst distributing shovels, pitchforks, flails, and any other tool that could be used to fight. Roran chose a medium sized hammer from the wall of Horst's forge because it resonated with him thanks to a story told by Brom. The story was about a farmer named Gerand who had to take up arms to defend his family and did so with a hammer. The hammer Roran chose had a simple blade on one side while the other side was rounded like a hammer.
"Listen well my friends. Our intent is to scare, not kill. Break a few bones if you must. You should not stand and fight. We are talking about trained soldiers here," Horst advised.
The group made their way through Carvahall until they arrived at the edge of the Ra'zac's camp. There were only 4 sentries still awake. Roran was sent by Horst along with three others to attack one of the four sentries. When Horst burst from the brush leading the charge, Roran followed suit attacking the sentry. Roran's hammer crashed down on his target's shoulder with the crunching sound of breaking bone. Blows from the hammer came against the soldier's ribs and back before the man retreated screaming. With his heart pumping so fast Roran ended up trampling over someone in a tent and then smashed down against an emerging helmet with his hammer. Loring, an old man, walked past cackling while jabbing soldiers with his pitchfork. Roran noticed a soldier trying to string a bow. Roran rushed the man and snapped the bow with his hammer.
The Ra'zac came out of their tent screeching with swords in hand. Baldor untethered set the horses free directed towards the Ra'zac. The creatures were forced to split apart. The morale of the soldiers broke and they ran. The Ra'zac fled with their soldiers likely to regroup. Roran made his way to a grinning Horst.
"That was the best brawl I've had in years," Horst declared.
Carvahall began to come to life as people woke to discover the cause for all the commotion. Nolfavrell was sobbing as he repeatedly stabbe the corpse of a soldider. Gedric and Albriech were forced to pull Nolfavrell back. The only injury was a long cut on the forearm Delwin had suffered.
"We should barricade the road and between the houses. Otherwise we could be caught by surprise," Roran said.
Horst nodded and began shouting orders. The villagers who hadn't taken part began congregating on the edge of the camp.
"What happened?" Fisk, the carpenter, shouted.
"We caught these beasts with their boots off and whipped them out of town," Loring replied.
"I for one am glad," Birgit, Quimby's wife, said as she clutched her son to her bosom.
"Have you taken leave of your senses Horst?" Thane asked. "The Empire will send more men. They won't stop until they get Roran."
"We should hand him over," Sloan said despite what his dreams had been telling him.
"I agree that no one person is worth more than all of the village," Horst said. "But it had gone beyond Roran at this point. They killed Quimby with no punishment for the men who did it. Do you want to live like that?"
"Who gave you the authority to make that decision for the rest of us?" Thane demanded.
"He didn't. He made that decision for himself and those who went with him. I agree with him," Birgit said. "Where is your manhood loam breaker?" She said while staring right at Thane. The man looked down in shame. "Those who wish to take their chances with the mercy of the empire can try to explain when this is all over that they knew no part of what was going on."
"This debate can be done later," Roran said. "We must prepare. Help if you want. Stay out of our way if you don't."
Over forty men volunteered. What followed was a lot of work nailing together fence slats, piling barrels of rock to make makeshift walls, and dragging logs across roads. Katrina stopped Roran at one point in an alley.
"I'm glad you are back and safe," Katrina said before kissing him.
"I am glad to be back. It was foolish of me to delay. We should not squander any opportunity. This life is hard enough without risking losing each other with things left unsaid," Roran said before kissing her as well.
They were far through the preparations when Parr shouted the warning of Ra'zac.
One of the Ra'zac was on a horse down the street almost out of bow shot. It held a torch in one hand and something in the other hand drawn back to throw. Roran had just enough time to get a bad feeling when it a glass vial of some concoction to shatter against a barricade wagon. The torch must have followed because a concussive wave through Roran back against the wall he was standing nearby. The Ra'zac rode in through the gap in the wagons blown open. They began hacking at any man nearby. Horst and Loring pressing the Ra'zac back with pitchforks was the only thing that prevente more deaths. Soldiers came pouring in through the breach.
Roran recovered himself and smashed his hammer into a nearby soldier dropping the man instantly. He restle the shield off the corpse and got it up just in time to block a strike from another soldier. Roran used an underhande blow against his opponent's chin to drop the man.
"To me," Roran shouted. "Defend your homes. To me," He cried.
Five soldiers tried to encircle Roran. Baldor, then Albriech, and then others joined Roran. Women and children began to throw rocks at the soldiers from the alleys.
"Stay together," Roran cried. "There are more of us."
The line of villagers continued to thicken at Roran's back. This halted the advance of the soldiers.
"Attack fools," A Ra'zac hissed.
Roran caught an arrow on his shield and let out a laugh. Suddenly he began to feel lethargic and powerless to move. It made it hard to think. His arms and legs were fatigued. Just as suddenly Roran felt a hand on his shoulder.
What sounded like Eragon's voice said, "I don't think so. Fight."
Energy flooded Roran and the power of the Ra'zac was washed away. Harry had intervened to banish the influence of the Ra'zac shielding Roran's mind and giving his cousin extra energy. The villagers marched forward in a line. The Ra'zac called a retreat. The soldiers backed out of the village. One of the Ra'zac stopped twenty yards out of the village. It turned and looked directly at Roran.
"You sssmell like your cousin," The Ra'zac hissed. "We do not forget sssmells."
"Why are you here?" Roran demanded.
"For information," The Ra'zac hissed. Then louder it shouted, "Give us Roran and we will sell you as ssslaves. If you don't we will eat you all. Decide well."
Then it turned and galloped away.
HP – IC – GoT – HP – IC – GoT – HP – IC – GoT – HP – IC – GoT – HP – IC – GoT – HP
Rev 0 Posted 1/23/2022
Author's Note 2
If you want to access the erotic versions of any of my stories, follow the following instructions:
1) Go to Facebook and join the group Stargatesg1fan1's Fanfiction Works and Favorites (make sure you answer the security question)
2) Go to the Featured section of the group at the top of the Discussion tab. You will find a link in one of the posts to a Google drive folder. Inside that folder are copies of all of my stories (the smutty versions).
Note: If you create a new Facebook account it has to be with a legitimate name. I won't add anyone to the group that looks suspicious (it has to be a real person's name). For example, using the name "Lazy Lazy" is not a legitimate name.
I have chosen to move the erotic versions of my story to a less accessible forum which can be more closely controlled. If you cannot accept that then you don't need to be reading my stories. For those who can accept it, enjoy.
Enjoy,
Stargatesg1fan1